白芍总苷通过miR-23b-3p/FoxA1对肺炎链球菌诱导的肺泡上皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨白芍总苷及对肺炎链球菌诱导的肺泡上皮细胞凋亡的影响分子机制.方法 肺泡上皮细胞A549随机分为对照(Con)组、模型(Model)组(1×108 CFU/mL的肺炎链球菌感染)、Model+白芍总苷低、中、高剂量组(17.5 mg/mL、35 mg/mL、70 mg/mL的白芍总苷+1×108 CFU/mL的...     

miR-127-5p靶向IRAK4对肺炎链球菌诱导的肺泡上皮细胞凋亡及炎症因子表达的影响

目的探究miR-127-5p靶向白细胞介素1受体相关激酶4(IRAK4)对肺炎链球菌诱导的肺泡上皮细胞凋亡及炎症因子表达的影响方法首先分为对照组和感染组,感染组用肺炎链球菌感染A549细胞,感染组细胞分别转染miR-127-5p mimic、si-IRAK4及阴性对照质粒,qRT-PCR检测A549细胞中miR-127-5p的表达水平,western blot检测IRAK4、Bax、Bcl-2蛋白水平,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况,ELISA检测白介素-10(IL-10)、白介素-6(IL-6)水平,双荧光素酶报告基因检测miR-127-5p与IRAK4的靶向关系。结果与对照组比较,肺炎链球菌感染后A549细胞中miR-127-5p、Bcl-2、IL-10水平显著降低,细胞凋亡率、IRAK4、Bax、IL-6水平显著升高(P<0.05);与感染+miR-NC组比较,过表达miR-127-5p后,A549细胞中miR-127-5p、Bcl-2、IL-10水平显著升高,细胞凋亡率、IRAK4、Bax、IL-6显著降低;与感染+si-NC组比较,抑制IRAK4表达后,A549细胞中细胞凋亡率、IRAK4、Bax、IL-6水平显著降低,Bcl-2、IL-10水平显著升高;双荧光素酶报告基因及Western blot结果显示,miR-127-5p可通过与IRAK4特异性结合负向调控IRAK4的表达;与感染+miR-127-5p+pcDNA组比较,感染+miR-127-5p+pcDNA-IRAK4组A549细胞中凋亡率、IRAK4、Bax、IL-6水平显著升高,Bcl-2、IL-10水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结论miR-127-5p靶向IRAK4调控肺炎链球菌诱导的肺泡上皮细胞凋亡及炎症因子IL-10、IL-6的表达。     

Effect of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lysate on interleukin-8 gene expression in human respiratory epithelial cells

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of lower respiratory disease. Several studies have suggested that respiratory infection by M pneumoniae is associated with reactive airway disease and asthma. Interleukin (IL)-8 has been suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of the allergic inflammation of bronchial asthma, and is well known to be expressed in bronchial epithelial cells. MEASUREMENTS: An examination was carried out into the effect of M pneumoniae lysate (MPL) and the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) on IL-8 expression in human lung epithelial cells. A549 cells were seeded at a density of 5 x 10(4) cells per well and incubated in basal medium for a further 24 h. IL-8 levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MAPK phosphorylation was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: In A549 cells, MPL induced IL-8 release in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with PD 98059, which blocks the activation of MAPK/ERK kinase 1, inhibited MPL-induced IL-8 production by 64.4% at 25 micromol/L. Stimulation of A549 cells by MPL also caused an increase in the activity of ERK, compared with the nonstimulated cells. The MPL stimulation had no effect on the activities of p38. CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that activation of ERK by MPL may be one of the mechanisms that result in an increase of the production of IL-8.     

Cyclic stretch upregulates interleukin-8 and transforming growth factor-beta1 production through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway in alveolar epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: Positive-pressure mechanical ventilation can injure the lung, causing oedema and alveolar inflammation, which is termed 'ventilator-induced lung injury' (VILI). We postulated that cyclic stretch upregulates the release of cytokines, which may cause lung damage, and explored which cytokines were released after cyclic stretch in type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549). METHODOLOGY: To test this hypothesis, A549 cells were cultured on a silicoelastic membrane and interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, activin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, insulin-like growth factor-2 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha mRNA and protein were assessed after stimulation of the cells by cyclic stretch. RESULTS: Cyclic stretch induced activation of protein kinase C and resulted in the release of IL-8 and TGF-beta1 from A549 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The release of IL-8 and TGF-beta1 from alveolar epithelial cells may be a contributing factor in alveolitis associated with VILI.     

Lipopolysaccharide enhances substance P-mediated neutrophil adherence to epithelial cells and cytokine release

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is implicated in many respiratory tract inflammatory diseases. Tachykinins, especially substance P (SP) through the NK-1 receptor, mediate leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial or airway epithelial cells. Here we assessed the enhancement by LPS of tachykinin-mediated neutrophil adherence to alveolar epithelial cells, and associated interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) release. Neutrophil adherence to A549 epithelial cell was not increased by LPS (100 ng/ml), or SP (10(-)(12)-10(-)(8) M) alone, but was significantly enhanced by their combination (LPS + SP). Neutrophil adherence to epithelial cells induced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release from A549 cells either spontaneously or stimulated by SP or LPS. LPS + SP significantly enhanced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release. The NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 inhibited this enhancement response. Prevention of neutrophil adherence by CD11b/CD18 blocking antibody or by placing a filter on the epithelial monolayer diminished spontaneous or LPS + SP-enhanced IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release. Pretreatment with the serine protease inhibitor cocktail also inhibited LPS + SP-enhanced neutrophil adherence-dependent IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release as well as their mRNA expression. In conclusion, we have demonstrated LPS enhanced SP-mediated neutrophil adherence and associated IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release from the A549 epithelial monolayer, partly through NK-1 receptors. Neutrophil adherence to epithelial cells may release serine protease to induce IL-1beta and TNF-alpha release and their synthesis.     

The protein kinase C agonist PEP005 increases NF-κB expression, induces differentiation and increases constitutive chemokine release by primary acute myeloid leukaemia cells

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells show constitutive release of several chemokines that occurs in three major clusters: (I) chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)2–4/chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1/8, (II) CCL5/CXCL9–11 and (III) CCL13/17/22/24/CXCL5. Ingenol-3-angelate (PEP005) is an activator of protein kinase C and has antileukaemic and immunostimulatory effects in AML. We investigated primary AML cells derived from 35 unselected patients and determined that PEP005 caused a dose-dependent increase in the release of chemokines from clusters I and II, including several T cell chemotactic chemokines. The release of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and hepatocyte growth factor was also increased. CCL2–4/CXCL1/8 release correlated with nuclear factor (NF)-κB expression in untreated AML cells, and PEP005-induced chemokine production was associated with further increases in the expression of the NF-κB subunits p50, p52 and p65. Increased DNA binding of NF-κB was observed during exposure to PEP005, and the specific NF-κB inhibitor BMS-345541 reduced constitutive chemokine release even in the presence of PEP005. Finally, PEP005 decreased expression of stem cell markers (CD117, CXCR4) and increased lineage-associated CD11b and CD14 expression. To conclude, PEP005 has a unique functional pharmacological profile in human AML. Previous studies have described proapoptotic and T cell stimulatory effects and the present study describes additional T cell chemotactic and differentiation-inducing effects.     

Effects by 8-bromo-cyclicAMP on basal and organic dust-induced release of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in A549 human airway epithelial cells

Inhalation of organic dust from a swine-confinement building leads to an intense inflammatory reaction with an increased number of inflammatory cells and mediators in the upper and lower respiratory tract of previously unexposed subjects. In vitro the dust induces cytokine release from epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages. It is known that intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) contributes to the regulation of inflammatory responses. We therefore investigated whether 8-Bromo-cAMP, a cell membrane-permeable cAMP analogue, would influence release of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in a human airway epithelial cell line, A549, exposed to a suspension of the organic dust, and to a supernatant prepared by centrifugation (at low g-force) of a suspension of dust. The large particulate matter was thus sedimented, leaving bacteria, whole and cell wall constituents in the supernatant. Cytokine release was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cytokine release induced by a supernatant was 23% (IL-6) and 27% (IL-8) of the release induced by a dust suspension. 8-Bromo-cAMP (1 mM) doubled basal IL-6 release and IL-6 release induced by a dust supernatant (P<0.01), and increased IL-6 release induced by a dust suspension by 19% (P<0.05). 8-Bromo-cAMP did not affect basal IL-8 release, partially inhibited (28%) the release of IL-8 induced by a dust suspension (P<0.01), but increased IL-8 release induced by a dust supernatant by 13% (P<0.05). In summary, expression of the cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 is differentially regulated by 8-Bromo-cAMP, both with regard to basal and dust-induced release. The results indicate that 8-Bromo-cAMP attenuated IL-8 release by affecting signaling transductions induced by the particulate fraction.     

C3 as substrate for adhesion of Streptococcus pneumoniae

The ability of choline-binding protein A (CbpA) of Streptococcus pneumoniae to bind the third component of complement (C3) suggests possible interactions with opsonic C3 in the bloodstream or with C3 secreted by epithelial cells. The latter possibility was investigated by measuring C3 in supernatants of resting and cytokine-activated monolayers of type II pulmonary epithelial cells (A549 cells). Expression of C3 on the epithelial cell surface was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Epithelially produced C3 bound to CbpA, as determined by Western blot test. cbpa(-) mutants and lysates therefrom failed to bind C3, were completely deficient in adhesion to a matrix in which C3 was the sole substrate, and demonstrated a moderate yet significant decrease in adhesion to type II pulmonary epithelial cells. These results confirm the interaction of the pneumococcal protein CbpA and its substrate, C3, in 2 in vitro models of adhesion.     

p38 MAPK和JNK信号通道在TGF-β1诱导的肺泡上皮细胞上皮-间质转化中的意义

目的 探讨p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK）和c-Jun氨基端激酶（JNK）信号通道在转化生长因子β1 （TGF-β1）诱导的人肺泡上皮细胞上皮-间质转化（epithelial to mesenchymal transition,EMT）中的意义,从而进一步揭示肺纤维化的发病机制.方法 使用TGF-β1诱导A549细胞EMT,分别在蛋白水平（使用p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580和JNK抑制剂SP600125）和RNA水平（RNA干扰）抑制p38 MAPK和JNK信号通道,检测抑制后A549细胞的p38 MAPK和JNK的蛋白和mRNA,以及间质细胞表型蛋白包括结蛋白、波形蛋白、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白和上皮细胞表型蛋白包括E-钙黏素、紧密连接蛋白-1、水通道蛋白-5的表达.结果 TGF-β1可以诱导A549细胞EMT,表现为间质细胞表型蛋白表达的增加和上皮细胞表型蛋白表达的减少,这一过程p38 MAPK和JNK通道表达也增加,无论蛋白水平抑制或基因沉默p38 MAPK和JNK均可减轻A549细胞的EMT.结论 p38 MAPK和JNK信号通道在TGF-β1诱导的A549细胞EMT过程中起重要作用.     

Inflammatory cytokines modulate chemokine production patterns of HepG2 cells toward initially inclined direction

Aim:  Human hepatocytes are known to express an array of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In this study, we examined the potential roles of hepatocytes in regulating immune responses in the liver, by assessing the induction of Th1- or Th2-specific chemokines in HepG2 cells after various inflammatory stimulations.
Methods:  HepG2 cells were stimulated with IL-1α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and/or CCL2, harvested at several time points, and served for the analyses of cytokine/chemokine mRNA expressions by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
Results:  (i) IL-1α up-regulated mRNA levels of CXCL8, CXCL10, and CCL2. IFN-γ increased those of CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5, while IL-4 or IL-10 had no effect. (ii) Addition of IL-4 to the culture of IFN-γ-stimulated cells, down-regulated CXCL9 and CXCL10 mRNA levels. (iii) Addition of IFN-γ to the culture of IL-1α-stimulated cells, further up-regulated CXCL9 and CXCL10 mRNA levels. Addition of IL-4 decreased CXCL8 and CXCL10 levels, and increased CCL2 level in IL-1α-stimulated cells. (iv) CCL2 induced IL-4 mRNA expression.
Conclusions:  IFN-γ augmented mRNA expression of Th1-specific chemokines (CXCL9 and CXCL10) in HepG2 cells. IL-4 had no effect on those of Th2-spesific chemokines (CCL17 and CCL22); however, it was supposed to augment Th2 response indirectly through the induction of CCL2 under the inflammatory condition. The findings suggest that hepatocytes have ability to promote immune responses in the liver toward the direction, initially determined by the cytokine balances in the local inflammatory region.     

Effect of formoterol and salmeterol on IL-6 and IL-8 release in airway epithelial cells

Beta(2)-adrenoceptors are widely distributed and occur on airway epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to find out whether the two long-acting beta(2)-agonists formoterol and salmeterol influence interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8) release from airway epithelial cells in vitro. A549 cells and primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBEC) were stimulated with organic dust from pig barns. Non-stimulated and dust-stimulated cells were incubated for 24h with formoterol or salmeterol (10(-13)-10(-6)M) and the release of IL-6 and IL-8 into the medium was assessed by ELISA technique. Propranolol (10(-5)M) or sotalol (10(-3)M) were used to block the beta(2)-agonist mediated effects. Formoterol and salmeterol both induced enhancement of IL-6 and IL-8 release and added to the effect of organic dust. This enhanced release was blocked by a beta-blocker in PBEC but not in A549 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time beta(2)-agonists have been shown to stimulate IL-6 release from airway epithelial cells. The results indicate different mechanisms of beta(2)-agonist action in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Furthermore, our results indicate that A549 cells do not possess functional beta(2)-adrenoceptors.     

Stretch induces a growth factor in alveolar cells via protein kinase

Positive-pressure mechanical ventilation can injure the lung, causing edema and alveolar inflammation in a complication termed ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) reportedly are important in this inflammatory response. On the other hand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes regeneration of the lung, and delays pulmonary fibrosis. We postulated that cyclic stretch upregulates production and release of both of mediators. Human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) cultured on a silicoelastic membrane were tested for mRNA expression and release of IL-8 and HGF after cyclic stretch in vitro. Stretch induced mRNA expression and release of these mediators. The signaling pathway from cyclic stretch to release of IL-8 and HGF appeared to involve protein kinase C in the signal transduction pathway.     

Respiratory syncytial virus-induced chemokine production: linking viral replication to chemokine production in vitro and in vivo

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a negative-sense, single-strand RNA virus that can initiate severe bronchiolitis in infants, as well as in elderly adults. Although RSV preferentially infects and replicates in the airway epithelium, studies have shown that RSV has the ability to infect and, to a limited extent, replicate in alveolar macrophages. In the present study, we sought to characterize the RSV-induced chemokine production in vitro and in vivo, because chemokines have been shown to contribute to both the inflammation and pathophysiology of disease. Our results show that RSV-infected airway epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages display differential profiles of chemokine production: airway epithelial cells produce CCL2/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CCL5/RANTES, CXCL10/gamma interferon inducible protein-10, and kerotinocyte cytokine (KC); and alveolar macrophages up-regulate CCL5 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 after RSV infection. In vivo, we observed the induction of CCL2, CCL3/MIP-1 alpha, CCL5, CXCL10, and KC after RSV infection. In the present study, we also addressed the necessity for viral infection and/or replication in chemokine induction by use of ultraviolet (UV)-inactivated RSV, as well as RSV inhibitors of binding/infection and replication, that is, NMSO3, a sulfated sialyl lipid compound, and ribavirin, respectively. Our results suggest that viral replication is necessary for optimal chemokine production.     

Soluble HLA-G dampens CD94/NKG2A expression and function and differentially modulates chemotaxis and cytokine and chemokine secretion in CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells

Soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) inhibits natural killer (NK) cell functions. Here, we investigated sHLA-G-mediated modulation of (1) chemokine receptor and NK receptor expression and function and (2) cytokine and chemokine secretion in CD56bright and CD56dim NK cells. sHLA-G-treated or untreated peripheral blood (PB) and tonsil NK cells were analyzed for chemokine receptor and NK receptor expression by flow cytometry. sHLA-G down-modulated (1) CXCR3 on PB and tonsil CD56bright and CD56dim, (2) CCR2 on PB and tonsil CD56bright, (3) CX3CR1 on PB CD56dim, (4) CXCR5 on tonsil CD56dim, and (5) CD94/NKG2A on PB and tonsil CD56brigh) and CD56dim NK cells. Such sHLA-G-mediated down-modulations were reverted by adding anti-HLA-G or anti-ILT2 mAbs. sHLA-G inhibited chemotaxis of (1) PB NK cells toward CXCL10, CXCL11, and CX3CL1 and (2) PB CD56bright NK cells toward CCL2 and CXCL10. IFN-γ secretion induced by NKp46 engagement was inhibited by NKG2A engagement in untreated but not in sHLA-G-treated NK cells. sHLA-G up-regulated secretion of (1) CCL22 in CD56bright and CD56dim and (2) CCL2, CCL8, and CXCL2-CXCL3 in CD56dim PB NK cells. Signal transduction experiments showed sHLA-G-mediated down-modulation of Stat5 phosphorylation in PB NK cells. In conclusion, our data delineated novel mechanisms of sHLA-G-mediated inhibition of NK-cell functions.     

Legionella pneumophila-induced NF-kappaB- and MAPK-dependent cytokine release by lung epithelial cells.

Legionella pneumophila causes community-acquired pneumonia with high mortality, but little is known about its interaction with the alveolar epithelium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether L. pneumophila infection of lung epithelial cells (A549) resulted in pro-inflammatory activation. L. pneumophila infection induced liberation of interleukin (IL)-2, -4, -6, -8 and -17, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, interferon-gamma and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, but not of IL-5, -7, -10, -12 (p70) or -13 or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The present study focused on IL-8 and found induction by L. pneumophila strains 130b, Philadelphia 1, Corby and, to a lesser extent, JR32. Knockout of dotA, a central gene involved in type IVB secretion, did not alter IL-8 induction, whereas lack of flagellin significantly reduced IL-8 release by Legionella. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was activated and kinase inhibition reduced secretion of induced cytokines, with the exception of IL-2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. In contrast, inhibition of the MAPK kinase 1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway only reduced the expression of a few cytokines. L. pneumophila also induced binding of nuclear factor-kappaB subunit RelA/p65 and RNA polymerase II to the il8 promoter, and a specific inhibitor of the inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappaB complex dose-dependently lowered IL-8 expression. Taken together, Legionella pneumophila activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase- and nuclear factor-kappaB/RelA pathway-dependent expression of a complex pattern of cytokines by human alveolar epithelial cells, presumably contributing to the immune response in legionellosis.     

Inflammatory-activated microvascular endothelial cells regulate interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression of A549 cells in a paracrine fashion

Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 have been found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. The authors investigated whether inflammatory-activated microvascular pulmonary endothelial cells (HMVECL) regulate expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 in the alveolar epithelial cell line A549 and studied the effects of hypoxia (5% O(2)) and hyperoxia (85% O(2)). The authors observed significant up-regulation of IL-8 and MCP-1 expression in A549 cells that was independent from the IL-1 receptor pathway but was modified by oxygen tension. These data show that the pulmonary microvascular endothelium is able to regulate epithelial cell chemokine expression in a paracrine fashion.     

Role of S100A8 and S100A9 in neutrophil recruitment in response to monosodium urate monohydrate crystals in the air-pouch model of acute gouty arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the role of chemokines, S100A8, and S100A9 in neutrophil accumulation induced by the causative agent of gout, monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals. METHODS: MSU crystal-induced neutrophil migration was studied in the murine air-pouch model. Release of chemokines, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A8/A9 in response to MSU crystals was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Recruited cells were counted following acetic blue staining, and the subpopulations were characterized by Wright-Giemsa staining of cytospins. RESULTS: MSU crystals induced the accumulation of neutrophils following injection in the air pouch, which correlated with the release of the chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, CCL2, and CCL3. However, none of these was found to play an important role in neutrophil migration induced by MSU crystals by passive immunization with antibodies directed against each chemokine. S100A8, S100A9, and S100A8/A9 were also found at high levels in the pouch exudates following injection of MSU crystals. In addition, injection of S100A8, S100A9, or S100A8/A9 led to the accumulation of neutrophils in the murine air pouch, demonstrating their proinflammatory activities in vivo. Passive immunization with anti-S100A8 and anti-S100A9 led to a total inhibition of the accumulation of neutrophils. Finally, S100A8/A9 was found at high concentrations in the synovial fluid of patients with gout. CONCLUSION: S100A8 and S100A8/A9 are essential to neutrophil migration induced by MSU crystals. These results suggest that they might be involved in the pathogenesis of gout.