Arm regeneration in two species of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis and Sepia pharaonis.

To provide quantitative information on arm regeneration in cuttlefish, the regenerating arms of two cuttlefish species, Sepia officinalis and Sepia pharaonis, were observed at regular intervals after surgical amputation. The third right arm of each individual was amputated to ~10-20 % starting length. Arm length, suction cup number, presence of chromatophores, and behavioral measures were collected every 2-3 days over a 39-day period and compared to the contralateral control arm. By day 39, the regenerating arm reached a mean 95.5 ± 0.3 % of the control for S. officinalis and 94.9 ± 1.3 % for S. pharaonis. The process of regeneration was divided into five separate stages based on macroscopic morphological events: Stage I (days 0-3 was marked by a frayed leading edge; Stage II (days 4-15) by a smooth hemispherical leading edge; Stage III (days 16-20) by the appearance of a growth bud; Stage IV (days 21-24) by the emergence of an elongated tip; and Stage V (days 25-39) by a tapering of the elongated tip matching the other intact arms. Behavioral deficiencies in swimming, body postures during social communication, and food manipulation were observed immediately after arm amputation and throughout Stages I and II, returning to normal by Stage III. New chromatophores and suction cups in the regenerating arm were observed as early as Stage II and by Stage IV suction cup number equaled that of control arms. New chromatophores were used in the generation of complex body patterns by Stage V. These results show that both species of cuttlefish are capable of fully regenerating lost arms, that the regeneration process is predictable and consistent within and across species, and provide the first quantified data on the rate of arm lengthening and suction cup addition during regeneration.

Expression of the SOFaRP2 gene in the central nervous system of the adult cuttlefish Sepia officinalis.

FMRFamide-related Peptides (FaRPs) are involved in a variety of physiological processes, including reproduction, feeding, development, body patterning and osmoregulation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Here we investigate the expression pattern of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis FaRP2 gene in the brain by in situ hybridization. The SOFaRP2 gene was found to be expressed most intensively in the posterior chromatophore lobe, vasomotor lobe and subvertical lobe. In addition, positive staining was also found in the fin lobe, brachial lobe, anterior chromatophore lobe, anterior, dorsal and lateral basal lobes, inferior and superior frontal lobes, and optic lobe. The expression pattern of SOFaRP2 suggests its involvement in chromatophore regulation, feeding behavior, and learning and memory.

Molecular analysis of a novel FMRFamide-related peptide gene (SOFaRP(2)) and its expression pattern in the brain of the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis.

FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) are among several neurotransmitters known to regulate the chromatophore function in the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. Here we report the cloning and sequencing of a novel S. officinalis FaRP gene (SOFaRP(2)). The complete 835-base pair cDNA sequence of the SOFaRP(2) gene contains an open reading frame of 567 base pairs encoding 188 amino acids and four putative FaRPs, NSLFRFamide, GNLFRFamide, TIFRFamide and PHTPFRFamide. All except TIFRFamide cause chromatophore expansion when assayed in an in vitro chromatophore bioassay. To investigate the expression pattern of SOFaRP(2) gene in the cuttlefish brain, in situ hybridization was performed using a full length RNA probe. The SOFaRP(2) gene was expressed primarily in the posterior chromatophore, anterior chromatophore, lateral basal and optic lobes among other brain locations. The SOFaRP(2) gene appears to be expressed in all brain regions involved in chromatophore regulation. These data suggests that some or all of the four FaRPs encoded by SOFaRP(2) might be involved in controlling chromatophore activity in cuttlefish.

Interleukin-22, a member of the IL-10 subfamily, induces inflammatory responses in colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interleukin (IL)-22, a member of the IL-10 subfamily, is a recently identified T-cell-derived cytokine. We investigated IL-22 expression in the inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and analyzed its biologic activities in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). METHODS: Mucosal IL-22 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical procedures. The effects of IL-22 on colonic SEMFs were investigated by cDNA microarrays, Northern blots, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSAs). RESULTS: IL-22 was not detectable in normal colonic mucosa. In IBD mucosa, IL-22 expression was detectable in CD4-positive T cells. IL-22-positive cells were increased in ulcerative colitis and even more so in Crohn's disease. IL-22 receptor expression colocalized with a marker of SEMFs. IL-22 did not modulate SEMF proliferation and collagen synthesis. cDNA microarray analyses demonstrated that, in colonic SEMFs, IL-22 increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, and leukemia inhibitory factor [LIF]), chemokines, and matrix metalloproteinases. IL-22 induced an activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activating protein (AP)-1 within 1 hour, and a blockade of NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation markedly reduced IL-22 induction of IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, and LIF mRNA. MAP-kinase inhibitors (PD98059, U0216, and SB202190) significantly reduced IL-22 induction of cytokine secretion. The combination of either IL-17 plus IL-22 or IL-19 plus IL-22 additively up-regulated cytokine secretion. CONCLUSIONS: IL-22 derived from activated T cells acts on SEMFs to elicit expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading molecules indicating proinflammatory/remodeling roles in IBD.

Interleukin-17 augments tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced granulocyte and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor release from human colonic myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-17 is a newly identified T-cell-specific cytokine. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-17 on colony-stimulating factor (CSF) release in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). METHODS: CSF release and mRNA expression were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Northern blotting, respectively. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB- and activating protein (AP-1)-DNA binding activities were evaluated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSAs). RESULTS: Unstimulated cells secreted a small amount of granulocyte G- and granulocyte/macrophage (GM)-CSF, and a considerable amount of M-CSF. IL-17 weakly enhanced G-CSF release, but did not affect GM- and M-CSF release. IL-17 selectively enhanced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced G- and GM-CSF release. The combination of IL-17 plus TNF-alpha induced a marked increase in NF-kappaB- and AP-1-DNA binding activities. The adenovirus-mediated transfer of a stable form of IkappaBalpha and/or a dominant negative mutant of c-Jun markedly inhibited the IL-17 plus TNF-alpha-induced G- and GM-CSF mRNA expression. Furthermore, a stability study showed that IL-17 plus TNF-alpha markedly enhanced the stability of G- and GM-CSF mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: IL-17 augments TNF-alpha-induced G- and GM-CSF release via transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms.

Butyrate blocks interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 release in human intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10 is a chemoattractant for CXCR 3-expressing T lymphocytes and monocytes. IP-10 has been reported to mediate chronic inflammation such as that in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the local secretion of IP-10 in the intestine remains unclear. In this study, we investigated IP-10 secretion in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). METHODS: IP-10 secretion was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and IP-10 mRNA expression was evaluated by Northern blotting. RESULTS: Interleukin (IL)-10 mRNA was not detected in unstimulated SEMFs. Interferon (IFN)-gamma strongly induced IP-10 mRNA expression. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha also stimulated IP-10 mRNA expression, but this was much weaker than that induced by IFN-gamma. The effects of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were detected in a dose- and time-dependent manner. These responses were also observed at the protein levels. The IFN-gamma-induced IP-10 secretion was not affected by acetate or propionate, but was significantly reduced by butyrate. Trichostatin A, a specific inhibitor of histone deacetylase, also blocked the IFN-gamma- and TNF-alpha-induced IP-10 mRNA expression, but the effects of trichostatin A were weaker than those of butyrate. The inhibitory effect of butyrate on IFN-gamma-induced IP-10 release was not associated with STAT (signaling transducer and activator of transcription)-1alpha activation. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that human colonic SEMFs are the local site for the secretion IP-10. The regulation of IP-10 release by IFN-gamma and butyrate may play an important role in controlling chronic mucosal inflammation in pathological entities such as IBD.

Interleukin-17 and lipopolysaccharides synergistically induce cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human intestinal myofibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMF) play a role in the modulation of mucosal inflammatory responses via the secretion of various inflammatory mediators. In the present study the effects of interleukin (IL)-17 and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in colonic SEMF were investigated. METHODS: The expression of COX-1 and -2 proteins and mRNAs were determined by western and northern blotting, respectively. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB DNA binding activities were evaluated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSA). RESULTS: The expression of COX-2 protein and mRNA was rapidly induced by the addition of IL-17 and LPS, whereas COX-1 expression was not affected by these factors. The effects of IL-17 and LPS were detected in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, IL-17 and LPS synergistically induced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. The EMSA demonstrated that the addition of IL-17 and LPS induced NF-kappaB activation within 1.5 h after stimulation, and a blockade of NF-kappaB activation by a recombinant adenovirus containing a stable form of IkappaBa markedly reduced the IL-17- and LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA expression. In these cells, the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, which is a cellular receptor for LPS, was detected. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-17 and LPS play an important role in the induction of COX-2 in SEMF. These findings suggest that COX-2 expression and prostaglandin synthesis might be regulated by both T-cell-derived factor (IL-17) and bacterial products (LPS) in the inflamed mucosa.

Interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha upregulate interleukin-23 subunit p19 gene expression in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts.

The recently identified cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) consists of p19 and p40 subunits. The major cellular source of IL-23 is dendritic cells and/or macrophages. We investigated the expression of IL-23 p19 mRNA in human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs). p19 mRNA was not expressed in unstimulated SEMFs, but IL-1beta and TNF-alpha strongly induced p19 mRNA expression in these cells. The effects of IL-1beta were much stronger than those of TNF-alpha. These responses were observed in both a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, these cytokines acted synergistically when used in combination. A blockade of NF-kappaB activation by the overexpression of a stable form of IkappaBalpha completely blocked these responses, indicating that the induction of p19 mRNA expression by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha was mediated by the NF-kappaB activation pathway. In conclusion, this is the first report demonstrating that IL-23 p19 mRNA is inducible in colonic myofibroblasts by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. The p19 expression in these cells might play a role in mucosal immune responses.

Fibroblast growth factor-2 stimulates interleukin-6 secretion in human pancreatic periacinar myofibroblasts.

OBJECTIVES: Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic pancreatitis. In the present study, to evaluate the proinflammatory nature of FGF-2, we investigated the effects of FGF-2 on IL-6 secretion in human pancreatic periacinar myofibroblasts. METHODS: IL-6 supernatant levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). IL-6 mRNA expression were determined by Northern blots and quantitative PCRs. Activated protein (AP)-1 DNA-binding activities were evaluated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSA). RESULTS: FGF-2 induced IL-6 release in a dose- and time-dependent manner. FGF-2 activity for IL-6 induction was the same as that of IL-17. The combination of FGF-2 and IL-17 exerted additive effects at mRNA and protein levels. FGF-2 induced AP-1 DNA-binding activity, but blockage of AP-1 signaling by adenovirus-mediated transfer of a dominant negative c-Jun gene did not affect FGF-2-induced IL-6 mRNA expression. FGF-2 rapidly induced activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinases, and specific inhibitors for these enzymes significantly reduced FGF-2-induced IL-6 release. CONCLUSION: In the pancreas, FGF-2 may not only play a role as a growth factor in tissue injury repair processes but also as an inducer of acute-phase response via stimulation of IL-6 release.