Human cord blood mononuclear cells decrease cytokines and inflammatory cells in acute myocardial infarction

We investigated whether human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HUCBC), which contain hematopoietic and mesenchymal progenitor cells, can limit myocardial cytokine expression and inflammatory cell infiltration in acute myocardial infarction. We permanently ligated the left coronary artery of rats and injected into the myocardium either Isolyte or 4 x 10(6) HUCBC in Isolyte and measured myocardial cytokines with antibody arrays at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours after infarction. We then measured with flow cytometry myocardial macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes at 12, 24, and 72 hours after infarctions in rats treated with either intramyocardial Isolyte or 4 x 10(6) HUCBC. In the Isolyte-treated hearts, between 2 and 12 hours after myocardial infarction, tumor necrosis factor-alpha increased from 6.7 +/- 0.9% to 52.3 +/- 4.7%, monocyte chemoattract protein increased from 9.5 +/- 1.2% to 39.8 +/- 2.1%, fractalkine increased from 11 +/- 1.5% to 28.1 +/- 1.3%, ciliary neurotrophic factor increased from 12.1 +/- 0.02% to 25.9 +/- 1.1%, macrophage inflammatory protein increased from 10.3 +/- 1.5% to 23.9.0 +/- 1.4%, interferon-gamma increased from 8.7 +/- 0.4% to 26.0 +/- 1.6%, interleukin-1beta increased from 6.1 +/- 0.04% to 19.0 +/- 1.2%, and IL-4 increased from 5.9 +/- 0.03% to 15 +/- 1.5% (all p < 0.001 compared with controls). The concentrations of fractalkine remained significantly increased at 72 hours after acute infarction. In contrast, the myocardial concentrations of these cytokines did not significantly change in HUCBC treated hearts at 2, 6, 12, 24, or 72 hours after infarction. The percentage of neutrophils increased from 0.04 +/- 0.2%/50,000 heart cells in the controls to 5.3 +/- 1.2%/50,000 heart cells 12 hours after infarction in Isolyte-treated hearts but averaged only 1.3 +/- 0.7%/50,000 heart cells in HUCBC treated hearts (p < 0.02). Thereafter, the percentages of neutrophils rapidly decreased at 24 and at 72 hours after infarction and averaged 0.6 +/- 0.2%/50,000 heart cells at 72 hours after infarction in Isolyte-treated hearts in contrast to 0.2 +/- 0.1%/50,000 cells in HUCBC hearts (p < 0.05). Moreover, the percentages of neutrophils at 24 and 72 hours in HUCBC hearts were not significantly different from controls. At 24 hours post infarction, the percentage of CD3 and CD4 lymphocytes were 10.7 +/- 1.4% and 6.3 +/- 1.1%/50,000 cells in Isolyte hearts in comparison with only 4.9 +/- 0.8% and 2.9 +/- 0.5% in HUCBC hearts (p < 0.005 for Isolyte versus HUCBC). The percentage of CD11b macrophages was 2.8 +/- 0.3% in Isolyte hearts and 1.9 +/- 0.2% in HUCBC treated hearts (p < 0.05). At 72 hours after infarction, the percentage of CD3 and CD4 lymphocytes averaged 8.0 +/- 1.1% and 5.1 +/- 0.8%/50,000 heart cells in Isolyte hearts in comparison with only 4.1 +/- 0.5% and 2.3 +/- 0.4%/50,000 heart cells in the HUCBC treated infarctions (p < 0.005). Left ventricular infarct sizes in Isolyte-treated hearts at 72 hours post infarction averaged 15.7 +/- 1.4% of the left ventricular muscle area in contrast to HUCBC treated infarctions that averaged 6.9 +/- 1.4% of the left ventricular muscle area (p < 0.02). Moreover in rats followed for 2 months post infarction, the LV ejection fractions decreased to 65.4 +/- 1.9% and 69.1 +/- 1.9% at 1 and 2 months after infarction in Isolyte-treated hearts and were significantly different from HUCBC treated hearts that averaged 72.1 +/- 1.3% and 75.7 +/- 1.4% (both p < 0.02). The present experiments suggest that an important mechanism whereby HUCBC limit infarct size and improve left ventricular ejection fraction is by significantly limiting inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cells in infarcted myocardium.     

Recombinant gp120 induces IL-10 in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells; correlation with the induction of other cytokines.

Immunological abnormalities present in HIV-1-infected individuals often reflect an imbalance of cytokine production. The HIV-1 gp120 has the ability to induce a number of cytokines, and to enhance immunoglobulin release by normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro, in the absence of IL-2 production and of lymphoproliferation. This study provides evidence that gp120 is a potent IL-10 inducer in normal PBMC cultures. The pattern of other cytokines induced by gp120 includes interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and IFN-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, IL-1 alpha and -beta, and not IL-2 and IL-4. These findings further define the pattern of cytokine release induced by gp120 on human resting PBMC. Furthermore, the present findings roughly parallel those observed both in the sera of patients and in the mononuclear cells from HIV+ individuals early after infection, suggesting that gp120 could be a good candidate as one of the agents responsible for cytokine dysregulation observed in HIV-1-infected individuals.     

Sinusoidal cells of the liver and their role in pathologic processes

The review summarizes the data on morphofunctional properties and histogenesis of 4 types of sinusoidal cells of the liver: stellate reticuloendotheliocyte (SR), endotheliocyte, lipocyte and Pit-cells. It is suggested that they be considered as a single structural-functional system forming the hematotissue barrier, the connective tissue skeleton of the lobule and taking part in neurohumoral regulations of the local processes. Most attention is given to SR which are the main element of the hepatic reticuloendothelial system. The participation of SR in the pathogenesis of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and some extrahepatic diseases has been shown to be connected not only with the disturbance of their phagocytic function but also with the deficiency in formation and correction of local immune reactions as well as the entire immune system. It is assumed that uncompensated insufficiency of the hepatic reticuloendothelial system may facilitate chronization of the pathological process in the liver as well as the development of some of its complications.     

细胞因子直接诱导正常人CD4+T细胞产生IL-17和IFN-γ

目的:探讨细胞因子(IL-23、IL-2和IL-15)对正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)和CD4 T细胞IL-17产生的诱导作用和调节因素。方法:将正常人PBMC和纯化的CD4 T细胞在不同条件下与IL-23、IL-2和IL-15进行培养,采用ELISA法检测细胞培养液中IL-17和IFN-γ的水平;采用酶联免疫斑点试验(ELISPOT)在单个细胞水平上检测IL-17和IFN-γ产生细胞的频率。结果:IL-23可诱导PBMC产生IL-17和IFN-γ;Th2细胞因子和抗IL-12受体β1(IL-12Rβ1)mAb可抑制IL-23诱导的IL-17和IFN-γ产生。IL-2和IL-15均可诱导IL-17和IFN-γ产生,并与IL-23具有共同诱导作用。IL-12可诱导PBMC产生大量的IFN-γ,但不产生IL-17。进一步研究表明,IL-23、IL-2和IL-15可直接诱导纯化的CD4 T细胞产生IL-17和IFN-γ。结论:IL-23、IL-2和IL-15可直接作用于正常人CD4 T细胞诱导其产生IL-17和IFN-γ;Th2细胞因子和抗IL-12Rβ1mAb可抑制IL-23诱导的IL-17和IFN-γ产生。为探讨自身免疫性疾病等的发生机制和治疗提供了新的靶点。     

Th17 cells and their associated cytokines in liver diseases

T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a newly identified subset of T helper cells that play important roles in host defense against extracellular bacteria as well as in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. The functions of Th17 cells are mediated via the production of several cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22. Recent studies show that the frequency of IL-17⁺ cells is significantly elevated in a variety of chronic liver diseases including alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. IL-17 receptor is expressed virtually on all types of liver cells, while IL-22 receptor expression is restricted to epithelial cells including hepatocytes in the liver. IL-17 seems to play an important role in inducing liver inflammation via stimulating multiple types of liver nonparenchymal cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, while IL-22 appears to be an important factor in promoting hepatocyte survival and proliferation.     

Measurement of T-helper cytokines secreted by cord blood mononuclear cells in response to allergens

It has been proposed that in utero factors may predispose towards the development of childhood atopy. To test this hypothesis, it will be necessary to measure T-helper cell (Th) cytokines secreted by human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) stimulated by allergens. However, to date, it has proven impossible to measure allergen-specific CBMC secretion of the key Th cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) using conventional sandwich ELISA techniques. We report for the first time the successful measurement of IL-4 secreted by CBMC stimulated by the allergens timothy grass pollen and house dust mite extract. The method is an adaptation of a novel cell-based ELISA (celELISA), which demonstrated an increased (up to 20-fold) sensitivity to detect IL-4. The method is simple, precise, is no more costly than a conventional ELISA, and can identify individuals in a general population whose CBMC exhibit different cytokine biases in response to allergens. The frequency distribution of IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) CBMC responses to allergens in the general population approximates to a log-normal distribution, which will permit the application of linear regression techniques in the identification of in utero factors which influence Th bias.     

多细胞因子组合对人脐血单个核细胞体外扩增及粘附分子和CXCR4表达的影响

目的：探讨不同细胞因子组合对人脐血单个核细胞体外扩增及扩增后粘附分子和CXCR4表达的影响。方法：将新鲜脐血标本分离的单个核细胞接种于含有不同细胞因子组合的无血清无基质培养体系中培养7天,在0、7天检测有核细胞数（TNC）、CD34^＋细胞数及CD34^＋CXCR4^＋、CD34^＋CD49d^＋、CD34^＋CD62L^＋的细胞数和集落形成单位（CFU）数。根据不同细胞因子组合实验分组为：对照组;SCF＋FL（简称SF）组;SFT（SCF＋FL＋TPO）组;SFT6（SCF＋FL＋TPO＋IL-6）组;SFTs（SCF＋FL＋TPO＋sIL-6R）组;SFT6s（SCF＋FL＋TPO＋IL-6/sIL-6R）组。结果：和对照组相比,SF、SFT、SFT6、SFTs、SFT6s组均可有效地扩增脐血造血细胞（P〈0.05）,SFT、SFT6、SFTs、SFT6s四组扩增效果优于SF,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,但SFT和SFT6、SFTs三组之间却无明显区别（P〉0.05）,在SFT6组合基础上加入sIL-6R后,即SFT6s组能有效地扩增脐血细胞,并优于SFT、SFT6、SFTs三组（P〈0.05）;SF、SFT、SFT6、SFTs四组细胞因子组合均可提高脐血CD34＋细胞上CD49d、CD62L和CXCR4的表达,但四组之间差异无显著性（P〉0.05）,SFT6s组可明显促进脐血CD34＋细胞上CD49、CD62L和CXCR4的表达,并优于SF、SFT、SFT6、SFTs四组,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论：IL-6/sIL-6R可协同SCF、FL和TPO有效地扩增脐血细胞并能促进和归巢有关的CD49d、CD62L及CXCR4表达     

Respiratory virus induction of alpha-, beta- and lambda-interferons in bronchial epithelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Background: Respiratory viruses, predominantly rhinoviruses are the major cause of asthma exacerbations. Impaired production of interferon‐β in rhinovirus infected bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) and of the newly discovered interferon‐λs in both BECs and bronchoalveolar lavage cells, is implicated in asthma exacerbation pathogenesis. Thus replacement of deficient interferon is a candidate new therapy for asthma exacerbations. Rhinoviruses and other respiratory viruses infect both BECs and macrophages, but their relative capacities for α‐, β‐ and λ‐interferon production are unknown. Methods: To provide guidance regarding which interferon type is the best candidate for development for treatment/prevention of asthma exacerbations we investigated respiratory virus induction of α‐, β‐ and λ‐interferons in BECs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by reverse transferase‐polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Rhinovirus infection of BEAS‐2B BECs induced interferon‐α mRNA expression transiently at 8 h and interferon‐β later at 24 h while induction of interferon‐λ was strongly induced at both time points. At 24 h, interferon‐α protein was not detected, interferon‐β was weakly induced while interferon‐λ was strongly induced. Similar patterns of mRNA induction were observed in primary BECs, in response to both rhinovirus and influenza A virus infection, though protein levels were below assay detection limits. In PBMCs interferon‐α, interferon‐β and interferon‐λ mRNAs were all strongly induced by rhinovirus at both 8 and 24 h and proteins were induced: interferon‐α>‐β>‐λ. Thus respiratory viruses induced expression of α‐, β‐ and λ‐interferons in BECs and PBMCs. In PBMCs interferon‐α>‐β>‐λ while in BECs, interferon‐λ>‐β>‐α. Conclusions: We conclude that interferon‐λs are likely the principal interferons produced during innate responses to respiratory viruses in BECs and interferon‐αs in PBMCs, while interferon‐β is produced by both cell types.     

Th17细胞及其细胞因子在肺部感染中的作用

Th17细胞是CD4+T细胞的一个亚型,最近几年对其研究较多,它能分泌多种细胞因子,主要有IL-17A、IL-17F、IL-22、IL-26和IFN-γ.其中IL-17和IL-22在肺部抗感染方面发挥了重要作用.肺黏膜抗胞外菌特别是革兰氏阴性菌感染过程中,IL-17和IL-22一方面能促进抗微生物肽(防御素)的生成,另...     

Soluble HLA-G influences the release of cytokines from allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture

Exquisitely regulated cytokine balance during early pregnancy is thought to be necessary for promoting survival of the fetal allograft. Our previous studies have demonstrated that membrane-bound human leukocyte antigen (mHLA-G) expressed on trophoblasts is one of the key factors in regulating cytokine balance by shifting the Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization, a favourable milieu for the maintenance of pregnancy. Given that trophoblasts secrete soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G), we examined its biological roles in comparison with mHLA-G. We cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with either the HLA-A and -B-deficient B lymphoblast cell line (721.221 cells) or the same cell line transfected with mHLA-G (721.221-G1 cells), in the presence or absence of recombinant sHLA-G. Cytokine concentrations in the culture media were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In contrast to mHLA-G protein, sHLA-G stimulated the release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma, whereas it reduced the release of interleukin (IL)-3, regardless of the presence of the presence of a stimulatory effect of the mHLA-G-expressing cells. Although mHLA-G reduced the release of IL-4, sHLA-G did not have any effect. Conversely, sHLA-G stimulated the release of IL-10 whereas mHLA-G was without effect. These results suggest that sHLA-G regulates the release of cytokines from PBMC chiefly by counterbalancing mHLA-G, and thereby may play a role in maintaining pregnancy.     

Determination of optimal incubation time for the production of acute phase cytokines ex vivo by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from renal transplant recipients

Levels of acute phase cytokines secreted ex vivo by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been shown to be associated with clinical conditions or histologic lesions in renal transplant recipients. One of the limiting factors for the potential use of this assay as a diagnostic tool is the incubation time needed to measure adequate cytokine levels. Here, we validated that shorter time periods than the usual 48 h are sufficient for the production of acute phase cytokines. Cytokine levels were measured with the Luminex platform. We observed that, in contrast to cytokines associated with adaptive immunity, cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α are measurable as early as 2 h following incubation at a concentration of 1.5 million PBMC/150 μL. Levels obtained in the 2 h cultures have good correlations with the levels obtained after 48 h of culture for IL-1β and TNF-α (R=0.79, P=0.004 and R=0.92, P<0.001 respectively). We conclude that same-day incubation of PBMCs and measurement of these cytokines following blood collection in transplant recipients is feasible. It provides a rationale for further studies using shorter incubation times for ex vivo cellular assay measuring acute phase cytokine levels.     

In vivo self-reactivity of mononuclear cells to T cells and macrophages exposed to HgCl2

Mercuric chloride induces in Brown-Norway rats a polyclonal activation of B cells resulting in a lymphoproliferation and in the production of autoantibodies. Experiments were performed to test the role of cells modified by HgCl2 in the induction of B cell proliferation by using the popliteal lymph node assay. Spleen cells, T cells and peritoneal macrophages exposed in vivo or in vitro to HgCl2 induced a proliferation of T and B cells in the draining popliteal lymph node. Spleen cells from Lewis rats who received HgCl2 were ineffective. These data suggest that modified cells could trigger autologous lymphocyte subsets and be responsible for autoimmunity induced by HgCl2.     

In vitro production of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from hydatid patients.

The role of cytokines in human hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus infection) was evaluated in immunoassays determining production of IL-4, IL-10 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures from 30 hydatid patients and 14 uninfected controls. In cell cultures from hydatid patients parasite and non-parasite antigen stimulation significantly increased IL-4 production (P < or 0.005). Spontaneous and mitogen-driven IL-4 production was similar in patients and controls. IL-10 and IFN-gamma production did not differ statistically in the two groups, even though some hydatid patients produced these cytokines in large amounts. Notably, antigen-driven IFN-gamma concentrations were invariably higher in patients than in uninfected controls. Data analysis showed a relationship between IgE and IgG4 responses and parasite-driven cytokine production. High IgE and IgG4 responders produced high IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations. High IgE responders showed decreased IFN-gamma production, but high IgG4 responders had IFN-gamma levels slightly higher than those of low responders. Cytokine response patterns did not relate to the clinical stage of disease. The significantly increased IL-4 and the high IL-10 concentrations found in PBMC from many hydatid patients in this study are consistent with Th2 cell activation in human hydatidosis. The presence of antigen-driven IFN-gamma production in patients with E. granulosus infection implies concurrent intervention of the Th1 or Th0 cell subset.     

Simultaneous detection of 15 human cytokines in a single sample of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Cytokines secreted by cells of the immune system can alter the behavior and properties of immune or other cells. At a site of inflammation, sets of cytokines interact with immune cells, and their combined effect is often more important than the function of one isolated component. Conventional techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, generally require large quantities of cells to characterize a complete cytokine profile of activated lymphocytes. The Bio-Plex system from Bio-Rad Laboratories combines the principle of a sandwich immunoassay with the Luminex fluorescent-bead-based technology. We developed a multiplex cytokine assay to detect different cytokines simultaneously in culture supernatant of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with antigen and with mitogen. Fifteen human cytokines (interleukin 1alpha [IL-1alpha], IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were validated with a panel of healthy individuals, rheumatoid arthritis patients, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients. Comparing the multiplex assay with a regular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique with this donor panel resulted in correlation coefficients for all cytokines ranging from 0.75 to 0.99. Intra-assay variance proved to be less then 10%, whereas interassay variability ranged between 10 and 22%. This multiplex system proved to be a powerful tool in the quantitation of cytokines. It will provide a more complete picture in differences between activated lymphocyte cytokine profiles from healthy individuals and those from patients with chronic inflammatory diseases.     

EIAV减毒疫苗诱导马外周血单个核细胞Th1型细胞因子的转录

目的：探讨马传染性贫血病毒驴白细胞减毒疫苗免疫马后,外周血单个核细胞中Th1型细胞因子转录水平与免疫保护应答的关系,揭示DLV的免疫保护机制。方法：应用分子克隆及实时定量RT-PCR技术,建立了马PBMC中IFNγ-、IL-2、IL-12 mRNA转录水平的定量检测方法,定期观察4组（疫苗免疫组、阴性对照组、强毒株阳性对照组、自然感染组）12匹马外周血PBMC中细胞因子的转录水平及分布特征,同时监测体温变化等指标。疫苗株免疫动物8个月后,用EIAV强毒株攻击,观察攻击前后细胞因子转录水平的变化。结果：DLV免疫马,在免疫后3周外周血PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-2转录量显著高于阴性对照组及自然感染组（P〈0.01）;免疫后用EIAV强毒株攻击,IFNγ-、IL-2和IL-12转录的量明显升高,免疫马获得完全保护;强毒株攻击阳性对照马IFN-γ、IL-2转录量随疾病进展波动,发热期下降。结论：本研究首次证明EIAV减毒疫苗可诱导马外周血PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-12基因高效转录,其转录水平与DLV的免疫保护密切相关,此结果在分子水平为阐明DLV的免疫保护机制提供了新的实验依据。     

Increased induction of apoptosis in mononuclear cells of a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient patient

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency belongs to the most common human disorders of metabolism. In affected patients generation of free radicals causes life-threatening hemolytic crises, for example, after consumption of certain drugs and foods or after infections. Rather than erythrocytes we analyzed mononuclear white blood cells of a patient suffering from G6PD deficiency with respect to their ability to enter apoptosis after treatment with daunorubicin, ionizing radiation, or dexamethasone. The induction of apoptosis was increased in G6PD-deficient cells compared to cells from eight normal donors. In parallel, the glutathione content of mononuclear cells from the G6PD-deficient patient was significantly decreased. While in affected patients decreased life span of erythrocytes damaged by oxidative stress has long been recognized as the mechanism underlying hemolysis, peripheral leukocytes have not received similar attention. Induction of apoptosis is a relatively complex process that has been linked to cellular glutathione content. This is the first report investigating G6PD deficiency and apoptosis.Abbreviations G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase - GSH glutathione - DNR daunorubicin - IR ionizing radiation - DEX dexamethasone