Distinct chemokine and cytokine gene expression pattern of murine dendritic cells and macrophages in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

In this study, the early innate cytokine and chemokine response of murine dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was compared. The findings indicate a dissimilar gene expression pattern between the two cell types. The expression of IL-12 and IL-23, important for promoting Th1 and Th17 cells, respectively, was up-regulated only in DCs. In addition, expression of CCL1 and CCL17, which are important in recruitment of T regulatory cells, was DC-specific, as was the expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. Macrophages, in contrast, exhibited enhanced expression for CCL2 and CXCL10, chemokines that recruit cells to sites of inflammation, and for mycobactericidal molecules NO synthase 2 and TNF. Together, the findings suggest that a component of the innate DC response is not only programmed toward Th1 priming but is also for controlling the magnitude of the Th1 response, and part of the macrophage response is intended for recruiting cells to the lung and for mycobactericidal functions.     

Differential pattern of cytokine expression by macrophages infected in vitro with different Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes

It has been shown recently that different genotypes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induce distinct immune responses in the host, as reflected by variations in cytokine and iNOS expression. Because these molecules are probably regulated by multiple factors in vivo this complex phenomenon was partially analysed by assessing cytokine and iNOS expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in an in vitro model of bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with three different M. tuberculosis genotypes: Canetti, H37 Rv and Beijing. Although the three genotypes induced production of iNOS and the different cytokines tested at 24 h post-infection, macrophages infected with the Beijing isolate expressed the highest levels of mRNA for iNOS, interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-12 cytokines and lower levels of IL-10 compared with cells infected with other genotypes. This expression pattern has been associated with infection control, but during infection in vivo with the Beijing genotype it is lost upon progression to chronic phase. The failure to control infection is likely to be influenced by cytokines produced by other cell types and bacterial molecules expressed during the course of disease. Results presented in this work show that each genotype has the ability to induce different levels of cytokine expression that could be related to its pathogenesis during infection.     

The effect of iron on the expression of cytokines in macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Iron is known to play an important role in different bacterial infections and, in particular, in their development. One example is infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis where iron contributes to growth and survival of the bacteria within the host cell. The majority of studies performed on tuberculosis have focused on the direct effect of iron on bacterial growth; however, little is known about how iron modifies the mycobacterial-host interaction. In order to address this, we have investigated the effect of iron on intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis in J774 macrophages and the molecular mechanisms that are affected during this interaction. We observed that iron modifies intracellular growth of the mycobacteria and that their growth kinetics was modified from that observed for the extracellular situation in the presence of iron. Similarly, when iron was present during the infection, there was a reduced release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and it was related to a higher number of bacilli inside the host cell and low expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 mRNA. Hence, this work demonstrates that iron, besides promoting mycobacterial growth, also regulates the relationship between macrophage and bacteria.     

In situ expression of cytokines and cellular phenotypes in the lungs of mice with slowly progressive primary tuberculosis

The cellular phenotypes and the expression of cytokines were studied in the lungs of mice, using immunohistochemistry, during different phases of slowly progressive primary murine tuberculosis infection. During the first phase the small focal lesions in healthy mice contained predominantly interleukin-2 (IL-2)-expressing cells. A small number of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)- and IL-10-expressing cells were also present. IL-4-expressing cells were not detected. During the second phase the mice became unwell, but the bacterial counts and the size of focal lesions stabilized. IL-4-expressing cells appeared. The IL-10-, TNF-alpha- and MCP-1-expressing cells increased in number. On progression to phase three, the mice became seriously unwell and died rapidly. The inflammation spread to approximately 80% of the lung parenchyma. There was a marked increase in the number of IL-10-expressing cells. Expression of other cytokines was similar to that observed in the second phase. In the lesions, 3-6% of the macrophages (Mphi) containing mycobacterial antigens expressed high levels of IL-10 and TNF-alpha. The absolute numbers of CD3-, CD4- and CD11b-expressing cells in the lesions increased with the progression of infection. The numbers of CD8+ cells were reduced in the last phase of infection. The kinetics of T-lymphocyte subsets and the pattern of cytokine expression changed with the type and degree of tissue injury. The small number of Mphi with a heavy load of mycobacterial antigens may be the cause of this disturbance in cytokine balance, thus leading to progression of inflammation.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces CCL18 expression in human macrophages

The interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) with the immune system is mediated by cytokine and chemokine responses of macrophages and/or dendritic cells. Chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) and interleukin (IL)‐10 are major factors secreted by phagocytes, postulated to recruit naïve T lymphocytes and inhibit pro‐inflammatory cells. Our study investigated the role of CCL18 and IL‐10 in an in vitro model of infection by MTB in human macrophages. CD14⁺ monocytes, obtained from the peripheral blood of eight healthy donors, differentiated in monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM) with monocyte‐colony stimulating factor (100 ng/ml) for 6 days, were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/ml) and with heat killed MTB Hv37Ra (multiplicity of infection 1:5) for 24 h. Alveolar macrophages from five healthy donors were infected with MTB Hv37RA. CCL18 protein and mRNA were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real‐time PCR, IL‐10 levels by ELISA. Stimulation of MDM with LPS or MTB led to a significant increase in CCL18 protein (control 2.67 ± 0.46 ng/ml, LPS 4.05 ± 0.56 ng/ml, with MTB 6.70 ± 1.59 ng/ml, n = 5, P < 0.05) and specific mRNA levels (control 0.09 ± 0.01, LPS 0.24 ± 0.11, with MTB 0.34 ± 0.08 CCL18/Glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), n = 3, P < 0.05). A significant increase of the production of CCL18 was observed in infected alveolar macrophages. IL‐10 levels increased from 38.52 ± 26.38 pg/ml in control cells to 1129.32 ± 235.00 and 974.25 ± 164.46 pg/ml in LPS and MTB treated cells, respectively (P < 0.05). Up‐regulation of CCL18 and IL‐10 in macrophages by MTB may be involved in the recruitment of naïve T cells in association with local suppressive immunity against intracellular pathogens. This could represent a mechanism of tolerance during the early phases of infection.     

Pulmonary lymphatics are primary sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in guinea pigs infected by aerosol

Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes a lymphatic vasculitis in the lungs of guinea pigs infected by a low-dose aerosol. This observation suggests that in addition to being a direct conduit from the lungs to the regional lymph nodes, pulmonary lymphatics are themselves sites of infection and could be the site of latent infection.     

Diversity of lung and spleen immune responses in mice with slowly progressive primary tuberculosis

The aim of the present study was to assess the compartmentalized immune response, in terms of cytokine secretion and cell activation, in lungs and spleens of mice with slowly progressive primary tuberculosis. Immunocyte populations from both organs were isolated and stimulated with concanavalin A, purified protein derivatives and MPT 59. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cell activation was measured using a tetrazolium colorimetric assay. The IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels in the supernatants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen (Ag)-stimulated lung immunocytes from infected mice were higher than the levels from uninfected mice. However, only IL-4 levels were raised in the supernatants of Ag-stimulated spleen immunocytes from infected mice. Spontaneous and Ag-stimulated immunocyte activation was lower only in the lungs of infected mice compared with uninfected mice. The level of lung immunocyte activation was inversely associated with the extent of gross pulmonary pathology. In conclusion, cytokine secretion and cell activation were different between lungs and spleens in slowly progressive primary murine tuberculosis. Cytokine diversity may explain the confinement of tuberculous lesions in the lungs and the absence of lesions in the spleens of mice with slowly progressive tuberculosis.     

Antimycobacterial calixarenes enhance innate defense mechanisms in murine macrophages and induce control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice

Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death among infectious diseases, accounting for more than two million deaths annually. The incidence of the disease is increasing globally, partially because of the resurgence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Calixarenes are macrocyclic oligomers, some of which are able to modify the growth of M. tuberculosis in infected cells. Most experimental work has been carried out with Macrocyclon, also known as HOC 12.5EO. In this study, we demonstrate that Macrocyclon is effective in controlling M. tuberculosis infections, and we provide evidence that its effect is partially mediated by an l-arginine-dependent mechanism of macrophage activation that involves the activity of the inducible nitric oxide synthase. We also show that Macrocyclon is effective in athymic and major histocompatibility complex class II-/- mice and synthesized a number of structurally related calixarenes expressing significant antimycobacterial activity.     

Immunohistochemical expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in penile carcinoma

There is a complex interplay between the pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins and the tumor suppressor gene p53. The pathogenic role of Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression in penile carcinomas has not previously been investigated. We examined Bax and Bcl-2 expression in verrucous (VC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis. Herein we also present a concise review of p53, Bcl-2/Bax ratios, and their relationship to apoptosis. Fourteen cases of penile carcinoma, including 7 VC and 7 well-differentiated SCC, were analyzed for Bax and Bcl-2 expression by immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin embedded archived tissues. The number of positively staining tumor cells was enumerated per 100 tumor cells within non-overlapping high power fields. The Bax immunoreactivity was similar in VC (19+/-3%) and well-differentiated SCC (15+/-4%) (p = 0.69). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly higher in well-differentiated SCC (69+/-12%) compared to VC (36+/-14%) (p = 0.04). The mean Bcl-2/Bax ratio was significantly lower in VC (1.89) compared to well-differentiated SCC (4.6) (p = 0.05). These findings indicate that penile VC and SCC are immunophenotypically distinct. Bax expression is comparable in verrucous and low-grade squamous cell carcinomas, but Bcl-2 expression of Bcl-2 is significantly higher in the squamous cell carcinomas.     

Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination augments interleukin-8 mRNA expression and protein production in guinea pig alveolar macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Alveolar macrophages are likely the first cell type to encounter Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a pulmonary infection, resulting in the production of chemokines. In order to evaluate this response, alveolar macrophages harvested from nonvaccinated and Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs were infected in vitro with live M. tuberculosis H37Ra or H37Rv (multiplicity of infection, 1:1) or cultured with lipopolysaccharide (10 micro g/ml) for 3, 12, and 24 h. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR. Culture supernatants were assayed for guinea pig IL-8 protein by using a human IL-8 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Alveolar macrophages harvested from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs produced significantly more mRNA and protein for IL-8 than alveolar macrophages harvested from nonvaccinated guinea pigs at 12 and 24 h poststimulation or postinfection. Infection with attenuated M. tuberculosis (H37Ra) stimulated alveolar macrophages isolated from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs to produce significantly more IL-8 mRNA than did alveolar macrophages infected with a virulent strain (H37Rv) at 12 and 24 h postinfection. Significant MCP-1 mRNA production was also detected in stimulated or infected alveolar macrophages; however, prior vaccination did not significantly affect levels of MCP-1 mRNA. Alveolar macrophages isolated from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs produced significantly more IL-8 mRNA and protein when stimulated for 24 h with heat-killed H37Ra, heat-killed H37Rv, and H37Rv cell wall, but not mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM), than did cells stimulated with media alone. These observations indicate that prior vaccination may alter very early events in the M. tuberculosis-infected lung.     

结核杆菌H37Ra感染巨噬细胞的研究

目的:研究结核杆菌H37Ra感染巨噬细胞后氮氧化物的产生及细胞因子的分泌和表达情况.方法:结核杆菌H37Ra感染RAW264.7巨噬细胞株24h后收集上清液,用Griess法检测一氧化氮(NO),化学法检测过氧化氢(H2O2)的产生,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测感染后巨噬细胞IL-12和TNF-α mRNA的表达,ELISA法检测细胞因子IL-12和TNF-α的含量.结果:结核杆菌H37Ra感染巨噬细胞后产生的NO和H2 O2水平均显著升高,同时IL-12和TNF-α的分泌和表达也明显增加(P＜0.05).结论:结核杆菌H37Ra感染巨噬细胞后能产生大量的氮氧化物和抗结核细胞因子,从而产生有利于宿主的抗结核免疫应答.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence correlates with mitochondrial cytochrome c release in infected macrophages

Mitochondria are at the centre of molecular events involved in energy production, cell survival and apoptosis. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) is maintained by cellular catabolic reactions and the electron transport chain of which cytochrome c is a constituent, whereas the proton leak pathway, ATP synthesis and turnover consume it. Mitochondrial alterations such as a drop in Deltapsim, swelling and cytochrome c release have been observed in apoptosis. However, there is a paucity of information concerning mitochondrial function in the course of intracellular infections, a process that must certainly induce stress on the host cell. This work analyses the effect that two strains of mycobacteria of opposing virulence have on the mitochondria of murine macrophages in the early stages of infection. It was found that infection of J774 cells with both Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and M. tuberculosis H37Rv readily induced changes in Deltapsim as well as in mitochondrial morphology at the ultrastructural level. In addition, an increase in cytosolic ATP was found at 24 h post infection with both strains of M. tuberculosis. Interestingly, only M. tuberculosis H37Rv was able to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria to the cytosol, thus suggesting the occurrence in M. tuberculosis H37Rv of a specific factor(s) capable of regulating cytochrome c translocation. The precise role of cytochrome c release in the context of a mycobacterial infection remains to be elucidated.     

小鼠psIL-12质粒抗结核分枝杆菌感染的研究

目的观察、评价小鼠白细胞介素12真核表达质粒psIL-12对结核分枝杆菌感染小鼠细胞因子水平的影响及疗效.方法结核分枝杆菌H37Rv感染的C57BL/J6小鼠随机分成生理盐水、pcDNA3.1对照组,psIL-12治疗组,每组各6只.感染4周后分别予以生理盐水、pcDNA3.1、psIL-12,第1次治疗后8周处死检测器官活菌数,脏器重量指数(WI),脾淋巴细胞特异性IFN-γ、IL-4细胞因子分泌水平,并观察肺、脾组织病理改变情况.结果 psIL-12治疗组肺组织活菌数(每mg log10CFU/ml)为7.41±0.50,与对照组(8.15±0.37、8.19±0.29)比较显著降低(P＜0.05);脾组织荷菌量(每mg log10 CFU/ml)为5.31±0.21,与对照组(5.76±016、5.88±0.21)比较显著降低(P＜0.05).psIL-12治疗组脾脏重量指数为0.58±0.05,与对照组(1.02±0.08、1.10±0.02)比较显著降低(P＜0.05).脾淋巴细胞IFN-γ(pg/ml)为478.0±10.1,与对照组(134.5±15.7、125.1±8.2)比较显著升高(P＜0.05).各组间IL-4水平差异无显著性.对照组肺组织病理改变以变质、渗出为主,而psIL-12治疗组以增生改变为主.对照组与治疗组间比较脾脏病理改变不明显.结论 psIL-12真核表达质粒对小鼠结核分枝杆菌感染有一定的治疗作用,可能通过诱导促进IFN-γ产生,调节TH1/TH2应答类型,起到抗结核分枝杆菌感染的作用.     

Arabinofuranosyl-terminated and mannosylated lipoarabinomannans from Mycobacterium tuberculosis induce different levels of interleukin-12 expression in murine macrophages.

Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a major surface lipoglycan of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the present study, we demonstrated that arabinofuranosyl-terminated LAM (AraLAM) derived from a rapidly growing Mycobacterium sp., but not extensively mannosylated LAM derived from the Erdman strain, is capable of inducing interleukin-12 (IL-12) expression in murine macrophages. Since IL-12 is known to drive the differentiation of naive T cells toward T-helper type 1 (Th1) cell development, AraLAM may be an effective adjuvant in vaccines and immunotherapies that need Th1 responses.     

Differential regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expression in cells infected with virulent and nonvirulent strains of sindbis virus

Sindbis virus is an alphavirus that infects cells in either lytic or persistent infection. In this study we examined the effects of Sindbis virus on cell apoptosis and on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. Of the two strains studied, SVA and SVNI, only the neurovirulent strain, SVNI, induced apoptosis of astrocytes and PC-12 cells. SVA, which infects cells in a persistent manner, induced up-regulation of bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein, whereas SVNI induced an increase in Bax levels. Our results indicate a differential regulation of Bcl2 and Bax expression by SVA and SVNI, which may be associated with the apoptotic potential of the viruses.     

Expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and P53 in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

It has been shown in vitro that JC viral protein can form a complex with wild-type p53 protein, which is a key regulator of both cell proliferation and cell death. Cellular factors, Bax and Bcl-2, are two essential downstream elements involved in p53-dependent apoptosis. To determine whether association of JC virus with p53 protein affects the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in viral-infected cells in progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), we studied the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and p53 in 14 cases from 13 PML patients by using paraffin immunohistochemistry. Seven of 13 patients were known to be HIV positive. Overexpression of p53 was found in viral-infected oligodendrocytes and some astrocytes in all 14 cases. Intense immunostaining of Bax was strongly expressed in viral-infected oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Bax immunostaining was also found in macrophages in the demyelinating lesions. Bcl-2 was not detected in viral-infected glial cells. The expression pattern of Bax positive/Bcl-2 negative in viral-infected glial cells suggests that the oligodendrocyte may be undergoing apoptosis which may in turn contribute to the demyelinating process in PML. The coexpression of p53 and Bax in the infected glial cells suggests that p53 detected by immunohistochemistry may still maintain its wild-type function.     

Kinetics of chemokine secretion in human macrophages infected with various strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background and Purpose: It has been shown that chemokine secretion upon infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is influenced by the virulence of the strain, and it is suggested that virulence-associated differences in chemokine secretion contribute to the failure in containing the infection due to poor granuloma formation. Materials and Methods: In this study, we used prevalent M tuberculosis clinical strains (S7 and S10) to study the chemokine secretion profile in infected THP-1 cells and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and compared this with the chemokine secretion induced by laboratory strains. Results: This study showed that comparatively lower levels of IP-10 were induced by clinical strains than by laboratory strains in both differentiated THP-1 and MDMs. The secretion of MIP-1α was also depressed but only in the THP-1 cells infected with clinical strains. This depressed chemokine secretion may hinder the movement of Th-1 cells from the periphery into the infection foci to control the infection. Correlation between IP-10 and IL-12p40 showed a negative relationship in control MDMs, while there was a positive correlation in all the infected strains, indicating their cooperative role in attracting and activating Th1 cells for a protective immune response at the site. This relationship was strain dependent, with avirulent H37Ra showing higher correlation, followed by the clinical strains and the virulent H37Rv. A positive correlation of IP-10 with IFN-γ (S7 and H37Ra) and with IL-10 (H37Ra and H37Rv) suggested a definitive interplay of these molecules in infection. Conclusions: The chemokines secretion by infected THP-1 cells and MDMs was strain dependant and the lower induction by the clinical strains may indicate that the clinical strains maintain a quiescent nature to mislead the host immune system for their benefit.     

IL-13对小鼠哮喘模型气道黏蛋白基因Muc5ac及Bcl-2、Bax表达的作用

目的研究白细胞介素-13(IL-13)处理小鼠支气管哮喘(哮喘)模型前后肺组织黏蛋白基因Muc5ac、凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2和Bax表达的作用,探讨气道黏液过度分泌的机制.方法45只雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组、哮喘组和IL-13组,每组15只.用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)方法和免疫组化法分别检测Muc5acmRNA、Muc5ac蛋白、Bcl-2蛋白以及Bax蛋白在肺组织的表达.结果哮喘组和对照组肺组织Muc5acmRNA分别为(0.1552±0.0057)和(0.0633±0.0013),Muc5ac蛋白分别为(0.8849±0.0257)和(0.1166±0.0064),两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);IL-13组肺组织Muc5acmRNA和蛋白分别为(0.2807±0.0027)和(1.6138±0.0483),与哮喘组、对照组比较差异也均有统计学意义(P均<0.01).与对照组Bcl-2蛋白(0.3279±0.0136)、Bax蛋白(1.7284±0.0263)相比,哮喘组分别增加和降低(分别为0.8383±0.0310和0.8987±0.0106),两组差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01);IL-13处理后可分别促进Bcl-2和Bax蛋白增加和降低(分别为1.6934±0.0229和0.3522±0.0152),其和哮喘组的差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01);哮喘组和IL-13组小鼠肺组织Muc5acmRNA、蛋白表达与Bcl-2蛋白表达均呈直线正相关(P均<0.05),而与Bax蛋白表达则均呈直线负相关(P均<0.05).结论IL-13是引起哮喘气道黏液过度分泌的重要细胞因子,它可能通过改变Bcl-2和Bax的表达导致了上述病变.