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International audience; The strong predictive value of proteinuria in chronic glomerulopathies is firmly established as well as the pathogenic role of angiotensin II promoting progression of glomerular disease with an altered glomerular filtration barrier, podocyte injury and scarring of glomeruli. Here we found that chronic angiotensin II-induced hypertension inhibited autophagy flux in mouse glomeruli. Deletion of Atg5 (a gene encoding a protein involved autophagy) specifically in the podocyte resulted in accelerated angiotensin II-induced podocytopathy, accentuated albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis. This indicates that autophagy is a key protective mechanism in the podocyte in this condition. Angiotensin-II induced calpain activity in podocytes inhibits autophagy flux. Podocytes from mice with transgenic expression of the endogenous calpain inhibitor calpastatin displayed higher podocyte autophagy at baseline that was resistant to angiotensin II-dependent inhibition. Also, sustained autophagy with calpastatin limited podocyte damage and albuminuria. These findings suggest that hypertension has pathogenic effects on the glomerular structure and function, in part through activation of calpains leading to blockade of podocyte autophagy. These findings uncover an original mechanism whereby angiotensin II-mediated hypertension inhibits autophagy via calcium-induced recruitment of calpain with pathogenic consequences in case of imbalance by calpastatin activity. Thus, preventing a calpain-mediated decrease in autophagy may be a promising new therapeutic strategy for nephropathies associated with high renin-angiotensin system activity.

International audience

International audience; Most kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate crystals. Randall's plaque, an apatite deposit at the tip of the renal papilla, is considered to at the origin of these stones. Hypercalciuria may promote Randall's plaque formation and growth. We analyzed whether long-term exposure of Abcc6-/- mice (a murine model of Randall's plaque) to vitamin D supplementation, with or without a calcium-rich diet, would accelerate the formation of Randall's plaque. Eight groups of mice (including Abcc6-/- and wild type) received vitamin D alone (100,000 UI/kg every 2 weeks), a calcium-enriched diet alone (calcium gluconate 2 g/L in drinking water), both vitamin D supplementation and a calcium-rich diet, or a standard diet (controls) for 6 months. Kidney calcifications were assessed by 3-dimensional microcomputed tomography, μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Yasue staining. At 6 months, Abcc6-/- mice exposed to vitamin D and calcium supplementation developed massive Randall's plaque when compared with control Abcc6-/- mice (P < 0.01). Wild-type animals did not develop significant calcifications when exposed to vitamin D. Combined administration of vitamin D and calcium significantly accelerates Randall's plaque formation in a murine model. This original model raises concerns about the cumulative risk of vitamin D supplementation and calcium intakes in Randall's plaque formation.

International audience; Thyroid calcification is frequent in thyroid nodules. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of calcifications in thyroid tissue samples of patients with various thyroid diseases , and to identify their composition according to their localization. Among 50 thyroid samples included, 56% were malignant (papillary carcinoma) and 44% were benign (ade-noma, multinodular goiter, Graves' disease, sarcoidosis). Calcifications were found in 95% of samples using polarised light microscopy, whereas only 12% were described in initial pathological reports. Three types were individualised and analyzed by infrared spectrometry (μFTIR): colloid calcifications composed of calcium oxalate, capsular calcifications and psammoma bodies, both composed of calcium phosphate. Of notice, psammoma bodies characterized by FE-SEM were composed of concentric structure suggesting a slow process for crystal deposition. Calcium phosphates were found only in malignant samples whereas calcium oxalate was not associated with a define pathology. Proliferation assessed by KI67 staining was high (33% of positive follicles), and RUNX2, OPN, and CD44 positive staining were detected in thyrocytes with a broad variation between samples. However, thyr-ocyte proliferation and differentiation markers were not associated with the number of crystals. TRPV5 and CaSR expression was also detected in thyrocytes. mRNA transcripts expression was confirmed in a subgroup of 10 patients, altogether with other calcium transporters such as PMCA1 or Cav1.3. Interestingly, TRPV5 mRNA expression was significantly associated with number of colloid calcifications (rho =-0.72; p = 0.02). The high prevalence of calcium oxalate crystals within colloid gel raises intriguing issues upon follicle physiology for calcium and oxalate transport.

International audience; Increased urinary oxalate excretion (hyperoxaluria) promotes the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. Monogenic diseases due to hepatic enzyme deficiency result in chronic hyperoxaluria, promoting end-stage renal disease in children and young adults. Ethylene glycol poisoning also results in hyperoxaluria, promoting acute renal failure and frequently death. Stiripentol is an antiepileptic drug used to treat children affected by Dravet syndrome. It has been shown to inhibit neuronal lactate dehydrogenase 5 enzyme. As this isoenzyme is also the last step of hepatic oxalate production, we hypothesized that stiripentol would potentially reduce hepatic oxalate production and urine oxalate excretion. In vitro, stiripentol decreased the synthesis of oxalate by hepatocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, oral administration of stiripentol significantly reduced urine oxalate excretion in rats. Stiripentol protected the kidneys against calcium oxalate crystal deposits in acute ethylene glycol intoxication and chronic calcium oxalate nephropathy models. In both models, stiripentol significantly improved renal function. Patients affected by Dravet syndrome and treated with stiripentol had a lower urine oxalate excretion than control patients. A young girl affected by severe type I hyperoxaluria received stiripentol for several weeks, and urine oxalate excretion decreased by two-thirds. Stiripentol is a promising potential therapy against genetic hyperoxaluria and ethylene glycol poisoning.

International audience; Calpain 1 is a proinflammatory calcium-activated cysteine protease, which can be partly externalized. Extracellular calpains limit inflammatory processes and promote tissue repair, through cell proliferation and migration. Toll like receptor (TLR) 2 has been identified as a target of extracellular calpains in lymphocytes. The aim was to investigate the externalization of calpain 1 and the release of soluble TLR2 during tumor progression of pulmonary lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA). Extracellular calpain 1, soluble fragment of TLR2 and cytokines were analyzed by ELISA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatants from patients with LPA (n = 68). Source of calpain was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and soluble TLR2 by flow cytometry on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and human lung cancer cell lines. Extracellular calpain 1, secreted by tumor cells, was associated to tumor progression, neutrophilic inflammation, with a poor prognostic factor on survival (P = 0.003). TLR2 was expressed on PMN and tumor cells and decreased after calpain exposure. Soluble fragment of TLR2 in BALF supernatants was correlated to the extracellular calpain 1 concentration (r = 0.624; P < 0.001), and its high level was associated with tumor progression and a pro-inflammatory environment. Extracellular calpain 1 secreted by tumor cells, could participate in inflammatory microenvironment and tumor progression through TLR2 in LPA.

International audience; Calpains, intracellular proteases specifically inhibited by calpastatin, play a major role in neoangiogenesis involved in tumor invasiveness and metastasis. They are partly exteriorized via the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1) transporter, but the importance of this process in tumor growth is still unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of extracellular calpains in a model of melanoma by blocking their extracellular activity or exteriorization. In the first approach, a B16-F10 model of melanoma was developed in transgenic mice expressing high extracellular levels of calpastatin. In these mice, tumor growth was inhibited by ∼ 3-fold compared with wild-type animals. In vitro cytotoxicity assays and in vivo tumor studies have demonstrated that this protection was associated with a defect in tumor neoangiogenesis. Similarly, in wild-type animals given probenecid to blunt ABCA1 activity, melanoma tumor growth was inhibited by ∼ 3-fold. Again, this response was associated with a defect in neoangiogenesis. In vitro studies confirmed that probenecid limited endothelial cell migration and capillary formation from vascular explants. The observed reduction in fibronectin cleavage under these conditions is potentially involved in the response. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that probenecid, by blunting ABCA1 activity and thereby calpain exteriorization, limits melanoma tumor neoangiogenesis and invasiveness.

Most mouse kidney stone models induce nephrocalcinosis rather than urolithiasis. The aim of our study was to find an accelerated experimental model in order to study the early events of stone formation, that is, at the time of crystal binding to intrarenal urothelium. C57B6 mice exposed to vitamin D supplements and water containing hydroxyl-L-proline, ammonium chloride and calcium chloride were studied for 42 days. A group receiving urothelial cell mitogen Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 (FGF7) was compared to control group receiving saline. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals were detected in urines by day 2 and within urinary spaces in specialized fornix areas in both groups as soon as day 14 with enhanced deposits in FGF7 group compared to controls at day 21. Urothelial cells proliferation, uroplakin III downregulation and de novo expression of osteopontin receptor CD44 detected in FGF7 group, were delayed in the control group (day 42). Crystal aggregates within specialized fornix areas by day 42 were located in urinary spaces but also within and under a multilayered metaplastic urothelium, simultaneous to macrophages influx. Point of note, administration of a normal diet by day 21 was responsible for a spontaneous crystal clearance. Our data show that under supersaturation conditions, urothelial cell proliferation and calcium oxalate crystal retention occur within specialized fornix areas. Enhanced crystal deposits following FGF7 administration suggest that urothelium proliferation would be a relevant trigger for renal stone formation.

Background Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene that result in low pyrophosphate levels and subsequent progressive soft tissue calcifications. PXE mainly affects the skin, retina, and arteries. However, many patients with PXE experience kidney stones. We determined the prevalence of this pathology in patients with PXE and examined the possible underlying mechanisms in murine models. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in a large cohort of patients with PXE and analyzed urine samples and kidneys from Abcc6 −/− mice at various ages. We used Yasue staining, scanning electron microscopy, electron microscopy coupled to electron energy loss spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy to characterize kidney calcifications. Results Among 113 patients with PXE, 45 (40%) had a past medical history of kidney stones. Five of six computed tomography scans performed showed evidence of massive papillary calcifications (Randall plaques). Abcc6 −/− mice spontaneously developed kidney interstitial apatite calcifications with aging. These calcifications appeared specifically at the tip of the papilla and formed Randall plaques similar to those observed in human kidneys. Compared with controls, Abcc6 −/− mice had low urinary excretion of pyrophosphate. Conclusions The frequency of kidney stones and probably, Randall plaque is extremely high in patients with PXE, and Abcc6 −/− mice provide a new and useful model in which to study Randall plaque formation. Our findings also suggest that pyrophosphate administration should be evaluated for the prevention of Randall plaque and kidney stones.

International audience; Most of kidney stones are supposed to originate from Randall's plaque at the tip of the papilla or from papillary tubular plugs. Nevertheless, the frequency and the composition of crystalline plugs remain only partly described. The objective was to assess the frequency, the composition and the topography of papillary plugs in human kidneys. A total of 76 papillae from 25 kidneys removed for cancer and without stones were analysed by immunohistochemistry combined with Yasue staining, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared micro-spectroscopy. Papillary tubular plugs have been observed by Yasue staining in 23/25 patients (92%) and 52/76 papillae (68%). Most of these plugs were made of calcium phosphate, mainly carbonated apatite and amorphous calcium phosphate, and rarely octacalcium phosphate pen-tahydrate. Calcium and magnesium phosphate (whitlockite) have also been observed. Based upon immunostaining coupled to Yasue coloration, most of calcium phosphate plugs were located in the deepest part of the loop of Henle. Calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate tubular plugs were less frequent and stood in collecting ducts. At last, we observed calcium phosphate plugs deforming and sometimes breaking adjacent collecting ducts. Papillary tubular plugging, which may be considered as a potential first step toward kidney stone formation, is a very frequent setting, even in kidneys of non-stone formers. The variety in their composition and the distal precipitation of calcium oxalate suggest that plugs may occur in various conditions of urine supersaturation. Plugs were sometimes associated with collecting duct deformation.

Introduction La nephropathie a 2,8 di-hydroxyadenine (2,8 DHA) est une maladie severe, secondaire a une mutation autosomique recessive du gene qui code pour l’adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT). Elle se manifeste par la survenue de lithiase renale et/ou par la precipitation intratubulaire de 2,8 DHA et conduit a la maladie renale chronique, recidivant sur le greffon renal. Le traitement preventif repose sur l’administration d’inhibiteurs de la xanthine oxydase. L’objectif de cette etude etait d’evaluer l’impact de ces depots cristallins sur l’inflammation tissulaire renale. Patients/materiels et methodes Nous avons analyse 17 biopsies renales realisees chez 12 patients atteints de mutations de l’APRT (10 femmes, 2 hommes ; 12 greffons et 5 reins natifs). Nous avons realise des immunomarquages des cellules inflammatoires. En parallele, nous avons etudie in vitro la reponse inflammatoire induite par des cristaux de DHA (et des cristaux d’urate de sodium comme controles positifs) sur une lignee de macrophages murins RAW 264.7, notamment la secretion de cytokines (Elisa et qPCR). Resultats Les cristaux de DHA avaient un aspect tres variable selon les prelevements : irreguliers (n = 17), spheriques (n = 16), ou en anneau (n = 10). Leur aspect en lumiere polarisee etait radial dans 100 % des biopsies (n = 17), en aiguilles (n = 7) ou en croix de malte (n = 6). Leur localisation etait intratubulaire (n = 16), intra-epitheliale (n = 17) ou interstitielle (n = 12). L’ensemble des prelevements comportait des lesions de necrose tubulaire (n = 17), souvent une atrophie tubulaire et une fibrose interstitielle (n = 14), et une inflammation interstitielle diffuse (n = 9). Des lesions granulomateuses ont ete observees dans 88 % des biopsies (n = 15), avec presence de cellules geantes multinucleees englobant les cristaux et entoures de fibrose interstitielle. Les macrophages etaient repartis de facon stereotypee autour des cristallites (M1 au centre, M2 a l’exterieur). In vitro, les cristaux de DHA ont induit la formation de granulomes (macrophages « geants », avec aspect dendritique, cellules multinuclees), a partir de la 72e heure. L’exposition des macrophages aux cristaux de 2,8 DHA a induit une augmentation de secretion de cytokines, notamment de TNF-alpha. Conclusion La nephropathie a 2,8 DHA est une maladie granulomateuse, ou l’inflammation tissulaire joue probablement un role majeur dans la degradation de la fonction renale, qui n’est donc probablement pas liee qu’a l’obstruction tubulaire. Des modeles in vivo vont permettre de determiner si l’ajout de traitements anti-inflammatoires (ciblant le TNF-alpha) peut ameliorer la fonction renale en synergie avec les inhibiteurs de la xanthine oxydase.

International audience; Severe hypertension can lead to malignant hypertension (MH) with renal thrombotic microangiopathy and hemolysis. The role of plasma heme release in this setting is unknown. We aimed at evaluating the effect of a mild plasma heme increase by hemin administration in angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated hypertensive rats. Prevalence of MH and blood pressure values were similar in AngII and AngII + hemin groups. MH rats displayed a decreased renal blood flow (RBF), increased renal vascular resistances (RVR), and increased aorta and interlobar arteries remodeling with a severe renal microcirculation assessed by peritubular capillaries (PTC) rarefaction. Hemin-treated rats with or without AngII displayed also a decreased RBF and increased RVR explained only by PCT rarefaction. In AngII rats, RBF was similar to controls (with increased RVR). PTC density appeared strongly correlated to tubular damage score (rho = −0.65, p

Sepsis, a leading cause of death worldwide, involves widespread activation of inflammation, massive activation of coagulation, and lymphocyte apoptosis. Calpains, calcium-activated cysteine proteases, have been shown to increase inflammatory reactions and lymphocyte apoptosis. Moreover, calpain plays an essential role in microparticle release.We investigated the contribution of calpain in eliciting tissue damage during sepsis.To test our hypothesis, we induced polymicrobial sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture in wild-type (WT) mice and transgenic mice expressing high levels of calpastatin, a calpain-specific inhibitor.In WT mice, calpain activity increased transiently peaking at 6 hours after cecal ligation and puncture surgery. Calpastatin overexpression improved survival, organ dysfunction (including lung, kidney, and liver damage), and lymphocyte apoptosis. It decreased the sepsis-induced systemic proinflammatory response and disseminated intravascular coagulation, by reducing the number of procoagulant circulating microparticles and therefore delaying thrombin generation. The deleterious effect of microparticles in this model was confirmed by transferring microparticles from septic WT to septic transgenic mice, worsening their survival and coagulopathy.These results demonstrate an important role of the calpain/calpastatin system in coagulation/inflammation pathways during sepsis, because calpain inhibition is associated with less severe disseminated intravascular coagulation and better overall outcomes in sepsis.

Rejection of solid organ allograft involves alloreactive T-cell expansion. The importance of NF-κB and NFAT in this process is underscored by the therapeutic efficacy of immunosuppressive agents, which target the two transcription factors. Since calpains, calcium-activated proteases, are involved in the activation of NF-κB and NFAT, we investigated the role of calpains in allograft rejection. In human transplant kidneys undergoing acute or chronic rejection, we show an increased expression of CAPN 1 gene encoding μ-calpain, associated with a marked expression of μ-calpain, mainly in infiltrating T cells. To address the role of calpain in rejection, we used a skin transplant model in transgenic mice expressing high levels of calpastatin, a calpain-specific inhibitor. We show that calpain inhibition extended skin allograft survival, from 11 to 20 days. This delay was associated with a limitation in allograft infiltration by T cells. In vitro, calpain inhibition by calpastatin transgene expression limited dramatically T-cell migration but, unexpectedly, increased slightly T-cell proliferation. Amplification of IL-2 signaling via the stabilization of IL-2R common γ-chain provided an explanation for the proliferation response. This is the first study establishing that calpain inhibition delays allograft rejection by slowing down T-cell migration rather than proliferation.

Introduction La plaque de Randall est un depot interstitiel de phosphate de calcium (apatite) situe a la pointe de la papille renale, qui peut etre le point de nucleation des calculs oxalocalciques. Nous avons observe une augmentation nette de la proportion de calculs oxalocalciques generes sur plaque de Randall chez les sujets jeunes, ce qui suggere que des facteurs environnementaux sont impliques dans sa genese. Des souris ayant un taux sanguin et urinaire bas de pyrophosphate (souris Abcc6 −/), un inhibiteur de la mineralisation, developpent spontanement des plaques de Randall en vieillissant. L’objet de cette etude etait d’observer l’impact de facteurs environnementaux notamment calcium et vitamine D sur le developpement de ces calcifications. Patients/materiels et methodes Quatre groupes de 6 souris femelles Abcc6 −/− et autant de souris controles Abcc6 +/+ « littermate » ont ete exposees entre l’âge de 6 et 30 semaines (1) a une diete standard, (2) enrichie en calcium (2 g/L dans l’eau de boisson), (3) enrichie en cholecalciferol (2500 UI/15 j en SC) ou (4) enrichie en calcium et en cholecalciferol. L’urine a ete collectee grâce a des cages metaboliques (calcium, phosphates, pyrophosphates, oxalates) et un prelevement sanguin a ete realise lors du sacrifice. Les calcifications papillaires ont ete analysees par micro-scanner, histologie conventionnelle, coloration de Yasue et morphometrie, microscopie electronique a balayage et spectro-microscopie infrarouge a transformee de Fourier (FTIR). Resultats Comme attendu, les souris Abcc6 −/− ont developpe des calcifications papillaires composees de bouchons tubulaires et de depots interstitiels d’apatite, a la pointe des papilles renales. Les souris controles n’ont pas developpe de calcifications papillaires significatives, y compris sous traitement. Le traitement par vitamine D a considerablement aggrave les calcifications des souris Abcc6 −/−, et ce de facon synergique avec la prise de calcium. Conclusion Le traitement par vitamine D accelere le developpement des plaques de Randall dans ce modele murin. Ces donnees suggerent que l’administration de vitamine D peut accelerer le developpement des plaques chez les enfants et jeunes adultes, predisposant a la lithiase oxalocalcique quelques annees plus tard.

Introduction L’augmentation de la concentration urinaire en oxalate (hyperoxalurie) favorise l’apparition et la croissance de cristaux urinaires d’oxalate de calcium. L’hyperoxalurie primaire, maladie genetique autosomique recessive, et l’intoxication a l’ethylene glycol sont deux contextes cliniques ou l’hyperoxalurie induit une insuffisance renale et une morbi-mortalite elevee. Le stiripentol est un antiepileptique utilise dans le syndrome de Dravet qui diminue l’activite de l’enzyme lactate deshydrogenase-5 (LDH-5) dans les neurones, limitant la production de lactate. Cette enzyme est egalement exprimee dans le foie ou elle permet la transformation du glyoxylate en oxalate. Nous avons emis l’hypothese que le Stiripentol pourrait diminuer la production hepatique d’oxalate donc l’oxalurie. Patients/Materiels et methodes In vivo, l’oxalurie a ete dosee avant et apres administration de 200 mg/kg de stiripentol durant 3 jours a des rats. Un modele aigu d’intoxication a l’ethylene-glycol et un modele chronique de precipitation renale d’oxalate de calcium par regime riche en hydroxyproline ont ete realises chez des rats traites ou non par Stiripentol per os. La fonction renale, l’oxalurie, la cristallurie et les lesions renales ont ete evaluees dans ces deux modeles. In vitro, des cultures cellulaires d’hepatocytes HepG2 ont ete realisees et les cellules ont ete traitees par des doses variable de stiripentol. La production d’oxalate a ete mesuree dans le milieu de culture. Observation/Resultats In vivo, le stiripentol diminue l’oxalurie de facon significative dans tous les modeles. Le traitement diminue la formation de cristaux d’oxalate de calcium dans l’urine (diminution significative du volume cristallin global), diminue leur precipitation intra-renale (analyses morphometriques) et protege significativement la fonction renale dans le modele d’intoxication a l’ethylene glycol comme dans le modele de nephropathie oxalocalcique. In vitro, le stiripentol diminue la production d’oxalate par les hepatocytes a des concentrations comparables a celles mesurees dans le sang des patients traites pour syndrome de Dravet. Discussion Le stiripentol, traitement oral bien tolere, diminue l’oxalurie et protege contre la nephropathie oxalocalcique et l’intoxication a l’ethylene glycol, a des concentrations seriques comparables a celles utilisees chez les enfants atteints de syndrome de Dravet. Conclusion Ce traitement pourrait proteger contre les lesions renales induites par l’hyperoxalurie primaire et l’intoxication a l’ethylene glycol.

Identification of renal cell progenitors and recognition of the events contributing to cell regeneration following ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) are a major challenge. In a mouse model of unilateral renal IRI, we demonstrated that the first cells to proliferate within injured kidneys were urothelial cells expressing the progenitor cell marker cytokeratin 14. A systematic cutting of the injured kidney revealed that these urothelial cells were located in the deep cortex at the corticomedullary junction in the vicinity of lobar vessels. Contrary to multilayered bladder urothelium, these intrarenal urothelial cells located in the upper part of the medulla constitute a monolayered barrier and express among uroplakins only uroplakin III. However, like bladder progenitors, intrarenal urothelial cells proliferated through a FGF receptor-2 (FGFR2)-mediated process. They strongly expressed FGFR2 and proliferated in vivo after recombinant FGF7 administration to control mice. In addition, IRI led to FGFR phosphorylation together with the selective upregulation of FGF7 and FGF2. Conversely, by day 2 following IRI, renal urothelial cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by FGFR2 antisense oligonucleotide administration into an intrarenal urinary space. Of notice, no significant migration of these early dividing urothelial cells was detected in the cortex within 7 days following IRI. Thus our data show that following IRI, proliferation of urothelial cells is mediated by the FGFR2 pathway and precedes tubular cell proliferation, indicating a particular sensitivity of this structure to changes caused by the ischemic process.

In hypertension, angiotensin (Ang) II is a critical mediator of cardiovascular remodeling, whose prominent features include myocardial and vascular media hypertrophy, perivascular inflammation, and fibrosis. The signaling pathways responsible for these alterations are not completely understood. Here, we investigated the importance of calpains, calcium-dependent cysteine proteases. We generated transgenic mice constitutively expressing high levels of calpastatin, a calpain-specific inhibitor. Chronic infusion of Ang II led to similar increases in systolic blood pressure in wild-type and transgenic mice. In contrast, compared with wild-type mice, transgenic mice displayed a marked blunting of Ang II–induced hypertrophy of left ventricle. Ang II–dependent vascular remodeling, ie, media hypertrophy and perivascular inflammation and fibrosis, was also limited in both large arteries (aorta) and small kidney arteries from transgenic mice as compared with wild type. In vitro experiments using vascular smooth muscle cells showed that calpastatin transgene expression blunted calpain activation by Ang II through epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation. In vivo and in vitro models of inflammation showed that impaired recruitment of mononuclear cells in transgenic mice was attributable to a decrease in both the release of and the chemotactic response to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Finally, results from collagen synthesis assay and zymography suggested that limited fibrogenesis was attributable to a decrease in collagen deposition rather than an increase in collagen degradation. These results indicate a critical role for calpains as downstream mediators in Ang II–induced cardiovascular remodeling and, thus, highlight an attractive therapeutic target.

International audience; Vitamin D supplementation in humans should be accompanied by calcium administration to avoid bone demineralization through vitamin D receptor signaling. Here we analyzed whether long-term exposure of rats to vitamin D supplementation, with or without a calcium-rich diet, would promote kidney stone formation. Four groups of rats received vitamin D alone (100,000 UI/kg/3 weeks), a calcium-enriched diet alone, both vitamin D supplementation and calcium-enriched diet, or a standard diet (controls) for 6 months. Serum and urine parameters and crystalluria were monitored. Kidney stones were assessed by 3-dimensional micro-computed tomography, infrared spectroscopy, von Kossa/Yasue staining, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Although serum calcium levels were similar in the 4 groups, rats receiving vitamin D had a progressive increase in urinary calcium excretion over time, especially those receiving both calcium and vitamin D. However, oral calcium supplementation alone did not increase urinary calcium excretion. At 6 months, rats exposed to both calcium and vitamin D, but not rats exposed to calcium or vitamin D alone, developed significant apatite kidney calcifications (mean volume, 0.121 mm3). Thus, coadministration of vitamin D and increased calcium intake had a synergistic role in tubular calcifications or kidney stone formation in this rat model. Hence, one should be cautious about the cumulative risk of kidney stone formation in humans when exposed to both vitamin D supplementation and high calcium intake.

Calpains are intracellular proteases that play a key role in inflammation/immunity. Rare studies show that they are partially externalized. However, the mechanism of this secretion and the functions of exteriorized calpains remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that mouse and human lymphocytes secreted calpains through an ABCA1-driven process. In turn, extracellular calpains inhibited IL-17A expression. We were able to attribute this function to a cleavage of the TLR2 extracellular domain, which prevented TLR2-induced transcription of molecules essential for IL-17A induction. Calpain exteriorization and TLR2 cleavage were critical for the control of IL-17A expression by low doses of IL-2. By using newly developed transgenic mice in which extracellular calpains are specifically inactivated, we provide evidence for the relevance of calpain externalization in vivo in regulating IL-17A expression and function in experimental sterile peritonitis and autoimmune arthritis, respectively. Thus, this study identifies calpain exteriorization as a potential target for immune modulation.

Calpains are intracellular Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteases that are released in the extracellular milieu by tubular epithelial cells following renal ischemia. Here we show that externalized calpains increase epithelial cell mobility and thus are critical for tubule repair. In vitro, exposure of human tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells) to μ-calpain limited their adhesion to extracellular matrix and increased their mobility. Calpains acted primarily by promoting the cleavage of fibronectin, thus preventing fibronectin binding to the integrin αvβ3. Analyzing downstream integrin effects, we found that the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A pathway was activated in response to αvβ3 disengagement and was essential for calpain-mediated increase in HK-2 cell mobility. In a murine model of ischemic acute renal failure, injection of a fragment of calpastatin, which specifically blocked calpain activity in extracellular milieu, markedly delayed tubule repair, increasing functional and histological lesions after 24 and 48 h of reperfusion. These findings suggest that externalized calpains are critical for tubule repair process in acute renal failure.

Ischemic acute renal failure is characterized by damages to the proximal straight tubule in the outer medulla. Lesions include loss of polarity, shedding into the tubule lumen, and eventually necrotic or apoptotic death of epithelial cells. It was recently shown that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARbeta/delta) increases keratinocyte survival after an inflammatory reaction. Therefore, whether PPARbeta/delta could contribute also to the control of tubular epithelium death after renal ischemia/reperfusion was tested. It was found that PPARbeta/delta+/- and PPARbeta/delta-/- mutant mice exhibited much greater kidney dysfunction and injury than wild-type counterparts after a 30-min renal ischemia followed by a 36-h reperfusion. Conversely, wild-type mice that were given the specific PPARbeta/delta ligand L-165041 before renal ischemia were completely protected against renal dysfunction, as indicated by the lack of rise in serum creatinine and fractional excretion of Na+. This protective effect was accompanied by a significant reduction in medullary necrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation. On the basis of in vitro studies, PPARbeta/delta ligands seem to exert their role by activating the antiapoptotic Akt signaling pathway and, unexpectedly, by increasing the spreading of tubular epithelial cells, thus limiting potentially their shedding and anoikis. These results point to PPARbeta/delta as a remarkable new target for preconditioning strategies.

Somatostatin has direct anti-inflammatory actions and participates in the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids, but the mechanisms underlying this regulation remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether somatostatin increases glucocorticoid responsiveness by up-regulating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and signaling. Somatostatin promoted a time- and dose-dependent increase in [(3)H]dexamethasone binding to RAW 264.7 macrophages. Cell exposure to 10 nM somatostatin for 18 h promoted a 2-fold increase in the number of GR sites per cell without significant modification of the affinity. Analysis of GR heterocomplex components demonstrated that somatostatin increased the level of heat shock protein (Hsp) 90, whereas the level of GR remained almost unchanged. The increase in Hsp 90 was associated with a decrease in the cleavage of its carboxyl-terminal domain. Evidence for the involvement of calpain inhibition in this process was obtained by the demonstration that 1) somatostatin induced a dose-dependent decrease in calpain activity and 2) calpain inhibitors, calpain inhibitor I and calpeptin, both abolished the cleavage of Hsp 90 and induced a dose-dependent increase in [(3)H]dexamethasone binding. Increases in glucocorticoid binding after somatostatin treatment were associated with similar increases in the ability of GR to transactivate a minimal promoter containing two glucocorticoid response elements (GRE) and to interfere with the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Thus, the present findings indicate that somatostatin increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling by limiting the calpain-specific cleavage of GR-associated Hsp 90. This mechanism may represent a novel target for intervention to increase glucocorticoid responsiveness.

Stimulation of macrophages with endotoxin and/or cytokines is responsible for the expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Because macrophages are exposed to low pH within the microenvironment of inflammatory lesions, the potential role of acidic pH as an additional regulator of iNOS was investigated. Substitution of the culture medium of rat peritoneal macrophages at pH 7.4 with medium at pH 7.0 up-regulated iNOS activity, as reflected by a 2.5-fold increase in nitrite accumulation. The increase in iNOS activity was associated with a similar increase in iNOS mRNA expression that reflected an increase in iNOS mRNA synthesis rather than stability. Low environmental pH-induced iNOS gene transcription involved the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor since exposure of macrophages to low environmental pH both increased NF-κB binding activity in the nucleus and enhanced NF-κB-driven reporter gene expression. In addition, treatment of macrophages with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate orn-acetyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-norleucinal, two drugs preventing NF-κB translocation to the nucleus, canceled low pH-induced nitrite accumulation. The overall mechanism required the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Indeed, 1) elevated TNFα bioactivity was observed in the medium of macrophages exposed to pH 7.0, and 2) incubation of macrophages with a neutralizing anti-TNFα antibody impaired both NF-κB activation and nitrite accumulation in response to acid challenge. In summary, exposure of macrophages to acidic microenvironment in inflammatory lesions leads to the up-regulation of iNOS activity through the activation of NF-κB.

Calpains are cytosolic calcium-activated cysteine proteases. Recently, they have been proposed to influence signal transduction processes leading to myocardial remodelling and heart failure. In this review, we will first describe some of these molecular mechanisms. Calpains may contribute to myocardial hypertrophy and inflammation, mainly through the activation of transcription factors such as NF-κB. They play an important role in the fibrosis process partly by activating transforming growth factor β. They are also implicated in cell death as they cause the breakdown of sarcolemma and sarcomeres. Nevertheless, a key to understanding the molecular basis of calpain-mediated myocardial remodelling likely lies in the identification of mechanisms involved in calpain secretion, since cytosolic and extracellular proteases would have different functions. Finally, we will provide an overview of the available evidence that calpains are indeed actively involved in the common causes of heart failure, including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, ischaemia-reperfusion, atrial fibrillation, congestive failure, and mechanical unloading.

Objective— Calpains, calcium-activated proteases, mediate the angiogenic signals of vascular endothelial growth factor. However, their involvement in vascular repair has not been investigated and the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Methods and Results— A rapidly progressive form of glomerulonephritis in wild type and transgenic mice expressing high levels of calpastatin, a calpain-specific inhibitor, was studied. Calpastatin transgene expression prevented the repair of peritubular capillaries and the recovery of renal function, limiting mouse survival. In vitro analysis detected a significant reduction of both intracellular and extracellular calpain activities in transgene expressing cells, whereas Western blotting revealed that proangiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and norepinephrine increased calpain exteriorization. In vitro, extracellular calpains increased endothelial cell proliferation, migration and capillary tube formation. In vivo, delivery of nonpermeable extracellular calpastatin was sufficient to blunt angiogenesis and vascular repair. Endothelial cell response to extracellular calpains was associated with fibronectin cleavage, generating fibronectin fragments with proangiogenic capacity. In vivo, fibronectin cleavage was limited in the kidney of calpastatin transgenic mice with nephritis. Conclusion— This study demonstrates that externalized calpains participate in angiogenesis and vascular repair, partly by promoting fibronectin cleavage and thereby amplifying vascular endothelial growth factor efficiency. Thus, manipulation of calpain externalization may have therapeutic implications to control angiogenesis.

Fish oil supplementation and essential fatty acid deficiency reduce nitric oxide synthesis by rat macrophages. Both fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω3 PUFA) supplementation and essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects and, hence, to ameliorate immune-mediated glomerulonephritis. The mechanisms underlying these effects include alterations in the production of eicosanoids, cytokines (that is, tumor necrosis factor, TNF-α) and reactive oxygen species by blood borne cells. Because, in addition to these mediators nitric oxide (NO) is also implicated in glomerular injury, we have examined if both diets affected macrophage NO production as well. Rats were fed a standard chow, an ω3 PUFA-supplemented diet, or an EFA-deficient diet for six weeks before resident peritoneal macrophages were isolated. These cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the NO metabolite, nitrite (NO2-), was measured in the medium using the Griess reagent. Release of NO2- was enhanced by LPS in a dosedependent manner. With 10 ng/ml LPS challenge, NO2- release was reduced by 37% and 57% by ω3 PUFA supplementation and EFA deficiency, respectively. NO2- returned to control levels two weeks after the end of diet. Macrophage production of TNF-α responded in a similar manner. Diet-induced reduction of NO2- release was neither attributable to a reduction of inducible NO synthase mRNA levels as shown by Northern blot analysis, nor to an increased competition of NO synthase and arginase for the substrate (L-arginine). Indeed, arginase activity of macrophages was even slightly reduced by both ω3 PUFA-supplemented diet and EFA-deficient diet. Diet-induced reduction of NO synthase activity was specific for the inducible form since constitutive NO synthase activity in vascular wall was unaffected by EFA deficiency, and even significantly increased by ω3 PUFA supplementation. These data demonstrate that NO synthesis by rat macrophages is down-regulated by both ω3-PUFA supplemented diet and EFA-deficient diet. This may contribute to the explanation of the anti-inflammatory effects of such dietary treatments.

The cover image of this issue consists of the immunohistochemical staining of μ-calpain in a healthy human kidney and is taken from Letavernier et al. (pp. 473–484). In this article, the authors analyse the role of calpains in acute allograft rejection. The authors demonstrate that μ-calpain expression is increased in human transplant kidneys undergoing acute or chronic rejection, mainly in infiltrating T cells. The authors further show that calpain inhibition delays allograft rejection. Interestingly, this delay in allograft rejection is associated with a limitation in allograft infiltration by T cells that is due to the slowing down in T-cell migration rather than proliferation.

Increasing evidence supports a role of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6 in the development of endotoxin-induced acute renal failure. Several activities of these cytokines require a local rather than a systemic production and function. Thus, this study investigates the chronology of cytokine expression in glomeruli isolated from normal rats or rats given iv lipopolysaccharide injections. Detectable levels of TNF alpha could be found in glomeruli isolated from normal rats as assessed by L-929 fibroblast lytic assay and ELISA. Glomeruli isolated from rats given lipopolysaccharide transiently released increased amounts of TNF alpha in relation to the dose of lipopolysaccharide (10 to 500 micrograms/kg body wt) and the lag period between lipopolysaccharide injection and glomerular isolation (20 to 120 min). TNF alpha was released in similar amounts by glomeruli from normal rats that were exposed in vitro to lipopolysaccharide challenge (0.01 to 10 micrograms/mL), indicating that lipopolysaccharide had direct effects on the release of TNF alpha from glomerular cells. These cells consisted mainly of resident cells because reduction of glomerular infiltration by bone marrow-derived cells after the irradiation of normal rats did not affect TNF alpha release. Glomerular IL-1 and IL-6 production was evaluated by specific bioassays under identical conditions. No IL-1 activity could be detected in the medium or within the glomerular cells at any time within 120 min after lipopolysaccharide injection. By contrast, glomerular IL-6 production was induced after lipopolysaccharide challenge both in vivo and in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

SUMMARYThe effect of endogenously generated reactive oxygen metabolites on the interaction of human blood monocytes with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was investigated. Pre-exposure of unactivated human blood monocytes to dimethylthiourea, a scavenger of hydroxyl radical (OH˙) or to desferrioxamine (DFX), an iron chelator preventing the synthesis of OH˙, enhanced the specific binding of 125I-TNF-α to its receptors. Scavengers of superoxide anion or hydrogen peroxide were without effect. DFX-induced up-regulation of 125I-TNF-α binding depended on the concentration of the drug (1–5 mm) and on the duration of the treatment (1–18 h). It was not due to a reduction of receptor occupancy by endogenously generated TNF-α. Scatchard analysis of binding data revealed that DFX caused an approximately two-fold increase in the number of type II TNF-α receptors, with no change in their affinity. This up-regulation, that did not require synthesis of new proteins, was associated with a decrease in the internalization rate of TNF-α receptors, the half-life of which was doubled. Conversely, these findings suggest that OH˙ generation by monocytes may have a physiological role in reducing the activity of membrane-associated TNF-α receptors.

Background The specific mTor inhibitor sirolimus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal glomerular lesions and nephrotic syndrome appearance after transplantation. Podocyte injury and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis have been related to sirolimus therapy in some patients but the pathways underlying these lesions remain hypothetical. Methods To go further in the comprehension of these mechanisms, primary cultures of human podocytes were exposed to therapeutic-range concentrations of sirolimus. Results Cell viability was not affected after 2 days' exposure to the drug but changes in cell phenotype and cytoskeleton reorganization were observed. We also evidenced that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis and Akt phosphorylation were decreased by sirolimus addition. We did not observe any loss of podocyte differentiation markers with the notable exception of WT1, a transcription factor essential for maintaining podocyte integrity. WT1 gene and protein expression in podocytes were decreased in a dose-dependent manner after incubation with sirolimus. Conclusion Taken together, these data suggest that sirolimus could impair pathways essential for podocyte integrity and therefore predisposes to glomerular injury.

Glomerular injury and albuminuria in acute glomerulonephritis are related to the severity of inflammatory process. Calpain, a calcium-activated cysteine protease, has been shown to participate in the development of the inflammatory process. Therefore, for determination of the role of calpain in the pathophysiology of acute glomerulonephritis, transgenic mice that constitutively express high levels of calpastatin, a calpain-specific inhibitor protein, were generated. Wild-type mice that were subjected to anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis exhibited elevated levels of calpain activity in kidney cortex at the heterologous phase of the disease. This was associated with the appearance in urine of calpain activity, which originated potentially from inflammatory cells, abnormal transglomerular passage of plasma proteins, and tubular secretion. In comparison with nephritic wild-type mice, nephritic calpastatin-transgenic mice exhibited limited activation of calpain in kidney cortex and limited secretion of calpain activity in urine. This was associated with less severe glomerular injury (including capillary thrombi and neutrophil activity) and proteinuria. There was a reduction in NF-kappaB activation, suggesting that calpain may participate in inflammatory lesions through NF-kappaB activation. There also was a reduction in nephrin disappearance from the surface of podocytes, indicating that calpain activity would enhance proteinuria by affecting nephrin expression. Exposure of cultured podocytes to calpain decreased nephrin expression, and, conversely, exposure of these cells to calpastatin prevented TNF-alpha from decreasing nephrin expression, demonstrating a role for the secreted form of calpain. Thus, both activation and secretion of calpains participate in the development of immune glomerular injury.

15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) is involved in the control of inflammatory reaction. We tested the hypothesis that 15d-PGJ2 would exert this control in part by modulating the sensitivity of inflammatory cells to glucocorticoids. Human U937cells and mouse RAW 264.7 cells were exposed to 15d-PGJ2, and binding experiments were performed with [3H]dexamethasone as a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligand. 15d-PGJ2 caused a transient and concentration-dependent decrease in [3H]dexamethasone-specific binding to either cells through a decrease in the number of GR per cell without significant modification of the Kd value. These changes were related to functional alteration of the GR rather than to a decrease in GR protein. They did not require the engagement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), because the response to 15d-PGJ2 was neither mimicked by the PPARγ agonist ciglitazone nor prevented by the PPARγ antagonist bisphenol A diglycidyl ether. 15d-PGJ2 altered GR possibly through the interaction of its cyclopentenone ring with GR cysteine residues because the cyclopentenone ring per se could mimic the effect of 15d-PGJ2, and modification of GR cysteine residues with methyl methanethiosulfonate suppressed the response to 15d-PGJ2. Finally, 15d-PGJ2-induced decreases in glucocorticoid binding to GR resulted in parallel decreases in the ability of GR to activate the transcription of a glucocorticoid-inducible reporter gene and to reduce the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Together these data suggest that 15d-PGJ2 limits glucocorticoid binding and signaling in monocytes/macrophages through a PPARγ-independent and cyclopentenone-dependent mechanism. It provides a way in which 15d-PGJ2 would exert proinflammatory activities in addition to its known anti-inflammatory activities.

Renal inflammation is regulated by a network of local and systemic mediators. Of them, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1) and glucocorticoids play an important role in deactivating monocytes/macrophages. We examined the hypothesis that TGF-beta 1 effects may be partially achieved through modulation of the sensitivity of these cells to glucocorticoids.Human promonocytic U 937 cells differentiated to a mature macrophage-like phenotype were exposed to recombinant TGF-beta 1 before specific binding of [3H] dexamethasone was measured. The expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was examined by RNase protection assay and Western blot analysis. The role of Smad 2/3 and activator protein 1 (AP-1) in the response to TGF-beta 1 was determined by introducing transdominant negative mutants and decoy oligodeoxynucleotides, respectively.U 937 cell exposure to TGF-beta 1 caused a dose- and time-dependent increase in [3H] dexamethasone binding to these cells, with aor =twofold increase in the number of binding sites per cell, without modification of the affinity. The changes in glucocorticoid binding were associated with identical changes in GR protein and mRNA levels, that were explained by an increase in GR gene transcription rather than by posttranscriptional mechanisms. Functional inactivation of Smad 2/3 and AP-1 limited the response to TGF-beta 1, indicating a role for these transcription factors. Finally, increases in glucocorticoid binding to GR were responsible for increases in the ability of GR to transactivate minimal promoters containing glucocorticoid-responsive elements (GRE) [MMTV-Luc and (GRE)2 TK-Luc].TGF-beta 1 increases glucocorticoid binding and signaling in inflammatory cells through a Smad 2/3- and AP-1-mediated process. This may represent a new target for intervention to increase glucocorticoid responsiveness.

Somatostatin (SRIF) exerts anti-inflammatory effects, in part by deactivating monocytes/macrophages. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize specific receptors for SRIF on these cells. Macrophages isolated from mouse peritoneal cells bound [ 125 I]Tyr 0 , d -Trp 8 SRIF 14 specifically. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data revealed two classes of binding sites with an affinity of 0.44±0.13 and 2.58±0.56 nM, respectively. By sensitive and specific RT-PCR, the mRNAs for the five SRIF receptors (SSTR1 to SSTR5) could be detected. Evidence for the involvement of SSTR1 and SSTR2 in the binding of SRIF to the high and low affinity sites, respectively, was obtained by the demonstration that (1) only SSTR1 and SSTR2 subtype-specific agonists were active in competing for [ 125 I]Tyr 0 , d -Trp 8 SRIF 14 binding to high and low affinity sites, respectively, and (2) [ 125 I]Tyr 0 , d -Trp 8 SRIF 14 bound to high but not low affinity sites on macrophages isolated from SSTR2 knock-out mice. In conclusion, we have identified and characterized two different SRIF receptor subtypes in murine macrophages.

Recent evidence indicates that the rate of progression of the HIV-1 disease is significantly reduced in thalassaemia major patients upon treatment with high doses of desferrioxamine (DFX). The authors have previously demonstrated that in vitro exposure of mononuclear cells to DFX decreases the bioavailability of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) which has a stimulatory effect on HIV-1 replication. In this study, therefore, TNF-alpha bioavailability from mononuclear cells isolated from 10 patients with thalassaemia or sickle cell anaemia given DFX as compared to 10 untreated subjects has been evaluated. Evidence is presented showing that DFX treatment reduces TNF-alpha bioavailability (P0.05) by inhibiting its steady state (P0.05) and by enhancing its inactivation through binding to soluble TNF-alpha receptor type II (P0.05). We also show that DFX treatment limits the in vivo activation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor involved in both TNF-alpha gene transcription and TNF-alpha signalling (P0.005). We conclude that TNF-alpha bioavailability and signalling are impaired in patients upon DFX treatment. This mechanism may contribute to delayed progression of the HIV-1 infection in vivo.

Catecholamines have been shown to inhibit some aspects of macrophage activation through a beta receptor-dependent mechanism. This study was undertaken to analyze the effects of isoproterenol, a specific beta-adrenergic agonist, on the synthesis of interleukin-10 (IL-10), a major macrophage-deactivating factor. Isoproterenol increased IL-10 release from lipopolysaccharide-(LPS)-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. A significant effect was already observed with 1 microM isoproterenol, while a 4.5-fold increase was achieved with 10 microM. This increase was observed only if macrophages were exposed to isoproterenol for at least 2 h before LPS challenge. It was apparent within 0.5 h and persisted through 24 h at all the LPS concentrations used. A similar increase was observed at the IL-10 mRNA level, as judged by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-polymerase chain reaction. The macrophage response to isoproterenol that led to cyclic AMP accumulation was markedly inhibited by H-89, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase A. These data suggest the involvement of cyclic AMP in the regulation of IL-10 synthesis by isoproterenol. IL-10 was in turn partly responsible for a reduction in tumor necrosis factor-alpha synthesis. In vivo, the administration of oxprenolol, a beta-receptor antagonist, significantly reduced serum IL-10 levels 90 min after LPS challenge. Thus, the present study provides the first evidence that endogenous catecholamines are of critical importance in determining the magnitude of the IL-10 response in experimental endotoxemia.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a mononuclear phagocyte-derived peptide is known to participate in the pathogenesis of fever. To determine whether a feedback mechanism exists by which elevated temperatures influence TNF-alpha generation, we have examined the effects of heat shock on the in vitro synthesis of TNF-alpha by rat glomeruli, inflammatory peritoneal macrophages and blood monocytes. Preexposure of peritoneal macrophages to elevated temperatures for 20 min decreased the subsequent lipopolysaccharide-induced release of TNF-alpha bioactivity. The mean reductions were 11.9 +/- 5.0%, 86.3 +/- 12.0%, and 95.2 +/- 3.5% after pretreatment at 39, 41 and 43 degrees C, respectively. Reductions, that were transient, were maximum when lipopolysaccharide was added 0-2 h after heat shock. They correlated with the decreased release of immunoreactive TNF-alpha and the decreased expression of both cell-associated TNF-alpha molecule and TNF-alpha mRNA. Heat shock-induced inhibition of TNF-alpha release was independent of variations of prostaglandin synthesis, but was possibly related to the induction of heat-shock proteins since (a) macrophages exposed to heat shock synthesized the major 70- and 90-kDa heat-shock proteins, and (b) chemical inducers of the heat-shock response were also effective inhibitors of TNF-alpha release. The mean reduction of TNF-alpha release after pretreatment at 41 degrees C was found to be identical in glomerular tissue (82.0 +/- 7.5%), but significantly less in blood monocytes (43.9 +/- 10.9%). This supports the hypothesis that a negative-feedback mechanism exists between elevated temperature and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha synthesis, and suggests that this regulation is less active in blood monocytes than in tissue macrophages.

SUMMARY We investigated the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. PBMC from tuberculosis patients generated constitutively more TNF-α than did control PBMC. This production was significantly higher for patients with high-grade fever and cachexia. The increase of TNF-α production by PBMC from tuberculosis patients was associated with a comparatively weaker elevation of PGE2 synthesis which did not parallel fever or weight loss. In vitro treatment of control PBMC with the tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) promoted an increased TNF-α production which was similar to that of untreated PBMC from tuberculosis patients. Thus, the increased TNF-α production in tuberculosis could be explained by the in vivo exposure of PBMC to mycobacterial antigens. In contrast, the concentration of PGE; was weaker in the medium of untreated PBMC from tuberculosis patients than in the medium of PPD-treated control PBMC, suggesting that PGE, synthesis by PBMC was limited in tuberculosis by unidentified factors.

The growth-promoting effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) has been observed in a variety of cells, including human glomerular epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying this process. LTD4 induction of [3H]thymidine uptake in human glomerular epithelial cells was blocked by the LTD4 receptor antagonist L648,051 when added in a 50-fold excess and by pertussis toxin. Neither drug affected basal DNA synthesis. These results suggest that the LTD4-mediated signal transduction implies activation of a GTP-binding protein that is coupled to a specific receptor. The possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation was also studied. In the presence of the PKC inhibitor H-7 or after downregulation of PKC levels by chronic treatment with phorbol ester, stimulation of [3H]thymidine uptake by LTD4 was greatly inhibited. Moreover, treatment of the cells by LTD4 resulted in a time-dependent increase of cytosolic PKC activity, whereas addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate reduced this activity. Therefore PKC-dependent mechanisms are likely to mediate the growth-promoting effect of LTD4. Finally, three approaches were used to determine the potential role of the Na+-H+ exchanger. First, progressive removal of extracellular Na+ using N-methyl-D-glucamine+ as a substitute inhibited LTD4-induced [3H]thymidine uptake with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 85 mM. Second, addition of amiloride reduced the LTD4 growth effect with an IC50 of 6.5 microM, whereas three amiloride analogues exhibited lower IC50 values in accordance with their greater affinity for the Na+-H+ exchanger.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The interaction of inflammatory cells and glomerular prostaglandins (PG) may be important during glomerulonephritis. We therefore examined the influence of platelet-activating factor (PAF), (a mediator of inflammation released from leukocytes) and of phagocytosis of zymosan on arachidonic acid metabolism and on cell contractility in rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. PAF increased PGE2 synthesis (determined by radioimmunoassay) within minutes (threshold: 10(-10)M; maximal effect: 10(-7)M). Serum-treated zymosan also stimulated PGE2, but with a slower onset. In cells prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid both PAF and serum-treated zymosan released 14C from phospholipids and increased free [14C]arachidonate. The ratio of 14C-release to PGE2 was, however, different with PAF and serum-treated zymosan, indicating different phospholipid pools. Under phase-contrast microscopy, PAF caused contraction of mesangial cells with a dose-response and time-course parallel to that for PGE2 synthesis. Serum-treated zymosan caused no contraction. The PAF-induced contraction was enhanced by PG synthesis inhibition and was attenuated by addition of PGE2, indicating a feedback mechanism. The mesangial contraction by PAF may be important in favoring deposition of immune complexes, while the PGE2 synthesis stimulated by PAF and by phagocytosis of zymosan may counteract the deleterious effects of PAF during induction of glomerulonephritis.

Desferrioxamine regulates tumor necrosis factor release in mesangial cells. Cultured rat mesangial cells have been demonstrated to express tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) mRNA and to release TNF activity into the medium upon stimulation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present study was undertaken to determine whether TNF was only secreted by mesangial cells or was also present as a cell-associated molecule. LPS-activated mesangial cells which had been fixed in paraformaldehyde lysed the TNF-sensitive L-929 fibroblasts, as assessed by 51 Cr release. This cytotoxic activity was inhibited by anti-TNFα antiserum. Cell-associated TNF expression was demonstrable after less than one hour of exposure to LPS, peaked at two hours and decreased progressively thereafter, while TNF activity increased in the medium. Mesangial cell-associated TNF was localized at the cell surface, as shown by immunohistochemical demonstration and by the ability of plasma membranes purified from LPS-activated mesangial cells to lyse L-929 fibroblasts. Flow cytometry experiments revealed that two-thirds of LPS-activated mesangial cells were stained by anti-TNFα antiserum. The major part of these cell-associated TNF molecules persisted after low pH treatment, indicating that they were integral membrane proteins. As assessed by immunoprecipitation analysis, these proteins were 26kDa molecules, whereas the released forms of TNF were 17kDa molecules. Pretreatment of mesangial cells with desferrioxamine (DFX), an iron chelator preventing the synthesis of hydroxyl radicals (OH • ), delayed the release of TNF from the membranes into the medium, and enhanced its cell surface expression. It also subsequently accelerated its decay in the medium. This indicates that OH • could be involved in the mechanism of TNF detaching from the membranes and in that of TNF preservation. Taken together, these data suggest that during endotoxic shock DFX could represent a new way to prevent TNF release from mesangial cells into the blood stream while maintaining the local response to TNF.