Stainless steel wear debris of a scoliotic growth guidance system has little local and systemic effect in an animal model

Options to treat early‐onset scoliosis include guided‐growth systems with sliding action between rods and pedicle screws. The wear was previously measured in an in vitro test, and in this in vivo rabbit model, we evaluated the local and systemic biological response to the stainless steel debris. Compared to the previous study, a relatively higher volume of representative wear particles with a median particle size of 0.84 μm were generated. Bolus dosages were injected into the epidural space at L4‐L5 for a minimum of 36 rabbits across three treatment groups (negative control, 1.5 mg, and 4.0 mg) and two timepoints (12 and 24 weeks). Gross pathology evaluated distant organs and the injection site with a dorsal laminectomy to examine the epidural space and dosing site. Peri‐implanted particle tissues were stained for immunohistochemical and quantitatively analyzed for IL‐6 and TNF‐α cytokines. Based on ISO 10993‐6:2007 scoring, particles in the high‐dose group were primarily non‐irritant (12 weeks) with one slightly irritant. At 24 weeks, inflammatory cell infiltration was non‐existent to minimal with all groups considered non‐irritant at the injection site. Material characterization confirmed that particles detected in distant organs were stainless steel or contaminants. At 12 weeks, stainless steel groups demonstrated statistically increased amounts of cytokine levels compared to control but there was a statistical decrease for both at 24 weeks. These findings indicate that stainless steel wear debris, comparable to the expected usage from a simulated growth guidance system, had no discernible untoward biological effects locally and systemically in an animal model. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1980–1990, 2018.

     

生物钟基因与骨免疫研究进展

昼夜节律是生命体为适应自然环境而产生的一种生物特性,生物钟基因调节着生命体的节律,Bmal1、Clock、PERs、CRYs、Rev-erbα等生物钟基因及下游的钟控基因发挥了重要作用。免疫细胞与骨细胞之间通过共同的细胞因子和信号通路相互作用,调节骨代谢平衡,免疫紊乱会导致骨代谢异常。骨免疫学的诞生有利于深入研究骨骼系统与免疫系统的相互作用,骨免疫参与了许多骨科疾病和免疫性疾病的发生和进展。生理状态下,生物钟基因通过调控骨骼系统与免疫系统的生物节律,在维持骨免疫的平衡状态中发挥着重要作用。病理状态下,生物钟基因功能异常不但导致骨骼系统和免疫系统的节律紊乱,进一步导致骨量丢失和免疫炎症反应,而且通过IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α、RANKL等骨免疫因子对骨代谢产生作用。反过来,免疫炎症反应也会对生物钟基因正常功能产生影响,进而影响骨代谢。根据生物钟基因和骨代谢自身的特点,认识生理病理状态下生物钟基因与骨免疫的相互作用,对骨骼系统疾病和免疫系统疾病的防治有一定的指导意义。     

Interleukin-6 is both necessary and sufficient to produce perioperative neurocognitive disorder in mice

Background

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) result in long-term morbidity and mortality with no effective interventions available. Because interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is consistently up-regulated by trauma, including after surgery, we determined whether IL-6 is a putative therapeutic target for PND in a mouse model.

Porcine IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α regulate the expression of pro‐inflammatory‐related genes and tissue factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Whether porcine cytokines are induced after pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation and activate human cells remains unknown. First, we investigated the regulation of porcine IL‐6, IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in xenotransplantation using an in vitro model in which porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs) and porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with human serum. Downstream cytokines/chemokines were monitored. Pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and IL‐1β) and chemokines (IL‐8, MCP‐1, and CXCL2) were upregulated in the both cell types. TNF‐α was induced 10‐fold in PAECs, but not in PBMCs. Then, we assessed the role of porcine IL‐6, IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in xenotransplantation using western blotting and real‐time PCR. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were selected as the target cells. Signaling pathways and downstream genes, such as those related to adhesion, inflammation, and coagulation, and chemokines were investigated. Porcine IL‐1β and TNF‐α significantly activated NF‐κB and P38, and STAT3 was activated by porcine IL‐6 in HUVECs. The adhesion genes (E‐selectin, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1), inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α), chemokines (MCP‐1 and IL‐8), and the pro‐coagulation gene (tissue factor) were upregulated by porcine IL‐1β and TNF‐α. Porcine IL‐6 increased the expression of ICAM‐1, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and tissue factor, but decreased IL‐8 expression slightly. Surprisingly, porcine IFN‐γ could not activate STAT1 or regulate the expression of any of the above genes in HUVECs. In conclusion, these findings suggest that porcine IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α activate HUVECs and regulate downstream genes expression, which may promote inflammation and coagulation response after xenotransplantation.     

米诺环素对异氟醚麻醉后老年大鼠认知功能和海马炎症反应的影响

目的探讨米诺环素预处理对老年大鼠吸入异氟醚后认知功能和海马炎症反应的影响。方法健康雄性SPF级SD大鼠48只,约20月龄,体重350～400g,随机分为3组:生理盐水组(NS组)、异氟醚组(Iso组)、米诺环素预给药组(M组),每组16只。NS组腹腔注射等容量生理盐水;Iso组大鼠开始吸入2.5%异氟醚3min,随后1.5%异氟醚麻醉维持4h;M组于吸入异氟醚前30min腹腔注射米诺环素50mg/kg,余同Iso组。所有大鼠麻醉结束后24h立即进行认知功能测试,包括Morris水迷宫和旷场实验测试,认知功能测试完毕后立即处死大鼠,取海马组织,采用ELISA法测定大鼠海马IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α的浓度。结果与NS组比较,Iso组第2、3和4天逃避潜伏期明显延长(P0.05),第5天平台象限停留时间明显缩短、穿越平台象限次数明显减少(P0.05),第1、2和3天中心区停留时间明显缩短(P0.05)。与Iso组比较,M组第2、3和4天逃避潜伏期明显缩短(P0.05),第5天平台象限停留时间明显延长、穿越平台象限次数明显增多(P0.05),第1、2和3天中心区停留时间明显延长(P0.05)。与NS组比较,Iso组海马IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α浓度明显升高(P0.05),与Iso组比较,M组海马IL-1、IL-6、TNF-α浓度明显降低(P0.05)。NS组和M组不同时点各指标差异无统计学意义。结论米诺环素预处理可减轻异氟醚麻醉所致老年大鼠认知功能障碍,其机制可能与抑制海马炎症反应有关。     

Mechanism of grape seed proanthocyanidin oligomers inhibiting polarization of type Al astrocytes北大核心CSCD

Aim To explore the mechanism of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) targeting astrocytes (AS), so as to regulate the phenotype and function of AS and maximize their neuroprotective effect. Methods The effects of GSPs on the phenotype, secretion of pro-inflammatory factors and neurotrophic factors of Al AS induced by TNF-α, IL-1α and Clq were investigated by RT-PCR, Elisa and Western blot in vitro. And JNK phosphorylation was determined using Western blot. Results GSPs significantly reduced the expression of C3d and Clq of Al AS markers and inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK. Moreover, compared with the model group, GSPs could significantly inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 α, IL-17 and H 2 O 2, and promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β and neurotrophic factor CNTF. Conclusions GSPs can inhibit the polarization of AS to Al and improve the inflammatory micro-environment, which are related to the inhibition of JNK phosphorylation. © 2023 Publication Centre of Anhui Medical University. All rights reserved.     

基于生物标志物探索系统性红斑狼疮中医药治疗机制的研究进展

系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）是一种多器官受累的自身免疫性疾病,目前基于糖皮质激素和免疫抑制剂的治疗,仍然存在很多局限性和个体差异。近年来,越来越多的研究表明,联合中医药治疗SLE具有疗效好,不良反应低和安全性高等优点。但是,中医药治疗SLE的确切调节机制和作用环节尚不明确,本文从代谢组学、免疫细胞、淋巴细胞因子和细胞凋亡等,对中医药治疗SLE机制的研究进行综述,为利用现代化方法探索祖国传统医学治疗SLE的机制研究提供思路。     

Inflammatory biomarkers in infective endocarditis: machine learning to predict mortality

Infective endocarditis (IE) is the cardiac disease with the highest rates of mortality. New biomarkers that are able to identify patients at risk for death are required to improve patient management and outcome. This study aims to investigate if cytokines, chemokines and growth factors measured at IE diagnosis can predict mortality. Patients with definite IE, according to the Duke’s modified criteria, were included. Using high-performance Luminex assay, 27 different cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were analyzed. Machine learning techniques were used for the prediction of death and subsequently creating a decision tree, in which the cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were analyzed together with C-reactive protein (CRP). Sixty-nine patients were included, 41 (59%) male, median age 54 [interquartile range (IQR) = 41–65 years] and median time between onset of the symptoms and diagnosis was 12 days (IQR = 5–30 days). The in-hospital mortality was 26% (n = 18). Proinflammatory cytokines interkeukin (IL)-15 and C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL4) were found to predict death, adding value to CRP levels. The decision tree predicted correctly the outcome of 91% of the patients at hospital admission. The high-risk group, defined as CRP ≥ 72 mg/dL, IL-15 ≥ 5·6 fg/ml and CCL4 ≥ 6·35 fg/ml had an 88% in-hospital mortality rate, whereas the patients classified as low-risk had a mortality rate of 8% (P = < 0·001). Cytokines IL-15 and CCL4 were predictors of mortality in IE, adding prognostic value beyond that provided by CRP levels. Assessment of cytokines has potential value for clinical risk stratification and monitoring in IE patients.     

TNF-derived peptides inhibit tumour growth and metastasis through cytolytic effects on tumour lymphatics

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a multi-functional cytokine with profound and diverse effects on physiology and pathology. Identifying the molecular determinants underlying the functions and pathogenic effects of TNF is key to understanding its mechanisms of action and identifying new therapeutic opportunities based on this important molecule. Previously, we showed that some evolutionarily conserved peptides derived from TNF could induce cell death (e.g. apoptosis and/or necrosis), a feature of immune defence mechanisms shared by many vertebrates. In this study, we demonstrated that necrosis-inducing peptide P16 kills human glioblastoma cancer cells and primary human hepatoma or renal cancer cells isolated from patients who had not responded to standard treatments. Importantly, we show that the necrosis-inducing peptide P1516 significantly improves survival by inhibiting tumour metastasis in a 4T1 breast cancer syngeneic graft mouse model. Because the lymphatic system is an important metastatic route in many cancers, we also tested the effect of TNF-derived peptides on monolayers of primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (hDLEC) and found that they increased junctional permeability by inducing cytoskeletal reorganization, gap junction formation and cell death. Transmission electron microscopy imaging evidence, structural analysis and in-vitro liposome leakage experiments strongly suggest that this killing is due to the cytolytic nature of these peptides. P1516 provides another example of a pro-cytotoxic TNF peptide that probably functions as a cryptic necrotic factor released by TNF degradation. Its ability to inhibit tumour metastasis and improve survival may form the basis of a novel approach to cancer therapy.     

Creatine supplementation impairs airway inflammation in an experimental model of asthma involving P2 × 7 receptor

Creatine (Cr) is a substrate for adenosine triphosphate synthesis, and it is the most used dietary supplement among professional and recreative athletes and sportsmen. Creatine supplementation may increase allergic airway response, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms are unknown. We used murine model of OVA‐induced chronic asthma and showed that Cr supplementation increased total proteins, ATP level, lymphocytes, macrophages, and IL‐5 levels in BALF, as well as IL‐5 in the supernatant of re‐stimulated mediastinal lymph nodes. IL‐5 and IL‐13 expression by epithelial cells and by peribronchial leukocytes were increased by Cr. Cr augmented the expression of P2 × 7 receptor by peribronchial leukocytes and by epithelial cells, and increased the accumulation of eosinophils in peribronchial space and of collagen fibers in airway wall. In human cells, while Cr induced a release of ATP, IL‐6, and IL‐8 from BEAS‐2B cells, whole blood cells, such as eosinophils, and CD4⁺ T cells, P2 × 7 receptor inhibitor (A740003) reduced such effects, as denoted by reduced levels of ATP, IL‐6, and IL‐8. Therefore, Cr supplementation worsened asthma pathology due to activation of airway epithelial cells and peribronchial leukocytes, involving purinergic signaling.