Martin J. Mangino

Lymphocyte suppression by Kupffer cells prevents portal venous tolerance induction: a study of macrophage function after intravenous gadolinium.

Ag administration into the portal vein can induce specific tolerance to that Ag, known as portal venous tolerance. Because intrahepatic mechanisms of tolerance induction are still largely undefined, we studied the in vitro response of OVA-sensitized Lewis rat lymphocytes to OVA presented by normal syngeneic rat Kupffer cells (KC) or KC that had been treated in vivo with gadolinium chloride (GD), a rare earth metal, which prevents the induction of portal venous tolerance. KC (2.5 x 10(4)) were able to present OVA to 5 x 10(5) OVA-sensitized APC-depleted lymphocytes as effectively as could lymph node APC. However, the use of GD-treated KC was associated with a significantly (P < 0.001) impaired response of OVA-sensitized APC-depleted lymphocytes to OVA. Although GD nearly abrogated in vivo phagocytosis of fluorescent latex beads by both KC and adherent splenocytes, expression of the class II MHC molecule (Ia) by KC was only slightly reduced by GD treatment. Unresponsiveness of OVA-sensitized lymphocytes to OVA was not related to enhanced PGE2 release by GD-treated KC, as determined both by PGE2 levels in culture supernatants and by cyclooxygenase inhibition. However, the marked ability of GD-treated KC to inhibit the response to OVA by primed lymph node populations containing lymphocytes and APCs supports an active suppressive mechanism. Prevention of the induction of portal venous tolerance by GD, the lack of in vitro KC Ag presentation by GD-treated KC, and active immunosuppression by GD-treated KC support a model of tolerance induction within the liver wherein Ag presentation and lymphocyte proliferation are necessary for the development of tolerance.

Interleukin-6 production by endotoxin-stimulated kupffer cells is regulated by prostaglandin E2

Although its impact on the acute phase response is clear, little is known regarding the regulation of interleukin-6 (hepatocyte-stimulating factor) production. We evaluated its relationship with the potent immunosuppressive eicosanoid PGE2 in endotoxin (LPS)-stimulated Kupffer cells (KC). KC were harvested from collagenase-digested Wistar-Furth rat livers and purified (greater than 95% by phagocytosis) by adherence. Following overnight culture with or without the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 microM), 5 X 10(5) KC were repleted with fresh media with or without 2.5 micrograms/ml LPS. Supernatant IL-6 levels (ng/ml) were measured with the B9.9 hybridoma proliferative bioassay, and PGE2 levels (ng/ml) by radioimmunoassay. Negligible supernatant IL-6 and PGE2 were measured at all culture intervals in unstimulated KC or those cultured with the LPS-inhibitor polymyxin-B (10 micrograms/ml). With LPS, KC IL-6 production increased in parallel with PGE2 for 24 hr before decreasing as PGE2 continued to rise. When indomethacin treatment blocked KC PGE2 production, IL-6 levels significantly increased. We conclude that PGE2 produced by activated Kupffer cells appears to down-regulate IL-6 secretion. Autocrine effects by PGE2 may locally regulate the hepatic acute phase response by limiting the KC-derived IL-6 available to act on neighboring hepatocytes.

The Kupffer cell in endotoxin tolerance: mechanisms of protection against lethal endotoxemia.

Kupffer cells (KC) of the hepatic sinusoid respond to endotoxemia by producing mediators which promote or inhibit systemic inflammatory responses. Sublethal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment confers tolerance to the lethality of a subsequent LPS exposure. However, the precise role of the KC in endotoxin tolerance (ET) remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of ET induction upon the rat KC production of the mediators tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and upon the in vivo phagocytic capacity of the KCs. 3 days prior to KC isolation, age-matched rats received either 5 mg/kg LPS (ET) or normal saline (nontolerant, NT), which protected 100% of the ET rats against an LPS dose 3 days later which was lethal in 72% of NT rats. On an in vitro LPS rechallenge, ET KC produced significantly lower amounts of TNF than NT KC (p < .01). In contrast, the ET KC produced significantly more PGE2 (p < .05) and IL-6 (p < .001) than the NT KC. The percentage of KC phagocytosing fluorescent latex spheres in vivo was increased 7-fold in the ET rats. Thus, ET induction, which protects rats against subsequent lethal endotoxemia, selectively alters KC mediator production and phagocytic capacity. These findings strongly implicate the KC in the mediation of early endotoxin tolerance.Kupffer cells (KC) of the hepatic sinusoid respond to endotoxemia by producing mediators which promote or inhibit systemic inflammatory responses. Sublethal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment confers tolerance to the lethality of a subsequent LPS exposure. However, the precise role of the KC in endotoxin tolerance (ET) remains unclear. This study evaluated the effect of ET induction upon the rat KC production of the mediators tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and upon the in vivo phagocytic capacity of the KCs. 3 days prior to KC isolation, age-matched rats received either 5 mg/kg LPS (ET) or normal saline (nontolerant, NT), which protected 100% of the ET rats against an LPS dose 3 days later which was lethal in 72% of NT rats. On an in vitro LPS rechallenge, ET KC produced significantly lower amounts of TNF than NT KC (ρ < .01). In contrast, the ET KC produced significantly more PGE2 (ρ < .05) and IL-6 (ρ < .001) than the NT KC. The percentage of KC phagocytosing fluorescent latex spheres in vivo was increased 7-fold in the ET rats. Thus, ET induction, which protects rats against subsequent lethal endotoxemia, selectively alters KC mediator production and phagocytic capacity. These findings strongly implicate the KC in the mediation of early endotoxin tolerance.

ARGININE-SPECIFIC SUPPRESSION OF MIXED LYMPHOCYTE CULTURE REACTIVITY BY KUPFFER CELLS : A BASIS OF PORTAL VENOUS TOLERANCE

Portal venous administration of alloantigen abrogates the DTH response and prolongs heart and kidney allograft survival. Within the hepatic microenvironment, negligible L-arginine levels result from the effects of the highest tissue arginase activity of any organ (25 times greater than kidney). This study evaluated the effects of arginine availability on Kupffer cell immune function in the rat mixed lymphocyte culture. When 5×10s Wistar-Furth unfractionated lymph node cells (LNC) were cultured with 5×105 irradiated Lewis LNC in standard RPMI-1640 medium containing 1200 μM L-arginine, the proliferative response was not effected by the addition of 1×105 WF KC. However, when L-arginine-depleted medium (6 μM) was used, the MLC response was markedly reduced by the addition of KC. This was specific to arginine since media depletion of L-lysine, a similar basic amino acid, did not affect MLC/ KC responses. When syngeneic WF KC were added as antigen-presenting cells to fractionated stimulator and responder T lymphocytes, WF/LEW MLC proliferation was restored in standard and L-lysine-depleted media, but did not increase in L-arginine—depleted RPMI 1640 medium. These responses correlated with a fivefold increase in KC prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) production in the L-arginine—depleted medium. These findings support the hypothesis that diminished immune responsiveness in the low-arginine hepatic environment is effected, at least in part, by locally increased production of the immunosuppressant prostaglandin-E2.

Gene expression patterns in deceased donor kidneys developing delayed graft function after kidney transplantation.

Background. Delayed graft function (DGF) after kidney transplantation (KTx) ranges between 2% and 50%. The mechanisms leading to DGF deserve special interest because DGF exerts negative influences on long-term outcomes. We studied gene expression profiles in deceased donor kidney (DDK) biopsies with and without DGF. Methods. Gene expression profiling was performed on donor kidney tissues from 33 DDK with the use of microarrays. DDK were classified as grafts with immediate function (non-DGF; n=21) and grafts with DGF (n=12). DGF was defined as a dialysis requirement in the first week after transplantation. Demographic donor and recipient information was collected. The robust-multiarray average method was used to estimate probe set expression summaries. Logistic regression was used to identify genes significantly associated with DGF development. Results. Patients were followed for 3 months after KTx. Thirty-eight probe sets (n=36 genes) were univariably differentially expressed in DDK with DGF when compared with DDK with non-DGF (&agr;=0.001). Sixty-nine probe sets (n=65 genes) were differentially expressed in DDK with DGF when compared with DDK with non-DGF after adjusting for cold ischemia time (&agr;=0.001). Gene ontology terms classified the overexpressed genes in DDK with DGF as principally related to cell cycle/growth (e.g., IGFBP5, CSNK2A2), signal transduction (e.g., RASGRP3), immune response (e.g., CD83, BCL3, MX1), and metabolism (e.g., ENPP4, GBA3). TNFRSF1B was overexpressed in DDK with DGF. Conclusions. Cold ischemia time was a predictor of DGF independently of the preservation method. We identified a set of 36 genes candidates of DGF in DDK, with genes involved in the inflammatory response being the more important.

Autoregulation by Eicosanoids of Human Kupffer Cell Secretory Products A Study of Interleukin-1, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, Transforming Growth Factor-β, and Nitric Oxide

ObjectiveMethods employed previously to analyze the secretory behavior of rodent Kupffer cells (KC) were used to examine the human KCs secretory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Summary Background DataAs the resident hepatic macrophage, the KC resides at the interface between the portal and systemic circulations. Consequently, this cell may play an integral role in the immune response to antigens and bacteria in the sinusoid. Study of cytokine production by the KC has relied predominantly on the rat as the source of these cells. Whether human KCs respond similarly to rat KCs after LPS stimulation has been a matter of speculation. MethodsKupffer cells obtained from seven human livers were tested under conditions identical to those used to study rat KCs. Kupffer cells rested for 12 hours after isolation were stimulated with LPS (2.5 μg/mL). Arginine concentration in the culture medium varied from 0.01 to 1.2 mM. To examine the role of eicosanoids, parallel culture wells received indomethacin (10 μM). Culture supematants were assayed for interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide. ResultsSimilar to the rat KC, LPS-stimulated human KCs released IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, and PGE2. However, unlike rat KCs, nitric oxide could not be detected, regardless of whether the human KCs were exposed to LPS, interferon-γ (INF-γ), or LPS + IFN-γ. Similar to rat KCs, indomethacin prevented PGE2 release while significantly upregulating TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6, but not TGF-β, consistent with an autoregulatory control of eicosanoids over proinflammatory cytokines. As has been shown in the rat, physiologic levels of L-arginine (0.01 mM) significantly enhanced LPS-induced PGE2 secretion relative to the response in medium containing standard L-arginine concentration (1.2 mM); however, unlike the rat KC, the humans cytokine response to LPS was not downregulated by this enhanced PGE2 release.

Characterization of hypothermic intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in dogs : Effects of glycine

The effects of 48 hr of hypothermic (4 degrees C ischemia) and short-term reperfusion. (I-R) on intestinal function and metabolism were studied in dogs utilizing Collins flush alone or with the putative cytoprotectant amino acid, glycine. Intestinal blood flow after hypothermic ischemia in Collins-flushed segments briefly rose at reperfusion, rapidly declined after 5 min, and plateaued over the 60-minute reperfusion period. Paired intestinal segments flushed with 5 mM glycine demonstrated parallel changes in blood flow over the reperfusion period, but the blood flow values were significantly higher (100-300%), relative to the Collins segments. Intestinal oxygen consumption (VO2) was about 50% of normal nonischemic intestinal segments at all times after reperfusion. The glycine-flushed intestinal segments significantly consumed about 100% more oxygen, relative to the paired control intestines. Intestinal fluid and protein flux into the lumen significantly increased after I-R in both glycine- and Collins-flushed segments. Mucosal tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, a biochemical marker of neutrophils, significantly increased after 48 hr of cold ischemia with Collins flush and 1 hr of reperfusion, relative to tissue obtained before ischemia. The reperfusion-induced increase in MPO activity was abolished in intestinal segments flushed with glycine. Mucosal synthesis of the chemoattractant leukotriene B4 (LTB4) significantly increased after I-R and glycine flush abolished these increases. Nitric oxide synthesis by mucosal tissue in Collins-flushed segments subjected to 48 hr of hypothermic ischemia and 1 hr of reperfusion was significantly higher, compared with nonischemic tissue or mucosal tissue subjected to cold ischemia without reperfusion. Glycine flush did not alter this pattern of NO synthesis. Light microscopic analysis in both Collins- and glycine-flushed segments revealed that intestinal hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion caused significant morphologic changes characterized by loss of villus epithelium, decreased villus height, and venous congestion. These data indicate that glycine significantly improve oxygenation after hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion and prevented the I-R-induced increase in tissue neutrophil infiltration and leukotriene synthesis.

Brain death does not affect hepatic allograft function and survival after orthotopic transplantation in a canine model.

Background. Brain death has been shown to decrease graft function and survival in rodent models. The aim of this study was to evaluate how brain death affects graft viability in the donor and liver tolerance to cold preservation as assessed by survival in a canine transplant model. Methods. Beagle dogs were used for the study. Non-brain dead (BD) donors served as controls. Brain death was induced by sudden inflation of a subdural balloon catheter with continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure and electroencephalographic activity. Sixteen hours after confirmation of brain death, liver grafts were retrieved. All livers were flushed in situ and preserved for 24 hr in cold University of Wisconsin solution before transplantation. Recipient survival rates, serum hepatic enzyme levels, coagulation, and metabolic parameters of the recipients were analyzed. Results. No significant changes were observed in serum aminotransferases (alanine and aspartate transaminases) and lactate dehydrogenase levels in the BD donor. After preservation, control (n=6) and BD livers (n=5) showed full functional recovery after transplant with 100% survival in both groups at day 7. There was no significant difference in peak serum alanine, aspartate transaminases, and lactate dehydrogenase after transplantation in recipients who received a liver from BD donor compared to control group. BD livers were functionally as capable as control livers in correcting metabolic acidosis during the first 24 hr posttransplantation. Coagulation profiles (index normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time) after reperfusion were similar between groups. Conclusion. In contrast to previous reports in rodent models, our study shows that brain death does not cause significant liver dysfunction in the donor before organ removal. Donor brain death and prolonged liver graft preservation do not interact significantly to impair liver function and survival after transplantation.

Improved and simplified tissue extraction method for quantitating long-chain acyl-coenzyme A thioesters with picomolar detection using high-performance liquid chromatography

A method has been developed that permits rapid and easy tissue extraction of long-chain acyl-coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) thioesters with sensitive quantitation by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Tissue homogenants are extracted using a reserve Bligh-Dyer technique, and long-chain acyl-CoA esters are harvested in the methanolic aqueous phase. Complex lipids and phospholipids are removed in the chloroform-rich organic Bligh-Dyer second phase, and long-chain acyl-CoA compounds are further purified from the methanolic aqueous Bligh-Dyer first phase on C18 extraction columns after removal of the methanol. The eluted and purified acyl-CoA esters are then quantitated by RP-HPLC using heptadecanoyl-CoA as an internal standard resulting in a detector sensitivity of about 12 pmol. Ten long-chain acyl-CoA esters from C12:0 to C20:4 were identified and separated from canine renal cortex and murine liver samples. The predominant acyl-CoA peaks from both kidney and liver were 14:0, 16:1, 16:0, 18:1, 18:2 and 20:4. Murine liver also produced 18:0 and all peaks disappeared after alkaline hydrolysis of the samples. This extraction and quantitation technique can successfully be used for tissue samples as small as 20 mg, and many samples can be processed in a short period of time. The simplicity of the extraction procedure and the sensitivity of the assay make this an attractive alternative approach to quantitating long-chain acyl-CoA thioesters from complex biological samples such as tissues.

Arachidonate lipoxygenase products and renal allograft rejection in dogs.

The production of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was studied in renal tissue obtained from renal allografts and normal kidneys of nonimmunosuppressed dogs that had undergone unilateral renal allotransplantation. We have shown that allografted renal cortex undergoing rejection synthesizes significantly greater quantities of 12-HETE than normal or autotransplanted control renal cortex. There was no significant increase in 12-HETE production by allografted medulla undergoing rejection. Production of LTB4 was significantly greater in the rejecting renal cortex compared to control renal cortex but was not different in the rejecting compared to normal renal medulla. Production of 12-HETE and LTB4 was significantly inhibited by the lipoxygenase-cyclooxygenase inhibitor BW755C, suggesting that production of these compounds was enzyme catalyzed. Histologic examination of renal tissue undergoing rejecting revealed varying degrees of tissue destruction and cellular infiltration. These histologic parameters correlated with the magnitude of 12-HETE production in the allografts. Our findings therefore indicate that arachidonate lipoxygenase products are generated in increased amounts by renal cortical tissue undergoing rejection and suggest that these products may be involved in the rejection process.