Interleukin-10 and chronic liver disease

Interleukin （IL）-10 is an important immunoregulatory cytokine produced by many cell populations. Numerous investigations suggest that IL-10 plays a major role in chronic liver diseases. IL-10 gene polymorphisms are possibly assodated with liver disease susceptibility or se-verity. Recombinant human IL-10 has been produced and is currently tested in clinical trials. These trials may give new insights into the immunobiology of IL-10 and suggest that the IL-10/IL-10 receptor system may become a new therapeutic target.

Differential mRNA Expression of <i>COX</i>-2 and Proinflammatory Mediators in Patients with Rotator Cuff Tears and Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Purpose: Bursal inflammation is thought to be a major cause of pain in degenerative rotator cuff tears (RCTs). While the expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, is crucial for the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA), their role in degenerative RCTs remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of COX-2 and proinflammatory mediators in the development of RCT-induced pain by comparing their levels in patients with hip OA or RCTs. Methods: We included samples obtained from 31 shoulders of 31 patients with RCTs and samples from 30 hips of 27 patients with hip OA. The mRNA levels of COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined using RT-PCR, and were compared between the subacromial bursa and hip joints. We also analyzed IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression in the subacromial bursa and synovial blast of the hip. Results: COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression levels were significantly lower in the subacromial bursa of RCTs than in hip OA samples, while no significant difference was observed for TNF-α. No significant difference in the fold increase was observed between subacromial bursa and hip OA samples, even though IL-1β-induced COX-2 expression increased in both samples. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the main mechanism underlying pain development differs between patients with RCTs and those with hip OA.

人白细胞介素-26慢病毒表达质粒与基因敲除质粒的构建及其在HEK293T细胞中的活性验证

目的 构建人白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-26慢病毒表达质粒与基因敲除质粒,为研究IL-26基因在细胞信号通路及细胞自噬中的功能奠定基础。方法 利用RT-PCR从人外周血单个核细胞中扩增IL-26基因序列,克隆至pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-copGFP真核表达载体中,构建过表达质粒;并根据IL-26外显子序列设计4个敲除靶点Exon1sgRNA1、Exon1sgRNA2、Exon3sgRNA1、Exon3sgRNA2,利用CRISPR/Cas9技术构建至lentiCRISPRv2载体中,构建基因敲除质粒。将过表达质粒和基因敲除质粒分别瞬时转染至HEK293T细胞,利用RT-qPCR和Western blot验证IL-26 mRNA和蛋白的表达情况。并对IL-26进行氨基酸序列分析、结构预测及亚细胞定位观察。结果 通过酶切、测序鉴定及生物信息学分析显示,IL-26全长516 bp,编码171个氨基酸。IL-26过表达质粒转染的HEK293T细胞与正常对照组相比,IL-26 mRNA水平升高了656.789倍,蛋白质水平升高了1.978倍,差异均有统计学意义(t分别为17.976和7.859,P分别<0.000 1和<0.001)。4个敲除靶点Exon1sgRNA1、Exon1sgRNA2、Exon3sgRNA1、Exon3sgRNA2质粒转染至HEK293T细胞中后,IL-26的表达水平分别下降了0.930、0.980、0.523 3和0.316 9倍,其中Exon3-sgRNA2质粒能够显著下调IL-26的表达(t=7.440,P <0.001)。IL-26蛋白的前22个氨基酸存在信号肽结构,且具有一定的跨膜功能,IL-26存在于细胞质中。结论 成功构建了IL-26过表达和基因敲除质粒,为后续IL-26功能的研究奠定了基础。

白细胞介素-26研究进展

白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-26最初被认为由T细胞特别是辅助性T细胞17产生。最近的研究发现,自然杀伤细胞、巨噬细胞、成纤维细胞和血管平滑肌细胞也产生IL-26。研究显示,IL-26能够特异性地结合到靶细胞的IL-10R2/IL-20R1受体复合物上,产生特定的胞内信号。除此以外,IL-26还可直接杀灭胞外细菌,并能与死亡细菌DNA或死亡细胞DNA片段结合形成IL-26-DNA复合物,激活浆细胞样树突状细胞Toll样受体9,分泌Ⅰ型干扰素IFN-α,在宿主防御和慢性炎性疾病中发挥重要作用。现对IL-26的结构、来源、受体和功能等进行综述。

Anthocyanin attenuates disturbance of intestinal barrier in high fat-high cholesterol diet-challenged mice through regulating the response of T helper 17 cells

Anthocyanin,as a typical food bioactive molecule,is capable of reversing inflammatory,oxidative and allergic condition thus contributes to intestinal health.We were wondering whether anthocyanin has influence on the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the intestinal mucosa and thus help enhancing intestinal barrier which could be damaged in some metabolic diseases.In this study,the influence of anthocyanin(administered orally)on the alterations(including structure and permeability)of the intestinal mucosa in mice in response to a high fat-high cholesterol(HFHC)diet was investigated.Primary T helper 17(Th17)cells were isolated from mouse intestine tissues to observe the modulatory role of anthocyanin through the transcription phosphorylated STAT 3(p-STAT3).The results indicated that anthocyanin significantly alleviated HFHC-induced impairment in the intestinal structures and permeability in a dose-dependent manner;moreover,anthocyanin appeared to inhibit HFHC induced the expression of p-STAT3,thereby disturbing Th17 cell differentiation.In high-fat diet(HFD,cholesterol level non-modified)-challenged mice selective p-STAT3 inhibitor significantly reversed the effects of anthocyanin,which were decreased amount of interleukin(IL)-17A(produced and released from Th17 cells)and the protected intestinal structure/function.In summary,the results of this study suggest that anthocyanin may attenuate the damage of intestinal barrier in HFHC mice through regulating intestinal STAT3-Th17-IL-17A signal transduction pathway.

Interleukin-22 in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of liver diseases

Interleukin(IL)-22,a member of the IL-10 cytokine family,plays critical roles in tissue repair and host defense.IL-22 binds to its hetereodimeric receptor(R)composed of IL-22R1 and IL-10R2 and activates downstream signaling,including Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathways.IL-22 promotes the expression of survival genes in a STAT3-dependent manner.IL-22R1 expression is restricted mainly in epithelial cells while IL-10R2 is ubiquitously expressed in almost all cell types.In the liver,IL-22R1 is expressed in hepatocytes,liver progenitor cells,hepatic stellate cells and liver cancer cells.IL-22 protects the liver in various liver damage models and promotes liver regeneration after liver injury.IL-22 also helps to resolve liver fibrosis by inducing hepatic stellate cell senescence.IL-22 is considered a pro-inflammatory cytokine in viral hepatitis although it does not directly act on immune cells.IL-22 is reported to be involved in the development of liver cancer and in regulating energy metabolism.Studies on IL-22 in liver inflammation,injury and repair will provide valuable information to clarify IL-22 as a potential candidate for treating liver injury and fibrosis.

The Effect of Rice Flour for Amelioration of Sleeping in Social Isolated Mice

In an era where the health-damaging effects of wheat flour (gluten) are increasingly recognized, rice flour has become an important alternative for many people, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unknown. Here, we report the potential beneficial effects of rice flour for sleep disturbances in stressed mice. Four-week-old male ddY mice were reared in social isolation for 4 weeks. The control group was reared in a social group. Rice flour was given orally in food to isolated mice at a dose of 2.5 w/w% and 5.0 w/w% for 4 weeks from the start of isolation rearing. MF food was given to the control group. Pentobarbital-induced (40 mg/kg, i.p.) time to sleep induction and righting reflex was measured to determine the effects of rice flour on sleep behavior. Blood samples were obtained after the experiments, and serum corticosterone was measured. Sections from the prefrontal cortex and the brainstem were isolated to measure serotonin, dopamine and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations. We found that the administration of rice flour dose-dependently improved time to sleep and reduced sleep time in socially isolated mice. Blood corticosterone concentrations, which increased after isolation stress, were decreased after the administration of rice flour. Serotonin and dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex which decreased after isolation stress improved after the administration of rice flour. Brainstem IL-6 concentrations increased after isolation stress, but decreased dose-dependently after rice flour administration. Our results suggest that rice flour reverses sleep disturbances in mice induced by social isolation.

Progress in the correlation between chronic insomnia disorder and cytokines

Chronic insomnia disorder(CID)is a relatively common clinical sleep disorder,which is es-sentially characterized by dissatisfaction with sleep due to frequent and persistent difficulties in falling asleep or maintaining sleep.The etiology and pathogenesis of CID are not fully understood.In the past decades,medical re-search has explored the interrelationship between cyto-kines(CKs)and sleep disorders,and this paper reviews the correlation between CID and inflammatory factors in the context of domestic and international research on the subject.

Cytokines and fatty liver diseases

Cytokines are considered crucial players in inflammatory-associated disorders throughout the body.Fatty liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease(ALD)and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)are commonly characterized by lipid accumulation and in a substantial subset of patients with inflammation in the liver.Amount of inflammation affects long-term outcome of liver disease including evolution of liver fibrosis,cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.Especially the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin(IL)-1(αandβ)and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)αplay a central role in many stages of liver diseases mediating fundamental aspects of those diseases including acute phase protein synthesis,lipid metabolism,cholestasis and degree of fibrosis.These key cytokines released mainly by mononuclear cells affect all liver cell types and orchestrate the production of many other mediators relevant in chronic liver diseases.Inflammatory cytokines also regulate crucially the development of insulin resistance,a key component of NAFLD.Blocking these critical mediators of inflammation by specific antibodies,especially TNFα,has so far not been proven successful in alcoholic steatohepatitis,a cytokine-driven disorder.In summary,inflammatory cytokines are continuously present locally and systemically in patients with advanced fatty liver diseases,mediating and affecting the clinical phenotype and many features of these disorders.