Evaluating the role of interleukin-2 and interleukin-12 in pediatric patients with concurrent Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Epstein-Barr virus infections

BACKGROUND Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)frequently causes respiratory infections in children,whereas Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)typically presents subclinical manifestations in immunocompetent pediatric populations.The incidence of MP and EBV coinfections is often overlooked clinically,with the contributory role of EBV in pulmonary infections alongside MP remaining unclear.AIM To evaluate the serum concentrations of interleukin-2(IL-2)and interleukin-12(IL-12)in pediatric patients with MP pneumonia co-infected with EBV and assess their prognostic implications.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from patients diagnosed with MP and EBV co-infection,isolated MP infection,and a control group of healthy children,spanning from January 1,2018 to December 31,2021.Serum IL-2 and IL-12 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Logistic regression was employed to identify factors influencing poor prognosis,while receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves evaluated the prognostic utility of serum IL-2 and IL-12 levels in co-infected patients.RESULTS The co-infection group exhibited elevated serum IL-2 and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels compared to both the MP-only and control groups,with a reverse trend observed for IL-12(P<0.05).In the poor prognosis cohort,elevated CRP and IL-2 levels,alongside prolonged fever duration,contrasted with reduced IL-12 levels(P<0.05).Logistic regression identified elevated IL-2 as an independent risk factor and high IL-12 as a protective factor for adverse outcomes(P<0.05).ROC analysis indicated that the area under the curves for IL-2,IL-12,and their combination in predicting poor prognosis were 0.815,0.895,and 0.915,respectively.CONCLUSION Elevated serum IL-2 and diminished IL-12 levels in pediatric patients with MP and EBV co-infection correlate with poorer prognosis,with combined IL-2 and IL-12 levels offering enhanced predictive accuracy.

The in vitro Anti Hptocarcinoma Effects of Human Interleukin-12 from Transgenic Potato

[Objective]The aim was to examine the anti heptocarcinoma effects of human interleukin-12（hIL-12） from transgenic potatoes.[Method]Human heptocarcinoma cell line HepG22.2.15 was cocultured with human peripherial blood monocyte（PBMC）.Human IL-12 extracted from its transgenic patatoes was introduced to this coculture system.MTT method and laser confocal microscope were then employed to evaluate its survival rates and morphological changes of HepG22.2.15 cell line.[Result]The HepG22.2.15 survival rate of the plant produced hIL-12 treated group was significantly lower than that of the wild type control,while similar to that of commercial purified recombinant hIL-12 group.As indicated by AnnexinV/PI double staining laser confocal microscope,cocultured heptocarcinoma cells showed the typical early and final phase apoptotic morphological characteristics 48 hours after 2 × 10-4 mg/L potato secreted hIL-12 treatment.[Conclusion] These results demonstrated that Heptocarcinoma HepG22.2.15 cell growth could be actively inhibited by the transgenic potato expressed hIL-12 in vitro.

An effective vaccine against colon cancer in mice:Use of recombinant adenovirus interleukin-12 transduced dendritic cells

AIM： To investigate the effect of a vaccine with recombinant adenovirus interleukin-12 （AdVIL-12） transduced dendritic cells （DCs） against colon cancer in mice. METHODS： DCs and AdVIL-12 were incubated together at different time intervals and at different doses. Supernatant was collected and tested for IL-12 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. In order to determine whether tumor cell lysate-pulsed （TP） AdVIL-12/DCs enhance therapeutic potential in the established tumor model, CT26 colon tumor cells were implanted subcutaneously （s.c.） in the midflank of naive BALB/c mice. Tumor-bearing mice were injected with a vaccination of CT26 TP AdVIL-12/DCs on d 3 and 10. As a protective colon tumor model, naive BALB/c mice were immunized s.c. in their abdomens with CT26 TP AdVIL-12/DCs twice at seven day intervals. After the immunization on d 7, the mice were challenged with a lethal dose of CT26 tumor cells and survival times were evaluated. Subsequently, cytotoxic T lymphocyte （CTL） activity and interferon gamma （IFNy） secretion was evaluated in the immunized mice, and assayed CTL ex vivo. RESULTS： Murine DCs were retrovirally transduced with AdVIL-12 efficiency, and the AdVIL-12 transduced DCs secreted a high level of IL-12 （AdVIL-12/DCs, 615.27 ± 42.3 pg/mL vs DCs, 46.32 ± 7.29 pg/mL, P 〈 0.05）. Vaccination with CT26 TP AdVIL-12/DCs could enhance anti-tumor immunity against CT26 colon tumor in murine therapeutic models （tumor volume on d 19：CT26 TP AdVIL-12/DCs 107 ± 42 mm^3 vs CT26 TP DCs 383± 65 mm^3, P 〈 0.05） and protective models. Moreover, the CT26 TP AdVIL-12/DC vaccination enhances tumor-specific CTL activity, producing high levels of IFN7 in immunized mice. Ex vivo primed T cells with AdVIL-12/DCs were able to induce more effective CTL activity than in primed T cells with CT26 TP/DCs （E：T = 100：1, 69.49% ± 6.11% specific lysis vs 37.44% ＋ 4.32% specific lysis, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： Vaccination with recombinant AdVIL-12 transduced DC pulsed tumor cell lysate enhance antitumor immunity specific to colon cancer in mice.

Expression and significance of intratumoral interleukin-12 and interleukin-18 in human gastric carcinoma

AIM: To explore the effect of intratumoral expressions of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) on clinical features, angiogenesis and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. METHODS: The expressions of IL-12 and IL-18 from 50 samples of gastric cancer tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and microvessel density (MVD) was determined with microscopic imaging analysis system. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of IL-12 and IL-18 were 44% (22/50) and 26% (13/50), respectively. IL-12 was significantly associated with pathologic differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and TNM stage, and IL-18 was closely related to distant metastasis. Intratumoral IL-12 and IL-18 expressions were not statistically related to MVD scoring. IL-12-positive patients survived significantly longer than those with IL-12-negative tumors, but there was no significant difference between IL-18-positive patients and IL-18-negative ones. The multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model revealed IL-12, MVD and T stage were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The positive expressions of IL-12 and IL-18 can play an important role in progression and metastasis of gastric cancer, and IL-12 might be an independent factor of poor prognosis in gastric carcinoma.

Interleukin-12 and Th1 immune response in Crohn’s disease: Pathogenetic relevance and therapeutic inplication

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that share clinical and pathological characteristics. The most accredited hypothesis is that both CD and UC result from a deregulated mucosal immune response to normal constituents of the gut microflora. Evidence, however, indicates that the main pathological processes in these two diseases are distinct. In CD, the tissue- damaging inflammatory reaction is driven by activated type 1 helper T-cell (Th1), whereas a humoral response predominates in UC. Consistently, a marked accumulation of macrophages making interleukin (IL)-12, the major Th1-inducing factor, is seen in CD but not in UC mucosa. Preliminary studies also indicate that administration of a monoclonal antibody blocking the IL-12/p40 subunit can be useful to induce and maintain clinical remission in CD patients. Notably, the recently described IL-23 shares the p40 subunit with IL-12, raising the possibility that the clinical benefit of the anti-IL-12/p40 antibody in CD may also be due to the neutralization of IL-23 activity. This review summarizes the current information on the expression and functional role of IL-12 and IL- 12-associated signaling pathways both in patients with CD and experimental models of colitis, thus emphasizing major differences between IL-12 and IL-23 activity on the development of intestinal inflammation.

Study of recombinant human interleukin-12 for treatment of complications after radiotherapy for tumor patients

AIM To evaluate the treatment effects of recombinant human interleukin-12(rh IL-12) on radiotherapy complications, such as severe myelosuppression or pancytopenia, the decline or imbalance of immune function, etc.METHODS The patients received high-dose and short-course precise radiotherapy, such as Cyber knife and image-guided radiotherapy(IGRT), which can cause myelosuppression or pancytopenia and immune function decline within a short time. One-hundred subjects were enrolled in the study, and 50 were randomized to a treatment group which used rh IL-12 and 50 were randomized to a control group which used symptomatic and supportive therapy after radiotherapy. The 50 subjects in the treatment group were further divided into five subgroups and intervenedwith rh IL-12 at a dose of 50, 100, 150, 200 or 250 ng/kg respectively. The dose-effect relationship was observed. RESULTS Rh IL-12 significantly attenuated the decrease of peripheral blood cells in the treatment group, and immune function was improved after treatment. Due to the different radiation doses, there was a fluctuation within 12 h after treatment but mostly showing an increasing trend. As to the clinical manifestations, 2 patients in the 250 ng/kg subgroup showed low fever after administration, 1 patient in the 200 ng/kg subgroup and 2 patients in the 250 ng/kg subgroup showed mild impairment of liver function during the observation period.CONCLUSION Rh IL-12 has effective therapeutic and protective effects on complications following radiotherapy, such as the decline of blood cells, myelosuppression and the decline or imbalance of immune function, which indicated good prospects for development and application.

Interleukin-12 as a Genetic Adjuvant Enhances Hepatitis C Virus NS3 DNA Vaccine Immunogenicity

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infection is a worldwide health problem, and numerous efforts have been invested to develop novel vaccines. An efficient vaccine requires broad immune response induction against viral proteins. To achieve this goal, we constructed a DNA vaccine expressing nonstructural 3 (NS3) gene (pcDNA3.1-HCV-NS3) and assessed the immune response in C57BL/6 mice. In this study, the NS3 gene was amplified with a nested-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method using sera of HCV-infected patients with genotype 1a. The resulting NS3 gene was subcloned into a pcDNA3.1 eukaryotic expression vector, and gene expression was detected by western blot. The resultant DNA vaccine was co-administered with interleukin-12 (IL-12) as an adjuvant to female C57BL/6 mice. After the final immunizations, lymphocyte proliferation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine levels were assessed to measure immune responses. Our data suggest that co-administration of HCV NS3 DNA vaccine with IL-12 induces production of significant levels of both IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ (p<0.05). Cytotoxicity and lymphocyte proliferation responses of vaccinated mice were significantly increased compared to control (p<0.05). Collectively, our results demonstrated that co-administration of HCV NS3 and IL-12 displayed strong immunogenicity in a murine model.

Relationship of Serum Interleukin-18 and Interleukin-12 Levels with Clinicopathology in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective： To investigate the relationship between serum interleukin-18 and interleukin-12 levels and clinicopathology of renal cell carcinoma. Methods： Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 20 healthy volunteers and 60 patients with renal cell carcinoma before curative surgery. IL-12 and IL-18 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results： Mean serum IL-12 and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients with renal cell carcinoma compared with healthy volunteers （P〈0.05） and mean serum IL-12 and IL-18 levels increased in patients as the pathologic stage progressed. A positive correlation was observed between serum IL-12 and IL-18 levels （P〈0.05）. In patients with renal cell carcinoma, increasing serum IL-12 and IL-18 levels correlated with pathological stage and Fuhrman grade. Conclusion： Serum IL-12 and IL-18 might be useful tumor markers in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Immune Killing Activity of Lymphocytes on Hela Cells Expressing Interleukin-12 In Vitro

The killing effects of lymphocytes on Hela cells expressing interleukin-12 （IL-12） in vitro were explored. By using gene transfection technique, full length IL-12 gene was transfected into Hela cells. The expression of IL-12 in Hela cells was detected quantitatively by ELISA; Changes in killing effects of lymphocytes on Hela cells expressing IL-12 were observed by MTT. It was found that Hela cells could express IL- 12 between 24 h and 72 h after transfection. Killing activity of lymphocytes on Hela cells expressing IL-12 was significantly enhanced. It was concluded by cell transfection technique, Hela cells could express 1L-12 and were more easily killed by lymphocytes.

Modulation of cellular and humoral immune responses to anHIV-1 DNA vaccine by interleukin-12 and interleukin-18 DNA immunization

Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-18 (IL-18)DNA immunization on immune response induced by HIV-1 DNA vaccine and to explore new strategies for therapeutic HIV DNA vaccine. Methods: The recombinant expression vector pCI-neoGAG was constructed by inserting HIV Gag gene into the eukaryotic expression vector pCI-neo. Balb/c mice were immunized with pCI-neoGAG alone or co-immunized with the DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18.Anti-HIV antibody and IFN-γ were tested by ELISA,and splenocytes were isolated for detecting antigen-specific lymphoproliferative responses and specific CTL response by MTT assay and LDH assay respectively. Results: The anti-HIV antibody titers of mice co-immunized with pCI-neoGAG and the DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18 were lower than that of mice immunized with pCI-neoGAG alone(P<0.01). In contrast, the IFN-γ level of mice co-immunized with pCI-neoGAG and the DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18 was higher than that of mice immunized with pCI-neoGAG alone (P<0.01).Furthermore, compared with mice injected with pCI-neoGAG alone, the specific CTL cytotoxity activity and antigen-specific lymphoproliferative responses of mice immunized with pCI-neoGAG and the DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18 were significantly enhanced respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: The DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18 together with HIV DNA vaccine may enhance specific Th-1 responses and cellular immune response elicited in mice. Hence, the DNA encoding for IL-12 or IL-18 are promising immune adjuvants for HIV-1 DNA vaccine.

Gα12 Regulates Interleukin-8 Expression after Epithelial Cell Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients and is strongly correlated with increased morbidity, mortality, and prolonged hospitalization. However, signals that determine whether injured tissues following AKI will repair or fibrose and lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well defined. Numerous cytokines are activated at various times after injury and recruit inflammatory cells. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is upregulated following activation of Gα12 by H2O2, a reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, we study this occurrence in vitro and in vivo. IL-8 was measured by ELISA in Gα12-silenced (si-Gα12) and inducible QLα12 (constitutively active Gα12) Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (QLα12-MDCK) cell lines after H2O2/catalase cell injury. QLα12- and si-Gα12 MDCK cells showed time-, agonist- and Gα12-dependent increases in IL-8 mRNA and protein. Gα12-silenced MDCK cells demonstrated lower IL-8 expression and blunted IL-8 increases. In transgenic mice (QLα12γGTCre+, proximal tubule Qα12 expression) ischemia reperfusion injury led to significant upregulation of CXCL-1 (IL-8 homologue) at 48 hours that was not observed in Gα12 knockout mice. Macrophages in renal cells from these mice were imaged by immunofluorescent microscopy and QLα12γGTCre+ showed increased macrophage infiltration. We demonstrate that IL-8 is a critical link between H2O2 stimulated Gα12 and renal injury. Gα12 activation led to increased IL-8 expression, a potent mediator of inflammation after injury. Future studies targeting Gα12 for inhibition after injury may blunt the IL-8 response and allow for organ recovery.

Altered expression of miR-125a and dysregulated cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus: Unveiling diagnostic and prognostic markers

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is a chronic autoimmune disorder impacting multiple organs,influenced by genetic factors,especially those related to the immune system.However,there is a need for new biomarkers in SLE.MicroRNA-125a(miR-125a)levels are decreased in T cells,B cells,and dendritic cells of SLE patients.MiR-125a plays a regulatory role in controlling the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)and interleukin 12(IL-12),which are crucial pro-inflammatory cytokines in SLE pathogenesis.AIM To assess the levels of miR-125a,IL-12,and TNF-αin SLE patients’plasma,evaluating their diagnostic and prognostic value.METHODS The study included 100 healthy individuals,50 newly diagnosed(ND),and 50 SLE patients undergoing treatment.The patients were monitored for a duration of 24 wk to observe and record instances of relapses.MiR-125a expression was measured using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,while ELISA kits were used to assess IL-12 and TNF-αproduction.RESULTS The results showed significantly reduced miR-125a expression in SLE patients compared to healthy individuals,with the lowest levels in ND patients.TNF-αand IL-12 expression levels were significantly elevated in SLE patients,especially in the early stages of the disease.Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses,and Cox-Mantel Log-rank tests indicated miR-125a,TNF-α,and IL-12 as proper diagnostic biomarkers for SLE.A negative correlation was found between plasma miR-125a expression and IL-12/TNF-αlevels in SLE patients.CONCLUSION Decreased miR-125a levels may be involved in the development of SLE,while elevated levels of IL-12 and TNF-αcontribute to immune dysregulation.These findings offer new diagnostic and prognostic markers for SLE.Moreover,the negative correlation observed suggests an interaction between miR-125a,TNF-α,and IL-12.Further research is necessary to uncover the underlying mechanisms that govern these relationships.

Approach to loss of response to advanced therapies in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND Remarkable progress over the last decade has equipped clinicians with many options in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.Clinicians now have the unique opportunity to provide individualized treatment that can achieve and sustain remission in many patients.However,issues of primary non-response(PNR)and secondary loss of response(SLOR)to non-tumour necrosis factor inhibitor(TNFi)therapies remains a common problem.Specific issues include the choice of optimization of therapy,identifying when dose optimization will recapture response,establishing optimal dose for escalation and when to switch therapy.AIM To explores the issues of PNR and SLOR to non-TNFi therapies.METHODS This review explores the current evidence and literature to elucidate management options in cases of PNR/SLOR.It will also explore potential predictors for response following SLOR/PNR to therapies including the role of therapeutic drug monitoring(TDM).RESULTS In the setting of PNR and loss of response to alpha-beta7-integrin inhibitors and interleukin(IL)-12 and IL-23 inhibitors dose optimization is a reasonable option to capture response.For Janus kinase inhibitors dose optimization can be utilized to recapture response with loss of response.CONCLUSION The role of TDM in the setting of advanced non-TNFi therapies to identify patients who require dose optimization and as a predictor for clinical remission is not yet established and this remains an area that should be addressed in the future.

HBsAg对脂多糖诱导树突状细胞分泌IL-6和IL-12的影响

目的研究HBsAg对脂多糖诱导树突状细胞(DCs)分泌IL-6和IL-12的影响。方法采用重组人粒-单核集落刺激因子(rhGM—CSF)联合重组人白细胞介素4(rhIL-4)诱导单个核细胞得到未成熟树突状细胞(iDCs),分别加入HB—sAg1、2、5μg/ml,并设对照组,各组再加入脂多糖诱导为成熟DCs。采用流式细胞术鉴定各组iDCs的表型(CD11c、HLA—DR),ELISA法检测脂多糖诱导后培养上清液中IL-6和IL-12的水平。结果 iDCs的CD11C/HLA—DR双阳性率为(83.62±6.89)%,显著高于单纯培养组(20.57±11.19)%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。HBsAg 1、2、5μg/ml组培养上清液中IL-6分别为(609.36±127.06)、(566.01±173.46)、(295.03±76.08)pg/ml,低于对照组(1356.97±181.78)pg/ml(均P<0.05);HBsAg2、5μg/ml组IL-12分别为(854.49±67.92)、(472.09±55.70)pg/ml,低于对照组(1248.78±112.09)pg/ml(均P<0.05);1μg/ml组IL-12(1 103.53±134.15)pg/ml,与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论低浓度HBsAg可下调脂多糖诱导的DCs细胞因子分泌。

Elevated serum interleukin-38 level at baseline predicts virological response in telbivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To investigate serum interleukin(IL)-38 level and its clinical role in predicting virological response(VR) to telbivudine(Ld T) in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB).METHODS: The study participants were divided into two groups; one group consisted of 43 healthy controls(HCs) and the other group consisted of 46 patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive CHB. All patients were administered 600 mg of oral Ld T daily for 52 wk, and they visited physicians every 12 wk for physical examination and laboratory tests. Serum IL-38 levels were determined using ELISA. The concentrations of serum Th1- and Th2-type cytokines were measured using the cytometric bead array(CBA) method. RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-38 at baseline in all patients were higher than those in HCs [306.97(123.26-492.79) pg/m L vs 184.50(135.56-292.16) pg/m L, P = 0.019]; the levels returned to normal after the first 12 wk of treatment with Ld T [175.51(103.90-331.91) pg/m L vs 184.50(135.56-292.16) pg/m L, P > 0.05]. Serum IL-38 levels at baseline were positively associated with serum aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with CHB(r = 0.311, P = 0.036). Higher levels of serum IL-38 at baseline were associated with a greater probability of VR to Ld T treatment at 24 wk(48.15% vs 15.79%, P = 0.023) and 52 wk(66.67% vs 36.84%, P = 0.044). The levels of serum IL-38 in patients with primary nonresponse at week 12 after treatment initiation were lower than those in patients with primary response [64.44(49.85-172.08) pg/m L vs 190.54(121.35-355.28) pg/m L, P = 0.036]. Serum IL-38 levels were correlated with serum IL-6 and IL-12 levels in patients with CHB during treatment with Ld T. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum IL-38 levels in untreated CHB patients reflect ongoing liver injury. Higher serum IL-38 levels before treatment indicate a greater probability of VR to Ld T treatment.

布拉酵母菌散治疗儿童手足口病及其对患儿血清降钙素原和白介素-6、12水平影响

目的:观察布拉酵母菌散对手足口病(HFMD)患儿血清降钙素原(PCT)和白介素(IL)-6、12水平的影响及疗效。方法:HFMD患儿88例随机分为观察组和对照组。两组患儿均予以抗病毒、退热及营养支持等常规治疗。观察组加用布拉酵母菌散0.25 g,qd,温开水冲服。观察两组患儿治疗前和治疗72 h后血清PCT、IL-6、IL-12水平,并比较两组临床疗效及药品不良反应。结果:治疗72 h后,两组患儿血清PCT、IL-6、IL-12水平均有不同幅度下降(P<0.05和P<0.01),且观察组下降幅度较对照组更明显(P<0.05)。观察组患儿临床总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05);两组药品不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:布拉酵母菌散辅助治疗儿童HFMD具有较好的疗效及安全性,能降低血清PCT、IL-6、IL-12水平,可抑制患儿的免疫性炎症反应。

TREATMENT OF RAT HEPATOMA BY LOCALLY INJECTION OF MURINE IL-12 RETROVIRUS PACKAGING CELL

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of the murine IL-12 (mIL-12) retrovirus packaging cell line on hepatoma injected locally. Methods: The retrovirus vector encoding mIL-12 gene was constructed and transfected into packaging cell line PA317. The cells were then used to treat the rats with experimental orthotopic hepatoma at different time. The therapeutic effects, immune functions of the hosts, pathological and toxicological responses were documented. Results: the results showed that the mIL-12 retrovirus packaging cell line could significantly inhibit the growth of the hepatoma cells injected locally to the hepatoma. The early treatment made the rats survive long, while the medium or late stage treatment could prolong the life time of the rats compared with the bland control group or bland vector control group, though the rats did not survive. The number of NK cells and T cells increased significantly in the treatment group. The effects of the early treatment were superior to those of the medium and late stage treatment. Moreover, the transfection of IL-12 gene locally in the hepatoma tissue could make the hepatoma disappear from other liver lobe. This phenomenon demonstrated that IL-12 could activate the immune cells of the host to kill the untransfected tumor cells. This is very important for IL-12 to be used in gene therapy clinically. Meanwhile, the hepatoma would not recur in the rats that had survived more than 2 months from the early treatment after being re-challenged with tumor cells. Conclusion: the results showed that IL-12 gene injected locally in the hepatoma tissue could enhance the anti-tumor immunity of the host.

Combination therapy of murine liver cancer with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene

Objective: To investigate the synergistic anti-tumor effects of murine IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene therapy in mice bearing liver cancer. Methods: Mouse liver cancer MM45T. Li (H-2d) cells were transfected with retroviral vector containing IL-12 gene or HSV-TK gene insert. Gene-modified liver cancer cells, MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK, with stable expression of IL-12 and TK were obtained. Balb/c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 2′105 MM45T. Li cells. When the tumor reached a size of 0.5-1.0 cm, a mixture of MM45T.Li/TK cells and 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cell were injected intratumoraly. Ganciclovir (GCV) was injected ip (40 mg.kg-1.d-1) for 10 days. Intratumoral injection of 60Co-irradiated MM45T. Li/IL-12 cells was repeated twice in one week apart. Mice with distant tumors were treated according to the same protocol. CTL activity of spleen cells was measured by 51Cr-release assay and phenotype of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In mice treated with MM45T. Li/IL-12 or MM45T. Li/TK+GCV individually led to moderate reduction in tumor growth, but neither could eradicate the tumor completely, while in 60% of mice treated with a mixture of MM45T. Li/IL-12 and MM45T. Li/TK cells plus GCV, complete tumor regression was observed, with no tumor recurrence for two months. The growth of distant tumor was also inhibited significantly in mice similarly treated. Most of the mice received combined gene therapy plus GCV had abundant CD4+, CD8+T lymphocyte infiltration. Their CTL activity was significantly higher than in mice received single gene therapy. Conclusion Combination therapy with IL-12 gene and HSV-TK gene plus GCV is effective for mouse liver cancer.

Effect of IL-12 on the proliferation and cytotoxicity of CIK cells to gastric adenocarcinoma cell BGC-823

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of interleukin-12(IL-12) on the proliferation and cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer(CIK) cells in vitro. Methods: Three different combinations of cytokines, IL-2, IL-12 + IL-2, and IL-12, were used to proliferate CIK cells, adding IFN-γ, IL-1 and CD3 McAb in each one. Phenotype of the cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The cellular proliferation and cytotoxic activity were determined by cytometry and MTT assay. Results: CIK cells generated by the three methods showed high reproductive activity, and no obviously difference in inducing CD3+CD56+ cells was found among the three groups. The group of IL-2 + IL-12 evidently enhanced both the proliferation and the cytotoxicity of the CIK cells compared with the other two groups(P < 0.05). Conclusion: IL-12 could be used to induce the CIK cells as well as IL-2. CIK cells induced by combining IL-12 with IL-2 had stronger proliferative ability and higher cytotoxicity to tumor cells in vitro, which could be used as a potential anti-tumor adoptive immunotherapy in clinic.

Low Dose of IL-12 Stimulates T Cell Response in Cultures of PBMCs Derived from Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Cancer induces tolerance by suppressing immune function, modulating the T helper activity and causing an imbalance of cytokines produced by T cells. IL-12 is an immune regulatory cytokine with potent anti-tumor activity and its signalling network leads to polarization of na?ve CD4+ T cells into Th1. In pre-clinical studies, administration of recombinant IL-12 by intravenous injection or IL-12 plasmid DNA by intra-tumoral injection showed some anti-tumor effects, measurable immunological responses, but also important dose-dependent side effects. We investigated the ability of low doses of IL-12 to modulate the T cell subpopulations in cultures of PBMCs derived from Non Small Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients and to induce lysis of lung adenocarcinoma cells by T cells. PBMCs were stimulated with different doses of IL-12 and T cell phenotype was evaluated. IL-12 at 0.01 pg/ml significantly increased the number of CD4 and CD8 T cells, in particular of CD4/IFNγ producing cells. IL-12 did not stimulate T regulatory, but it increased the lysis of lung adenocarcinoma cells induced by T cells. Our results showed that low doses of IL-12 modulates T cell sub-populations in vitro and it increased their lytic activity on adenocarcinoma cells, thus we hypothesize the use of low dose of IL-12 as a therapeutic tool against pathologies characterized by a T cell imbalance, in order to promote an immuno-modulation.