The JI
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     
 


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Marin, V.
Right arrow Articles by Kaplanski, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Marin, V.
Right arrow Articles by Kaplanski, G.
The Journal of Immunology, 2001, 167: 3435-3442.
Copyright © 2001 by The American Association of Immunologists

The IL-6-Soluble IL-6R{alpha} Autocrine Loop of Endothelial Activation as an Intermediate Between Acute and Chronic Inflammation: an Experimental Model Involving Thrombin

Valérie Marin*, Felix A. Montero-Julian{dagger}, Sandra Grès*, Vera Boulay*, Pierre Bongrand*, Catherine Farnarier* and Gilles Kaplanski*

* Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 387, Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite, and {dagger} Immunotech, a Beckman Coulter Company, Marseille, France


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Thrombin is a procoagulant and proinflammatory molecule in vivo. In vitro, thrombin has been shown to induce endothelial activation, notably IL-8 secretion and adhesion molecule expression. In this study, we showed that thrombin may induce a new cascade leading from acute to chronic inflammation. Thrombin was able to induce the production of both IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) by HUVEC independently of IL-1{alpha}{beta} and TNF-{alpha}. Addition of physiological concentrations of exogenous soluble IL-6R{alpha} (sIL-6R{alpha}) to thrombin-activated HUVEC was sufficient to increase the amounts of MCP-1 produced, but not those of IL-8. These effects could be blocked by anti-IL-6 or anti-sIL-6R{alpha} blocking mAb, demonstrating the existence of an autocrine loop of MCP-1 secretion, involving the IL-6/IL-6R{alpha}/gp130 complex on HUVEC. In addition, we identified IL-8-activated neutrophils as a potential source of sIL-6R{alpha} because IL-8 induced IL-6R{alpha} shedding from the neutrophil membranes and increased in parallel sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations in neutrophil supernatants. Furthermore, addition of neutrophils to thrombin-activated HUVEC significantly increased MCP-1 secretion, which could be decreased by blocking IL-6. Thus, thrombin-activated endothelium may induce a cascade of events characterized by IL-8 secretion, neutrophil local infiltration, and the release of IL-6R{alpha} from neutrophil membranes. sIL-6R{alpha} may then complex with IL-6 and increase the amount of MCP-1 produced by thrombin-activated endothelium, favoring monocyte infiltration, and the transformation of acute into chronic inflammation.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Numerous functional links exist between the coagulation and the inflammatory cascades. Notably, one major procoagulant molecule, thrombin, appears to be a potent proinflammatory agent. Thrombin is a serine esterase that cleaves fibrinogen into fibrin to produce the fibrin clot (1). Thrombin also acts on cells through cleavage of specific receptors, which belong to the family of protease-activated receptors (PARs)2 (2, 3). Three such receptors, PAR-1, PAR-3, and PAR-4, are cleaved by thrombin on their NH2 extracellular domain, creating a new NH2-terminal domain that directly tethered its seven-transmembrane domain part on cells (3, 4, 5). Peptides reproducing this N-terminal part, thrombin receptor-activating peptides (TRAPs), can be used to activate directly the PAR-1 receptor, and this method has been used to demonstrate thrombin proinflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro. Thrombin local injection to animals induced inflammation with edema and extravasation, which could be inhibited by hirulog, a thrombin inhibitor, and reproduced by TRAP (6). More recently, a murine model of immune mediated glomerulonephritis (GN) has been described in which hirudin very significantly reduced the severity of leukocyte infiltration and crescent formation (7). Moreover, when the same kind of GN was induced in PAR-1-defective mice, the disease was much less severe than in the wild type (7).

This in vivo evidence correlated with in vitro experiments demonstrating that thrombin exerts proinflammatory activation on various cells, notably on leukocytes and endothelial cells. Thrombin has been shown to be directly chemotactic for both neutrophils and monocytes, and to favor their adhesion to endothelium (8, 9, 10, 11). These effects are greatly due to the ability of thrombin to induce type I and type II endothelial activation. Indeed, thrombin has been shown to induce rapid and transient type I endothelial activation, independent of protein synthesis, consisting of P-selectin expression, platelet activating factor, and prostacyclin secretion (11, 12). Thrombin is also able to induce gene transcription and protein synthesis of the major proinflammatory mediators by endothelial cells. Thus, thrombin has been shown to induce in a PAR-1-dependent way, the expression of the leuko-endothelial adhesion molecules, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, and to favor neutrophil and monocyte adhesion to endothelium (13, 14). In addition, thrombin induces endothelial production of the chemokines IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), which favor leukocyte activation and migration into inflamed tissues (13, 15, 16 , and our unpublished observations). Interestingly, on endothelial cells, thrombin acts independently of the classical proinflammatory cytokines IL-1{alpha}{beta} or TNF-{alpha} and appears to directly activate the transcriptional factor NF-{kappa}B (13, 14, 16, 17). Therefore, thrombin appears to be a complete proinflammatory mediator able to induce vasodilatation, vessel permeability, and leukocyte extravasation of both neutrophils during acute inflammation, and mononuclear cells during chronic inflammation.

IL-6 is also an important cytokine in the first steps of inflammation (18, 19). IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine secreted by various cells, including endothelial cells, and is involved in the acute phase response and in the immune response through T and B cell activation. Interestingly, this cytokine demonstrated both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties in vivo and in vitro (20, 21, 22, 23, 24). IL-6 functions in cells are mediated through fixation to a complex receptor, consisting in a transducing protein gp130 and a ligand protein, the IL-6R{alpha} (CD126) (25). Whereas gp130 is present on almost all cell types, IL-6R{alpha} is expressed by a limited number of cells, including hepatocytes, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells (26). However, through membrane shedding or alternative splicing, IL-6R{alpha} can be released by these cells into a soluble form, sIL-6R{alpha}, that can bound IL-6 and protect it against enzyme inactivation (27, 28, 29). This complex can then bind to gp130 on cell membranes and activate cells in a mechanism called trans-signaling (30). It was recently demonstrated that through trans-signaling, the IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} complex can induce a proinflammatory phenotype in endothelial cells that expresses gp130, but not IL-6R{alpha} (30, 31). In this study, we asked whether thrombin can induce IL-6 secretion by endothelial cells, and we studied the possible mechanisms controlling sIL-6R{alpha} release by neutrophils, which could lead to endothelial trans-signaling in an in vitro model linking thrombosis and inflammation.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Materials

The following materials were purchased: M199 and RPMI 1640 culture medium, FCS, PBS without Ca2+ and Mg2+ (BioWhittaker, Fontenay/Bois, France); human {alpha}-thrombin (1000 U/mg, controlled for the absence of HIV, hepatitis, plasmin, plasminogen, and fibrin degradation products), FMLP, purified endothelial supplement growth factor from bovine pituitary gland, polymyxin B sulfate (Sigma, Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, France); neutralizing rabbit anti-human TNF-{alpha} polyclonal Ab (Genzyme, Le Perray en Yvelines, France); and TRAP-14 (consisting of SFLLRNPNDKYEPF and a control-"scrambled" peptide consisting of NEFSLPKPFRYLNP; Neosystem Laboratories, Strasbourg, France). Recombinant human IL-8 and growth-related oncogene-{alpha} (GRO-{alpha}) were obtained from R&D Systems (Abingdon, U.K.); IL-1R antagonist (IL-1Ra) was a gift from Dr. C. A. Dinarello (University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO); recombinant human IL-6, Chinese hamster ovary-derived human sIL-6R{alpha}, and the neutralizing anti-sIL-6R{alpha} mAb (clone PM-1) were provided by Dr. K. Yasukawa (Tosoh, Tokyo, Japan) (32, 33). Neutralizing anti-human IL-6 mAb or F(ab')2 (clone AH65) (34), PE-conjugated anti-IL-6R{alpha} mAb (clone M91) were obtained from Immunotech (Marseille, France) and have been previously described (34, 35).

Cell culture

HUVEC were obtained as previously described (13), and used on passage 2 or 3. Cells were grown until confluent in 24-well plates coated with 1% gelatin. The cells were then cultured in M199 containing 20% heat-inactivated FCS, 100 U/ml penicillin G, and 100 µg/ml streptomycin. Forty-eight hours before each experiment, endothelial growth factor was withheld and the cells cultured in the same medium containing 10% FCS for the first 24 h, then 5% for the following 24 h. In some experiments, HUVEC were activated in the absence of FCS. Thrombin, TRAP-14, the control peptide, IL-6, or sIL-6R{alpha} were then added to HUVEC, and after various culture times, the supernatant from each well was collected, centrifuged, and stored at -75°C before assay. In some experiments, IL-1Ra (10 µg/ml), anti-TNF-{alpha} polyclonal Ab (10 µg/ml final dilution), neutralizing anti-IL-6 mAb (100 ng/ml), or neutralizing anti-sIL-6R{alpha} mAb (2 µg/ml) was added to the culture. After centrifugation, the supernatants were collected and stored at -75°C for sIL-6R{alpha} assay. All the experiments were performed in the presence of polymyxin B (7 µg/ml) to prevent any biological effect due to endotoxin contamination of the various reagents.

Polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) preparation

PMN were prepared from freshly drawn heparinized blood obtained from healthy donors, as previously described (13). For FACS analysis, cells were adjusted to 4 x 106 cells/ml in RPMI 1640 containing 10% FCS and polymyxin B, then stimulated for 30 min to 24 h with thrombin, IL-8, GRO-{alpha}, or control medium, before FACS analysis. At each time, supernatants were also collected and stored at -75°C for sIL-6R{alpha} assay. In some culture experiments, 106 fresh PMN were added to either unstimulated or overnight thrombin-activated HUVEC, then after 24 h culture, chemokines were measured in the supernatants.

FACS analysis

For IL-6R{alpha} surface expression, PMN were directly stained with PE-conjugated anti-IL-6R{alpha} mAb (anti-CD126) or with a control isotype (IgG1; Immunotech). Fluorescence was measured on a FACS analyzer (XL; Coultronics, Margency, France). Expression of IL-6R{alpha} was studied by comparing staining with anti-CD126 mAb to that obtained with the control IgG1. Cell surface IL-6R{alpha} expression was expressed as the percentage of mean fluorescence, as follows: [(mean experimental anti-CD126 fluorescence - mean experimental IgG1 fluorescence)/(mean control anti-CD126 fluorescence - mean control IgG1 fluorescence)] x 100.

RNA extraction

Unstimulated and thrombin-activated HUVEC in 25-cm2 culture flasks were directly solubilized in RNA extraction solution (RNAzol-B; BioProbe Systems, Montreuil, France). Total RNA was isolated using chloroform, and precipitated with isopropanol. RNA was quantified by spectrophotometry at 260 nm.

Synthesis of the cDNA

A 25-µl reverse transcription mixture in strand buffer (25 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 37.5 mM KCl, 1.5 mM MgCl2) contained 4 µg RNA, 0.1 µg oligo(dT)12–18 (Pharmacia LKB Biotechnology, Orsay, France), 0.2 µmol DTT, 13 U of RNase inhibitor (Eurogentec, Angers, France), 400 µM dNTP (BioProbe Systems), 100 U of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase (SuperScript RT; Life Technologies, Eragny, France) and was incubated at 37°C for 60 min.

PCR

PCR amplification of the cDNA using GAPDH primers confirmed that equal amounts of RNA were reverse transcribed. For each condition, three different cDNA concentrations ranging from 32 to 6.4 ng of RNA equivalent concentrations were amplified in 25 µl containing 250 µM dNTP, 2 µM MgCl2, 0.25 U of Taq polymerase (Life Technologies), and 1 µM 5' sense and 5' antisense specific primers for MCP-1 and IL-6 for 30 cycles as previously described (13). Amplification consisted of 5 min at 94°C followed by 30 sequential cycles consisting of 1 min at 94°C, 1 min at 55°C, and 45 s at 72°C, then a final elongation cycle of 10 min at 72°C in a Crocodile II thermal cycler (Appligen, Illkirch, France). Products of PCR (10 µl) were electrophoresed in a 2% agarose gel (Nusieve; Tebu, Le Perray en Yvelines, France), and then, after ethidium bromide coloration, were quantified using densitometry on a gel imager EASY Herolab (Osi, Elancourt, France). As predicted, the amplification product (amplicon) for IL-6 was 260 bp and for MCP-1 was 274 bp.

RT-PCR specific primers

Specific primers were 5'-TCAATGAGGAGACTTGCCTG-3' (sense) and 5'-GATGAGTTGTCATGTCCTGC-3' (antisense) for IL-6; 5'-TCCAGCATGAAAGTCTCTGC-3' (sense) and 5'-TGGAATCCTGAACCCACTTC-3' (antisense) for MCP-1; and 5'-CCACCCATGGCAAATTCCATGGCA-3' (sense) and 5'-TCTAGACCGCAGGTCAGGTCCACC-3' (antisense) for GAPDH (Genset, Paris, France).

Cytokine assays

MCP-1 and IL-8 were measured using a specific ELISA (Quantikine, R&D Systems). IL-6, sIL-6R{alpha}, IL-1{beta}, IL-1{alpha}, and TNF-{alpha} were measured using specific ELISAs from Immunotech.

Statistical analysis

Cytokine levels were expressed as the mean ± SEM of results obtained from at least three individual experiments performed in triplicate. The data were compared using the paired Student’s t test.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Thrombin induces endothelial IL-6 and MCP-1 secretion in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, through interaction with its specific receptor, independently of IL-1{alpha}{beta} and TNF-{alpha}

HUVEC were cultured in medium alone or with increasing concentrations of thrombin for 24 h. As shown in Fig. 1Go, A and B, increased concentrations of IL-6 and MCP-1 were obtained with increasing concentrations of thrombin compared with medium alone. A plateau was observed for MCP-1 secretion, in the presence of 8 U/ml thrombin. Thrombin-induced endothelial secretion of IL-6 and MCP-1 was time-dependent, increasing over 24 h (Fig. 1Go, C and D). In addition, TRAP-14, a PAR-1/PAR-2 agonist peptide, induced both IL-6 (Fig. 1GoE) and MCP-1 (Fig. 1GoF) secretion in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas a control-scrambled peptide had no significant effect. When HUVEC were cultured with thrombin and saturating concentrations of either IL-1Ra or neutralizing anti-TNF-{alpha} Ab, thrombin-induced IL-6 secretion was not modified (data not shown, n = 4). Similarly, neither IL-1Ra nor anti-TNF-{alpha} significantly decreased thrombin-induced MCP-1 production (thrombin: 24 ± 2 ng/ml; + IL-1Ra (10 µg/ml): 21 ± 2 ng/ml; + anti-TNF-{alpha}: 28 ± 3 ng/ml; n = 4), whereas in parallel experiments, IL-1Ra significantly inhibited IL-1-induced IL-6 and MCP-1 production by HUVEC (86% inhibition, p < 0.01). In agreement with these data, no significant concentration of IL-1{alpha}{beta} and TNF-{alpha} could be detected in thrombin-activated HUVEC supernatants (levels below the detection limits of the assays: 15 pg/ml for IL-1{alpha}, 50 pg/ml for IL-1{beta}, and 5 pg/ml for TNF-{alpha}, n = 4, data not shown).



View larger version (26K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 1. Thrombin induces HUVEC production of IL-6 and MCP-1 in a dose- and time-dependent fashion through PAR activation. Increasing concentrations of thrombin were added to HUVEC, and after 24 h, supernatants were collected and IL-6 (A, *, p < 0.001, compared with control medium, n = 6) and MCP-1 (B, *, p < 0.001 compared with control medium, n = 9) were measured. Thrombin (8 U/ml) was added to HUVEC for different times and both IL-6 (C, open bars, *, p < 0.01, compared with time 2 h, n = 3) and MCP-1 (D, open bars, *, p < 0.05, compared with time 2 h, n = 3) were measured in the supernatants and compared with HUVEC cultured in control medium (filled bars). Various concentrations of TRAP (open bars), but not of a control peptide (filled bars), induce significant IL-6 (E) and MCP-1 (F) secretion after 24-h culture (*, p < 0.01, compared with control peptide at the same concentrations, n = 3, horizontal line represents concentrations of each respective chemokine obtained with culture medium alone).

 
Thrombin induces increased steady-state levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 mRNA

Using RT-PCR, IL-6 mRNA was not detected in unstimulated HUVEC, but steady-state levels rapidly increased after 1–2 h of thrombin stimulation, reached a maximum after 6 h, and decreased to almost baseline levels after 24 h (Fig. 2Go). MCP-1 mRNA was not detected in unstimulated HUVEC, and steady-state levels increased after 2 h of thrombin stimulation, with a maximum after 6 h, and maintained sustained levels over 24 h (Fig. 2Go).



View larger version (53K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 2. Increased IL-6 and MCP-1 steady-state mRNA levels in thrombin-activated HUVEC. RT-PCR products of RNA prepared from HUVEC stimulated by thrombin for different times were deposited on a 2% agarose gel and stained with ethidium bromide. IL-6 mRNA was not detected in unstimulated HUVEC, but was found in thrombin-activated HUVEC with a maximum after a 6-h culture. MCP-1 mRNA was detected in 2-h-stimulated HUVEC, reached a maximum after 6 h, and maintained sustained levels over 24 h.

 
IL-8, but not thrombin or GRO-{alpha}, induced IL-6R{alpha} shedding from neutrophils

Because IL-6 in combination with sIL-6R{alpha} has been reported to activate endothelial cells (30), we looked for a possible source of sIL-6R{alpha} production in this model. To define a complete inflammatory cascade, we asked first whether thrombin could induce sIL-6R{alpha} release from PMN. Neither significant shedding of IL-6R{alpha} when PMN were activated with thrombin for 30 min (Fig. 3GoA and Table IGo) nor significant sIL-6R{alpha} secretion when PMN were activated for 6 h (control medium: 719 ± 209 pg/ml vs thrombin: 742 ± 159 pg/ml, p = 0.7, n = 4) or for 24 h (control medium: 768 ± 223 pg/ml vs thrombin: 716 ± 193 ng/ml, p = 0.5, n = 6) was observed. We have previously reported that thrombin induced an early and sustained secretion of IL-8 by HUVEC (13). We asked whether IL-8 was able to induce IL-6R{alpha} shedding from PMN surface. This experiment was conducted on PMN obtained from 15 healthy volunteers. Using FACS analysis, a significant decrease of IL-6R{alpha} expression on neutrophil membrane was observed, after PMN were stimulated for 30 min with 10 ng/ml IL-8 (Fig. 3GoB and Table IGo). This loss of IL-6R{alpha} expression on PMN membranes (30–40% loss, p < 0.01, Table IGo) was paralleled by a significant sIL-6R{alpha} increase in IL-8-stimulated PMN supernatants (160% increase, p < 0.05, Table IGo), consistent with IL-6R{alpha} shedding. Moreover, IL-8 dose-dependently induced IL-6R{alpha} shedding from neutrophil surface, reaching significance for a concentration of 10 ng/ml (p < 0.05, Table IIGo). However, IL-8 effects on IL-6R{alpha} shedding were much weaker than those of FMLP, which was used as a positive control in the same experiments (80–90% loss, p < 0.01 and 285% increase, p < 0.05, Table IGo). Contrary to IL-8, GRO-{alpha} did not appear to induce significant IL-6R{alpha} shedding (Fig. 3GoC) unless very high concentrations (500 ng/ml) were used (Table IGo).



View larger version (25K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 3. IL-8, but not thrombin or GRO-{alpha}, induces shedding of IL-6R{alpha} from PMN (FACS analysis). PMN were cultured for 30 min with medium alone, 1 µM FMLP, 8 U/ml thrombin (A), 10 ng/ml IL-8 (B), or 10 ng/ml GRO-{alpha} (C), before staining with anti-CD126 mAb or a control isotype and FACS analysis. Fluorescence obtained with thrombin- or GRO-{alpha}-stimulated and unstimulated PMN superposed. One experiment representative of 4–9 different experiments is shown.

 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table I. IL-8, but not thrombin or GRO-{alpha}, induces neutrophil IL-6R{alpha} shedding1

 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Table II. IL-8 induction of neutrophil IL-6R{alpha} shedding (a dose response)1

 
Exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} increased thrombin-induced MCP-1 but not IL-8 secretion

Addition of various concentrations of sIL-6R{alpha} (10–400 ng/ml) to HUVEC stimulated with thrombin induced a dose-dependent significant increase of endothelial MCP-1 secretion (Fig. 4GoA). MCP-1 secretion was significantly higher (25% increase) with the addition of 200 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha}, which is a concentration in the range of sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations observed in human fluids (32). The effects of sIL-6R{alpha} on thrombin-induced MCP-1 secretion appeared additive: 8 U/ml thrombin (23 ± 2 ng/ml), 5 ng/ml IL-6 + 200 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha} (8 ± 1 ng/ml), 8 U/ml thrombin + 200 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha} (35 ± 1 ng/ml, n = 4, data not shown). On the contrary, no significantly increased IL-8 secretion was observed in the same experiments, when HUVEC were stimulated with thrombin in the presence of 400 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha} (Fig. 4GoB). This was not due to the low concentration of IL-6 present in thrombin-activated HUVEC, because even in the presence of 30 ng/ml IL-6 and 200 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha}, we observed no increase of IL-8 secretion by HUVEC (data not shown, n = 3).



View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 4. Addition of sIL-6R{alpha} to thrombin-activated HUVEC induces MCP-1 (A), but not IL-8 production (B). Increasing concentrations of exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} were added to thrombin-activated HUVEC, then MCP-1 (A) was measured in the supernatant (*, p < 0.01, compared with thrombin alone, n = 3). High concentrations (400 ng/ml) of sIL-6R{alpha} were added to thrombin-activated HUVEC, and IL-8 secretion was measured in the supernatant after 24-h culture (B). Addition of sIL-6R{alpha} (200 ng/ml) alone to unstimulated HUVEC had no effect on MCP-1 or IL-8 secretion compared with medium alone.

 
To evaluate the effects of thrombin or FCS concentrations in this phenomenon, we added sIL-6R{alpha} (200 ng/ml) to various concentrations of thrombin-activated HUVEC, in the presence or absence of FCS. In the presence of FCS, 8 U/ml thrombin was necessary to significantly increase MCP-1 secretion, whereas in the absence of FCS, significantly increased MCP-1 secretion was observed with concentrations of thrombin as low as 1 U/ml (Fig. 5Go, A and B). These data are consistent with the presence of a thrombin inhibitor in FCS. No increased IL-8 secretion was observed whatever the condition used (Fig. 5Go, C and D). Moreover, in the absence of FCS, a significant decrease of IL-8 concentration was observed at 8 U/ml thrombin (Fig. 5GoD).



View larger version (32K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 5. Addition of sIL-6R{alpha} to thrombin-activated HUVEC induces MCP-1 (A and B), but not IL-8 production (C and D). Thrombin dose-response and influence of FCS. Concentrations of secreted MCP-1 (A and B) and IL-8 (C and D) were measured in the supernatants of HUVEC stimulated with increasing concentrations of thrombin with (filled bars) and without (open bars) 200 ng/ml sIL-6R{alpha} in the presence (A and C) or absence of 5% FCS (B and D) (*, p < 0.05 compared with thrombin alone at the respective concentration, n = 3).

 
Autocrine loop of thrombin-induced MCP-1 secretion involving endothelial IL-6 and sIL-6R{alpha} from neutrophils

Addition of 200 ng/ml recombinant sIL-6R{alpha} to thrombin-activated HUVEC significantly increased MCP-1 secretion, and the increased MCP-1 production could be completely reversed by the addition of either neutralizing anti-sIL-6R{alpha} mAb or anti-IL-6 mAb (Fig. 6GoA), demonstrating an autocrine loop of MCP-1 secretion involving IL-6 produced by thrombin-stimulated HUVEC and exogenous sIL-6R{alpha}. To evaluate whether such an inflammatory loop involving IL-6 may exist in vivo with PMN as a source of sIL-6R{alpha}, we added freshly prepared PMN to thrombin-activated HUVEC and measured MCP-1 secretion after a 24-h culture. Addition of PMN to thrombin-activated HUVEC significantly increased MCP-1 secretion, which could be partially decreased (25% reduction) by adding anti-IL-6 neutralizing F(ab')2 (Fig. 6GoB). As control experiments, stimulation of fresh PMN with thrombin (8 U/ml), IL-6 (30 ng/ml), or IL-8 (30 ng/ml) did not induce MCP-1 production (levels below the detection limits of the assay, n = 3, data not shown).



View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 6. Autocrine loop of thrombin-induced MCP-1 secretion involving endogenous IL-6 and exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} (A) or fresh PMN (B). A, Exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} (200 ng/ml) was added to thrombin-activated HUVEC, and MCP-1 concentration was measured in the 24-h culture supernatants (*, p < 0.01 compared with thrombin alone, n = 3). Addition of blocking mAb against sIL-6R{alpha} or IL-6 in these conditions completely abrogated MCP-1 increase (*, p < 0.01 compared with thrombin + sIL-6R{alpha}, n = 3). B, PMN (106/500 µl) freshly isolated from different donors were added to thrombin-activated HUVEC in the absence or presence of anti-IL-6 neutralizing mAb F(ab')2, and MCP-1 was measured in the supernatants after 24 h (*, p < 0.05, compared with respective control, n = 3).

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
In this study, we observed that thrombin may induce monocyte recruitment through endothelial activation by inducing MCP-1 secretion directly, or indirectly through an autocrine loop involving endothelial IL-6 secretion and IL-8-induced IL-6R{alpha} shedding from neutrophil membranes.

Thrombin is known to induce endothelial MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion by interacting with its PAR-1 receptor, independently of TNF-{alpha} and IL-1{alpha}{beta} (13, 15, 16). Thrombin has also been shown to induce IL-6 secretion by fibroblasts and epidermal cell lines through interaction with the PAR-1 receptor (36). In this study, we observed that thrombin can directly increase mRNA levels and protein synthesis of IL-6 in HUVEC, through interaction with a PAR, likely PAR-1, in a LPS-, IL-1{alpha}{beta}-, and TNF-{alpha}-independent way. IL-6 has been reported in one study to directly induce HUVEC activation and leuko-endothelial adhesion, but these data are controversial because HUVEC express the gp130 transducer but not the IL-6R{alpha} (37). Alternatively, IL-6 is able to complex with sIL-6R{alpha}, then associate with gp130 homodimers and activate HUVEC for chemokine production and adhesion molecule expression (30, 31). The same kind of data were observed in our model; addition of physiological concentrations of exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} to thrombin-stimulated HUVEC was sufficient to increase MCP-1 secretion, compared with HUVEC stimulated with thrombin alone, and this can be completely reversed by anti-sIL-6R{alpha} and anti-IL-6 blocking mAbs, demonstrating the existence of an autocrine loop of MCP-1 secretion involving exogenous sIL-6R{alpha} and IL-6 secreted by thrombin-stimulated HUVEC. A similar observation has been made in the case of adhesion molecule expression regulation in a model of TNF-{alpha}-activated astrocytes (38). Interestingly, in the same culture condition, we observed no increase in IL-8 secretion, although other authors have found that the IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} complex induces an autocrine loop of both MCP-1 and IL-8 secretion in endothelial cells (30, 31). These differences are likely due to the different concentrations of sIL-6R{alpha} and FCS present in the different experimental models. In the study by Modur et al. (31), sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations up to 1 µg/ml have been used, and induced both HUVEC chemokine production as well as ELAM, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 expression, but these concentrations are by far in excess compared with those of sIL-6R{alpha} observed in human fluids, which are rarely higher than 500 ng/ml (32, 39, 40). In the study by Romano et al. (30), the sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations used are comparable to those used in our model and induced both chemokine reduction and ICAM-1 expression, but not ELAM-1 or VCAM-1. However, in this study HUVEC were cultured in the presence of 20% FCS and heparin.

However, our results may suggest that HUVEC are more sensitive to stimulation by IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} for MCP-1 than for IL-8 secretion. A similar observation has recently been made in mesangial cell lines (41). This may be an important point in vivo, because the pro- vs anti-inflammatory functions of IL-6 are still discussed. Notably, studies performed in animals defective for the IL-6 gene have shown that the absence of this cytokine favors on one hand, neutrophilia, high circulating TNF-{alpha} concentrations and lethality in response to LPS challenge. In contrast, these animals have decreased IgG and IgA concentrations and a weak ability to develop a Th-1 response against intracellular infectious agents (42). Therefore, IL-6 properties might be rather anti-inflammatory during endotoxemia and acute infection, and proinflammatory during chronic intracellular infection (23, 42). Considering this hypothesis, it is noteworthy that in our study, IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} is more efficient in inducing MCP-1, a chemokine acting on mononuclear cells rather than IL-8, which is more specific of neutrophils and favors acute inflammation. Thus, the IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} complex may favor chronic inflammation, activation of APCs, and finally the induction of an immune response with inflammation solving. In agreement with this point of view, the IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} complex has recently been shown to protect T cells from apoptosis and to favor chronic inflammation (43).

One important question in such a model in vivo is the potential source of sIL-6R{alpha} in situ. It has been suggested recently that the source of serum sIL-6R{alpha} could be the secretion of an alternatively spliced form by hepatocytes, whereas in situ sIL-6R{alpha} seems to be released by shedding of the receptors expressed on the membranes of inflammatory cells, notably neutrophils and monocytes (26, 27, 40). Therefore, we asked whether thrombin could act as a complete proinflammatory mediator in this model, and induce IL-6R{alpha} release from neutrophils, either through shedding or alternative mRNA splicing. Thrombin did not significantly modify neutrophil membrane IL-6R{alpha} expression or sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations after 30-min stimulation, nor did it induce sIL-6R{alpha} secretion in neutrophil supernatant after 12 h. Because FMLP, a potent neutrophil activator, induces the shedding of IL-6R{alpha} (26, 27, 31), we asked whether IL-8, which is also a well-known neutrophil activator, was able to induce IL-6R{alpha} shedding. In all experiments performed in >15 healthy donors, a significant, although moderate, decrease of IL-6R{alpha} expression on neutrophil membranes and a parallel increase of sIL-6R{alpha} concentrations in the supernatants were observed after 30-min stimulation with IL-8, consistent with receptor shedding from PMN membranes. On the contrary, GRO-{alpha}, another chemokine acting on PMN, was not able to induce IL-6R{alpha} shedding unless very high concentrations of this chemokine were used. Because IL-8 acts on PMN through CXCR1 and CXCR2, whereas GRO-{alpha} acts through CXCR2 unless high concentrations such as 500 ng/ml are used (44), these data are consistent with the fact that IL-8 induces IL-6R{alpha} shedding through activation of CXCR1. So far, bacterial toxins and C reactive protein are the only physiological molecules known to induce IL-6R{alpha} shedding (45, 46).

This autocrine loop of MCP-1 secretion involving thrombin, IL-8, and IL-6/IL-6R{alpha} is likely to be present in vivo, because addition in vitro of fresh PMN to thrombin-activated HUVEC significantly increased MCP-1 secretion, which was 25% decreased by anti-IL-6 mAb. Thrombin proinflammatory properties and the ability to induce chemokine production may support leukocyte recruitment in tissues in different autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or GN, in which both extravascular coagulation and inflammation exist.

Detection of fibrin, fibrinogen, and thrombin/antithrombin III complexes in synovial fluids of RA has clearly established the occurrence of extravascular coagulation in RA synovium (47). Thrombin may play a role in RA pathogenesis through induction of MCP-1 and chronic mononuclear cell infiltration as well as induction of IL-8, which favors neutrophil recruitment during acute flare-up of the disease. In addition to chemokines, RA synovial fluids contain various proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-{alpha}, IL-1, and IL-6, and have also been shown to contain high concentrations of sIL-6R{alpha} (48). Therefore, all the conditions required for the occurrence of the inflammatory cascade described in this study are present in RA synovial fluids.

Similarly, PAR-1 is constitutively highly expressed on glomerular endothelium, and epithelial and mesangial cells (49). In animal models of immune-mediated GN, thrombin has been shown to play an important pathogenic role consisting in crescent formation, lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration, as well as fibrin deposition (7). MCP-1 is an important cytokine in immune-mediated GN, and it is likely that the ability of thrombin to directly induce chemokine, especially MCP-1, secretion by endothelial and mesangial cells plays an important role in kidney monocyte infiltration (50). In addition, to infiltrate tissues, monocytes interact with adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, the former playing a critical role in crescent formation (51). Endothelial ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression are induced by thrombin through interaction with PAR-1, and allowed mononuclear cell adhesion (14). Moreover, IL-6 has been shown to be secreted by mesangial cells and to be involved in the severity of GN (52), and the IL-6/sIL-6R{alpha} complex increases mesangial MCP-1 production (41). Thus, thrombin may induce IL-6 secretion and the autocrine loop of MCP-1 secretion involving IL-6 and sIL-6R{alpha} described in this study, which may be important in kidney monocyte infiltration.

In conclusion, as shown in Fig. 7Go, this study suggests that in acutely inflamed tissues containing neutrophils IL-8 and IL-6, IL-8 may induce neutrophil IL-6R{alpha} shedding, which would complex with IL-6 and activate gp130-bearing cells, notably endothelial cells, to induce a stronger MCP-1 secretion, thus mononuclear cell recruitment and a shift toward chronic inflammation, immune response, and possibly inflammation ending.



View larger version (21K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
FIGURE 7. Schematic representation of an acute to chronic inflammation shift mediated at the endothelium level by the IL-6/IL-6R{alpha} complex. Thrombin-mediated effects (solid lines), IL-8-mediated effects (dotted lines), IL-6/IL-6R{alpha}-mediated effects (dashed lines).

 


    Footnotes
 
1 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Gilles Kaplanski, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 387-Laboratoire d’Immunologie, Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite, 270 Boulevard Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France. E-mail address: gkaplanski{at}marseille.inserm.fr Back

2 Abbreviations used in this paper: PAR, protease-activated receptor; s, soluble; TRAP, thrombin receptor-activating peptide; MCP-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1; ELAM-1, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1; GRO-{alpha}, growth-related oncogene-{alpha}; IL-1Ra, IL-1R antagonist; PMN, polymorphonuclear cell; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; GN, glomerulonephritis. Back

Received for publication October 6, 2000. Accepted for publication July 17, 2001.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

  1. Stubbs, M. T., W. Bode. 1993. A player of many parts: the spotlight falls on thrombin structure. Thromb. Res. 69:1.[Medline]
  2. Coughlin, S. R.. 1994. Protease-activated receptors start a family. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3534.
  3. Vu, T. K. H., D. T. Hung, V. I. Wheaton, S. R. Coughlin. 1991. Molecular cloning of a functional thrombin receptor reveals a novel proteolytic mechanism of receptor activation. Cell 64:1057.[Medline]
  4. Ishihara, H., A. J. Connolly, D. Zeng, M. L. Kahn, Y. W. Zheng, C. Timmons, T. Tram, S. R. Coughlin. 1997. Protease-activated receptor 3 is a second thrombin receptor in humans. Nature 386:502.[Medline]
  5. Kahn, M. L., Y. W. Zheng, W. Huang, V. Bigornia, D. Zeng, S. Moff, R. V. Farese, C. Tam, S. R. Coughlin. 1998. A dual thrombin receptor system for platelet activation. Nature 394:690.[Medline]
  6. Cirino, G., C. Cicala, M. R. Bucci, L. Sorrentino, J. M. Manganore, S. R. Stone. 1996. Thrombin functions as an inflammatory mediator through activation of its receptor. J. Exp. Med. 183:821.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Cunningham, M. A., E. Rondeau, X. Chen, S. R. Coughlin, S. R. Holdsworth, P. G. Tipping. 2000. Protease-activated receptor 1 mediates thrombin-dependent, cell-mediated renal inflammation in crescentic glomerulonephritis. J. Exp. Med. 191:455.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  8. Bizios, R., L. Lai, J. W. Fenton, A. B. Malik. 1986. Thrombin-induced chemotaxis and aggregation of neutrophils. J. Cell. Physiol. 128:485.[Medline]
  9. Zimmerman, G. A., T. M. McIntyre, S. M. Prescott. 1985. Thrombin stimulates the adherence of neutrophils to human endothelial cells in vitro. J. Clin. Invest. 76:2235.
  10. Bar-Shavit, R., A. Kahn, G. D. Wilner. 1983. Monocyte chemotaxis: stimulation by specific exosite region in thrombin. Science 220:728.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Lorant, D. E., K. D. A. Patel, T. M. McIntyre, R. P. McEver, S. M. Prescott, G. A. Zimmerman. 1991. Coexpression of GMP-140 and platelet activating factor by endothelium stimulated by histamine and thrombin: a juxtacrine system for adhesion and activation of neutrophils. J. Cell Biol. 115:223.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. Weksler, B. B., C. W. Ley, E. A. Jaffe. 1978. Stimulation of endothelial cell prostacyclin production by thrombin, trypsin and the ionophore A23187. J. Clin. Invest. 62:923.
  13. Kaplanski, G., M. Fabrigoule, V. Boulay, C. A. Dinarello, P. Bongrand, S. Kaplanski, C. Farnarier. 1997. Thrombin induces endothelial type II activation in vitro: IL-1 and TNF-{alpha}-independent IL-8 and E-selectin expression. J. Immunol. 158:5435.[Abstract]
  14. Kaplanski, G., V. Marin, M. Fabrigoule, V. Boulay, A. M. Benoliel, P. Bongrand, S. Kaplanski, C. Farnarier. 1998. Thrombin-activated human endothelial cells support monocyte adhesion in vitro following expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1; CD54) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1; CD106). Blood 92:1259.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Grandaliano, G., A. J. Valente, H. E. Abboud. 1994. A novel biologic activity of thrombin: stimulation of monocyte chemotactic protein production. J. Exp. Med. 179:1737.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  16. Colotta, F., F. L. Sciacca, M. Sironi, W. Luini, M. J. Rabiet, A. Mantovani. 1994. Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 by monocytes and endothelial cells exposed to thrombin. Am. J. Pathol. 144:975.[Abstract]
  17. Rahman, A., K. N. Anwar, A. L. True, A. B. Malik. 1999. Thrombin-induced p65 homodimer binding to downstream NF-{kappa}B site of the promoter mediates endothelial ICAM-1 expression and neutrophil adhesion. J. Immunol. 162:5466.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  18. Van Snick, J.. 1990. Interleukin-6: an overview. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 8:253.[Medline]
  19. Kishimoto, T., T. Hirano. 1988. Molecular regulation of B lymphocyte response. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 6:455.
  20. Starnes, H. F., M. K. Pearce, A. Tewari, J. H. Yim, J.-C. Zou, J. S. Abrams. 1990. Anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibodies protect against lethal Escherichia coli infection and lethal tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} challenge in mice. J. Immunol. 145:4185.[Abstract]
  21. Kopf, M., H. Baumann, G. Freer, M. Freudenberg, M. Lamers, T. Kishimoto, R. Zinkernagel, H. Bluethmann, G. Köhler. 1994. Impaired immune and acute-phase responses in interleukin-6-deficient mice. Nature 368:339.[Medline]
  22. Fattori, E., M. Cappelletti, P. Costa, C. Sellitto, L. Cantoni, M. Carelli, R. Faggioni, G. Fantuzzi, P. Ghezzi, V. Poli. 1994. Defective inflammatory response in interleukin 6-deficient mice. J. Exp. Med. 180:1243.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  23. Tilg, H., C. A. Dinarello, J. W. Mier. 1997. IL-6 and APPs: anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive mediators. Immunol. Today 18:428.[Medline]
  24. Xing, Z., J. Gauldie, G. Cox, H. Baumann, M. Jordana, X.-F. Lei, M. K. Achong. 1998. IL-6 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine required for controlling local or systemic acute inflammatory responses. J. Clin. Invest. 101:311.[Medline]
  25. Taga, T., M. Hibi, Y. Hirata, K. Yamasaki, K. Yasukawa, T. Matsuda, T. Hirano, T. Kishimoto. 1989. Interleukin-6 triggers the association of its receptor with a possible signal transducer, gp130. Cell 58:573.[Medline]
  26. Bauer, J., T. M. Bauer, T. Kalb, T. Taga, G. Lengyel, T. Hirano, T. Kishimoto, G. Acs, L. Mayer, W. Gerok. 1989. Regulation of interleukin-6 receptor expression in human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages: comparison with the expression in human hepatocytes. J. Exp. Med. 170:1537.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  27. Müllberg, J., H. Schooltink, T. Stoyan, M. Günther, L. Graeve, G. Buse, A. Mackiewicz, P. C. Heinrich, S. Rose-John. 1993. The soluble interleukin-6 receptor is generated by shedding. Eur. J. Immunol. 23:473.[Medline]
  28. Horiuchi, S., Y. Koyanagi, Y. Zhou, H. Miyamoto, Y. Tanaka, M. Waki, A. Matsumoto, M. Yamamoto, N. Yamamoto. 1994. Soluble interleukin-6 receptors released from T cell or granulocyte/macrophage cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells are generated through an alternative splicing mechanism. Eur. J. Immunol. 24:1945.[Medline]
  29. Peters, M., S. Jacobs, M. Ehlers, P. Vollmer, J. Müllberg, E. Wolf, G. Brem, K.-H. Meyer zum Büschenfelde, S. Rose-John. 1996. The function of the soluble interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor in vivo: sensitization of human soluble IL-6 receptor transgenic mice towards IL-6 and prolongation of the plasma half-life of IL-6. J. Exp. Med. 183:1399.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  30. Romano, M., M. Sironi, C. Toniatti, N. Polentarutti, P. Fruschella, P. Ghezzi, R. Faggioni, W. Luini, V. van Hinsbergh, S. Sozzani, et al 1997. Role of IL-6 and its soluble receptor in induction of chemokines and leukocyte recruitment. Immunity 6:315.[Medline]
  31. Modur, V., Y. Li, G. A. Zimmerman, S. M. Prescott, T. M. McIntyre. 1997. Retrograde inflammatory signaling from neutrophils to endothelial cells by soluble interleukin-6 receptor {alpha}. J. Clin. Invest. 11:2752.
  32. Honda, M., S. Yamamoto, M. Cheng, K. Yasukawa, H. Suzuki, T. Saito, Y. Osugi, T. Tokunaga, T. Kishimoto. 1992. Human soluble IL-6 receptor: its detection and enhanced release by HIV infection. J. Immunol. 148:2175.[Abstract]
  33. Yasukawa, K., T. Saito, T. Fukunaga, Y. Sekimori, Y. Koishihara, H. Fukui, Y. Ohsugi, T. Matsuda, H. Yawata, T. Hirano, et al 1990. Purification and characterization of soluble human IL-6 receptor expressed in CHO cells. J. Biochem. 108:673.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  34. Montero-Julian, F. A., B. Klein, E. Gautherot, H. Brailly. 1995. Pharmacokinetic study of interleukin-6 (IL-6) therapy with monoclonal antibodies: enhancement of IL-6 clearance by cocktails of anti-IL-6 antibodies. Blood 85:917.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  35. Montero-Julian, F. A., J. Liautard, S. Flavetta, F. Romagne, J. P. Gaillard, J. Brochier, B. Klein, H. Brailly. 1994. Immunoassay for functional human soluble interleukin-6 receptor in plasma based on ligand/receptor interactions. J. Immunol. Methods 169:111.[Medline]
  36. Sower, L. E., C. J. Froelich, D. H. Carney, II J. W. Fenton, G. R. Klimpel. 1995. Thrombin induces IL-6 production in fibroblasts and epithelial cells: evidence for the involvement of the seven-transmembrane domain (STD) receptor for {alpha}-thrombin. J. Immunol. 155:895.[Abstract]
  37. Watson, C., S. Whittaker, N. Smith, A. J. Vora, D. C. Dumonde, K. A. Brown. 1996. IL-6 acts on endothelial cells to preferentially increase their adherence for lymphocytes. Clin. Exp. Immunol. 105:112.[Medline]
  38. Oh, J.-W., N. J. Van Wagoner, S. Rose-John, E. N. Benveniste. 1998. Role of IL-6 and the soluble IL-6 receptor in inhibition of VCAM-1 gene expression. J. Immunol. 161:4992.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  39. De Benedetti, F., M. Massa, P. Pignatti, S. Albani, D. Novick, A. Martini. 1994. Serum soluble interleukin 6 (IL-6) receptor and IL-6:soluble IL-6 receptor complex in systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. J. Clin. Invest. 93:2114.
  40. Desgeorges, A., C. Gabay, P. Silacci, D. Novick, P. Roux-Lombard, G. Grau, J.-M. Dayer, T. Vischer, P.-A. Guerne. 1997. Concentrations and origins of soluble interleukin 6 receptor-{alpha} in serum and synovial fluid. J. Rheumatol. 24:1510.[Medline]
  41. Coletta, I., L. Soldo, N. Polentarutti, F. Mancini, A. Guglielmotti, M. Pinza, A. Mantovani, C. Milanese. 1999. Selective induction of MCP-1 in human mesangial cells by the IL-6/sIL-6R complex. Exp. Nephrol. 8:37.
  42. Romani, L., A. Mencacci, E. Cenci, R. Spaccapelo, C. Toniatti, P. Puccetti, F. Bistoni, V. Poli. 1996. Impaired neutrophil response and CD4+ T helper cell 1 development in interleukin 6-deficient mice infected with Candida albicans. J. Exp. Med. 183:1345.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  43. Atreya, R., J. Mudter, S. Finotto, J. Müllberg, T. Jostock, S. Wirtz, M. Schütz, B. Bartsch, M. Holtmann, C. Becker, et al 2000. Blockade of interleukin 6 trans signaling suppresses T-cell resistance against apoptosis in chronic intestinal inflammation: evidence in Crohn disease and experimental colitis in vivo. Nat. Med. 6:583.[Medline]
  44. Ahuja, S., P. M. Murphy. 1996. The CXC chemokines growth-regulated oncogene (GRO) {alpha}, GRO{beta}, GRO{gamma}, neutrophil-activating peptide-2, and epithelial cell-derived neutrophil-activating peptide-78 are potent agonists for the type B, but not the type A, human interleukin-8 receptor. J. Biol. Chem. 271:20545.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  45. Walev, I., P. Vollmer, M. Palmer, S. Bhakdi, S. Rose-John. 1996. Pore-forming toxins trigger shedding of receptors for interleukin-6 and lipopolysaccharide. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:7882.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  46. Jones, S. A., D. Novick, S. Horiuchi, N. Yamamoto, A. J. Szalai, G. M. Fuller. 1999. C-reactive protein: a physiological activator of interleukin 6 receptor shedding. J. Exp. Med. 189:599.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  47. Weinberg, J. B., A. M. M. Pippen, C. S. Greenberg. 1991. Extravascular fibrin formation and dissolution in synovial tissue of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 34:996.[Medline]
  48. Feldmann, M., F. Brennan, R. N. Maini. 1996. The role of cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 14:397.[Medline]
  49. Xu, Y., U. Zacharias, M. N. Peraldi, C. J. He, C. Lu, J. D. Sraer, L. F. Brass, E. Rondeau. 1995. Constitutive expression and modulation of the functional thrombin receptor in the human kidney. Am. J. Pathol. 146:101.[Abstract]
  50. Tesch, G. H., S. Maifert, A. Schwarting, B. J. Rollins, V. Rubin Kelley. 1999. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1-dependent leukocytic infiltrates are responsible for autoimmune disease in MRL-Faslpr mice. J. Exp. Med. 190:1813.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  51. Nishikawa, K., Y.-J. Guo, M. Miyasaka, T. Tamatani, A. Bernard Collins, M.-S. Sy, R. T. McCluskey, G. Andres. 1993. Antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule 1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 prevent crescent formation in rat autoimmune glomerulonephritis. J. Exp. Med. 177:667.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  52. Horii, Y., A. Maraguchi, M. Iwano, T. Matsuda, T. Hirayama, H. Yamada, Y. Fujii, K. Dohi, H. Ishikawa, Y. Ohmoto, et al 1989. Involvement of IL-6 in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. J. Immunol. 143:3949.[Abstract]



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
P. J. Wolters, C. Wray, R. E. Sutherland, S. S. Kim, J. Koff, Y. Mao, and J. A. Frank
Neutrophil-Derived IL-6 Limits Alveolar Barrier Disruption in Experimental Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury
J. Immunol., June 15, 2009; 182(12): 8056 - 8062.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
J. I. Borissoff, H. M.H. Spronk, S. Heeneman, and H. ten Cate
Is thrombin a key player in the 'coagulation-atherogenesis' maze?
Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 2009; 82(3): 392 - 403.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg.Home page
Y. Banz, R. Rieben, C. Zobrist, P. Meier, S. Shaw, J. Lanz, T. Carrel, and P. Berdat
Addition of dextran sulfate to blood cardioplegia attenuates reperfusion injury in a porcine model of cardiopulmonary bypass
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., September 1, 2008; 34(3): 653 - 660.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JEMHome page
D. Chen, A. Carpenter, J. Abrahams, R. C. Chambers, R. I. Lechler, J. H. McVey, and A. Dorling
Protease-activated receptor 1 activation is necessary for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1-dependent leukocyte recruitment in vivo
J. Exp. Med., August 4, 2008; 205(8): 1739 - 1746.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
B. Rabe, A. Chalaris, U. May, G. H. Waetzig, D. Seegert, A. S. Williams, S. A. Jones, S. Rose-John, and J. Scheller
Transgenic blockade of interleukin 6 transsignaling abrogates inflammation
Blood, February 1, 2008; 111(3): 1021 - 1028.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
A. Chalaris, B. Rabe, K. Paliga, H. Lange, T. Laskay, C. A. Fielding, S. A. Jones, S. Rose-John, and J. Scheller
Apoptosis is a natural stimulus of IL6R shedding and contributes to the proinflammatory trans-signaling function of neutrophils
Blood, September 15, 2007; 110(6): 1748 - 1755.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Pathol.Home page
C. J. Lockwood, F. Arcuri, P. Toti, C. D. Felice, G. Krikun, S. Guller, L. F. Buchwalder, and F. Schatz
Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} and Interleukin-1{beta} Regulate Interleukin-8 Expression in Third Trimester Decidual Cells: Implications for the Genesis of Chorioamnionitis
Am. J. Pathol., October 1, 2006; 169(4): 1294 - 1302.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol. Cell. Biol.Home page
W. A. Sands, H. D. Woolson, G. R. Milne, C. Rutherford, and T. M. Palmer
Exchange Protein Activated by Cyclic AMP (Epac)-Mediated Induction of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS-3) in Vascular Endothelial Cells.
Mol. Cell. Biol., September 1, 2006; 26(17): 6333 - 6346.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
Z. Lin, A. Hamik, R. Jain, A. Kumar, and M. K. Jain
Kruppel-Like Factor 2 Inhibits Protease Activated Receptor-1 Expression and Thrombin-Mediated Endothelial Activation
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., May 1, 2006; 26(5): 1185 - 1185.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Physiol. Rev.Home page
A. Tedgui and Z. Mallat
Cytokines in Atherosclerosis: Pathogenic and Regulatory Pathways
Physiol Rev, April 1, 2006; 86(2): 515 - 581.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Infect. Immun.Home page
C.-Y. Yeh, J.-Y. Chen, and J.-S. Chia
Glucosyltransferases of Viridans Group Streptococci Modulate Interleukin-6 and Adhesion Molecule Expression in Endothelial Cells and Augment Monocytic Cell Adherence
Infect. Immun., February 1, 2006; 74(2): 1273 - 1283.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
J. R.S. Day, K. M. Taylor, E. A. Lidington, J. C. Mason, D. O. Haskard, A. M. Randi, and R. C. Landis
Aprotinin inhibits proinflammatory activation of endothelial cells by thrombin through the protease-activated receptor 1
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., January 1, 2006; 131(1): 21 - 27.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
S. A. Jones
Directing Transition from Innate to Acquired Immunity: Defining a Role for IL-6
J. Immunol., September 15, 2005; 175(6): 3463 - 3468.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
M. I. Gomez, S. H. Sokol, A. B. Muir, G. Soong, J. Bastien, and A. S. Prince
Bacterial Induction of TNF-{alpha} Converting Enzyme Expression and IL-6 Receptor {alpha} Shedding Regulates Airway Inflammatory Signaling
J. Immunol., August 1, 2005; 175(3): 1930 - 1936.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
R. M. McLoughlin, B. J. Jenkins, D. Grail, A. S. Williams, C. A. Fielding, C. R. Parker, M. Ernst, N. Topley, and S. A. Jones
IL-6 trans-signaling via STAT3 directs T cell infiltration in acute inflammation
PNAS, July 5, 2005; 102(27): 9589 - 9594.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Leukoc. Biol.Home page
P. C. W. Stone, F. Lally, M. Rahman, E. Smith, C. D. Buckley, G. B. Nash, and G. E. Rainger
Transmigrated neutrophils down-regulate the expression of VCAM-1 on endothelial cells and inhibit the adhesion of flowing lymphocytes
J. Leukoc. Biol., January 1, 2005; 77(1): 44 - 51.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
S. W. Lindemann, C. C. Yost, M. M. Denis, T. M. McIntyre, A. S. Weyrich, and G. A. Zimmerman
Neutrophils alter the inflammatory milieu by signal-dependent translation of constitutive messenger RNAs
PNAS, May 4, 2004; 101(18): 7076 - 7081.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
S. Srinivasan, M. E. Hatley, K. B. Reilly, E. C. Danziger, and C. C. Hedrick
Modulation of PPAR{alpha} Expression and Inflammatory Interleukin-6 Production by Chronic Glucose Increases Monocyte/Endothelial Adhesion
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., May 1, 2004; 24(5): 851 - 857.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
T. Shimizu, J. Nishihira, H. Watanabe, R. Abe, A. Honda, T. Ishibashi, and H. Shimizu
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Is Induced by Thrombin and Factor Xa in Endothelial Cells
J. Biol. Chem., April 2, 2004; 279(14): 13729 - 13737.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
T. Minami, A. Sugiyama, S.-Q. Wu, R. Abid, T. Kodama, and W. C. Aird
Thrombin and Phenotypic Modulation of the Endothelium
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., January 1, 2004; 24(1): 41 - 53.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
R. B. Henderson, J. A. R. Hobbs, M. Mathies, and N. Hogg
Rapid recruitment of inflammatory monocytes is independent of neutrophil migration
Blood, July 1, 2003; 102(1): 328 - 335.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Physiol.Home page
T Cartmell, C Ball, A F Bristow, D Mitchell, and S Poole
Endogenous interleukin-10 is required for the defervescence of fever evoked by local lipopolysaccharide-induced and Staphylococcus aureus-induced inflammation in rats
J. Physiol., June 1, 2003; 549(2): 653 - 664.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Immunol.Home page
S. M. Hurst, R. M. McLoughlin, J. Monslow, S. Owens, L. Morgan, G. M. Fuller, N. Topley, and S. A. Jones
Secretion of Oncostatin M by Infiltrating Neutrophils: Regulation of IL-6 and Chemokine Expression in Human Mesothelial Cells
J. Immunol., November 1, 2002; 169(9): 5244 - 5251.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Neurosci.Home page
G. K. Tofaris, P. H. Patterson, K. R. Jessen, and R. Mirsky
Denervated Schwann Cells Attract Macrophages by Secretion of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in a Process Regulated by Interleukin-6 and LIF
J. Neurosci., August 1, 2002; 22(15): 6696 - 6703.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Marin, V.
Right arrow Articles by Kaplanski, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Marin, V.
Right arrow Articles by Kaplanski, G.


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS