Alison K. Cross

Chemokines induce migration and changes in actin polymerization in adult rat brain microglia and a human fetal microglial cell line in vitro

Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, are the primary cells to respond to injury in the brain, both in inflammation, e.g., in multiple sclerosis, and trauma. Chemokines are potential mediators of microglial cell recruitment to sites of injury; thus, the ability of microglia to migrate in response to a number of chemokines was assessed. The chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted), interleukin 8, and IP‐10 (interferon gamma inducible protein‐10), induce migration and changes in the distribution of f‐actin in adult rat microglia and a human microglial cell line, CHME3, in vitro. Both cell types show a significant migration response, above control levels, to all the chemokines tested in a typical dose‐dependent manner. These chemokines also induced a reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton of the cells. This study indicates that chemokines play an important role in the recruitment of microglia to areas of central nervous system inflammation. J. Neurosci. Res. 55: 17–23, 1999. 

Chemokine modulation of matrix metalloproteinase and TIMP production in adult rat brain microglia and a human microglial cell line in vitro

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc‐dependent enzymes, capable of degrading proteins found in the extracellular matrix. MMPs 2 and 9 are known to be produced by microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system. The control of the secretion of these proteases and the activation of proenzymes by other proteases such as plasmin, as well as the balance between MMP secretion and the secretion of their natural inhibitors (TIMPs), have an important relevance in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The in vitro control of MMPs 2 and 9, TIMPs 1 and 2, and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator by microglia was examined in response to a panel of chemokines (chemotactic cytokines), using ELISA and zymography techniques. The chemokines MCP1, MIP1β, RANTES, IL‐8, and Fractalkine were all found significantly to increase the secretion of MMPs and TIMPs by a human foetal microglial cell line, CHME3, after 24 h stimulation. The chemokines tested, MCP1, MIP1β, and Fractalkine, were also shown to increase MMP9 secretion by primary isolated rat brain microglia in vitro. MCP1, MIP1α/β, and RANTES significantly decreased the secretion of uPA into culture supernatants in ELISA experiments. These findings suggest an important potential role for the involvement of chemokines in the breakdown of the blood–brain barrier and also the destruction of myelin basic protein in MS. GLIA 28:183–189, 1999.

Tumor necrosis factor α- and interleukin-1β-dependent induction of CCL3 expression by nucleus pulposus cells promotes macrophage migration through CCR1.

OBJECTIVE To investigate tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) regulation of CCL3 expression in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and in macrophage migration. METHODS Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to measure CCL3 expression in NP cells. Transfections were used to determine the role of NF-κB, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBPβ), and MAPK on cytokine-mediated CCL3 promoter activity. The effect of NP-conditioned medium on macrophage migration was measured using a Transwell system. RESULTS An increase in CCL3 expression and promoter activity was observed in NP cells after TNFα or IL-1β treatment. Treatment of cells with NF-κB and MAPK inhibitors abolished the effect of the cytokines on CCL3 expression. The inductive effect of p65 and C/EBPβ on the CCL3 promoter was confirmed through gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies. Notably, cotransfection with p50 completely blocked cytokine- and p65-dependent induction. In contrast, c-Rel and RelB had little effect on promoter activity. Lentiviral transduction with short hairpin RNA for p65 (shp65) and shIKKβ significantly decreased the TNFα-dependent increase in CCL3 expression. Analysis of degenerated human NP tissue samples showed that CCL3, but not CCL4, expression correlated positively with the grade of tissue degeneration. Importantly, treatment of macrophages with conditioned medium of NP cells treated with TNFα or IL-1β promoted their migration. Pretreatment of macrophages with an antagonist of CCR1, the primary receptor for CCL3 and CCL4, blocked cytokine-mediated migration. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that TNFα and IL-1β modulate the expression of CCL3 in NP cells by controlling the activation of MAPK, NF-κB, and C/EBPβ signaling. The CCL3-CCR1 axis may play an important role in promoting macrophage infiltration in degenerated, herniated discs.

ADAMTS-1 and -4 are up-regulated following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat and their expression is modulated by TNF in cultured astrocytes.

ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) enzymes are a recently described group of metalloproteinases. The substrates degraded by ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 suggest that they play a role in turnover of extracellular matrix in the central nervous system (CNS). ADAMTS-1 is also known to exhibit anti-angiogenic activity. Their main endogenous inhibitor is tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3. The present study was designed to investigate ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 and TIMP-3 expression after experimental cerebral ischaemia and to examine whether cytokines known to be up-regulated in stroke could alter their expression by astrocytes in vitro. Focal cerebral ischaemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat using the filament method. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in expression of ADAMTS-1 and -4 in the occluded hemisphere but no significant change in TIMP-3. This was accompanied by an increase in mRNA levels for interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). ADAMTS-4 mRNA and protein were up-regulated by TNF in primary human astrocyte cultures. The increased ADAMTS-1 and -4 in experimental stroke, together with no change in TIMP-3, may promote ECM breakdown after stroke, enabling infiltration of inflammatory cells and contributing to brain injury. In vitro studies suggest that the in vivo modulation of ADAMTS-1 and -4 may be controlled in part by TNF.

The cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus cells: implications for degeneration and regeneration of the intervertebral disc.

IntroductionThe aims of these studies were to identify the cytokine and chemokine expression profile of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and to determine the relationships between NP cell cytokine and chemokine production and the characteristic tissue changes seen during intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration.MethodsReal-time q-PCR cDNA Low Density Array (LDA) was used to investigate the expression of 91 cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from degenerate human IVDs. Further real-time q-PCR was used to investigate 30 selected cytokine and chemokine associated genes in NP cells from non-degenerate and degenerate IVDs and those from IVDs with immune cell infiltrates (‘infiltrated’). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for four selected cytokines and chemokines to confirm and localize protein expression in human NP tissue samples.ResultsLDA identified the expression of numerous cytokine and chemokine associated genes including 15 novel cytokines and chemokines. Further q-PCR gene expression studies identified differential expression patterns in NP cells derived from non-degenerate, degenerate and infiltrated IVDs. IHC confirmed NP cells as a source of IL-16, CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 and that protein expression of CCL2, CCL7 and CXCL8 increases concordant with histological degenerative tissue changes.ConclusionsOur data indicates that NP cells are a source of cytokines and chemokines within the IVD and that these expression patterns are altered in IVD pathology. These findings may be important for the correct assessment of the ‘degenerate niche’ prior to autologous or allogeneic cell transplantation for biological therapy of the degenerate IVD.

Inflammatory Cytokines Induce NOTCH Signaling in Nucleus Pulposus Cells IMPLICATIONS IN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC DEGENERATION

Background: The regulation of NOTCH signaling under inflammatory conditions in the nucleus pulposus is unknown. Results: Expression of select NOTCH pathway genes, including NOTCH2 and NOTCH signaling, is regulated by IL-1β and TNF-α. Conclusion: Inflammatory cytokines promote NOTCH signaling in disc. Significance: NOTCH signaling may play a role in pathogenesis of disc disease. The objective of the study was to investigate how inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, and TNF-α control NOTCH signaling activity in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. An increase in expression of selective NOTCH receptors (NOTCH1 and -2), ligand (JAGGED2), and target genes (HES1, HEY1, and HEY2) was observed in NP cells following cytokine treatment. A concomitant increase in NOTCH signaling as evidenced by induction in activity of target gene HES1 and HEY1 promoters and reporter 12xCSL was seen. Moreover, treatment increased activity of a 2-kb NOTCH2 promoter. Treatment of cells with NF-κB and MAPK inhibitors abolished the inductive effect of cytokines on NOTCH2 promoter and its expression. Gain and loss-of-function studies confirmed the inductive effect of p65 on NOTCH2 promoter activity. In contrast, p50 blocked the cytokine induction of promoter activity. Supporting promoter studies, lentiviral delivery of sh-p65, and sh-IKKβ significantly decreased cytokine dependent change in NOTCH2 expression. Interestingly, MAPK signaling showed an isoform-specific control of NOTCH2 promoter; p38α/β2/δ, ERK1, and ERK2 contributed to cytokine dependent induction, whereas p38γ played no role. Analysis of human NP tissues showed that NOTCH1 and -2 and HEY2 expression correlated with each other. Moreover, expression of NOTCH2 and IL-1β as well as the number of cells immunopositive for NOTCH2 significantly increased in histologically degenerate discs compared with non-degenerate discs. Taken together, these results explain the observed dysregulated expression of NOTCH genes in degenerative disc disease. Thus, controlling IL-1β and TNF-α activities during disc disease may restore NOTCH signaling and nucleus pulposus cell function.

Localisation of citrullinated proteins in normal appearing white matter and lesions in the central nervous system in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease, considered to be autoimmune in origin. Post-translational modification of central nervous system proteins, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP), through citrullination of arginine residues, may lead to exposure of neoepitopes, triggering autoimmunity. Here we investigated the expression of citrullinated proteins in active MS lesions, MS normal appearing white matter and control brain white matter. We demonstrate increased citrullinated GFAP and MBP by immunohistochemistry and western blotting in areas of ongoing demyelination, suggesting a pivotal role for deimination of GFAP and MBP in MS pathogenesis MS.

Expression and regulation of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors during human intervertebral disc degeneration

IntroductionThe degenerate intervertebral disc (IVD) becomes innervated by sensory nerve fibres, and vascularised by blood vessels. This study aimed to identify neurotrophins, neuropeptides and angiogenic factors within native IVD tissue and to further investigate whether pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the regulation of expression levels within nucleus pulposus (NP) cells, nerve and endothelial cells.MethodsQuantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on 53 human IVDs from 52 individuals to investigate native gene expression of neurotrophic factors and their receptors, neuropeptides and angiogenic factors. The regulation of these factors by cytokines was investigated in NP cells in alginate culture, and nerve and endothelial cells in monolayer using RT-PCR and substance P (SP) protein expression in interleukin-1 (IL-1β) stimulated NP cells.ResultsInitial investigation on uncultured NP cells identified expression of all neurotrophins by native NP cells, whilst the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor was only identified in severely degenerate and infiltrated discs, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) receptor expressed by more degenerate discs. BDNF expression was significantly increased in infiltrated and degenerate samples. SP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were higher in infiltrated samples. In vitro stimulation by IL-1β induced NGF in NP cells. Neurotropin-3 was induced by tumour necrosis factor alpha in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs). SP gene and protein expression was increased in NP cells by IL-1β. Calcitonin gene related peptide was increased in SH-SY5Y cells upon cytokine stimulation. VEGF was induced by IL-1β and interleukin-6 in NP cells, whilst pleiotrophin was decreased by IL-1β. VEGF and pleiotrophin were expressed by SH-SY5Y cells, and VEGF by HDMECs, but were not modulated by cytokines.ConclusionsThe release of cytokines, in particular IL-1β during IVD degeneration, induced significant increases in NGF and VEGF which could promote neuronal and vascular ingrowth. SP which is released into the matrix could potentially up regulate the production of matrix degrading enzymes and also sensitise nerves, resulting in nociceptive transmission and chronic low back pain. This suggests that IL-1β is a key regulatory cytokine, involved in the up regulation of factors involved in innervation and vascularisation of tissues.

Expression of ADAMTS-1, -4, -5 and TIMP-3 in normal and multiple sclerosis CNS white matter

ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) -1, -4 and -5 proteases have been identified in the CNS at the mRNA level. These glutamyl endopeptidases, inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3, are key enzymes in the degradation of the aggregating chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), and may therefore play a role in CNS extracellular matrix (ECM) changes in multiple sclerosis (MS). We have investigated ADAMTS and TIMP-3 expression in normal and MS CNS white matter by real-time RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. We report for the first time the presence of ADAMTS-1, -4 and -5 in normal and MS white matter. Levels of ADAMTS-1 and -5 mRNA were decreased in MS compared to normal tissue, with no significant change in ADAMTS-4 mRNA levels. Protein levels of ADAMTS-4 were significantly higher in MS tissue compared to normal tissue. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that ADAMTS-4 was associated predominantly with astrocytes with increased expression within MS lesions. TIMP-3 mRNA was significantly decreased in MS compared to controls. These studies suggest a role for ADAMTS-4 in the pathogenesis of MS. Further studies on the activity of ADAMTS-4 will enable a better understanding of its role in the turnover of the ECM of white matter in MS.

The role of chemokines in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.

Chemokines are a rapidly expanding family of small, secreted, 8-12 kDa, heparin-binding chemotactic cytokines, which are important in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) (Karpus et al., 1994). Chemokines mediate the activation and directional migration of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, T-lymphocytes, basophils, and eosinophils, to sites of injury and inflammation (Baggiolini, 1998). To date, they are divided into at least four families depending on the presence and position of a conserved motif of four cysteine residues. The majority of known chemokines are members of the CXC (α-chemokine) or CC (β-chemokine) families. Two further classes of chemokines, C and CX3C, have recently been reported, of which lymphotactin and neurotactin, respectively, are the only known members (Taub, 1996; Baggiolini, 1998). α-chemokines primarily chemoattract neutrophils, whereas β-chemokines are associated with chronic inflammation and are primarily involved in the recruitment of monocytes and T-lymphocytes to sites of inflammation. The β-chemokines include macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-l, MCP-2, MCP-3, and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted) (Vaddi et al., 1996).