诱导型一氧化氮合酶在糖尿病性阴茎勃起功能障碍大鼠阴茎的表达

目的:探讨诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)在糖尿病性阴茎勃起功能障碍(ED)发病进程中的可能作用.方法:注射链脲佐菌素建立糖尿病大鼠模型,分别在注射8周和12周后观察阴茎勃起次数,取大鼠阴茎,用ABC免疫组织化学方法检测阴茎iNOS的分布与表达,免疫印迹检测阴茎iNOS蛋白量的变化.结果:糖尿病大鼠的阴茎勃起次数低于对照组,并随病程延长降低;与对照组比较,糖尿病组阴茎内iNOS阳性细胞数和平均光密度、iNOS蛋白量升高,并随病程延长而进行性升高.结论:糖尿病组大鼠阴茎iNOS表达的升高与ED相关.     

Intracellular expression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific 10-kDa antigen down-regulates macrophage B7.1 expression and nitric oxide release

To explore the role of the 10-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific secreted antigen (MTSA-10 or CFP-10) in modulation of macrophage function, J774 macrophages were transfected stably with DNA encoding MTSA-10. Compared to normal or mock-transfected controls, MTSA-10-expressing macrophages had markedly lower levels of co-stimulatory molecule B7.1 on their surface, while the expression of B7.2 and ICAM-1 was not affected. MTSA-transfected cells also produced significantly less microbicidal free radical nitric oxide (NO) upon stimulation with interferon (IFN)-gamma, lipopolysaccharide or M. tuberculosis cell lysate. Western blot analysis revealed the absence of tyrosine-phosphorylated protein slightly larger than 112 kDa in MTSA-transfected macrophages. Moreover, the treatment of control J774 cells with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein completely mimicked the effects of transfection with MTSA-10, selectively down-regulating NO and B7.1, but not B7.2 or ICAM-1 expression. The observed MTSA-10-mediated block of B7.1 expression and NO release might contribute to the suppression of antimycobacterial response in tuberculosis.     

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncoupled from susceptibility to active tuberculosis

As a hallmark of tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) induces granulomatous lung lesions and systemic inflammatory responses during active disease. Molecular regulation of inflammation is associated with inflammasome assembly. We determined the extent to which MTB triggers inflammasome activation and how this impacts on the severity of TB in a mouse model. MTB stimulated release of mature IL-1β in macrophages while attenuated M. bovis BCG failed to do so. Tubercle bacilli specifically activated the NLRP3 inflammasome and this propensity was strictly controlled by the virulence-associated RD1 locus of MTB. However, Nlrp3-deficient mice controlled pulmonary TB, a feature correlated with NLRP3-independent production of IL-1β in infected lungs. Our studies demonstrate that MTB activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages in an ESX-1-dependent manner. However, during TB, MTB promotes NLRP3- and caspase-1-independent IL-1β release in myeloid cells recruited to lung parenchyma and thus overcomes NLRP3 deficiency in vivo in experimental models.     

Th1型细胞因子基因对结核分枝杆菌基因疫苗诱导BALB/c小鼠产生抗CFP10抗体水平的影响

目的：研究分别表达含IL—12和IL-18基因的质粒，对结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis，MTB)H37R1株CFP1O基因疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响。方法：从正常人外周血单个核细胞(PMBCs)中提取RNA，用RT—PCR扩增IL-18 cDNA，并克隆人载体pGEM—Teasy中。测序证实后，亚克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3．1的BamH Ⅰ和EcoR Ⅰ酶切位点。将分别表达小鼠IL—12和人IL—18基因的真核表达质粒pcmlL12和pclL18，与MTB CFP10基因疫苗联合肌注免疫BALB／c小鼠，共免疫3次，每次间隔2wk。每次免疫后2wk采血、分离血清，用ELISA检测小鼠血清抗CFP10抗体的滴度。结果：用RT—PCR成功地从人PMBC的RNA中扩增出IL—18 cDNA，测序结果正确，用BamH Ⅰ和EcoR Ⅰ酶切鉴定证实，目的基因已插入载体pcDNA3．1中，阳性克隆命名为pcIL18。pcCFP10组第1次免疫后，血清抗CFP10抗体的平均滴度为1：600，末次免疫后的滴度为1：4000。pcIL18 pcCFP10组联合免疫后，血清抗CFP10抗体的滴度高于pcCFP10组，最终达1：8000。而pcmIL12 pcCFP10组联合免疫后滴度仅为1：200。结论：pcIL18与CFP10基因疫苗联合免疫，可增强CFP10抗原的特异性体液免疫应答；pcmIL12则可使CFP10基因疫苗产生的抗体水平降低。pcIL18 pcCFP10基因联合免疫是否具有增强CFP10抗原特异性细胞免疫的作用有待进一步研究。     

Mechanism of NK cell activation induced by coculture with dendritic cells derived from peripheral blood monocytes.

Dendritic cells (DCs) have been regarded as one of the effective antigen-presenting cells, but the relationship between DCs and lymphocytes, in particular natural killer (NK) cells, remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated how DCs interact with both lymphocytes and NK cells using a coculture system. The number of lymphocytes increased significantly when cocultured with DCs (1.8-fold increase). In particular, the proliferation of NK cells was prominent. Furthermore, the coculture of DCs with lymphocytes induced a marked increase in IL-12 and IFN-gamma secretion. When contact between the DCs and lymphocytes was prevented, the secretion of both IL-12 and IFN-gamma was markedly reduced. IFN-gamma production was completely blocked by an anti-IL-12 antibody, indicating that IFN-gamma secretion was dependent on IL-12 secretion. The stimulating effect of the DCs on the proliferation of the lymphocytes was partially suppressed by anti-IL-12 antibodies, and was completely attenuated when cellular contact was prevented. Furthermore, the NK cell proliferation induced by coculture with DCs was significantly blocked by the inhibition of the interaction of either CD40-CD40L or CD28-B7 molecule. The coculture with DCs enhanced NK activity by 40%, and this was partially suppressed by anti-IL-12 antibodies and was completely blocked by the inhibition of cell-to-cell contact. These results indicate that the activation of NK cells by DCs is partially mediated by IL-12 secretion, and that direct contact between DCs and NK cells play a major role in this response.     

Role of IFN-alpha/beta and IL-12 in the activation of natural killer cells and interferon-gamma production during experimental infection with Trypanosoma cruzi

Control of Trypanosoma cruzi infection depends largely upon the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma. During experimental infection this cytokine is produced early, mainly by natural killer (NK) cells and later by T cells. As NK cells have been reported to participate in defence against T. cruzi, it is of importance to study the regulation of NK cell functions during infection with the parasite. Several innate cytokines regulate NK cell activity, among them being interferon (IFN)-alpha and IFN-beta (type 1 IFNs) and interleukin (IL)-12, which have all been reported to be involved in protection against T. cruzi. The role of these cytokines in regulation of NK cell functions and disease outcome were studied by infection of mutant mice lacking the IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFNalpha/betaR-/-) or IL-12 (IL-12-/-) with T. cruzi. IFNalpha/betaR-/- mice were unable to activate the cytotoxic response but produced IFN-gamma, and were not more susceptible than controls. IL-12-/- mice were extremely susceptible and failed to produce T cell-derived IFN-gamma and nitric oxide (NO), although NK cytotoxicity was induced. The results indicate that IL-12 protects against T. cruzi by initiating T cell-mediated production of IFN-gamma, but that endogenous IFN-alpha/beta and NK cell cytotoxicity are not of major importance in defence.     

gammadelta T cells condition dendritic cells in vivo for priming pulmonary CD8 T cell responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

gammadelta T cells and dendritic cells are quickly recruited to the lungs shortly after intranasal vaccination with BCG, but the functional in vivo interplay between these two cell populations and its role in the induction of adaptive immune responses is unclear. Using TCR-deficient mice and bone marrow chimeras, we show here that gammadelta T cells provide a non-redundant early source of IFN-gamma in vivo, which enhances IL-12 production by lung dendritic cells. The in vivo-conditioned dendritic cells, in turn, prime a more efficient lung CD8 T cell response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Thus, strategies exploiting gammadelta T cell function and IFN-gamma production could be valuable for the design and testing of mucosal vaccines.     

Enhanced beta-adrenergic response in rat papillary muscle by inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase after myocardial infarction

Aim: Myocardial infarction (MI) induces a progressive ventricular remodelling leading to a contractility depression. During the acute phase of MI inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) production increases in the heart. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of iNOS in the left ventricular contractility at 3 days after MI. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into: sham operated (SHAM, n = 23), infarction (INF, n = 18); sham operated plus the iNOS inhibitor, S‐methylisothiourea (SMT) 5 mg kg^?1 day^?1, i.p. treatment (SHAM‐SMT, n = 26) and infarction plus SMT (INF‐SMT, n = 22). Concentration–response curves for isoprenaline, Ca²⁺ and frequency–force curve were studied in isolated papillary muscle from left ventricle. Results: After 3 days infarct area was similar between groups. SMT treatment reduced the time to peak tension during frequency–force curve in the infarct group (SHAM = 63 ± 3; SHAM‐SMT = 71 ± 3; INF = 90 ± 4; INF‐SMT = 79 ± 4 ms, P < 0.05) and increased the maximal response to isoprenaline (SHAM = 0.93 ± 0.11; SHAM‐SMT = 1.13 ± 0.1; INF =0.84 ± 0.16; INF‐SMT = 1.49 ± 0.15 g mm^?2, P < 0.05). The response to Ca²⁺ was equally reduced in the INF and INF‐SMT groups. SMT treatment did not change the reduced post‐rest potentiation performed by INF group, but attenuated the plasma nitrite and nitrate (NOx) levels in the INF group without any haemodynamic effect. Conclusion: These finding suggest that at 3 days after MI the iNOS modulates the isolated papillary muscle response to isoprenaline and its inhibition improves the β‐adrenergic inotropic responses.     

巨噬细胞诱导型一氧化氮合酶的表达调节机制

一氧化氮是一种重要的巨噬细胞免疫效应分子,它参与免疫调节和宿主防御反应.一氧化氮的生成主要由诱导型一氧化氮合酶调节,然而诱导型一氧化氮合酶表达的调节机制及信号通路尚不完全清楚.     

Increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinase-1 by TGF-beta1 in synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis and normal individuals

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is expressed abundantly in the rheumatoid synovium. In this study, the inflammatory effect of TGF-beta1 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated using cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, as well as non-arthritic individuals. mRNA expressions of IL-1beta, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 were increased in RA and OA FLS by TGF-beta1 treatment, but not in non-arthritic FLS. Enhanced protein expression of IL-1beta, IL-8 and MMP-1 was also observed in RA FLS. Moreover, TGF-beta1 showed a synergistic effect in increasing protein expression of IL-1beta and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 with TNFalpha and IL-1beta, respectively. Biological activity of IL-1 determined by mouse thymocyte proliferation assay was also enhanced by 50% in response to TGF-beta1 in the culture supernatant of RA FLS. DNA binding activities of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and activator protein (AP)-1 were shown to increase by TGF-beta1 as well. These results suggest that TGF-beta1 contributes for the progression of inflammation and joint destruction in RA, and this effect is specific for the arthritic synovial fibroblasts.     

IL-23 leads to diabetes induction after subdiabetogenic treatment with multiple low doses of streptozotocin

IL-23, a proximal regulator of IL-17, may be a major driving force in the induction of autoimmune inflammation. We have used a model of subdiabetogenic treatment with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ; 4 x 40 mg/kg body weight) in male C57BL/6 mice to study the effect of IL-23 on immune-mediated beta cell damage and the development of diabetes, as evaluated by blood glucose, quantitative histology, immunohistochemistry and expression of relevant cytokines in the islets. Ten daily injections of 400 ng IL-23, starting on the first day of MLD-STZ administration led to significant and sustained hyperglycemia along with weight loss compared with controls (no IL-23), and a significant increase in the number of infiltrating cells, a lower insulin content, enhanced apoptosis, expression of IFN-gamma and IL-17 (not seen in the controls) and a significant increase in the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-18 in the pancreatic islets. IL-23 treatment started 5 days prior to MLD-STZ administration had no effect on diabetogenesis or cytokines expression in the pancreatic islets. We provide the first evidence in an animal model that IL-23 is involved in the development of type-1 diabetes, by inducing IL-17 and possibly IFN-gamma production in the target tissue.     

Modulation of the expression of M150 on macrophages by Th1/Th2 cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules CD40, B7-1, B7-2 and ICAM-1

M150 is an 150-kDa protein associated with the surface of macrophages and is responsible chiefly for the activation of Th1 cells. It is a unique subset of the lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 glycoprotein and its co-stimulatory activity depends on its post-translational modification, which has a distinct glycosylation pattern restricted to macrophages. In the present study, we have observed that M150 is expressed constitutively on peritoneal but not splenic macrophages isolated from mice of different genetic backgrounds: Balb/c, C57BL/6 and C3He. However, M150 was expressed not only on peritoneal but also on splenic macrophages of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Expression on splenic macrophages was induced by culture with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Expression could also be significantly up-regulated by interferon (IFN)-gamma and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but was inhibited by interleukin (IL)-10; IL-4 exhibited no effect. Further, cross-linking of B7-2, CD40, ICAM-1 but not B7-1 enhanced the level of M150 significantly. IFN-gamma and GM-CSF acted synergistically with CD40. The significance of these findings is that cytokines IFN-gamma, GM-CSF and IL-10 and the co-stimulatory molecules B7-2, CD40 and ICAM-1 can regulate the expression of M150 on macrophages.     

Elevated interferon gamma expression in the central nervous system of tumour necrosis factor receptor 1-deficient mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) can be studied in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The proinflammatory cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) are implicated in EAE pathogenesis. Signals through the type 1 TNF receptor (TNFR1) are required for severe EAE to develop, whereas deficiency in IFN-gamma or its receptor result in more severe EAE. We investigated IFN-gamma expression in TNFR1-deficient (TNFR1-/-) mice. We describe here that there were more IFN-gamma-secreting T cells present in the CNS of TNFR1-/- mice during EAE compared to wild-type (WT) mice, despite that clinical symptoms were mild, with delayed onset. There was greater expression of IL-12/23p40 by antigen-presenting cells in these mice, and in vitro, TNFR1-/- antigen-presenting cells induced greater secretion of IFN-gamma but not interleukin (IL)-17 when cultured with primed T cells than did WT antigen presenting cells. TNFR1-/- mice with EAE had significantly higher expression of CXCL10 mRNA (but not CCL5 mRNA) in the CNS compared to WT mice with EAE. These data demonstrate that IFN-gamma expression is enhanced in the CNS of TNFR1-/- mice with EAE and suggest that IFN-gamma levels do not necessarily correlate with EAE severity.     

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosineduring the evolution of experimental pulmonary tuberculosis

Nitric oxide (NO) is a relevant antimycobacterial factor in mouse macrophages. NO is a product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO toxicity is greatly enhanced by reacting with superoxide to form peroxynitrite that reacts with many biological molecules. Tyrosine is one of the molecules with which NO reacts and the product is nitrotyrosine (NT). The production of peroxynitrite and the nitrosylation of proteins might play a role in bacterial killing and also in mediating host injury. In this study, we used a well-characterized mouse model of pulmonary tuberculosis to examine the local kinetics of expression and cellular distribution of iNOS and NT at the cellular and subcellular level. The histopathological study showed two phases of the disease: early and late. The early phase was characterized by mononuclear inflammation and granuloma formation. During this phase, high percentages of activated macrophages were observed that were immunostained for iNOS and NT. Immuno-electronmicroscopy showed NT immunoreactivity in lysosomes and mycobacterial wall and cytoplasm. The concentration of iNOS mRNA and NO metabolites were also elevated. The late phase was characterized by progressive pneumonia with focal necrosis and a decrease of iNOS mRNA and NO metabolites. The strongest NT immunostained areas were the necrotic tissue. Macrophages became foamy cells with scarce iNOS immunostaining but strong NT immunoreactivity. At the ultrastructural level, these cells showed NT immunolabeling in cytoskeleton, mitochondria, lysosomes and cell membrane. NT was also located in bronchial epithelial cell mitochondria, in cell membranes and cytoplasm of endothelial cells and in actin bundles within smooth muscle cells. These results suggest an important role of NO in mycobacterial killing, particularly during the early phase of the infection. They also suggest an important participation by NO in tissue damage during the late phase of the disease.     

IFN-beta modulates the response to TLR stimulation in human DC: involvement of IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in IL-27 gene expression

Type I IFN are cytokines which play a central role in host resistance to viral or microbial infections and are important components linking innate and adaptive immunity. We and others have previously demonstrated that the production of IFN-beta by DC following bacterial infections or TLR triggering influences, in an autocrine manner, their maturation. In this study, we investigated whether IFN-beta release modulates the phenotype of the immature DC and their response to a subsequent TLR stimulation. The induction of CD86, HLA-DR, CD38 and B7H1 and the absence of CCR7 and CD83 expression upon IFN-beta treatment suggest that IFN-beta-primed DC remain at the site of infection acquiring an activated phenotype. These results prompted us to investigate the response of IFN-beta-primed DC to TLR stimulation. While IFN-beta pretreatment increases slightly the expression of maturation markers in TLR2- or TLR4-stimulated DC, it is able to modulate selectively the secretion of inflammatory and immuno-regulating cytokines. Interestingly, IL-27p28 subunit was induced by IFN-beta alone or during LPS-induced maturation of DC in a type I IFN-dependent manner through IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) activation. Taken together, our results shed light on the capacity of IFN-beta to finely tune DC response to invading pathogens.     

Up-regulation of IL-18 and predominance of a Th1 immune response is a hallmark of lupus nephritis

There is evidence that nephritis is dominated by a Th1 immune response in systemic lupus erythematosus. Since IL-18 promotes polarization of the immune response toward Th1, we investigated the role of this cytokine in lupus nephritis (LN). A total of 133 lupus patients and 44 healthy subjects were enrolled. Demographic and clinical characteristics with renal biopsy data were recorded. IL-18 along with IFN-gamma and IL-4, two prototypical of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, were measured in serum by ELISA. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analysed by flow cytometry for IFN-gamma and IL-4. IL-18 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in 13 renal biopsy specimens from patients with LN and 2 controls. Serum IL-18 was higher in lupus patients than in controls. Levels of IL-18 correlated with urinary microalbumin and were increased in patients with LN when compared to those without LN. IL-18 expression was also increased within the glomeruli of nephritic patients and was primarily detected within the mesangial matrix and in infiltrating mononuclear cells. Measurement of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in either sera or peripheral blood lymphocytes showed high IFN-gamma along with low IL-4 expression in LN patients compared to patients without nephritis. A positive correlation between serum IL-18 and IFN-gamma levels was found. IL-18 may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of LN by promoting a cytokine imbalance towards a Th1 immune response. Measurement of IL-18 may be helpful for the early identification of lupus patients with LN and may help gauge the response to treatment in patients with active LN undergoing treatment.     

Detection of in vitro interferon-gamma and serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is known as having a poor prognosis with a weak response to therapy and very high death rates. The aim of this work was to assess the immune response to the RD1-encoded antigen ESAT-6 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in MDR-TB patients and compare to non-resistant (NR) TB patients and healthy controls (HC). Evaluation of interferon (IFN)-gamma production showed that, although 55% of the MDR patients were responsive to ESAT-6, they produced lower IFN-gamma levels (553 +/- 11 pg/ml) when compared to NR-TB (1179 +/- 163 pg/ml; P < 0.05) but not to controls (412 +/- 65.7 pg/ml). Differences in the response to ESAT-6 and to its overlapping peptides mixture were also significant between MDR versus treated pulmonary NR-TB. Furthermore, a very low rate of response to PPD (23.5%) and to Ag85B (33.3%) was noted in MDR-TB patients as compared to the other groups. To determine the inflammatory response in patients' groups, detection of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was assessed in their sera before and during chemotherapy. Mean TNF-alpha levels in MDR-TB (43.8 +/- 9 pg/ml) paralleled those found in treated pulmonary, and it was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the values found in untreated NR and HC. Interestingly, secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha were predominant in MDR patients who presented with bilateral pulmonary lesions and lung cavitation. The present data indicate that the overall immune response to mycobacterial antigens is decreased in resistant TB and the major role inflammatory cytokines may play in perpetuating pulmonary tissue damage.