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S100A8 (A8) has roles in inflammation, differentiation and development and is associated with oxidative defense. Murine A8 (mA8) is up-regulated in macrophages, fibroblasts, and microvascular endothelial cells by LPS. Glucocorticoids (GCs) amplified LPS-induced mA8 in these cells. Relative to stimulation by LPS, GCs increased mA8 gene transcription and mRNA half-life. Enhancement required new protein synthesis, IL-10 and products of the cyclooxygenase-2 pathway, and both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Protein kinase A positively and protein kinase C negatively regulated this process. Promoter analysis indicated element(s) essential for LPS and dexamethasone enhancement colocated within the region −178 to 0 bp. In the absence of glucocorticoid response elements, NF1 motif at −58 is a candidate for mediation of enhancement. Gel shift analysis detected no differences between LPS- and LPS/dexamethasone-treated complexes within this region. GCs increased constitutive levels of A8 and S100A9 (A9) mRNA in human monocytes. The synovial membrane of rheumatoid patients treated with high dose i.v. methylprednisolone contained higher numbers of A8/A9-positive macrophages than pre- or posttreatment samples. Results support the proposal that A8 has anti-inflammatory properties that may be independent of hetero-complex formation with A9 and may also enable localized defense in the absence of overriding deleterious host responses.

The functional importance of members of the S100 Ca 2؉ -binding protein family is becoming apparent. Murine (m)S100A8 (initially named CP-10) is a potent chemoattractant (10 ؊13 to 10 ؊11 M) for myeloid cells and the chemotactic activity of other S100s has since been reported, suggesting a new class of chemoattractants. Murine S100A8 has been associated with a number of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions including bacterial infection, atherogenesis, and cystic fibrosis. It is expressed constitutively with S100A9 in neutrophils and is regulated by inflammatory stimulants in macrophages and microvascular endothelial cells. The lack of co-expression of S100A9 with S100A8 in activated macrophages suggests distinct functions for the proteins expressed by different cell types. Glucocorticoids up-regulate induction of mS100A8 by inflammatory mediators, and its exquisite sensitivity to oxidation suggests that it may protect against oxidative tissue damage. Inactivation of the mS100A8 gene is embryonic lethal, providing the first evidence for non-redundant function of a member of the S100 gene family. S100A8 may have an immunoregulatory role by contributing to the regulation of fetal-maternal interactions. It may play a protective role and its absence may allow infiltration by maternal cells, a process eventually manifesting as resorption. This review focuses on the variety of emerging functions attributed to murine S100A8, a protein implicated in embryogenesis, growth, differentiation, and immune and inflammatory processes. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 549-556; 1999.

No abstract

The major cause of death in cystic fibrosis (CF) is chronic lung disease associated with persistent infection by the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S100A8, an S-100 calcium-binding protein with chemotactic activity, is constitutively expressed in the lungs and serum of CF patients. Levels of S100A8 mRNA were found to be three to four times higher in the lungs of mice carrying the G551D mutation in CF transmembrane conductance regulator compared with littermate controls. Intravenous injection of bacterial LPS induced S100A8 mRNA in the lung to a greater extent in G551D mice than in wild-type littermates. Localization of S100A8 mRNA and protein in the lung indicate that it is a marker for neutrophil accumulation. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from G551D mice were shown to also exhibit hypersensitivity to LPS, measured by induction of TNF-α. These results provide evidence that the pathology of CF relates to abnormal regulation of the immune system.