Pretreated Oenan the Javanica extract increases anti-inflammatory cytokines, attenuates gliosis, and protects hippocampal neurons following transient global cerebral ischemia in gerbils

Recently,we have reported that Oenanthe javanica extract(OJE)displays strong neuroprotective effect against ischemic damage after transient global cerebral ischemia.However,neuroprotective mechanisms of OJE have not been fully identified.Thus,this study investigated the neuroprotection of OJE in the hippocampal CA1 area and its anti-inflammatory activity in gerbils subjected to 5 minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia.We treated the animals by intragastrical injection of OJE(100 and 200 mg/kg)once daily for 1 week prior to transient global cerebral ischemia.Neuroprotection of OJE was observed by immunohistochemistry for neuronal nuclear antigen and histofluorescence staining for Fluoro-Jade B.Immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 was done for astrocytosis and microgliosis,respectively.To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of OJE,we performed immunohistochemistry of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 for pro-inflammatory function and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 for anti-inflammatory function.When we treated the animals by intragastrical administration of 200 mg/kg of OJE,hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons were protected from transient global cerebral ischemia and cerebral ischemia-induced gliosis was inhibited in the ischemic hippocampal CA1 area.We also found that interleukin-4 and-13 immunoreactivities were significantly increased in pyramidal neurons of the ischemic CA1 area after OJE pretreatment,and the increased immunoreactivities were sustained in the CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient global cerebral ischemia.However,OJE pretreatment did not increase interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha immunoreactivities in the CA1 pyramidal neurons.Our findings suggest that pretreatment with OJE can protect neurons and attenuate gliosis from transient global cerebral ischemia via increasing expressions of interleukin-4 and-13.The experimental plan of this study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee(IACUC)in Kangwon National University(approval No.KW-160802-1)on August 10,2016.

Focused evaluation of the roles of macrophages in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy associated cytokine release syndrome

Cytokine release syndrome(CRS)is a major obstacle to the widespread clinical application of chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T cell therapies.CRS can also be induced by infections(such as SARS-CoV-2),drugs(such as therapeutic antibodies),and some autoimmune diseases.Myeloid-derived macrophages play key roles in the pathogenesis of CRS,and participate in the production and release of the core CRS cytokines,including interleukin(IL)-1,IL-6,and interferon-γ.In this review,we summarize the roles of macrophages in CRS and discuss new developments in macrophage activation and the related mechanisms of cytokine regulation in CRS.

Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines profiles among Nigerian children infected with Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Objective:To examine array of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines,namely, interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-10(IL-10),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-5(IL-5), interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-12(IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) concentrations in some Nigerians with falciparum malaria.Methods:Sera were obtained from the blood samples of 96 Nigerian children with Plasmodium falciparum infection.The sera were subjected to cytokine evaluation using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abcam,UK).Results:Mean pro-inflammatory cytokines in serum of children with uncomplicated and complicated malaria were IL-5 482.2 pg/mL versus 526.7 pg/mL,IL-6 98.8 pg/mL versus 82.6 pg/mL,IL-12 24.1 pg/mL versus 15.9 pg/mL,TNF-α107 pg/mL versus 511.7 pg/mL and IFN- 7 2.1 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL.The anti-inflammatory cytokines status of IL-4 were 4.7 pg/mL versus 20.3 pg/mL,and IL-10 were 216 pg/mL versus 143.8 pg/mL in uncomplicated versus complicated/severe malaria cases.Participants with uncomplicated malaria had mean parasitaemia level of 3 158.9 parasites/μL while mean parasitaemia level for participants with complicated malaria was 12 550.5 parasite/μL and this difference was statistically significant(χ~2 =5 614.6,P【0.05).The difference between mean haemoglobin level for uncomplicated malaria(9.6 g/dL) and severe malaria(3.9 g/dL) was statistically significant (χ~2 = 2.3,P【0.05).The relationship between serum level of IL-6,IL-12,IFN-γ,IL-10 and IL-4 and ages showed positive correlation at r=0.92,0.99,0.86,0.95 and 0.85,respectively;while IL-5 and TNF-αhad negative correlation at r=-0.99 and -0.99,respectively.Conclusion: IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-10,IL-12,TNF-αand IFN-γare involved in the immunopathology and immunoregulation of uncomplicated and complicated malaria infections.IL-6,IL-12,IFN-γand IL-10 depressed in complicated/severe malaria may not provide any protective immunity and may be indicators of poor prognosis in Plasmodium falciparum infected Nigerian children.

TRAIL receptor mediates inflammatory cytokine release in an NF-κB-dependent manner

在现在的文章，我们报导 DR4 或 DR5 overexpression 戏剧性地在 293T， MDA-MB-231 和 HCT-116 房间以一种 NF-魏 B 依赖者方式激活煽动性的 cytokines IL-8， TNF- 伪， CCL20， MIP-2 和 MIP-1 尾的版本。我们显示出调停受体的信号是的那死亡细胞外域无关，而 DR4 细胞内部的领域的 overexpression 的效果是少得多有势力。表明串联的 TRADD-TRAF2-NIK-IKK 伪 / 尾，在导致 TNF 的 NF-魏 B 激活起一个必要作用，被发现涉及肿瘤坏死因素相关导致 apoptosis ligand (小道) 调停受体的信号 transduction。表明小径的 FADD-caspase，被报导了主要与 apoptosis 有关，作为与表明串联的 TRADD-TRAF2-NIK-IKK 伪 / 尾为 DR4 或 DR5 调停 overexpression 的 NF-魏 B 激活和 cytokine 分泌物和串音是必要的被识别。而且， DR5 论战的抗体(AD5-10 ) 触发了煽动性的 cytokine 版本。这些数据和以前的报告，提供小道和小道受体在发炎起一个重要作用的充分证据。

Effects of structural modification of anti-inflammatory steroidal antedrug on pro-inflammatory mediators and inhibitory cytokines in human alveolar epithelial cells

The anti-inflammatory effects of the new ster-oidal antedrug, 21-acetyloxy-9α-fluoro-11β-hy-droxyl-3, 20-dioxo-1, 4-pregnadieno-[16α, 17α-d] isoxazoline (FP-ISO-21AC), on nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) production, were inves-tigated together with its parent steroid predni-solone (PRED). PRED is one of the anti-in-flammatory steroids but has systemic side ef-fects which limit the use of it. PRED was modi-fied with ‘antedrug concept’ to create safer drugs that attack problems such as inflamma-tion, then quickly become inactive before they can cause systemic side effect. We had a test about the effect of the modified anti-inflamma-tory steroidal antedrug on anti-inflammatory activity. The present study evaluated their ability to inhibit cytokine-induced NO and IL-8 produc-tion in human alveolar epithelial cells. We also investigated their ability to enhance the expres-sion of inhibitory cytokine receptor, interleukin 22 receptor (IL-22R) in human alveolar epithelial cells. Our results showed that FP-ISO-21AC sh- owed higher ability to inhibit the cytokine - in-duced production of NO than PRED. Exogenous IL-22 was added to the media of both human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) and human lung fibroblast (HLF-1). In the presence of the ex-ogenous inhibitory cytokine IL-22, further re-duction of NO production was observed in A549 cells, which express IL-22R, but not in HLF1, which does not express IL-22R. These data suggested that the steroidal antedrugs en-hanced the expression of IL-22R. FP-ISO- 21AC showed higher potency than PRED to restore the expression of IL-22R. FP-ISO-21AC further reduced NO production to 27% and PRED further reduced NO production to 39%. In con-clusion, a synthesized steroidal antedrug FP- ISO-21AC showed higher anti-inflammatory ef-fects than PRED by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediator NO and stimulating the expression of IL-22R.

mRNA profiles of cytokine receptors in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria

This present study was aimed to investigate the roles of the receptors of Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines in the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).Thirty patients with CIU,30 patients with dermographism and 30 healthy controls were randomly enrolled.Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA of cytokine receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).The mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR),interferon-γ receptor (IFN-γR),and interleukin-10 receptor (IL-10R) were statistically increased in the CIU group (P < 0.05),while IL-2R,IL-4R,IL-6R,and IL-13R showed no significant differences between the CIU and other groups.The mRNA levels of CCR3 and CCR6 were statistically increased in the CIU group (P < 0.05).The toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) mRNA level was significantly lower in the CIU group than the healthy control group (P < 0.05).These findings indicate that the regulation of mRNA of TNFR,IFN-γR,IL-10R,CCR3,CCR6 and TLR2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of CIU.

Novel genetic variants of transferrin receptor 2 exon 4 and cytokines profile of anemic and nonanemic pregnant women in Central Java, Indonesia

Objective:To assess the association between genetic variants of transferrin receptor 2(TFR2)exon 4 and anemia status and to describe the expression levels of several cytokines,hepcidin,soluble transferrin receptor and erythropoietin.Methods:Institutional based comparative study was done randomly to recruit 106 pregnant women who attended antenatal care in three different health centers in Boyolali Regency,Central Java from May 2015 to September 2015.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of selected pregnant women and sequencing was done for TFR2 exon 4.Furthermore,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to measure the expression levels of interleukin 6,interleukin 4,transforming growth factorβand iron-metabolism related proteins such as hepcidin,soluble transferrin receptor,and erythropoietin.Gene alignment was performed by using a CLUSTAL W program.Collected data were analyzed statistically by using parametric and nonparametric tests with Statistical Product and Service Solutions(SPSS)20.0 for Windows.Results:Three novel genetic variants from TFR2 exon 4(position 603,605 and 606)were associated with anemia status.Moreover,the expression levels of interleukin 6,interleukin 4,transforming growth factorβand erythropoietin were higher in anemic pregnant women than those of nonanemic pregnant women but only erythropoietin level reached statistical significance.These results were followed by decreases of hepcidin and soluble transferrin receptor levels.Conclusions:Various factors contribute to anemia prevalence among pregnant women in Boyoali Regency,Central Java,Indonesia.Our novel findings showed that TFR2 exon 4 has 3 mutational sites in position 603,605 and 606.These novel genetic variants may provide a new insight into the role of TFR2 in anemia.

Expression of mRNA of chemokines and chemokine receptors and cytokines amount in the blood of healthy volunteers

Background: Chemokines are small proteins that activate immune system in normal and pathological conditions. The induction of chemotaxis is a well-established role of chemokines. Moreover chemokines are important mediators of angiogenesis, implantation of fetus, and maturation of immune cells. In human body many types of cells express chemokines and cytokines at level of gene and protein. In blood cells chemokine and chemokine receptors mRNA level is a one of crucial points of chemokine system condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma concentration of cyto- kines and chemokines/chemokine receptors mRNA level in blood of healthy volunteers. Results: Gene expression of eotaxin, eotaxin-2, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP- 1β, RANTES, CCR1, CCR3, CCR5, CXCR1, and CXCR2 was measured in peripheral blood cells, as well as the concentration of IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, eotaxin, FGF-2, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF was evaluated in the plasma of 19 healthy individuals. We studied rela- tionship between mRNA levels of chemokines/recaptors and cytokine concentration in blood of healthy volunteers. Conclusion: These data are allowed to assess chemokines impact in the cytokine regulation of healthy subjects. These results indicate that chemokines and their receptors is diverse and redundant system of immune reactivity in response to internal and external challenges.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor is Involved in the Proinflammatory Cytokine Response to Cadmium

Objective To investigate involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor(Ah R)in the immunomodulatory effects of cadmium(Cd).Methods The effect of Cd on Ah R activation(CYP1 A1 and CYP1 B1 m RNA expression)was examined in lung leukocytes of Cd-exposed rats(5 and 50 mg/L,30 d orally)and by in vitro leukocyte exposure.The involvement of Ah R signaling in the effects of Cd on the interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)lung leukocyte response was investigated in vitro using the receptor antagonist CH-223191.Results Cd increased CYP1 B1(in vivo and in vitro)and CYP1 A1(in vitro)m RNA,indicating Ah R involvement in the action of Cd.In response to Cd,lung leukocytes increased IL-6 and decreased TNF at the gene expression and protein levels,but decreased IL-1βproduction due to reduced NLRP3.The Ah R antagonist CH-223191 abrogated the observed effects of Cd on the cytokine response.The absence of Ah R reactivity and cytokine response to Cd of leukocytes from the lungs of a rat strain that is less sensitive to Cd toxicity coincided with a high Ah R repressor m RNA level.Conclusion Ah R signaling is involved in the lung leukocyte proinflammatory cytokine response to Cd.The relevance of the Ah R to the cytokine response to Cd provides new insight into the mechanisms of Cd immunotoxicity.

Human hematopoietic cells express two forms of thecytokine receptor common γ-chain (γc)

Recent studies have revealed that the γ-chain of theIL-2 receptor is shared by the receptors for IL-4, IL7, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-15, and it is therefore also referred toas the common γ-chain (γc). Mutations of γc result inX-linked severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome inhumans, indicating that rye is essential for normal development and function of the immune system. We demonstratethat human hematopoietic cells express two γc transcriptsdiffering in their carboxyl terminal coding region. Onetranscript is the previously reported sequence (γc-long),whereas the newly identified sequence exhibits a deletion of72 nucleotides close to the 3’-end of the open reading frame(γc-short). This alteration predicts a loss of 24 amino acidsincluding a conserved tyrosine residue which is shared byseveral members of the cytokine receptor family. Thepresence of these two distinct forms of rye transcripts wasdemonstrated by sequencing of reversely transcribed andpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplified mRNA, restriction digestion of the RT-PCR products, RNAse protection, and Northern blotting from human cell lines andhuman peripheral blood lymphocytes. Furthermore, thetwo variants were present in peripheral blood lymphocytesfrom both female and male donors, which rules out allelicvariants since rye is a single copy gene located on the Xchromosome. A truncation mutant at a site near the observed changes in γc-short has been reported by othersto alter biochemical events activated by cytokines. Thiscombined with the loss of a potential SH2 "docking" sitein γc-short suggests that γc-long and γc-short may link todifferent signaling pathways and may play an importantrole in determining the cellular response to IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, IL-15.

FUCOIDIN INHIBITS OXIDIZED LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN FROM INDUCING HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD MONOCYTE EXPRESSION OF PROINFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES mRNA

Objective To study the significance of scavenger receptor class A(SR A)in mediating human peripheral blood monocyte to uptake oxidized low density lipoprotein(OxLDL) and promoting the atherosclerotic immuno pathological lesion in the local blood vessel. Methods With the Digoxenin labeled Oligonucleotide probes In situ Hybridization, this research investigated the effects of OxLDL on the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines including MCP 1, bFGF, PDGF and IL 10 in the human peripheral blood monocyte and whether fucoidin, a peculiarly inhibitory ligand for SR A, would influence this process. Results Monocyte was significantly increased the mRNA expression of MCP 1, bFGF, PDGF and IL 10 in a dose dependent manner after incubating with OxLDL (10,15,20,25,30?mg·L -1 , respectively)for 24 hours( P < 0.001 ). Fucoidin(50,100,150,200,250?mg·mL -1 , respectively)completely inhibited OxLDL(20?mg·L -1 )from inducing monocyte the mRNA expression of above proinflammatory cytokines( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion OxLDL can stimulate human peripheral blood monocyte to give expression to proinflammatory cytokines mRNA in a dose dependent manner, while a peculiarly inhibitory ligand for SR A fucoidin has an obviously opposed role.

cytokine 的角色像受体的因素 1 在肝的星形的房间和纤维变性

AIM:To elucidate the role of cytokine receptor-like factor 1(CRLF1) in hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis.METHODS:Rat hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) were isolated by Nykodenz gradient centrifugation and activated by culturing in vitro.Differentially expressed genes in quiescent and culture activated HSCs were identified using microarrays.Injections of carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4) for 4 wk were employed to induce liver fibrosis.The degree of fibrosis was assessed by Sirius red staining.Adenovirus expressing CRLF1 was injected through tail vein into mice to achieve overexpression of CRLF1 in the liver.The same adenovirus was used to overexpress CRLF1 in quiescent HSCs cultured in vitro.Expression of CRLF1,CLCF1 and ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor(CNTFR) in hepatic stellate cells and fibrotic livers was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.Expression of profibrotic cytokines and collagens was analyzed by the same method.RESULTS:CRLF1 is a secreted cytokine with unknown function.Human mutations suggested a role in development of autonomous nervous system and a role of CRLF1 in immune response was implied by its similarity to interleukin(IL)-6.Here we show that expression of CRLF1 was undetectable in quiescent HSCs and was highly upregulated in activated HSCs.Likewise,expression of CRLF1 was very low in normal livers,but was highly upregulated in fibrotic livers,where its expression correlated with the degree of fibrosis.A cofactor of CLRF1,cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1(CLCF1),and the receptor which binds CRLF1/CLCF1 dimer,the CNTFR,were expressed to similar levels in quiescent and activated HSCs and in normal and fibrotic livers,indicating a constitutive expression.Overexpression of CLRF1 alone in the normal liver did not stimulate expression of profibrotic cytokines,suggesting that the factor itself is not pro-inflammatory.Ectopic expression in quiescent HSCs,however,retarded their activation into myofibroblasts and specifically decreased expression of type Ⅲ collagen.Inhibition of type Ⅲ collagen expression by CRLF1 was also seen in the whole liver.Our results suggest that CLRF1 is the only component of the CRLF1/CLCF1/CNTFR signaling system that is inducible by a profibrotic stimulus and that activation of this system by CLRF1 may regulate expression of type Ⅲ collagen in fibrosis.CONCLUSION:By regulating activation of HSCs and expression of type Ⅲ collagen,CRLF1 may have an ability to change the composition of extracellular matrix in fibrosis.

Impact of cytokine storm and systemic inflammation on liver impairment patients infected by SARS-CoV-2:Prospective therapeutic challenges

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a devastating worldwide pandemic infection caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome namely coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)that is associated with a high spreading and mortality rate.On the date this review was written,SARS-CoV-2 infected about 96 million people and killed about 2 million people.Several arguments disclosed the high mortality of COVID-19 due to acute respiratory distress syndrome or change in the amount of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)receptor expression or cytokine storm strength production.In a similar pattern,hepatic impairment patients co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibited overexpression of ACE2 receptors and cytokine storm overwhelming,which worsens the hepatic impairment and increases the mortality rate.In this review,the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on hepatic impairment conditions we overviewed.Besides,we focused on the recent studies that indicated cytokine storm as well as ACE2 as the main factors for high COVID-19 spreading and mortality while hinting at the potential therapeutic strategies.

In vitro modulation of TH1 and TH2 cytokine expression by edible tuber of Dioscorea alata and study of correlation patterns of the cytokine expression

The underground tuber of Dioscorea alata is a palatable food and is also claimed to have therapeutic effects.Various groups of researchers demonstrated different activities of this tuber such as antioxidant,hepatoprotective,anti-ulcer and anti-diabetic activities.Therefore,the aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory potentialities of 70%hydro-methanolic extract of D.alata underground tubers by investigating different parameters like the expression of interferon gamma(IFN-),interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4 and IL-10,in addition to its effect on the proliferation of murine splenic T-lymphocytes in vitro.Results demonstrated that D.alata can actively polarize the TH0 lymphocyte population towards the expression of TH1 immune response by up-regulating the IFN-and IL-2 expression and down-regulating the IL-4 and IL-10 expression.The tuber extract also proved to possess mitogenic activity as evidenced by the proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro.©2014 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Effect of JIANPI HUOXUE decoction on inflammatory cytokine secretion pathway in rat liver with lipopolysaccharide challenge

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Chinese traditional medicinal prescription, JIANPI HUOXUE decoction (JHD) on cytokine secretion pathway in rat liver induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats were divided into normal group (n = 4), model group (n = 10) and JHD group (n = 10) randomly. Rats in model group and JHD group were administrated with normal saline or JHD via gastrogavage respectively twice a day for 3 d. One hour after the last administration, rats were injected with LPS via tail vein, 50 μg/kg. Simultaneously, rats in normal group were injected with equivalent normal saline. After LPS stimulation for 1.5 h, serum and liver tissue were collected. Pathological change of liver tissues was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.) staining. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression of TNF-α, phosphorylated inhibit-κB (p-IκB) and CD68 in liver were assayed by Western blot. The distribution of CD68 protein in liver was observed through immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), CD14, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 in liver were assayed by real-time RT-PCR.RESULTS: Predominant microvesicular change, hepatocyte tumefaction and cytoplasm dilution were observed in liver tissues after LPS administration as well as obvious CD68 positive staining in hepatic sinusoidal. After LPS stimulation, serum TNF-α (31.35 ± 6.06 vs 12 225.40 ± 9007.03, P < 0.05), protein expression of CD68 (1.13 ± 0.49 vs 3.36 ± 1.69, P < 0.05), p-IκB (0.01 ± 0.01 vs 2.07 ± 0.83, P < 0.01) and TNF-α (0.27 ± 0.13 vs 1.29 ± 0.37, P < 0.01) in liver and mRNA expression of TNF-α (1.96 ± 2.23 vs 21.45 ± 6.00, P < 0.01), IL-6 (4.80 ± 6.42 vs 193.50 ± 36.36, P < 0.01) and TLR2 (1.44 ± 0.62 vs 4.16 ± 0.08, P < 0.01) in liver were also increased significantly. These pathological changes were all improved in JHD group. On the other hand, TLR4 mRNA (1.22 ± 0.30 vs 0.50 ± 0.15, P < 0.05) was down-regulated and CD14 mRNA increased but not significantly after LPS stimulation. CONCLUSION: JHD can inhibit cytokine secretion pathway induced by LPS in rat liver, which is probably associated with its regulation on CD68, p-IκB and endotoxin receptor TLR2.

Detection of intestinal flora levels as well as cytokine and TLRs molecule expression in patients with ulcerative colitis

Objective:To study the correlation of intestinal flora levels with cytokine and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) molecule expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods:Patients diagnosed with UC in our hospital between May 2013 and August 2016 were selected as UC group (n=57), and the feces samples as well as diseased intestinal mucosa tissue and normal intestinal mucosa tissue were collected;the healthy subjects during the same period were selected as the control group (n=80), and the feces samples were collected. The intestinal flora levels as well as the expression of cytokines and TLRs molecules in intestinal mucosa tissue were detected.Results: Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus levels in intestinal tract of UC group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05) whileE.coli, bacteroides and enterococcus levels were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05);TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9 protein expression in diseased intestinal mucosa were significantly higher than those in normal intestinal mucosa (P<0.05), negatively correlated with the bifidobacterium and lactobacillus levels, and positively correlated withE.coli, bacteroides and enterococcus levels;IL-17, IL-23, HMGB1, Fstl1 and TNF-α protein expression in diseased intestinal mucosa were significantly higher than those in normal intestinal mucosa (P<0.05) and positively correlated with TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9 protein expression in diseased intestinal mucosa.Conclusions: Intestinal flora disorders in patients with ulcerative colitis can increase the expression of TLR to promote inflammatory cytokine secretion and activate intestinal mucosal inflammation.

Cytokine gene expression in human hepatocytes infected with dengue virus serotype 3 (strain-16562)

Liver is a site of viral replication and liver dysfunction is a characteristic of severe dengue infection. To understand these mechanisms, we analyzed the response of a hepatic cell linage, HepG2 to infection with dengue 3 virus (strain 16562). Steady state levels of mRNA accumulation were assessed for 14 genes involved in modulation of the host immune responses, at 6, 24 and 48 hpi, by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Fourteen genes showed altered expression upon infection with D3V including;cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, RANTES, MCP-2, IL-2Rα and TGF-βIIIR), type I interferon (IFN-α and IFN-β), and pattern-recognition receptors (TLR3, TLR8, RIG-1, MDA5 and MyD88). Although these genes are associated with mechanism of innate immune response and anti-viral activity, their altered expression does not inhibit D3V (strain 16562) growth kinetics and virus yield in HepG2 cells. Gene expression in liver may explain pathological changes associated with dengue virus infection.

Differences in the Histopathology and Cytokine Expression Pattern between Chronological Aging and Photoaging of Hairless Mice Skin

Skin photoaging is a complex, multifactorial process resulting in functional and structural changes of the skin, and different phenotypes from chronological skin aging are well-recognized. Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated hairless mice have been used as a skin photoaging animal model. However, differences in morphology and gene expression patterns between UV-induced and chronological skin changes in this mouse model have not been fully elucidated. Here we investigated differences in histopathology and cytokine expression between UV-irradiated and non-irradiated aged hairless mice to clarify the factor(s) that differentiate photoaging from chronological skin aging phenotypes. Eight-week-old HR-1 hairless mice were divided into UV-irradiated (UV-irradiated mice) and non-irradiated (control mice) groups. Irradiation was performed three times per week for 10 weeks. In addition, 30-week-old HR-1 hairless mice were reared until 70 weeks of age without UV irradiation (aged mice). Histopathologies revealed that the flattening of dermal-epidermal junctions and epidermal thickening were observed only in UV-irradiated mice. Decreases in fine elastic fibers just beneath the epidermis, the thickening of elastic fibers in the reticular dermis, and the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans were more prominent in UV-irradiated mice as compared to non-irradiated aged mice. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that UV-irradiated mice showed an increase in the expression of IFN-γ. In contrast, aged mice exhibited proportional up-regulation of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, an indicator for the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly higher in UV-irradiated mice as compared to control and non-irradiated aged mice. An elevated IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was also observed in aged senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 1 (SAMP1) mice, a spontaneous skin photoaging model we recently reported. Thus, an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines might be a key factor to differentiate photoaged skin from chronologically-aged skin.

Pharmacological evaluation of a novel enhydrazone ester (CEE-1) as a dual inhibitor of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostanoids from human monocytes

CEE-1 (ethyl 4-phenylhydrazinocyclohex-3-en-2-oxo-6-phenyl-1-oate)—a novel enhydrazone ester, was tested in vitro for anti-inflammatory activity against the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine and prostanoid from lipopolysaccharide-activated human monocytes or human monocytic cell line (U937). The effects were compared with those of standard anti-inflammatory drugs dexamethasone and indomethacin. CEE-1 potently and strongly inhibited the release of both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The concentrations producing 50% inhibition (IC50 values) were 2.0 μM and 2.4 μM for TNF-α and PGE2, respectively. At 30 μM, the drug achieved almost complete inhibition of both mediators. Dexamethasone had similar effects but indomethacin inhibited only the PGE2 release, and although CEE-1 was less potent than these two drugs, it had comparable efficacy. The compound appeared to act, at least, in part by inhibiting the up-regulation of the mRNA for TNF-α as well as that of the prostanoid-synthetic enzyme, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, like dexamethasone, but unlike indomethacin, CEE-1 did not affect COX-2 enzyme function. Thus, the profile of activity of CEE-1 is similar to that of steroids rather than the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Structure-activity study showed that the presence of a simple aromatic ring attached via an NH-NH group was critical for activity. At the concentrations that completely inhibited mediator release, the compound displayed no significant in vitro toxicity on the cells. These results show that CEE-1 is a dual inhibitor of the release of cytokines and prostanoids, and therefore could be a potential alternative to steroids in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Correlation of the changes of TLR4/NF-κB pathway function in intrauterine adhesion tissue with the characteristics of cytokine secretion and collagen metabolism

Objective:To study the correlation of the changes of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) / nuclear factorκB (NF-κB) pathway function in intrauterine adhesion (IUAs) tissue with the characteristics of cytokine secretion and collagen metabolism.Methods:The patients with IUAs who were treated in our hospital between February 2015 and March 2018 were selected as the IUAs group, and the patients who underwent hysteroscopy due to infertility and were pathologically confirmed to have normal endometrium during the same period were selected as the control group. The expression levels of TLR4/NF-κB pathway molecules and collagen metabolism genes as well as the contents of cytokines and collagen metabolism markers in the adhesion tissues of IUAs group and the normal endometrial tissue of control group were measured.Results: TLR4, NF-κB, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 15 (ADAM15), ADAM17, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) mRNA expression as well as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad2/3, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), periostin/osteoblast-specific factor 2 (Postn), type I collagen (Col-I) and actin-α (α-SMA) contents in the adhesion tissues of IUAs group were significantly higher than those of control group while urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) mRNA expression was significantly lower than that of control group;TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA expression were positively correlated with TGF-β1, Smad2/3, IGF-1, IGF-1R, bFGF, Postn, Col-I,α-SMA, ADAM15, ADAM17, MMP9 and PAI-1, and negatively correlated with uPA.Conclusion:The excessive activation of TLR4/NF-κB pathway in IUAs is associated with the cytokine secretion and collagen metabolism abnormalities.