IL-6-/- mice showed impaired leukocyte accumulation in subcutaneous air pouches. Defective leukocyte accumulation was not due to a reduced migratory capacity of IL-6-/- leukocytes and was associated with a reduced in situ production of chemokines. These observations led to a reexamination of the interaction of IL-6 with endothelial cells (EC). EC express only the gp130 signal transducing chain and not the subunit-specific IL-6R and are therefore unresponsive to IL-6. However, EC are responsive to a combination of IL-6 and soluble IL-6R as measured by the activation of STAT3, chemokine expression, and augmentation of ICAM-1. Activation by IL-6-IL-6R complexes was inhibited by an IL-6 receptor antagonist and potentiated by a superagonist. Hence, in vivo and in vitro evidence supports the concept that the IL-6 system plays an unexpected positive role in local inflammatory reactions by amplifying leukocyte recruitment.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) interacts with cells through two types of binding molecules, IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1R I) and IL-1R II. The function of IL-1R II is unknown. In studies using monoclonal antibodies, IL-1 prolonged the in vitro survival of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) through IL-1R I, and IL-4 antagonized the action of IL-1 by inducing expression and release of IL-1R II. Dexamethasone also induced expression and release of the IL-1R II in PMN. These results, together with the effect of antibodies to IL-1R on IL-1-induced production of cytokines in monocytes, indicate that IL-1 acts on myelomonocytic cells through IL-1R I and that IL-1R II inhibits IL-1 activity by acting as a decoy target for IL-1. The existence of multiple pathways of regulation emphasizes the need for tight control of IL-1 action.

No abstract

We studied the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25-(OH)2D3) on differentiation, maturation, and functions of dendritic cells (DC) differentiated from human monocytes in vitro in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 7 days. Recovery and morphology were not affected by 1α,25-(OH)2D3 up to 100 nM. DC differentiated in the presence of 10 nM 1α,25-(OH)2D3 (D3-DC) showed a marked decrease in the expression of CD1a, while CD14 remained elevated. Mannose receptor and CD32 were significantly increased, and this correlated with an enhancement of endocytic activity. Costimulatory molecules such as CD40 and CD86 were slightly decreased or nonsignificantly affected (CD80 and MHC II). However, after induction of DC maturation with LPS or incubation with CD40 ligand-transfected cells, D3-DC showed marginal increases in MHC I, MHC II, CD80, CD86, CD40, and CD83. The accessory cell function of D3-DC in classical MLR was also inhibited. Moreover, allogeneic T cells stimulated with D3-DC were poor responders in a second MLR to untreated DC from the same or an unrelated donor, thus indicating the onset of a nonspecific hyporesponsivity. In conclusion, our data suggest that 1α,25-(OH)2D3 may modulate the immune system, acting at the very first step of the immune response through the inhibition of DC differentiation and maturation into potent APC.

Pentraxins are a superfamily of conserved proteins involved in the acute-phase response and innate immunity. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a prototypical member of the long pentraxin subfamily, is a key component of the humoral arm of innate immunity that is essential for resistance to certain pathogens. A regulatory role for pentraxins in inflammation has long been recognized, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that PTX3 bound P-selectin and attenuated neutrophil recruitment at sites of inflammation. PTX3 released from activated leukocytes functioned locally to dampen neutrophil recruitment and regulate inflammation. Antibodies have glycosylation-dependent regulatory effect on inflammation. Therefore, PTX3, which is an essential component of humoral innate immunity, and immunoglobulins share functional outputs, including complement activation, opsonization and, as shown here, glycosylation-dependent regulation of inflammation.

Results. Ten patients with systemic-onset JIA exhibited a dramatic response to anakinra and were classified as complete responders. Eleven patients had an incomplete response or no response, and 1 patient could not be classified in terms of response. Compared with patients who had an incomplete response or no response, complete responders had a lower number of active joints (P ‫؍‬ 0.02) and an increased absolute neutrophil count (P ‫؍‬ 0.02). In vitro IL-1␤ and IL-18 secretion in response to various stimuli was not increased and was independent of treatment efficacy. Likewise, secretion of IL-1Ra by monocytes from patients with systemic-onset JIA was not impaired. An overall low level of IL-1␤ secretion upon exposure to exogenous ATP was observed, unrelated to treatment responsiveness or disease activity.Conclusion. Two subsets of systemic-onset JIA can be identified according to patient response to IL-1 blockade. The 2 subsets appear to be characterized by some distinct clinical features. In vitro secretion of IL-1␤ and IL-18 by monocytes from patients with systemic-onset JIA is not increased and is independent of both treatment outcome and disease activity.

IntroductionNatural killer (NK) cells represent a minor population (5%-20%) of peripheral blood lymphocytes that is also present in secondary lymphoid organs, such as spleen, and lymph nodes, as well as in liver, bone marrow, and maternal uterus. [1][2][3] The function of NK cells in humans is regulated by a balance between opposite signals delivered by a set of HLA class I-specific inhibitory receptors and by a number of activating receptors and coreceptors responsible for NK cell triggering. By the combined use of these receptors, NK cells can discriminate between normal HLA class I ϩ cells and cells that have lost the expression of HLA class I molecules as a consequence of tumor transformation or viral infection. [4][5][6][7] Most NK cells in peripheral blood express the CD56 low CD16 ϩ phenotype, whereas the remainders are CD56 high CD16 Ϫ cells. It was proposed that CD56 high NK cells represent a primary source of immunoregulatory cytokines, whereas the CD56 low C16 ϩ subset represents the principal cytotoxic population. 8 During inflammation, viral infection and tumor growth, NK cells are rapidly recruited from the blood into injured tissues. 9-11 NK cell recruitment is governed by integrated signals, which include adhesion molecules and chemotactic factors. CD56 low CD16 ϩ NK cells express both ␤1 and ␤2 integrins, as well as the ligands for E-and P-selectins. In addition to these molecules, CD56 high NK cells also express high levels of L-selectin, a pivotal molecule for the interaction with lymph node high endothelial venules. 12-14 With respect to chemokine receptors, CD56 low CD16 ϩ NK cells express high levels of CXCR1 and CX3CR1. 9,15 By contrast, CD56 high NK cells express CCR7 as well as CCR5 and CXCR3. 8,9,15 It is likely that the different expression profile of adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors between the 2 major blood NK cell subsets is responsible for the preferential migration of CD56 low CD16 ϩ and CD56 high CD16 Ϫ NK cells into inflamed tissues and secondary lymphoid organs, respectively. 16 In fact, the CD56 high CD16 Ϫ NK cell subset although poorly represented in peripheral blood constitutes the only type of NK cells present in secondary lymphoid tissues. 2,3 We have recently identified a novel protein, chemerin, as the natural ligand of the previously orphan receptor ChemR23. 17 ChemR23 exhibits a unique expression profile among leukocyte populations being expressed preferentially by monocyte/macrophages and by immature myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs). 18 Chemerin, originally isolated from inflamed biologic fluids, such as ovarian cancer ascites and rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluids, is synthesized as a secreted precursor protein.Prochemerin is poorly active but can be rapidly converted into a full ChemR23 agonist by the proteolytic removal of the last 6 amino acids by neutrophil-derived proteases (elastase and cathepsin G), mast cell products (triptase), and proteases of the coagulation cascade. 19,20 Therefore, prochemerin represents a "ready to The online ...

Abstract. When cultivated on substrates that prevent cell adhesion (the polymer polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate, bovine serum albumin, and Teflon), human endothelial cells (EC) rapidly lost viability with a halflife of ,x,10 h. Dying EC showed the morphological and biochemical characteristics of apoptosis. The apoptotic process of suspended EC was delayed by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. To obtain information as to the mechanism involved in the apoptosis of suspended EC, we investigated whether adhesion to matrix proteins or integrin occupancy in EC retaining a round shape may affect EC suicide. EC bound to low coating concentration of either fibronectin or vitronectin, retaining a round shape and failing to organize actin microfilaments, underwent to rapid cell death; by contrast, cells on high substrate concentrations became flattened, showed actin microfilament organization, and retained viability. Addition of saturating amounts of soluble vitronectin to suspended round-shaped EC did not reduce the process of apoptosis. Finally, when suspended EC bound Gly-ArgGly-Asp-Ser-coated microbeads (~10 microbeads/ cell), yet retaining a round shape, the apoptotic process was not affected. Oncogene-transformed EC in suspension were less susceptible to cell death and apoptosis than normal EC. Overall, these data indicate that cell attachment to matrix or integrin binding per se is not sufficient for maintaining cell viability, and that cells need to undergo some minimal degree of shape change to survive. Modulation of interaction with the extracellular matrix can, therefore, be an important target for the control of angiogenesis.T HE formation and regression of new vascular structures is a regulated process that governs organ development during embryogenesis (for review see reference 11). This suggests that not only capillary proliferation, but also capillary involution, depends on physiological control mechanisms. The composition and organization of the extraceUular matrix are known to markedly influence remodeling of blood vessels. Capillary basement membrane dissolution correlates with microvessel retraction, endothelial cell (EC) 1 rounding, and associated capillary regression (21,24). This series of events are likely caused by the fact that EC must be adherent to matrix proteins to survive and proliferate. When EC are cultured under conditions that prevent adhesion and spreading, they stop growing and lose viability (20,24,31).