Susan Quinn DeJoy

Studies on the homing of Mycobacterium-sensitized T lymphocytes to the synovium during passive adjuvant arthritis

The migration of intravenously administered adjuvant sensitized T lymphocytes to the knee synovium of recipient rats undergoing passive adjuvant arthritis has been followed. Using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled adjuvant-sensitized T cells and anticollagen IgG, the present studies demonstrate the presence of fluorescent cells in the inflamed knee synovium of recipient rats undergoing passive arthritis. Proliferation studies indicate that synovial cells from these rats respond to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT). Since cross-reactivity between Mycobacterial antigens and cartilage proteoglycans has been previously demonstrated, it is suggested that adjuvant-sensitized T cells that are injected into naive rats migrate to the synovium, proliferate in response to cartilage proteoglycan, and initiate passive arthritis.

Studies of the effect of a platelet-activating factor antagonist, CL 184,005, in animal models of gram-negative bacterial sepsis.

The effect of CL 184,005, a potent and specific platelet-activating factor antagonist, has been examined in a variety of animal models relevant to gram-negative bacterial sepsis. Pretreatment of mice with CL 184,005 protected them from the lethal effects of platelet-activating factor. When rats or primates rendered hypotensive with endotoxin were treated with CL 184,005, blood pressure was normalized. Pretreatment of rats with CL 184,005 protected them from the gastrointestinal lesions induced by endotoxin. Pretreatment of rats and mice with CL 184,005 protected them from the lethal effects of endotoxin. Plasma tumor necrosis factor levels in endotoxin-treated mice were lower when the mice were pretreated with CL 184,005. These observations suggest that CL 184,005 may be potentially useful in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial sepsis, and the agent is undergoing clinical evaluation.

Studies on the synergy between collagen and adjuvant arthritis in rats

Intravenous administration of subarthritogenic doses of anticollagen IgG and adjuvant-sensitized spleen cells to syngeneic naive rats induces an erosive arthritis in recipients. The onset of the clinical disease in recipients is rapid and the disease is severe when compared to those recipients receiving cells alone. Immunocytochemical analysis of the knee synovium indicates the accumulation in the adipose tissue of Ia+ (ED1+)macrophages, OX-19+ T lymphocytes, and neutrophils. A large proportion of the lining cells of the proliferative synovium are Ia+. The knee synovium is extremely edematous and contains fibrin. If recipient rats are decomplemented, clinical disease is delayed and the number of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells accumulating in the synovium is decreased. Similar results are observed if recipient rats are treated with anti-Ia+ antibody. However, anti-Ia+ treatment does not induce depletion of serum complement.

Preclinical studies with platelet-activating factor antagonists in models of septic shock

Since the isolation and elucidation of the structure of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the late 1970s, several preclinical studies have suggested that PAF is a key mediator of septic shock induced in animals by either endotoxin or by Gram-negative bacteria. A number of PAF antagonists have been sythesized that protect animals from the lethal effects of endotoxin. Some of these antagonists are in early stages of clinical development. The most advanced cadidate is BN 52021, a ginkgolide, that is in Phase II/III clinical trials in patients with septic shock. Preliminary results with BN 52021 indicate that it is efficacious and significantly reduces mortality associated with Gram-negative sepsis. Pivotal trials with BN 52021 aer ongoing. The present review summarizes the biological effects of PAF and the effect of PAF antagonists in animal models of septic shock. The interrelationship of PAF and tumor necrosis factor (another key mediator of septic shock) is also discussed.

Pluronic F 127 liquid sensitizes mice to low doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

Background and MethodsIn murine models of endotoxemia, large amounts of lipopolysaccharide have to be administered to induce mortality. If mice are pretreated with D-galactosamine, the amount of lipopolysaccharide required to induce mortality is significantly lowered. Pluronic F 127 liquid is a relatively nontoxic copolymer that exhibits reverse gelation properties. Thus, it is a liquid at cold temperature and a gel at body temperature. The present studies were performed to ascertain whether the reverse gelation properties of Pluronic F 127 liquid could be used in devising a model of septic shock where a sustained delivery of lipopolysaccharide occurred. In evaluating this model, doseresponse studies were conducted with lipopolysaccharide when a) it was administered intraperitoneally in saline or in Pluronic F 127 liquid, and b) it was administered intravenously to mice that had been pretreated with saline or Pluronic F127 liquid. Mortality was followed for up to 72 hrs. ResultsVarious doses of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide dissolved in saline or in Pluronic F127 liquid were administered intraperitoneally to mice. The lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide required to kill 50% of the mice (LD50) administered in Pluronic F127 liquid was approximately ten- to 15-fold less than the values obtained for lipopolysaccharide administered in saline. This decrease in the LD50 of lipopolysaccharide was also observed if the mice were treated intraperitoneally with Pluronic F 127 liquid and challenged 6 hrs later with iv lipopolysaccharide. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in the plasma were significantly higher when a low dose of lipopolysaccharide was administered to mice that had been pretreated with Pluronic F 127 liquid. While there was no effect on the liver enzymes, Pluronic F 127 liquid caused an increase in the plasma triglycerides. ConclusionsThe data reported in this paper indicate that the LD50 of lipopolysaccharide is significantly decreased if it is administered in Pluronic F 127 liquid or administered to mice that have been pretreated with the Pluronic F 127 liquid. Thus, Pluronic F127 liquid appears to sensitize mice to low levels of lipopolysaccharide. Unlike the D-galactosamine model, lipopolysaccharide can be administered as late as 6 hrs after treatment with Pluronic F 127 liquid. While the mechanisms by which Pluronic F 127 liquid sensitizes mice is not known, plasma triglycerides were increased in mice treated with this agent, suggesting that tissues responsible for the synthesis and/or degradation of triglycerides play a role in this sensitization process.