title: IFN-gamma and LPS overcome glucocorticoid inhibition of priming for superoxide release in human monocytes. Evidence that secretion of IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha is not essential for monocyte priming.
abstract: We examined the interaction between IFN-gamma, LPS, and glucocorticoids on release of oxygen radicals by human monocytes cultured in vitro. After 48 h culture, monocytes released low amounts of superoxide anion (O2-) when stimulated by PMA or FMLP. Monocytes incubated with either IFN-gamma or LPS became "primed" and released greater amounts of O2- in response to stimuli. Monocytes incubated with hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, or prednisolone alone showed decreased release of O2-. Prednisone and progesterone, which are not active glucocorticoids, had no effect. When glucocorticoids were co-incubated with IFN-gamma or LPS, the effect of hydrocortisone and other active steroids was blocked, and the monocytes released high O2-. However, when monocytes were preincubated with hydrocortisone for 24 h before addition of IFN-gamma or LPS, priming for enhanced O2- production by LPS was partially inhibited whereas there was no effect on IFN-gamma priming. We suggest that IFN-gamma and LPS can block the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, contributing to increased inflammation at tissue sites; however, the mechanism of this effect may differ for the two macrophage activators. To investigate the mechanisms of priming by IFN-gamma and LPS, we examined the effects of these agents and of hydrocortisone on secretion of IL-1 and TNF-alpha. Both IL-1 and TNF-alpha primed monocytes for enhanced release of O2- in response to PMA. LPS caused monocytes to secrete both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. LPS-induced secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta was completely blocked by hydrocortisone, but the priming effect of LPS on O2- release was only partly blocked. IFN-gamma did not cause monocytes to secrete IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, under our culture conditions (mononuclear cells cultured in Teflon in endotoxin-free modified Earle's salt solution without serum). Therefore, priming by LPS and IFN-gamma, and the inhibition of priming by glucocorticoids involve mechanisms that extend beyond regulation of secretion of IL-1 and TNF-alpha.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Szefler
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aida
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pabst
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002498:Centrifugation; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005609:Free Radicals; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013481:Superoxides; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D006854:Hydrocortisone