Neutralization of IL-12 demonstrates the existence of discrete organ-specific phases in the control of Leishmania donovani

IL-12 plays a key role in stimulating both innate and antigen-specific immune responses against a number of intracellular pathogens. A neutralizing anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was used to define and compare the role of endogenous IL-12 in the liver and spleen of mice infected with Leishmania donovani. IL-12 neutralization both early and late in infection caused delayed resolution of parasite load, a transient decrease in IFN-γ, IL-4, TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) production, and suppressed tissue granuloma formation in the liver of genetically susceptible BALB/c mice. In contrast to the liver of BALB/c mice, neutralization of IL-12 had no effect on parasite burden in the spleen over the first 28 days of infection. However, IL-12 appeared to be critical for the development of mechanisms which subsequently contain the growth of persistent parasites in this organ in that neutralization of IL-12 dramatically enhanced parasite growth after day 28 of infection. Following IL-12 neutralization, the later unchecked growth of parasites in the spleen was coincident with an extensive breakdown of the tissue microarchitecture. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that IL-12 was largely produced by uninfected cells in L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice. In contrast, the course of infection in the liver and spleen of genetically resistant CBA/n mice was unaffected by the administration of anti-IL-12 mAb. These results suggest that the liver and spleen in susceptible BALB/c mice have different temporal requirements for IL-12 in controlling L. donovani infection, whereas IL-12 plays little role in either organ in resistant CBA/n mice. In addition, IL-12 appears to be involved in the generation of both Th1 and Th2 responses during L. donovani infection in BALB/c mice.     

Natural killer cells in cross-regulation of IL-12 by IL-10 in Leishmania antigen-stimulated blood donor cells.

We have previously shown that natural killer (NK) cells play a role in protection against leishmaniasis. Furthermore, we have shown that NK cells in mononuclear cells derived from unexposed donors are induced to proliferate in vitro in response to leishmanial antigens. Since interleukin (IL)-12, a strong inducer of NK cells, acts on the early events in NK cells and T-cells, and is considered as an adjuvant for use in a potential antileishmaniasis antigen, we wished to investigate how this cytokine influences the in vitro Leishmania induced proliferative and cytokine response in healthy donors. We demonstrate that in an innate response to Leishmania antigen involving NK cells, a critical level of IL-12 is required to induce interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion below which, IL-10 is released in amounts which apparently inhibit IFN-gamma secretion and cellular proliferation. However, at higher IL-12 levels, there is simultaneous secretion of IFN-gamma and IL-10 as well as proliferation of cells. In a similar vein, exogenous IL-10 in turn inhibited IFN-gamma secretion as well as proliferation when used at low/medium concentrations, but at high concentrations this effect was abolished and replaced by the simultaneous detection of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and proliferation. The contribution of NK cells in cross regulation of these two very important immuneregulatory cytokines and the effect of exogenous IL-12 in a Leishmania driven response are discussed.     

Phagocytosis of Leishmania mexicana amastigotes by macrophages leads to a sustained suppression of IL-12 production

Healing of leishmaniases is dependent on activation of parasitized macrophages (Mϕ) by IFN-γ, which is secreted by Leishmania-specific Th1 cells. IL-12 enhances IFN-γ production by Th1 cells and is crucial for cure. The host cells of Leishmania sp., Mϕ, are a main source of IL-12 in vivo. We report that infection of quiescent murine Mϕ with L. mexicana or L. major amastigotes does not induce IL-12 production. Moreover, infection suppresses IL-12 secretion by Mϕ activated by LPS, by CD40 cross-linking or cognate interaction with Th1 cells. IL-12 secretion is also suppressed in Mϕ activated after phagocytosis of latex beads. Suppression is independent of engagement of CR3 or FcγR during phagocytosis, is not mediated by IL-10 and does not alter steady state IL-12p40 mRNA levels. In addition, suppression of IL-12 secretion does not depend on Mϕ activation concurrent to infection. In contrast, NO production was not inhibited. Thus, Mϕ effector functions are differentially affected and this may be a general effect of phagocytosis of non-activating particles. The possible implications of this effect on the infection are discussed.     

脂多糖和金黄色葡萄球菌对IL-23、IL-12表达的调控

目的：检测脂多糖（LPS）和金黄色葡萄球菌（SAC）对人外周血单个核细胞（PBMC）IL-23和IL-12各亚基表达的调节作用并探索其作用机制。方法：用LPS和SAC直接刺激人PBMC，或用CD14抗体或p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）抑制剂Mastoparan预处理PBMC后再予LPS和SAC刺激，半定量RT-PCR方法检测IL-23p19、IL-12p35和IL-12p40亚基的基因表达变化。结果：人PBMC组成性表达p19和p35，不表达p40。LPS和SAC可上调各亚基的表达。LPS诱导的IL-23和IL-12各亚基表达均需通过CDl4；CDl4仅部分参与SAC诱导的IL-12p40和p35表达上调，而与p19上调无关。LPS和SAC诱导的IL-23和IL-12各亚基表达均需要p38MAPK通路。结论：LPS和SAC刺激下IL-23和IL-12亚基表达及信号传导通路既有相似之处又有不同点，为单独或同时调控这两种因子的表达提供线索。     

Fucoidan选择性抑制LPS诱导巨噬细胞分泌IL-12

目的探讨配体fucoidan活化清道夫受体后能否抑制LPS刺激巨噬细胞分泌IL-12。方法不同剂量的fucoidan（以多价阴离子chondroitin为阴性对照）与RAW264．7作用10min后,加人等量的LPS刺激,检测上清中IL-12p70、IL-6和TNF-α;同时观察不同剂量fucoidan对RAW264．7贴壁的影响。结果不同剂量的fucoidan能不同程度促进LPS诱导RAW264．7分泌炎症因子IL-6和TNF-α,但却能明显地抑制IL-12的分泌;随着所加fucoidan量的增加,RAW264．7细胞的贴壁能力逐渐下降。结论Fucoidan可能通过与清道夫受体SR-A（scavenger receptor A）结合发挥其特异抑制LPS诱导巨噬细胞分泌IL-12的作用。     

Inhibition of murine macrophage IL-12 production by natural and synthetic DNA

DNA is a complex macromolecule whose immunological properties vary with sequence and structure. To determine whether DNA can inhibit immune responses, the effects of mammalian DNA and synthetic phosphodiester (Po) and phosphorothioate (Ps) oligonucleotides (ODNs) on IL-12 production were tested using murine macrophages. With bacterial DNA as a stimulant, calf thymus DNA and human placenta DNA blocked IL-12 production by splenic and bone marrow macrophages. A (dG)(30) Po ODN and all single-base Ps 30 mer ODNs were also effective inhibitors. The Ps ODNs also blocked IL-12 production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a stimulatory Ps ODN. With the J774 cell line, single-base Ps ODNs inhibited IL-12 production induced by bacterial DNA, LPS, and a stimulatory Ps ODN. Together, these results indicate that DNA has inhibitory properties, suggesting that mammalian DNA could limit immune activation during inflammation and counteract the effects of bacterial DNA.     

Analysis of cytokine production by inflammatory mouse macrophages at the single-cell level: selective impairment of IL-12 induction in Leishmania -infected cells

Intracellular staining for cytokines and parasites, combined with two-color flow cytometric analyses, were used to examine the frequencies of IL-12-, TNF-α- and IL-6-producing macrophages in response to Leishmania major infection and/or activation with IFN-γ/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Inflammatory macrophages were obtained from nonimmune granulomas, initiated by the injection of polyacrylamide microbeads (Bio-gel P-100) into subcutaneous pouches of different mouse strains. Infection of inflammatory macrophages in vitro using metacyclic promastigotes produced identical effects on cytokine responses regardless of whether cells from genetically resistant or susceptible mouse strains were used: IL-12 was not produced in response to infection itself, virtually every infected cell lost its ability to produce IL-12 in response to IFN-γ/LPS, and the IL-6 response was partially inhibited, while the TNF-α response of infected cells was unimpaired. Low-multiplicity infection of inflammatory macrophages in vivo using either metacyclic promastigotes or tissue amastigotes also resulted in the complete and selective inhibition of IL-12 responses in infected cells. These data establish the physiologic relevance of prior observations regarding the selective impairment of IL-12 induction pathways in infected macrophages, and suggest a mechanisms for the delayed onset of cell-mediated control mechanisms that is typical of even self-limiting forms of leishmanial disease.     

Effects of some antigenic fractions of Leishmania major on nitric oxide production and IL-12 secretion by murine peritoneal macrophages

Nitric oxide (NO) and IL-12 are important mediators of the immune response to Leishmania major. In this study, the effects of L. major promastigotes, crude antigenic fraction (CAF) and its subfractions on NO production and IL-12 secretion by BALB/c mice peritoneal macrophages is investigated. The subfractions of CAF, namely, fractions 1, 2 and 3, that were in the molecular weight range of 97.4–66, 66–45 and below 45 kDa, respectively, were separated by SDS-PAGE. NO production was determined by using Griess reagent and IL-12 was measured by ELISA. It was found that NO production was stimulated by promastigotes but not by CAF or its subfractions. IL-12 secretion was stimulated by promastigotes, CAF and fraction 1 while fractions 2 and 3 did not have any effect.     

Ovarian follicular concentration of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 and p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the presence of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-15, IL-18 and p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 in follicular fluid from spontaneous cycles and the relation between the concentration of selected cytokines and IVF-embryo transfer outcome. METHODS: IVF-embryo transfer and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA and MBL, Nagoya, Japan) were used. RESULTS: Follicular fluid of women included in the IVF-embryo transfer procedure contained common p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 (median 70.1 pg/ml), IL-15 (median 1.3 pg/ml) and IL-18 (median 38.2 pg/ml). There was a significant negative correlation between follicular fluid concentrations of IL-15 and IL-18 (R=-0.392, P=0.003). Significantly higher concentrations of common p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 (median 79.8 pg/ml) were found in the follicular fluid taken from follicles containing oocytes, when compared with those without an oocyte (median 44.5 pg/ml, P=0.006). Patients who achieved clinical pregnancy had significantly decreased concentration of IL-15 (median 0.8 pg/ml) compared with patients without successful IVF-embryo transfer outcome (median 1.4 pg/ml, P=0.047). CONCLUSION: Follicular fluid collected from spontaneous cycles contains detectable levels of p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23, IL-15 and IL-18. Increased concentrations of p40 subunit of IL-12/IL-23 in follicles containing oocytes suggest an important role of this cytokine in reproduction. Possible negative value of IL-15 as a predictor of IVF-embryo transfer success remains to be determined.     

IL-12和IL-18在实验性自身免疫性神经炎中的协同作用机制

目的:研究IL-12和IL-18分别在实验性自身免疫性神经炎(EAN)中的调节机制以及IL-12与IL-18的协同作用.方法:建立P0180-199特异性T细胞系.分别用IL-12或IL-18或者IL-12和IL-18进行体外干预,将不同处理组的T细胞回输到正常的大鼠体内,建立过继免疫的EAN动物模型.应用国际分级标准和临床评分对发病鼠进行临床评定;通过免疫组化检测不同组EAN鼠坐骨神经淋巴细胞浸润;ELISA法检测相关细胞因子的变化.结果:①在IL-12和IL-18共同干预的条件下,特异性T细胞TNF-α和IFN-γ的产生均增加;②与IL-12或IL-18组相比,IL-12 IL-18组大鼠临床发病明显加重,发病时间提前;③在坐骨神经标本中,与对照组相比,IL-12 IL-18组CD4 淋巴细胞浸润数量较多,而IL-12和IL-18组CD4 淋巴细胞浸润较少.结论:经IL-12和IL-18体外干预的P0180-199特异性T淋巴细胞,通过过继免疫给正常大鼠后,诱导出严重的EAN动物模型,表现出协同增强作用.     

Dendritic cells,but not macrophages,produce IL-12 immediately following Leishmania donovani infection

Infection with Leishmania, an obligate intracellular parasite of mononuclear phagocytes, stimulates the production of IFN-γ from NK cells, via a pathway which is dependent upon IL-12 and IL-2. IL-12 is also essential for the development of host protective T cell responses to this parasite. However, previous in vitro studies have indicated that macrophages fail to make IL-12 following infection with Leishmania, and that subsequent to infection, macrophages become refractory to normal IL-12-inducing stimuli. We have used an in situ approach to attempt to resolve this apparent paradox, and by immunostaining for IL-12 p40 protein, we now demonstrate for the first time, that dendritic cells (DC) are the critical source of early IL-12 production following Leishmania infection. IL-12 production by DC is transient, peaking at 1 day post infection and returning to the levels seen in uninfected mice by day 3. Although resident tissue macrophages fail to produce IL-12 after Leishmania infection, these cells are not totally refractory to cytokine inducing stimuli, as TNF-α production is induced by day 3 post infection. Not only do these data satisfactorily explain the dfferences between in vivo and in vitro data by identifying the cellular source of IL-12, but they also suggest a novel model for NK cell activation; namely that in response to pathogens which fail to trigger IL-12 production by macrophages, DC-T cell clusters provide the microenvironment for initial NK cell activation.     

SLE患者IFN-γ、IL-4及IL-12水平变化及意义

从Th1/Th2细胞代表性细胞因子IFN γ/IL 4和IL 12水平的变化分析SLE患者Th1/Th2细胞的偏移现象。本实验通过半定量PCR法和ELISA酶联免疫检测法检测上述三种细胞因子含量。实验结果显示 ,SLE患者IL 4/IFN γ基因水平比值为0 32 8,高于对照组 (0 0 7)。ELISA检测显示IL 12在SLE患者血清中为 (38 39± 15 1)pg/ml,低于对照组 (84 97± 13 7)pg/ml(P <0 0 5 )。结论 :SLE患者Th1/Th2细胞因子平衡失调 ,IL 4细胞因子基因水平增高 ,同时血清中IL 12水平降低。     

共表达不同水平的IL-12对于HBV DNA疫苗质粒免疫原性的影响

目的 在HBsAg DNA疫苗质粒中共表达IL-12佐剂分子,研究IL-12的表达水平对于HBV DNA疫苗质粒免疫原性的影响.方法 构建携带来源于中国地区C型HBV参照序列CHN-HBV07-C经密码子优化的preS2-S基因的DNA疫苗质粒pHBV,并将3个不同IL-12表达水平的佐剂分子表达盒序列分别克隆入该疫苗质粒中,通过瞬时转染293T细胞以检测重组质粒IL-12分子及乙肝表面抗原的表达情况.将不同IL-12表达水平的疫苗质粒免疫BALB/c雌性小鼠,IFN-γ的ELISPOT方法检测HBsAg抗原特异性的细胞免疫应答,化学发光定量ELISA法检测HBsAg特异的抗体水平.结果 成功构建3个不同IL-12表达水平的HBV DNA疫苗质粒,293T细胞转染结果显示:不携带IL-12分子表达盒的对照疫苗质粒pHBV的HBsAg表达水平可达70 ng/ml;低表达IL-12的疫苗质粒pHBV-12l的HBsAg表达水平为18 ng/ml;而高表达IL-12的重组疫苗质粒pHBV-12h的HBsAg表达水平仅为6 ng/ml.BALB/c小鼠的免疫结果表明:高表达IL-12分子的疫苗质粒pHBV-12h所诱导的细胞免疫及体液免疫水平相对于对照疫苗质粒pHBV均显著降低了.低表达IL-12分子的疫苗质粒pHBV-12l所诱导的抗体水平也显著降低了,但其细胞免疫应答水平却显著提高了.结论 在同一疫苗质粒中,高表达IL-12分子的质粒可能会影响到抗原蛋白的表达,而低表达IL-12分子的疫苗质粒却能增强细胞免疫应答.因此,平衡好佐剂分子及抗原蛋白的表达水平对于诱导高水平的免疫应答是个重要的因素.     

白介素-12及白介素-23对胃癌组织中CD4^＋记忆T细胞的影响

目的:探讨胃癌组织中IL-12、IL-23对CD4+记忆T细胞(CD4+Tm)的影响.方法:ELISA检测TNM不同期胃癌组织匀浆中IL-12、IL-23含量;不连续密度梯度离心法分离胃癌组织中的肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞(TIL),流式细胞仪检测TIL中CD4+ Tm及其亚群TEM和TCM在不同期胃癌组织中的分布状况.结果:TNM-Ⅰ、Ⅱ期胃癌组织中IL-12含量差别不明显,但均显著高于TNM-Ⅲ、TNM-Ⅳ期;TNM-Ⅰ期胃癌组织中IL-23的含量高于TNM-Ⅱ、TNM-Ⅲ、TNM-Ⅳ期.胃癌TIL中CD4+ Tm及TEM比例随TNM分期增加逐渐降低,而TCM比例逐渐升高.结论:胃癌组织中IL-12、IL-23含量的变化与胃癌TNM分期有关,且影响胃癌TIL中CD4+记忆T细胞及其亚群TCM和TEM的分布.     

The role of IL-12 in the maintenance of an established Th1 immune response in experimental leishmaniasis

IL-12 initiates the development of cell-mediated immunity by promoting the differentiation of naive T cells into the Th1 phenotype, and is essential in the development of a Th1 immune response to the intracellular protozoan parasite, Leishmania major. The present study investigated whether IL-12 is also required for the maintenance and effector function of an established Th1 immune response in L. major -infected mice. While neutralization of IL-12 com promised the ability of a leishmanial antigen-reactive Th1 cell clone to produce IFN-γ in vitro, lymphnode cells taken from 2-week L. major -infected mice were able to secrete IFN-γ in an IL-12-independent manner. However, when a short-term T cell line was established in vitro from lymph node cells, the production of IFN-γ again became IL-12 dependent. These results suggest that other factors may compensate for IL-12 in vivo in promoting IFN-γ production during L. major infection. To directly assess if IL-12 was required in vivo for resistance to L. major, we studied the effect of IL-12 neutralization on both a primary and secondary L. major infection in C3H mice. L. major infection in C3H mice is characterized by the development of a small lesion that heals by 8 weeks, and these animals are resistant to reinfection. As previously reported, administration of anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) during a primary infection led to severe disease. However, mice that had healed from a primary infection with L. major and were treated with anti-IL-12 mAb were as resistant as control animals. These findings suggest that once Th1 cells have developed, their effector function in vivo is independent of IL-12, and that this independence is not due to an intrinsic property of the T cell, but to the microenvironment created by the infection.     

The power of combinatorial immunology: IL-12 and IL-12-related dimeric cytokines in infectious diseases

Appropriate induction of a Th1 immune response is required for effective antimicrobial immunity. However, dysregulated Th1 immune responses after infection may also lead to immunopathology. Thus, cell-mediated immune responses have to be tightly regulated. Upon infection, the production of interleukin (IL)-12, a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a p35 and a p40 subunit, is the dominant factor in Th1 cell development. The recent discovery of novel dimeric cytokines closely related to IL-12 add now to our understanding of cellular immunity and the fine tuning of T cell responses. At the onset of infection, IL-27, a heterodimer composed of the IL-12p40-related protein EBI-3 (Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3) and the IL-12p35-related protein p28 induces the expression of a functional IL-12 receptor in naive CD4⁺ T cells, making these cells sensitive to IL-12-mediated Th cell development. Later during infection, IL-23, a heterodimer composed of the IL-12p40 subunit and the IL-12p35-related molecule p19, preferentially acts on Th1 effector/memory CD4⁺ T cells. The IL-12p40 subunit can also form a homodimer, IL-12p80, which act as an IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist by competing at their receptors. This review focuses on these IL-12-related cytokines contributing to fine tuning of T cell responses after infection with intracellular pathogens.     

GLS和IL-12偶联重组耻垢分枝杆菌免疫效果的观察

目的：研究携带编码人天然颗粒溶素（GLS）和小鼠IL-12基因质粒（pZM03）偶联重组耻垢分枝杆菌（ATCC607）经鼻黏膜免疫小鼠后,小鼠体内的免疫状况.方法：BALB/c小鼠36只,随机分为生理盐水、pZM03、ATCC607、卡介苗（BCG）、重组ATCC607（即携带pZM03的ATCC607）、灭活重组ATCC607组;采用滴鼻法免疫小鼠,BCG组0、14天各1次,其它组0、4、14天各1次,第0天免疫后4周处死小鼠,用ELISA检测血清中IFN-γ、IL-12、IgG2a、lL-4的分泌水平和淋巴细胞PPD诱导的IFN-γ分泌水平以及肺泡灌洗液特异性SIgA的水平,用MTS法检测免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖情况.结果：重组ATCC607血清中IFN-γ、IL-12水平与BCG组无明显差异但明显高于其他组（P＜0.05）,IgG2a水平重组ATCC607组高于BCG组和其他组（P＜0.05）,各组间IL-4水平差异无统计学意义.重组ATCC607、BCG、灭活重组ATCC607及ATCC607组用PPD均可诱导小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,各组间差异无显著意义,但与生理盐水和pZM03组间差异有显著意义（P＜0.05）.重组ATCC607组PPD诱导淋巴细胞IFN-γ明显高于其它组（P＜0.05）,与BCG组比较无显著差异.重组ATCC607等含菌组经鼻黏膜免疫可产生黏膜特异性SIgA.结论：重组ATCC607经鼻黏膜免疫小鼠后,机体特异性免疫特别是细胞免疫和黏膜免疫增强,为重组ATCC607治疗结核病的研究奠定了基础.