IL-13 R110Q, a Naturally Occurring IL-13 Polymorphism, Confers Enhanced Functional Activity in Cultured Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2-type cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma through its direct effects on airway smooth muscles. A naturally occurring IL-13 polymorphism, R110Q, is strongly associated with increased total serum IgE levels and asthma. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the IL-13 R110Q variant would display different biochemical properties or altered functions in comparison with wild-type (WT) IL-13 in cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs). METHODS: Culture supernatants and cell proteins were collected from cultured hBSMCs that were treated with 50 ng/mL IL-13 or IL-13 R110Q for 24 hours. Eotaxin released into hBSMC culture medium was determined by ELISA. The expression levels of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) alpha-chain, smooth muscle-specific actin alpha chain (alpha-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SmMHC), and calreticulin in the cells were measured on Western blots. RESULTS: Compared with WT IL-13, treatment with the IL-13 R110Q variant resulted in a significant increase in eotaxin release as well as significant, although modest, increases in the expression levels of alpha-SMA, SmMHC, calreticulin, and FcepsilonRI alpha-chain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggenst that the IL-13 R110Q variant may enhance enhanced functional activities in hBSMCs.

IL-13 R110Q, a Naturally Occurring IL-13 Polymorphism, Confers Enhanced Functional Activity in Cultured Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2-type cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma through its direct effects on airway smooth muscles. A naturally occurring IL-13 polymorphism, R110Q, is strongly associated with increased total serum IgE levels and asthma. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the IL-13 R110Q variant would display different biochemical properties or altered functions in comparison with wild-type (WT) IL-13 in cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs). METHODS: Culture supernatants and cell proteins were collected from cultured hBSMCs that were treated with 50 ng/mL IL-13 or IL-13 R110Q for 24 hours. Eotaxin released into hBSMC culture medium was determined by ELISA. The expression levels of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) alpha-chain, smooth muscle-specific actin alpha chain (alpha-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SmMHC), and calreticulin in the cells were measured on Western blots. RESULTS: Compared with WT IL-13, treatment with the IL-13 R110Q variant resulted in a significant increase in eotaxin release as well as significant, although modest, increases in the expression levels of alpha-SMA, SmMHC, calreticulin, and FcepsilonRI alpha-chain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggenst that the IL-13 R110Q variant may enhance enhanced functional activities in hBSMCs.

Effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and memantine on long-term prognosis in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and memantine on the long-term prognosis in neonatal rats with ischemia-induced periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two 5-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated, PVL, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated. PVL was induced by right carotid artery ligation and hypoxia in the PVL, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated groups. GDNF (100 μg/kg) or memantine (20 mg/kg) was injected in the two treatment groups immediately after PVL inducement. The weight of the rats was measured immediately before and after hypoxia ischemia (HI). Both of Morris water maze test and Rivlin inclined plane test were performed at 26 days old (21 days after HI). The values of the escape latency (EL) and swimming distance, and the maximum inclined plane degree which the rats could stand at least 5 seconds were compared among the four groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lower weight, the prolonged mean values of EL and swimming distance and the reduced maximum inclined plane degree were observed in the PVL group compared to those in the sham-operated, GDNF-treated and memantine-treated groups. There were no significant differences in the weight, the values of EI and swimming distance and the maximum inclined plane degree between the two treatment groups and the sham-operated group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The administration of either GDNF or memantine can markedly increase the abilities of spatial discrimination,learning and memory, and motor coordination, promote weight gain, and improve long-term prognosis in rats with PVL.</p>

1400W blocks death pathway of LPS-induced activated-microglia to preOLs / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy of inductible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor 1400W in vivo in blocking the death pathway of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activated-microglia to preoligodendrocytes (preOLs) in neonatal rats with infective-type periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) induced by LPS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two-day-old neonatal rats were randomly divided into: a sham-operated group, an untreated PVL group, and four 1400W-treated PVL groups that were subcutaneously administrated with 20 mg/kg of 1400W at 0 h, 8 hrs, 16 hrs, and 24 hrs after LPS induction, respectively. The brain specimens were obtained 5 days after LPS induction. The pathological assessment of cerebral white matter was performed under a light microscope. Concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were measured by nitric acid-deoxidize colorimetry. Synthesis of iNOS was determined by Western blot analysis. Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) level and the amount of preOLs were determined by immunocytochemistry. RETHODS: The obvious injuries of periventricular white matter, massive loss of positive O4-labelled preOLs, and increased levels of NO, ONOO(-) and iNOS were observed in neonatal rats with PVL. Compared to the untreated PVL group, the use of 1400W at 0 h, 8 hrs and 16 hrs after LPS induction significantly improved white matter injuries, reduced the levels of NO, ONOO(-) and iNOS, and increased the amount of O4-labelled preOLs. However, the use of 1400W at 24 hrs after LPS induction did not result in the improvements.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>iNOS inhibitor 1400W can effectively block the toxicity of LPS-activated microglia to preOLs and protect cerebral white matter through inhibiting iNOS and reducing the production of NO and ONOO(-). The use of 1400W within 16 hrs after LPS induction may provide cerebral protections in neonatal rats with PVL.</p>

Effect of 1400W, an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthetase, on blocking the toxicity of lipopolysaccharide-induced activated microglia to preoligodendrocytes / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the toxicity of LPS-induced activated microglia to preoligodendrocytes (preOLs) and the effect of 1400W, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), on the blockage of the toxicity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Co-cultured microglia and preOLs obtained from two-day-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: co-culture control group, co-culture LPS group and co-culture LPS plus 1400W group. After cultured cells were induced by LPS (100 ng/ml) for 48 hours, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by nitric acid-oeoxidize-colorimetry, the level of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) was determined by immunocytochemistry, and the synthetic level of iNOS was detected by Western blotting, respectively. The morphologic observation of apoptotic preOLs stained with Hoechst 33342/PI and the apoptotic rate of preOLs detected by flow cytometry were processed simultaneously. Data were analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to co-culture control group, there was significant increase in levels of NO [(82.27+/-3.41) micromol/L vs. (167.86+/-9.87) micromol/L, t=8.593, P<0.01], ONOO(-)[(6.14+/-1.27) x 10(7)/L vs. (34.38+/-7.75) x 10(7)/L, t=5.892, P<0.01], and iNOS [(0.18+/-0.027) vs. (0.79+/-0.068), t=9.26, P<0.01] induced by LPS in co-culture LPS group, and with a higher apoptotic rate of preOLs [(6.73+/-1.39)% vs. (24.77+/-2.05)%, t=12.619, P<0.01]. However, all levels of NO [(69.55+/-5.07) micromol/L, t=8.896, P<0.01], ONOO(-) [(10.33+/-3.47) x 10(7)/L, t=14.96, P<0.01] and iNOS (0.35+/-0.042, t=5.506, P<0.01) decreased significantly with the use of 1400W at a dose of 10 micromol/L in co-culture LPS plus 1400W group, and the apoptotic rate of preOLs [(11.8+/-2.06)%, t=7.715, P<0.01] was also reduced evidently.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NO, ONOO(-) and iNOS, etc. play important roles in the death pathway of preOLs induced by LPS. 1400W can block effectively the toxicity of LPS-activated microglia toxicity to preOLs through inhibiting iNOS selectively and reducing the production of NO and ONOO(-), and improve the survival rate of preOLs.</p>