Henry J. Showell

Human neutrophils exhibit disparate chemotactic factor gene expression

The evolution of acute inflammation from initiation through resolution is associated with the changing character of the infiltrating leukocytes. Recruitment of these leukocytes is dependent upon the generation of chemotactic factors that have either global or specific activity for a particular leukocyte. In this manuscript we present data demonstrating that human neutrophils can express mRNA for neutrophil chemotactic factor/interleukin 8 (IL-8), but fail to express mRNA for monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1). The expression of IL-8 was observed upon adherence or in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Maximal IL-8 antigenic production was noted at 24 hrs. These studies demonstrate a disparate expression of chemotactic cytokines by neutrophils.

CP-481,715, a Potent and Selective CCR1 Antagonist with Potential Therapeutic Implications for Inflammatory Diseases

The chemokines CCL3 and CCL5, as well as their shared receptor CCR1, are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and transplant rejection. In this study we describe the pharmacological properties of a novel small molecular weight CCR1 antagonist, CP-481,715 (quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid [4(R)-carbamoyl-1(S)-(3-fluorobenzyl)-2(S),7-dihydroxy-7-methyloctyl]amide). Radiolabeled binding studies indicate that CP-481,715 binds to human CCR1 with a Kd of 9.2 nm and displaces 125I-labeled CCL3 from CCR1-transfected cells with an IC50 of 74 nm. CP-481,715 lacks intrinsic agonist activity but fully blocks the ability of CCL3 and CCL5 to stimulate receptor signaling (guanosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) incorporation; IC50 = 210 nm), calcium mobilization (IC50 = 71 nm), monocyte chemotaxis (IC50 = 55 nm), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 release (IC50 = 54 nm). CP-481,715 retains activity in human whole blood, inhibiting CCL3-induced CD11b up-regulation and actin polymerization (IC50 = 165 and 57 nm, respectively) on monocytes. Furthermore, it behaves as a competitive and reversible antagonist. CP-481,715 is >100-fold selective for CCR1 as compared with a panel of G-protein-coupled receptors including related chemokine receptors. Evidence for its potential use in human disease is suggested by its ability to inhibit 90% of the monocyte chemotactic activity present in 11/15 rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid samples. These data illustrate that CP-481,715 is a potent and selective antagonist for CCR1 with therapeutic potential for rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Disparate Gene Expression of Chemotactic Cytokines by Human Mononuclear Phagocytes

Chemotactic cytokines are becoming increasingly recognized as important participants in the coordinate recruitment of specific inflammatory cells. In this manuscript we present data demonstrating that LPS challenged human mononuclear phagocytic cells can express mRNA for neutrophil chemotactic factor/interleukin-8 (NCF/IL-8), but do not express mRNA for monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP). The expression of NCF/IL-8 mRNA was time and dose dependent. This identical stimulus response was also found in peripheral blood neutrophils. These studies demonstrate a disparate production of chemotactic cytokines by macrophages and exemplify the dynamic nature of the chemotactic response.

Tyrosine phosphorylation is an early signaling event common to Fc receptor crosslinking in human neutrophils and rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3)

Phosphotyrosine-containing proteins were detected by western blotting of whole cell lysates of purified human neutrophils or rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) using a polyclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. When either cell type was stimulated with the appropriate Fc crosslinking agent, heat-aggregated IgG for the neutrophil or DNP-HSA for the IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3, a rapid increase in the phosphotyrosine content of several proteins was observed. The kinetics and specificity of both responses suggest that Fc receptor crosslinking activates a receptor-associated tyrosine kinase, probably a member of the src family of tyrosine protein kinases. The subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation events are likely to be important in Fc receptor-mediated stimulus-response coupling in inflammatory cells.

Characterization of the pharmacological profile of the potent LTB4 antagonist CP-105,696 on murine LTB4 receptors in vitro.

1 Binding of [3H]‐leukotriene B4 ([3H]‐LTB4) to murine spleen membranes (MSM) was determined. 2 Scatchard analyses of [3H]‐LTB4 binding indicated the presence of high (KD1 = 1.7 nM) and low (KD2 = 7.5 nM) affinity receptors on MSM with Bmax. values of 151 fmol mg−1 protein (Bmax1) and 354 fmol mg−1 protein (Bmax2), respectively. 3 CP‐105,696, a potent LTB4 antagonist, inhibited [3H]‐LTB4 (0.67 nM) binding to the high affinity receptor on MSM, IC50 = 30.2 nM, Ki = 17.7 nM with a Hill coefficient of 0.93. 4 Scatchard analyses of [3H]‐LTB4 binding to MSM in the presence of CP‐105,696 indicated that the high‐affinity receptor was inhibited in a non‐competitive manner and the low‐affinity receptor in a competitive manner. 5 Isolated peripheral blood murine neutrophils (MN) responded chemotactically to LTB4, EC50 = 2.5 nM. CP‐105,696 blocked this response, IC50 = 2.3 nM. When examined over a full concentration‐response range of LTB4, CP‐105,696 inhibited chemotaxis in a non‐competitive manner. 6 Murine neutrophils in anticoagulated whole blood upregulated the integrin, complement receptor type 3 (CD11b/CD 18, Mac‐1) in response to LTB4, EC50 = 20 nM and this was inhibited by CP‐105,696 in a competitive manner. 7 These results provide evidence that MSM have specific binding sites for LTB4, and as exemplified by CP‐105,696, that these receptors may be useful for determining the potency and nature of antagonism of novel LTB4 receptor antagonists.

Inhibition of leukotriene B4-induced neutrophil degranulation by leukotriene B4-dimethylamide

Abstract Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent mediator of pro-inflammatory responses including neutrophil degranulation. Leukotriene B4 dimethylamide has been synthesized and shown to inhibit neutrophil degranulation induced by LTB4. The inhibition required time to develop (∼60 secs), and had a KD of circa 2 × 10−7M, and occurred at concentrations where LTB4 dimethylamide had negligible agonist activity.

Profile of Cytokines in Synovial Fluid Specimens from Patients with Arthritis. Interleukin 8 (IL-8) and IL-6 Correlate with Inflammatory Arthritides

The synovial fluid aspirated from patients with symptomatic arthritis was analyzed for the presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8). All three cytokines were found in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritides: IL-8 levels ranged from less than 20 to 38,990 pg/ml, IL-6 from less than 10 to 72,300 pg/ml and TNF from less than 4 to 61 pg/ml. No inhibitors of cytokine activity were found. IL-8 and IL-6 were present in significantly higher levels in patients with inflammatory arthritis compared to patients with osteoarthritis, and there was significant correlation between the IL-6 and IL-8 levels. These findings document the presence of multiple cytokines in the synovial fluid specimens of patients with arthritis, and demonstrate that higher cytokine levels accompany inflammatory arthritis.

Antagonizing leukotriene B4 receptors delays cardiac allograft rejection in mice.

BACKGROUND Allograft rejection is a cellular immunological/inflammatory response that is, in part, directed by potent proinflammatory mediators. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) may have a role in graft rejection and that LTB4 receptor antagonists may be clinically useful in the treatment of allograft rejection. METHODS We evaluated the potent and selective LTB4 receptor antagonist CP-105696 in a murine heterotopic cardiac allograft model with oral dosing daily for 28 days or in an induction protocol (day -1 to day 3). RESULTS At a dose of 50 mg/kg/day (28 days), B10.BR (H2k) allografts transplanted into C57Bl/6 (H2b) recipients were significantly protected, as reflected by the mean survival time versus control grafts (27+/-20 days [n=10] vs. 12+/-6 days [n=14]; P=0.0146). Using an induction protocol (day -1 to day 3), CP-105696 at 100 mg/kg/day significantly prolonged allograft survival (33+/-23 days [n=9]; P=0.0026), but CP-105696 at 10 mg/kg/day did not (18+/-16 days [n=8]; P=0.1433). Syngeneic grafts survived indefinitely (n=11). Immunohistological evaluation of allografts at rejection revealed a mononuclear cell infiltrate composed primarily of CD3+ and CD11b+ (Mac-1+) cells, which were infrequent in syngeneic grafts. Allografts from mice treated with CP-105696 at 50 or 100 mg/kg/day demonstrated a selective reduction in beta2-integrin (Mac-1) expression on monocytes/macrophages, as demonstrated by CD11b staining density compared with allograft controls. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that LTB4 or other potential ligands for LTB4 receptors may be important mediators of allograft rejection and support the clinical evaluation of LTB4 receptor antagonists in human organ transplantation.

C3a-induced lysosomal enzyme secretion from human neutrophils: lack of inhibition by f met-leu-phe antagonists and inhibition by arachidonic acid antagonists.

C3a-induced lysosomal enzyme secretion from human peripheral neutrophils in a noncytolytic, dose-dependent (10-100 microgram/ml) process. Release of both primary and secondary granule constituents occurred when neutrophils were exposed to C3a plus cytochalasin B, however, C3 alone induced limited release of lysozyme. A competitive antagonist of the formyl-peptide receptor on neutrophils, t boc (phe-leu) 2-phe, did not block the release induced by C3a. Arachidonic acid antagonists, nordihydroguaiaretic acid and quercetin caused dose-dependent inhibition of release induced by C3a plus cytochalasin B, however, lysozyme release induced by C3a in the absence of cytochalasin B was minimally affected. Indomethacin at high concentration (greater than 10(-5) M) had similar inhibitory effects.

Inhibition of IgE-mediated N-acetylglucosaminidase and serotonin release from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) by tenidap : a novel anti-inflammatory agent

Tenidap [(Z)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-3-(hydroxy-2-thienylmethylene)-2-oxo-1H- indole-1-carboxamide] is a novel anti-inflammatory compound of the oxindole class that currently is undergoing clinical evaluation in man. Here we demonstrate that tenidap inhibits (IC50 = approximately 10 microM) IgE-mediated secretion of granule constituents from the rat mast cell tumor line RBL-2H3. The inhibitory effect is rapid in onset, readily reversible, and appears to be unique when compared to a representative selection of other acidic (carboxylic acids, pyrazoles and oxicams) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds.