Up-regulation of granulomatous inflammation in interleukin-6 knockout mice infected with Rhodococcus aurantiacus

After intravenous injection of Rhodococcus aurantiacus normal mice develop non-necrotic granulomas, the formation of which is dependent on endogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In the early phase of R. aurantiacus infection a high level of endogenous interleukin-6 (IL-6) is detected in the spleen extracts, though its importance is unknown. Using IL-6 knockout (IL-6-/-) mice, we studied the role of IL-6 in granulomatous inflammation induced by R. aurantiacus. The size of granulomas generated in IL-6-/- mice was significantly larger than that of wild-type (IL-6+/+) mice at 2 weeks postinjection (p.i). Moreover, central necrosis of the granuloma was observed in IL-6-/- mice but not in IL-6+/+ controls. Titres of endogenous IFN-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were markedly increased in the spleens and livers of IL-6-/- mice in comparison with IL-6+/+ mice at days 1 through 3 p.i. In vivo administration of either an anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody (mAb) or anti-TNF-alpha mAb to IL-6-/- mice reduced the number and size of granulomas, and prevented formation of necrotic granulomas. In addition, the production of endogenous IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in the early phase of R. aurantiacus infection by IL-6-/- mice was suppressed by treatment with recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6). This suppression of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production was followed by a reduction in the number and size of central necrotic granulomas at 2 weeks p.i. These findings suggest that overproduction of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha induces central necrotic granuloma formation in IL-6-/- mice, and that IL-6 down-regulates granulomatous inflammation reaction in response to R. aurantiacus infection by modulating production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha.     

Role of T cells in granuloma formation induced by Rhodococcus aurantiacus is independent of their interferon-gamma production

Intravenous injection of Rhodococcus aurantiacus into mice causes granulomatous inflammation dependent on endogenous interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). This study investigated the mechanism of granuloma formation with an adoptive transfer system in IFN-gamma knockout (IFN-gamma(-/-)) mice. IFN-gamma(-/-) mice infected with R. aurantiacus did not develop granulomas, and high titres of endogenous interleukin-10 (IL-10) were detected in spleen extracts at 2 weeks after infection. The adoptive transfer of splenocytes from infected wild-type (IFN-gamma(+/+)) mice did not restore granuloma formation, although this treatment diminished IL-10 production in IFN-gamma(-/-) mice. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from infected IFN-gamma(-/-) mice into infected IFN-gamma(+/+) reduced granuloma formation. These results suggest that splenocytes of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice suppress granuloma formation. On the other hand, although IFN-gamma production induced by R. aurantiacus infection was detected in nude mice, which are deficient in T cells, granuloma formation was not induced in them. However, adoptive transfer of immune splenocytes from either IFN-gamma(+/+) mice or IFN-gamma(-/-) mice could induce granuloma formation. This means that splenocytes of IFN-gamma(-/-) mice have the ability to both induce and suppress granuloma formation. Induction of granuloma is probably dependent on both T cells and IFN-gamma produced by non-T cells. It is suggested that the role of T cells in granuloma formation is not dependent on their IFN-gamma production.     

炎症反应通过上调CD36表达促进小鼠肾脏损伤

目的:探讨慢性炎症对小鼠肾脏CD36表达的影响及其在小鼠肾脏损伤中的作用。方法:将8周龄雄性C57BL/6J小鼠和CD36基因敲除(CD36KO)小鼠随机分为C57BL/6J生理盐水注射组、C57BL/6J酪蛋白注射组和CD36KO酪蛋白注射组,每组8只。高脂喂养处理14周后,收集小鼠血清、24 h尿液和肾组织样本。ELISA试剂盒检测血清中肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)含量,全自动生化仪测定血、尿肾功能指标,HE染色和Masson染色分析肾脏病理改变,real-time PCR和Western blot检测肾脏组织中CD36及炎症/趋化因子(MCP-1、IL-6和TNF-α)m RNA和蛋白的表达,试剂盒测定组织内过氧化氢含量,免疫组化染色测定肾组织Nrf2和TGF-β1的蛋白表达。结果:与生理盐水注射组相比,酪蛋白注射能增强C57BL/6J小鼠血清TNF-α含量和肾组织中TNF-α的蛋白表达(P 0. 05),提示酪蛋白注射能成功诱导小鼠全身和肾脏局部的慢性炎症。同时酪蛋白注射显著促进了小鼠肾组织的CD36和TGF-β1蛋白表达,引起肾小球硬化、蛋白尿和血清肌酐含量显著增加,组织过氧化氢含量明显增加,Nrf2含量和抗氧化能力明显降低(P 0. 05)。而酪蛋白处理的CD36基因敲除小鼠肾组织病理学改变不明显,血、尿肾功能指标和尿量较酪蛋白处理的C57BL/6J小鼠明显降低,且肾组织过氧化氢含量低于酪蛋白处理的C57BL/6J小鼠(P 0. 05)。结论:炎症应激通过促进小鼠肾组织CD36表达,促进氧化应激,导致小鼠肾损伤。     

Islet inflammation and hyperplasia induced by the pancreatic islet-specific overexpression of interleukin-6 in transgenic mice.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. To examine this possibility, we developed two lines of transgenic mice (termed RIP-IL6) which overexpressed IL-6 in the pancreatic islet beta cells. RIP-IL6 mice, while showing a modest reduction in body weight, remained normoglycemic throughout their lives. Furthermore, insulin gene expression and glucose tolerance were similar to non-transgenic littermates. Histopathological examination revealed significant changes in the pancreas but not other organs of RIP-IL6 animals, with marked alterations in the architecture of the islets, in the islet cells, and in surrounding tissues. In younger animals these changes included islet hyperplasia with increased mitotic figures, neo-ductular formation, fibrosis, and a scant mononuclear cell infiltration (insulitis). In addition, immunostaining for islet hormones revealed changes in both the topography and density of beta and alpha cells. In older RIP-IL6 mice, a more florid insulitis was observed which was composed predominantly of B220+ B lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, Mac-1+ macrophages and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Immunostaining for mouse IgG revealed significant numbers of plasma cells in the peri-islet infiltrates, which suggested that IL-6 induced differentiation of the recruited B lymphocytes. Therefore, islet overexpression of IL-6 produces a complex, localized host response implicating this cytokine in not only inflammatory processes that occur in autoimmune diabetes but also cellular neogenesis, which may indicate a role in tissue repair.     

Severe progressive subcutaneous abscesses and necrotizing tenosynovitis caused by Rhodococcus aurantiacus.

A case of severe progressive subcutaneous abscesses and necrotizing tenosynovitis of the right arm of a 30-year-old woman caused by Rhodococcus aurantiacus is reported.     

Reduced intestinal inflammation induced by dextran sodium sulfate in interleukin-6-deficient mice

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine secreted by various cells, and is involved in the acute phase response and the immune response through T and B cell activation. To further define the role of IL-6 in intestinal inflammation, we studied the effects of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) administration in mice with targeted deletions of the IL-6 gene. Acute colitis was induced in female IL-6-/- and IL-6+/+ mice by giving 4.5% DSS orally in drinking water for 8 days. The colonic mucosal injury and inflammation was evaluated based on survival rate, body-weight changes, total colon length and histological findings. Colonic mRNA expression for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by RT-PCR. Colonic IL-6 mRNA levels of wild-type mice continued to increase throughout the study period. At each assessment, colonic injury was significantly attenuated in DSS-treated IL-6-/- mice compared with DSS-treated IL-6+/+ mice. Histological study also showed a reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially neutrophils, and mucosal cell disruption in DSS-treated IL-6-/- mice compared with DSS-treated IL-6+/+ mice. In the colons of DSS-treated IL-6-/- mice, the expression of both TNF-alpha mRNA and iNOS mRNA was reduced on day 5. In contrast, IL-10 mRNA expression was enhanced compared with DSS-treated IL-6+/+ mice. In conclusion, DSS-induced inflammation appears to be significantly inhibited in IL-6-/- mice compared to wild-type mice. These data suggest that persistent and marked blockade of IL-6 bioactivity provides some beneficial effects on intestinal inflammation.     

Movement disorders in encephalitis induced by Rhodococcus aurantiacus infection relieved by the administration of L-dopa and anti-T-cell antibodies

Mice injected with Rhodococcus aurantiacus by the intravenous (i.v.) route show neurological disorders, hemiparesis, vertical headshake and turn-round gait after day 7 postinfection (p.i.). Neurological symptoms caused by i.v. inoculation of R. aurantiacus were relieved by treatment with levodopa (l-dopa). R. aurantiacus was isolated from the brain and was found to be completely eliminated at day 7 p. i. Focal encephalitis was mainly observed in the brain stem, and T cells could be isolated from the brain after day 7 p.i. Administration of both an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and an anti-CD8 mAb suppressed neurological symptoms. These results suggest that R. aurantiacus induces movement disorders in mice, and that the symptoms are mediated by T cells infiltrating the brain, rather than directly by the bacterium.     

Anergy-like immunosuppression in mice bearing pulmonary foreign-body granulomatous inflammation.

Pulmonary granulomas were induced in BALB/c mice by the intratracheal injection of insoluble polymerized dextran and latex microparticles. Very large granulomas developed around dextran beads, which reached peak intensity within 2-3 days and rapidly declined in size thereafter. Latex beads generated small stable lesions. The involvement of cell-mediated immunity could not be demonstrated in the inflammatory responses induced by either type of bead. Antigen-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and mitogen-induced DTH-like footpad reactions were markedly suppressed in immunized mice bearing early dextran granulomas. Mitogen-induced DTH-like footpad reactions were suppressed in unimmunized animals bearing early dextran foreign-body granulomas. Antigen- and mitogen-induced footpad swelling recovered to normal levels as dextran granulomas diminished in size. No suppression of these footpad reactions was observed in mice bearing small latex foreign-body granulomas. The intraperitoneal injection of aqueous extracts prepared from the lungs of unimmunized donor animals bearing early dextran foreign-body granulomas could partially transfer suppression of mitogen DTH-like footpad responses to normal mice. These results suggest that cells within large, nonimmunologic lung granulomas produce a soluble factor which participates in the expression of anergy-like immunosuppression.     

Distinct requirements for interleukin-6 in airway inflammation induced by diesel exhaust in mice

To clarify the possible role of interleukin-6 in aggravation of inflammatory responses in diesel exhaust-exposed mice, we compared the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the production of chemokines between interleukin-6-deficient and wild-type mice following 0, 1.0, or 3.0 mg diesel particles/m³ diesel exhaust inhalation for 4 weeks. Exposure to diesel exhaust significantly increased the number of inflammatory cells and the amount of CCL17 and CXCL3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from wild-type mice, but not in interleukin-6-deficient mice. These findings suggest that interleukin-6 plays a critical role in airway inflammatory responses induced by diesel exhaust inhalation.     

脂氧素A4抑制巴豆油所致小鼠外耳炎症

脂氧素A4(lipoxinA4,LXA4)为内源性脂类抗炎介质,被称为炎症的“刹车信号”[1]。虽然国外已报告LXA4可抑制实验性皮肤炎症,但其作用机制尚不清楚[2]。本文应用巴豆油制备小鼠的外耳炎症模型,探讨LXA4对炎症反应的作用及其机制。1材料与方法1·1耳廓炎症模型制备:实验用雌性昆明     

Acute inflammation and a Shwartzman-like reaction induced by interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor. Synergistic action of the cytokines in the induction of inflammation and microvascular injury.

A Shwartzman-like reaction was elicited in rabbits by preparing the skin with intradermal injections of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and recombinant human interleukin-1 (IL-1 alpha or beta). The animals were challenged intravenously with endotoxin or by intravascular activation of complement with immune complexes or zymosan 18 hours later and were sacrificed after another 2 hours. Animals challenged with saline did not develop Shwartzman-like reactions. The sites prepared with endotoxin or with either form of IL-1 plus TNF alpha developed visible hemorrhage, whereas sites injected with either IL-1 or TNF alpha alone did not. Hemorrhage and microthrombosis were quantitated with 59Fe-labeled erythrocytes and 111In-platelets for 2 hours after the intravenous challenge, and the findings confirmed the observations made on gross inspection. Dermal sites prepared with the cytokines and challenged intravenously with endotoxin, immune complexes, or zymosan exhibited some diffuse hemorrhage and an intense erythrocyte extravasation around distended vessels, along skin appendages, and the panniculus carnosus muscle. The lumens of many large and postcapillary venules contained aggregates of platelets and leukocytes. These changes were superimposed on those seen at prepared sites (leukocyte infiltration). By electron microscopy fibrin was demonstrable in association with the formed elements of the blood. Histologic examination of the 18-hour-old preparative lesions or 20-hour-old lesions of saline-"challenged" animals revealed accumulation of leukocytes in the dermis, predominantly neutrophils. This accumulation was sparse at sites treated with only IL-1 or TNF alpha, but very intense at sites treated with both IL-1 and TNF alpha or with endotoxin. These observations were confirmed quantitatively by measuring the accumulation of 51Cr-labeled neutrophils for 2 hours after injection. The potency of IL-1 alpha was comparable to that in our earlier report, and TNF alpha was about three log times less potent. Sites treated with both IL-1 alpha and TNF alpha resulted in 69% greater neutrophil emigration than the additive response elicited by each cytokine. The reported findings implicate a synergism between IL-1 and TNF alpha in the induction of both the inflammatory reaction (preceding the Shwartzman reaction) and the thrombohemorrhagic component of the Shwartzman reaction proper.     

The anti-inflammatory action of Bothrops jararaca snake antithrombin on acute inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice

Objective and design

Antithrombin is known as the most important natural coagulation inhibitor and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Bothrops jararaca antithrombin on acute inflammation induced by carrageenan in mice.

Methods

We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of antithrombin on models of paw edema formation, cell migration and leukocyte–endothelium interaction in mice (Swiss; n = 5). Acute inflammation was induced by the administration of carrageenan (15 mg kg^?1).

Results

Treatment with B. jararaca antithrombin (1 mg kg^?1) 1 h before or after carrageenan administration significantly inhibited paw edema formation, reduced cell influx to the peritoneal cavity due to reduction in the migration of polymorphonuclear cells, and attenuated leukocyte rolling in the microcirculation of the cremaster muscle.The effects of antithrombin on vascular and cellular events of inflammation were completely abolished by treatment with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (4 mg kg^?1), suggesting the involvement of prostacyclin in the mechanism of inflammation inhibition by B. jararaca antithrombin.

Conclusion

This work showed for the first time the anti-inflammatory properties of B. jararaca antithrombin on vascular and cellular events of inflammation. These findings suggest that antithrombin is effective in preventing paw edema formation, cell migration and leukocyte rolling induced by carrageenan in mice.     

Spontaneous secretion of interleukin-4, interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma by first trimester decidual mononuclear cells

PROBLEM: A T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokine dominated microenvironment has been predicted to be crucial for successful pregnancy. However, little information is available about local cytokine secretion in the human decidua. We determined the spontaneous secretion of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-10 by decidual mononuclear cells at the single cell level and compared it with their secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS OF STUDY: The cytokine secretion from decidual and blood cells was detected by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot-forming cell (ELISPOT)-assay. RESULTS: Cells secreting IL-4 (median 153, range 8-530), IL-10 (median 188, range 32-1600) and IFN-gamma (median 123, range 15-1140) were detected in all decidual and blood samples. The cytokine secretion showed a co-linear pattern in both the blood and decidua, i.e. when one cytokine was secreted at high levels, the others followed the trend. No correlation was found between the number of cytokine secreting cells in blood and decidua for any of the cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin-4 and IL-10 are locally secreted in the decidua early during normal pregnancy, probably counteracting the fetal rejecting effects of co-expressed IFN-gamma. The cytokine secretion by blood cells does not generally reflect the local secretion pattern during first trimester pregnancy.     

Immunosuppression induced by nitric oxide and its inhibition by interleukin-4.

Mice immunized with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium, strain SL3235, while protected against virulent challenge, are unable to mount in vivo and in vitro antibody responses to non-Salmonella antigens, such as tetanus toxoid and sheep red blood cells, and exhibit profoundly suppressed responses to B and T cell mitogens. Suppression of antibody responses is mediated by macrophage (M phi)-released soluble factors, and is completely reversed by treatment with interleukin (IL)-4. The present report identifies the suppressor factor as nitric oxide (NO), and provides evidence for a mechanism by which IL-4 abrogates suppression. Suppressed antibody responses correlated with high levels of NO secretion by splenocytes of SL3235-immunized mice. NO production was observed only in cultures consisting of the adherent cell fraction of immune splenocytes. Further, immunosuppression was reversed by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMLA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthesis, and was completely blocked by the addition of excess L-arginine. Treatment with IL-4, or anti-interferon (IFN)-gamma monoclonal antibody (mAb), also abrogated suppression. Optimal reversal of suppression was observed only when NMLA, IL-4, or anti-IFN-gamma mAb, was added at day 0 of the 5-day plaque-forming cell assay. Treatment with either IL-4 or anti-IFN-gamma mAb also lead to a sharp inhibition of NO production by immune spleen cells. Moreover, the addition of IL-4 to splenic adherent M phi inhibited their ability to generate NO. Our data characterize an immunoregulatory pathway, involving IFN-gamma and NO, by which M phi mediate immunosuppression and identify IL-4 as a potent inhibitor of this pathway.     

Contrasting effects of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 on the interleukin-6 activity of stimulated human monocytes.

Stimulated human monocytes/macrophages are a source of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is a likely mediator involved in immune and inflammatory reactions. The means to control production of IL-6 by these cells could therefore have therapeutic applications. We report here, for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes in vitro, that the lymphokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (100 U/ml), enhanced the level of IL-6 activity, whereas another lymphokine, interleukin-4 (IL-4) (greater than or equal to 0.1 U/ml; greater than or equal to 1.2 x 10(-11) M), suppressed it. The effects of the two lymphokines were manifested at the level of mRNA. The action of the IL-4 was similar to that of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, but observed at a lower molar concentration. Such regulation of monocyte IL-6 activity is similar to that found previously for interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) synthesis.     

Endogenous MCP-1 promotes lung inflammation induced by LPS and LTA

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in leukocyte recruitment to sites of infection and inflammation. In addition, MCP-1 may attenuate inflammation by virtue of its capacity to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines. We here investigated the role of MCP-1 in lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA), constituents of the gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial cell wall, respectively. Healthy humans demonstrated elevated MCP-1 concentrations in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 6h after inhalation of LPS. Similarly, intranasal administration of LPS or LTA to mice resulted in a rise in BALF MCP-1 levels. Murine alveolar macrophage-like cells released significant amounts of MCP-1 upon stimulation with LPS or LTA in vitro. Compared to Wt mice, MCP-1(-/-) mice demonstrated lower TNF-α levels and a diminished neutrophil influx into their bronchoalveolar space after either LPS or LTA instillation. After intrapulmonary delivery of LPS MCP-1(-/-) mice had decreased interleukin-6 and KC concentrations and less severe lung inflammation upon histopathological examination. Remarkably, MCP-1 deficiency was associated with an early enhancement of interleukin-10 release in BALF after both LPS and LTA instillation. These data suggest that MCP-1 is a proinflammatory mediator during pulmonary inflammation induced by either LPS or LTA.     

II. Tumor growth at sites of inflammation induced by mitogens in mice.

Experiments were carried out to determine whether the growth of tumors could be influenced by local inflammatory reactions induced by mitogens; Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Mice received injections, beneath the footpad or subcutaneously in the flank, of cells of syngeneic chemically induced fibrosarcomas with or without varying doses of mitogen. In the footpad (a) LPS caused a dose-dependent increase in the size; (b) Con A caused a decrease in the size of one of the three tumors, the decrease being inversely related to the dose of Con A; (c) PHA caused a dose-dependent decrease in the size of all three tumors: (d) PHA caused much smaller macroscopic inflammatory reactions than LPS or Con A. Subcutaneously injected tumor growth was inhibited by all three agents. Subcutaneous tumors contained a higher proportion of host inflammatory cells when mitogens had been mixed with the tumor inoculum. It is concluded that mitogens that can induce inflammatory reactions in mice can also bring about some suppression of tumor growth but that the depression is site-dependent and not clearly related to the apparent intensity of inflammation.