地塞米松诱导产生耐受性树突状细胞的机制

糖皮质激素地塞米松是临床广泛应用的一类免疫抑制剂。近年来研究发现，在免疫应答反应的早期，地塞米松是通过影响体内的树突状细胞（dendritic cell，DC）而发挥作用的。地塞米松可通过抑制DC的分化和成熟、改变DC的表型和DC的某些重要生物学功能，抑制特异性免疫应答反应的启动并减少炎性细胞因子的产生。利用地塞米松对DC的影响来治疗自身免疫病、肿瘤、移植排斥反应等疾病可能会成为基础和临床医学研究的新热点。     

Lentiviral-mediated shRNA against RelB induces the generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells

ObjectiveLentiviral-mediated shRNA against RelB was used to produce tolerogenic dendritic cells from murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs).MethodRelB expression in the BMDCs was silenced by lentivirus carrying RelB shRNA. The apoptosis rate and surface markers of DCs were assessed by flow cytometry. IL-12,IL-10,TGF-β1 secreted by DCs and DNA binding capacity of NF-κB subunits in the nucleus were measured by ELISA, independently. MLR was used to analyze the capacity of DCs to inhibit immune response.ResultsRelB expression was significantly inhibited in DCs following lentiviral mediated delivery of RelB specific shRNA. The RelB shRNA-DC produced lower IL-12 and higher IL-10 than mature dendritic cells (mDCs) and silencing control DCs. There was no difference in the apoptosis rate between shRNA RelB-DCs and mDCs. The expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86 and CD83) and MHC-II class molecule were lower in the RelB shRNA-DCs than in the mDCs and silencing control DCs. In addition, RelB shRNA also inhibited the RelB DNA binding capacity but had no effect on other NF-κB subunits. The shRNA RelB-DCs can significantly inhibit mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and down-regulate Th1 cytokines and prompt the production of Th2 cytokines.ConclusionOur results indicate RelB shRNA transfection of DCs can induce the immature status, and produce tolerogenic DCs.     

Adhesion molecules in human dendritic cells

Dendritic cells are bone marrow-derived professional antigen-presenting cells that link innate and adaptive immunity, and they are essentially involved in the initiation of primary immune responses and in the establishment of peripheral tolerance. The existence of distinct functional states and subsets of dendritic cells is critical for the generation of pathogen-specific immune responses without the risk of autoimmunity or chronic inflammation. To fulfil their effector tasks in tissues and lymph nodes, dendritic cells must engage in multiple adhesive and migratory events. The molecular dissection of these adhesive interactions may provide new potential therapeutic targets to modulate immune responses and to improve current dendritic cell-based therapeutic cancer vaccines.     

Versatile polyion complex micelles for peptide and siRNA vectorization to engineer tolerogenic dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play a critical role in maintaining the balance between immunity and tolerance and, as such are a promising immunotherapy tool to induce immunity or to restore tolerance. The main challenge to harness the tolerogenic properties of DCs is to preserve their immature phenotype. We recently developed polyion complex micelles, formulated with double hydrophilic block copolymers of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(ethylene oxide) blocks and able to entrap therapeutic molecules, which did not induce DC maturation. In the current study, the intrinsic destabilizing membrane properties of the polymers were used to optimize endosomal escape property of the micelles in order to propose various strategies to restore tolerance. On the first hand, we showed that high molecular weight (Mw) copolymer-based micelles were efficient to favor the release of the micelle-entrapped peptide into the endosomes, and thus to improve peptide presentation by immature (i) DCs. On the second hand, we put in evidence that low Mw copolymer-based micelles were able to favor the cytosolic release of micelle-entrapped small interfering RNAs, dampening the DCs immunogenicity. Therefore, we demonstrate the versatile use of polyionic complex micelles to preserve tolerogenic properties of DCs. Altogether, our results underscored the potential of such micelle-loaded iDCs as a therapeutic tool to restore tolerance in autoimmune diseases.     

耐受性树突状细胞对再生障碍性贫血小鼠骨髓造血功能的影响

目的探讨小鼠骨髓单个核细胞培养出的耐受性树突状细胞(tDCs)输注对免疫介导性再生障碍性贫血模型小鼠骨髓造血功能的影响。方法采用昆明小鼠30只,参照姚军等方法建立免疫介导性再生障碍性贫血模型,实验分模型组、tDCs组、照射组、正常组。tDCs组分别于制模后0d、3d、5d从小鼠尾静脉输注耐受性树突状细胞1×106/只,观察各组小鼠外周血象变化、濒死时(或造模28d时)骨髓有核细胞数量和骨髓病理学特征。结果模型组外周血WBC显著低于tDCs组和照射组,分别为(0.7±0.2)×109/L,(4.27±0.64)×109/L,(5.89±0.34)×109/L。tDCs组小鼠单侧股骨有核细胞数量显著高于模型组,而与照射组结果一致。结论tDCs输注可减轻再生障碍性贫血模型小鼠骨髓造血衰竭程度。     

山姜素激活孕烷X受体和上调CYP3A4 mRNA转录的研究

目的探讨山姜素能否通过活化孕烷X受体(PXR)诱导CYP3A4的转录表达及对CYP3A4 mRNA的实际诱导作用。方法在人结肠癌LS174T细胞中,用瞬时共转染报告基因实验研究山姜素(1～50μmol.L-1)对PXR介导的CYP3A4基因的转录激活;用荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测其对CYP3A4 mRNA的实际诱导。结果 10μmol.L-1浓度山姜素能够通过活化PXR诱导CYP3A4的转录(1.63倍);10和20μmol.L-1山姜素能够明显上调CYP3A4 mRNA(2.28倍和1.65倍)的表达。结论 PXR途径也许是山姜素诱导CYP3A4基因表达的调控因素之一。     

Dexamethasone up-regulates the inhibitory adaptor protein Dok-1 and suppresses downstream activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone suppresses antigen-induced degranulation, cytokine production, and intermediate signaling events in RBL-2H3 mast cells, although the exact mechanisms are uncertain. By microarray analysis, we discovered that expression of the inhibitory adaptor protein, downstream of tyrosine kinase (Dok)-1, was up-regulated 4-fold in dexamethasone-treated RBL-2H3 cells. The up-regulation was apparent with as little as 1 to 10 nM dexamethasone. Treatment with dexamethasone also enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of Dok-1, augmented recruitment of Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) by Dok-1, and inhibited activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway in antigen-stimulated cells. The same effects were obtained by transient overexpression of Dok-1 but not by overexpression of Dok-1 that was mutated in RasGAP-binding domain. The negative regulatory role of Dok-1 was further validated by the expression of small interfering RNA directed against Dok-1, which enhanced activation of MAP kinase and subsequent release of arachidonic acid and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These findings identify Dok-1 as mediator of the antiallergic actions of dexamethasone and as a negative regulator of the MAP kinase pathway and downstream release of inflammatory mediators.     

Azithromycin modulates immune response of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells

Azithromycin (AZM) is a macrolide antibiotic that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity aside from its antimicrobial effect, a feature that may ameliorate certain inflammatory disorders and prevent graft-versus-host disease in patients receiving stem cell transplantation. In the present study, we investigated the ability of AZM to influence the function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4⁺ T cells. We found that AZM down-regulated CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated DCs and suppressed interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in these cells. In addition, AZM increased endocytosis and/or expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, and TLR9 in DCs and suppressed anti-CD3/CD28–induced CD4⁺ T cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production, an effect that was synergistic with dexamethasone. Finally, AZM suppressed DC-induced allogeneic T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Our study demonstrates that AZM modulates DC and CD4⁺ T cell function and may be of therapeutic benefit in various inflammatory disorders.     

Curdlan activates dendritic cells through dectin-1 and toll-like receptor 4 signaling

Curdlan, a β-1,3-glucan isolated from Alcaligenes faecalis, is an agonist of dectin-1 in various immune cells, including dendritic cells (DCs). However, whether curdlan also activates DCs through other receptors remains unknown. In this study, we found that curdlan activates DCs through dectin-1 and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Curdlan increased the expression levels of surface molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86, and MHC-I/II), the production of cytokines (IL-12, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-β), migration toward MIP-3β, and allogeneic T cell stimulation activity of DCs. Curdlan increased the phosphorylation of Syk, Raf-1, Akt, MAPKs, IKK, and NF-κB p65 in DCs. However, curdlan only slightly activated DCs transfected with small interfering RNAs against dectin-1 or TLR4 and C3H/HeJ DCs, which have non-functional TLR4, in comparison with control DCs. Curdlan increased antitumor activity of DCs in a syngeneic tumor model. In summary, our data show that curdlan activates DCs through dectin-1 and TLR4 signaling and the combination of curdlan and DCs efficiently inhibit tumor growth in mice.     

Circadian rhythm of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in the urine

The excretion of the catecholamine-metabolites 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylacetic acid shows circadian variation. In applying the cosinoranalysis, we tested the normal process of the variation over 3 d and found partly significant circadian rhythms of the excretions with the maxima occurring in the second part of the day to the evening hours and the minima occurring at night. By prescribing the course of the day (fixed time of food intake as well as of sleeping) effects of synchronisation could be found from d 1 to 3. The possible importance of these circadian oscillations for an early or differential diagnosis and the question of the reduction and optimization of the time necessary for collecting urine are discussed.     

Quercetin ameliorate insulin resistance and up-regulates cellular antioxidants during oleic acid induced hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells

Hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Thus, we hypothesized that the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of quercetin would attenuate events leading to NAFLD. Addition of 2.0 mM oleic acid (OA) into the culture media induced fatty liver condition in HepG2 cells by 24 h. It was marked by significant accumulation of lipid droplets as determined by Oil-Red-O (ORO) based colorimetric assay, increased triacylglycerol (TAG) and increased lipid peroxidation. The inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-8 levels were significantly increased with decreased antioxidant molecules. OA induced insulin resistance which was evident by inhibition of glucose uptake and cell proliferation. Quercetin (10 μM) increased cell proliferation by 3.05 folds with decreased TAG content (45%) and was effective in increasing insulin mediated glucose uptake by 2.65 folds. The intracellular glutathione content was increased by 2.0 folds without substantial increase in GSSG content. Quercetin (10 μM) decreased TNF-α and IL-8 by 59.74% and 41.11% respectively and inhibited generation of lipid peroxides by 50.5%. In addition, RT-PCR results confirmed quercetin (10 μM) inhibited TNF-alpha gene expression. Further, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were increased by 1.68, 2.19 and 1.71 folds respectively. Albumin and urea content was increased while the alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity was significantly decreased by quercetin. Hence, quercetin effectively reversed NAFLD symptoms by decreased triacyl glycerol accumulation, insulin resistance, inflammatory cytokine secretion and increased cellular antioxidants in OA induced hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells.     

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin affects the number and function of murine splenic dendritic cells and their expression of accessory molecules

Primary T cell-mediated immune responses are highly susceptible to suppression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure, yet direct effects of TCDD on T cells have been difficult to demonstrate. Since the activation of naive T cells has been shown to be initiated primarily by dendritic cells (DC), these cells represent a potential target for TCDD immunotoxicity. In this report, we have examined the influence of TCDD exposure on splenic DC phenotype and function in the absence of antigenic stimulation. Results showed that DC from TCDD-treated mice expressed higher levels of several accessory molecules including ICAM-1, CD24, B7-2, and CD40, whereas the expression of LFA-1 was significantly reduced. These effects were dose-dependent and persisted for at least 14 days after exposure. The effects were also dependent upon the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), as similar effects were observed in AhR+/+ C57Bl/6 and Balb/c mice but not in AhR-/- mice. When DC from TCDD-treated mice were cultured with allogeneic T cells, the proliferative response and production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma by the T cells were increased. Production of IL-12 by the DC was likewise enhanced in comparison to cells from vehicle-treated mice. Interestingly, however, the number of DC recovered from TCDD-treated mice was significantly decreased. Taken together, these results suggest that, in the absence of antigen, TCDD provides an activation stimulus to DC that may lead to their premature deletion. Since the survival of DC has been shown to influence the strength and duration of the immune response, these results suggest a possible novel mechanism for TCDD-induced immune suppression.     

Tissue-resident dendritic cells and diseases involving dendritic cell malfunction

Dendritic cells (DCs) control immune responses and are central to the development of immune memory and tolerance. DCs initiate and orchestrate immune responses in a manner that depends on signals they receive from microbes and cellular environment. Although DCs consist mainly of bone marrow-derived and resident populations, a third tissue-derived population resides the spleen and lymph nodes (LNs), different subsets of tissue-derived DCs have been identified in the blood, spleen, lymph nodes, skin, lung, liver, gut and kidney to maintain the tolerance and control immune responses. Tissue-resident DCs express different receptors for microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which were activated to promote the production of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Malfunction of DCs contributes to diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer. It is therefore important to update the knowledge about resident DC subsets and diseases associated with DC malfunction.     

Flavonoids from Astragalus membranaceus and their inhibitory effects on LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

Radix Astragali (Astragalus membranaceus) is an important traditional Chinese medicine that is widely used as a tonic to enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms. In this phytochemical study, 12 flavonoids, isoliquiritigenin (1), liquiritigenin (2), calycosin (3), calycosin 7-O-β-d-glucoside (4), formononetin (5), formononetin 7-O-β-d-glucoside (6), daidzein (7), daidzein 7-O-β-d-glucoside (8), methylnissolin (9), methylnissolin 3-O-β-d-glucoside (10), isomucronulatol (11), and isomucronulatol 7-O-β-d-glucoside (12), were isolated from the roots of A. membranaceus. Their structures were elucidated by comparing spectroscopic data with reported values. The effects of the isolated compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were investigated. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-12 p40 production, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.7 to 6.1 μM. Compound 1 also showed a moderate inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α with an IC₅₀ value of 20.1 μM. Further studies of the potential anti-inflammatory effects and benefits of flavonoids from A. membranaceus are warranted.     

Gastric acid inhibitory action of a GABA-related compound, 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, in the rat

The acid inhibitory properties of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, a structural GABA analogue, were studied in the perfused rat stomach preparation. 3-Amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, 10 and 30 mg/kg i.v., dose dependently suppressed the gastric acid secretion induced by baclofen (2 mg/kg s.c.). This secretagogue action had been shown to be unaffected by either GABAA or GABAB receptor antagonists. The i.v. administration of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid (3 and 10 mg/kg) was also effective to abolish the acid stimulatory effects of muscimol (1 mg/kg i.v.) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (200 mg/kg i.v.). 3-Amino-3-phenylpropionic acid, even at the high dose (30 mg/kg i.v.) had no influence on the acid output in response to histamine and bethanechol. Furthermore, 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid had no significant effect on the acid secretion induced by electrical vagal stimulation. These results indicate that the antisecretory effect of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid is different from those of antimuscarinics, H2-receptor antagonists and vagal blockade. Together, the results suggest that 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid might act in the brain to inhibit central regulation mechanisms of gastric acid secretion, probably through GABA mechanisms.