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Leukotrienes stimulate neutrophil adhesion to mesangial cells: modulation with lipoxins

H R Brady1, U Persson, B J Ballermann

  • 1Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Insights

Leukotrienes rapidly increase polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adhesion to mesangial cells (MC), with distinct pathways for LTB4 and LTD4. Lipoxins can modulate these inflammatory responses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play a role in glomerular inflammation.
  • Mesangial cells (MCs) are key components of the glomerulus.
  • Lipoxygenase (LO) products are implicated in inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of LO products in PMN adhesion to MCs in vitro.
  • To differentiate the mechanisms of action for different leukotrienes (LTB4, LTD4) and lipoxins (LXA4, LXB4).
  • To identify the adhesion molecules involved in PMN-MC interactions.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro study using cultured human mesangial cells and 111In-labeled PMNs.
  • Stimulation with leukotrienes (LTB4, LTD4) and lipoxins (LXA4, LXB4).
  • Assessment of PMN adhesion using radioisotope labeling and quantification.
  • Use of monoclonal antibody (TS 1/18) targeting CD18 adhesion complex.
  • Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for metabolite analysis.

Main Results:

  • LTB4 and LTD4 induced rapid and concentration-dependent PMN adhesion to MCs.
  • LTB4-induced adhesion involved the CD18 adhesion complex, while LTD4-induced adhesion did not.
  • LTB4 acted as a PMN-directed stimulus, whereas LTD4 appeared to act on MCs.
  • LXA4 and LXB4 attenuated LTD4-induced adhesion but not LTB4-induced adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • LO-derived eicosanoids, specifically LTB4 and LTD4, are important early regulators of PMN-MC interactions.
  • Distinct molecular mechanisms mediate LTB4 and LTD4-induced PMN adhesion.
  • Lipoxins can modulate inflammatory responses by inhibiting LTD4-induced PMN adhesion.

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