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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A central factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and fibrotic lung disease (adult respiratory distress syndrome, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) is the locally elevated number of alveolar macrophages (AM). An elevation in the production rate of AM, chemoattraction and differentiation of monocytes, or a diminution in the death rate might be underlying mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the modulatory role of endotoxin and cytokines on the death rate of human AM. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment resulted in a 4-fold increase (7.6 to 30.2%) of AM death. AM death was apoptotic as assessed by in situ DNA end labeling (ISDE), transmission electron microscopy, DNA gel electrophoresis, fluorometry of fragmented DNA, and an ELISA specific for histone-associated DNA fragments. Among the different bacterial cell wall components tested, LPS was the only inducer of apoptosis in human AM. None of the tested cytokines (interleukin-1 beta [IL-1 beta], IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], transforming growth factor-beta 2 [TGF-beta 2], interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma], macrophage colony-stimulating factor [M-CSF], granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF], and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) was capable of enhancing the spontaneous rate of apoptosis. However, LPS-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by the macrophage-activating cytokine IFN-gamma, and reduced by the macrophage-deactivating cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-beta.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1996 Jul
PMID:Apoptosis in human alveolar macrophages is induced by endotoxin and is modulated by cytokines. 867 23

Cytokines produced in abnormal amounts or patterns contribute to many immunologically mediated human diseases. We describe a competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay to measure interleukin (IL)1-2, IL-4, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNAs within the sample. Internal standard cRNAs and native cytokine mRNAs are reverse transcribed and then amplified by PCR in the same reaction tubes to control for tube-to-tube variability in these reactions. In contrast to systems that use a single multigene internal standard cRNA, this method uses separate internal standard cRNAs for IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-gamma, allowing independent dosing of the internal standards, which reduces the number of tubes processed and the amount of starting mRNA required. Internal standards are produced from cytokine cDNAs by the insertion of short segments of DNA. The same oligonucleotide primers are used to amplify internal standard and native cytokine cDNAs. Each internal standard cDNA and its matching native cytokine cDNA are amplified with equal efficiency. The RT-PCR products of the internal standards and native cytokines are distinguished by size. This technique can detect a twofold difference in mRNA levels. Examples of using this technique to measure cytokine mRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in bronchoalveolar lavage cells are given.
Diagn Mol Pathol 1996 Jun
PMID:Simultaneous quantitation of cytokine mRNAs by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using multiple internal standard cRNAs. 872 95

Peptides eluted from murine Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules are predominantly fragments of self proteins, which include apolipoprotein E, cystatin-c, transferrin receptor, MHC class II and Ii chains. These naturally processed self peptides are expected to be presented during ontogeny. Therefore, immune responses to these peptides in syngeneic hosts may be under physiological control so as to modulate auto-reactivity. As would be expected from our current understanding, T cells reactive to such antigens should be deleted or clonally anergized. To explore this possibility, we investigated the immunogenicity of a number of these self peptides in mice that express MHC class II, from which these peptides were eluted. T cell and antibody responses were measured following immunization of mice with the appropriate peptide. Surprisingly, many of these peptides were highly immunogenic in normal mice. T cells reactive to these self peptides are restricted by syngeneic MHC class II and were blocked by alpha CD4 antibodies. T cells primed with the native protein in vivo could be challenged with the appropriate self peptide in vitro. Some of the self epitopes induce Th1 cells as indicated by IFN-gamma but not IL-4 production and others induce Th2 cells. Antipeptide antibodies were detected only at higher doses of antigen. Our results suggest that T cells specific for many of the naturally processed self peptides are not deleted but tolerance to these peptides is still maintained in vivo. Presumably the high-affinity self-reactive T cells are deleted in the thymus and the low-affinity self peptide reactive T cells remain unresponsive to antigen challenge in vitro. Upon antigen priming in vivo, many of these self-reactive T cells become activated and readily respond to antigen challenge in vitro. These results point to the physiological control of the maintenance of tolerance to naturally processed self peptides.
Mol Immunol
PMID:Immune responses to self peptides naturally presented by murine class II major histocompatibility complex molecules. 876 Feb 74

Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a recently described protein secreted by activated T cells and is a potent in vitro modulator of human monocyte and B-cell functions. IL-13 shares some biologic properties as well as structural similarities with IL-4. Macrophage-inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) is a product of activated monocytes and macrophages and an important activator of T cells, monocytes, and macrophages. We determined the effect of human recombinant IL-13 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and IL-1 beta-induced MIP-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression from peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) and alveolar macrophages (AM). In PBM, basal MIP-1 alpha protein was 20 +/- 7 pM and increased following LPS and IL-1 beta to 1,520 +/- 193 (P < 0.001) and 233 +/- 50 (P < 0.003) pM. IL-13 (25 ng/ml) reduced these values by 55 +/- 10% [not significant (NS)], 43 +/- 9% (P < 0.03), and 44 +/- 15% (NS), respectively. LPS- and IL-1 beta-induced MIP-1 alpha mRNA expression was reduced by 43 +/- 5% (P < 0.01) and 41 +/- 4% (NS). In AM, IL-13 reduced LPS-induced MIP-1 alpha protein release of 2,030 +/- 242 pM by 32 +/- 8% (P < 0.05) and MIP-1 alpha mRNA by 27 +/- 1% (NS). For both PBM and AM, the inhibitory effect of IL-13 on MIP-1 alpha protein was maximal at 24 h, was dose dependent with a maximal effect at 100 ng/ml, and was similar to, although slightly less potent than, that seen with IL-4. In PBM, the inhibitory effect of IL-13 required de novo protein synthesis and was not due to enhanced mRNA decay. Thus, IL-13 has inhibitory effects on the transcription of MIP-1 alpha from monocytes and macrophages, and as is the case with IL-4 and IL-10, may be an important mediator for suppressing inflammatory responses.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1996 Sep
PMID:Interleukin 13 inhibits macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha production from human alveolar macrophages and monocytes. 881 Jun 43

Recent studies have documented direct interactions between 14-3-3 proteins and several oncogene and proto-oncogene products involved in signal transduction pathways. Studies on the effects of 14-3-3 proteins on protein kinase C (PKC) activity in vitro have reported conflicting results, and previous attempts to demonstrate a direct association between PKC and 14-3-3 were unsuccessful. Here, we examined potential physical and functional interactions between PKC theta, a Ca(2+)-independent PKC enzyme which is expressed selectively in T lymphocytes, and the 14-3-3 tau isoform in vitro and in intact T cells. PKC theta and 14-3-3 tau coimmunoprecipitated from Jurkat T cells, and recombinant 14-3-3 tau interacted directly with purified PKC theta in vitro. Transient overexpression of 14-3-3 tau suppressed stimulation of the interleukin 2 (IL-2) promoter mediated by cotransfected wild-type or constitutively active PKC theta, as well as by endogenous PKC in ionomycin- and/or phorbol ester-stimulated cells. This did not represent a general inhibition of activation events, since PKC-independent (but Ca(2+)-dependent) activation of an IL-4 promoter element was not inhibited by 14-3-3 tau under similar conditions. Overexpression of wild-type 14-3-3 tau also inhibited phorbol ester-induced PKC theta translocation from the cytosol to the membrane in Jurkat cells, while a membrane-targeted form of 14-3-3 tau caused increased localization of PKC theta in the particulate fraction in unstimulated cells. Membrane-targeted 14-3-3 tau was more effective than wild-type 14-3-3 tau in suppressing PKC theta-dependent IL-2 promoter activity, suggesting that 14-3-3 tau inhibits the function of PKC theta not only by preventing its translocation to the membrane but also by associating with it. The interaction between 14-3-3 and PKC theta may represent an important general mechanism for regulating PKC-dependent signals and, more specifically, PKC theta-mediated functions during T-cell activation.
Mol Cell Biol 1996 Oct
PMID:Direct interaction between protein kinase C theta (PKC theta) and 14-3-3 tau in T cells: 14-3-3 overexpression results in inhibition of PKC theta translocation and function. 881 92

In a previous study, we have described the induction of thyroid blocking (TBAB) and thyrotropin binding inhibiting antibodies accompanied by thyroiditis in female BALBc mice (H2d) immunised with the extra-cellular domain (ECD) of the human thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) expressed as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion. In the present study we have investigated the response induced in mice of varying MHC haplotype. Two groups of female NOD (H2g), CBA (H2k) and C57 (H2b) mice were immunised intra-peritoneally with MBP-ECD or MBP on days 0 (100 micrograms), 15, 30 and 43 (50 micrograms). Blood samples from individual mice were obtained on days 0, 22, 36 and 50 and assessed for thyroid binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII), thyroid stimulating (TSAB) and TBAB. On day 50 the treated mice and five age/sex matched NOD mice were sacrificed, their thyroids removed, examined histologically and any infiltrate characterised. Induction of antibodies to the ECD was tested by ELISA in which plates had been coated with either MBP-ECD or an ECD-protein A fusion. All of the mice developed a strong antibody response to the relevant immunogen but none of them contained TBII, TSAB or TBAB activities. No lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid glands of the CBA or C57 mice was observed. In contrast, all of the NOD mice displayed severe thyroiditis, whilst one of seven MBP-treated mice had moderate infiltration and none of five untreated controls. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the infiltrate was predominantly activated T helper cells with little evidence of B cells or the cytokines IL-10 or IL-4, indicating that a Th1 response had been induced, contrary to our findings in BALBc mice which mount a Th2 response. In conclusion we have shown that the type and extent of response induced by immunising with the TSHR varies in mice of differing genetic background. H2d mice develop thyroiditis and TBAB/TBII, H2g mice develop thyroiditis in the absence of functional TSHR antibodies, whilst H2b and H2k mice are resistant.
Mol Cell Endocrinol 1995 Dec 29
PMID:The autoimmune response induced by immunising female mice with recombinant human thyrotropin receptor varies with the genetic background. 882 95

Until recently it was believed that the T cell response of atopic dermatitis patients challenged with inhalant allergens originates almost exclusively and specifically from Th2 cells capable of secreting an abundance of interleukin (IL)-4 while producing no interferon (IFN)-gamma. To reevaluate this concept in a large cohort of atopic dermatitis patients we established 177 CD4+ T cell clones (45 of which showed specificity for house dust mite antigen) from the peripheral blood (n = 76), naturally occurring skin lesions (n = 40), and allergen-exposed skin (n = 61) of different patients. These clones were examined for their capacity to secrete IL-4 and IFN-gamma upon mitogenic stimulation. Moreover, 20 of these T cell clones were investigated for the synthesis of transcripts for IL-5, another Th cytokine. Our results indicate that the majority (52-100%) of allergen-specific T cells in both skin and blood of atopic individuals failed to exhibit a restricted cytokine secretion pattern and thus were classified as Th0 cells. House dust mite antigen specific T cells displaying a restricted secretion pattern (n = 16) were either of the Th1 or the Th2 type. Specific Th2 cells, however, were found almost exclusively in allergen patch test reactions, indicating that the Th2 differentiation pathway is seen preferentially in allergen-exposed skin. The cytokine secretion profile of T cell clones obtained from naturally occurring skin lesions showed similarity to those of patch test lesion, suggesting that the patch test represents a useful model to investigate the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.
J Mol Med (Berl) 1996 Jul
PMID:Comparative analysis of the frequency of house dust mite specific and nonspecific Th1 and Th2 cells in skin lesions and peripheral blood of patients with atopic dermatitis. 884 52

Tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine secreted predominantly by monocytemacrophages, interacts with two cell-surface receptors: TNF-R55 and TNF-R75. Few studies have been devoted to their modulation on human alveolar macrophages (AM). Both source and target of TNF(alpha), AM also release its inhibitors, the soluble receptors, following the cleavage of the extracellular domain of TNF-R55 and TNF-R75. Because in vivo AM are subject to activation by exogenous or endogenous stimuli, we analyzed the release of both receptors into the cell culture supernatant in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and cytokines such as interleukin 2(IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Results were compared with those obtained on peripheral blood monocytes (Mo), and the role of receptor recycling was investigated using inhibitors such as monensin and chloroquine. In our culture conditions, basal release by unstimulated AM amounted to 0.3 +/- 0.1 and 0.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml for TNF-sR55 and TNF-sR75, respectively. In the same conditions, Mo released 1.2 +/- 1.2 ng/ml of TNF-sR55 and 5.1 +/- 0.1 ng/ml of TNF-sR75. PMA slightly increased mRNA expression and release of TNF-sR55, but those of TNF-sR75 were enhanced approximately 4-fold. After 24 h of culture, the release of TNF-sR75 was 2.5-fold higher on Mo than on AM. Of the cytokines tested on AM, IFN-gamma increased the release of TNF-sR75 3-fold, but that of TNF-sR55 only between 1.5- and 2-fold. GM-CSF enhanced them to a lower extent (approximately 1.5-fold). Shedding occurred despite the presence of chloroquine, monensin and colchicine, suggesting that cleavage takes place on the cell surface rather than after internalization. Addition of colchicine increased the release of TNF-sR75 induced by LPS and IFN-gamma, but not by PMA. In conclusion, Mo and AM differ in their ability to release TNF(alpha) and TNF-sR. On AM the release of each receptor appears to be regulated separately. Finally, IFN-gamma was among the most efficacious cytokines to induce the release of both receptors, with TNF-sR75 being more liable to shedding. Thus, the two TNF-R seem to be ruled by separate mechanisms and to differ in terms of release sensitivity.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1996 Mar
PMID:Tumor necrosis factor soluble receptor 75: the principal receptor form released by human alveolar macrophages and monocytes in the presence of interferon gamma. 884 79

Breast feeding improves the health of children. The greatest significance is to host defense, prevention of autoimmunity, and development of the digestive system; however, the underlying mechanisms for these effects are not well understood. Based on recent evidence that cytokines might be important in these processes, we have used ELISA to quantitate the cytokines in human colostrum, transitional, and mature milk from mothers delivering preterm or at term. We also used reverse transcription PCR to test breast milk cells for the production of cytokine mRNA. No significant (< 10 pg/ml) GM-CSF, SCF, LIF, MIP-1 alpha, IL-2, IL-4, IL-11, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, sIL-2R, or IFN-gamma was detected. And, in contrast to earlier studies using bioassays or RIA, no significant IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, or IL-6 was present; nor was IL-10, which had been tested using less specific antibodies. We did confirm the presence of high levels of M-CSF, which remained high throughout lactation. Human milk contained latent, but not free, TGF-beta 1, and especially TGF-beta 2, both of which may be activated by gastric acid pH. High levels of IL-1RA were detected, and like activated TGF-beta, may protect against autoimmunity. Chemokines, particularly GRO-alpha and MCP-1, but also RANTES and IL-8, were present and could protect against infection. Maternal cells in breast milk expressed mRNA for MCP-1 (20/20), IL-8 (14/20), TGF-beta 1 (14/16), TGF-beta 2 (4/6), M-CSF (9/12), IL-6 (6/12) and IL-1 beta (7/12), and may be a source of these cytokines. mRNA for IL-2, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha was not detected and only weak expression was found for RANTES (1/18). There was considerable variability between individual women, and women delivering preterm had lower levels of several cytokines in colostrum than women delivering at term. Yet, cytokine levels remained high months to years into lactation, providing immunological benefit to the breastfed infant/child.
Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol 1996 Sep
PMID:Cytokines in human milk. 889 39

Germline epsilon (I epsilon) transcription is requisite for IgE switch recombination. I epsilon transcription is markedly increased by ligation of CD40 and/or by IL-4 stimulation. By contrast, we found previously that stimulation through CD30 inhibits I epsilon transcription in EBV-transformed B cell lines. To characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in these contradictory events, the promoter elements that are responsible for I epsilon transcriptional regulation were determined using stable CAT reporter gene constructs. The results define a 95 bp CD30 responsive element (CD30RE) located 5' of the previously defined CD40 responsive element (CD40RE) that resides within the same 95 bp fragment as the IL-4RE and ablates CD40L induced I epsilon promoter activity. However, IL-4 overrides the inhibitory effect of CD30L. These results define a CD30RE and provide further evidence for the complex regulation of I epsilon transcription by various members of the CD40L/TNF alpha family of molecules.
Mol Immunol 1996 Aug
PMID:A CD30 responsive element in the germline epsilon promoter that is distinct from and inhibitory to the CD40 response element. 896 Jan 21


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