CCR5/CXCR3 antagonist TAK-779 prevents diffuse alveolar damage of the lung in the murine model of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction: The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), secondary to viral pneumonitis, is one of the main causes of high mortality in patients with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease 2019)-ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection- reached more than 0.7 billion registered cases. Methods: Recently, we elaborated a non-surgical and reproducible method of the unilateral total diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) of the left lung in ICR mice-a publicly available imitation of the ARDS caused by SARS-CoV-2. Our data read that two C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) ligands, macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIPs) MIP-1α/CCL3 and MIP-1ß/CCL4, are upregulated in this DAD model up to three orders of magnitude compared to the background level. Results: Here, we showed that a nonpeptide compound TAK-779, an antagonist of CCR5/CXCR3, readily prevents DAD in the lung with a single injection of 2.5 mg/kg. Histological analysis revealed reduced peribronchial and perivascular mononuclear infiltration in the lung and mononuclear infiltration of the wall and lumen of the alveoli in the TAK-779-treated animals. Administration of TAK-779 decreased the 3-5-fold level of serum cytokines and chemokines in animals with DAD, including CCR5 ligands MIP-1α/ß, MCP-1, and CCL5. Computed tomography revealed rapid recovery of the density and volume of the affected lung in TAK-779-treated animals. Discussion: Our pre-clinical data suggest that TAK-779 is more effective than the administration of dexamethasone or the anti-IL6R therapeutic antibody tocilizumab, which brings novel therapeutic modality to TAK-779 and other CCR5 inhibitors for the treatment of virus-induced hyperinflammation syndromes, including COVID-19.

Salivary levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in periodontitis patients with and without acute myocardial infarction: implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Background: Periodontitis is initiated by a dysbiotic activity and furthermore leads to a chronic inflammatory response. The presence of pro-inflammatory markers plays an important role in the inflammatory load. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are pro- inflammatory biomarkers that quantify clinical and subclinical inflammation in cardiac ischemia in cardiac inflammation and disease. Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory marker associated with good health. The susceptibility of periodontitis patients to cardiovascular events needs to be evaluated. Objective: This study aims to assess the levels of biomarkers in periodontitis patients with and without acute myocardial infarction (AMI) compared to controls. Material and methods: Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory analytes were examined by collecting unstimulated saliva from three groups (n = 20/each): healthy individuals, individuals with stage III periodontitis, and post-myocardial infarction patients with stage III periodontitis. The samples were collected within 48 h of AMI. Results: Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in patients with periodontitis with and without AMI compared to controls, while CRP and MIP-1α were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis with and without AMI compared to controls. The highest titers for MIP-1α and CRP were detected among patients with periodontitis with and AMI. Conclusion: Our study provides possible evidence of the association between periodontitis and salivary analytes that occur in tandem with cardiovascular disease. The lower levels of Adiponectin and higher levels of CRP and MIP-1α in patients with periodontitis indicate that this condition is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The findings emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention for periodontitis patients to prevent cardiovascular events.

Disruption of CCR5 signaling to treat COVID-19-associated cytokine storm: Case series of four critically ill patients treated with leronlimab.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The number of confirmed cases of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 continues to escalate with over 70 million confirmed cases and over 1.6 million confirmed deaths. Severe-to-critical COVID-19 is associated with a dysregulated host immune response to the virus, which is thought to lead to pathogenic immune dysregulation and end-organ damage. Presently few effective treatment options are available to treat COVID-19. Leronlimab is a humanized IgG4, kappa monoclonal antibody that blocks C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5). It has been shown that in patients with severe COVID-19 treatment with leronlimab reduces elevated plasma IL-6 and chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), and normalized CD4/CD8 ratios. We administered leronlimab to 4 critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care. All 4 of these patients improved clinically as measured by vasopressor support, and discontinuation of hemodialysis and mechanical ventilation. Following administration of leronlimab there was a statistically significant decrease in IL-6 observed in patient A (p=0.034) from day 0-7 and patient D (p=0.027) from day 0-14. This corresponds to restoration of the immune function as measured by CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio. Although two of the patients went on to survive the other two subsequently died of surgical complications after an initial recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Elevated Baseline Salivary Protease Activity May Predict the Steadiness of Gingival Inflammation During Periodontal Healing: A 12-Week Follow-Up Study on Adults.

Aim was to profile salivary total protease, Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipain, and neutrophil elastase activities in relation to the resolution of periodontal inflammation, salivary macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α concentrations. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment was performed in 24 periodontitis patients in a prospective interventional study design. Periodontal clinical parameters were recorded, and stimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline and 2, 6, and 12 weeks after treatment. Salivary total protease and gingipain activities were determined using fluorogenic substrates, elastase activity by chromogenic substrates, and cytokine concentrations by Luminex immunoassay. For statistical analyses, generalized linear mixed models for repeated measures were used. Salivary total protease activity elevated, while gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation decreased 2 and 6 weeks after periodontal therapy. Salivary MDC concentration was elevated 12 weeks after periodontal treatment. Patients with elevated protease activities at baseline in comparison to patients with low baseline total protease activities, had higher levels of gingival inflammation before and after periodontal treatment. In conclusion, elevations in salivary total protease activity seem to be part of periodontal healing at its early phases. Higher levels of salivary total protease activities before periodontal treatment may predict the severity and steadiness of unresolved gingival inflammation.

Influência de um método de treinamento físico militar sobre marcadores indiretos de dano muscular / Influence of a military physical training method on indirect markers of muscle damage

O Exército Brasileiro (EB) desenvolveu recentemente o método de treinamento físico militar Cross Operacional (CO), caracterizado por exercícios combinados aeróbios e resistidos de moderada/alta intensidade. O caráter de moderada/alta intensidade do CO pode levar ao comprometimento das fibras musculares, aumentando o risco de lesão e exacerbação de uma resposta inflamatória aguda. Nesse contexto, a análise de marcadores indiretos de dano muscular pode ser utilizada para avaliação do nível de intensidade do CO e recuperação pós-exercício. O objetivo desse estudo foi observar o efeito agudo do CO sobre os marcadores indiretos de dano muscular em militares do EB. Vinte e quatro militares voluntários, do sexo masculino, com idade média de 20,8 ± 1,8 anos participaram desse estudo. As quatro sessões correspondentes aos níveis do CO foram executadas conforme delineamento cruzado, com washout de sete dias, e as amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas no repouso, imediatamente após, 24 e 48 horas após as sessões de CO. Os marcadores dosados nas amostras foram creatinoquinase (CK), lactato desidrogenase (LDH), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), mioglobina (Mb), lactato (Lac), proteína C reativa (PCR) e haptoglobina (Hp). Em todos os níveis do CO, a CK teve um aumento significativo após 24 horas e o Lac, a LDH e a Mb no momento imediatamente após o CO. Já a AST teve aumento significativo nos níveis 2, 3 e 4, com pico de concentração após 24 horas. Os níveis séricos de PCR aumentaram apenas no momento 24 horas do nível 4 e a Hp após 48 horas do nível 3 do CO. O presente estudo demonstrou que o CO foi capaz de alterar os marcadores indiretos de dano muscular. Todavia, após 48 horas de repouso, os marcadores indiretos de dano muscular apresentaram redução, indicando um processo de recuperação. Apesar das elevações nos marcadores musculares indicadores de dano, a ausência de alterações conclusivas nos níveis séricos das proteínas inflamatórias de fase aguda sugere que o CO pode não ter uma duração ou intensidade suficiente para induzir uma resposta inflamatória sistêmica substancial

The Brazilian Army (EB) recently developed a military physical training method called Cross Operational (CO), which contains combined aerobic and resistance exercises at moderate / high intensity. The moderate / high intensity character of CO can cause impairment of muscle fibers, increasing risk of injury and exacerbation of an acute inflammatory response. In this context, analysis of indirect markers of muscle damage can be used to assess the level of intensity of CO and post-exercise recovery. The aim of this study was to observe the acute effect of CO on indirect markers of muscle damage in military personnel of EB. Twenty-four volunteers, military, male, 20,8 ± 1,8 years old participated in this study. The four sessions corresponding to the CO levels were performed according to a crossover design, with a seven-day washout and the blood samples were collected at rest, after 24 hours and 48 hours after CO sessions. The markers measured in the samples were creatinekinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), myoglobin (Mb), lactate (Lac), C-reactive protein (PCR) and haptoglobin (Hp). At all levels of CO, CK had a significant increase after 24 hours and Lac, LDH and Mb increased at the moment immediately after CO. AST had a significant increase in levels 2, 3 and 4 and a peak of concentration after 24 hours. The PCR levels increased only at the 24-hour moment after level 4 and Hp after 48 hours of level 3 of CO. This study demonstrates that CO was able to change the indirect markers of muscle damage. However, after 48 hours of rest, indirect markers of muscle damage were reduced, indicating a recovery process. Despite the elevations in muscle markers indicating damage, the absence of conclusive changes in the levels of the acute phase inflammatory proteins suggests that CO may not have sufficient duration or intensity to induce a substantial systemic inflammatory response

[Effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet-treated titanium implant surface on macrophage behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion].

Objective: To investigate the effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet (UV)-treated titanium surface on macrophage biological behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion, and to provide basis for clinical application of UV-treatment in dental implant modification. Methods: Titanium disks were allocated into two groups. Samples in one group were acid-etched in hydrofluoric acid (Acid Ti group), and those in the other group were acid-etched and anodized (Anodization group) to form two nanotopographies respectively. The surface morphology was evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The samples were stored in the dark for 8 weeks. Thirteen samples from each group were exposed to UV-irradiation for 48 h (Acid Ti+UV group and Anodization+UV group), UV-untreated samples from Acid Ti and Anodization groups served as control. Hydrophilicity of samples was measured using contact angle measuring device. After 4, 24 and 72 h of incubation, macrophage cell adhesion and proliferation were conducted using cell counting kit-8. Cytokine/chemokine secretions [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α)] were measured from cell culture supernatants at 24 and 72 h using magnetic luminex assay. Cell morphology was examined using FE-SEM after 2 h of incubation. Results: Micropitted/nanopillar and micropitted/nanotubular topographies were observed in Acid Ti group and Anodization group respectively. Contact angles in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups (20.2°±2.8° and 0.0°±0.0°) were significantly smaller than those in the Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05). Cell adhesion and proliferation in all groups at 4 and 24 h showed no difference (P>0.05). Cell proliferation in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (0.92±0.13) and (1.10±0.08) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups. TNF-α concentration in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (1.03±0.11) and (0.87±0.10) ng/L, MCP-1 were (301.7±50.3) and (240.8±18.7) ng/L, MIP-1α were (224.9±30.6) and (233.9±14.9) ng/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: UV treatment can increase hydrophilicity of two titanium surface topographies, especially of Anodization+UV group. UV-treated titanium surfaces can promote macrophage proliferation and reduce the inflammatory response in vitro.

Effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet-treated titanium implant surface on macrophage behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion / 中华口腔医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of two nanotopographies of ultraviolet (UV)-treated titanium surface on macrophage biological behaviour and inflammatory cytokines secretion, and to provide basis for clinical application of UV-treatment in dental implant modification.@*Methods@#Titanium disks were allocated into two groups. Samples in one group were acid-etched in hydrofluoric acid (Acid Ti group), and those in the other group were acid-etched and anodized (Anodization group) to form two nanotopographies respectively. The surface morphology was evaluated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The samples were stored in the dark for 8 weeks. Thirteen samples from each group were exposed to UV-irradiation for 48 h (Acid Ti+UV group and Anodization+UV group), UV-untreated samples from Acid Ti and Anodization groups served as control. Hydrophilicity of samples was measured using contact angle measuring device. After 4, 24 and 72 h of incubation, macrophage cell adhesion and proliferation were conducted using cell counting kit-8. Cytokine/chemokine secretions [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α)] were measured from cell culture supernatants at 24 and 72 h using magnetic luminex assay. Cell morphology was examined using FE-SEM after 2 h of incubation.@*Results@#Micropitted/nanopillar and micropitted/nanotubular topographies were observed in Acid Ti group and Anodization group respectively. Contact angles in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups (20.2°±2.8° and 0.0°±0.0°) were significantly smaller than those in the Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05). Cell adhesion and proliferation in all groups at 4 and 24 h showed no difference (P>0.05). Cell proliferation in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (0.92±0.13) and (1.10±0.08) respectively, which were significantly higher than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups. TNF-α concentration in Acid Ti+UV and Anodization+UV groups at 72 h were (1.03±0.11) and (0.87±0.10) ng/L, MCP-1 were (301.7±50.3) and (240.8±18.7) ng/L, MIP-1α were (224.9±30.6) and (233.9±14.9) ng/L respectively, which were significantly lower than those in Acid Ti and Anodization groups (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#UV treatment can increase hydrophilicity of two titanium surface topographies, especially of Anodization+UV group. UV-treated titanium surfaces can promote macrophage proliferation and reduce the inflammatory response in vitro.

Perceived Stress is Associated with Accelerated Monocyte/Macrophage Aging Trajectories in Clinically Normal Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic stress is associated with poorer age-related cognition, but the mechanisms of this relationship are not well understood. Aging increases expression of activated macrophages, leading to exacerbated immune responses to stressors. We examined the impact of stress and aging on macrophage-related inflammation and cognition in clinically normal adults. METHODS: Three hundred eighty clinically normal adults were followed longitudinally (age M = 73 years; visit range: 1-8; M = 2.5 visits). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, a neuropsychological battery, and blood draws. Plasma was analyzed for cytokines related to macrophage function (interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta). Linear mixed-effects examined the effects of age, baseline stress, and their interaction predicting macrophage cytokines, adjusting for sex, education, and depressive symptoms. Latent growth curve models assessed the mediating role of macrophage cytokines in the relationship between age and cognition in high or low stress. RESULTS: Baseline perceived stress interacted with age to predict macrophage cytokines longitudinally. Specifically, high-stress adults demonstrated accelerated age-related elevations in macrophage cytokines across time. Macrophage cytokines negatively tracked with executive functioning longitudinally. Macrophage cytokines mediated 19% of the relationship between age and executive function in high-stress, but not low-stress, adults. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide evidence of accelerated immune aging among individuals with high stress. Elevated macrophage cytokine trajectories mediated the effect of age on executive function only in individuals with high stress, suggesting these constructs may be more tightly linked in elevated stress contexts. Stress interventions are warranted to optimize immune aging, with possible downstream cognitive benefits among even clinically normal adults.

Role of renal expression of CD68 in the long-term prognosis of proliferative lupus nephritis.

INTRODUCTION: Renal histology of proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) shows increased macrophage infiltration, but its association with renal outcome is a matter of debate. Here, we investigate the potential relationship that macrophage expression has with renal prognosis in patients with proliferative LN. METHODS: Fifty patients newly diagnosed with proliferative LN were followed for a median of 8 years. Laboratory testing was conducted at diagnosis, after induction therapy and at the final follow-up evaluation. Renal biopsies were obtained at diagnosis and underwent immunohistochemical analysis with anti-CD68 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 monoclonal antibodies. Patients were stratified at final follow-up evaluation into glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (non-progressor group; n = 24) and GFR ≤60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (progressor group; n = 26). All patients were treated with prednisone and six pulses of cyclophosphamide on induction therapy. Conventional maintenance therapy was administered in both groups. RESULTS: Compared to progressors, the non-progressor group showed a lower chronicity index (p = 0.01) and fewer CD68-positive cells in the renal tubules (p = 0.01) and particularly in the renal interstitium (p = 0.0003). Baseline and final serum creatinine correlated positively with the chronicity index (r = 0.3, p = 0.01 and r = 0.3, p = 0.04, respectively), and final serum creatinine correlated positively with interstitial expression of CD68 (r = 0.4, p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Renal expression of CD68 and the chronicity index are associated with progression to chronic kidney disease in patients with proliferative LN.

Sex differences in the expression of lung inflammatory mediators in response to ozone.

Sex differences in the incidence of respiratory diseases have been reported. Women are more susceptible to inflammatory lung disease induced by air pollution and show worse adverse pulmonary health outcomes than men. However, the mechanisms underlying these differences remain unknown. In the present study, we hypothesized that sex differences in the expression of lung inflammatory mediators affect sex-specific immune responses to environmental toxicants. We focused on the effects of ground-level ozone, a major air pollutant, in the expression and regulation of lung immunity genes. We exposed adult male and female mice to 2 ppm of ozone or filtered air (control) for 3 h. We compared mRNA levels of 84 inflammatory genes in lungs harvested 4 h postexposure using a PCR array. We also evaluated changes in lung histology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts and protein content at 24 and 72 h postexposure. Our results revealed sex differences in lung inflammation triggered by ozone exposure and in the expression of genes involved in acute phase and inflammatory responses. Major sex differences were found in the expression of neutrophil-attracting chemokines (Ccl20, Cxcl5, and Cxcl2), the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, and oxidative stress-related enzymes (Ptgs2, Nos2). In addition, the phosphorylation of STAT3, known to mediate IL-6-related immune responses, was significantly higher in ozone-exposed mice. Together, our observations suggest that a differential regulation of the lung immune response could be implicated in the observed increased susceptibility to adverse health effects from ozone observed in women vs. men.

Analysis of the local and systemic inflammatory response in hospitalized infants with respiratory syncitial virus bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus acute bronchiolitis (RSV-AB) is a major cause of hospital admission among our infants. The immune and inflammatory mechanisms involved in the RSV-AB and factors influencing severity have not been clearly established, although an imbalanced Th1 and Th2 response seems to be crucial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the local and systemic inflammatory response in RSV-AB. To find a possible marker of clinical severity and/or oxygen requirements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Levels of nine cytokines were measured in nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) and peripheral blood (PB) of 45 infants with RSV-AB and 27 peer controls, including IFNγ, TNFα, VEGF, interleukins 4, 6 and 10, and chemokines (IL-8 and macrophage inflammatory proteins 1-α and 1-ß). RESULTS: The levels of the analyzed cytokines and chemokines were significantly higher in the NPA of RSV-AB group, with a decrease in IL-4/IFNγ ratio. IL-6 and MIP-1ß levels in NPA were directly correlated to oxygen therapy. PB showed an increase in IL-8 and a decrease in MIP-1α and MIP-1ß in the RSV-AB group (only MIP-1ß associated to the need for oxygen therapy). No correlation was found between cytokines and chemokines levels in NPA and PB. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that RSV triggers an inflammatory response fundamentally at the respiratory level, with scant systemic repercussion. This local response is characterized by an increase in Th1 and Th2 cytokines, although with a relative predominance of Th1. The determination upon patient admission of IL-6 and MIP-1ß levels in NPA, and of MIP-1ß in PB could help predict severe forms and the need for oxygenotherapy.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells regulate nuclear factor kappaB expression in alveolar macrophages of acute lung injury rats with sepsis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels have a therapeutic effect on acute lung injury, but the mechanism is unclear. If the mechanism is understood, the majority of patients with acute lung injury can obtain a benefit. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism underlying bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in the treatment of acute lung injury with sepsis in rats. METHODS: (1) Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, sham operation group (sham group), sepsis group and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels group (cel treatment group). In the sepsis and cel treatment groups, animal models of sepsis with acute lung injury were established by cecal ligation and puncture, while in the sham group, the cecum was not ligated and punctured. Then, 1 mL normal saline was injected via the femoral vein in the sepsis and sham groups, and 1 mL bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel suspension (1×109/L) was injected into the cel treatment group. After 6 hours, interleukin 10 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in serum were measured in the three groups. Lung tissues were taken for pathological observation using hematoxylin-eosin staining. (2) Rat alveolar macrophages were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage, seeded into 24-wel culture plates, and divided into three groups: control group (group A), sepsis model group (group B) and intervention group of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels (group C). Normal saline, septic plasma, and co-intervention of septic plasma and mesenchymal stem cels were used in the groups A, B, C, respectively. Then, cels in the three groups were cultured in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37℃ for 1 hour. After that, alveolar macrophages were taken to detect whether nuclear factor-κB (P65) protein entered into the nucleus using laser scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the sham group, the macrophage inflammatory protein-2 levels in the sepsis group and cel treatment group were significantly increased (P 0.05); inflammatory cel infiltration, interstitial pulmonary edema and pulmonary hemorrhage existed in the sepsis and cel treatment groups, but these symptoms were significantly reduced in the cel treatment group compared with the sepsis group. (2) Results from cel experiments showed that compared with the group A, in group B and group C, the number of nuclear factor-κB (P65) proteins into the nucleus was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but it was lower in the group C than the group B (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels in acute lung injury with sepsis can regulate nuclear factor-κB (P65) protein of alveolar macrophages into the nucleus, reduce expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and thereby play a protective role in the lungvia reducing neutrophil infiltration. Temporarily, this study cannot explain whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels have an effect on interleukin 10.

Peptidoglycan modulation of chemokine production in normal human epidermal kerafinocytes and the role of Toll-like receptor 2 in this process / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the effect ofpeptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus on the release of several chemokines including intedeukin 8 (IL-8), regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) by normal human epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) and the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in this process. Methods KCs were derived from the foreskin of a healthy boy and propagated. After 2 - 4 passages, KCs were collected and treated with various concentrations (3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/L) of peptidoglycan for 24 hours or with peptidoglycan of 100 mg/L for varying durations (3, 6, 12, 36 hours). A fi'action of KCs were pretreated with functional grade purified anti-TLR2 monoclonal antibody before the treatment with peptidoglycan of 100 mg/L. After additional 12-hour culture following the treatment, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the level of IL-8, RANTES and MDC in culture supernatants of KCs. Results KCs spontaneously released IL-8 and RANTES. Peptidoglycan increased the production of IL-8 but decreased that of RANTES by KCs. The levels of IL-8 were 209.96 ± 10.31 ng/L, 250.28 ± 9.52 ng/L, 285.11 ± 10.28 ng/L, 359.40 ± 6.93 ng/L in KCs treated with peptidoglycan of 3, 10, 30, 100 mg/L, respectively, compared to 135.41 ± 14.37 ng/L in untreated KCs (all P < 0.05). On the contrary, a significant decrement was seen in the secretion of RANTES by KCs treated with peptidoglycan of 10, 30, 100 mg/L compared with untreated KCs (110.72 ± 8.51 ng/L, 90.50 ±2.45 ng/L, 49.89 ± 13.74 ng/L vs 149.94 ± 18.71 ng/L, all P < 0.05). The monoclonal antibody to TLR-2 could markedly suppress the promotion of IL-8 production by peptidoglycan, but had no obvious influence on the inhibition of RANTES production by peptidoglycan. MDC could not be detected in the culture super-natants of KCs with or without peptidoglycan stimulation. Conclusion Peptidoglycan could inhibit RANTES secretion but induce IL-8 production by KCs likely via TLR2.

Expression of MCP-1 and MIP-2 mRNA in Vagina of Murine Model of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the kinetic expression level of chemokines (MCP-1 and MIP-2) in vagina of a murine model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).Methods The estrogen-treated murine model of VVC was set up.Vaginal specimens were obtained in different duration after inoculation of C.albicans intravaginally.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was applied to determine MCP-1 and MIP-2 mRNA levels in these tissues.Results Compared with the control mice treated with olive oil,persistent growth of C.albicans was found from the 2nd day to 21st day after inoculation in estrogen-treated mice.Significantly higher levels of MCP-1 mRNA were observed in vaginal tissues in infected estrogen-treated mice than those in other 2 groups,infected but non estrogen-treated mice and estrogen-treated but uninfected mice.The high level of MCP-1 mRNA maintained from the 4th day to 21st day in infected estrogen-treated mice.It was also found that levels of MIP-2 mRNA were significantly higher in the vagina in the 2nd day in 3 groups of mice than those in naive mice,however,no significant difference was shown among 3 groups throughout the study period.Conclusion High level of MCP-1,rather than MIP-2,may be associated with susceptibility to VVC.

Protective effects of NF-kappa B inhibitor on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat liver transplantation / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To study the effect of nuclear factor-?B(NF?B) on cytokins expression and neutrophil accumulation in murine liver transplantation. Methods Donor and recipient Wistar rats were pretreated by introperitoneal injection of proline dithiocarbamates(ProDTC, 15 mg/kg) 15 min before transplantation. Results Compared with NS control rats the level of NF?B p65 significantly decreased suppressing the transcription of TNF-?,MIP-2 and ICAM-1 and the release of serum TNF-? and MIP-2 as well as the activity of myeloperoxidase(MPO) in rats receiving ProDTC(all P

Surfactant protein A regulates the expression of MIP-2 and inhibits NF-?B binding activity in tubular epithelial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of surfactant protein A (SP-A) on the production of MIP-2 and binding activity of NF-?B in rat tubular epithelial cells, and evaluate its possible role in renal inflammation. Methods Confluent cultures of NRK-52E cells (a renal tubular epithelial cell line of rat origin) were pretreated with various concentrations of SP-A(0 to 80 ?g/ml) and stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 ?g/ml) with 2% serum. MIP-2 expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effect of SP-A on NF-?B binding activity was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results MIP-2 mRNA and protein was expressed and up-regulated in NRK-52E cells stimulated by LPS. The expression of MIP-2 was down-regulated by SP-A. NF-?B binding activity was inhibited by SP-A in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion SP-A binding activity and down-regulates the expression of MIP-2 in renal tubular epithelial cells, which may play an important role in the modulation of renal tissue inflammation.

The Expression of Interleukin-17,Interferon-?,and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-3?mRNA in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression levels of of interleukin-17(IL-17),interferon-gamma(IFN-?),and macrophage inflammatory protein-3alpha(MIP-3?)mRNA in skin lesions of pa-tients with psoriasis vulgaris.Methods The skin biopsies were collected from skin lesions in31cases of psoriasis vulgaris and16normal controls.The expressions of IL-17,IFN-?,and MIP-3?mRNA were semi-quantitatively analyzed with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in psoriatic lesions and normal skin tissues.Results Expressions of IL-17,IFN-?,and MIP-3?were presented in all speci-mens of both psoriatic lesions and normal controls.The expression levels were1.142?0.059for IL-17mRNA,1.114?0.056for IFN-?mRNA,1.140?0.052for MIP-3?mRNA,in skin lesions,respectively,which were greatly higher than those in normal controls(0.879?0.034,0.905?0.026and0.868?0.031,respectively)(all P

Effects of recombinant viral chemokine vMIP-II on cellular immunity stimulated by LPS / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the produce of intracellular cytokine following short-term in vitro stimulation with vMIP and LPS, and discuss the effect of vMIP to cellular immunity. METHODS: The methods of Cross-linking of radioactivity, ELISA and four-colors flow cytometer were used to test the level of the secretion of chemokine IL-12 and intracellular cytokine IFN-? and IL-4. RESULTS: After treated the PBMCs with vMIP-II, the levels of secretion of IL-12, IFN-? and IL-4 were reduced in the present of LPS by competitively combining chemokine receptor; vMIP promoted CD4+T cell to secrete IL-12, IFN-? and IL-4. CONCLUSION: vMIP-II can protect systemic response of immunity and reduce extremely inflammation by down-regulating proinflammation.