Interactions of cnidarian toxins with the immune system.

Cnidarians comprise four classes of toxic marine animals: Anthozoa, Cubozoa, Scyphozoa and Hydrozoa. They are the largest and probably the oldest phylum of toxic marine animals. Any contact with a cnidarian, especially the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri), can be fatal, but most cnidarians do not possess sufficiently strong venomous apparatus to penetrate the human skin, whereas others rarely come into contact with human beings. Only a small, almost negligible percentage of the vast wealth of cnidarian toxins has been studied in detail. Many polypeptide cnidarian toxins are immunogenic, and cross-reactivity between several jellyfish venoms has been reported. Cnidarians also possess components of innate immunity, and some of those components have been preserved in evolution. On the other hand, cnidarian toxins have already been used for the design of immunotoxins to treat cancer, whereas other cnidarian toxins can modulate the immune system in mammals, including man. This review will focus on a short overview of cnidarian toxins, on the innate immunity of cnidarians, and on the mode of action of cnidarian toxins which can modulate the immune system in mammals. Emphasis is palced on those toxins which block voltage activated potassium channels in the cells of the immune system.

The anti-inflammatory effect of the SOCC blocker SK&F 96365 on mouse lymphocytes after stimulation by Con A or PMA/ionomycin.

SK&F 96365, 51-(beta-[3-(p-methoxyphenyl)-propyloxy]-p-methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride, has emerged as a useful pharmacological tool in the study of store-operated Ca²âº entry (SOCE). But the precise molecular mechanism and effect of SK&F 96365 on mouse lymphocytes are still not well determined. This study investigated the pharmacological profile of SK&F 96365 on mouse lymphocytes stimulated by mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) or by a combination of a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and a calcium ionophore, ionomycin in vitro. Our results showed that SK&F 96365 pre-treatment diminished the cytosolic calcium rise on lymphocytes induced by ionomycin, PMA/ionomycin, and thapsigargin (TG), respectively. CFDA-SE staining results showed that SK&F 96365 (5-20 µM) inhibited both Con A- and PMA/ionomycin-induced lymphocytes proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Upon the same stimulation, SK&F 96365 inhibited the expression of CD69 and CD25 on CD3⁺ T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The cell cycle analyzing results showed that SK&F 96365 caused a G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest on both Con A- and PMA/ionomycin-activated lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, SK&F 96365 induced a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and promoted mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in both Con A- and PMA/ionomycin-activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, SK&F 96365 significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) on both Con A- and PMA/ionomycin-activated lymphocytes. SK&F 96365 did not induce a statistically significant increase in levels of proinflammatory IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) but of IL-12p70 upon the stimulation of Con A, whereas these three cytokines were markedly inhibited by it upon the stimulation of PMA/ionomycin. This finding revealed that SK&F 96365 exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect on mouse lymphocytes both upon the stimulation of Con A and PMA/ionomycin, and the precise mechanism of SK&F 96365 inhibiting Con A-activated lymphocytes proliferation is different from PMA/ionomycin.

Knocking down Cav1 calcium channels implicated in Th2 cell activation prevents experimental asthma.

RATIONALE: Th2 cells orchestrate allergic asthma and the cytokines they produce (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) are deleterious in allergy. Therefore, it is important to identify key signaling molecules expressed by Th2 cells that are essential for their function. We have previously shown that dihydropyridines selectively modulate Th2 cell functions. OBJECTIVES: Because dihydropyridines bind to and modulate voltage-dependent calcium (Ca(v)1) channel in excitable cells, we aimed at showing that Th2 cells selectively express functional Ca(v)1-related channels, the inhibition of which may prevent asthma. METHODS: We looked for Ca(v)1 channel expression in Th2 and Th1 cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. We sequenced the isoforms expressed by Th2 cells and tested whether Ca(v)1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (Ca(v)1AS) affected Ca(2+) signaling and cytokine production. Finally, we tested the effect of Ca(v)1AS in the passive asthma model by injection of ovalbumin-specific Th2 cells transfected with Ca(v)1AS into BALB/c mice challenged with intranasal ovalbumin and in the active model of asthma by intranasal delivery of Ca(v)1AS together with soluble ovalbumin in BALB/c mice previously immunized with ovalbumin in alum. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We show that mouse Th2 but not Th1 cells expressed Ca(v)1.2 and Ca(v)1.3 channels. Th2 cells transfected with Ca(v)1AS had impaired Ca(2+) signaling and cytokine production, and lost their ability to induce airway inflammation on adoptive transfer. Furthermore, intranasal administration of Ca(v)1AS suppressed airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in an active model of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Th2 cells selectively express Ca(v)1 channels that may be efficiently targeted in T lymphocytes to prevent experimental asthma.

The paradoxical immuno-response of adenosine triphosphate effects.

The actual research on the paradoxical effects of ATP to obtain to optimal conditions of the immune response against certain pathologies. The ATP Paradox, after its interaction with iron or aluminum, which have shown important effects on carcinogenesis, suggests its implication in pathological systems in which overcalcification may play a role.

[Obtaining antibodies to 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers].

Immunization of rabbits with amlodipine conjugated with horseradish peroxidase resulted in raising polyclonal antibodies that allowed group determination of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in aqueous solutions by ELISA with a sensitivity of 0.1 to 1.0 ng/ml for amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, and isradipine.

Ion channels and lymphocyte activation.

The ion channels expressed by T lymphocytes play key roles in the control of the membrane potential and calcium signaling, thereby affecting signal transduction pathways that lead to the activation of these cells following antigenic stimulation. Disruption of these pathways can attenuate or prevent the response of T-cells to antigenic challenge resulting in immune suppression. Studies using ion channel blockers of high affinity and specificity have shown that this interference can be achieved at the level of ion channels. Suppression of immune functions by channel blockers has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. New information about the molecular structure of ion channels facilitates the design of more potent and more specific inhibitors. Thus, T-cell ion channels are likely to serve as targets for immunomodulatory drugs in the near future. Here, the biophysical properties, tissue distribution, regulation of expression, molecular pharmacology and role in T-cell activation of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 and the Ca(2+)-activated IKCa1 potassium channels and those of the Ca(+) release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel are reviewed.

Cross-reactivity of Sydney funnel-web spider antivenom: neutralization of the in vitro toxicity of other Australian funnel-web (Atrax and Hadronyche) spider venoms.

Australian funnel-web spiders are recognized as one of the most venomous spiders to humans world-wide. Funnel-web spider antivenom (FWS AV) reverses clinical effects of envenomation from the bite of Atrax robustus and a small number of related Hadronyche species. This study assessed the in vitro efficacy of FWS AV in neutralization of the effects of funnel-web spider venoms, collected from various locations along the eastern seaboard of Australia, in an isolated chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. Venoms were separated by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis to compare protein composition and transblotted for Western blotting and incubation with FWS AV.SDS-PAGE of venoms revealed similar low and high molecular weight protein bands. Western blotting with FWS AV showed similar antivenom binding with protein bands in all the venoms tested. Male funnel-web spider venoms (7/7) and female venoms (5/10) produced muscle contracture and fasciculation when applied to the nerve-muscle preparation. Venom effects were reversed by subsequent application of FWS AV or prevented by pretreatment of the preparation with antivenom.FWS AV appears to reverse the in vitro toxicity of a number of funnel-web spider venoms from the eastern seaboard of Australia. FWS AV should be effective in the treatment of envenomation from most, if not all, species of Australian funnel-web spiders.

Specificity of omega-conotoxin MVIIC-binding and -blocking calcium channel antibodies in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.

An immunoprecipitation assay was used to measure omega-conotoxin MVIIC (P/Q-type) binding and blocking calcium channel antibodies in 67 patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and in a large control population. We first showed the presence of omega-conotoxin MVIIC-blocking antibody in LEMS patients. Binding antibodies were detected in 55 of 67 (82.1%) LEMS patients and in 2 of 296 (0.7%) controls. In contrast, blocking antibodies were positive in 14 of 67 (20.9%) LEMS patients and 8 of 171 (4.7%) controls. No LEMS patient had negative binding antibodies and positive blocking antibodies. The immunoprecipitation assay detected no antibodies against the whole P/Q-type calcium channel in either the paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration or the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis sera. Neither the omega-conotoxin MVIIC-binding nor the -blocking calcium channel antibodies were correlated with clinical severity across the individuals, but longitudinal studies of some LEMS patients showed an inverse relation between binding antibody titre and disease severity. We concluded that the 125I-omega-conotoxin MVIIC assay for anti-P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies is highly specific for LEMS and that this sensitive binding antibody assay could be more valuable than the blocking antibody assay in the diagnosis of LEMS.

Corticotropin-releasing factor-induced production of cyclic AMP by human peripheral blood immunocytes.

The immunomodulating properties of a neuropeptide hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), led us to investigate its effect on cAMP production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC). In response to stimulation with CRF (100 nM), a statistically significant (P = 0.019) increase occurred in the amount of cAMP produced by MNC. Purified monocytes, but not lymphocytes, also displayed a significant (P = 0.01) increase (8- to 10-fold) in intracellular cAMP after treatment with CRF (100 nM). The antagonist alpha-helical CRF9-41 (100 nM) counteracted the cAMP increase induced by CRF (100 nM). The CRF-induced cAMP production was augmented by pretreatment of MNC with a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) peptide inhibitor (PI20), but was virtually unaffected by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor H7, suggesting a role for cAMP signalling. Moreover, the CRF-stimulated cAMP level was reduced to baseline by intracellular Ca2+ antagonist HA1004, indicating a role for Ca(2+)-signalling. Based on these findings, it is concluded that cAMP and/or Ca2+ play a second messenger role in the CRF signal transduction pathway.

Determination of the calcium antagonist benidipine hydrochloride in plasma by sensitive radioimmunoassay.

A sensitive radioimmunoassay of the 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (+/-)-(R*)-2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarb oxylic acid (R*)-1-benzyl-3-piperidinyl ester, methyl ester hydrochloride (benidipine hydrochloride, KW-3049) has been developed. Antiserum against KW-3049 was produced in rabbits by immunization with an immunogen prepared by conjugating a derivative of KW-3049 to bovine serum albumin. This antiserum was found to specifically bind to [3H]-KW 3049, while the recognition to [3H]-nitrendipine, another well-known dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, was less pronounced. With the antiserum, [3H]-KW-3049 and dextran coated charcoal, this radioimmunoassay could detect 39 approximately equal to 500 pg/tube of KW-3049 in a buffer system, and 156 to 5000 pg/ml of KW-3049 in plasma by using 0.5 ml of the plasma which was pretreated with MeOH for deproteinization and extracted with diethyl ether under alkaline condition. To assess the specificity of the radioimmunoassay, the inhibition of [3H]-KW-3049 binding to the antiserum by the presumable metabolites was examined. Though three of these presumable metabolites could slightly inhibit the binding of [3H]-KW-3049, they were not detected in rat and dog plasma at 0.5 h after oral administration of KW-3049. Plasma levels of KW-3049 in rats receiving a single oral dose (1 mg/kg) determined by the radioimmunoassay show good agreement with those obtained by gas chromotography.

Affinity purification of antibodies specific for 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers.

High-affinity antibodies specific for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers have been produced in sheep and affinity purified using a dihydropyridine-Sepharose affinity column. Dihydropyridine-Sepharose affinity matrix was synthesized by reaction of aminohexyl-Sepharose with an affinity analogue of nifedipine, dimethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-isothiocyanatophenyl)-3,5-pyridine-dicarbo xylate. Residual amine groups were then blocked by carbodiimide-catalyzed acetylation. [3H]Nitrendipine-binding activity in serum was specifically absorbed by the dihydropyridine-Sepharose affinity column. The bound antibody was eluted with diethylamine (pH 11.5) in 10% dioxane or with a low-affinity dihydropyridine ligand (diethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate), pH 7.4. Thirty-six milligrams of highly pure IgG antibody, as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, was isolated from 50 ml hyperimmune sheep serum. The affinity-purified anti-dihydropyridine antibodies have been shown to have high affinity (Kd approximately 0.1 nM) and specificity for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers and, therefore, exhibit dihydropyridine-binding properties similar to the membrane receptor for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers. Immunoblot staining of an azidopine-bovine serum albumin conjugate with affinity-purified antidihydropyridine antibodies demonstrated that the anti-dihydropyridine antibodies recognize the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers when covalently coupled to protein and, therefore, should be useful in the identification and purification of receptors covalently labelled with 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers.

An antibody to dihydropyridine calcium entry blockers. A comparison with the calcium channel receptor in skeletal muscle.

Antibodies that recognize dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium entry blockers were elicited from rabbits. A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for dihydropyridines was developed and its specificity compared to the DHP binding site in skeletal muscle membranes. The antibody bound [3H]nitrendipine with a higher affinity (KD = 0.155 nM) than did the DHP receptor of skeletal muscle (KD = 1-3 mM); however, in contrast to the DHP receptor, the antibody recognized only those DHP drugs with meta-nitrophenyl substituents at the 4-position on the DHP ring. Both the antibody and receptor exhibited stereospecificity, with each site recognizing the (+)-isomer of nicardipine as the more potent. This antibody should prove useful in our studies of some potentially irreversible DHP molecules.

High-affinity antibodies to the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blockers.

Antibodies with high affinity and specificity for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blockers have been produced in rabbits by immunization with dihydropyridine-protein conjugates. Anti-dihydropyridine antibodies were found to specifically bind [3H]nitrendipine, [3H]-nimodipine, [3H]nisoldipine, and [3H]PN 200-110 (all 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blockers) with high affinity, while [3H]verapamil, [3H]diltiazem, and [3H]trifluoperazine were not recognized. The average dissociation constant of the [3H]nitrendipine-antibody complex was 0.06 (+/- 0.02) X 10(-9) M for an antiserum studied in detail and ranged from 0.01 to 0.24 X 10(-9) M for all antisera. Inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding was specific for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel modifiers and the concentrations required for half-maximal inhibition ranged between 0.25 and 0.90 nM. Structurally unrelated Ca2+-channel blockers, calmodulin antagonists, inactive metabolites of nitrendipine, and UV-inactivated nisoldipine did not modify [3H]nitrendipine binding to the anti-dihydropyridine antibodies. Dihydropyridines without a bulky substituent in the 4-position of the heterocycle were able to displace [3H]nitrendipine binding, but the concentrations required for half-maximal inhibition were greater than 800 nM. In summary, anti-dihydropyridine antibodies have been shown to have high affinity and specificity for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blockers and to exhibit dihydropyridine binding properties similar to the membrane receptor for the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+-channel blockers.