Systems biology of circadian-immune interactions.

There is increasing evidence that the immune system is regulated by circadian rhythms. A wide range of immune parameters, such as the number of red blood cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as the level of critical immune mediators, such as cytokines, undergo daily fluctuations. Current experimental data indicate that circadian information reaches immune tissues mainly through diurnal patterns of autonomic and endocrine rhythms. In addition, immune factors such as cytokines can also influence the phase of the circadian clock, providing bidirectional flow of circadian information between the neuroendocrine and immune systems. This network of neuroendocrine-immune interactions consists of complexly integrated molecular feedback and feedforward loops that function in synchrony in order to optimize immune response. Chronic stress can disrupt this intrinsic orchestration, as several endocrine signals of chronically stressed patients present blunted rhythmic characteristics. Reprogramming of biological rhythms has recently gained much attention as a potent method to leverage homeostatic circadian controls to ultimately improve clinical outcomes. Elucidation of the intrinsic properties of such complex systems and optimization of intervention strategies require not only an accurate identification of the signaling pathways that mediate host responses, but also a system-level description and evaluation.

Modeling endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation using an indirect response approach.

A receptor mediated model of endotoxin-induced human inflammation is proposed. The activation of the innate immune system in response to the endotoxin stimulus involves the interaction between the extracellular signal and critical receptors driving downstream signal transduction cascades leading to transcriptional changes. We explore the development of an in silico model that aims at coupling extracellular signals with essential transcriptional responses through a receptor mediated indirect response model. The model consists of eight (8) variables and is evaluated in a series of biologically relevant scenarios indicative of the non-linear behavior of inflammation. Such scenarios involve a self-limited response where the inflammatory stimulus is cleared successfully; a persistent infectious response where the inflammatory instigator is not eliminated, leading to an aberrant inflammatory response, and finally, a persistent non-infectious inflammatory response that can be elicited under an overload of the pathogen-derived product; as such high dose of the inflammatory insult can disturb the dynamics of the host response leading to an unconstrained inflammatory response. Finally, the potential of the model is demonstrated by analyzing scenarios associated with endotoxin tolerance and potentiation effects.

Translational potential of systems-based models of inflammation.

A critical goal of translational research is to convert basic science to clinically relevant actions related to disease prevention, diagnosis, and eventually enable physicians to identify and evaluate treatment strategies. Integrated initiatives are identified as valuable in uncovering the mechanism underpinning the progression of human diseases. Tremendous opportunities have emerged in the context of systems biology that aims at the deconvolution of complex phenomena to their constituent elements and the quantification of the dynamic interactions between these components through the development of appropriate computational and mathematical models. In this review, we discuss the potential role systems-based translation research can have in the quest to better understand and modulate the inflammatory response.

Nicotine exposure alters in vivo human responses to endotoxin.

The alpha 7 nicotinic receptor is reportedly a key element in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Because a prototypical ligand for this receptor is nicotine, we studied the in vivo human response to bacterial endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the context of nicotine or placebo pretreatment. Twelve adult male normal subjects were studied prospectively. Six received overnight transcutaneous nicotine administration by application of a standard patch (7 mg). Six hours later, all subjects were given an intravenous dose of endotoxin (2 ng/kg) and were evaluated for an additional 24 h for circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers, vital signs and symptoms. The nicotine subjects had elevated blood levels of the nicotine metabolite, continine, prior to and throughout the 24-h post-endotoxin exposure phase. Subjects receiving nicotine exhibited a significantly lower temperature response as well as attenuated cardiovascular responses for 2.5-6 h after LPS exposure. In addition, increased circulating interkeukin (IL)-10 and cortisol levels were also noted in nicotine subjects. These data indicate an alteration in LPS-induced systemic inflammatory responses in normal subjects exposed to transcutaneous nicotine. In this model of abbreviated inflammation, nicotine exposure attenuates the febrile response to LPS and promotes a more prominent anti-inflammatory phenotype.

Expression of tumour necrosis factor receptor and Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 on peripheral blood leucocytes of human volunteers after endotoxin challenge: a comparison of flow cytometric light scatter and immunofluorescence gating.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are involved in the recognition of bacterial products and thus participate in the induction of the inflammatory cascade. However, much less is known about the evolution of leucocyte TLR expression during human inflammatory stress. We hypothesized that a decrease in leucocyte TLRs could account for the so-called tolerance or hyporesponsiveness state to subsequent stimulation with bacteria-derived products. Because of the profound monocytopenia that ensues after in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, we also compared monocyte TLR expression using two different techniques of flow cytometric gating. In a first set of experiments, 17 healthy volunteers underwent LPS challenge. Blood was drawn at different time-points and analysed by flow cytometry using light scatter gating and one-colour analysis to assess the expression of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) and TLR2 and TLR4 on both monocytes and granulocytes. In a second set of experiments, the assessment of those receptors was made using a more specific gating method that utilized light scatter and CD14 immunofluorescence in a two-colour analysis. This was performed using whole blood drawn from five healthy volunteers and incubated ex vivo for different time periods with or without LPS and in 12 volunteers who underwent LPS challenge in vivo. The pattern of expression for monocyte TNFR was similar for both types of gating. Using only the light scatter gating, an initial drop of TLR 2 and 4 was observed on monocytes. By contrast, when using light scatter x immunofluorescence gating, an up-regulation of these two receptors following both in vivo and in vitro LPS exposure was observed. LPS up-regulates the expression of TLRs on monocytes and granulocytes. Depending upon the methodology utilized, contrasting results were obtained with respect to TLR2 and TLR4 expression. The flow cytometric gating technique used is of importance in determining cellular TLR2 and TLR4 expression, especially in blood samples exhibiting significant monocytopenia.

Two 48,XXYY patients: clinical, cytogenetic and molecular aspects.

Two 48,XXYY males, a young and an adult patient, have been clinically and molecularly analysed. Clinical findings seem less severe in the young patient. This clinical difference could be mainly due to the age of the younger patient or, alternatively, the different pattern of X-inactivation observed in the two patients could play a role in the degree of the clinical manifestations.

Interstitial "de novo" tandem duplication of 7(q31.1-q35): first reported case.

A patient carrying a de novo 7q31-35 duplication is presented. The tandem duplication was confirmed by FISH analysis. The case seems to be the first in the literature and, in spite of the large size of the duplicated region, he shows mild facial dysmorphism and a moderate mental retardation. The clinical findings of the dup7q published cases are compared in order to define a possible common phenotype.

A complex mosaicism 45,X/46,X,del(Xq)/46,X,idic(Xq) in a patient with secondary amenorrhea.

A complex mosaicism involving the X chromosome was found in a 35-year-old female affected by secondary amenorrhea and short stature. Her karyotype was: 45,X[20]/46,X,del(X)(pter-->q26::qter)[15]/46,X,idic(X)(pter-->q26::q26-->pter)[9]. No cell contained both abnormal X chromosomes. This observation would suggest a possible mechanism underlying the formation of isodicentric chromosomes.

The effects of glucocorticoid therapy on inflammatory responses to coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

HYPOTHESIS: Delayed or reduced polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) apoptosis may contribute to prolongation of systemic inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass. BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Preoperative administration of glucocorticoids has been used ostensibly to attenuate the systemic inflammation associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. Therefore, this study evaluated, in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, the efficacy of glucocorticoids in restoring peripheral blood PMN apoptosis and modulating PMN surface receptors (CD95, tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR]) known to be involved in proapoptotic or antiapoptotic signal transduction. DESIGN: Randomized control study. SETTING: Medical school and affiliated tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 7) or to receive 1 g of methylprednisolone sodium succinate on anesthetic induction (n = 6). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood samples were drawn before induction, 20 minutes after sternotomy and bypass, immediately postoperatively, and on postoperative day 1. Isolated PMNs were incubated for 6 hours with or without the CD95 agonist CH 11. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte apoptosis was measured using propidium iodide-RNAase staining and flow cytometry. Levels of PMN cell-associated receptors (TNFR and CD95), cytokines (TNF-alpha, interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, and IL-10), and soluble receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) were measured. RESULTS: In all 13 patients, spontaneous and Fas-mediated PMN apoptosis decreased more than 80% from baseline (P<.001) by postoperative day 1. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte CD95 increased (P<.003) by postoperative day 1 compared with baseline, whereas PMN TNFR was unchanged. Methylprednisolone administration did not modulate PMN apoptosis or immunocyte receptor expression; however, such treatment did decrease postoperative IL-6 secretion (P<.001) and increase postoperative IL-10 secretion (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The complications of major surgery include persistent inflammation, which can lead to multisystem organ failure. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte resistance to apoptosis may contribute to this process. A single preoperative dose of glucocorticoids did not effect PMN apoptosis or receptor phenotype.

Inflammatory cytokines and cell response in surgery.

The systemic inflammatory response as mediated by the cytokine network is undoubtedly complex. While inflammatory cytokines are indispensable in wound healing and the restoration of homeostasis, it is often the excessive activity of either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines that causes injury to the host or renders the host immunocompromised, respectively. Central to the functional biology of cytokines in surgical injury and infections are the responses of immune cells to such insults. It is clear that immunocytes are the source of cytokine production, and these products possess important autocrine, as well as systemic activities. The ability to alter immunocyte function through extracellular hormonal influences or by manipulating intracellular signaling mechanisms are potential strategies for regulating the inflammatory cytokine response during injury.

Preproenkephalin mRNA and enkephalin levels in the adult Syrian hamster: the influence from glucocorticoids.

Proenkephalin (Penk) gene structure in hamsters and humans are similar but they differ from rats. In this study hamster Penk gene expression was examined after hypophysectomy+/-glucocorticoid receptor blockade with RU 486 (mifepristone). In contrast to rats, basal Penk gene expression in hamster adrenals did not change after treatments that reduced both the influence from glucocorticoids and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase mRNA levels. Meanwhile, striatal preproenkephalin mRNA levels increased under these conditions.

The influence of human endotoxemia on CD95-induced apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: The responses of monocyte and neutrophil tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1 (TNFR-1) and TNFR-2 during systemic inflammation have been described previously. Several other members of the TNFR superfamily also appear to have regulatory roles in immunocyte function, including apoptosis. However, the response of these other receptor members, such as CD95, to systemic inflammation is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To compare the response of CD95 with that of TNFR during systemic inflammation and to assess the influence of the inflammatory milieu on CD95 function. SETTING: Adult clinical research center of a university hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five healthy male subjects were administered intravenous endotoxin (2 ng/kg), and systemic response was measured by cytokine analysis and receptor expression assays during a 48-hour period. CD95 function during systemic inflammation was assessed using a Jurkat cell bioassay for degree of apoptosis. RESULTS: Monocyte and neutrophil CD95 expression exhibited changes parallel to that of TNFR following endotoxin injection. In contrast to soluble TNFR, which was transiently elevated during endotoxemia, soluble CD95 levels remained unchanged from baseline. Jurkat cells incubated in normal and post-endotoxin serum samples equally exhibited less than 10% spontaneous apoptosis. No soluble CD95 ligand was detectable in experimental human endotoxemia. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-associated CD95 exhibited changes parallel to its receptor family member TNFR following endotoxin administration. Soluble CD95 is present in human serum samples, but the levels remained unchanged following endotoxin administration. No soluble CD95 ligand activity was detectable by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or by functional assay. The potential protective role of soluble CD95 in human serum samples against CD95 ligand-induced apoptosis remains to be defined.

Multivariate analysis of 9 disease-associated variables for outcome prediction in patients with sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of 9 clinical or biological variables to predict outcome (survival or nonsurvival) using multiple regression and classification analyses. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive cohort study with no interventions. SETTING: Surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital and a medical school research laboratory. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with a documented source of infection who met currently accepted criteria for sepsis syndrome or septic shock. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prediction of survival or nonsurvival based on analysis of clinical (Multiple Organ Dysfunction score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores) and biological (plasma levels of cortisol, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, phospholipase A2, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor p75, and monocyte membrane tumor necrosis factor receptor levels) variables, with comparison of predicted and actual outcomes. RESULTS: Plasma interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and phospholipase A2 concentrations were not significantly (P>.05) different between survivors and nonsurvivors. By standard, forward stepwise, and backward stepwise multiple regression analyses, only monocyte membrane tumor necrosis factor receptor levels measured at the onset of sepsis significantly predicted outcome in all 3 analyses. However, by both standard and backward stepwise analyses, Multiple Organ Dysfunction scores based on evaluation at the onset of sepsis and 24 hours later were also significant predictors of outcome. Classification analysis showed that assignment to outcome group was statistically significant when based on monocyte membrane tumor necrosis factor receptor levels determined at the onset of sepsis or on Multiple Organ Dysfunction scores assessed 24 hours after sepsis was diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Although these findings were based on a relatively small cohort, both multiple regression and classification analyses indicated that only monocyte membrane tumor necrosis factor receptor levels are able to discriminate survivors from nonsurvivors at the onset of sepsis.

Altered macrophage intracellular signaling induced by protein-calorie malnutrition.

Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) contributes to increased morbidity and mortality through impairment of host defense mechanisms and reduced macrophage function. The present study examined alterations in macrophage intracellular signaling associated with the impairment in host defense capabilities. Mice were randomized to either control (regular diet) or protein-free diets (PCM) and pair-fed for 1 week. Following endotoxin stimulation, peritoneal macrophages from PCM mice produce significantly less TNF-alpha and IL-6 product and had significantly less cell-associated IL-6 when compared to macrophages from control mice. Similarly, macrophages from PCM mice had a significant reduction in mRNA levels for both TNF-alpha and IL-6. Other macrophage intracellular signaling mechanisms, such as calcium flux and tyrosine kinase phosphorylation were also altered by PCM. The etiology of PCM-induced defects in macrophage function and intracellular signaling remain unknown but may be related to the neuroendocrine response to PCM.

Trauma-induced alterations in macrophage function.

BACKGROUND: The juxtaposition of immune suppression and a hyperactive inflammatory response after injury represents a paradox in immune function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the delayed macrophage hypersecretion of inflammatory mediators in relation to functional macrophage defects. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomized to control or trauma (femur fracture plus 40% blood volume hemorrhage) groups. One and 7 days after injury, splenic macrophages were isolated and assayed for antigen presentation and the production of inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, prostaglandin E2, H2O2, and nitric oxide. RESULTS: One day after injury, there were significantly diminished macrophage antigen presentation and decreased mean production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and H2O2. In contrast, 7 days after injury, splenic macrophages produced significantly increased mean amounts of TNF-alpha, IL-6, prostaglandin E2, H2O2, and nitric oxide, with a persistent functional defect in antigen presentation. CONCLUSIONS: This phasic response to trauma suggests a persistent state of macrophage dysregulation that may help explain the paradox of immune suppression, manifested by functional defects predisposing patients to increased infections, in the setting of inflammatory mediator hypersecretion, predisposing patients to the systemic inflammatory response syndrome/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Detection of dystrophin deletion carriers using FISH analysis.

The detection of carrier status in female relatives of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy patients is not always possible and this poses a problem in genetic counseling. We have developed a simple method that can be used in families in which affected males are characterized by the presence of a deletion within the dystrophin gene. PCR fragments, corresponding to the deleted regions are used as fluorescent probes for hybridization of peripheral lymphocytes nuclei of female relatives. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the feasibility of this method for detecting female DMD/BMD carriers.

Candida infection following severe trauma exacerbates Th2 cytokines and increases mortality.

Following trauma, there is an increase of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and a decrease in Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-2) that may account for impaired cellular immunity. However, the functional significance of a dominant Th2 pattern to the host remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Candida albicans (CA) sepsis in the setting of a Th2 response to trauma leads to increased mortality and to examine the mediators involved. Female BALB/c mice were randomized (12 per group) to receive no injury (C); trauma, consisting of a combined femur fracture and 40% total blood loss (T); no injury plus CA infection (C+CA); and CA infection 1 week following trauma (T+CA). Survival was then followed for 3 weeks. In a separate study, mice were treated as above (5 per group) and sacrificed. Harvested splenocytes were evaluated for concanavalin A-stimulated cytokine production and liver and kidney homogenates were plated to evaluate CA growth per organ and examined histologically. Candida infection at 1 week following trauma resulted in significantly increased mortality compared to infected controls. Furthermore, the Th2 dominant cytokine pattern was significantly augmented in the presence of CA infection in both C+CA and T+CA groups. Additional analysis showed significant growth of CA in liver and kidney homogenates from T+CA compared to C+CA mice. These results suggest that injured and infected mice demonstrate augmentation of Th2 dominant responses above that of injury or infection alone, as well as a decreased ability to clear Candida which may partially explain the increase in mortality observed. Therapies designed to neutralize Th2 cytokines or augment Th1 cytokines may prove beneficial in the setting of sepsis following trauma.

Effects of IL-10 on systemic inflammatory responses during sublethal primate endotoxemia.

IL-10 protects mice from LPS-induced lethality. To determine the effects of IL-10 on LPS-induced inflammatory responses, six Papio anubis baboons were i.v. injected with a sublethal dose of LPS (Salmonella typhimurium; 500 microg/kg) directly preceded by either human rIL-10 (n = 3, 500 microg/kg) or diluent (n = 3). IL-10 strongly inhibited LPS-induced release of TNF, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 (all p < 0.05). By contrast, IL-10 did neither influence the activation of the coagulation system (plasma levels of thrombin/antithrombin III complexes), nor the activation of the fibrinolytic system (plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type I, and plasmin/alpha 2-antiplasmin complexes). IL-10 modestly attenuated neutrophilic leukocytosis and neutrophil degranulation (plasma concentrations of elastase/alpha1-antitrypsin complexes) (both p < 0.05). Changes in surface TNF receptor expression on circulating granulocytes were not affected by IL-10. These results suggest that during sublethal endotoxemia the predominant anti-inflammatory effect of IL-10 treatment is inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine release.

Epinephrine attenuates down-regulation of monocyte tumor necrosis factor receptors during human endotoxemia.

Epinephrine inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by increasing intracellular cAMP concentrations. Because agents that increase cAMP levels can enhance TNF receptor expression in vitro, granulocyte and monocyte TNF receptors were determined by FACS-analysis in 7 normal humans who were receiving a constant 24-h infusion of epinephrine (30 ng/kg/min), and in 15 normal subjects after intravenous injection of LPS (2 ng/kg), while they were receiving a continuous infusion of epinephrine started either 3 h (EPI-3) or 24 h (EPI-24) before LPS injection or an infusion of normal saline (LPS; n = 5 per group). Infusion of epinephrine per se did not influence TNF receptor expression. LPS induced a transient decrease in monocyte TNF receptors and a more sustained decrease in granulocyte TNF receptors (both P < 0.05). EPI-3 partly prevented LPS-induced down-modulation of monocyte TNF receptors (P < 0.05 vs. LPS only), but did not affect LPS-induced down-modulation of granulocyte TNF receptors. EPI-24 had no effect on TNF receptor expression. These data suggest that epinephrine not only influences the bioavailability of TNF by an effect on the production of this proinflammatory cytokine, but also by modulating the expression of its receptors.