Publications

Interleukin-8 is a neutrophil chemoattractant that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. The mechanism of ethanol-induced interleukin-8 production in liver is uncertain, although hepatocytes and Kupffer cells have both been proposed as sources of the chemokine. In this study we investigated whether short-term ethanol exposure stimulates production of rat interleukin-8 [cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)] by normal rat hepatocytes and Kupffer cells in primary culture. Initial experiments verified that hepatocytes and Kupffer cells produce CINC in response to cytokines or lipopolysaccharide. Ethanol, by contrast, failed to stimulate CINC secretion by either cell type even at concentrations as high as 100 mM. Although ethanol had no direct effect on liver cell CINC production, conditioned medium from ethanol-treated hepatocytes induced a threefold rise in CINC production by Kupffer cells. The increase was abrogated when hepatocytes were treated with ethanol and the metabolic inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole. The results suggest that the mechanism of ethanol-induced CINC production is indirect, involving ethanol oxidation and communication between hepatocytes and Kupffer cells.

The mechanism by which pleural mesothelial cells, the likely progenitor cells of asbestos-induced mesothelioma, recognize and internalize crocidolite asbestos is unknown. Because incubation of asbestos fibers with serum increases their association with cells, we asked whether a protein coat on asbestos increased internalization of fibers via specific cellular receptors. Coating crocidolite with citronectin, but not with fibronectin or other proteins, increased fiber internalization by rabbit pleural mesothelial cells, as measured by a new technique using fluorescence confocal microscopy. Receptors for vitronectin, alpha v beta 3 and alpha v beta 5, were identified on mesothelial cells. Inhibiting vitronectin receptors by plating cells on a vitronectin substrate or incubating cells with excess soluble vitronectin reduced internalization of vitronectin-coated crocidolite. Inhibition of alpha v beta 5, but not alpha v beta 3, with blocking antibodies similarly reduced internalization. In addition, alpha v beta 5, but not alpha v beta 3, showed immunocytochemical colocalization with fibers. Of biologic relevance, coating crocidolite with serum also increased internalization via alpha v beta 5, an effect dependent on the vitronectin in serum. We conclude that pleural mesothelial cells recognize and internalize vitronectin- and serum-coated asbestos via the integrin alpha v beta 5. Since integrins initiate some of the same signaling pathways as does asbestos, our findings may provide insights into the mechanisms of asbestos-induced biologic effects.

This study evaluated the effects of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome wasting syndrome (AWS) on the heart in a population free of overt opportunistic infection or clinical evidence of cardiac disease. Data from 53 patients with AWS and 16 healthy age-matched controls were studied. By echocardiography, a significant reduction in left ventricular mass was found in patients with AWS that remained significantly reduced when corrected for body surface area. Mean ejection fraction was within the normal range in patients with AWS but was significantly less than in controls. End-systolic volume index was slightly elevated in patients with AWS. Although no difference in end-systolic wall stress was seen, the end-systolic wall stress-shortening relation differed significantly. These findings are consistent with myocardial atrophy and subtle left ventricular dysfunction in patients with AWS.