International audienceIntravascular hemolysis describes the relocalization of heme and hemoglobin (Hb) from erythrocytes to plasma. We investigated the concept that erythrocyte membrane microparticles (MPs) concentrate cell-free heme in human hemolytic diseases, and that hemeladen MPs have a physiopathological impact. Up to one-third of cell-free heme in plasma from 47 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) was sequestered in circulating MPs. Erythrocyte vesiculation in vitro produced MPs loaded with heme. In silico analysis predicted that externalized phosphatidylserine (PS) in MPs may associate with and help retain heme at the cell surface. Immunohistology identified Hb-laden MPs adherent to capillary endothelium in kidney biopsies from hyperalbuminuric SCD patients. In addition, heme-laden erythrocyte MPs adhered and transferred heme to cultured endothelial cells, inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. In transgenic SAD mice, infusion of hemeladen MPs triggered rapid vasoocclusions in kidneys and compromised microvascular dilation ex vivo. These vascular effects were largely blocked by heme-scavenging hemopexin and by the PS antagonist annexin-a5, in vitro and in vivo. Adversely remodeled MPs carrying heme may thus be a source of oxidant stress for the endothelium, linking hemolysis to vascular injury. This pathway might provide new targets for the therapeutic preservation of vascular function in SCD

Heme, a ubiquitous iron-containing compound, is present in large amounts in many cells and is inherently dangerous, particularly when it escapes from intracellular sites. The release of heme from damaged cells and tissues is supposed to be higher in diseases such as malaria and hemolytic anemia or in trauma and hemorrhage. We investigated here the role of free ferriprotoporphyrin IX (hemin) as a proinflammatory molecule, with particular attention to its ability to activate neutrophil responses. Injecting hemin into the rat pleural cavity resulted in a dosedependent migration of neutrophils, indicating that hemin is able to promote the recruitment of these cells in vivo. In vitro, hemin induced human neutrophil chemotaxis and cytoskeleton reorganization, as revealed by the increase of neutrophil actin polymerization. Exposure of human neutrophils to 3 M hemin activated the expression of the chemokine interleukin-8, as demonstrated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, indicating a putative molecular mechanism by which hemin induces chemotaxis in vivo. Brief incubation of human neutrophils with micromolar concentrations of hemin (1-20 M) triggered the oxidative burst, and the production of reactive oxygen species was directly proportional to the concentration of hemin added to the cells. Finally, we observed that human neutrophil protein kinase C was activated by hemin in vitro, with a K 1/2 of 5 M. Taken IntroductionHeme released from hemeproteins has been shown to promote the formation of oxygen radicals, playing a role as a catalyst in the oxidation of lipids, proteins, and DNA. [1][2][3] In addition, free heme can promptly bind to and oxidize low-density lipoprotein, acting as a biologically relevant lipoprotein oxidant. 4 Hemoglobin (probably because of the release of free heme and heme iron) may contribute to the acute renal failure often seen after episodes of intravascular hemolysis. 5,6 In fact, it has been proposed that heme could be considered one causative agent in organ failure after ischemia-reperfusion because heme-oxygenase is induced in heart and kidney. 7 In normal conditions, diverse species produce avid hemebinding plasma proteins, such as hemopexin, that efficiently remove most of the heme produced intravascularly, 8 thus preventing nonspecific cellular heme uptake and heme-catalyzed oxidation reactions. However, pathologic situations of increased hemolysis can lead to very high levels of free heme, as in malaria, 9 sickle cell disease, 10 HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver levels, and low platelet count) syndrome, 11 or regions with turbulent blood flow. 12 Very little work has been done to assess the consequences of the interaction of free heme with intact cells. It has been demonstrated that free heme is promptly incorporated into endothelial cells in vitro and that this association potentiates the oxidative damage induced by chemical agents. 13 It is interesting to note that patients suffering from sickle cell disease often exhibit a low-grade chronic inflammation...

Lipid bodies (lipid droplets) are lipid-rich organelles with functions in cell metabolism and signaling. Here, we investigate the mechanisms of Trypanosoma cruzi-induced lipid body formation and their contributions to host-parasite interplay. We demonstrate that T. cruzi-induced lipid body formation in macrophages occurs in a Toll-like receptor 2-dependent mechanism and is potentiated by apoptotic cell uptake. Lipid body biogenesis and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production triggered by apoptotic cell uptake was largely dependent of α(v)β₃ and transforming growth factor-β signaling. T. cruzi-induced lipid bodies act as sites of increased PGE synthesis. Inhibition of lipid body biogenesis by the fatty acid synthase inhibitor C75 reversed the effects of apoptotic cells on lipid body formation, eicosanoid synthesis, and parasite replication. Our findings indicate that lipid bodies are highly regulated organelles during T. cruzi infection with roles in lipid mediator generation by macrophages and are potentially involved in T. cruzi-triggered escape mechanisms.

High levels of free heme are found in pathological states of increased hemolysis, such as sickle cell disease, malaria, and ischemia reperfusion. The hemolytic events are often associated with an inflammatory response that usually turns into chronic inflammation. We recently reported that heme is a proinflammatory molecule, able to induce neutrophil migration, reactive oxygen species generation, and IL-8 expression. In this study, we show that heme (1–50 μM) delays human neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis in vitro. This effect requires heme oxygenase activity, and depends on reactive oxygen species production and on de novo protein synthesis. Inhibition of ERK and PI3K pathways abolished heme-protective effects upon human neutrophils, suggesting the involvement of the Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3K pathway on this effect. Confirming the involvement of these pathways in the modulation of the antiapoptotic effect, heme induces Akt phosphorylation and ERK-2 nuclear translocation in neutrophils. Futhermore, inhibition of NF-κB translocation reversed heme antiapoptotic effect. NF-κB (p65 subunit) nuclear translocation and IκB degradation were also observed in heme-treated cells, indicating that free heme may regulate neutrophil life span modulating signaling pathways involved in cell survival. Our data suggest that free heme associated with hemolytic episodes might play an important role in the development of chronic inflammation by interfering with the longevity of neutrophils.

The deregulation of inflammatory response during sepsis seems to reflect the overproduction of mediators, which suppress leukocyte functions. We investigated the intracellular mechanisms underlying the inability of neutrophils from severe septic patients to migrate toward chemoattractants. Patients IntroductionSepsis is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from a damaging host response to infection. 1 In the United States, more than 700 000 patients per year develop sepsis, with mortality rates reported to vary between 30% and 70%, despite the best available supportive care. 2 Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play the first line in the host defense against microorganisms, being recruited to the inflammatory sites by chemoattractants such as leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) and chemokines. 3,4 Once emigrated, these leukocytes are able to phagocytose and to generate large amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, such as hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, which are crucial products for the microbicidal activity of these cells. 5,6 As neutrophils appear to play a crucial role in the control of the infectious process, one can hypothesize that a deficient migratory ability of neutrophils may aggravate infections. Indeed, impairment of neutrophil migration has been reported in leukemia, 7 diabetes, 8 and AIDS, 9 diseases associated with high susceptibility to infection. Furthermore, previous studies from our group showed that failure of neutrophil migration is observed in severe sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture and Staphylococcus aureus administration. 10,11 In these lethal models, failure of neutrophil migration to the site of infection was accompanied by increased numbers of bacteria in the peritoneal fluid and blood. Conversely, in sublethal infection in which massive neutrophil migration was observed, bacterial infection was restricted to the peritoneal cavity, and the animals exhibited a low mortality rate. 10,11 More recently, we have also reported that blood neutrophils obtained from patients with sepsis failed to respond in vitro to the chemotactic stimuli FMLP and LTB 4 . This unresponsiveness was directly associated to a poor prognosis. 12 Evidence from literature suggests that the high levels of circulating cytokines/chemokines observed in severe sepsis may mediate the impairment of neutrophil migration, in addition to being involved in the deleterious physiopathologic findings of the disease, such as coagulation disorders, cardiovascular collapse, and organ failure. 13 The intravenous administration of tumor necrosis factor-␣ (TNF-␣) or interleukin-8 (IL-8) inhibited neutrophil migration to mouse peritoneal cavity and anti-TNF-␣ antibody partially prevented the inhibition of neutrophil migration in endotoxemia model. 14 However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the reduced ability of neutrophils to migrate during sepsis were not completely clarified.Independent of their chemical nature, most chemoattractants exert their action via binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors (GP...

Background and purpose: Heme oxygenase (HO) activity is known to down-regulate inflammatory events. Here, we address the role of HO and its metabolites, carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin (BVD), in leukocyte rolling, adhesion and neutrophil migration during inflammatory processes. Experimental approach: Intravital microscopy was used to evaluate leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the mesenteric microcirculation of mice. TNFa and IL-1b were determined by ELISA and HO-1 protein expression by Western blot. Key results: Intraperitoneal challenge with carrageenan enhanced HO-1 protein expression in mesentery and bilirubin concentration in peritoneal exudates. Pretreatment of mice with a non-specific inhibitor of HO (ZnDPBG) or with a HO-1 specific inhibitor (ZnPP IX) enhanced neutrophil migration, rolling and adhesion on endothelium induced by carrageenan. In contrast, HO substrate (hemin), CO donor (DMDC) or BVD reduced these parameters. The reduction of neutrophil recruitment promoted by HO metabolites was independent of the production of chemotactic cytokines. Inhibitory effects of CO, but not of BVD, were counteracted by treatment with a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, ODQ. Furthermore, inhibition of HO prevented the inhibitory effect of a nitric oxide (NO) donor (SNAP) upon neutrophil migration, while the blockade of NO synthase (NOS) activity by aminoguanidine did not affect the CO or BVD effects. Conclusions and Implications: Metabolites of HO decreased leukocyte rolling, adhesion and neutrophil migration to the inflammatory site by a mechanism partially dependent on sGC. Moreover, inhibition by NO of neutrophil migration was dependent on HO activity.

Canatoxin is a toxic protein from Canavalia ensiformis seeds, lethal to mice (LD(50)=2 mg/kg) and insects. Further characterization of canatoxin showed that its main native form (184 kDa) is a non-covalently linked dimer of a 95 kDa polypeptide containing zinc and nickel. Partial sequencing of internal peptides indicated homology with urease (EC 3.5.1.5) from the same seed. Canatoxin has approx. 30% of urease's activity for urea, and K(m) of 2-7 mM. The proteins differ in their affinities for metal ions and were separated by affinity chromatography on a Zn(2+) matrix. Similar to canatoxin, urease activates blood platelets and interacts with glycoconjugates. In contrast with canatoxin, no lethality was seen in mice injected with urease (10 mg/kg). Pretreatment with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate irreversibly abolished the ureolytic activity of both proteins. On the other hand, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate-treated canatoxin was still lethal to mice, and both treated proteins were fully active in promoting platelet aggregation and binding to glycoconjugates. Taken together, our data indicate that canatoxin is a variant form of urease. Moreover, we show for the first time that these proteins display several biological effects that are unrelated to their enzymic activity for urea.

-Lipoxins (LX) and aspirintriggered LX (ATL) are eicosanoids generated during inflammation via transcellular biosynthetic routes that elicit distinct anti-inflammatory and proresolution bioactions, including inhibition of leukocytemediated injury, stimulation of macrophage clearance of apoptotic neutrophils, repression of proinflammatory cytokine production, and inhibition of cell proliferation and migration. Recently, it was reported that aspirin induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression on endothelial cells (EC) in a COX-independent manner, what confers protection against prooxidant insults. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether an aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4 stable analog, 15-epi-16-(para-fluoro)-phenoxy-lipoxin A4 (ATL-1) was able to induce endothelial HO-1. Western blot analysis showed that ATL-1 increased HO-1 protein expression associated with increased mRNA levels on EC in a timeand concentration-dependent fashion. This phenomenon appears to be mediated by the activation of the G protein-coupled LXA4 receptor because pertussis toxin and Boc-2, a receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited ATL-1-induced HO-1 expression. We demonstrate that treatment of EC with ATL-1 inhibited VCAM and E-selectin expression induced by TNF-␣ or IL-1␤. This inhibitory effect of the analog is modulated by HO-1 because it was blocked by SnPPIX, a competitive inhibitor that blocks HO-1 activity. Our results establish that ATL-1 induces HO-1 in human EC, revealing an undescribed mechanism for the anti-inflammatory activity of these lipid mediators. signaling transduction; resolution of inflammation LIPOXINS (LX) are endogenous lipid mediators that dampen the host response and orchestrate resolution of inflammation. In humans, three main biosynthetic pathways are described for LX formation, each involves transcellular biosynthetic use of intermediates between distinct cell types that are in close proximity during inflammatory responses (43). Monocytes, eosinophils, and airway-epithelial cells can convert arachidonate into 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE) by a 15-lipoxygenase (LO) catalyzed reaction. 15S-HETE is rapidly taken up by neutrophils and converted to lipoxin A 4 by a 5-LO-catalyzed reaction (43). The second pathway for lipoxin biosynthesis was determined for interactions that occur predominantly within the vasculature between 5-LO, present in myeloid cells, and 12-LO, which is present in platelets. The 5-LO product leukotriene A 4 is converted in a transcellular manner by platelet 12-LO to lipoxins (43). More recently, a third major pathway for lipoxin generation was discovered that involves aspirin and the action of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and 5-LO (11). Endothelial and epithelial cells express COX-2 in response to diverse stimuli such as cytokines, hypoxia, and bacterial infections. Aspirin acetylates COX-2 and switches its catalytic activity for conversion of arachidonic acid to 15R-HETE in lieu of prostanoid biosynthesis. 15R-HETE is released from endot...