Differential regulation of interleukin-1 gene expression in human CD3- large granular lymphocytes

Sleep, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine functions in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome

The justification for disordered chronobiology for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is based on the following evidence: The studies on disordered sleep physiology and the symptoms of fibromyalgia and CFS; the experimental studies that draw a link between interleukin-1 (IL-1), immune-neuroendocrine-thermal systems and the sleep-wake cycle; studies and preliminary data of the inter-relationships of sleep-wakefulness, IL-1, and aspects of peripheral immune and neuroendocrine functions in healthy men and in women during differing phases of the menstrual cycle; and the observations of alterations in the immune-neuroendocrine functions of patients with fibromyalgia and CFS (Moldofsky, 1993b, d). Time series analyses of measures of the circadian pattern of the sleep-wake behavioural system, immune, neuroendocrine and temperature functions in patients with fibromyalgia and CFS should determine whether alterations of aspects of the neuro-immune-endocrine systems that accompany disordered sleep physiology result in nonrestorative sleep, pain, fatigue, cognitive and mood symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia and CFS.

Interleukin-1 and its inhibitors: implications for disease biology and therapy

IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta are polypeptide hormones that exhibit a broad spectrum of beneficial and harmful biologic activities. Clinical trials designed to benefit from its stimulatory effects on human hematopoiesis and from its role in improving host defenses, are being currently conducted. Other in vivo studies, using IL-1 inhibitors with an attempts to block the detrimental effects of IL-1, are underway. Because of the multifunctional effects of IL-1 in human physiology and its pathogenetic role in several diseases, the capability to control the effects of IL-1 may prove to be a useful tool in medical practice.

Alveolar macrophage inhibition of lung-associated NK activity: involvement of prostaglandins and transforming growth factor-beta 1

Natural killer (NK) activity plays an important role in host defense. It is likely that this defensive role is shaped by compartmental and local environmental factors. The present study investigated the regulatory effects of alveolar macrophages (AM) on lung-associated NK activity. AM and lung lymphocytes (LL) were permitted to interact in a two-chamber system which prohibited cell contact but supported diffusion of soluble factors. AM were found to inhibit NK activity from LL in a time-dependent and reversible manner. The inhibitory event was shown to be mediated by soluble factors acting upon a post-binding event(s) in the lytic pathway of LL. AM inhibition was sensitive to indomethacin treatment (10(-5) M), which caused a decrease in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations. Quantitation of PGE2 levels and treatment of LL with exogenous PGE2 indicated that the inhibitory effect could not be exclusively due to PGE2. It was subsequently found that exogenous transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) also inhibited LL NK activity and that treatment of inhibitory AM supernatant with a neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta 1 adsorbs up to 55% of its inhibitory activity. Moreover, the amount of TGF-beta 1 found in AM-LL co-culture media (25 pg/mL) correlated well with the level of NK inhibition observed. By contrast, platelet-derived growth factor and nitric oxide did not play a significant role in mediating AM suppression. Taken together, the data suggest that AM inhibit lung NK activity by interfering with post-binding lytic event(s) through the production of PGE2 and TGF-beta 1.

Review: transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of interleukin 1 gene expression

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and beta (IL-1 beta) are proinflammatory cytokines that are encoded by distinct genes, but share most biological activities. During the past several years, intense investigation has focused on elucidating the molecular basis for the regulation of IL-1 alpha and beta gene expression. While the overall organization of both genes is conserved in mammals, the DNA sequence homology is surprisingly limited. This supports the growing body of evidence suggesting that each gene is regulated by distinct cis- and transacting elements. Most recently, novel regulatory DNA sequence elements and several nuclear regulatory proteins have been identified, which ultimately participate in the control of IL-1 beta gene transcription. In addition to transcriptional controls, the stability of IL-1 mRNA can be selectively regulated by various inducing stimuli and other cytokines. Taken together, these transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms provide stringent, yet flexible, control over expression of the IL-1 alpha and beta genes.