Endotoxin stimulates in vivo expression of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha,interleukin-1beta, -6, and high-mobility-group protein-1 in skeletal muscle

The presence of increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood is associated with decreased muscle protein synthesis and the erosion of lean body mass in many catabolic conditions. However, little is known regarding the role of endogenous cytokine synthesis in muscle per se. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the cytokine expression profile of skeletal muscle in response to an in vivo injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS). Intraperitoneal injection of a nonlethal dose of LPS (1,000 microg/kg Escherichia coli) into male rats increased the mRNA content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-1beta in gastrocnemius muscle as early as 1 h; IL-6 mRNA was not increased until 2 h post-LPS. Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta peaked at 2 h (10- and 80-fold, respectively), whereas the increased IL-6 mRNA content (150-fold) peaked later at 4 h. The abundance of all measured cytokine mRNAs in skeletal muscle declined thereafter. The LPS-induced increase in muscle mRNA content for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta was dose-dependent with elevations being seen with as little as 10 microg/kg of LPS (2.5-, 8-, and 9-fold, respectively). In general, pretreatment of rats with dexamethasone attenuated but did not completely prevent the LPS-induced increase in muscle cytokine mRNA. LPS increased muscle TNF-alpha protein content approximately 2-fold and this increase was prevented by pretreatment with dexamethasone. LPS-induced increases in muscle IL-1beta and IL-6 protein were not detected. LPS also produced a 2-fold increase in the mRNA content of the high-mobility-group protein-1, a late-phase cytokine, in muscle at 12-24 h. Finally, although skeletal muscle was found to contain both the toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR4, LPS did not alter the mRNA content of TLR4 and produced a small (50%) but significant increase in TLR2 mRNA. These changes in TLRs were less dramatic than those observed for liver, spleen or cardiac muscle. Collectively these data indicate that skeletal muscle possesses many of the components of the innate immune system, including increases in both early- and late-phase cytokines and the presence of toll-like receptors.     

P2X7 receptor activation amplifies lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular hyporeactivity via interleukin-1 beta release

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates cytoplasmic accumulation of pro-interleukin (IL)-1beta. Activation of P2X(7) receptors stimulates conversion of pro-IL-1beta into mature IL-1beta, which is then secreted. Because both LPS (in vivo) and IL-1beta (in vitro) decrease vascular reactivity to contractile agents, we hypothesized the following: 1) P2X(7) receptor activation contributes to LPS-induced vascular hyporeactivity, and 2) IL-1beta mediates this change. Thoracic aortas were obtained from 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice. The aortic rings were incubated for 24 h in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, LPS, benzoylbenzoyl-ATP (BzATP; P2X(7) receptor agonist), LPS plus BzATP, oxidized ATP (oATP; P2X(7) receptor antagonist), or oATP plus LPS plus BzATP. After the treatment, the rings were either mounted in a myograph for evaluation of contractile activity or homogenized for IL-1beta and inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) protein measurement. In endothelium-intact aortic rings, phenylephrine (PE)-induced contractions were not altered by incubation with LPS or BzATP, but they significantly decreased in aortic rings incubated with LPS plus BzATP. Treatment with oATP or IL-1ra (IL-1beta receptor antagonist) reversed LPS plus BzATP-induced hyporeactivity to PE. In the presence of N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or N-([3-(aminomethyl)phenyl]methyl)ethanimidamide (selective iNOS inhibitor), the vascular hyporeactivity induced by LPS plus BzATP on PE responses was not observed. BzATP augmented LPS-induced IL-1beta release and iNOS protein expression, and these effects were also inhibited by oATP. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with IL-1beta induced iNOS protein expression. Thus, activation of P2X(7) receptor amplifies LPS-induced hyporeactivity in mouse endothelium-intact aorta, which is associated with IL-1beta-mediated release of nitric oxide by iNOS.     

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) upregulates IL-1 receptor antagonist production from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by delaying mRNA degradation

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have been identified as cells capable of producing a number of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in response to specific agonists. Previously, we showed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and IL-8, are produced by PMN after stimulation with agonists, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In this study, we demonstrate that LPS is also a potent stimulus for the mRNA expression and release of the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). In addition, we show that the release of IL-1ra from LPS-stimulated PMN is markedly potentiated in the presence of IL-10 (from two to threefold after 18 h of stimulation). Moreover, we observed that this upregulation of IL-1ra production by IL-10 in LPS- stimulated PMN took place through IL-1ra mRNA stabilization. Indeed, the half-life of IL-1ra mRNA was prolonged in PMN stimulated in the presence of IL-10 and LPS, as compared with cells stimulated with LPS alone. That IL-10 selectively upregulates IL-1ra production in LPS- activated PMN, while it inhibits the production of IL-1 beta, TNF, and IL-8 under the same conditions, suggests that IL-10 may be an important physiologic regulator of cytokine production from PMN, and emphasizes the potential role of IL-10 in inflammatory responses.     

Endotoxin increases parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA levels in mouse spleen. Mediation by tumor necrosis factor.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) causes hypercalcemia in malignancy. However, the role and regulation of PTHrP in normal physiology is just beginning to be explored. PTHrP is found in the spleen and has several other features common to cytokines. Since endotoxin (LPS) causes many of its effects indirectly by inducing cytokines, studies were undertaken to determine whether LPS might also induce splenic PTHrP expression. LPS (100 ng/mouse) increased splenic PTHrP mRNA levels 3.6-fold in C3H/OuJ mice. This effect was maximal at 2 h and returned to baseline by 4 h. PTHrP peptide levels also increased 3.3-fold in splenic extracts in response to LPS (1 microgram/mouse). Murine TNF-alpha and human IL-1 beta, cytokines that mediate many of the effects of LPS, also increased splenic PTHrP mRNA levels. LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice, which produce minimal amounts of TNF and IL-1 in response to LPS, were resistant to LPS induction of splenic PTHrP mRNA, while TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta readily increased PTHrP mRNA levels in C3H/HeJ mice. Anti-TNF antibody blocked LPS induction of splenic PTHrP mRNA in C3H/OuJ mice by 68%, indicating that TNF is a mediator of the LPS induction of PTHrP levels. In contrast, an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was ineffective. The increase in PTHrP in the spleen during the immune response suggests that PTHrP may play an important role in immune modulation, perhaps by mediating changes in lymphocyte proliferation and/or function.     

白细胞介素-10对急性肺损伤炎症/抗炎介质表达的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素-10(IL—10)对急性肺损伤(ALI)大鼠炎症介质／抗炎介质表达的影响。方法向气道内滴注内毒素(LPS，10mg／kg)建立大鼠ALI模型。54只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、LPS损伤组、LPS加IL-10组，每组18只，各组又分为2、6和24h3个亚组，每个亚组各6只。按各时间点观察大鼠动脉血氧分压(PaO2)、支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中细胞总数及分类计数、肺系数、BALF总蛋白水平及肺病理，同时用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT—PCR)方法检测肺组织中炎症介质／抗炎介质的表达。结果①LPS损伤组大鼠PaO2呈进行性降低；肺系数、BALF总蛋白水平及BALF中细胞总数均明显增加，分类以中性粒细胞为主；肺病理示肺内中性粒细胞大量浸润，伴出血、透明膜形成。LPS加IL-10组的各项指标均较LPS损伤组减轻。②LPS损伤组肺组织肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF—α)mRNA表达于2h达高峰，随后迅速下降；白细胞介素-1β(IL—1β)mRNA表达于2h显著升高，6h达高峰，随后迅速下降；IL-1受体拮抗剂(IL—1ra)mRNA表达6h开始升高，且为峰值。24h仍高于对照组。LPS加IL-10组肺组织TNF—αmRNA、IL-1βmRNA表达受抑，而IL—1ra mRNA表达不受影响。结论①ALI早期TNF—αmRNA、IL-1βmRNA表达明显增加，而IL—1ra mRNA表达滞后，提示在无外来干预情况下，ALI早期存在炎症介质／抗炎介质的失衡。②IL-10可明显抑制炎症介质表达，不影响抗炎介质表达，有利于重建炎症介质／抗炎介质平衡，减轻LPS所致ALI。     

Efficacy of clarithromycin for treatment of experimental Lyme disease in vivo.

Clarithromycin provided effective therapy against arthritis induced by Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the hamster. In vitro, clarithromycin was at least 1 log more potent than tetracycline against two isolates of B. burgdorferi from human sources, as measured by MICs and 50% inhibitory concentrations. Clarithromycin was effective in preventing the onset of B. burgdorferi-induced arthritis, as determined by several parameters of paw swelling. When administered after the onset of arthritis, clarithromycin therapy reduced the degree of swelling and decreased recovery time. These results suggest that clarithromycin has potential as an effective therapy for Lyme disease.     

The effect of central injection of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist on the induction by lipopolysaccharide of fever and brain interleukin-1beta response in rats

We recently reported an involvement of peripheral angiotensin II (ANG II) in the development of both the fever and the peripheral interleukin (IL)-1beta production induced in rats by a systemic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The present study was performed to investigate whether brain ANG II contributes to the fever and IL-1beta production in the rat brain induced by i.c.v. injection of LPS. LPS (0.2 and 2 microg i.c.v.) induced dose-related fevers and increases in the brain (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum) concentrations of IL-1beta. These effects were significantly inhibited by i.c.v. administration of either an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonist. By contrast, the ACE inhibitor had no effect on the IL-1beta (i.c.v.)-induced fever, whereas the AT(1) receptor antagonist enhanced (rather than reduced) it. The AT(1) receptor antagonist had no effect on the brain levels of prostaglandin E(2) in rats given an i.c.v. injection of IL-1beta. These results suggest that in rats, brain ANG II and AT(1) receptors are involved in the LPS-induced production of brain IL-1beta, thus contributing to the fever induced by the presence of LPS within the brain.     

白细胞介素-1家族细胞因子等位基因对相关细胞因子的产生及全身感染预后的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素-1(IL-1)家族细胞因子基因多态性中等位基因对细胞因子mRNA表达、蛋白质合成以及全身感染预后的影响。方法选择全身感染患者及健康志愿者各60例。分离健康志愿者外周血单核细胞，体外培养并给予脂多糖(LPS)刺激，采用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT—PCR)分析细胞因子IL-1α、IL-1β、IL—1ra mRNA表达，酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测细胞因子浓度。盐析法提取所有受试者基因组DNA，行IL-1A(内合子6，VNTR)，IL-1B(-511，RFLP)及IL-1RN(内合子2，VNTR)基因多态性分析。结果与健康志愿者比较，全身感染患者中等位基因IL-1RN2携带者显著增多，而IL-1A2、IL-182及IL-1RN2携带者病死率增加。体外研究表明，等位基因IL—RN2较IL-1RN1携带者外周血单核细胞在受LPS刺激时细胞因子IL—1ra分泌及mRNA表达显著增加，而IL-1A、IL-1B各等位基因不影响相应细胞因子表达。结论遗传因素可能是导致全身感染患者发生不同程度炎症反应的重要原因。等位基因IL-1RN2通过上调细胞因子IL—1ra表达，影响全身感染患者预后，可能是全身感染的高危遗传学标志。     

Studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of Lyme arthritis

Lyme arthritis is one of the most common clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. It is caused by an intraarticular infection with Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi. A small number of bacteria are liable to provoke severe arthritis by inducing mechanisms (including the induction of cytokines and chemokines) that amplify the inflammatory response. The cellular immune response against B. burgdorferi is characterised by a predominant T helper cell type 1 (Th1) pattern that appears to be inadequate to overcome the infection. In most cases, Lyme arthritis may be cured by antibiotic therapy. A brief summary of current recommendations for the treatment of Lyme arthritis in adults and children is given in this article. However, about 10% of Lyme arthritis patients do not respond sufficiently to antibiotic treatment. Two not mutually exclusive pathogenetic concepts of these treatment-resistant cases will be discussed in the present study: persistent infection and infection-induced immunopathology.     

Differential induction of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in whole blood by bacteria: effects of antibiotic treatment.

The in vitro production of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in whole blood upon stimulation with different bacterial strains was measured to study the possible relationship between disease severity and the cytokine-inducing capacities of these strains. Escherichia coli, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Bacteroides fragilis, Capnocytophaga canimorsus, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes induced the cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-1ra. Gram-negative bacteria induced significantly higher levels of proinflammatory cytokine production than gram-positive bacteria. These differences were less pronounced for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ra. In addition, blood was stimulated with E. coli killed by different antibiotics to study the effect of the antibiotics on the cytokine-inducing capacity of the bacterial culture. E. coli treated with cefuroxime and gentamicin induced higher levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 production but levels of IL-1ra production similar to that of heat-killed E. coli. In contrast, ciprofloxacin- and imipenem-cilastatin-mediated killing showed a decreased or similar level of induction of cytokine production as compared to that by heat-killed E. coli; polymyxin B decreased the level of production of the cytokines.     

Antiinflammatory properties of hepatic acute phase proteins: preferential induction of interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist over IL-1 beta synthesis by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

This study was undertaken to determine whether acute phase proteins (APP) induce the synthesis of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and its specific antagonist, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC from healthy volunteers were incubated with C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), or alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and the levels of IL- 1 beta and IL-1Ra produced were measured by specific radioimmunoassay. To evaluate the effects of alpha 1-AT further, a synthetic pentapeptide FVYLI corresponding to the minimal binding sequence for the serpine- enzyme complex receptor was also evaluated. PBMC incubated for 24 h with CRP, alpha 1-AT, or the pentapeptide FVYLI synthesized large quantities of IL-1Ra, 5-10-fold greater than the amount of IL-1 beta produced by these cells. AGP induced significantly less IL-1Ra than the other APP tested. These effects were shown to be specific, in that polyclonal antibodies against CRP, alpha 1-AT, and AGP eliminated the cytokine production induced by these respective proteins. CRP, alpha 1- AT, FVYLI, and AGP were synergistic with low concentrations of endotoxin in the induction of both IL-1Ra and IL-1 beta synthesis. We suggest that the preferential induction of IL-1Ra by APP may contribute to their antiinflammatory effects and provide an important regulatory signal for the acute phase response.     

The Fas-associated death domain protein suppresses activation of NF-kappa B by LPS and IL-1 beta

Activation of NF-kappa B by bacterial LPS promotes the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to the pathogenesis of Gram-negative septic shock. LPS activation of NF-kappa B is dependent upon the interaction of two death domain-containing (DD-containing) proteins, MyD88 and IL-1 receptor-associated kinase IRAK. Another DD-containing protein, Fas-associated death domain (FADD), also binds MyD88 through respective DD-DD interactions. Although FADD has been classically described as a proapoptotic signaling molecule, several reports have implicated a role for FADD in mediating NF-kappa B activation. In the present report, we investigated whether FADD could mediate LPS activation of NF-kappa B. Overexpression of FADD blocked LPS-induced NF-kappa B activation, whereas absence of FADD enhanced activation of NF-kappa B by LPS. Further, LPS-induced expression of two NF-kappa B-dependent gene products, IL-6 and KC, was enhanced in FADD(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) compared with wild-type. This increase in NF-kappa B activity correlated with enhanced I kappa B degradation. FADD(-/-) MEFs were also resistant to NF-kappa B activation induced by IL-1 beta. Finally, reconstitution of full-length FADD in the FADD(-/-) MEFs completely reversed the enhanced activation of NF-kappa B elicited by either LPS or IL-1 beta. Together, these data indicate that FADD negatively regulates LPS- and IL-1 beta-induced NF-kappa B activation and that this regulation occurs upstream of I kappa B degradation.     

Mechanism of endotoxin desensitization: involvement of interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor beta

Tolerance of monocytes/macrophages to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) can be induced both in vivo and in vitro by LPS itself. Exposure to LPS, even at a very low dose, induces a downregulation of cytokine response to a second high dose LPS challenge. To learn more about the unknown mechanisms of this phenomenon, we studied the role of antiinflammatory cytokines in this process. Preculture of human peripheral blood monocytes for 24 hours with low concentrations of LPS induced hyporesponsiveness to high-dose LPS rechallenge with respect to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL) 10 but not IL- 1RA production. These results suggest that LPS tolerance reflects a functional switch of monocytes rather than a general LPS hyporesponsiveness. IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 showed additive effects in replacing LPS for induction of LPS hyporesponsiveness in vitro. Additionally, neutralizing anti-IL-10 and anti-TGF-beta monoclonal antibodies prevented induction of LPS tolerance. In vitro induced LPS tolerance looks like the ex vivo LPS hyporesponsiveness of monocytes from septic patients with fatal outcome: downregulation of LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-10 production but not of IL-1RA secretion. LPS hyporesponsiveness in septic patients was preceded by expression of IL-10 at both the mRNA and protein level. In summary, our data suggests that IL-10 and TGF-beta mediate the phenomenon of LPS tolerance in vitro and perhaps in vivo (septic patients), too.     

内毒素抑制肝细胞白蛋白表达的分子机制研究

目的 观察内毒素抑制大鼠肝细胞白蛋白表达的分子机制。方法 采用1 mg/L内毒素刺激大鼠肝细胞24 h。使用20、40和100 μmol/L的蛋白合成抑制剂环己酰亚胺预处理30 min。用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测不同浓度环己酰亚胺预处理后肝细胞白蛋白的表达,同时检测肝细胞上清中白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的水平。结果 内毒素刺激肝细胞24 h后白蛋白mRNA表达明显下降;环己酰亚胺预处理可以完全阻断白蛋白mRNA表达的下降,而且这种阻断作用存在剂量依赖性;同时内毒素刺激后肝细胞上清中IL-6和TNF-α水平较对照组明显升高(P均<0.05),环己酰亚胺预处理后两者水平明显下降(P均<0.05)。结论 内毒素通过抑制细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α释放间接抑制大鼠肝细胞白蛋白mRNA的表达。     

In vitro production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in IgG- mediated red cell incompatibility

BACKGROUND: Recently, proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1 (IL-1) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of immune-mediated hemolysis. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms by which inflammatory events in these reactions may be downregulated. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) inhibits the actions of IL-1 by competition for cellular receptors, and thus it may regulate the biologic actions of IL-1 during immune-mediated hemolysis. The production of IL-1ra by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in response to IgG-coated red cells in vitro was investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Fresh PBMNCs were obtained by density gradient separation of heparinized whole blood. PBMNCs were cultured in the presence of anti-D-coated, Rh-positive red cells or uncoated Rh- negative red cells under nonadherent conditions. IL-1ra concentrations in the culture media were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-1ra and IL-1 beta gene expression was assessed by Northern blot analysis of PBMNC mRNA. RESULTS: IL-1ra production was evident 4 hours after stimulation with IgG-coated red cells and increased progressively over 24 hours. Gene expression of IL-1ra was first detected at 2 hours, lagging behind that of IL-1 beta. IL-1ra gene expression was not inhibited by neutralizing polyclonal antibodies to IL-1. Immunocytochemical staining to determine the cellular source localized IL-1ra production to monocytes engaged in erythrophagocytosis. IL-1ra production was inhibited by dexamethasone (10(-7) M). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IL-1ra production may partly account for the variable pathophysiologic events seen in IgG- mediated autoimmune hemolysis and hemolytic transfusion reactions. Steroid treatment may also downregulate anti-inflammatory cytokine production in immune hemolysis.