The influence of TNF-α on the expression profile of key enzymes of steroidogenesis in H295R cells

INTRODUCTION

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays an extremely important role in the regulation of hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis. It is believed that chronic inflammation is the main cause of cancerogenesis and TNF-α plays a significant role in both of these processes. Unfortunately, the function of TNF-α in human adrenal steroidogenesis has not been explained enough.

AIM

To evaluate the changes in transcriptional activity of STAR, CYP11A1, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2 in H295R cell line exposed to TNF-α.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

NCI-H295R, human adrenocortical cell line was exposed to human recombinant TNF-α at the concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 10 nM for 3, 12, 24, and 48 h. Cells not exposed to TNF-α were the control of this experiment. RTqPCR assay was used to determine the changes in the expression of genes encoding STAR, CYP11A1, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2.

RESULTS

The highest differences between stimulated and non-stimulated cells were observed in the expression of STAR (FC = +2.2; 0.01 nM of TNF-α; 48 h); CYP11A1 (FC = +3.5; 0.1 nM of TNF-α; 24 h); CYP11B1 (FC = +7.0; 10 nM of TNF-α; 48 h); CYP11B2 (FC = +2.5; 10 nM of TNF-α; 48 h). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the expression were found only for CYP11A1. The interaction effect between genes was also noticed (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The research showed the impact of TNF-α on the expression of the key genes encoding enzymes involved in adrenal steroidogenesis. Different expression patterns of was observed, depending on time and TNF-α concentration increased synthesis of this pro-inflammatory cytokine may intensify adrenal steroidogenesis.

The expression profile of genes encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and their receptor in benign adrenal tumors

In the process of neoplasia, during which benign adrenal tumors are formed, stimulators of new blood vessel growth as well as growth of tumor cells are cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). We analyzed the expression profile of genes coding: TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNF-R1), TNF-R2, IL-6, interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) in sections of adrenocortical tumor tissue, rated on the Weiss point scale, in patients with clinically diagnosed Conn's and Cushing's syndrome, and the usefulness of determining the examined genes as markers differentiating individual clinical units. There was no correlation between the expression of the examined genes and clinical parameters such as age, BMI or blood pressure, both in the entire study group and in individual subgroups. Elevated expression of the genes coding TNF-α, TNF-R2 and IL-6R was observed, whereas genes encoding TNF-R1 and IL-6 showed relatively low expression. The highest statistically significant differences in the expression of the examined genes were observed between IL-6 and IL-6R. High positive correlation was found in the subgroup of patients with Conn's clinical syndrome, between genes encoding both types of receptors for TNF-α, IL-6 and TNF-R2, TNF-α and IL-6 receptor, and between TNF-R2 and IL6-R receptors, which may suggest the mutual influence of these cytokines and their receptors on their own expression.

[HBD-1 and hBD-2 are expressed in cervico-vaginal lavage in female genital tract due to microbial infections]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare concentration of selected human beta-defensins (hBD-1, hBD-2) in cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL), obtained from women with candidiasis, chlamydiasis and other bacterial infections.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

beta-defensins were detected quantitatively by RT-PCR (7000 Taqman, Applied Biosystems) in cervico-vaginal lavage collected from 120 (79 women in the study group and 41 controls) non-pregnant women, aged 18-40 (mean age 28.5 +/- 6.29). The study group patients were divided into three subgroups on the basis of clinical and microbiological diagnosis: women with candidiasis (n=13); with chlamydiasis (n=13), and with other bacterial infections (n=12).

RESULTS

The highest count of hBD-1 RNA copies was found in women with bacterial infections and candidiasis (335.84 and 320.10 respectively), and hBD-2--with chlamydiasis. The difference between RNA copies of hBD-1/microg in candidiasis, chlamydiasis and bacterial pathogens was statistically significant; for hBD-2 only in case of chlamydiasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Chlamydia trachomatis infection activates the production of hBD-2. Candida albicans, Chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial pathogens induced variable increases of hBD-1 concentration.

Estrogen Receptor βΔ6 (ERβΔ6) Isoform in Human Endometrial Hyperplasia and Adenocarcinoma

Estrogen receptor (ER)-beta may play a significant role in estrogen action in several human tissues. Estrogen receptor beta may act as a transdominant repressor of ER alpha transcriptional activity trough heterodimers form. Estrogen receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) variants also may be involved in various diseases, including endometrial cancer. The absence of estrogen receptors has often correlated with poor prognosis of endometrial tumors. The objective of the study was to determine the number of mRNA ER beta delta 6 and (wtER beta) in 1 microgram total RNA obtained from tissues of normal, hyperplastic endometrium, and endometrial adenocarcinoma. This study was designed to evaluate possible differences in the ER beta delta 6 and wtER beta messenger RNA (mRNA) level in the normal, hyperplastic endometrium, and endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G1, G2 morphological degree). Adenocarcinoma showed significantly lower ER beta delta 6 mRNA level than proliferative (p = 0.032) and secretory (p = 0.01) endometrium. A decrease of mRNA wtER beta in endometrial adenocarcinoma (p = 0.006) also was observed.

[Molecular basics of aldosterone and cortisol synthesis in normal adrenals and adrenocortical adenomas]

The aim of the study is to present genes encoding enzymatic proteins of aldosterone and cortisol synthesis pathway, methods of their transcriptional activity measurement, mRNA expression of the genes in normal adrenal cortex, in adrenocortical adenomas excised from patients with Conn and Cushing syndromes, as well as in adrenocortical adenomas excised from patients, in which hormonal activity of the tumour was not confirmed. According to presented papers mRNA expression of analyzed genes is best known in tissue obtained from tumours excised from patients with Conn syndrome. On the other hand transcriptional activity of the genes within the other adrenocortical adenomas is documented in lesser degree. It concerns particularly analyses of tissue material obtained from patients, in which hormonal activity of adrenal tumours was not confirmed with biochemical tests. It should be also considered, that the frame of reference for the majority of molecular analyses of adrenocortical tumour tissues was material obtained from little number of normal adrenals, what decreases in some degree credibility of obtained results. Mentioned above remarks may be the basis for conduction of further investigations based on larger material, obtained both from normal adrenals and adrenocortical adenomas.

The influence of phytic acid on TNF-alpha and its receptors genes' expression in colon cancer Caco-2 cells

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6, phytic acid) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate abundantly present in high-fiber diets and it is also contained in almost all mammalian cells. It plays an important role in signal transduction, cell proliferation and differentiation. Some natural substances have been shown to elicit an impact on the expression of TNF-alpha and its receptors in cancer cells. TNF-alpha represents cytokine very often deregulated at the level of both gene expression and signal transmission through TNF-alpha receptors (TNFRI and TNFRII). The aim of the present study was to analyze the IP6 influence on the transcription of genes coding for TNF-alpha and its receptors in human colon cancer cells line Caco-2 Real-time QRT-PCR based on TaqMan methodology was applied to analyze quantitatively the transcript levels of these genes. Three concentrations (1, 2.5 and 5 mM) of IP6 were used for Caco-2 cells stimulation for 1, 6, 12 and 24 h. The results showed that IP6 modulated the expression of the listed genes at transcription level in a dose and time dependent manner. The enhanced TNFRI and decreased TNF-alpha and TNFRII transcription in Caco-2 cells stimulated for 12 h with IP6 seems to be the presumptive evidence for anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity of IP6.

Sequence analysis of proviral DNA of porcine endogenous retroviruses

Among all species analyzed, the domestic pig seems to be the most appropriate organ donor for xenotransplantation. Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are present in genomes of all pigs and are capable of infecting human cells in vitro thus posing a serious threat for xenotransplantation procedures. Despite the abundant distribution of PERVs integrated with porcine genome, the majority of PERV proviral DNA is not capable of expressing viral proteins unless seriously mutated. The aim of the study was to analyze PERV genome for mutations. The study was performed on blood samples from 146 pigs. Long-range polymerase chain reaction (Long-PCR) was performed with primer sets designed within long terminal repeats (LTRs). Long-PCR products of different molecular weights were obtained: 530 bp (33.1% of individuals), 580 bp (76.7%), 933 bp (100%), and 2900 bp (59.8%). Amplimers of 7200 bp were absent in 12.8% of individuals, indicating the lack of intact proviral DNA. Sequence analysis showed that most PERV proviral DNA was significantly mutated, thus suggesting the inability to express functional viral RNA; however, it cannot be ruled out that compensatory recombination processes could occur enabling replication of defective proviruses.

GyrA mutations in ciprofloxacin-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Silesian Hospital in Poland

Among 73 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 48 strains were ciprofloxacine (CIP) susceptible and 25 CIP resistant (Minimal inhibitory concentration--MIC>32 microg/ml - 14 strains) or of intermediate susceptibility to CIP (MIC > or = 1,5 - 32 microg/ml - 11 isolates). Mutations in the quinolone-resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA gene were searched in groups of CIP resistant and of intermediate susceptibility to CIP isolates. Two methods: restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and DNA sequencing analysis allowed to detect three different mutations. The nucleotide substitutions observed led to the following amino acid replacements: Thr-83 --> Ile, Asp-87 --> Asn, Asp-87 --> Gly. One mutated strain among the group of mutants analyzed showed double mutation (Thr-83 --> Ile, Asp-87 --> Gly) and additional silent mutation (Val-103 --> Val); whilst the rest of the isolates showed different single missense mutations. The most frequently detected mutation in the gyrA gene (16 out of 25 mutants) was the Thr-83 --> Ile substitution.

Changes in TNF-α mRNA Levels in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection during α-Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy

HCV virus infections have become a serious epidemiological problem throughout the world. Hepatitis C therapy includes the administration of IFN-alpha and ribavirin, but results in the complete eradication of HCV viremia in only 30% of patients. TNF-alpha is one of the factors involved in hepatitis C pathogenesis and the results of therapy. In this study, we present the results of applying real-time RT-PCR for assessing the TNF-alpha mRNA level in the peripheral blood of patients treated with IFN-alpha and ribavirin. We found the TNF-alpha mRNA level to be higher in HCV-infected patients compared with healthy controls when analyzed after 4 weeks (p = 0.001) and 3 months (p = 0.003) of IFN-alpha/RIBA therapy. The pretreatment level and the level after six months of therapy were not significantly different from the level of healthy controls. There were no significant differences in TNF-alpha mRNA levels between patients who responded to anti-HCV therapy, resulting in a decrease in HCV viremia below detection limit over 6 months and patients whose HCV RNA was not eliminated (p = 0.881). These results indicate that there is a transient increase of TNF-alpha gene expression during anti-HCV therapy. This fact may be connected with the host organism's response to IFN-alpha/RIBA therapy.

Genetic disregulation of gene coding tumor necrosis factor alpha receptors (TNFalpha Rs) in colorectal cancer cells

The expression of TNF ligand by malignant cells might be a mechanism for tumour immune escape. Genetic disregulation of gene coding TNF receptors was observed in neoplastic disease by an increased number of receptors on tumour cells and ligand-receptor activity. It might cause tumour proliferation and metastatic potential. Structure of TNF receptors influences TNF activity in vivo and structure of TNF R2 gene may suggest post-transcription modification based on alternative splicing. The aim of the study was to analyse the expression of gene coding TNF receptors R2 and R2/R7 (without exon 7) by estimation of mRNA expression of colorectal cancer cells in comparison with surrounding tissue free from neoplastic infiltration and searched for differently spliced TNFalphaR2/R7 isoforms. The study included fifty four patients with histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma (Stage III according to the AJC TNM Classification). Tissue samples removed from the tumour region were obtained from colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment. The samples were divided into two parts. The first one--was routinely examined histopathologically, the second one--was used for RNA extraction and the number of TNF and its receptors mRNA copies were subsequently quantified. The TNF and TNFRII genes expression were estimated based on the number of mRNA copies on 1 microg total RNA. The presence of TNFR2 and TNFR2/R7 isoforms in tumour, normal and metastatic cells was observed. The highest number of mRNA TNF copies and over expressed TNF genes were investigated and significantly noticed in metastatic cells (lymph nodes). The decreased number of TNFR2/R7 mRNA copies in metastatic lymph nodes secondarily influenced the decreased TNF soluble receptors' concentration. In conclusion, the genetic disregulation observed in neoplastic disease usually concerns dysfunction of cytokines receptor genes.

Mutational screening of SCN5A linked disorders in Polish patients and their family members

Mutations in SCN5A lead to a broad spectrum of phenotypes, including the Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF), Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (probably regarded as a form of LQT3), Sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS) and isolated progressive cardiac conduction defect (PCCD) (Lev-Lenegre disease). Brugada Syndrome (BS) is a form of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation characterized by the right bundle-branch block pattern and ST elevation (STE) in the right precordial leads of the ECG. Mutations of the cardiac sodium channel SCN5A cause the disorder, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is often recommended for affected individuals. In this study sequences of the coding region of the SCN5A gene were analysed in patients with the LQT3, Brugada Syndrome and other arrythmogenic disorders. Different mSSCP patterns are described with no disease-related SSCP conformers in any sample. Direct sequencing of the SCN5A gene confirmed the absence of mutations. This suggests that the analysed region of the SCN5A gene is not commonly involved in the pathogenesis of the Brugada Syndrome and associated disorders.

The KVLQT1 gene is not a common target for mutations in patients with various heart pathologies

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of ventricular repolarization that exposes affected individuals to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. The first gene for LQTS has been mapped to chromosome 11 p.15.5 by genome-wide linkage analysis. This gene, originally named KVLQT1 (and later KCNQ1), is a novel potassium channel gene. Mutations in the human KVLQT1 gene, encoding the alpha-subunit of the KVLQT1 channel, cause the long QT syndrome. In this work, we analysed the sequence of six KVLQT1 exons in patients with various heart pathologies. We describe 6 different mSSCP patterns with no disease-related SSCP conformers in any sample. Direct sequencing of exons 2 to 7 confirmed the absence of mutations. This suggests that the analysed region of the KVLQT1 gene is not commonly involved in pathogenesis of the long QT syndrome.

Concentration profile of mRNA of kinine B1 and B2 receptors in the evaluation of colon pathologies

Colon pathologies involve the activation of a number of inflammation mediators: cytokines, prostanoids and kinines. The expression patterns of the genes associated with their activation may provide a very sensitive marker of the physiological condition of the cells. This paper demonstrates certain statistically significant differences (p = 0.008) between the expression patterns of kinine B1 and B2 receptor encoding genes for colitis ulcerosa and a control group. The ratio of kinine B1/B2 concentrations changes significantly, on the average from 1.3 for a tissue assessed as healthy to 6.6 for colitis ulcerosa.

Expression of the histone H3 gene in the evaluation of cellular proliferation in colitis ulcerosa

A comparison of the number of mRNA molecules of histone H3 in 1 microg total RNA extracted from colon sections sampled during colonoscopy was used to evaluate cellular proliferation activity in the rectum and sigmoid, in normal tissue and in colitis ulcerosa. Samples with similar intensity of the disease were selected for the study. Statistically significant differences between both groups of rectal sections were found in the expression of histone H3 encoding genes. The statistically significant result (p = 0.0485) indicates a more active division of cells in the healthy rectum, with no statistically significant differences in the sigmoid (p=0.9575).

Biocompatibility of glass-crystalline materials obtained by the sol-gel method: effect on macrophage function

The aim of this work was to confirm in vitro biocompatibility of a new gel-derived glass-crystalline material containing hydroxyapatite and wollastonite phases. For the purpose of comparison, studies were also carried out for a material of the same chemical composition obtained by the traditional melting method. We examined the behaviour and response of cells cultured in the presence of the studied materials. The level of activation of macrophages in culture was determined using three different methods: measurement of respiratory burst by chemiluminescence, nitrite assay and by bioassay of secreted cytokines after immunoelectrophoresis of acute phase proteins from hepatoma cells. All our results show a relatively low, close to control level, activation of macrophages exposed to the studied materials. This indicates a good biocompatibility of both the gel-derived material and the material obtained by the traditional melting method.