Calprotectin (MRP8/14 protein complex) release during mycobacterial infection in vitro and in vivo.

The calprotectin (MRP8/14) protein complex belongs to the S100 family of Ca2+ binding proteins and is expressed during myelomonocytic differentiation. MRP8/14 plasma levels were determined by ELISA in 35 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) showing mild (n = 12), moderate (n = 11) or severe (n = 12) disease, 13 patients with active pulmonary sarcoidosis (SR) and 21 healthy controls. TB patients had significantly increased plasma levels of MRP8/14 in comparison with SR and controls, which significantly depended on the volume of lung tissue involved in the inflammatory process.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human MRP-8/MRP-14 proteins and their quantitation in plasma of hematological patients.

We developed a quantitative enzyme immunoassay for human MRP-8/MRP-14, neutrophil cytosolic proteins with calcium-binding and bacteriastatic properties. MRP-8/MRP-14 concentrations were measured in the plasma of 23 healthy volunteers and in 75 patients with hematological disorders. These proteins were detected in plasma of healthy blood donors with mean +/- standard deviation 167 +/- 114 ng/ml.

Differential action of cycloheximide and activation stimuli on transcription of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, and P53 genes in human monocytes.

In the present study we have analyzed superinduction of TNF-alpha mRNA and enhancement of TNF-alpha gene transcription by cycloheximide (Chx) in human blood monocytes isolated by continuous Percoll gradient and activated in vitro. In the same monocyte cultures, we have compared the rate of gene transcription of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, and the P53-antioncogene under the influence of plastic adherence, Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 (SAC), and Chx added at different times of monocyte culture. It was shown that the cytokine genes have low or negligible transcriptional activity in freshly isolated monocytes, whereas P53 gene transcription was constant in freshly isolated and in vitro-stimulated cells.

[Differences in anti-oncogene p53 expression in human monocytes and lymphocytes in vitro].

The p53 gene has been associated with malignant transformation as well as "anti-oncogene" activity. In the present report expression of p53 in resting and activated human blood monocytes and lymphocytes is analyzed. It is found that human monocytes freshly isolated by continuous percoll gradient centrifugation contained detectable level of p53 mRNA.

[Effects of human defensin HNP-1 on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by human blood monocytes in vitro].

The influence of human defensin HNP-1 on the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by human blood monocytes was studied. It was shown that TNF-alpha production by human monocytes activated by SAC or PMA was augmented in the presence of HNP-1 concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-9) M. HNP-1 alone induced no synthesis of TNF-alpha.