Interferon-gamma mRNA Expression Research Articles

Changing dietary n-6:n-3 ratio using different oil sources affects performance, behavior, cytokines mRNA expression and meat fatty acid profile of broiler chickens.

Typical formulated broiler diets are deficient in n-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) due to widening n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio which could greatly affect performance, immune system of birds and, more importantly, meat quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of modifying dietary n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio from plant and animal oil sources on performance, behavior, cytokine mRNA expression, antioxidative status and meat fatty acid profile of broiler chickens. Birds (n = 420) were fed 7 diets enriched with different dietary oil sources and ratios as follows: sunflower oil in control diet (C); fish oil (FO); 1:1 ratio of sunflower oil to FO (C1FO1); 3:1 ratio of sunflower oil to fish oil (C3FO1); linseed oil (LO); 1:1 ratio of sunflower oil to linseed oil (C1LO1); 3:1 ratio of sunflower oil to linseed oil (C3LO1), resulting in dietary n-6:n-3 ratios of approximately 40:1, 1.5:1, 4:1, 8:1, 1:1, 2.5:1 and 5:1, respectively. The best final body weight, feed conversion ratio as well as protein efficiency ratio of broilers were recorded in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Compared with the control group, the dressing percentage and breast and thigh yield were highest in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Narrowing the dietary n-6:n-3 ratio increased (P < 0.05) n-3 PUFA content of breast meat. Moreover, the breast meat contents of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary FO whereas α-linolenic acid content was higher with LO supplementation. Also, enriching the diets with n-3 PUFA from FO and LO clearly decreased (P < 0.05) serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low-density lipoproteins and enhanced antioxidative status. The feeding frequency was decreased (P < 0.05) in the C1FO1 and C1LO1 groups. Likewise, n-3 PUFA-enriched diets enhanced the frequency of preening, wing flapping and flightiness. Animal oil source addition, compared to plant oil, to broiler diets enhanced the relative mRNA expression of interferon gamma, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2 and interleukin-6 genes, especially at low n-6:n-3 ratios. This study has clearly shown that narrowing n-6:n-3 ratio through the addition of FO or LO improved performance and immune response of broilers and resulted in healthy chicken meat, enriched with long chain n-3 PUFA.

Regulation of inflammation, antioxidant production, and methyl-carbon metabolism during methionine supplementation in lipopolysaccharide-challenged neonatal bovine hepatocytes

Supplementation of methionine (Met) may improve immunometabolic status, specifically during a period of inflammatory stress. The aim of the present study was to establish an inflammation model using primary neonatal bovine hepatocytes and to examine the effects of increasing concentrations of dl-Met and a maintained Met to lysine (Lys) ratio on hepatocyte inflammatory responses, antioxidant production, and Met metabolism during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Hepatocytes isolated from 4 calves were maintained as monolayer cultures and exposed to 0, 10, or 40 µMdl-Met and 100 µM Lys (0Met100Lys, 10Met100Lys, or 40Met100Lys) or 10 µMdl-Met and 25 µM Lys (10Met25Lys). Cells were exposed to each treatment for 16 h and then challenged with either 0 or 100 ng/mL of LPS for 8 h. In the absence of LPS, glutathione (GSH) was not altered by 10Met100Lys or 10Met25Lys but was increased by 40Met100Lys. With LPS challenge, GSH concentration was decreased with 40Met100Lys and tended to be decreased with 10Met100Lys. Hepatocytes receiving 10Met100Lys treated with 100 ng/mL of LPS showed an inflammatory response with increased mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), IL-6, IL-1β, and interferon gamma, which was accompanied by increased nuclear factor κB inhibitor and serum amyloid A3 mRNA. The treatment 40Met100Lys was effective for preventing the LPS-induced increase in expression of the above genes except TNFα. Similar preventative effects were observed for 10Met25Lys; however, it did not prevent the LPS-induced increase in TNFα or IL-6 mRNA. Lipopolysaccharide challenge decreased mRNA expression of key genes controlling the transmethylation and Met regeneration pathways, which was not prevented by Met supplementation. The data suggest that bovine hepatocyte cultures can be used as a biological model to study the inflammatory cascade via an LPS challenge. Supplementation of Met prevents the LPS-induced hepatocyte cytokine expression and is associated with elevated intracellular GSH concentration.

Consumption of protein-enriched milk has minor effects on inflammation in older adults—A 12-week double-blind randomized controlled trial

IntroductionAging is associated with increased levels of circulating inflammatory markers and reduced muscle mass and strength. ObjectiveWe investigated whether intake of protein-enriched milk for 12 weeks would influence markers of inflammation among adults ≥70years of age with reduced physical strength. MethodsIn a double-blind randomized controlled intervention study, subjects were randomly allocated into two groups, receiving a protein-enriched milk (2×20g protein/d, n=14, mean (±SD) age 76.9±4.9 yrs) or an isocaloric carbohydrate drink (n=17, age 77.7±4.8 yrs) for 12 weeks. We measured serum and mRNA expression levels of inflammatory markers in PBMCs. ResultsSignificant differences in the mRNA expression of nuclear receptor subfamily, group H, member 3 (NR1H3, encoding the LXRα transcription factor) and interferon gamma (INFG) were observed between groups. The mRNA level of TNFRSF1A was significantly reduced, while the mRNA level of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) was significantly increased, in the control group. The serum level of TNFα increased significantly in the control group, while sTNFRSF1A increased significantly in both groups, but with no significant differences between groups. ConclusionConsumption of a low-fat, protein-enriched milk for 12 weeks had minor effects on inflammatory related markers in older adults compared to an isocaloric carbohydrate drink.

Boost of Immune Responses Against NY-ESO-1 Following Local Radiation Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Potential Contribution to Tumor Immunosurveillance

IntroductionLocal radiation therapy (RT) is commonly employed to treat bone lesions and/or extramedullary manifestations of multiple myeloma (MM) or solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP). Besides providing sufficient control of local tumor growth, radiation therapy may also contribute to broader anti-tumor immunity by generating off-site cellular immune responses. Here, we put a focus on tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) well known for their expression in MM such as Wilms' Tumor Protein 1 (WT1), New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), mucin 1 (MUC1), and preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) and assessed CD8-mediated immune responses before and during radiation.MethodsWe prospectively recruited HLA-A*02:01-positive patients with multiple myeloma or solitary plasmacytoma requiring local radiation therapy for bone and extramedullary lesions in this scientific, non-interventional study, supported by a grant of the Wilhelm Sander Foundation, Germany, and approved by our local ethical committee. All patients provided written informed consent. Immune responses against HLA-A*02:01-restricted peptides of WT1, NY-ESO-1, hTERT, MUC1, and PRAME were assessed at three different time points: prior to RT, end of RT and six to eight weeks after RT. CD8+ T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood and stimulated with irradiated, peptide-pulsed T2 cells (174 x CEM.T2; ATCC® CRL-1992™). After extraction of total RNA, Interferon gamma (IFNγ) mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR. IFNγ mRNA levels were normalized to CD8 mRNA levels. IFNγ mRNA expression of cells stimulated with the irrelevant melanoma antigen Glycoprotein 100 (gp100) served as calibrator. An expression level of 2.0 or more as compared to gp100 was considered as a positive result. Furthermore, an intracellular cytokine staining assay to detect IFNγ release in peptide-stimulated cells was employed to confirm PCR results on a protein level. Peptide-pulsed T2 cells also served as targets in CD107a degranulation assays.ResultsTo date, 19 patients including 16 MM and three SBP patients received fractionated local RT with or without concomitant systemic therapy. 13 patients were previously untreated; three patients received prior allogeneic and five prior autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At baseline, positive immune responses were frequently detected against NY-ESO-1 (10 out of 17 assessed patients; 58.8%) but interestingly not against hTERT, WT1, MUC1 or PRAME (see Figure). Consequently, baseline immune responses against NY-ESO-1 were significantly higher (p<0.001) as compared to all other TAAs investigated (Kruskal Wallis test). These median response levels against NY-ESO-1 further increased in the course of radiation therapy and were confirmed by flow cytometry on a protein level. The functionality and specificity of these responses could be demonstrated in degranulation assays suggesting the ability to deliver efficient anti-tumor immunity.ConclusionsImmunity against NY-ESO-1 was preexisting in the majority of patients and was undergoing marked expansion under local radiotherapy. This phenomenon was not found for any other TAA investigated suggesting that NY-ESO-1 carries a unique immunogenicity justifying most recent attempts to employ NY-ESO-1 as a target for genetically engineered T lymphocytes. Finally, this tumor-specific immunity is likely to contribute to immunosurveillance of multiple myeloma additionally supported by immune modulatory drugs applied for treatment such as IMiDs and proteasome inhibitors. [Display omitted] DisclosuresKnop:Takeda: Consultancy. Einsele:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Mielke:MSD: Consultancy, Other: Travel grants; Gilead: Other: Travel grants; Novartis: Consultancy; Celgene: Other: Travel grants, Speakers Bureau; JAZZ Pharma: Speakers Bureau.

Cytokine mRNA profiling and the proliferative response of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells to Mycoplasma bovis

Mycoplasma bovis is known as a significant pathogen and cause of large economic losses in beef and dairy calves worldwide. Numerous factors appear to play an important role in the development of disease during infection with M. bovis, e.g., inhibition of immune cell proliferation and induction of lymphocyte apoptosis. However, the mechanisms involved in M. bovis infections have not been explored and remain incompletely understood. We investigated the major cytokine mRNA expression in bovine PBMC stimulated with M. bovis, for comparison, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, which are the representative mastitis-causing pathogens. Here we demonstrated that live M. bovis significantly induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 12p40 (IL-12), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) mRNA expression in bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1000 but not at an MOI of 10 and 100. Live M. bovis at MOIs of 1, 10, and 100 induced significant bovine PBMC proliferative responses compared with unstimulated bovine PBMC. Furthermore, we showed that the cultural supernatant of M. bovis induced a significant increase in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA expression in bovine PBMC. Our results suggest that M. bovis weakly affects the cellular integrity of bovine PBMC and induces clear proliferative responses and associated cytokine production in them. However, large numbers of live M. bovis are required to induce an immune response in bovine PBMC.

Expresión de interferón gamma en la infección por el virus del papiloma humano y por Chlamydia trachomatis en muestras cervicales

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to mesure the expression of gamma interferon in HPV and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in squamous intraepithelial lesions. MethodSamples from 100 patients diagnosed by colposcopy with or without squamous intraepithelial lesions were used in the present study. Each patient was found to be infected by HPV and C.trachomatis. Relative gamma interferon mRNA expression was assessed using a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay (RT-PCR). ResultsThe relative units of expression of gamma interferon mRNA were 13, 1.8 and 0.3, for HPV and C.trachomatis co-infection, or HPV or C.trachomatis infection, respectively. ConclusionHPV and C.trachomatis could overstimulate the expression of gamma interferon.

Men Show Significantly Higher T Lymphocyte Mediated Immune Responses Against H-Y Than Multiparous Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Analysis in 114 Volunteer Blood Donors and Implications for Immunotherapy

Background: Immune responses against Y-chromosomal encoded epitopes are well known as a driving force for both strong graft-versus-host (GvH) and graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effects in female-into-male allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT). Female donors with a history of pregnancies with male infants are likely to carry T lymphocyte based immune responses against minor histocompatibility antigens derived from the Y chromosome (H-Y antigens). A feto-maternal cell transfer and consecutive immunization of the mother forms the likely basis of this phenomenon. Interestingly, male individuals may carry T lymphocyte based immune responses against H-Y as well. So far, little is known about their frequency, their origin and their functionality particularly in light of allogeneic immunotherapy. Therefore, we screened a group of volunteer blood donors including men and women for H-Y responses. This group has been previously reported for immune responses against tumor-associated antigens (Lutz M et al, ASH 2012).Material and Methods:After obtaining local ethical approval and written informed consent 114 HLA-A*02:01-positive healthy volunteer blood donors were enrolled in this scientific study including 38 nulligravidous women with a median age of 28 (21–53) years, 38 primi- or multiparous women with a median age of 46 (28–63) years and 38 men with a median age of 41 (21–56) years, respectively. Peripheral blood was drawn and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated using density gradient centrifugation. CD8+ T lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated with irradiated T2 cells (ATCC CRL-1992) which were pulsed with two different concentrations (0.1 and 10 µM) of the HLA-A*02:01-restricted minor antigen H-Y (FIDSYICQV) to distinguish between low- and high-avidity immune responses. After extraction of total RNA, Interferon gamma (IFNγ) mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). IFNγ mRNA expression was normalized to CD8 mRNA levels and expressed as relative fold change compared to the irrelevant melanoma antigen Glycoprotein 100 (gp100). A two-fold change or more as compared to gp100 was considered as a positive result.Results:Significant immune responses were detected in a small fraction of both women and men using two different peptide concentrations. Interestingly, women with a history of pregnancy did not show higher immune responses than those with no (known) history of pregnancy for both peptide concentrations. However, men showed the highest frequency of positive immune responses for both peptide concentrations. For the higher peptide concentration men showed significantly higher immune responses than nulligravidous (P < 0.05) or primi-/multiparous women (P < 0.01) or all women (P < 0.01). All results of this analysis are depicted in Figure 1. The horizontal line represents the cut-off for positive immune responses (relative fold change of 2.0).Conclusions: The results in women suggest that their immune responses – if not boosted by a further pregnancy or immunotransfer to an allogeneic individual – are short-lived. The detection of H-Y responses in nulligravidous women could be a result of unknown pregnancies in the past. We expected the highest frequency of significant immune responses against H-Y in primi- or multiparous women. However, to our surprise men showed the highest frequency and had significantly higher levels than women. This finding is in line with prior data where we found men to carry frequent immune responses against tumor-associated antigens such as WT1. At the end H-Y may serve as an auto-antigen to men suggesting that continuous gonadal expression of Y-chromosomal encoded antigens maintains these low-avidity autoimmune responses as previously described for cancer/testis antigens (Lutz M et al, ASH 2012). The transfer of these immune responses in a male-to-male HSCT may therefore contribute preferably to the GvL effect and thus be beneficial. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist Imiquimod in Combination with Influenza Vaccine Expedites and Augments Humoral Immune Responses against Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Infection in BALB/c Mice

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) of the innate immune system are known targets for enhancing vaccine efficacy. We investigated whether imiquimod, a synthetic TLR7 agonist, can expedite the immune response against influenza virus infection when combined with influenza vaccine. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with monovalent A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine combined with imiquimod (VCI) prior to intranasal inoculation with a lethal dose of mouse-adapted A(H1N1)pdm09 virus. For mice immunized 3 days before infection, the survival rates were significantly higher in the VCI group (60%, mean survival time[MST], 11 days) than in the vaccine-alone (30%; MST, 8.8 days), imiquimod-alone (5%; MST, 8.4 days), and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (0%; MST, 6.2 days) groups (P < 0.01). In the VCI group, 45 and 35% of the mice survived even when they were infected 2 days or 1 day after immunization. Virus-specific serum IgM, IgG, and neutralizing antibodies appeared earlier with higher geometric mean titers in the VCI group than in the control groups. The pulmonary viral load was significantly lower at all time points postinfection in the VCI, vaccine-alone, and imiquimod-alone groups than in the PBS control group (P < 0.05). The protection induced by VCI was specific for A(H1N1)pdm09 virus but not for A(H5N1) virus. Since imiquimod combined with RNase-treated vaccine is as protective as imiquimod combined with untreated vaccine, mechanisms other than TLR7 may operate in expediting and augmenting immune protection. Moreover, increased gamma interferon mRNA expression and IgG isotype switching, which are markers of the Th1 response induced by imiquimod, were not apparent in our mouse model. The mechanisms of imiquimod-induced immune protection deserve further study.

Immune-Stimulatory Effects of a Bacteria-Based Probiotic on Peripheral Leukocyte Subpopulations and Cytokine mRNA Expression Levels in Scouring Holstein Calves

ABSTRACTSubpopulations of peripheral leukocytes and cytokine mRNA expression levels were evaluated in scouring and healthy Holstein calves (age 10 ± 5 days; n=42) treated with a probiotic consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium and Clostridium butyricum. The calves were assigned to the scouring or healthy group and then subdivided into pathogen-positive treated (n=8), pathogen-positive control (n=8), pathogen-negative treated (n=6), pathogen-negative control (n=6), healthy treated (n=6) and healthy control (n=8) groups. A single dose of the probiotic (3.0 g/100 kg body weight) was given to each calf in the treatment groups for 5 days. Blood samples were collected on the first day of scour occurrence (day 0) and on day 7. In the scouring calves, smaller peripheral leukocyte subpopulations and cytokine mRNA expression levels were noted on day 0. The numbers of CD3+ T cells; CD4+, CD8+ and WC1+ γδ T cell subsets; and CD14+, CD21+ and CD282+ (TLR2) cells were significantly increased in the scouring and healthy treated calves on day 7. Furthermore, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma mRNA expression was elevated in the peripheral leukocytes of the scouring and healthy treated calves on day 7. The scouring calves given the probiotic recovered on day 7. A significantly smaller number of peripheral leukocytes and lower cytokine mRNA expression level might be induced by scouring in calves. Repeated probiotic administration might stimulate cellular immunity and encourage recovery from scouring in pre-weaning Holstein calves.

Boost and Loss Of Immune Responses Against Tumor-Associated Antigens In The Course Of Pregnancy As a Model For Immunotherapy

Background The therapeutic potential of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) mainly relies on graft-versus-leukemia effects mediated by donor-derived T cells targeting both minor histocompatibility antigens and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). The efficacy of TAA-mediated immune responses particularly depends on the level of antigen expression in the target tissue and the presence of a proinflammatory immune environment allowing donor-derived T cells to overcome peripheral tolerance and to attack the malignant cells in a selective manner. As several TAAs with clinical relevance in tumor and/or transplant immunotherapy such as Mucin 1 (MUC-1), Preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME), Wilms tumor protein 1 (WT1) and Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) are highly expressed in the placental tissue we investigated the effects of pregnancy on the frequency of immune responses against these TAAs in a prospective study. A cross-sectional analysis in a previously reported group of 114 healthy volunteer blood donors revealed no significant effects of prior pregnancies. Here, we present the results of the longitudinal analysis in women during and after their first pregnancy. Materials and Methods After local ethical approval and written informed consent a total of 44 HLA-A*02:01-positive women during their first pregnancy were enrolled in this prospective study. Immune responses against TAAs were assessed at four different time points: First or second trimester (Time point A, n=43), 1 to 3 days after delivery (Time point B, n=31), 6 to 8 weeks after delivery (Time point C, n=34) and after completed nursing (Time point D, n=14). At each time point peripheral blood was drawn and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected by density gradient centrifugation. Isolated CD8+ T cells were stimulated with irradiated T2 cells which were loaded with immunodominant peptides (0.1 and 10 µM) of HER2/neu, MUC-1, PRAME, and WT1. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) mRNA expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) after extraction of total RNA. IFN-γ mRNA expression was calculated as relative fold change compared to the irrelevant melanoma antigen Glycoprotein 100 (gp100). A two-fold change was considered as cut-off for positive results. A HLA-A*02:01 restricted CMV peptide was used as positive control. Results All results are presented in Figure 1. Positive immune responses are presented above the cut-off line. A significant number of positive immune responses against MUC-1, PRAME and WT1 were found during pregnancy (Group A) and early after delivery (Group B). The frequency of positive immune responses against these TAAs decreased during and/or after the period of nursing leaving only one borderline significant finding behind (Group C and D). Against HER2/neu there were none or only single events of immune responses detectable in any group. Conclusions The results from this longitudinal analysis show that immune responses against the transplant-relevant TAAs MUC-1, PRAME and WT1 are detectable in pregnant women but are lost after delivery. These findings are in line with our observations from the inter-individual cross-sectional study where women with prior pregnancy did not have a significantly increased frequency of immune responses against TAAs compared to women without prior pregnancies. The abrogation of the immune response as shown in a longitudinal manner is likely to be a result of an immunosuppressive environment induced by increasing levels of steroid hormones during pregnancy. As immune responses against TAAs can be found also in non-pregnant women we assume that the overexpression of TAAs in the placenta induces a boost in autoimmune responses that is consequently compromised by the immunosuppressive environment. Therefore pregnancy may be a useful model for the boost and the regulation of immune responses against TAAs with implications for immunotherapy. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

In vitro differential modulation of immune response by probiotics in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of cytokine induction and T cell proliferation in lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-stimulated porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Porcine PBMCs were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and then incubated with Bifidobacterium angulatum, Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus reuteri. A decrease in the mRNA expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was detected; however, only a significant increase (P<0.05) in interleukin (IL)-10 expression was found in cells stimulated with E. faecalis. No changes in transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were observed with neither of the probiotics tested nor in T cell proliferation between LAB-stimulated and control groups. These results suggest a possible immunomodulatory probiotic effect and this effect could be due to a decrease in the inflammatory T helper 1 (Th1) immune response, and an increase of T regulatory function, as suggested by the augmented expression of IL-10.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) of the protozoan parasite Eimeria influences the components of the immune system of its host, the chicken

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a soluble factor produced by sensitized T lymphocytes that inhibits the random migration of macrophages. Homologues of MIF from invertebrates have been identified, making it an interesting molecule from a functional perspective. In the present study, the localization of a parasite MIF protein as well as its effect on the host was characterized. Western blot analysis shows that Eimeria MIF (EMIF) is found during all parasite developmental stages tested. Transmission electron microscopy shows that MIF is distributed throughout cytosol and nucleus of Eimeria acervulina merozoites. Immunohistochemical analysis suggests that EMIF may be released into the surrounding tissues as early as 24h after infection, while later during oocyst formation, MIF expression is localized to areas immediately surrounding the oocysts, as well as in wall-forming bodies. The chemotaxis assay revealed an inhibitory function of EMIF on chicken monocyte migration. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine the effect of EMIF on host immune system by measuring the transcripts of inflammatory mediators. An ex vivo stimulation study showed that E. acervulina MIF (EaMIF) enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, sequential treatment of adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells with EaMIF, chicken MIF, and LPS in 2-h intervals led to the highest levels of interleukin (IL)-1B, chemokine CCLi3, IL-18, and interferon-gamma mRNA expression. This study shows that parasite MIF is widely expressed and may have potential effects on the immune system of the host.

Polyinosinic-cytidylic acid as an adjuvant on natural killer- and dendritic cell-mediated antitumor activities

Previously, we demonstrated that treatment with E7(44-62) and the adjuvant polyinosinic-cytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) in a rodent model generates antitumor immune responses, but the effect of E7(44-62) with poly(I:C) on natural killer (NK)- and dendritic cell (DC)-mediated antitumor activities is still unclear. Our goal was to examine the antitumor effects of E7(44-62) with poly(I:C). We examined the ability of E7(44-62) with poly(I:C) to induce toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) expression, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) mRNA expression, and tumor cell-killing activity in human NK cells as well as its ability to induce CD11c and CD86 expression and proliferation in human DCs. We found that E7(44-62) with poly(I:C) treatment markedly increased TLR3 expression and cytotoxicity against HeLa cells in human NK92 cells. Moreover, treatment with E7(44-62) and poly(I:C) markedly up-regulated IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNA expression in NK92 cells. Human patients with cervical cancer exhibited a marked decrease in the frequency of DCs; however, ex vivo treatment with E7(44-62) and poly(I:C) restored DC frequency. Stimulation of human DCs in patients with E7(44-62) and poly(I:C) led to high levels of CD11c and CD86 expression. Our data reveal the involvement of E7(44-62) combined with poly(I:C) in potentiating antitumor cytotoxicity and cytokine-producing activities in human NK92 cells and DCs.

Endoscopic finding of spontaneous hemorrhage correlates with tumor necrosis factor alpha expression in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intractable colonic disease, and it shows several endoscopic findings. Recently, it was reported that the expression level of mucosal tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was useful for predicting patient response to infliximab. However, no data regarding the value of endoscopic findings to predict treatment efficacy or cytokine expression level exist. We investigated the expression of leukocyte adhesion-related molecules and cytokines in colonic mucosa and compared it to endoscopic findings. One hundred and fifty-nine patients were enrolled. Tissue samples were obtained by colonic biopsy from patients with UC. Colitis activity was determined by Matts' criteria. The degree of mRNA expression of TNF-α, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17A, and mucosal vascular addressin adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) in mucosal samples was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. These expression levels were compared with the degree of Matts' grade and individual endoscopic findings. The expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-17A, and MAdCAM-1 mRNA significantly increased as Matts' endoscopic grade elevated. Actively inflamed mucosa with spontaneous hemorrhage revealed a significantly increased expression level of TNF-α mRNA than that without spontaneous hemorrhage. No other individual endoscopic parameter was significantly correlated with the expression level of TNF-α mRNA. Inflamed mucosa with spontaneous hemorrhage may suggest increased expression of TNF-α mRNA levels in colonic mucosa of UC patients, which could predict a lower response to infliximab treatment and more aggressive induction regime or change to other therapy should be taken into account.

Normalization of mucosal cytokine gene expression levels predicts long-term remission after discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy in Crohn's disease

Objective. To investigate mucosal cytokine gene expression levels in healed mucosa after anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) as possible risk factors for relapse after discontinuation of therapy. Design.Thirty-seven CD patients treated with anti-TNF agents until complete mucosal healing, documented by endoscopy, discontinued anti-TNF treatment and entered a follow-up study. Levels of mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)17A (IL17A), IL23, interferon-gamma (IFNG), TNF-alpha (TNF), IL10 and Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) were measured in biopsies from healed mucosa and analyzed as possible risk factors of relapse. Mucosal cytokine transcript levels from patients without CD served as controls. Results. Patients were followed after therapy withdrawal until relapse. Median time to relapse was 20 and 68 weeks for patients with elevated and normalized IL17A and TNF expression levels, respectively (p = 0.02 for IL17A and p = 0.003 for TNF, log-rank). Expression levels of TNF, IL17A and FOXP3 were significantly higher in patients who relapsed before 26 weeks than in those who did not relapse, and also higher in patients with relapse before week 52 versus non-relapsers. Elevated expression levels of TNF and IL17A in healed mucosa significantly increased the risk of relapse (HR = 3.4, p = 0.03, sensitivity 80%, specificity 38% and HR = 4.1, p = 0.008, sensitivity 81%, specificity 61%, respectively). Conclusions.Normalization of mucosal gene expression of cytokines after anti-TNF therapy does not occur in all patients with healed mucosa as judged by endoscopy. Normalization of TNF and/or IL17A expression predicts long-term remission.

The Pathogenicity and Host Immune Response Associated with H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Quail

Quail, like chickens, are susceptible to H5N1 subtype highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV). Both birds experience high mortality, but quail usually survive a few more days than chicken. To understand why, we monitored quail and chickens after inoculation with 10(6) fifty-percent egg infectious doses of HPAIV A/whooper swan/Aomori/1/2008 (H5N1). The clinical course initiated as depression at 48 hr post inoculation (h.p.i.) in quail and at 36 h.p.i. in chicken, and all infected birds died. Mean death time of quail (91 hr) was significantly longer than that of chicken (66 hr). The virus titers of most tissue samples collected before death were not significantly different. At 24 h.p.i., interferon gamma (IFN-γ) mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was up-regulated in the quail but down-regulated in the chicken, although TLR-7 and seven other cytokines showed no significant differences between quail and chicken. The viral load in quail PBMC was significantly lower than that in chickens. These results suggest that the induction of IFN-γ after HPAIV infection in quail is related to lower titer of HPAIV. In conclusion, the different clinical courses observed between quail and chicken infected with H5N1 HPAIV might be caused by different IFN-γ responses against the HPAIV infection.

Interferon-gamma mRNA expression from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hepatitis C virus infection: relation to viremia and combined peginterferon ribavirin response

It would be most helpful to identify serological markers associated with poor treatment outcome at baseline or in the early phase of therapy in order to spare unnecessary side effects of an expensive antiviral therapy (ribavirin and peginterferon). We hypothesized that pretreatment gamma-interferon gene expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its protein could be used to predict treatment outcome (responders and nonresponders) in Egyptian HCV patients. This study involved 29 HCV subjects; they were classified after the 24 weeks of a treatment regimen (ribavirin and peginterferon) into two groups (16 patients with nondetectable HCV classified as responders and 13 HCV patients who had detectable HCV classified as nonresponders). Baseline interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) gene expression and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as a housekeeping gene were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods using Syber Green method. Serum interferon-gamma level was determined by an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). It is shown that 7/13 (54%) of nonresponders and 2/16 (13%) of responders showed elevated blood IFN-gamma mRNA levels prior to the therapy (p < 0.05). Serum interferon-gamma level in the nonresponder group was undetectable compared with the responder group (p < 0.01). There was no correlation between IFN-gamma expression levels, stage of fibrosis, viral load level nor serum interferon-gamma level. An interferon-gamma gene expression cutoff level of 0.54 at baseline (before starting the treatment regimen) can discriminate patients with response from patients with failure of response. IFN-gamma was higher in PBMCs of nonresponders when compared to responders and that measuring IFN-gamma can be used in patients infected with chronic hepatitis C to predict treatment failure.

Zinc differentially regulates mitogen-activated protein kinases in human T cells

Zinc is an essential nutrient with remarkable importance for immunity, in particular for T-cell function. This is, at least in part, based on an involvement of zinc ions in immune cell signal transduction; dynamic changes of the intracellular free zinc concentration have recently been recognized as signaling events. Because the molecular targets of zinc signals remain incompletely understood, we investigated the impact of elevated intracellular free zinc on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and MAPK-dependent cytokine production in human T-cells. p38 was activated by treatment with zinc and the ionophore pyrithione, whereas ERK1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases were unaffected. In contrast, after T-cell receptor stimulation with antibodies against CD3, ERK1/2-phosphorylation was selectively suppressed by intracellular zinc. Mechanisms that had been shown to mediate zinc-effects in other cells, such as activation of the Src kinase Lck, inhibition of the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 or MAPK phosphatases and cyclic nucleotide/protein kinase A signaling were not involved. This indicates that the differential impact of zinc on the MAPK families in T-cells is mediated by mechanisms that differ from the ones observed in other cell types. Further investigation of the activation of p38 by zinc demonstrated that this MAPK is responsible for the zinc-mediated activation of CREB and mRNA expression of the Th1 cytokines interferon-gamma and interleukin-2. In conclusion, regulation of MAPK activity contributes to the impact of zinc on T-cell function.

Exercise‐induced increases in inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood of horses

Studies have demonstrated increases in mRNA expression for inflammatory cytokines following exercise in horses and have suggested those markers of inflammation may play a role in delayed onset muscle soreness. However, measurement of mRNA expression in white blood cells is an indirect method. No studies to date have documented the cytokine response to exercise directly in muscle in horses. This study tested the hypothesis that exercise increases cytokine markers of inflammation in blood and muscle. Blood and muscle biopsies were obtained from 4 healthy, unfit Standardbred mares (∼ 500 kg). The randomised crossover experiment was performed with the investigators performing the analysis blind to the treatment. Each horse underwent either incremental exercise test (GXT) or standing parallel control with the trials performed one month apart. During the GXT horses ran on a treadmill (1 m/s increases each min until fatigue, 6% grade). Blood and muscle biopsies were obtained 30 min before exercise, immediately after exercise and at 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 h post GXT or at matched time points during the parallel control trials. Samples were analysed using real time-PCR for measurement of mRNA expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Data were analysed using t tests with the null hypothesis rejected when P < 0.10. There were no changes (P > 0.10) in IL-1, IL-6, IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha during control. Exercise induced significant increases in IFN-gamma, IL1 and TNF-alpha in blood and significant increases in IFN-gamma, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in muscle. There were no significant changes in mRNA expression of IL-1 in muscle or IL-6 in blood following the GXT. These cytokine markers of inflammation all returned to preGXT levels by 24 h post GXT. High intensity exercise results in a transient increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in muscle and blood.

Interferon‐gamma promoter hypomethylation and increased expression in chronic periodontitis

The goal of this investigation was to determine whether epigenetic modifications in the IFNG promoter are associated with an increase of IFNG transcription in different stages of periodontal diseases. DNA was extracted from gingival biopsy samples collected from 47 total sites from 47 different subjects: 23 periodontally healthy sites, 12 experimentally induced gingivitis sites and 12 chronic periodontitis sites. Levels of DNA methylation within the IFNG promoter containing six CpG dinucleotides were determined using pyrosequencing technology. Interferon gamma mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reactions using isolated RNA from part of the biological samples mentioned above. The methylation level of all six analysed CpG sites within the IFNG promoter region in the periodontitis biopsies {52% [interquartile range, IQR (43.8%, 63%)]} was significantly lower than periodontally healthy samples {62% [IQR (51.3%, 74%)], p=0.007} and gingivitis biopsies {63% [IQR (55%, 74%)], p=0.02}. The transcriptional level of IFNG in periodontitis biopsies was 1.96-fold and significantly higher than tissues with periodontal health (p=0.04). Although the mRNA level from experimental gingivitis samples exhibited an 8.5-fold increase as compared with periodontally healthy samples, no significant methylation difference was observed in experimental gingivitis sample. A hypomethylation profile within IFNG promoter region is related to an increase of IFNG transcription present in the chronic periodontitis biopsies, while such an increase of IFNG in experimentally induced gingivitis seems independent of promoter methylation alteration.