Regulation of Baicalin on Growth of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma Cells through FOXO3/CCL22 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of baicalin on the growth of extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) cells and its related mechanism.@*METHODS@#Normal NK cells and human ENKTCL cells lines SNK-6 and YTS were cultured, then SNK-6 and YTS cells were treated with 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin and set control. Cell proliferation and apoptosis was detected by Edu method and FCM method, respectively, and expressions of BCL-2, Bax, FOXO3 and CCL22 proteins were detected by Western blot. Interference plasmids were designed and synthesized. FOXO3 siRNA interference plasmids and CCL22 pcDNA overexpression plasmids were transfected with PEI transfection reagent. Furthermore, animal models were established for validation.@*RESULTS@#In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the proliferation rate of SNK-6 cells was (56.17±2.96)%, (51.92±4.63)%, (36.42±1.58)%, and (14.60±2.81)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (58.85±2.98)%, (51.38±1.32)%, (34.75±1.09)%, and (15.45±1.10)%, respectively. In control group and 5, 10, 20 μmol/L baicalin group, the apoptosis rate of SNK-6 cells was (5.93±0.74)%, (11.78±0.34)%, (28.46±0.44)%, and (32.40±0.37)%, respectively, while that of YTS cells was (7.93±0.69)%, (16.29±1.35)%, (33.91±1.56)%, and (36.27±1.06)%, respectively. Compared with control group, the expression of BCL-2 protein both in SNK-6 and YTS cells decreased significantly (P<0.001), and the expression of Bax protein increased in SNK-6 cells only when the concentration of baicalin was 20 μmol/L (P<0.001), while that in YTS cells increased in all three concentrations(5, 10, 20 μmol/L) of baicalin (P<0.001). The expression of FOXO3 protein decreased while CCL22 protein increased in ENKTCL cell lines compared with human NK cells (P<0.001), but the expression of FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.01) and CCL22 protein decreased after baicalin treatment (P<0.001). Animal experiments showed that baicalin treatment could inhibit tumor growth. The expression of CCL22 protein in ENKTCL tissue of nude mice treated with baicalin decreased compared with control group (P<0.01), while the FOXO3 protein increased (P<0.05). In addition, FOXO3 silencing resulted in the decrease of FOXO3 protein expression and increase of CCL22 protein expression (P<0.01, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSION@#Baicalin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of ENKTCL cell lines SNK-6 and YTS, up-regulate the expression of Bax protein, down-regulate the expression of BCL-2 protein, and down-regulate the expression of CCL22 protein mediated by FOXO3. Animal experiment shown that the baicalin can inhibit tumor growth. Baicalin can inhibit the growth and induce apoptosis of ENKTCL cells through FOXO3/CCL22 signaling pathway.

O fator de virulência relacionado ao H. pylori influencia a expressão de quimiocinas CXCL10, CCL17, CCL20, CCL22, e seus receptores por células mononucleares de sangue periféricos de pacientes com úlceras pépticas / The h. pylori-related virulence factor caga influences the expression of chemokines cxcl10, ccl17, ccl20, ccl22, and their receptors by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from peptic ulcer patients

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: During the Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, the infiltration of the leukocytes into stomach mucosa is directed by locally produced chemokines that play a decisive role in infection outcome. The CagA is the most potent virulence factor of HP, so that the infection with CagA + strains is associated with more severe complications than infection with CagA - HP. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the expression of chemokines CXCL10, CCL17, CCL20 and CCL22, and their receptors by CagA + HP- and CagA - HP-derived crude extract (HP-CE)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from peptic ulcer (PU) patients. METHODS: The serum and the PBMCs were collected from 20 HP-infected PU patients, 20 HP-infected asymptomatic subjects (HIA) and 20 non-infected healthy subjects (NHS). The PBMCs were cultured in absence of stimulator or with 10 µg CagA + HP crude extract (CagA + CE), 10 µg CagA - HP crude extract (CagA - CE). Chemokines and receptors were measured by ELISA and real time-PCR respectively. RESULTS: In PU patients, the production of chemokines CXCL10, CCL17, CCL20 and CCL22, and the expression of chemokine receptors CXCR3, CCR4 and CCR6 by CagA + CE-induced PBMCs were significantly higher than non-stimulated and CagA - CE stimulated cultures. The CXCL10 production by CagA + CE stimulated PBMCs from HIA subjects was significantly higher than the equal cultures from PU and NHS groups. The CCL17 and the CCL20 production by non-stimulated, CagA + CE stimulated, and CagA - CE stimulated PBMCs from PU subjects were significantly higher than the equal cultures from NHS and HIA groups. The CCL22 production by non-stimulated, CagA + CE stimulated and CagA - CE stimulated PBMCs from NHS group were significantly higher than the equal cultures from HIA and PU groups. The CagA + CE stimulated PBMCs from HIA subjects expressed lower amounts of CCR6 in comparison with CagA + CE stimulated PBMCs from NHS and PU groups. The serum levels CXCL10 and CCL20 in PU and HIA groups were significantly higher than NHS subjects. NHS and HIA groups displayed higher serum levels of CCL22 in comparison with PU patients. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that the CagA status of bacterium influence the expression of chemokines and receptors by HP-CE stimulated PBMCs from PU patients.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: Durante a infecção por Helicobacter pylori (HP), a infiltração dos leucócitos na mucosa estomacal é dirigida por quimiocinas produzidas localmente que desempenham um papel decisivo no resultado da infecção. O CagA é o fator de virulência mais potente do HP, de modo que a infecção com cepas CagA + está associada a complicações mais graves do que a infecção com CagA - HP. OBJETIVO: O objetivo foi determinar a expressão das quimiocinas CXCL10, CCL17, CCL20 e CCL22, e seus receptores por CagA + HP- e CagA - extrato bruto (EB) derivado de HP (HP-EB) de células mononucleares do sangue periférico (CMSP) de pacientes com úlcera péptica (UP). MÉTODOS: O soro e as CMSP foram coletados de 20 pacientes com UP infectados pelo HP, 20 indivíduos assintomáticos infectados pelo HP (AI-HP) e 20 indivíduos saudáveis não infectados pelo HP (NI-HP). As CMSP foram cultivadas na ausência de estimulador ou com extrato bruto CagA + HP de 10 μg (CagA + EB), 10 μg CagA - extrato bruto HP (CagA - EB). Quimiocinas e receptores foram medidos por ELISA e PCR em tempo real, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: Em pacientes com UP a produção de quimiocinas CXCL10, CCL17, CCL20 e CCL22, e a expressão dos receptores de quimiocina CXCR3, CCR4 e CCR6 por CagA + CMSP induzidos pelo EB foram significativamente maiores do que as culturas não estimuladas e CagA - EB estimulados. A produção de CXCL10 por CagA + EB estimulou as CMSP de sujeitos AI-HP em proporção significativamente maior do que as culturas iguais dos grupos UP e NI-HP. A produção de CCL17 e CCL20 por grupos não estimulados, CagA + EB estimulado, e CagA - EB estimulou CMSP de sujeitos com UP e foram significativamente superiores às culturas iguais dos grupos NI-HP e AI-HP. A produção de CCL22 por grupos não estimulados, CagA + EB estimulado e CagA - EB estimulado pelo grupo NI-HP foram significativamente maiores do que as culturas iguais dos grupos AI-HP e PU. O CagA + EB estimulou as CMSP dos sujeitos do AI-HP, expressando menores quantidades de CCR6 em comparação com as CMSP estimuladas pelo CagA + EB de grupos NI-HP e UP. Os níveis sanguíneos de CXCL10 e CCL20 nos grupos UP e AI-HP foram significativamente superiores aos dos sujeitos do NI-HP. Os grupos NI-HP e AI-HP apresentaram níveis sanguíneos mais elevados de CCL22 em comparação com pacientes com UP. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicaram que o estado CagA da bactéria influencia a expressão de quimiocinas e receptores por HP-EB estimulados CMSP de pacientes com UP.

MiR-30b Regulates the Cisplatin-Resistance of Human NK/T Cell Lypnphoma Cell Lines SNK-6 and YTS by Targeting the CCL22 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-30b on cisplatin-resistance of human NK/T cell lymphoma lines SNK-6 and YTS cells.@*METHODS@#Normal NK cells, SNK-6 and YTS cells were cultured, the expression levels of miR-30b and macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22) were detected by real-time PCR assay, and the CCL22 expression was detected by Western blot. The SNK-6 and YTS cells were transfected with miR-30b mimics and inhibitor respectively, then the effect of cisplatin resistance in SNK-6 and YTS cells was measured by MTT assay, the activity of caspase-3 was detected by caspase-3 assay kit, and the cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to determine the targeting relationship between miR-30b and CCL22. Furthermore, the effect of CCL22 on cisplatin-resistance and caspase-3 actirity was also evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal NK cells, the expression levels of miR-30b significantly decreased in both SNK-6 and YTS cells (P＜0.01), but CCL22 mRNA expression increase in both cells (P＜0.01). MiR-30b mimics decreased the cell activity (P＜0.05), down-regulated the cisplatin-resistance (P＜0.05), and increased cell apoptosis and caspase-3 activity (P＜0.05). The effects of miR-30b inhibitor were contrary to the mimics. Up-regulation of miR-30b expression significantly decreased the luciferase activity in CCL22 3'-UTR-transfected NK cells, but not in Mut-CCL22 3'UTR group, suggesting that CCL22 could act as a direct target of miR-30b. The expressions of CCL22 pathway proteins were down-regulated after SNK-6 cells transfected with miR-30b mimics (P＜0.05), while this effect was restored by overexpression of CCL22. Moreover, CCL22 overexpression also increased the cell activity and decreased caspase-3 activity when SNK-6 cells were transfected with miR-30b mimics.@*CONCLUSION@#MiR-30b inhibits cisplatin-resistance of human NK/TCL SNK-6 and YTS cells by targeting CCL22.

Aberrant Expressions of Immune Factors Facilitate the Disequilibrium of Immune Status in Cervical Cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the expressions and co-relationship of immune factors forkhead box p3 (FoxP3),chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 22 (CCL22),tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 40(OX40),and SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) in cervical carcinoma and investigate their immunomodulatory roles in cervical carcinogenesis.Methods Totally 30 cases of cervical carcinoma with adjacent tissues and 20 cases of normal cervix were collected in this study. FoxP3,CCL22,OX40,and Smad3 mRNA expressions were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Compared to normal cervix,the expression levels of FoxP3 and CCL22 mRNA were elevated in neoplastic foci(P=0.000,P=0.002) and tumor periphery (P=0.048,P=0.040).The mRNAs increased modestly in high-grade squamous cell carcinoma focal(P=0.019,P=0.020) and periphery tissue (P=0.023,P=0.031) in comparison with low-grade squamous cell carcinoma. The expression levels of OX40 and Smad3 mRNA were significantly lower in neoplastic foci(P=0.000,P=0.015) than normal cervix. Compared to low-grade squamous cell carcinoma focal and periphery tissue,the mRNAs decreased moderately in high-grade squamous cell carcinoma(P=0.018,P=0.030; P=0.027,P=0.014). In both neoplastic foci and tumor periphery,the mRNA expression level of CCL22 was positively correlated with FoxP3 (r=0.353,P=0.000; r=0.307,P=0.000) but negatively correlated with OX40 (r=-0.288,P=0.031; r=-0.263,P=0.037),while OX40 was positively correlated with Smad3 (r=0.384,P=0.002;r=0.288,P=0.023). The mRNA expressions of FoxP3 and CCL22 were increased in foci and pericarcinous tissues (P=0.024,P=0.039; P=0.032,P=0.034) while Smad3 was decreased in neoplastic foci (P=0.017) in contrast to HPV negative corresponding group. Conclusion FoxP3 and CCL22 expressions increase while OX40 and Smad3 expression decrease at mRNA level in the microenvironment of cervical cancer,which may be associated with such immunological model that the immunosuppressive roles of FoxP3 and CCL22 enhance while the immunity-boosting roles of OX40 and Smad3 are impeded,contributing to the deterioration of immune disequilibrium in local site and cervical cancer carcinogenesis.

Dieckol, a Component of Ecklonia cava, Suppresses the Production of MDC/CCL22 via Down-Regulating STAT1 Pathway in Interferon-gamma Stimulated HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

Macrophage-derived chemokine, C-C motif chemokine 22 (MDC/CCL22), is one of the inflammatory chemokines that controls the movement of monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. Serum and skin MDC/CCL22 levels are elevated in atopic dermatitis, which suggests that the chemokines produced from keratinocytes are responsible for attracting inflammatory lymphocytes to the skin. A major signaling pathway in the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated inflammation response involves the signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1). In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of dieckol and its possible action mechanisms in the category of skin inflammation including atopic dermatitis. Dieckol inhibited MDC/CCL22 production induced by IFN-gamma (10 ng/mL) in a dose dependent manner. Dieckol (5 and 10 muM) suppressed the phosphorylation and the nuclear translocation of STAT1. These results suggest that dieckol exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via the down-regulation of STAT1 activation.

Mechanism of Macrophage-Derived Chemokine/CCL22 Production by HaCaT Keratinocytes

BACKGROUND: CC chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) and CCL22 are the functional ligands for CCR4. We previously reported that inhibitors of nuclear factor-kappa B and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), but not of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha- and interferon (IFN)-gamma-induced production of CCL17 by the human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. Further, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) enhanced the CCL17 production by these keratinocytes. OBJECTIVE: To identify the mechanism underlying CCL22 production by HaCaT cells. METHODS: We investigated the signal transduction pathways by which TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma stimulate HaCaT cells to produce CCL22 by adding various inhibitors. RESULTS: TNF-alpha- and IFN-gamma-induced CCL22 production was inhibited by PD98059, PD153035, Bay 11-7085, SB202190, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor II, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor 1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that CCL22 production in HaCaT cells is dependent on ERK, EGFR, p38 MAPK, JNK, and JAK and is mediated by different signal pathways from those regulating CCL17 production. Altogether, our previous and present results suggest that EGFR activation represses CCL17 but enhances CCL22 production by these cells.

Effect of bifunctional IL2-GMCSF in promoting dendritic cell activation in vitro in simulated tumor-induced immune suppression / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test the effect of bifunctional molecule IL2-GMCSF in promoting the activation of dendritic cells (DCs) cultured in tumor conditioned medium.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prepared a tumor conditioned medium using mouse melanoma cell line B16F10 supplemented with IL2-GMCSF, GM-CSF, IL-2, or the combination of the latter two. After culturing mouse DC cell line DC2.4 in the conditioned medium for 24 h, the DCs were examined for phagocytosis, proliferation, maturation phenotype, cytokine secretion, and signal pathway activation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DC2.4 cells displayed characteristics of immature DCs. After cell culture in the conditioned medium, the cells showed enhanced phagocytosis but significantly suppressed cell proliferation activity. Culture in the conditioned medium also promoted DC cell maturation and secretion of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), but inhibited IL-12 secretion. Supplementation of the conditioned medium with IL2-GMCSF promoted phagocytosis, proliferation, maturation, and cytokine (including both IL-12 and MDC) secretion of DC2.4 cells. Compared with GM-CSF, IL2-GMCSF induced a higher level of NF-κB signal pathway activation but suppressed STAT3 activation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with GM-CSF, IL2-GMCSF can better promote DC activation in the context of tumor-induced immune suppression, and thus shows potentials in anti-tumor therapy.</p>

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Quercetagetin, an Active Component of Immature Citrus unshiu, in HaCaT Human Keratinocytes

Citrus fruit contain various flavonoids that have multiple biological activities. However, the content of these flavonoids are changed during maturation and immature Citrus is known to contain larger amounts than mature. Chemokines are significant mediators for cell migration, while thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) are well known as the typical inflammatory chemokines in atopic dermatitis (AD), a pruritic and chronic inflammatory skin disease. We reported recently that the EtOH extract of immature Citrus unshiu inhibits TARC and MDC production. Therefore, we investigated the activity of flavonoids contained in immature Citrus on TARC and MDC levels. As a result, among the various flavonoids, quercetagetin has stronger inhibitory effects on the protein and mRNA expression of TARC and MDC than other flavonoids. Quercetagetin particularly has better activity on TARC and MDC level than quercetin. In HPLC analysis, the standard peak of quercetagetin matches the peaks of extract of immature C. unshiu. This suggests that quercetagetin is an anti-inflammatory component in immature C. unshiu.

Decreased Expression of FOXP3 in Nasal Polyposis

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of nasal polyposis (NP) is unclear. Eosinophils and mast cells are considered to play important roles in this process. In addition, the levels of Th2-type cells are increased, irrespective of the atopic status of the patient with NP. In this context, we and others have shown high levels of thymus and activation-related chemokine/CCL17, macrophage-derived chemokine, eotaxin, and RANTES in patients with NP. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) plays a key role in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cell function and represents a specific marker for regulatory T cells (Tregs). Decreased expression of FOXP3 has been reported in allergic diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the presence and potential roles of Tregs, defined by the expression of FOXP3 protein, in NP. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we estimated the numbers of FOXP3+ cells in the epithelium and lamina propria of the NPs of 17 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with NP and the nasal mucosa of 15 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The number of FOXP3+ cells in NPs was compared with that in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, and the numbers of FOXP3+ cells in atopic and non-atopic NP were also compared. RESULTS: The number of FOXP3+ cells in the lamina propria of patients with NP was significantly lower than that in the nasal mucosa of the AR patients (2.79 vs. 5.99, P=0.008). There was no statistically significant difference noted for the numbers of FOXP3+ cells between the epithelium of the NP and the nasal mucosa (3.60 vs. 2.39, P=0.180). Furthermore, the numbers of CD4+FOXP3+ cells were lower in NPs than in the allergic nasal mucosa. There was no difference in the number of FOXP3+ cells between the atopic and non-atopic NP patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer Tregs (i.e., decreased FOXP3 expression) are found in NPs than in the nasal mucosa of AR patients. As the severity of eosinophilic, Th2-type inflammation and the levels of inflammatory mediators are much higher in NPs than in the nasal mucosa of AR patients, an inverse co-relationship may exist between these parameters and the number of Tregs. The deficiency of Tregs in NP may account for the more pronounced Th2-type inflammation seen in these patients.

The Chloroform Fraction of Carpinus tschonoskii Leaves Inhibits the Production of Inflammatory Mediators in HaCaT Keratinocytes and RAW264.7 Macrophages

Inflammation is the immune system's response to infection and injury-related disorders, and is related to pro-inflammatory factors (NO, PGE2, cytokines, etc.) produced by inflammatory cells. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a representative inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by increasing serum levels of inflammatory chemokines, including macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC). Carpinus tschonoskii is a member of the genus Carpinus. We investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of C. tschonoskii by studying the effects of various solvent fractions prepared from its leaves on inflammatory mediators in HaCaT and RAW264.7 cells. We found that the chloroform fraction of C. tschonoskii inhibited MDC at both the protein and mRNA levels in HaCaT cells, acting via the inhibition of STAT1 in the IFN-gamma signaling pathway. In addition, the chloroform fraction significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide stimulation, except COX-2 and TNF-alpha. These results suggest that the chloroform fraction of C. tschonoskii leaves may include a component with potential anti-inflammatory activity.

Therapeutic effects of recombinant Salmonella typhimurium harboring CCL22 miRNA on atopic dermatitis-like skin in mice

Th-2-biased immune responses are known to play a key role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. In particular, the macrophage-derived chemokine CCL22 is directly implicated in Th-2-associated skin inflammatory reactions, and its levels are significantly elevated in serum and are correlated with disease severity in atopic dermatitis. In this study, we tested the development of genetic therapeutic options to treat atopic dermatitis using bacteria expressing miRNA. We constructed a recombinant strain of Salmonella typhimurium expressing CCL22 miRNA (ST-miRCCL22) for the in vivo knockdown of CCL22. The CCL22 gene was downregulated with CCL22 miRNA in activated lymphocytes. In mice with a cutaneous disease similar to atopic dermatitis, interleukin-4 was inhibited and interferon-gamma was induced after treatments with ST-miRCCL22. Furthermore, CCL22 levels were suppressed in the atopic mice treated with ST-miRCCL22. These results suggest that ST-miRCCL22 may be an effective genetic agent for treating atopic dermatitis.

Increased Expression and Role of Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin in Nasal Polyposis

PURPOSE: Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the upper airways often associated with asthma and characterized by markedly increased numbers of eosinophils, Th2 type lymphocytes, fibroblasts, goblet cells and mast cells. Previous studies have shown elevated levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in atopic diseases like asthma, atopic dermatitis and mainly in animal models of allergic rhinitis (AR). Here, we investigated the expression of TSLP in nasal polyps from atopics and non-atopics in comparison with the nasal mucosa and its potential role in nasal polyposis. METHODS: Messenger RNA expression for TSLP, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage derived chemokine (MDC) in nasal polyps and nasal mucosa of atopics and non-atopics was analyzed by real time PCR. Immunoreactivity for TSLP in nasal polyps and in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Eosinophil counts was analyzed by Wright-Giemsa staining and nasal polyp tissue IgE, by ELISA. RESULTS: Messenger RNA expression for TSLP,TARC and MDC was markedly higher in nasal polyps as compared to the allergic nasal mucosa. Immunoreactivity for TSLP was detected in epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells of the nasal mucosa and nasal polyps. The number of TSLP+ cells was significantly greater in the nasal mucosa of AR than NAR patients. The number of TSLP+ cells in nasal polyps from atopics was significantly greater than that of non-atopics and that in the allergic nasal mucosa. The number of TSLP+ cells correlated well with the number of eosinophils and the levels of IgE in nasal polyps. CONCLUSIONS: The high expression of TSLP in nasal polyps and its strong correlation to eosinophils and IgE suggest a potential role for TSLP in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps by regulating the Th2 type and eosinophilic inflammation.

Chemokines in Kawasaki disease: measurement of CCL2, CCL22 and CXCL10.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a childhood-onset vascular disease. In order to determine whether KD is associated with altered chemokine production, we measured CCL2, CCL22, and CXCL10 levels in the serum of KD patients and healthy control subjects. The mean serum concentration of CCL2 in KD subjects was 829.0 +/- 388.2 pg/ml, significantly higher than that seen in healthy controls (223.4 +/- 92.6 pg/ml; p < 0.001). In addition, the mean serum CXCL10 level in KD subjects was 2,469.4 +/- 998.8 pg/ml, again significantly higher than that in healthy controls (127.7 +/- 64.2 pg/ml; p < 0.001). No difference was observed in serum concentrations of CCL22 between KD and healthy controls (1,685 +/- 1,985 microg/ml and 1,539 +/- 380 microg/ml, respectively). Thus, we observed the selective induction of a TH1-associated (CXCL10) and a TH2-associated chemokine (CCL2) in the serum of individuals with KD, suggesting a mixed TH1/TH2 response at the level of chemokine production and subsequent cell recruitment and thus pointing at a potential role for these chemokines in the pathology of KD.

Serum Levels of Type 2 Chemokines in Lepromatous Leprosy Patients

BACKGROUND: The type 2 deviated immunological state is predominant in lepromatous leprosy. Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is an immune-complex mediated reaction that typically occurs in lepromatous leprosy. To date, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-10, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were reported to be higher in lepromatous leprosy. TNF-alpha is also known to be higher in ENL, which is reduced after thalidomide treatment. However the serum type 2 chemokine levels in lepromatous leprosy patients have not been reported. METHODS: The serum levels of the type 2 chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) and eotaxin together with IL-12 and IL-10 in the sera from leprosy patients were detected using an enzyme-linked solvent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The Serum TARC, MDC, eotaxin, IL-10 and IL-12 levels in lepromatous leprosy patients were not significantly different from the normal control levels. The serum levels were not significantly different between the paucibacillary group and multibacillary group. The serum TARC or MDC levels in the ENL patients were more reduced after a treatment containing thalidomide. CONCLUSION: The type 2 chemokines are not related to the severity of lepromatous leprosy. The larger reducing effect of the TARC or MDC levels in ENL patients by a treatment containing thalidomide suggests the potential role of these chemokines in the development of ENL and the therapeutic mechanism of thalidomide.

An enzyme immunoassay for detection of Japanese encephalitis virus-induced chemotactic cytokine.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) induces human peripheral blood monocytes to secrete a chemotactic cytokine [human macrophage-derived factor (hMDF)] which causes chemotaxis of neutrophils. The only known assay for hMDF cannot quantify its level in samples, so an enzyme immunoassay has been standardized for detection of hMDF and hMDF-specific antibodies in test samples. The reported enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was found to be sensitive (89%), specific (91%), accurate (92 2%) and reproducible and was able to detect a minimum concentration of 23 ng hMDF/ml in test samples. The chemotactic factor could be detected in JEV inoculated mouse sera and JEV infected culture fluids. Significant finding of the test was the detection of hMDF in sera of human cases of JE.