Regulation of interleukin-8 by interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor beta in human monocytes infected with mycobacterium bovis

Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory biomarkers positively correlate in plasma in the UK-ADRC cohort

INTRODUCTION

Protein-based plasma assays provide hope for improving accessibility and specificity of molecular diagnostics to diagnose dementia.

METHODS

Plasma was obtained from participants (N = 837) in our community-based University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center cohort. We evaluated six Alzheimer's disease (AD)- and neurodegeneration-related (Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ42/40, p-tau181, total tau, and NfLight) and five inflammatory biomarkers (TNF𝛼, IL6, IL8, IL10, and GFAP) using the SIMOA-based protein assay platform. Statistics were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTS

Our large cohort reflects previous plasma biomarker findings. Relationships between biomarkers to understand AD-inflammatory biomarker correlations showed significant associations between AD and inflammatory biomarkers suggesting peripheral inflammatory interactions with increasing AD pathology. Biomarker associations parsed out by clinical diagnosis (normal, MCI, and dementia) reveal changes in strength of the correlations across the cognitive continuum.

DISCUSSION

Unique AD-inflammatory biomarker correlations in a community-based cohort reveal a new avenue for utilizing plasma-based biomarkers in the assessment of AD and related dementias.

HIGHLIGHTS

Large community cohorts studying sex, age, and APOE genotype effects on biomarkers are few. It is unknown how biomarker-biomarker associations vary through aging and dementia. Six AD (Aβ40, Aβ42, Aβ42/40, p-tau181, total tau, and NfLight) and five inflammatory biomarkers (TNFα, IL6, IL8, IL10, and GFAP) were used to examine associations between biomarkers. Plasma biomarkers suggesting increasing cerebral AD pathology corresponded to increases in peripheral inflammatory markers, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Strength of correlations, between pairs of classic AD and inflammatory plasma biomarker, changes throughout cognitive progression to dementia.

Assessment of interleukin-10 promoter variant (-1082A/G) and cytokine production in patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome

Introduction

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a condition that results in acute kidney failure mainly in children, which is caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and inflammatory response. Although anti-inflammatory mechanisms are triggered, studies on the implication in HUS are scarce. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) regulates inflammation in vivo, and the interindividual differences in its expression are related to genetic variants. Notably, the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800896 -1082 (A/G), located in the IL-10 promoter, regulates cytokine expression.

Methods

Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from healthy children and HUS patients exhibiting hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and kidney damage. Monocytes identified as CD14⁺ cells were analyzed within PBMC by flow cytometry. IL-10 levels were quantified by ELISA, and SNP -1082 (A/G) was analyzed by allele-specific PCR.

Results

Circulating IL-10 levels were increased in HUS patients, but PBMC from these patients exhibited a lower capacity to secrete this cytokine compared with those from healthy children. Interestingly, there was a negative association between the circulating levels of IL-10 and inflammatory cytokine IL-8. We observed that circulating IL-10 levels were threefold higher in HUS patients with -1082G allele in comparison to AA genotype. Moreover, there was relative enrichment of GG/AG genotypes in HUS patients with severe kidney failure.

Discussion

Our results suggest a possible contribution of SNP -1082 (A/G) to the severity of kidney failure in HUS patients that should be further evaluated in a larger cohort.

DHEA and Its Metabolites Reduce the Cytokines Involved in the Inflammatory Response and Fibrosis in Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an abundant steroid and precursor of sex hormones. During aging, the reduction in DHEA synthesis causes a significant depletion of estrogens and androgens in different organs, such as the ovaries, brain, and liver. Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a cholestatic liver disease that begins with immune-mediated bile duct damage, and is followed by liver fibrosis, and finally, cirrhosis. PBC primarily affects postmenopausal women, with an average age of diagnosis of 65 years, but younger women are also affected. Here, we analyzed the levels of DHEA, estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) in the PBC sera of females at an age of diagnosis under 40 (n = 37) and above 65 (n = 29). Our results indicate that in PBC patients at an age of diagnosis under 40, E2 was significantly lower compared to that in healthy women. In contrast, the levels of DHEA and E3 were in a normal range. Furthermore, ELISA assays revealed that in PBC patients at an age of diagnosis above 65, the levels of DHEA, E2, and E3 significantly declined in comparison to those in younger patients. In addition, flow cytometry analysis showed that the level of IL-8 significantly decreased while the level of TNF-α increased in older PBC patients compared to younger ones. Moreover, we showed for the first time that the sulfonated form of DHEA, DHEA-S, reduces the levels of both pro-inflammatory interleukins, IL-8 and TNF-α, in PBC-like cholangiocytes (H69-miR506), while it diminishes the level of the pro-fibrotic interleukin, IL-13, in hepatocytes (Hep-G2). Finally, we demonstrated that the expression of the pro-fibrotic agent TGF-β significantly increased in both the early (F0–F3) and cirrhotic (F4) stages of PBC, and this elevation was accompanied by higher α-SMA expression.

Evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells in the healing of anastomosed carotid arteries

Cell therapies could be the future of medicine. Many centers worldwide consider the use of stem cells to treat certain conditions. Well, proper homing remains the challenge, which means the ability to target the cells to the targeted site. Intraoperative transplantation of stem cells can overcome the homing challenge. However, it could be a double-edged sword, if a proper technique was not conducted. In this comment, a practical example of that is presented, where the use of stem cells in the vascular and neurovascular surgeries shows a promising potential, but the way in which the cells are processed and introduced is a critical step that should be given a lot of attention.

The Soluble Factor from Oral Cancer Cell Lines Inhibits Interferon-γ Production by OK-432 via the CD40/CD40 Ligand Pathway

(1) Background: OK-432 is a penicillin-killed, lyophilized formulation of a low-toxicity strain (Su) of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A). It is a potent immunotherapy agent for several types of cancer, including oral cancer. We previously showed that (i) OK-432 treatment induces a high amount of IFN-? production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and (ii) conditioned medium (CM) from oral cancer cells suppresses both the IFN-? production and cytotoxic activity of PBMCs driven by OK-432. The aim of this study was to determine the inhibitory mechanism of OK-432-induced IFN-? production from PBMCs by CM. (2) Methods: We performed cDNA microarray analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, and ELISA to reveal the inhibitory mechanism of CM. (3) Results: We found that CD40 plays a key role in IFN-? production via IL-12 production. Although OK-432 treatment upregulated the expression levels of the IL-12p40, p35, and CD40 genes, CM from oral cancer cells downregulate these genes. The amount of IFN-? production by OK-432 treatment was decreased by an anti-CD40 neutralizing antibody. (4) Conclusions: Our study suggests that uncertain soluble factor(s) produced from oral cancer cells may inhibit IFN-? production from PBMCs via suppressing the CD40/CD40L-IL-12 axis.

Campylobacter fetus Induced Proinflammatory Response in Bovine Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus is the causal agent of sporadic abortion in bovines and infertility that produces economic losses in livestock. In many infectious diseases, the immune response has an important role in limiting the invasion and proliferation of bacterial pathogens. Innate immune sensing of microorganisms is mediated by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that identify pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and induces the secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines, like IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8. In this study, the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-8, and IFN-γ in bovine endometrial epithelial cells infected with C. fetus and Salmonella Typhimurium (a bacterial invasion control) was analyzed. The results showed that expression levels of IL-1β and IL-8 were high at the beginning of the infection and decreased throughout the intracellular period. Unlike in this same assay, the expression levels of IFN-γ increased through time and reached the highest peak at 4 hours post infection. In cells infected with S. Typhimurium, the results showed that IL8 expression levels were highly induced by infection but not IFN-γ. In cells infected with S. Typhimurium or C. fetus subsp. fetus, the results showed that TNF-α expression did not show any change during infection. A cytoskeleton inhibition assay was performed to determine if cytokine expression was modified by C. fetus subsp. fetus intracellular invasion. IL-1β and IL-8 expression were downregulated when an intracellular invasion was avoided. The results obtained in this study suggest that bovine endometrial epithelial cells could recognize C. fetus subsp. fetus resulting in early proinflammatory response.

Differential Transcription of Selected Cytokine and Neuroactive Ligand-receptor Genes in Peripheral Leukocytes from Calves in Response to Cautery Disbudding

Simple Summary

Calf disbudding is a painful husbandry practice on dairy and beef cattle farms. Continuing efforts to enhance the accuracy of pain assessment can aid in the application of effective anti-nociceptive (analgesic) agents in non-verbal animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the expression of genes involved in inflammation and pain sensitisation in response to removal of horn buds in calves, using hot-iron cauterization. The efficacy of an analgesic, meloxicam, was also tested in attenuating the changes in expression of the studied genes post-disbudding. It was revealed that cautery disbudding induces significant changes in the expression of genes involved in inflammation. Meloxicam was able to blunt the increased expression of some of the genes at 4 h and 24 h after disbudding, while it could not attenuate the increased expression of a few other genes associated with inflammation.

Abstract

Calf disbudding is a painful husbandry practice on dairy and beef cattle farms. An objective measurement of pain is useful to reliably evaluate the pain intensity and anti-nociceptive (analgesic) efficacy of therapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in peripheral leucocyte inflammatory cytokine gene expression in calves after disbudding, and to assess whether the changes in cytokine gene expression could be an indicator of the efficacy of analgesic drugs. In a randomised controlled study, 16 calves (aged 31 to 41 days and weighing 58 to 73 kg), undergoing routine disbudding, were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 8 in each group). Calves in the control group received no analgesic, while those in the treatment group received 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ meloxicam subcutaneously prior to disbudding. Disbudding was performed using an electric debudder. Blood (10 mL) was sampled from the jugular vein just before and 4 and 24 h post-disbudding, RNA was extracted from leukocytes, and the transcription of 12 genes of interest was assessed using nCounter gene expression assay. The results showed significantly higher transcription (compared to baseline values) of the studied genes (except CRH, IFNγ, and IL10) in the control group calves at either 4 or 24 h post-disbudding. The administration of meloxicam one hour before disbudding significantly attenuated the upregulation of IL6, PGHS2, TAC1, NOS1, and CRH gene transcription post-disbudding, while it did not suppress the elevated transcription of acute and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL1β, IFNγ, IL8, and TNFα genes. In conclusion, nCounter gene expression assay seems to be a promising tool to study the expression of cytokine genes and thus could be used for the pre-clinical evaluation of novel analgesics.

Cytokine profiles at birth and the risk of developing severe respiratory distress and chronic lung disease

Background:

Neonates with the diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were studied to investigate possible associations between cytokine levels at birth and developing severe RDS or chronic lung disease (CLD).

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study on serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples collected within hours of birth from infants with moderate and severe RDS. Twenty infants with moderate RDS and 20 infants with severe RDS were studied. RDS was diagnosed on the basis of radiographic findings, respiratory distress, and an increasing oxygen requirement. RDS severity was graded based on the radiological findings and Downe's Score. CLD was diagnosed when infants were still on supplemented O₂ by at least 28 days of age. Levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. “Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS for Windows, (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).”

Results:

Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-1β were significantly higher in BAL of infants with severe RDS than those with moderate RDS (P = 0.007 and P = 0.02, respectively). IL-8 levels were also significantly higher in BAL and serum of infants who later progressed to CLD than in those who did not (P = 0.03 for both). The IL-8/IL-10 cytokine ratio was significantly higher in the BAL of severe RDS infants than in moderate RDS (P = 0.01) and in the serum of infants who progressed to CLD than in those who did not (P = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Levels of IL-8 and the IL-8/IL-10 ratio measured soon after birth were associated with severity of RDS as well as progression to CLD. Early measurement of cytokines levels and ratios may contribute to the prognosis and management of RDS and CLD.

ESAT6-induced IFNgamma and CXCL9 can differentiate severity of tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Protective responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis are dependent on appropriate T cell and macrophage activation. Mycobacterial antigen six kDa early secreted antigenic target (ESAT6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) can detect M. tuberculosis specific IFNgamma responses. However, most studies have been performed in non-endemic regions and to study pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). We have studied ESAT6 and CFP10 induced cytokine and chemokines responses in PTB and extrapulmonary (EPul) TB.

METHODOLOGY

IFNgamma, IL10, CXCL9 and CCL2 responses were determined using an ex vivo whole blood assay system in PTB (n = 30) and EPulTB patients with limited (LNTB, n = 24) or severe (SevTB, n = 22) disease, and in healthy endemic controls (ECs). Responses to bacterial LPS were also determined.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

ESAT6- and CFP10-induced IFNgamma was comparable between ECs and TB patients. Both ESAT6- and CFP10-induced IFNgamma secretion was greater in LNTB than PTB. ESAT6-induced CXCL9 was greater in EPulTB as compared with PTB, with an increase in SevTB as compared with LNTB. CFP10-induced CCL2 was higher in PTB than LNTB patients. LPS-stimulated CXCL9 was greatest in SevTB and LPS-induced CCL2 was increased in PTB as compared with LNTB patients. A positive correlation between ESAT6-induced IFNgamma and CXCL9 was present in all TB patients, but IFNgamma and CCL2 was only correlated in LNTB. ESAT-induced CCL2 and CXCL9 were significantly associated in LNTB while correlation in response to LPS was only present in SevTB.

CONCLUSIONS

ESAT6 induced IFNgamma and CXCL9 can differentiate between limited and severe TB infections.

Role of type I interferon in the bacillus Calmette-Guérin-induced expression of CXCL10 from human monocytes

BACKGROUND

The proinflammatory chemokine CXCL10, in addition to its chemotactic properties, is also involved in the stimulation of natural killer and T-cell migration in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. In this study, our experiments were designed to determine the role of interferon (IFN)-alphabeta in the production of CXCL10 by human monocytes infected with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

METHODS

The concentrations of CXCL10 in culture supernatants of monocytes infected with M. bovis BCG were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CXCL10 mRNA levels were determined by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method.

RESULTS

We have shown the induction of CXCL10 following infection with M. bovis BCG in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Importantly, the secretion of CXCL10 in response to M. bovis was increased by IFN-alpha. These results were further confirmed by the fact that the addition of an anti-IFN-alphabeta neutralizing antibody completely reversed the stimulatory effect, whereas an isotype-matched control antibody had no significant effect on CXCL10 secretion. It is important to note that no significant effect of type I IFN on CXCL8 production in M. bovis-infected monocytes was observed. This was consistent with the finding by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method that treatment with anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibodies potentially inhibited CXCL10 mRNA levels, whereas no significant effect was observed on CXCL8 mRNA. Moreover, in THP-1 monocytes and THP-1 macrophages, the addition of exogenous IFN-alpha stimulated CXCL10 secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, these results indicate that the type I IFN may play an important role to modulate the expression of CXCL10 in M. bovis BCG infection. Studies on M. bovis-induced chemokine secretion could provide important insight into the regulation of the immune response against tuberculosis.

Latent effects of fibronectin, alpha5beta1 integrin, alphaVbeta5 integrin and the cytoskeleton regulate pancreatic carcinoma cell IL-8 secretion

Interactions between tumour cells and the microenvironment are increasingly recognised to have an influence on cancer progression. In pancreatic carcinoma, a highly desmoplastic stroma with abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) protein and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression is seen. To investigate whether the ECM may further contribute to abnormalities in the microenvironment by influencing IL-8 secretion, we cultured the Mia PaCa2 pancreatic carcinoma cell line on fibronectin. This resulted in a dose-dependent increase in IL-8 secretion, which was RGD dependent and accompanied by cell spreading and proliferation. The role of spreading was assessed by disruption of the cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D, resulting in a large increase in IL-8 secretion, which was reduced from 31- to 24-fold by fibronectin. This remarkable response was associated with inhibition of spreading and proliferation and represents a novel cytoskeletal function. To investigate whether it could be accounted for by the loss of integrin-mediated signalling, the expressed α5β1, αVβ5 and α3β1 integrins were inhibited. α5β1 inhibition prevented spreading and proliferation but produced a much smaller rise in IL-8 secretion than cytochalasin D. αVβ5 inhibition alone had only minor effects but when inhibited in combination with α5β1 completely abolished the response to fibronectin. These results reveal latent stimulatory effects of the αVβ5 integrin on IL-8 secretion and suggest that integrin crosstalk may limit the induction of IL-8 secretion by fibronectin. However, the magnitude of IL-8 secretion induced by cytochalasin cannot be accounted for by integrin signalling and may reflect the influence of another signalling pathway or a novel, intrinsic cytoskeletal function.