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Objective: Intracellular cholesterol distribution impacts cell function; however, processes influencing endogenous cholesterol trafficking remain largely unknown. Atherosclerosis is associated with vascular inflammation and these studies address the role of inflammatory mediators on smooth muscle cell cholesterol trafficking., Methods and Results: Interestingly, in the absence of an exogenous cholesterol source, serum amyloid A increased [(14)C] oleic acid incorporation into cholesteryl ester in rat smooth muscle cells, suggesting endogenous cholesterol trafficking to the endoplasmic reticulum. [(3)H] cholesteryl ester accumulated in cells prelabeled with [(3)H] cholesterol, confirming that serum amyloid A mediated the movement of endogenous cholesterol. Cholesterol movement was dependent upon functional endolysosomes. The cholesterol oxidase-sensitive pool of cholesterol decreased in serum amyloid A-treated cells. Furthermore, the mechanism whereby serum amyloid A induced cholesterol trafficking was determined to be via activation of expression of secretory phospholipase A(2), group IIA (sPLA(2)) and sPLA(2)-dependent activation of sphingomyelinase. Interestingly, although neither tumor necrosis factor-α nor interferon-γ induced cholesterol trafficking, interleukin-1β induced [(14)C] cholesteryl ester accumulation that was also dependent upon sPLA(2) and sphingomyelinase activities. Serum amyloid A activates smooth muscle cell interleukin-1β expression, and although the interleukin-1-receptor antagonist inhibited the interleukin-1β-induced cholesterol trafficking, it had no effect on the movement of cholesterol mediated by serum amyloid A., Conclusions: These data support a role for inflammation in endogenous smooth muscle cell cholesterol trafficking from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Background: Inflammation is an important component of ischemic heart disease. PTX3 is a long pentraxin whose expression is induced by cytokines in endothelial cells, mononuclear phagocytes, and myocardium. The possibility that PTX3 is altered in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not yet been tested., Methods and Results: Blood samples were collected from 37 patients admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU) with symptoms of AMI. PTX3 plasma concentrations, as measured by ELISA, higher than the mean+2 SD of age-matched controls (2.01 ng/mL) were found in 27 patients within the first 24 hours of CCU admission. PTX3 peaked at 7.5 hours after CCU admission, and mean peak concentration was 6.94+/-11.26 ng/mL. Plasma concentrations of PTX3 returned to normal in all but 3 patients at hospital discharge and were unrelated to AMI site or extent, Killip class at entry, hours from symptom onset, and thrombolysis. C-reactive protein peaked in plasma at 24 hours after CCU admission, much later than PTX3 (P<0.001). Patients >64 years old and women had significantly higher PTX3 concentrations at 24 hours (P<0.05). PTX3 was detected by immunohistochemistry in normal but not in necrotic myocytes., Conclusions: PTX3 is present in the intact myocardium, increases in the blood of patients with AMI, and disappears from damaged myocytes. We suggest that PTX3 is an early indicator of myocyte irreversible injury in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

The addition of acute-phase apolipoprotein serum amyloid A (SAA) to cultured aortic smooth-muscle cells caused a decrease in the incorporation of [(14)C]acetate into lipids. Optimal inhibition of lipid biosynthesis was achieved with 2 microM SAA, and the effect was maintained for up to 1 week when SAA was included in the culture medium. Lipid extracts were subjected to TLC and it was determined that the SAA-induced decrease in [(14)C]acetate incorporation into lipids was attributable to decreases in cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride levels. The accumulated mass of cholesterol and phospholipid in SAA-treated cultures was significantly less than that of controls, with no change in the accumulated protein. Moreover, SAA had no effect on either protein synthesis or DNA synthesis, suggesting that SAA specifically alters lipid synthesis. By using a peptide corresponding to the cholesterol-binding domain of acute-phase SAA (amino acids 1-18), it was shown that this region of the molecule was as effective as the full-length protein in decreasing lipid synthesis and the accumulation of cholesterol and phospholipid. The implications of these findings for atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease are discussed.

The human apoSAA proteins comprise both acute phase (apoSAA1, apoSAA2) and constitutive (apoSAA4) isoforms; all are expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions as well as in liver. Recombinant acute phase apoSAA binds cholesterol with an affinity of approximately 170 nM and enhances cholesterol uptake by HepG2 cells (J. Lipid Res. 1995. 36:37-46). In the present study, we sought to define the region of acute phase apoSAA involved in cholesterol binding and to investigate the ability of constitutive apoSAA4 to bind cholesterol. Binding of [3H]cholesterol to apoSAAp was inhibited by unlabeled cholesterol (1-100 nM), but not significantly by vitamin D and estradiol. Direct binding of acute phase, but not constitutive, apoSAA to the surfaces of polystyrene microtiter wells was strongly diminished in the presence of cholesterol. The ability of apoSAAp to bind cholesterol was inhibited by antibodies to human apoSAA1 and to peptide 1-18 of apoSAA1. There was only slight inhibition of cholesterol binding by antibodies to peptide 40-63, and no inhibition by antibodies to peptides spanning regions containing amino acid residues 14-44 and 59-104. [3H]cholesterol uptake by neonatal rabbit aortic smooth muscle and HepG2 cells was enhanced by a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 1-18 of hSAA1, but not by peptides corresponding to amino acids 1-18 of hSAA4. [3H]cholesterol uptake by HepG2 cells was slightly increased by a peptide corresponding to amino acids 40-63 of hSAA1. These findings suggest that apoSAA modulates the local flux of cholesterol between cells and lipoproteins during inflammation and atherosclerosis.

To assess acute-phase proteins in relation to ageing, we measured serum concentrations of C-reactive protein of AGP in 131 healthy elderly individuals (aged >/= 65 years) living independently in the community, and 47 healthy younger individuals. Concentrations of CRP in the older persons (median = 3.0 microg/ml) were significantly greater than in the younger group (median = 0.9 microg/ml, p = 0. 0003). Concentrations of SAA and AGP were similar in the two groups, but AGP glycosylation forms with reduced binding affinity for concanavalin-A (changes that have been observed in chronic inflammatory states) were increased in the elderly sample (p<0.0001). These findings suggest that both quantitative and qualitative alterations of acute-phase proteins occur with physiological ageing in humans.

To learn about the effects of chronic exposure to IL-1 we generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse line that expresses human IL-1 beta under the control of the lens alpha-A crystallin promoter. Expression of human IL-1 beta was restricted to the eye; neither the protein nor its mRNA were detected in various other organs of the Tg mice. The Tg mice develop severe ocular inflammation shortly after birth, which affects the lens and other eye tissues and apparently allows the release of IL-1 into the circulation. Here we report that the Tg mice exhibit decreased responsiveness to IL-1 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as compared to their wild-type littermate controls: (1) when injected with IL-1 the Tg mice produced lower levels of serum amyloid A than their controls; (2) thymocytes of the Tg mice responded less vigorously in culture to stimulation with IL-1; and (3) Tg mice showed lower morbidity and mortality than their controls when injected with toxic amounts of LPS. These data suggest that chronic exposure to IL-1 in the Tg mice induces partial resistance to this cytokine, analogous to the reduced responsiveness to IL-1 in animals pretreated with this proinflammatory cytokine.

Background: The receptor of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) contains the signal transduction protein gp130, which is also a component of the receptors of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-11, and oncostatin M. This suggests that these cytokines might share common signaling pathways. We previously reported that CNTF augments the levels of corticosterone (CS) and of IL-6 induced by IL-1 and induces the production of the acute-phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA). Since the elevation of serum CS is an important feedback mechanism to limit the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF), we have investigated the effect of CNTF on both TNF production and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) toxicity., Materials and Methods: To induce serum TNF levels, LPS was administered to mice at 30 mg/kg i.p. and CNTF was administered as a single dose of 10 micrograms/mouse i.v., either alone or in combination with its soluble receptor sCNTFR alpha at 20 micrograms/mouse. Serum TNF levels were the measured by cytotoxicity on L929 cells. In order to measure the effects of CNTF on LPS-induced TNF production in the brain, mice were injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) with 2.5 micrograms/kg LPS. Mouse spleen cells cultured for 4 hr with 1 microgram LPS/ml, with or without 10 micrograms CNTF/ml, were also analyzed for TNF production., Results: CNTF, administered either alone or in combination with its soluble receptor, inhibited the induction of serum TNF levels by LPS. This inhibition was also observed in the brain when CNTF and LPS were administered centrally. In vitro, CNTF only marginally affected TNF production by LPS-stimulated mouse splenocytes, but it acted synergistically with dexamethasone (DEX) in inhibiting TNF production. Most importantly, CNTF administered together with sCNTFR alpha protected mice against LPS-induced mortality., Conclusions: These data suggest that CNTF might act as a protective cytokine against TNF-mediated pathologies both in the brain and in the periphery.

Inbred strains of mice provide a model for studies of the pathogenesis of amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. All susceptible strains of mice described to date codominantly express two serum amyloid A (apoSAA) isoforms, apoSAA1 and apoSAA2, of which only apoSAA2 serves as a precursor for amyloid fibrils. In previous studies, we have shown that the CE/J strain, which produces a single, novel apoSAA isoform, apoSAACE/J, is amyloid resistant. In the present study amyloid-resistant CE/J females were mated with amyloid-susceptible CBA/J males to produce F1 hybrid offspring which were then backcrossed to the parental CBA/J mouse strain. Amyloid susceptibility was determined in 30 backcrossed mice 72 h after injection of murine amyloid enhancing factor and silver nitrate. ApoSAA isoforms in plasma were separated by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis and visualized after immunoblotting with anti-AA antiserum. Amyloid A fibrils in spleen homogenates were denatured by formic acid and AA protein was quantified by ELISA using anti-mouse apoSAA antibodies. Values < 5 apoSAA equivalent units were considered negative. 13 mice expressed an apoSAA1 and apoSAA2 doublet characteristic of CBA/J mice, whereas 17 mice, expressed the apoSAACE/J isoform codominantly with apoSAA1 and apoSAA2. The correlation of amyloid resistance to expression of the apoSAACE/J isoform was absolute (17/17 were negative; mean score 2.6 +/- 0.17 [standard error of the mean] apoSAA equivalent units) and the correlation between amyloid susceptibility and the expression of apoSAA2/apoSAA1 was also striking (12/13 were amyloid positive; mean score 47.9 +/- 9.0 [standard error of the mean] apoSAA equivalent units (P < 0.001). This is not significantly different from the 50% segregation of apoSAA phenotypes expected for linkage to a single gene. These results indicate that a single gene governs apoSAACE/J expression and thus confers protection against amyloid deposition even in the presence of apoSAA1 and apoSAA2 isoforms and show for the first time that resistance to AA amyloidosis is a dominant trait governed by a single gene.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) supports the survival of ciliary ganglion neurons and was shown to induce the synthesis of acute-phase proteins and fever. We studied the effect of CNTF, alone or in association with IL-1, on levels of corticosterone (CS), glucose, serum amyloid A (SAA), and IL-6. We also compared the effect of CNTF with that of IL-6, since the gp130 receptor subunit for CNTF is shared with that of IL-6. A single intravenous injection of CNTF induced hypoglycaemia and SAA and potentiated IL-1-induced CS and IL-6. Chronic CNTF, but not IL-6, resulted in decreased food intake and body weight up to days 6-7. After this time, body weight and food intake recovered even if CNTF treatment was continued, indicating that a phenomenon of tolerance occurred. Finally, CNTF (unlike IL-1) was not toxic in adrenalectomized mice. Therefore the similarities of CNTF activities with those of other cytokines, particularly IL-6, might go beyond the activation of the same receptor-signal transduction pathway of IL-6.

During acute inflammation, the serum amyloid A (apoSAA) proteins apoSAA1 and apoSAA2 are transiently associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL) in concentrations of as much as 1000-fold more than their concentrations during homeostasis; however, their effect on HDL function is unclear. Recombinant apoSAAp, a hybrid of the closely related human apoSAA1 and apoSAA2 isoforms, was found to exhibit a high affinity for cholesterol. The adsorption of apoSAAp to polystyrene microtiter wells at physiological pH, temperature, and salt concentration was inhibited and reversed by cholesterol. ApoSAAp, to a greater extent than apoA-I, albumin, or fetal bovine serum, enhanced diffusion of cholesterol from HDL across a membrane that retained molecules > 3.5 kDa. Cholesterol from 25 nM to 125 microM inhibited binding of [3H]cholesterol to 167 nM apoSAAp. A cholesterol binding assay was developed to determine the dissociation constant for binding of [3H]cholesterol to apoSAAp; Kd = 1.7 +/- 0.3 x 10(-7) M and the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) is 1.1 +/- 0.1 mol/mol. After binding cholesterol, the apparent size of apoSAAp as determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100 was increased from 12 to 23 kDa. ApoSAAp enhanced free [14C]cholesterol uptake from tissue culture medium by HepG2 cells, an effect that was dose dependent and blocked by polyclonal antibodies to human apoSAA1 and apoSAA2. ApoSAAp, unlike apoA-I, was taken up from serum-free medium by HepG2 cells and appeared to be degraded by cell-associated enzymes. Unlike peritoneal exudate cells, human HepG2 hepatoma cells do not secrete an enzyme that degrades apoSAAp. These results suggest that apoSAA can potentially serve as a transient cholesterol-binding protein.

Objective: To investigate the effects of drugs known to elevate adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on experimental amyloidosis., Methods: A beta 2-agonist, terbutaline, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, aminophylline, were administered in combination in a mouse model of amyloidosis induced by inflammatory stimulation with silver nitrate. Amyloidosis was quantitated by radioimmunoassay for splenic amyloid A (AA) protein., Results: At the doses selected, aminophylline/terbutaline inhibited splenic amyloid deposition more potently than did colchicine, a known inhibitor of amyloidosis., Conclusion: Drugs known to elevate cAMP inhibit experimental mouse AA amyloidosis.

The destruction of joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is characterized by an imbalance of enzyme catalysed cartilage breakdown and regeneration. A complex cytokine network perpetuates joint conditions by direct regulation of metalloproteases, by indirect recruitment of cells that secrete degradative enzymes, and by inhibition of reparative processes. The destructive action of cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha can be modulated at multiple points associated either with cytokine production or with cytokine action. Potential agents for cytokine reduction include selective anti-cytokine antibodies, anticytokine receptor antibodies, cytokine receptor antagonist proteins, and soluble and chimeric cytokine receptor molecules. Pharmacologic regulation of IL-1 and TNFalpha remain primary targets for treatment of arthritis, and results of early clinical trials are promising. However, the results of long-term clinical trials will be required to support the value of anti-cytokine therapy in treatment of arthritis.

Inbred CE/J mice have been identified as extremely resistant to azocasein-induced amyloidosis relative to five commonly used inbred strains, A/J, CBA/J, C57BL/6J, C3H/HeN, and SJL/J. The enhanced amyloid resistance in CE/J mice seems to derive from the novel structure of the SAA gene family in CE/J mice, as determined by Southern blot hybridization analysis of SAA gene structure and isoelectric focusing analysis of acute phase SAA proteins in the six inbred strains. In CE/J mice, a single, novel SAA isoform of pI 6.15 is present, whereas in the other strains the amyloidogenic SAA2 isoform (pI 6.3) is codominantly expressed with SAA1 (pI 6.45). Two other inbred strains, PERU and IS/CAM, share common SAA specific HindIII DNA fragments with CE/J mice. Wild-derived Mus musculus mice differ from all of the inbred strains studied, both in SAA gene structure and in the pattern of SAA isoform production; two isoforms, one pI 6.15 and the other pI 6.3 (corresponding to SAA2), were codominantly expressed. Only the pI 6.15 isoform, not SAA1 and 2, was produced by CE/J mice in response to lipopolysaccharide, casein, silver nitrate, interleukin-1, or tumor necrosis factor; tumor necrosis factor was a weaker stimulus than interleukin-1 for the pI 6.15 isoform as it is for SAA1 and 2 production in the other inbred strains. This study provides a new line of evidence supporting the role of precursor structure as a determining factor in murine amyloid A amyloidosis and provides a valuable model for studies of amyloidogenesis.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) stimulates fibrinogen (Fg) gene expression both in vivo and in vitro; while interleukin 1 (IL-1) paradoxically stimulates in vivo, yet inhibits in vitro, Fg synthesis. The naturally occurring interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and passive immunization with anti-IL-6 antiserum were used to study the in vivo mechanism of action of IL-1 on Fg gene expression. Changes in plasma Fg and hepatic Fg mRNA concentrations were measured following administration of exogenous IL-1ra together with IL-6 or IL-1 to CD2F1 mice. Our results suggest that in vivo, IL-1 per se inhibits Fg production since when IL-1ra was co-administered with IL-6, greater concentrations of Fg were observed than when IL-6 was administered alone. The data suggest that IL-1 stimulates Fg production through intermediate production of IL-6, since stimulation was abrogated when either IL-1ra or anti-IL-6 antiserum was co-administered with IL-1. An in vivo role for IL-1ra in the stimulation of Fg by IL-1 was supported by the observation that within 1 h of IL-1 administration to mice, IL-1ra mRNA was detectable in liver. It appears that IL-1, an early mediator of inflammation, inhibits constitutive expression of Fg genes and stimulates the IL-1ra and IL-6 genes. The inhibitory effect of IL-1 is reversed by endogenous IL-1ra and by the direct stimulation of Fg gene expression by IL-6.

The hepatic acute phase response induced by the administration of interleukin (IL)-2 is most likely mediated by secondary cytokines. In this investigation, we examined the role of endogenous IL-1 in the synthesis of the hepatic acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) during IL-2 treatment. The injection of IL-2 induced SAA gene expression in the liver. The concurrent administration of an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) markedly reduced hepatic SAA mRNA levels and, to a lesser extent, SAA protein levels in the serum. Although IL-1 is an inducer of IL-6 production, the administration of the IL-1RA had no effect on circulating IL-6 levels in IL-2-treated mice. These findings suggest that the production of IL-1 is an important factor in the induction of SAA mRNA in mice undergoing immunotherapy with IL-2.

Four serum amyloid A protein (SAA) genes and two gene products, apo-SAA1 and apo-SAA2 were identified in BALB/c mice (type A). SJL/J mice (type B) are thought to be defective in apo-SAA2 expression. A unique variant of mouse apo-SAA was identified in SJL/J mice by isoelectric-focusing analysis of high-density lipoprotein from endotoxin-treated mice. Complete amino-acid-sequence analysis of this quantitatively major form of SJL/J apo-SAA (pI 5.9) showed it to be identical with the apo-SAA2 isoform from BALB/c mice, except for the substitution of aspartic acid for alanine at position 101. Isoform-specific analysis of mRNA from liver of BALB/c and SJL/J mice and their F1 hybrid progeny (CSJLF1/J) mice revealed further differences in the 3' untranslated regions of the genes, not only encoding apo-SAA2 and apo-SAA pI 5.9, but also apo-SAA1. The SAA genes of SJL/J mice thus differ from BALB/c in exon 4. Additional minor isoforms corresponding to apo-SAA2 (pI 6.3) in SJL/J mice and apo-SAA (pI 5.9) in BALB/c mice were identified. We propose that, when analysing a multigene family such as SAA, thorough analysis at the protein level should complement molecular-biological approaches where the use of a too-limited repertoire of probes can obscure complexities.

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA), an acute-phase reactant and apolipoprotein of high-density lipoprotein, is a polymorphic protein with six reported isoforms. These are the products of three genes, i.e., cDNA pA1, cDNA pSAA82 and genomic DNA SAAg9, the last two being allelic variants at a single locus. We have identified an individual with additional novel SAA isoforms on isoelectric-focusing analysis. By using 3-bromo-3-methyl-2-(2'-nitrophenylsulphenyl)-indolenine (BNPS-skatole) cleavage of the protein at tryptophan residues we obtained the complete amino acid sequence of a novel isoform. Additional cleavage by endoproteinase Asp-N allowed verification of the tryptophan residues and complete amino acid sequence of both isoforms. The suitability of this approach to the rapid sequencing of SAA was demonstrated. Sequence analysis and quantification suggest that these isoforms are the result of the first confirmed allelic variation at the SAA1 locus. We designate the protein products of this allele SAA1 beta (pI 6.1) and SAA1 beta des-Arg (pI 5.6).

SAA is a normal acute-phase serum protein which has been identified by its cross-reaction with antibodies to the amyloid A fibril protein, AA, that is associated with secondary amyloidosis. The induction of SAA by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been studied with 3 inhibitors of protein synthesis: cycloheximide, actinomycin D, and galactosamine. Each of the 3 agents when administered simultaneously with LPS completely abolishes induction of SAA for at least 6 h. They are all significantly effective when given 1.5 h after LPS but 3 h after LPS the inhibitory effect of actinomycin D on SAA induction is markedly reduced. Cycloheximide alone can also induce significant concentration of SAA, but a longer time is required than for LPS. Thus it appears that the acute-phase SAA response is characterized by both RNA and protein synthesis which is initiated by the acute-phase inducing agent and which precedes the appearance of elevated SAA concentrations in the serum.

The mechanism by which LPS stimulates an acute phase serum amyloid A (SAA) response in C3H mice has been studied. A factor (SAA inducer) appears in the blood of C3H/HeN (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-sensitive) mice approximately 1 h after administration of LPS, which, when passively administered, can induce C3H/HeJ mice to produce SAA although they are resistant to the LPS itself. SAA inducer has been detected in the culture medium of LPS treated C3H/HeN macrophages but not spleen cells. Thus, two stages in the induction of the acute phase SAA response are now recognized: a latent period of 2-3 h during which the SAA concentration remains at baseline values and in which SAA inducer appears, and the period of synthesis of SAA which lasts for approoximately 24 h past induction. It is proposed that a macrophage response to LPS is responsible for production of the serum mediator which induces SAA synthesis.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) gene expression and AA amyloid fibril formation were studied in A/J and SJL/J mice, two strains which have been reported to possess defects in AA fibril formation. Four types of inflammatory stimulation were employed: acute inflammation stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), chronic inflammation with casein in complete Freund's adjuvant, amyloidosis with injection of amyloid enhancing factor (AEF) together with casein in complete Freund's adjuvant, and non-amyloidogenic inflammation in the presence of AEF with injection of AEF together with LPS. Both A/J and SJL/J mice developed splenic amyloidosis 1 day after initiation of chronic inflammation in the presence of AEF. No amyloid deposits were detected during any of the other types of inflammation. Amyloidotic mice exhibited decreased amounts of SAA mRNA in liver and spleen concomitant with decreased amounts of SAA in serum. Alpha-I-acid glycoprotein mRNA was present in liver throughout the course of AEF accelerated amyloidosis, indicating that decreased SAA gene expression and AA fibril formation is not part of a general inhibitory effect of AEF on protein synthesis.

The serum precursor SAA of the secondary amyloid protein AA has been detected by solid-phase radioimmunoassay as a normal serum alpha-globulin of mol wt 160,000, which dissociates to a more stable 12,500 dalton moiety on treatment with formic acid. In 12 strains of mice, including T-cell-deficient nude mice, treated with the amyloid-inducing agents lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or casein, SAA behaved as an acute-phase reactant. SAA concentration rose to about 750 mug/ml by 24 h and returned to less than 1 mug/ml by 48 h. Since the amyloid-resistant colchicine-treated mice and AJ mice had a normal SAA response to LPS, it appears that their resistance to amyloid induction is due to the nature of their SAA processing rather than decreased SAA production. C3H/HeJ mice, which have defective B-lymphocyte responses to LPS, required extremely high dosages of LPS to cause SAA elevation, although their SAA response to casein was normal. This suggests that SAA is an acute-phase protein produced as a result of B-lymphocyte stimulation. Preliminary evidence suggests that at the height of an acute SAA response, liver homogenates are particularly rich in protein AA cross-reacting material.

SAA is a normal acute-phase serum protein and is thought to be the precursor of amyloid protein AA which is deposited as insoluble beta-pleated sheet fibrils in secondary amyloidosis. Native SAA has a molecular weight of 160,000 and has not been isolated; it has been most frequently purified as a species (designated SAAL) of 12,500 mol. wt. by gel filtration in dissociating solutions. The conformational properties of SAA proteins in patients with and without amyloidosis have been compared in an effort to determine the factors involved in the induction of the beta-pleated sheet conformation in the amyloid SAA protein prior to fibril deposition. Amyloid and nonamyloid SAA proteins are similar in that they readily undergo conformational changes which result in the formation of heterogenous mol. wt. SAA species and in an increased exposure of antigenic determinants which cross-react with AA fibril proteins. Amyloid and nonamyloid SAA are different, however, in that amyloid SAA is more resistant to dissociation to SAAL. Amyloid SAAL, while similar to nonamyloid SAAL in immunoreactivity, shows a greater tendency toward aggregation. The relative resistance of both amyloid SAA and SAAL to complete dissociation may play an important role in amyloid fibril formation from these precursors.

Isolated Morris hepatoma cells (line 7777) or adult rat hepatocytes were cultured for 3 days and daily production of four plasma proteins was estimated in the cell media by rocket immunoelectrophoresis with monospecific antisera. Addition of cytokines from rat peritoneal macrophages to cultured hepatocytes or hepatoma cells augmented accumulation in the medium of two positive acute phase proteins: fibrinogen (FIB) and cysteine proteinase inhibitor (CPI). At the same time synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was inhibited in hepatoma cells but remained undetectable in hepatocytes. Rat macrophage cytokines typically depressed synthesis of albumin (ALB) in cultured rat hepatocytes but increased production of this protein by hepatoma cells.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) has been implicated by three independent studies to increase in concentration with ageing. The present study measured SAA concentration in 395 samples from 302 healthy individuals ranging in age from 21 to 100 years. The average SAA concentration was 20 microgram/ml, with only five serum samples falling below 5 microgram/ml. SAA concentrations are expressed in terms of cross-reactivity of purified, denatured SAA with anti-AA antibodies, rather than the purified, denatured amyloid fibril protein AA from tissues, which has been used in the past. No age-related increase in SAA concentration was observed in the present study. The average SAA concentration in these normal, healthy individuals was almost a hundred-fold less than values measured in acute phase human serum in a separate study with the same reagents.

Regulation of the in vitro synthesis of the serum amyloid proteins A and P has been studied with hepatocyte cultures from CBA/J and C3H/HeJ mice. Liver cells were isolated by the collagenase perfusion technique and established for 48 h in the presence of fetal calf serum. Viable cells could then be maintained in the absence of serum for at least 72 h and in the presence of serum for up to 2 weeks. Serum amyloid A synthesis differed from serum amyloid P synthesis in three significant ways. 1) Serum amyloid A production was stimulated in the presence of fetal calf serum, whereas serum amyloid P was not; 2) serum amyloid A synthesis was increased 200% by monokine-rich macrophage supernatants while serum amyloid P was increased only 10 to 20%; 3) serum amyloid A synthesis was strikingly resistant to cycloheximide inhibition as compared with serum amyloid P and other liver proteins. It is concluded that the in vivo asynchrony of the acute phase serum amyloid A and serum amyloid P responses results at least in part from differences in regulatory mechanisms for their synthesis by hepatocytes.

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations were determined in 62 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Forty-seven patients had normal or slightly elevated SAA levels (less than 1000 ng/ml = micrograms/l), while 15 patients had moderately to markedly elevated SAA levels, similar to those observed in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (greater than or equal to 1000 ng/ml = micrograms/l). Five patients with PSS had SAA levels corresponding to those observed in amyloidosis secondary to RA. High SAA was associated with more severe skin thickening and diminished cumulative survival at five years. The rarity of amyloidosis secondary to PSS is unlikely to be related to an intrinsic defect in SAA production.

During the acute phase response to tissue injury or inflammation, the concentration of several plasma proteins change. Previous work (29-34) suggested a role for interleukin 1 (IL-1) in the acute phase response. The availability of recombinant-generated mouse IL-1 prompted a study designed to directly test the function of IL-1 and its mechanism of action on hepatic synthesis of two positive acute phase proteins (serum amyloid A [SAA] and complement factor B), and a negative acute phase reactant (albumin). Intravenous injection of purified recombinant-generated murine-IL-1 into C3H/HeJ endotoxin-resistant mice induced a dose-dependent increase in SAA-specific hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA), and an increase in SAA plasma protein concentration. In primary murine hepatocyte cultures, both the recombinant IL-1 and highly purified human IL-1 induced a dose- and time-dependent, reversible increase in expression of the SAA and factor B genes, and a decrease in albumin gene expression. This regulation is pretranslational, since the kinetics and direction of change in specific mRNA for SAA, factor B, and albumin correspond to the changes in synthesis of the respective proteins. Moreover, the effect of IL-1 was specific, since actin gene expression was unaffected, and the IL-1 response was inhibited by antibody specific for IL-1. These data provide direct evidence that a single mediator, IL-1, can effect the positive and negative changes in specific hepatic gene expression characteristic of the acute phase response.

Infection or inflammation triggers the rapid appearance in the blood of a group of proteins known as acute phase reactants. Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) is an acute phase protein which is believed to be the precursor for the secondary amyloid fibril protein, known previously as amyloid of unknown origin, and now as amyloid A protein (AA). The site of synthesis of SAA has been controversial, with previous evidence suggesting that AA related proteins arise in liver, connective tissues, polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes and spleen. However, in none of these systems could SAA synthesis be induced in vitro and the evidence rested on studies of tissues or cells arising from pre-stimulated animals. Our aim in the present studies was to prove that the liver is capable of SAA production and to identify the specific cell responsible for synthesis. The experiments demonstrate that SAA is synthesized in the liver by hepatocytes. In addition, colchicine, currently used for the treatment of amyloidosis, blocks the secretion of SAA from the hepatocyte, as has been shown for another acute phase reactan, C-reactive protein.

Secondary amyloidosis is a complication of diseases characterized by recurrent acute inflammation. In this study, a standardized stimulus which induced fever and inflammation was given to six normal subjects (19-24 yr old) to follow the fluctuation in concentration of serum amyloid A (SAA), the precursor of the secondary amyloid fibril protein. After a single intramuscular injection of etiocholanolone (0.3 mg/kg), blood samples were drawn twice a day for 12 days for determination of SAA by solid phase radioimmunoassay. From a base line of <100 mug/ml, the SAA concentration began rising within 12 h to a maximum value at about 48 h of 1,350-1,800 mug/ml in three males and 380-900 mug/ml in three females and returned to base line by 4-5 days. The SAA response showed a similar time response to C-reactive protein (CRP), a well-documented acute phase protein which was assayed semiquantitatively by capillary tube precipitin reaction. CRP, but not SAA, showed a quantitative correlation with the amount of fever induced by etiocholanolone. One subject exhibited a second rise in SAA and CRP concentrations after acute over-indulgence with alcohol, suggesting that acute liver damage may have caused an acute phase reaction. Thus, a controlled episode of fever and inflammation produced a prompt and prolonged elevation of SAA and CRP concentrations. Unlike SAA, CRP has not been implicated in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis, although its relationship to the P component of amyloid has recently been established.

Bacterial endotoxins or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) elicit a variety of biologic activities in intact animals and various in vitro systems. LPS from most gram-negative bacteria have appeared to have similar biologic activities regardless of the species of origin or method of preparation of the LPS. More recent studies have suggested differences in the effects of protein-rich as opposed to protein-free LPS in inducing mitogenesis of lymphocytes from endotoxin-resistant C3H/HeJ mice. These studies examine other activities of endotoxin-associated protein (EAP), purified to less than 0.007% contamination with LPS, and demonstrate that this material has activity mimicking some of the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1). EAP proved to be as potent as LPS in eliciting rises in concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA) and was active in both endotoxin-sensitive (CF1) and endotoxin-resistant (C3H/HeJ) mice. In contrast to LPS, which mediates its SAA-inducing activity by release of an inducer (IL-1) from LPS-stimulated macrophages, EAP appeared to act directly to induce SAA production, in that incubation with macrophages failed to increase its activity. EAP also exhibited IL-1-like activity in the lymphocyte-activating factor assay when both CF1 and C3H/HeJ thymocytes and macrophages were tested. The lymphocyte-activating factor activity of EAP was not blocked by addition of polymyxin B. In addition, EAP exerted stimulatory activity on resting human T lymphocytes, costimulated with Sepharose-bound anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody 64.1, comparable to that observed with purified human monocyte IL-1. These studies indicate that proteins from procaryotic cells may act as cytokines for some eucaryotic cells.

An amyloid fibril protein of unknown origin from a patient with systemic amyloidosis has been purified to homogeneous charge and size by gel filtration and two step isoelectric focusing. From crude antisera to the initial heterogeneous fibril protein, monospecific antibodies have been obtained by immunoabsorption with the immobilized purified amyloid protein. These antibodies have been used to identify an antigenically related serum component in whole sera of patients with and without amyloidosis. Chromatography on Sephadex G-200 in phosphate buffered saline of a patient's whole serum yields a component with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 200,000. Guanidine denaturation of this high-molecular-weight serum component followed by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography in 5 M guanidine affords an antigenically reactive protein with an apparent molecular weight of about 12,500. The antigenic similarity and molecular weight of the latter protein indicates that it could act as the smallest serum precursor of the tissue fibril protein in this group of cases of amyloidosis.

The method of preparing solid-phase immunosorbents by covalently attaching proteins from whole human serum to cyanogen bromide-activated agarose has been investigated to determine optimum concentrations of cyanogen bromide and protein, and the optimum pH for the maximum attachment of proteins from serum. Two systems in which the above immunosorbents have proved useful are described: the removal of antibodies to normal serum proteins from anti-hepatitis B serum and the removal of light chain antibodies from anti-human immunoglobulin M serum.

Double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) extracted from purified reoviruses of all three serotypes and from type 3 virus-infected cells was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was calculated that each RNA includes 10 segments: 3 large, 3 intermediate, and 4 small fragments corresponding to molecular weights of about 2.5, 1.4, and 0.8 x 10(6) daltons, respectively, or a total of 15 x 10(6) daltons.

A solid-phase immunoadsorbent capable of binding mouse interferon has been prepared. Starting from crude tissue-culture material, interferon could be purified 1990 times in a single step of affinity chromatography. Overall recovery ranged from 55 to 103% with tissue culture and mouse-brain interferon; however, only 5% was obtained with Sendai virus-induced interferon from mouse serum.