Activation of basophil and mast cell histamine release by eosinophil granule major basic protein.

Major basic protein (MBP) is a primary constituent of eosinophil granules. In this report, we demonstrate that MBP from human eosinophil granules initiates a nonlytic histamine release from human leukocytes. A direct effect of MBP on basophils was confirmed using purified human basophils. The kinetics of release were similar to those reported for poly-L-arginine, although MBP was less potent than poly-L-arginine of similar molecular weight. Reduction and alkylation of MBP diminished both the potency and efficacy of the molecule. Native MBP also stimulated histamine secretion from purified rat peritoneal mast cells in a manner characteristic of other polycations. These results emphasize the bidirectional nature of the basophil/mast cell-eosinophil regulatory axis.

Effects of space allocation on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics.

A total of 405 pigs (PIC 327 × 1,050) were used in 2 experiments (Exp. 1, initially 66.1 ± 1.8 kg BW, Exp. 2 initially 60.8 ± 2.5 kg BW) to examine the effects of space allocation on finishing pig growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens on entry into the finishing facility. Pens of pigs were balanced by initial BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatments with either 7 or 8 replications per treatment (Exp.1 and 2, respectively). There were 9 pigs per pen and gates were adjusted to provide 0.84, 0.74, or 0.65 m2 per pig. Each pen was equipped with a dry single-sided feeder with two 35.6 cm × 11.4 cm (length × width) feeder spaces and a cup waterer. In both experiments, as space allocation decreased, overall ADG and ADFI decreased (linear, P < 0.019) with no evidence for differences in G:F. In Exp. 2, there was marginal evidence for a linear improvement (P = 0.061) in G:F as space allocation decreased from d 42 to 56. Final BW was 3.8 and 5.3 kg greater (linear, P ≤ 0.005) in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively, when comparing the 0.65 to the 0.84 m2 per pig space allocation treatments. Using a predicted k-value of 0.0336, ADFI and, subsequently, ADG should have begun to decrease when pigs reached 121.2, 101.7, and 83.3 kg at 0.84, 0.74, or 0.65 m2 per pig, respectively. In Exp. 1, we found marginal evidence for a reduction in ADFI as space allocation decreased starting at a mean BW of 80.3 kg (d 14; linear, P = 0.072). In Exp. 2, ADFI and consequently ADG decreased linearly (P < 0.029) starting at a mean BW of 74 kg, as space allocation decreased, before pigs reached the k-value that should have influenced performance. It is unknown if growth performance was impacted for the 0.84 m2 treatment group as this was the greatest space allocation treatment. Overall, these studies indicate that decreasing space allocation resulted in poorer ADG driven by a reduction in ADFI. The data suggests that the accepted k-value of 0.0336 might underestimate the impact of space restriction on finishing pig ADG and ADFI.

PACS-2 mediates the ATM and NF-κB-dependent induction of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL in response to DNA damage.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) promotes cell survival in response to genotoxic stress by inducing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins including Bcl-xL, which protects mitochondria from stress-induced mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP). Here we show that the multifunctional sorting protein Pacs-2 (phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein-2) is required for Bcl-xL induction following DNA damage in primary mouse thymocytes. Consequently, in response to DNA damage, Pacs-2(-/-) thymocytes exhibit a blunted induction of Bcl-xL, increased MOMP and accelerated apoptosis. Biochemical studies show that cytoplasmic PACS-2 promotes this DNA damage-induced anti-apoptotic pathway by interacting with ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) to drive NF-κB activation and induction of Bcl-xL. However, Pacs-2 was not required for tumor necrosis factor-α-induced NF-κB activation, suggesting a role for PACS-2 selectively in NF-κB activation in response to DNA damage. These findings identify PACS-2 as an in vivo mediator of the ATM and NF-κB-dependent induction of Bcl-xL that promotes cell survival in response to DNA damage.

Functional integrity of the SH1 site in myosin from hypertrophied myocardium.

The hypothesis that an alteration in the SH1 site of hypertrophy myosin is reponsible for the reduced Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity is examined.The functional integrity of the SH1 site was evaluated by measurement of the (K+)-EDTA-stimulated and Mg2+-inhibited ATPase activities. Neither activity differed from control although the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase of the same preparations was significantly reduced. The reduction in Ca2+-activated ATPase was independent of ionic strength. Titration with N-ethylmaleimide elevated the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase of hypertrophy myosin to the same peak activity as control. Actin-stimulated ATPase activity of hypertrophy myosin was also reduced. The results indicate that the SH1 of hypertrophy myosin is functionally intact for (K+)EDTA-stimulated ATPase and Mg2+ inhibition, but functionally deficient with regard to Ca2+-stimulated and actin-activated ATPase activities. This implies a partition of the functional aspects of SH1.

Characterization of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in resting and N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine-stimulated human neutrophils.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities in human neutrophils were characterized. Neutrophil sonicates exhibited high-affinity and low-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activities, with apparent Km values of 1.9 microM and 112 microM, respectively. No cGMP phosphodiesterase activity was detected. Approx. 70% of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity measured at 1 microM cAMP was present in the soluble subcellular fraction, and the remainder was localized in the particulate fraction. Chromatography of the soluble subcellular fraction on DE-52 ion-exchange resin yielded a low-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and a high-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. The soluble high-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activity exhibited moderate calmodulin sensitivity. After incubation of intact neutrophils with N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe), a 25-30% increase in the activity of the high-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was observed in the sonicate and in the soluble fraction. Maximal increases were achieved after 2 min of incubation and the increases persisted for at least 10 min. The increase in activity was independent of calmodulin and guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins. These results indicate that a soluble high-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase comprises the majority of phosphodiesterase activity in neutrophils and that increases in this activity may contribute to the regulation of cAMP levels in neutrophils during activation.

Purification of cardiac myosin. Application to hypertrophied myocardium.

A method is described for the preparation of high purity myosin from small amounts of cardiac muscle. The method employs homogenization and prolonged extraction of the cardiac tissue. Purification is achieved through three successive precipitation-dissolution cycles and without the use of column chromatographic techniques. Purity of the myosin preparation is assessed at various stages of the purification procedure by sodium dodecylsulfate-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and by measurement of RNA and nucleoprotein content. With 1.5-2.0 g of rabbit right ventricle as the starting tissue, this method yields 4-6 mg myosin per g wet tissue. The method is also shown to give similar results with rabbit right ventricles hypertrophied by pulmonary stenosis.

Charcot-Leyden crystal protein in the degranulation and recovery of activated basophils.

The Charcot-Leyden crystal (CLC) protein, a prominent cell constituent unique to eosinophils and basophils, possesses lysophospholipase activity. This activity and the extracellular deposition and formation of CLC in tissues and body fluids in association with eosinophils suggest an extracellular function for this protein in inflammation. During degranulation, basophils release granule-derived mediators of inflammation. We postulated that CLC protein, localized in part to the basophil granule, might be released along with other mediators during this process. The extracellular release of CLC protein was studied during the degranulation of basophils stimulated by anti-immunoglobulin E (anti-IgE), N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol myristate acetate, eosinophil major basic protein (MBP), and calcium ionophore A23187. Histamine release was used as a marker of basophil degranulation; its release was measured utilizing the fluorometric technique. CLC protein was not released into the supernatant during this process as determined by radioimmunoassay. CLC protein in the extracellular space, either as intact crystals or aggregates, was undetectable by indirect immunofluorescent staining of basophils activated with either anti-IgE or fMLP. However, upon activation, the immunofluorescent cytoplasmic and nuclear staining pattern for CLC protein was significantly altered. Decreased cytoplasmic staining and persistent or increased nuclear staining for CLC protein were observed after activation, with recovery of the preactivation, unstimulated cellular staining pattern at 30 and 45 min after stimulation with fMLP and anti-IgE, respectively. These findings suggest that CLC protein functions intracellularly in basophils during the process of activation, degranulation, and recovery. The potential nuclear function(s) of this lysophospholipase in the basophil requires further investigation.

Eosinophil granule proteins in peripheral blood granulocytes.

Eosinophils contain four principal cationic proteins, major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO). To determine the quantities of these proteins in granulocytes and whether they are specific to eosinophils, their concentrations in lysates of human granulocytes were measured using specific radioimmunoassays. The effect of different methods for eosinophil lysis on the recovery of the proteins was also studied. Maximal recovery occurred at pH 2 for MBP and pH 5.6 for the other granule proteins. The proteins cosedimented with eosinophils and their concentrations (mean +/- SEM) in ng/10(6) eosinophils (and in nM/10(6) eosinophils) were: MBP, 8,982 +/- 611 (641.6); EDN, 3,283 +/- 116 (178.4); ECP, 5,269 +/- 283 (250.9); and EPO, 12,174 +/- 859 (171.5). Basophils from a normal person contained (in ng/10(6) cells) MBP, 2,374; EDN, 214; ECP, 77; and EPO, 17. Highly purified neutrophils contained (in ng/10(6) cells) MBP, 3 +/- 0.5; EDN, 72 +/- 9; and ECP, 50 +/- 12. Therefore we conclude that these proteins are mainly expressed in eosinophils, but that certain ones are present in basophils and neutrophils.

Stimulus-specific regulation of chemokine expression involves differential activation of the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB.

The promoters of the IL-8, MCP-1, and RANTES genes contain binding sites for the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kappaB, which have been shown to be important for their expression. In this overview, we present evidence from our laboratories that the stimulus-specific regulation of these chemokines by the reactive oxidant H2O2, the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is mediated in a cell type-specific manner involving different patterns of AP-1 and NF-kappaB binding activity. Our results demonstrate that H2O2 induction of IL-8 gene expression is linked with the selective binding of AP-1 to the IL-8 promoter, whereas TNF-alpha and RSV induction of IL-8 correlates with the activation of NF-kappaB binding. We propose that the differential activation and binding of inducible transcription factors to the promoter regions of chemokine genes provides a critical regulatory mechanism by which the CXC and CC chemokines can be selectively expressed in a cell type-specific and stimulus-specific manner. Such a regulatory mechanism of differential chemokine expression could critically influence the site-specific recruitment of distinct subsets of leukocytes to sites of inflammation and injury.

Potentiation of human basophil histamine release by protamine: a new role for a polycation recognition site.

Protamine is an arginine-rich basic polypeptide that stimulates histamine release from rat mast cells but not from human basophils. In this report, we show that protamine causes a non-cytolytic potentiation of IgE-mediated histamine release from human basophils. A direct effect of protamine on basophils was supported by results obtained using cell preparations containing 35-65% basophils. The potentiation occurred at all concentrations of antigen that initiated release and was most pronounced at antigen concentrations that alone stimulated minimal histamine release. The kinetics of potentiated release were parallel to those for IgE-mediated histamine release, and addition of protamine did not overcome the block caused by antigenic desensitization. Staging experiments indicated that enhancement occurred only when protamine and antigen were added together in a single step reaction. Protamine also potentiated release stimulated by eosinophil granule major basic protein or poly-L-lysine, but inhibited release initiated by poly-L-arginine; poly-L-arginine stimulated release was also inhibited by polymyxin B. Arginine-rich histone mimicked the protamine effect, while lysine-rich histone, polymyxin B, and compound 48/80 had minimal or no effect on IgE-mediated release. These results suggest that a polycation recognition site on human basophils similar to that described for rat mast cells may mediate potentiation of basophil secretory events by arginine-rich basic polypeptides.

The role of basophils in inflammatory reactions.

This review demonstrates that basophils reflect skin and lung mast cell reactivity and show characteristic changes in mediator release associated with clinical disease. Although the numbers of IgE molecules and IgE receptors on basophils have been enumerated, these have, in most instances, little influence on the release of histamine after challenge. There is, rather, a parameter of "releasability" that may be a major variable in allergic disease states. Basophils contain and release histamine, the eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECFA), a slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A), and a kallikrein. The release process is controlled by hormone-basophil receptor interactions that determine the cyclic AMP level; plasma and tissue adenosine levels appear prominent in this control. Histamine feeds back to negatively modulate basophil and mast cell release through a specific histamine 2-receptor; it also inhibits lymphocyte and neutrophil function. Like neutrophils, basophils contain beta-glucuronidase while neutrophils contain SRS-A and a low-molecular-weight ECF. The stimuli for primary basophil and neutrophil release are, however, quite different, although phagocytic stimuli, which fail to cause basophil mediator release, potentiate the IgE response. It is concluded that basophols play a significant in vivo role in inflammation by acting as an interface between foreign antigens, the serum cascade systems, and other inflammatory cells.

A flow cytometric procedure for the isolation of antigenically responsive human basophils.

A flow cytometric procedure is described for the isolation of human basophils. The basophils are isolated by cell sorting after passive sensitization with mouse FITC-IgE anti-DNP, and the isolated basophils exhibit characteristic histamine release in response to incubation with DNP21-human serum albumin conjugates. Using this method, 1-4 X 10(5) basophils can be isolated at greater than or equal to 98% purity from approximately 30 ml whole blood in a 2 h sorting procedure.

Discordant and anomalous results among cytotoxicity assays: the confounding properties of eosinophil granule major basic protein on cell viability assays.

When five cytotoxicity methods compared the toxicity of eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) and melittin to K562 and HL-60 cells, strikingly discrepant results were noted. Trypan blue staining, propidium iodide/CellTrackerGreen staining and incorporation of 14C-leucine assays indicated MBP damages > 75% of cells by 1 h. In contrast, 51Cr and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays indicated MBP damages most cells only at 20 h. All methods indicated melittin damages nearly all cells by 1 h. Further studies showed that without cell transfer, dye staining methods indicated MBP produces < 10% cytotoxicity after 4 h. A modified 14C-leucine assay, employing sodium dodecyl sulfate solubilization and trichloroacetic acid precipitation, showed lower cytotoxicity, 48%, at 4 h. Modified 51Cr and LDH assays showed increased cytotoxicities at 4 h, 34% and 58%, respectively. Overall, MBP's ability to cause molecular and cellular adhesion systematically confounds standard cytotoxicity measurements. However, the modified 14C-leucine assay provides a valid measure of MBP's cytotoxicity and may be useful for analyses of 'sticky' cytotoxins.

Molecular cloning and expression of an inwardly rectifying K(+) channel from bovine corneal endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: To determine the presence of a putative inwardly rectifying K(+) channel in bovine corneal endothelial (BCE) cells and to characterize its molecular and electrophysiological properties. METHODS: An RT-PCR strategy was used to clone an IRK1 channel sequence from BCE mRNA. Northern blot analysis was used to confirm expression of this sequence in cultured BCE cells. Two-electrode voltage-clamp and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were used to characterize the cloned channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes and the native channels in cultured BCE cells, respectively. RESULTS: A full-length (1284 bp) coding sequence that shares 99.7% nucleotide sequence and 100% amino acid sequence identity to bovine lens IRK1 (Kir2.1) was cloned. The authors designate this sequence BCE IRK1 or BCIRK1. Northern blot analysis indicated that BCIRK1 mRNA is expressed in cultured BCE cells with two major transcripts of 7.5 and 5.5 kb. BCIRK1 cDNA was subcloned into the vector, pcDNA3.1(-), and cRNA transcribed from the BCIRK1 cDNA clone was injected into Xenopus oocytes. Two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings from injected oocytes revealed inwardly rectifying K(+) currents that were blocked by external Ba(2+) and Cs(+) in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from dissociated cultured BCE cells revealed strongly inwardly rectifying K(+) currents with similar properties. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial cells express IRK1 (Kir2.1) inwardly rectifying K(+) channels. Consistent with the properties of IRK1 channels, BCIRK1 is likely involved in regulating membrane potential and possibly other cellular functions in corneal endothelial cells.

Increases in cytosolic Ca2+ accompany basophil activation by eosinophil granule major basic protein.

The response of basophil cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) to stimulation by eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) was assessed using digital video microscopy. MBP stimulated an elevation in basophil [Ca2+]i that, in general, developed slowly and increased monotonically. In some experiments, however, the average rise in [Ca2+]i was biphasic, with an initial transient increase followed by a larger and more sustained elevation. At the single cell level MBP stimulation caused frequent, asynchronous oscillations in [Ca2+]i that ranged up to 300 nM in amplitude. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ selectively blocked the second, sustained rise in [Ca2+]i as well as MBP-induced histamine release. Within individual experiments, the increase in [Ca2+]i paralleled the level of histamine release. These results demonstrate that, unlike the activation of neutrophils or eosinophils, basophil activation by MBP correlates with an elevation in [Ca2+]i. Further, the MBP induced [Ca2+]i response exhibits several features in common with the IgE-mediated [Ca2+]i response.

Peptide-based analysis of amino acid sequences important to the biological activity of eosinophil granule major basic protein.

Synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences in eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) were evaluated for cytotoxic activity toward K562 cells and for ability to stimulate basophil mediator release. Results obtained using 14 peptides spanning the 117-amino acid sequence of MBP in overlapping fashion indicated that the activities mapped to peptide sequences near the amino and carboxy termini of MBP. The activity of these regions was confirmed using two peptides corresponding to MBP residues 18-45 and 89-117. A 20-h incubation with 5 microM peptide 18-45 or peptide 89-117 caused approximately the same levels (>60%) of cytotoxicity in K562 cells as 5 microM MBP. Similarly, a 30-min incubation with peptides 18-44 and 89-117 stimulated basophil histamine release in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 5-20 microM. The level of release stimulated by 20 microM peptide 89-117 approached that stimulated by 2 microM MBP. A 20 microM concentration of peptide 89-117 also stimulated leukotriene C4 (LTC4) production by the basophils. Neither peptide 18-45 nor peptide 89-117 was cytotoxic for basophils under the experimental conditions for histamine and LTC4 release, as determined by 51Cr release. These results indicate that two MBP peptide sequences, including one (89-117) that contains a unique carbohydrate-binding region, share the biologic activities of MBP.

Effects of erythropoietin and aminoguanidine on red blood cell deformability in diabetic azotemic and uremic patients.

Impaired red blood cell-deformability (RBC-df) is noted in patients with diabetes and may play a role in the pathogenesis of microvasculopathy and nephropathy. We report the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) alone and combined with aminoguanidine (AG) for 1 year on RBC-df in predialysis patients (P-DPs) with renal insufficiency and in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (DPs). Nine P-DPs who received EPO 50 U/kg by subcutaneous injection 3 times per week are compared with 5 P-DPs treated without EPO (mean serum creatinine 4.1 +/- 0.1 versus 4.2 +/- 0.6 mg/dL, respectively). Twelve DPs (Kt/V = 1.5 +/- 0.1) were studied. Six DPs received AG 200 mg/every other day by mouth and EPO 50 U/kg by intravenous (IV) injection, and 6 DPs received EPO (50 U/kg) and placebo and served as control. RBC-df improved significantly in 9 P-DPs treated with EPO at 6 months (from 2.7 +/- 0.1 to 1.6 +/- 0.2, P = 0.005). This positive effect was sustained at 12 months (P = 0.005); there was no change in RBC-df in P-DPs receiving usual care without EPO. RBC-df improved significantly and progressively at 6 and 12 months in DPs treated with EPO and AG (from 2.2 +/- 0.2 to 1.8 +/- 0.2; P = 0.01; 1.2 +/- 0.1; P = 0.001, respectively); there was limited improvement in RBC-df in DPs treated with EPO and placebo. We conclude that EPO treatment significantly improved RBC-df in diabetic P-DPs, but EPO alone has no significant effect on RBC-df after 12 months in diabetic DPs. The combination of EPO and AG restores RBC-df to near-normal levels in diabetic DPs. We speculate that the effect of EPO on RBC-df seen in P-DPs and DPs is related to increased synthesis and influx of new and younger RBCs. AG may confer protection of RBCs in DPs by blocking advanced glycosylated end-product (AGE) formation.

Physician house calls: a complement to hospital-based medical care.

A physician-oriented, hospital-based Home Care Program (HCP) is described. The staff includes a director, resident physicians, nurses, social workers, and clerical personnel. House calls are made by resident physicians during off-duty hours, but patients, their families, and other health professionals may help with their care. Drugs, equipment and supplies are available through the hospital and contract vendors. The most common medical diseases are cardiac and cerebrovascular disorders, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disorders and hypertension. Of 513 patients evaluated in one year, 337 were admitted to the HCP. Two-thirds were women. Ages ranged from 18 to 106 (median, 68 years). Under the HCP there was significant improvement and control of the medical problems, and a decrease in hospital and emergency room admissions, and clinic visits; 207 of the 337 patients were discharged. The HCP cost less than other outpatient and inpatient services. It proved to be a rewarding, economical and effective means of improving medical care for a metropolitan population dependent upon hospital-based physicians for medical services.

Comparative investigation of a quantitative chromogenic endotoxin assay and blood cultures.

In a prospective study, the clinical relevance of a quantitative chromogenic endotoxin assay in plasma (detection limit 10 ng/L, assay time 2.5 hours) versus blood cultures was evaluated in 51 critically ill patients with increased susceptibility for infectious complications. Of the 400 samples tested, the endotoxin assay and bacterial culture both were negative in 342 samples. In 21 samples from 15 patients, gram-negative aerobic microorganisms were cultured. Corresponding endotoxin assays were positive in 14 samples (mean 100 ng/L). Twenty-three samples grew gram-positive bacteria. The associated endotoxin assays all were negative. Twelve samples were found to be endotoxin-positive without a corresponding gram-negative bacterial culture. In 7 of these 12 positive endotoxin assays, a laboratory or clinical explanation for these positive tests could be provided. In view of the high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values obtained, the authors conclude that the endotoxin assay used is a useful clinical adjunct for both the detection and exclusion of gram-negative septicemia.

Quantitative endotoxin determination in blood with a chromogenic substrate.

A method is described for the quantitative determination of endotoxins in blood. The method is based upon the endotoxin-dependent activation of a proenzyme present in Limulus amebocyte lysate. This activated enzyme is measured by using the chromogenic substrate S 2422. Inhibitors and activated coagulation factors possibly interfering in the assay are removed by dilution and boiling. The method has been proven to be fast (2.5 h), sensitive and reproducible with a detection limit of 10 ng/l. Preliminary results comparing the results of blood cultures with the endotoxin assay indicate a good correlation.