Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in human neutrophils but not pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) mediates septic protein leak in vitro

Background and Objectives: Cell adhesion molecule CD146 is a transmembrane glycoprotein constitutively expressed in all types of endothelial cells (EC). It exists in two forms: a membrane-anchored form (CD146) and a soluble, extracellular and cleaved form (sCD146). The plasma concentration of sCD146 is modulated in inflammatory diseases that involve endothelial alterations. We investigated the role of endothelial CD146 in cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in vivo and in pulmonary endothelial cells (EC) in vitro . Methods: Sprague Dawley rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 2 months developed significant emphysematous changes (measured by mean linear intercept). Levels of sCD146 were subsequently measured in the circulation as well as in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) via ELISA. In vitro studies were carried out in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells using CSE. Results: CD146 is highly expressed in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMVEC) and to a much lower extent, in pulmonary macrovascular endothelial cells (RPAEC). Treatment of RPMVEC with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in vitro resulted in decreased expression of membrane-bound CD146 as well as a reduced gene expression and increased sCD146 levels in the culture medium after 12 hours. Moreover, CSE-induced downregulation of CD146 expression resulted in increased vascular permeability of RPMVEC, as measured by EVANs Blue assay and migration of CFSE-labeled rat alveolar macrophage. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that CSE treatment resulted in translocation of membrane-bound CD146 into the nucleus. Subsequent western blot analysis showed changes in ERK and AKT activation and signaling. Similar results were found upon siRNA silencing of CD146, implicating a role for CD146 in tissue inflammation and integrity. Circulating levels of sCD146 were also elevated in plasma and BALf of patients with COPD and correlated, in part, with the presence of anti-endothelial autoantibodies. Additionally, we found decreased expression of membrane-bound CD146 in lung tissues of COPD patients. Conclusions: Our data suggest that CD146 plays an important role in pulmonary vascular EC function. Moreover, levels of circulating soluble CD146 can be a predictor of vascular endothelial cell injury.

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Donor antibodies to HNA-3a implicated in TRALI reactions prime neutrophils and cause PMN-mediated damage to human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in a two-event in vitro model

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2006-05-025106 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 109 (4) ◽

pp. 1752-1755 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Christopher C. Silliman ◽

Brian R. Curtis ◽

Patricia M. Kopko ◽

Samina Y. Khan ◽

Marguerite R. Kelher ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

In Vitro Model ◽

Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽

Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽

Biologic Response ◽

Event Model ◽

Microvascular Endothelial ◽

Vitro Model ◽

Related Mortality

Abstract Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality. Antibodies to HNA-3a are commonly implicated in TRALI. We hypothesized that HNA-3a antibodies prime neutrophils (PMNs) and cause PMN-mediated cytotoxicity through a two-event pathogenesis. Isolated HNA-3a+ or HNA-3a− PMNs were incubated with plasma containing HNA-3a antibodies implicated in TRALI, and their ability to prime the oxidase was measured. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) were activated with endotoxin or buffer, HNA-3a+ or HNA-3a− PMNs were added, and the coculture was incubated with plasma ± antibodies to HNA-3a. PMN-mediated damage was measured by counting viable HMVECs/mm2. Plasma containing HNA-3a antibodies primed the fMLP-activated respiratory burst of HNA-3a+, but not HNA-3a−, PMNs and elicited PMN-mediated damage of LPS-activated HMVECs when HNA-3a+, but not HNA-3a−, PMNs were used. Thus, antibodies to HNA-3a primed PMNs and caused PMN-mediated HMVEC cytotoxicity in a two-event model identical to biologic response modifiers implicated in TRALI.

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Migration of neutrophils across monolayers of cultured microvascular endothelial cells. An in vitro model of leucocyte extravasation

Journal of Cell Science ◽

10.1242/jcs.88.2.161 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 161-175

Author(s):

M.B. Furie ◽

B.L. Naprstek ◽

S.C. Silverstein

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Connective Tissue ◽

Basement Membrane ◽

Polyclonal Antibody ◽

Microvascular Endothelial Cells ◽

Human Neutrophils ◽

Apical Surface ◽

Initial Adhesion ◽

Microvascular Endothelial

Monolayers of bovine microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) grown on connective tissue derived from human amniotic membrane were used to examine the transendothelial migration of human neutrophils in vitro. Neutrophils placed above these cultures migrated in response to a chemotactic gradient generated by placing 10(−7) M-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (fMLP) below the cultures. Under these conditions, an average of 29 +/− 12% of the total population of neutrophils migrated beneath the endothelium after 1 or 2 h of incubation. Neutrophil migration in the absence of fMLP or in the presence of equal concentrations of fMLP above and below the cultures was less than 8% of the response to a 10(−7) M-fMLP gradient. Migration was a rapid event. Neutrophils began adhering to the apical surface of the endothelium within 2 min following exposure to an fMLP gradient; Ca2+ was required for this initial adhesion. Within 10 min, the majority of neutrophils associated with the BMEC-amnion cultures had migrated beneath the endothelial monolayer. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the initial adhesion between migrating neutrophils and endothelium was characterized by close contact between the two types of cell in focal areas. This close association was maintained as the neutrophils traversed the clefts between endothelial cells. Following their migration across the endothelium, neutrophils often were observed lying between the endothelium and its basement membrane. With time, the neutrophils penetrated the basement membrane and moved into the underlying amniotic connective tissue. To test the role of neutrophil proteinases in breaching endothelial and subendothelial barriers, migration was allowed to proceed in the presence of a variety of proteinase inhibitors, including p-nitrophenyl p'-guanidinobenzoate, soybean trypsin inhibitor, 6-aminocaproic acid, alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, leupeptin, antipain and methoxysuccinyl alanine-alanine-proline-valine chloromethyl ketone. None of these had a significant effect on the number of neutrophils that migrated or the depth to which they penetrated the amniotic tissue as compared with controls. In contrast, pepstatin and chymostatin reduced migration in response to fMLP to 7% and 52% of control values, respectively. However, these two inhibitors did not affect migration in response to another chemoattractant, leukotriene B4. Migration was neither enhanced nor inhibited by the following treatments: (1) removal of plasminogen from the calf serum used in the assay medium and addition of polyclonal antibody to plasminogen; (2) addition of monoclonal or polyclonal antibody to plasminogen activator.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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