Persistent expression of a soluble form of Fas/APO1 in continuously activated T cells from a patient with SLE.

OBJECTIVE: To report a patient with SLE whose T cells expressed disproportionally increased amounts of an alternatively spliced form of Fas/APO1 transcript and secreted a soluble form of Fas. METHODS: We established continuously activated, short-term T cell lines from 16 patients with SLE and from 6 normal controls. The structure, expression and function of Fas was examined using RT-PCR and sequencing, flow cytometry (surface expression of Fas), ELISA (measurement of soluble Fas) and a PI-based cytotoxicity assay (functional analysis). RESULTS: A soluble form of Fas which originates from an alternatively spliced transcript and lacks the transmembrane domain of the original molecule was the dominant product of the Fas-gene in one line (S18B) derived from a patient with very active SLE. Compared to a control line, the S18B cells displayed decreased surface Fas expression but increased accumulation of Fas inside the cell. The amount of soluble Fas in the culture supernatant of S18B was found to be 1.8 times higher than that of a control line. Culture supernatants from S18B cells inhibited anti-Fas mAb-medicated T cell death. CONCLUSION: Continuously activated T cells from one patient with SLE displayed increased amounts of soluble Fas that inhibits anti-Fas mediated cell death. Although the frequency of this abnormality among patients with SLE and other diseases is unknown, increased production of soluble Fas may have contributed to the pathogenesis of SLE in the patient presented here.

Selective regulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene expression by interleukin-1 in cultured human lung tumor cells.

The regulation of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 1AR and beta 2AR) and receptor gene expression by interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) was studied in cultured A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. The density and affinity of beta 1 AR and beta 2 AR were analyzed by computerized curve fitting of 125I-pindolol binding and its displacement by subtype selective antagonists. Steady state levels of receptor mRNAs were quantified by DNA excess solution hybridization assays. A549 cells in preconfluent cultures had fewer beta 1AR than beta 2AR (beta 1: 1.9 +/- 0.3 vs beta 2: 4.0 +/- 0.5 fmol/mg protein, means +/- SE), but lost most of their beta 2 AR upon reaching confluency (beta 1: 2.7 +/- 0.4, beta 2: 0.8 +/- 0.3 fmol/mg). Incubation of preconfluent cells for 24 hr with 20 pM of human recombinant IL-1 alpha did not modify the density of either of the beta AR subtypes. Similar incubations of confluent cells increased the density of beta 2 AR from 0.8 +/- 0.3 to 4.2 +/- 0.9 fmol/mg, while the density of beta 1 AR and the antagonist affinities of both receptors remained unaltered. The IL-1 alpha-induced increase in beta 2 AR density in confluent cells was antagonized in a concentration-dependent manner by a recombinant protein antagonist of type I IL-1 receptors (IC50: 0.2 nM). The IL-1 alpha-induced increase in beta 2AR density was preceded by an increase in the steady state level of beta 2AR mRNA, while levels of beta 1AR mRNA remained unchanged. IL-1 alpha increased the stability as well as the rate of transcription of beta 2AR mRNA. These findings demonstrate for the first time that activation of type I IL-1 receptors in A549 cells leads to a cell density-dependent, selective upregulation of beta 2AR, and that the mechanism of this effect involves increased formation and stability of the beta 2AR message.

Effects of IL-1 and cortisol on beta-adrenergic receptors, cell proliferation, and differentiation in cultured human A549 lung tumor cells.

The effects of IL-1 and cortisol, and their interactions on the density of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta AR), cell proliferation, and the adherence of cells to plastic were studied in cultured human A549 lung tumor cells. The density of beta AR, assayed by 125I-pindolol binding, was increased two- to threefold by a 24-h incubation of the cells with IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha (EC50: 2.7, 8.2, and 24 pM, respectively), although a series of other cytokines and growth factors did not have this effect. Cortisol also increased beta AR density (EC50: 30 nM) and markedly potentiated the effects of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha. Neither IL-1 nor cortisol influenced the proportion of cell surface vs internalized beta AR. The IL-1-induced increase in beta AR density was half-maximal after 6 h, was reversible at a similar rate, and was blocked by 1 microM of cycloheximide. The effect of IL-1 on beta AR was specific, as the density of glucocorticoid receptors, measured by 3H-dexamethasone binding, was reduced by IL-1. Both cortisol and IL-1 potentiated the isoproterenol-induced increase in cAMP accumulation. IL-1 inhibited cell proliferation and thymidine uptake, and increased the adherence of A549 cells to the plastic culture flask, as quantified by a cell detachment assay. The effect of IL-1 on cell adherence was not inhibited by cycloheximide. Cortisol decreased cell adherence and prevented the IL-1-induced increase in adherence. The results indicate that multiple effects of IL-1 in a cultured tumor cell line involve different mechanisms, suggesting heterogeneity of IL-1R and/or coupling of IL-1R to distinct, nuclear, and nonnuclear, effector pathways.

Modulation of rat brain cortical alpha 2-adrenoceptors by treatment with hydrocortisone for 10 days.

The role of glucocorticoids in the modulation of central alpha 2-receptor mechanisms was investigated by in vitro receptor binding studies. [3H]Clonidine and [3H]idazoxan were used as radioligands. The alpha 2-receptor subtypes and guanine nucleotide sensitivity were studied in homologue and heterologue displacement experiments following hydrocortisone treatment (25 mg/kg s.c.) for 10 days. High and low agonist affinity states of the alpha 2-receptor could be identified in 3H-antagonist-agonist and 3H-agonist-antagonist displacement experiments, which may correspond to different regulatory protein-nucleotide associated forms of the receptor. In the presence of 10 microM GTP, the high-affinity binding was depressed. Following hydrocortisone treatment, there was no detectable change either in the affinity or the binding site concentration of clonidine in homologue displacement ("cold saturation") experiments. The affinity of idazoxan, however, was depressed. The effect of GTP was similar to the controls in this experimental arrangement. In contrast, in heterologue binding studies the high-affinity binding site was not demonstrable and the amount of low-affinity binding increased following the hydrocortisone treatment. The high-affinity site reappeared in the presence of GTP. The change in GTP sensitivity suggests that the nucleotide regulatory system may be involved in the action of adrenal steroids on central alpha 2-receptoral mechanisms.

Effect of chronic morphine treatment on the adrenaline biosynthesis in adrenals and brain regions of the rat.

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity and tissue catecholamine content were examined after 13 days morphine treatment. Prolonged morphine treatment did not alter the PNMT activity in brain regions (A1/C1 and A2/C2 cell groups, medial basal hypothalamus, median eminence). However, the enzyme activity and the adrenaline content were increased in the adrenal medulla of male rats. In parallel, morphine treatment induced adrenal hypertrophy. In female or hypophysectomized male animals the chronic morphine treatment had no effect on adrenal weight but evoked the increase of PNMT activity. It is concluded that the morphine-induced increased adrenaline biosynthesis in the adrenal gland is not fully dependent on the intact pituitary-adrenal axis and may be mediated partly by a neural mechanism (increased splanchnic nerve activity) or by a direct effect of morphine.

Is calcium or cyclic AMP involved in the inhibitory effect on pituitary hormone secretion of the tripeptide aldehyde proteinase inhibitors?

The mechanism by which tripeptide aldehyde proteinase inhibitors decrease prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) secretion was studied. Agents known to modify the intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) or cytosolic free calcium were used in monolayer cultures of the rat anterior pituitary gland. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX), 8-bromo-cAMP and forskolin all stimulated PRL release. Boc-D-Phe-Pro-arginal (Boc-DPPA) at 1 mmol/l concentration was a potent inhibitor of basal PRL release and significantly decreased the effect of 8-Br-cAMP, forskolin or IBMX (0.5 mmol/l). Forskolin (1 mumol/l) stimulated ACTH, PRL and GH release and all these effects were decreased by 100 mumol/l of Boc-D-Phe-Phe-lysinal (Boc-DPPL). Neither tripeptide aldehyde affected the forskolin-induced rise in intracellular cAMP. Growth hormone releasing factor (hpGRF, 1 nmol/l) stimulated both GH release and intracellular cAMP generation; Boc-DPPL (100 mumol/l) significantly decreased stimulated GH release without affecting cAMP accumulation. Increasing medium K+ to 10 times normal level stimulated PRL release presumably by enhancing Ca2+ entry into the cells and 1 mmol/l Boc-DPPA decreased high potassium-stimulated PRL release. The ionophore A-23187 stimulated PRL release at 10 mumol/l but not at 1 mumol/l. At 1 mumol/l A-23187 prevented the Boc-DPPA-induced inhibition of PRL release. These findings suggest that the tripeptide aldehyde proteinase inhibitors inhibit PRL and GH release at a site beyond cAMP formation.

The effect of EGYT-475 (Trelibet) and its metabolites on the potassium-stimulated 3H-noradrenaline release from cortical slices of rat brain.

The effect of a new antidepressant drug: EGYT-475 (Trelibet) and its metabolites: EGYT-1354 and EGYT-2760 on the K+-stimulated overflow of 3H-noradrenaline from rat brain cortical slices was studied. The parent compound and EGYT-1354 were ineffective at a concentration of 10(-4) mole/l but EGYT-2760 increased both the spontaneous and the potassium-evoked tritium release in the concentration range of 10(-8)-10(-5) mole/l. The increasing effect of EGYT-2760 on the basal tritium outflow was similar to that of D-amphetamine: it could be prevented by neuronal uptake inhibitors (cocaine and desipramine) and did not depend on the extracellular Ca++ concentration. EGYT-2760 and D-amphetamine enhanced the K+-induced 3H-noradrenaline overflow too, however this effect of D-amphetamine was abolished in the presence of cocaine and desipramine, while the effect of EGYT-2760 remained unaffected. EGYT-2760 did not possess presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist property: it could not antagonize the inhibitory effect of clonidine.

Dopamine receptor binding of a novel dibenzodioxazocine derivative, EGYT-2509.

The binding of novel dibenzodioxazocine derivatives to rat striatal dopamine receptors was studied in vitro, using 3H-spiperone as radioligand. The biochemical-pharmacological characteristics of the effect of a selected representative, EGYT-2509 are discussed in details. The parameters of specific spiperone binding to rat striatal membrane preparation (KD = 0.550 nM, Bmax = 465 fmole/mg protein) as well as the displacing potencies of known dopamine receptor ligands matched closely the corresponding values in the literature. Using 0.4 nM radioligand, a Ki value of 404 nM was obtained for EGYT-2509; the binding of the drug had a minor serotonergic component. EGYT-2509 behaved as a dopamine receptor antagonist in all functional in vitro biochemical-pharmacological tests (striatal adenylate cyclase, striatal dopamine release, prolactin release from pituitary) performed previously. The drug exhibited a marked preference for adenylate cyclase-coupled (D1) dopamine receptors, followed by the 3H-spiperone displacing potency at striatal receptors. It was a rather weak antagonist both at striatal dopamine autoreceptors and at the receptors controlling prolactin release. Finally, when comparing the structure-activity relationships obtained with dibenzo-dioxazocines in the dopamine receptor binding assay with the relative pharmacological potencies of a structurally related neuroleptic group, i.e. of phenothiazines, a definite parallelism could be demonstrated.

Pituitary receptors for corticotropin-releasing factor: no effect of vasopressin on binding or activation of adenylate cyclase.

In this study we have characterized binding sites for ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (oCRF) in the rat anterior pituitary gland, and have investigated whether the site of interaction of vasopressin and oCRF is at the plasma membrane level. The binding 125I-oCRF to anterior pituitary membranes was shown to be dependent on temperature, pH and cation concentration. Magnesium was essential for the binding reaction to take place. Two binding sites of Kd 7.63 X 10(-10) and 3.39 X 10(-8) M were found. Activity of adenylate cyclase in the membrane preparation increased in the presence of oCRF. The activity of the enzyme as well as the binding of 125I-oCRF was found to be influenced by guanosine-5'-triphosphate. Several hypothalamic neurohormones, including vasopressin, failed to alter the binding of 125I-oCRF to anterior pituitary membranes. Moreover, vasopressin failed to influence the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity induced by oCRF. Preincubation of anterior pituitary segments with oCRF desensitized the corticotropin (ACTH) response to oCRF and decreased the amount of 125I-oCRF bound to membranes prepared from similarly treated pituitaries. The ACTH response to vasopressin remained unchanged. Following a preincubation of anterior pituitary segments with vasopressin, oCRF stimulated ACTH secretion, as well as the binding of 125I-oCRF to pituitary membranes was normal, while the ACTH response to vasopressin was markedly reduced. These results show that separate receptors mediate the action of vasopressin and oCRF. Moreover, the ACTH response to vasopressin and oCRF may be modulated separately.

Loss of sensitivity to morphine induced by prolonged ACTH treatment.

The effect of long term ACTH treatment on some actions of morphine were studied. The effect of ACTH administration was compared to that induced by acute dexamethasone injection. ACTH caused a delayed inhibition of the morphine induced increase in growth hormone secretion demonstrable 24 hr after the last hormone injection. The morphine induced increase of striatal DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) content was also inhibited by ACTH treatment, however, neither the analgesia, nor the hypermotility caused by morphine were affected. Dexamethasone did not alter significantly the responsiveness to morphine. It is concluded that the prolonged exposure to ACTH presumably causes a corticosterone-mediated loss of responsiveness of functionally restricted opiate sensitive mechanisms in the central nervous system.

Decrease of morphine-induced prolactin release by a procedure causing prolonged stress.

The effects of morphine and fentanyl on plasma prolactin levels in rats have been measured. It was found that a prolonged immobilization stressful procedure for 5 h inhibited the response to morphine and fentanyl to increase prolactin secretion, but did not influence the increase in plasma prolactin caused by haloperidol. The injection of a large dose of cortisol (25 mg/kg, s.c.) also evoked an inhibition of morphine-induced prolactin release. The inhibition was maximal 24 h after the administration of the glucocorticoid. These results indicate that stress may induce prolonged alteration in endogenous opioid-mediated neuromodulation via a prolonged release of glucocorticoids.

Effects of beta-adrenergic inhibitors on noradrenaline and adrenaline metabolism in brain regions of the rat.

Chloranolol (5 mg/kg i.p.) retarded the disappearance of noradrenaline induced by the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) inhibitor FLA 63, in the hypothalamus, nucleus of the solitary tract (A-2/C-2 area), and lateral reticular nucleus (A-1/C-1 area) regions, while propranolol (20 mg/kg i.p.) was effective only in the hypothalamus and in the lateral reticular nucleus. The DBH inhibitor-caused accumulation of dopamine was also inhibited by chloranolol in the solitary tract nucleus. Chloranolol and propranolol were able to antagonize the fall in adrenaline concentration due to the phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) inhibitor, Lilly 87130, only in the region of the solitary tract nucleus. The data suggest that beta-adrenergic inhibitors reduce noradrenaline and adrenaline turnover in the central nervous system, most characteristically in the solitary tract nucleus and that this effect is possibly related to their antihypertensive effectiveness.

Effects of reserpine and antidepressants on dopamine and DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) concentrations in the striatum, olfactory tubercle and median eminence of rats.

The dopamine, noradrenaline and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels of various rat brain areas (median emience, olfactory tubercle, rostral and caudal part of the striatum) were measured. The effects of reserpine and antidepressants: amitriptyline, nomifensine and EGYT 475 (1-benzyl-4-/2'-piridylcarbonyl/piperazine) were investigated. The dopamine content of the median eminence proved to be the most sensitive to the depletory effect of reserpine. Reserpine (1 mg/kg i.p.) caused a decrease of dopamine in the median eminence, in the olfactory tubercle and in the rostral striatum but not in the caudal striatum. Amitriptyline and EGYT 475 antagonized the reserpine-induced dopamine depletion in the olfactory tubercle. In the median eminence amitriptyline attenuated the effect of the depletor while nomifensine augmented it; EGYT 475 was without effect. The antidepressants antagonized the reserpine-induced increase of DOPAC in the rostral part of the striatum.