Involvement of interleukin-15 and interleukin-21, two γ-chain-related cytokines, in celiac disease

Celiac disease (CD), an enteropathy caused by dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals, is histologically characterized by villous atrophy, crypt cell hyperplasia, and increased number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes. The nature of CD pathogenesis remains unclear, but recent evidence indicates that both innate and adaptive immune responses are necessary for the phenotypic expression and pathologic changes characteristic of CD. Extensive studies of molecules produced by immune cells in the gut of CD patients have led to identification of two cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-21, which are thought to play a major role in orchestrating the mucosal inflammatory response in CD. Here we review the current knowledge of the expression and function of IL-15 and IL-21 in CD.

Expression of Interleukin-15 and Its Receptor on the Surface of Stimulated Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Summary： Human interleukin-15 （hIL-15） is an important cytokine to activate endothelial cells and can be regulated by many other cytokines. The aim of this study is to examine the ability of interferon-γ （IFN-γ）, and tumor necrosis factor-or （TNF-α to induce the production of human interleukin-15 （hIL-15） and IL-15 receptor （IL-15Rα by human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs）. The data are summarized as follows： 1. Northern blot revealed that IL-15 mRNA was up-regulated by IFN-γ and TNF-α 2. Intracellular IL-15 protein was visualized by fluorescence microscopy, whereas the expression of IL-15 on the surface of HUVECs was detected by fluorescence activated cell sorting （FACS）, and no detectable IL-15 in the medium was verified by ELISA. 3. IL-15Rα was detected on the surface of HUVECs by FACS after IFN-α and TNF-α stimulation, whereas Western blotting revealed that the elevated expression on surface IL-15Rα was not due to the increased protein expression. The conclusion demonstrated from our results is that IFN-α and TNF-α play an important role in regulating the expression of IL-15 and IL-15Rα on the surface of HUVECs.

Polymorphisms in interleukin-10 gene according to mutations of NOD2/CARD15 gene and relation to phenotype in Spanish patients with Crohn's disease

AIM： To examine the contribution of interleukin-10 （IL-10） gene polymorphisms to Crohn＇s disease （CD） phenotype, and the possible genetic epistasis between IL-10 gene polymorphisms and CARD15/NOD2 gene mutations. METHODS： A cohort of 205 Spanish unrelated patients with Crohn＇s disease recruited from a single center was studied. All patients were rigorously phenotyped and followed-up for at least 3 years （mean time, 12.5 years）. The clinical phenotype was established prior to genotyping. RESULTS： The correlation of genotype-Vienna classification groups showed that the Ueocolonic location was significantly associated with the -1082G allele in the NOD2/CARD15 mutation-positive patients （RR = 1.52, 95%CI, 1.21 to 1.91,P= 0.008）. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the IL-10 G14 microsatellite allele in the NOD2/CARD15 mutation positive patients was associated with two risk factors, history of appendectomy （RR = 2.15, 95%CI = 1.1-4.30, P= 0.001） and smoking habit at diagnosis （RR= 1.29, 95%CI= 1.04-4.3, P= 0.04）. CONCLUSION： In Spanish population from Madrid, in CD patients carrying at least one NOD2/CARD15 mutation, the -1082G allele is assodated with ileocolonic disease and the IL-IOG14 microsatellite allele is associated with previous history of appendectomy and smoking habit at diagnosis. These data provide further molecular evidence for a genetic basis of the clinical heterogeneity of CD.

Modulation of Interleukin-15-induced Suppression of Human Neutrophil Apoptosis by TNFα

Human interleukin-15 （IL-15） is a proinflammatory cytokine to suppress neutrophil apoptosis, which is a potential therapeutic agent. The modulatory effect of TNFα was investigated in IL-15-induced suppression of human neutrophil apoptosis. TNFa was shown to reverse the ability of IL-15 to delay neutrophil apoptosis within certain time course. Moreover, this reverse effect by TNFα might be associated with a reduction of the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-XI protein detected by Western blotting. It is concluded that TNFα can be used to modulate IL- 15-induced suppression of neutrophil apoptosis within certain time course.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of Canine IL-2 Gene

[ Objective] To clone and express canine IL-2 gene and thus to provide theoretical support for the development of novel immune enhancers and genetic engineering vaccines. [ Method] Leukocytes separated from canine whole blood were stimulated by concanavalin for 20 h, and then total RNA was extracted. According to the sequence of canine IL-2 gene published in the GenBank, a pair of primers was designed. After PCR am- plificetion, the target fragment was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a. The recombinants were transformed into the host bacteria BL21. After IPTG induction, the expression products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. [ Result] A 500 bp band with the expected size appeared in the RT-PCR products. After the pMD18-T-IL2 was identified by double digestion, an approximately 500 bp fragment was produced, which indicated successful cloning of the gene. After the pET-28a-lL2 was identified by restriction enzyme digestion and PCR, a 500 bp fragment was produced, which indicated successful construction of the expression vector. As revealed by the SDS-PAGE analysis, a protein band with molecular weight of about 20 kDa appeared. [ Conclusion] The canine IL-2 gene was cloned and expressed.

IL-15基因对犬细小病毒VP2 DNA疫苗的免疫增强作用

为弄清犬白介素-15(cIL-15)能否增强犬细小病毒VP2DNA疫苗的免疫原性,本研究首先通过RT-PCR方法从犬脾脏淋巴细胞中扩增全长cIL-15cDNA基因,并构建其与Myc-His-tag融合和非融合的表达载体:pcDNA-cIL-15/MH和pcDNA-cIL-15。将pcDNA-cIL-15/MH载体转染HEK293T细胞,确定构建的表达载体能否介导cIL-15进行分泌表达。利用过去构建的VP2表达载体和pcDNA-cIL-15载体共免疫小鼠,用ELISA检测免疫后小鼠血清中的抗体滴度,并用MTT检测小鼠淋巴细胞的增殖活性和用ELISA测定淋巴细胞干扰素-γ和IL-4的表达。结果显示,构建的cIL-15表达载体能够介导cIL-15在真核细胞中的分泌表达。用VP2和cIL-15表达载体共免疫小鼠,抗体水平明显高于VP2载体单免疫组(P<0.01)。当免疫35d时,共免疫组淋巴细胞的刺激指数、干扰素-γ和IL-4的表达水平均明显高于VP2载体单免疫组(P<0.05)。结果表明,cIL-15可明显增强VP2DNA疫苗的免疫原性。

ANTITUMOR EFFECTS OF HUMAN IL-15 GENE MODIFIED LUNG CANCER CELL LINE

Human IL15 cDNA fragment, which contains all codons encoding the human IL15 mature protein and signal peptide was transducted into the human lung squmouse cancer cells(PG cells) and murine lung adenocarcinoma cells(LA795 cell lines). Two IL15 highly expressed cell clones PG1 and LA795A were used to inoculate the nude mice and the T739 syngeneic mice respectively. PG1 cell express higher level of class ⅠMHC molecule on their surface than PG cells. It was shown that the modified LA795A tumor cells grew slowly in T739 mice and induced high levels of CTL/NK/LAK activity in vivo as well, compared with the case of inoculation with LA795 or LA795neo. No significant difference in the tumor growth was observed in groups of the nude mice inoculated by PG1, PG and PGneo cells respectively, except the gene modified cells could not show the lung metastasis of tumors. The supernatants derived from the LA795A cell culture could promote CTL/NK/LAK activity from the whole splenocytes and the CD4/CD8deleted splenic cells in vitro. The results indicated that the IL15 gene transfected tumor cells play important roles in the process of antitumor or antitumor metastasis.

蒙药十五味止泻子散加减治疗犬细小病毒感染

蒙药十五味止泻子散加减配合西兽医疗法治疗犬细小病毒感染,初步临床治疗结果显示,可明显缩短疗程,提高临床治疗效果.

Expression of prolactin receptor and response to prolactin stimulation of human NK cell lines

We have previously shown a critical role of prolactin (PRL) during maturation and anti-tumor effects of murine natural killer (NK) cells in vitro and in vivo. We extended that study by exploring the ability of human NK cell lines (NK-92 and YT cell) to express PRL receptor (PRL-R) and to respond to PRL stimulation in vitro. Both human NK cell lines constitutively expressed PRL-R on membrane and mRNA transcripts,NK-92 cells contained higher level of PRL-R than YT cells,which correlated to the enhanced capacity of the cells to proliferate and to lyse target cells in response to PRL stimulation in the presence of trace amount of IL-2 or IL-15 in vitro. Two differences between IL-2 and IL-15 in functioning on human NK cells were for the first time observed. PRL synergized with IL-15 to improve proliferation of NK cells in a dose-dependent manner without double peak manifesting like IL-2. Although PRL enhanced the cytotoxicity of IL-2 or IL- 15 activated NK cells,it exerted the function through up-regulating gene expression of perforin without influence of FasL in IL-2-stimulated NK cells,while in IL-15-stimulated NK cells,PRL did the function through up-regulating gene expression of both perforin and FasL but not IFNγ. PRL increased expressions of IL-2Rα on membrane and of IL-2 mRNA in cells,indicating that PRL up-regulated NK cell function by improving positive feedback between IL-2 and IL-2R. The similar results were also observed in network between IL-15 and IL-15R. These data indicate a potential role of PRL in human NK cell modulation.

Interplay of adipokines and myokines in cancer pathophysiology: Emerging therapeutic implications

Excess body weight constitutes a worldwide health problem with epidemic proportions impacting on the risk and prognosis of several disease states including malignancies. It is believed that the metabolic changes associated with weight gain, particularly visceral obesity, and physical inactivity could lead to dysfunctional adipose and muscle tissues causing insulin resistance, low-grade chronic inflammation and abnormal secretion of adipokines and myokines. The complex paracrine and endocrine interconnection between adipokines and myokines reflects a yin-yang balance with important implications in processes such as lipolysis control, insulin sensitivity and prevention from obesity-driven chronic low-grade inflammation and cancer promotion through anti-inflammatory adipokines and myokines. Furthermore, the complex pathophysiology of cancer cachexia is based on the interplay between muscle and adipose tissue mediated by free fatty acids, various adipokines and myokines. The purpose of this editorial is to explore the role of the adipose and muscle tissue interplay in carcinogenesis, cancer progression and cachexia, and to examine the mechanisms underpinning their association with malignancy. Understanding ofthe mechanisms connecting the interplay of adipokines and myokines with cancer pathophysiology is expected to be of importance in the development of therapeutic strategies against cancer cachexia. Advances in the field of translational investigation may lead to tangible benefits to obese and inactive persons who are at increased risk of cancer as well as to cancer patients with cachexia.

Myokine interleukin-15 expression profile is different in suckling and weaning piglets

Interleukin-15(IL-15) is a cytokine highly expressed in skeletal muscle. The objective of the present study was to investigate the development of muscle IL-15 expression in suckling piglets and in early weaning piglets(day 14) at each level, that is, mRNA, protein, and secretion. Eight litters(eight piglets per litter) of newborn healthy piglets(Large × White × Landrace) with a similar initial weight(1618.0 ± 140.1 g) were chosen and divided into two groups, Group one used suckling piglets that were killed, respectively, at days 1,7,14,21, and group two used early(day 14) weaning piglets that were killed respectively, at days 15, 17, 19, 21. In group one, IL-15 gene expression levels increased significantly(P < 0.05) along with increased body weight over time. IL-15 protein expression levels in piglets at day 21 of age were higher(P < 0.05) than those in piglets at other ages, and there was no difference(P > 0.05)among piglets at other ages. These findings indicated that increased IL-15 mRNA expression did not result in a corresponding increase of its protein expression. In group two, which used early weaning piglets from days 15-19, IL-15 mRNA and protein expression levels increased constantly(P < 0.05) and were higher(P < 0.05) than those in suckling piglets. Moreover, there was no gain of body weight(P > 0.05) compared with suckling piglets at day 14 of age. However, IL-15 protein expression levels in early weaning piglets at day 21 of age dropped significantly(P < 0.05) to the levels as suckling piglets at day 21 of age, while body weight increased(P < 0.05) markedly to the levels as suckling piglets at day 21 of age. In both groups, the serum IL-15 levels of piglets decreased significantly(P < 0.01) over time. Taken together, our results indicate that IL-15 expression differs in suckling piglets and in weaning piglets. It is speculated that IL-15 may play an important role in counteracting the effects of early weaning stress.

Interaction of the major inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility alleles in Crohn’s disease patients

AIM:To investigate the interaction of interleukin-23 receptor(IL23R)(rs1004819 and rs2201841),autophagy-related 16-like 1(ATG16L1)(rs2241880), caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 15 (CARD15)genes,and IBD5 locus in Crohn's disease(CD) patients. METHODS:A total of 315 unrelated subjects with CD and 314 healthy controls were genotyped.Interactions and specific genotype combinations of a total of eight variants were tested.The variants of IBD5locus(IGR2198a_1 rs11739135 and IGR2096a_1 rs12521868),CARD15(R702W rs2066845 and L1007fs rs2066847),ATG16L1(rs2241880)and IL23R (rs1004819,rs2201841)genes were genotyped by PCR-RFLP,the G908R(rs2066844)in CARD15 was determined by direct sequencing. RESULTS:The association of ATG16L1 T300A with CD was confirmed[P=0.004,odds ratio(OR)=1.69, 95%CI:1.19-2.41],and both IL23R variants were found to represent significant risk for the disease(P= 0.008,OR=2.05,95%CI:1.20-3.50 for rs1004819 AA;P<0.001,OR=2.97,95%CI:1.65-5.33 for rs2201841 CC).Logistic regression analysis of pairwise interaction of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)loci indicated that IL23R,ATG16L1,CARD15 and IBD5(IGR2198a_1)contribute independently to disease risk.We also analysed the specific combina- tions by pair of individual ATG16L1,IL23R rs1004819, rs2201841,IGR2198a_1,IGR2096a_1 and CARD15 genotypes for disease risk influence.In almost all cases,the combined risk of susceptibility pairs was higher in patients carrying two different risk-associated gene variants together than individuals with just one polymorphism.The highest OR was found for IL23R rs2201841 homozygous genotype with combination of positive CARD15 status(P<0.001,OR=9.15,95% CI:2.05-40.74). CONCLUSION:The present study suggests a cumulative effect of individual IBD susceptibility loci.

IL-15对炎症反应中多种炎性活性细胞的作用

自IL-15发现以来,国内外对其结构及生物活性进行了深入的研究。发现IL-15参与了众多的炎症反应过程,对多种炎性细胞的增殖、活性有着重要的调节作用,并且通过对IL-15的作用机制的研究使阻断IL-15的效应来治疗某些炎症性疾病成为可能。本文就国外对IL-15对肥大细胞、嗜酸性粒细胞及中性粒细胞的调节作用的研究进展进行综述。

Recombinant rabies virus expressing IL-15 enhances immunogenicity through promoting the activation of dendritic cells in mice

Rabies remains a public health threat that kills approximately 59,000 people worldwide each year,most of which are from the developing countries of Africa and Asia where dog rabies are endemic.Therefore, developing an affordable and efficacious vaccine is crucial for rabies control in these countries. Interleukin(IL)-15, an immunoregulatory cytokine, is a pluripotent molecule with therapeutic potential, which targets many cell types and links the innate and adaptive immune system. In this study, IL-15 gene was cloned and inserted into the genome of a recombinant rabies virus(RABV) strain LBNSE(designated as LBNSE-IL15), and the effect of over-expression of IL-15 on the immunogenicity of RABV was investigated. It was found that mice vaccinated with LBNSEIL15 could induce significantly higher level of virus-neutralizing antibody(VNA) than those immunized with LBNSE, resulting in the higher protection after challenge. Further investigation was performed to find out the possible role of IL-15 plays in the process of antibody induction, and it was found that LBNSE-IL15 could enhance the maturation of dendritic cells(DCs) in immunized mice. Furthermore, the mice immunized with LBNSE-IL15 could promote the T_(FH) cells differentiation and the generation of germinal center B cells and plasma cells. Together, these data indicated that IL-15 could be a potential adjuvant in enhancing the immunogenicity of RABV, contributing to the development of more-efficacious rabies vaccines.

IL-15 temporally reorients IL-10 biased B-la cells toward I L- 12 expression

Interleukin （IL）-15 is known to strongly modulate T-cell function; however, its role in controlling mucosal immunity, including its ability to modulate B-la cell activity, remains to be elucidated. Here, we show that IL-15 upregulates activation molecules and the costimulatory molecule CD80 on viable B-la cells. Cell activation was accompanied by the depletion of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin （Siglec）-G, an inhibitor of cell activation that is present on B-la cells. The IL-15 receptor CD122 was stimulated on B-la cells by the cytokine showing its direct involvement in IL-15-mediated responses. IL-IO is responsible for the long term survival of B-la cells in culture, which is initially promoted by IL-15. The upregulation of IL-IO was followed by the appearance of suppressor of cytokine signaling （SOCS）I in the presence of IL-15 and the loss of IL-IO. This resulted in the cells switching to IL-12 expression. This anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory shift in the B-la cell character was independent of the cell-specific marker CD5, which remained highly expressed throughout the in vitro life of the cells. The presence of the immunosuppressive receptor programmed cell death （PD）-I and its ligand PD-L2 were features of a predominantly IL-IO response. PD-1 and PD-L2 can mediate juxtacrine signaling. However, the abrogation of PD-1 and its ligand was observed when the cells expressed IL-12. This demonstrates an inverse relationship between the receptor and ligand and the pro-inflammatory cytokine. The induction of IgM and IgA, which can play pivotal roles in mucosal immunity, was promoted in the presence of IL-15. Collectively, the data implicate IL-15 as the master cytokine that induces B-la cells to mount a mucosal immune response.

Effect of 15-Deoxy-A^12,14-prostaglandin J2 Nanocapsules on Inflammation and Bone Regeneration in a Rat Bone Defect Model

Background： 15-Deoxy-^△^12、14-prostaglandin J2 （15d-PGJ2）, one of the major metabolites from prostaglandin D2 in arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, has potential anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of 15d-PGJ2-1oaded poly（D,L-lactide-co-glycolide） nanocapsules （15d-PGJ2-NC） on inflammatory responses and bone regeneration in local bone defect. Methods： The study was conducted on 96 Wistar rats from June 2014 to March 2016. Saline, unloaded nanoparticles, free 15d-PGJ2 or 15d-PGJ2-NC, were delivered through a collagen vehicle inside surgically created transcortical defects in rat femurs, lnterleukin-6 （IL-6）, interleukin-1 beta （IL-I~）, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-o0 levels in the surrounding soft tissue were analyzed by Western blot and in the defect by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction over 14 days. Simultaneously, bone morphogenetic protein-6 （BMP-6） and platelet-derived growth factor-B （PDGF-B） messenger RNA （mRNA） in the defect were examined. New bone formation and EphrinB2 and osteoprotegerin （OPG） protein expression in the cortical defect were observed by Masson＇s Trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry over 28 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. Least-significant difference and Dunnett＇s T3 methods were used with a bilateral P 〈 0.05. Results： Application of 15d-PGJfNC （100μg/ml） in the local bone defect significantly decreased 1L-6, IL-Iβ, and TNF-α mRNA and protein, compared with saline-treated controls （P 〈 0.05）. 15d-PGJfNC upregulated BMP-6 and PDGF-B mRNA （P 〈 0.05）. New bone formation was observed in the cortical defect in 15d-PGJ2-NC-treated animals from 7th day onward （P 〈 0.001）. Expression of EphrinB2 and OPG presented early on day 3 and persisted through day 28 in 15d-PGJfNC group （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Stable 15d-PGJz-NC complexes were prepared that could attenuate IL-6, IL-1 β, and TNF-α expression, while increasing new bone formation and growth factors related to bone regeneration.