The leaf extract of Spondias mombin L. displays an anti-inflammatory effect and suppresses inducible formation of tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide (NO)

Extracts of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiacea) is used in the traditional medicine of Africa and Latin America to treat many inflammatory conditions, with repeated claims of efficacy. However, there are no scientific data yet to support these claims and the mechanism through which the extract may be acting is still unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the methanolic extract of the leaf of S. mombin (SM) on inflammation and to uncover some of the possible mechanisms that could explain any observed changes. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was investigated in Wistar rats using intraplantar injection of carrageenan as an in vivo model of inflammation. The effect of oral supplementation of the SM extract on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels after an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1?mg/kg) challenge was investigated in mice. The effect of SM on TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) production by LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM-MØ) was also investigated in vitro. BM-MØ were preincubated for 2?h with SM (0–100?µg/ml), activated with LPS, and then TNF-α and NO production measured in the cell-free conditioned culture supernatant after 24?h of incubation. The study showed that pre-treatment of rats with the SM extract (at 100, 200, and 400?mg/kg, per os) caused a significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema over a 4-h period. In treated mice, LPS-inducible (systemic) TNF-α levels were found to be significantly lower as a result of their receiving the SM extract. In vitro, SM treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in LPS-inducible TNF-α and NO production by BM-MØ compared to the effects of treatment of the cells with LPS alone. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that supplementation with SM extract can alleviate inflammatory responses and that this could possibly be via a suppression of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as TNF-α and iNO.     

β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside isolated from the bark of Sorbus commixta ameliorates pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 macrophages

The bark of Sorbus commixta has been used in Asian traditional medicine for treatment of cough, asthma, bronchial disorders, gastritis and dropsy. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of β-sitosteryl-3- O -β-glucopyranoside, a major compound of the bark of S. commixta, is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect and the underlying molecular mechanisms of β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and cytokines released from cells were measured using EIA assay kit. The expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or Western blot analysis. β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and PGE₂ along with the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Moreover, β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside inhibited the NF-κB activation induced by LPS, which was associated with the abrogation of IκBα degradation and subsequent decreases in nuclear p65 levels. The result suggested that the β-sitosteryl-3-O-β-glucopyranoside inhibited NO and pro-inflammatory productions by down-regulating the gene expression of pro-inflammatory mediators via the negative regulation of the NF-кB pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.     

The effects of anti-inflammatory and antiallergic drugs on the release of IL-1β and TNF-α in the human whole blood assay

Heparinized human whole blood was evaluated as a model to study the effects of various classes of anti-inflammatory drugs on IL-1β and TNF-α release from leukocytes. Human whole blood was stimulated with zymosan (1.5 mg/ml) or LPS (5 μg/ml) to induce significant cytokine release. As previously reported, the 5-lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase (5-LO/CO) inhibitor, SKF86002 (30 μM), significantly inhibited both IL-1β and TNF-α release using either stimulus. In contrast, the cyclooxygenase (CO) inhibitors (naproxen and ibuprofen) and the lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors (zileuton, L-663536 and BWA4C) did not effect IL-1β or TNF-α release/biosynthesis. Isoproterenol (β-agonist), rolipram (a PDE-IV inhibitor), and IBMX (a nonselective PDE inhibitor), significantly inhibited TNF-α but not IL-1β in the LPS model while having no effect in the zymosan model. This human whole blood assay is a unique and rapid method which can be used to identify novel inhibitors of IL-1β and TNF-α release/biosynthesis.

     

Protective effect of taraxasterol against LPS-induced endotoxic shock by modulating inflammatory responses in mice

Taraxasterol, a pentacyclic-triterpene, was isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Taraxacum officinale. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of taraxasterol on murine model of endotoxic shock and the mechanism of its action. Mice were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10?mg/kg of taraxasterol prior to a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Survival of mice was monitored twice a day for 7 days. To further understand the mechanism, the serum levels of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mediator nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) as well as histology of lungs were examined. The results showed that taraxasterol significantly improved mouse survival and attenuated tissue injury of the lungs in LPS-induced endotoxemic mice. Further studies revealed that taraxasterol significantly reduced TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, NO and PGE₂ levels in sera from mice with endotoxic shock. These results indicate that taraxasterol has a protective effect on murine endotoxic shock induced by LPS through modulating inflammatory cytokine and mediator secretion. This finding might provide a new strategy for the treatment of endotoxic shock and associated inflammation.     

Effects of (20S*,24R*)-epoxy-9,19-cyclolanstane-3β,12β,16β,25-pentaol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside Extracted from Rhizoma Beesia on Immunoregulation and Anti-inflammation

(20S*,24R*)-epoxy-9,19-cyclolanstane-3β,12β,16β,25-pentaol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (BC1) is a kind of natural bioactive substance extracted from Beesia calthaefolia (Maxim.)Ulbr. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of BC1 on the proliferation of lymphocytes, phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophage, and cytokine secretion, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, and the foot pad thickness index, which is beneficial for understanding the mechanism of BC1 on immunoregulation and anti-inflammation and also will benefit our further research. The proliferation of splenic lymphocyte induced by mitogen (concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) was detected using the cell counting kit assay. The neutral red phagocytic test of macrophages was determined by colorimetric method. The gene and protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured by real time RT-PCR and ELISA in serum, spleen, and lymphocytes, respectively. In vitro, our present study has shown that BC1 (31.25–250 μg/ml) could inhibit the proliferation of splenic lymphocyte and phagocytosis of macrophages, and inhibit the increased production of TNF-α and IL-1β in protein and gene levels. In mice, LPS could increase the gene and protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β, respectively, but BC1 (12.5–50 μg/kg) could recover the increased gene and protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β induced by LPS in the spleen and serum of mice. Treatment of arthritic rats with BC1 (1.5 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant reduction in foot pad thickness index and serum TNF-α level comparable to the indomethacin-treated arthritic rats, proving its anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, the function of immunoregulation of BC1 may be accomplished through modulating the gene and protein expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β.     

Swine dust induces cytokine secretion from human epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages

Exposure to swine dust causes airway inflammation with increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory cells in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in healthy subjects. Earlier studies have suggested that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) might be an important proinflammatory factor in swine dust. Since respiratory epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages are target cells for the inhaled dust, we therefore compared the release of proinflammatory cytokines from normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), an epithelial cell line (A549) and from human alveolar macrophages obtained from BALF from healthy subjects in vitro after incubation with dust collected in swine houses or LPS. Swine dust or LPS was added to the wells with A549 cells or macrophages and incubated for 8 h at concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/ml. NHBE cells were incubated with swine dust at a concentration of 25, 50 or 100 μg/ml or with LPS at a concentration of 50 or 100 μg/ml and incubated for 24 h. The supernatants were collected, centrifuged, and IL-6, IL-1β and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production was measured using an ELISA method and expressed per 10⁶ cells. Swine dust and LPS caused a dose-dependant increase of IL-6 production in NHBE cells, swine dust being more potent than LPS. In A549 cells, only swine dust, but not LPS caused an increase of IL-6 production. Neither swine dust nor LPS induced IL-1β or TNF-α release from A549 cells. Both swine dust and LPS caused a dose-dependent increase of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in alveolar macrophages. Swine dust which contained 2.2 (0.2) ng endotoxin/100 μg swine dust (0.02‰) was almost as potent as LPS in inducing cytokine release from alveolar macrophages in vitro. We conclude that both epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages have the capability to contribute to the release of proinflammatory cytokines following exposure to swine dust. Some agent(s) other than LPS in the dust contribute to the marked airway inflammatory reaction.     

Microglia-derived proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta induce Purkinje neuronal apoptosis via their receptors in hypoxic neonatal rat brain

The developing cerebellum is extremely vulnerable to hypoxia which can damage the Purkinje neurons. We hypothesized that this might be mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) derived from activated microglia as in other brain areas. One-day-old rats were subjected to hypoxia following, which the expression changes of various proteins in the cerebellum including hypoxia inducible factor-1α, TNF-α, IL-1β, TNF-R₁ and IL-1R₁ were analyzed. Following hypoxic exposure, TNF-α and IL-1β immunoexpression in microglia was enhanced coupled by that of TNF-R₁ and IL-1R₁ in the Purkinje neurons. Along with this, hypoxic microglia in vitro showed enhanced release of TNF-α and IL-1β whose receptor expression was concomitantly increased in the Purkinje neurons. In addition, nitric oxide (NO) level was significantly increased in the cerebellum and cultured microglia subjected to hypoxic exposure. Moreover, cultured Purkinje neurons treated with conditioned medium derived from hypoxic microglia underwent apoptosis but the incidence was significantly reduced when the cells were treated with the same medium that was neutralized with TNF-α/IL-1β antibody. We conclude that hypoxic microglia in the neonatal cerebellum produce increased amounts of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β which when acting via their respective receptors could induce Purkinje neuron death.     

Circulating Levels of Immunoreactive Cytokines in Women with Preeclampsia

PROBLEM: Circulating inflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma levels of immunoreactive tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and -β, interleukin (IL)?1α and -β, and IL-6 and ?10 in women with preeclampsia, in women with transient gestational hypertension, and throughout normal pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used and subjected to extensive validation studies. RESULTS: The median concentration of plasma TNF-α was increased by twofold in women with preeclampsia compared with that in normal third-trimester pregnancy (P < 0.001) and in women with gestational hypertension (P < 0.04). The median concentration of plasma IL-6 was increased by threefold in women with preeclampsia compared with that in normal third-trimester pregnancy (P < 0.001) and increased twofold compared with that in women with gestational hypertension (P < 0.1). There were no significant differences observed in the levels of plasma IL-1β and IL-10 between the preeclamptic and other subject groups. The level of IL-1β, but not the levels of IL-10, TNF-α, or IL-6, was significantly changed during normal pregnancy compared with the nonpregnant condition manifesting an overall decline (P < 0.04). TNF-β and IL-1α were not detected in any samples, possibly because of the low sensitivity of these particular immunoassays. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 may contribute to the putative endothelial dysfunction of preeclampsia.     

Libanoridin inhibits the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reaction

Background and aim: Corydalis heterocarpa is a biennial herb in South Korea, with spikes of yellow flowers. It has been used for as a folk medicine to cure travail and spasm. However, studies on this herb and its secondary metabolites have rarely been reported. In the present study, we isolated secondary metabolite libanlibanoridin from Corydalis heterocarpa. We have also examined the effect of libanoridin on the inflammatory cytokines production in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore, A2318 stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1. PMA plus A23187 significantly increased interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production compared to media control (P?<?0.05).

Results: We report that treatment with libanlibanoridin can inhibit PMA plus A23187-induced IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α production in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 of 0.002, 1.38, 1.48, and 0.36?μg/ml, respectively. Maximal inhibition rates of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α production by libanlibanoridin were about 117.5%, 86.22%, 86.41%, and 90.74%, respectively. libanoridin inhibits the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. libanoridin also inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase-2.

Conclusion: These results indicate that libanlibanoridin may be helpful in regulating mast cell-mediated allergic inflammatory response.     

Evidence for Cytokine Dysregulation in Multiple Sclerosis: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Production of Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines During Relapse and Remission

We investigated circulating anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and their ex vivo PBMC production in the absence or presence of the neuroantigens myelin basic protein (MBP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and T cell mitogen (PHA) in MS patients in relapse and remission, patients with other neurological disorders (OND) and normal healthy controls. MS patients in relapse exhibited significantly increased PBMC production of TNF-α spontaneously compared with MS remission and healthy controls and with MBP compared with MS remission. Patients in relapse had significantly increased spontaneous, PHA- and MBP-induced PBMC IL-1β production compared with remission MS, and was increased compared (PHA only) with OND and healthy controls. In relapse there was also significantly increased PBMC IFN-γ production (PHA only) compared with remission and a significantly lower production of biologically active TGF-β1 (PHA only) compared with remission MS and OND. In contrast, MS patients in remission produced significantly less spontaneous and MBP-induced TNF-α, spontaneous, PHA- and MBP-induced IL-1β and PHA-induced IFN-γ together with increased production of biologically active TGF-β1. MOG non-specifically increased PBMC TNF-α and IL-1β production in all groups. Pro-inflammatory cytokines in corresponding plasma samples were undetectable whilst the concentration of biologically active TGF-β1 was the reverse of ex vivo PBMC findings. The increase in biologically active TGF-β1 production ex vivo in OND patients, despite active disease, compared with the low level in the MS relapse may indicate a regulatory defect in MS. We conclude that the balance between biologically active TGF-β1 and the pro-inflammatory TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ is dysregulated during MS relapse-remission and that normal counter-regulatory mechanisms during the relapse phase are defective.     

The leaf extract of Spondias mombin L. displays an anti-inflammatory effect and suppresses inducible formation of tumor necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide (NO)

Extracts of Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiacea) is used in the traditional medicine of Africa and Latin America to treat many inflammatory conditions, with repeated claims of efficacy. However, there are no scientific data yet to support these claims and the mechanism through which the extract may be acting is still unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the methanolic extract of the leaf of S. mombin (SM) on inflammation and to uncover some of the possible mechanisms that could explain any observed changes. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was investigated in Wistar rats using intraplantar injection of carrageenan as an in vivo model of inflammation. The effect of oral supplementation of the SM extract on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels after an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 mg/kg) challenge was investigated in mice. The effect of SM on TNF-α and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) production by LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BM-M?) was also investigated in vitro. BM-M? were preincubated for 2 h with SM (0-100 μg/ml), activated with LPS, and then TNF-α and NO production measured in the cell-free conditioned culture supernatant after 24 h of incubation. The study showed that pre-treatment of rats with the SM extract (at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, per os) caused a significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema over a 4-h period. In treated mice, LPS-inducible (systemic) TNF-α levels were found to be significantly lower as a result of their receiving the SM extract. In vitro, SM treatment caused a dose-dependent decrease in LPS-inducible TNF-α and NO production by BM-M? compared to the effects of treatment of the cells with LPS alone. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that supplementation with SM extract can alleviate inflammatory responses and that this could possibly be via a suppression of the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as TNF-α and iNO.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects of CBS3830 in arterialized vein grafts in rats

Objective: To investigated whether CBS3830, a highly selectively inhibitor of p38MAPK, could ameliorate inflammation and intimal hyperplasia in arterialized vein grafts (AVGs).

Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a reversed right jugular vein to common carotid artery interposition graft and were randomly treatment with vehicle (control) or single-dose (3?mg/kg, preoperative) or double-dose (3?mg/kg, preoperative and 4?d postoperative) CBS3830. Twenty rats underwent sham operation. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA. Vein grafts were analyzed by intimal/medial morphometry, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, and p38MAPK phosphorylation.

Results: TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 gradually increased then slowly decreased in AVG rats. However, at 4?d and 7?d, TNF-α levels decreased by 37.5% and 29.5% (p?=?0.003, 0.05, respectively) in the single-dose CBS3830 group, and by 37.6% and 32.5%, respectively (both p?=?0.003) in the double-dose group compared with those of control. IL-1β levels significantly reduced at 4?d and 14?d in both dosage groups. IL-6 levels significantly reduced at 7?d in both groups. Intima and medial thickening were significantly reduced in both dosage treated groups at 7, 14, and 28?d (all p?=?0.000) compared to the controls. Further study showed CBS3830 inhibited p38MAPK phosphorylation and decreased PCNA expression.

Conclusions: CBS3830 significantly decreases inflammation and intimal hyperplasia in AVGs.     

p-Cymene Modulates In Vitro and In Vivo Cytokine Production by Inhibiting MAPK and NF-κB Activation

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of p-cymene on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cytokine production both in vitro and in vivo. The production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and C57BL/6 mice was evaluated by sandwich ELISA. Meanwhile, the mRNA levels of cytokine genes were examined in vitro by semiquantitative RT-PCR. In a further study, we analyzed the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways by western blotting. We found that p-cymene significantly regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, the levels of relative mRNAs were also found to be downregulated. In in vivo trail, p-cymene markedly suppressed the production of TNF-α and IL-1β and increased IL-10 secretion. We also found that p-cymene inhibited LPS-induced activation of extracellular signal receptor-activated kinase 1/2, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and IκBα. These results suggest that p-cymene may have a potential anti-inflammatory action on cytokine production by blocking NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.     

大鼠胰岛β细胞损伤中IL-18的作用研究

新生Wistar大鼠离体胰岛与细胞因子孵育后 ,观测胰岛素释放和一氧化氮 (NO )生成的变化 ,并用逆转录 聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR )观察IL 18受体信号链 (IL 18Rβ )mRNA的表达水平。结果表明 :(1) 0 6 2 5～ 10nmol/L基因重组小鼠 (rm )IL 18孵育胰岛 2 4h后 ,对累积的和葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素释放以及NO生成均无显著效应 ;(2 ) 2 0 0U/ml基因重组大鼠 (rr)γ干扰素 (IFN γ )或 2 5 0U/ml基因重组人 (rh )肿瘤坏死因子 α (TNF α)单独存在对胰岛素释放和NO生成均无明显效应 ,也不能促使 10nmol/LrmIL 18对胰岛素释放和NO生成产生影响 ;(3) 2 0 0U/mlrrIFN γ +2 5 0U/mlrhTNF α或 15pg/mlrhIL 1β均明显促进NO生成和抑制胰岛素释放 ,而 10nmol/LrmIL 18则不影响IFN γ +TNF α或IL 1β的上述效应 ;(4 )即使经IL 1β和 (或 )IFN γ +TNF α或IL 12孵育后 ,大鼠胰岛素瘤 (RIN )细胞或离体大鼠胰岛仍未见IL 18RβmRNA的表达。提示IL 18在细胞因子所致胰岛β细胞损伤中不发挥直接作用 ,原因是IL 18受体在胰岛 β细胞中不表达。     

Cytokine Inhibition by A Novel Steroid,Mometasone Furoate

Abstract

Mometasone furoate (9α, 21 dichloro-11β, 17α dihydroxy-16α methyl-1, 4 pregnadiene-3, 20 dione-17–[2′] furoate) was an unexpectedly potent inhibitor of the in vitro production of three inflammatory cytokines, IL-11, IL-6, and TNF-α. the potency of mometasone furoate in inhibiting cytokine production was compared to that of hydrocortisone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, and beclomethasone.

IL-6 and TNF-α were both produced by WEHI-265.1 (murine myelomonocytic leukemia) cells following stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twenty-four hours after stimulation by LPS, the cell-free supernatant fluids were removed. Their cytokine content was analyzed using ELISAs specific for each cytokine.

IL-1 synthesis was induced in the harvested peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice by incubation with LPS for twenty-four hours. the IL-1 content in the cell-free supernatant fluids was determined by the thymocyte-costimulator bioassay.

Using these systems, mometasone furoate was found to be the most potent steroid tested for inhibiting the production of the three cytokines. the IC50′s were 0.05 nM (IL-1), 0.15 nM (IL-6), and 0.25 nM (TNF-α). the inhibition of the production of proinflammatory mediators by extremely low concentrations of mometasone furoate suggests that this steroid should be highly effective in various disorders.     

Sphingosine kinase 1 regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in activated microglia

Microglial activation has been implicated as one of the causative factors for neuroinflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases. The sphingolipid metabolic pathway plays an important role in inflammation, cell proliferation, survival, chemotaxis, and immunity in peripheral macrophages. In this study, we demonstrate that sphingosine kinase1 (SphK1), a key enzyme of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway, and its receptors are expressed in the mouse BV2 microglial cells and SphK1 alters the expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in microglia treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS treatment increased the SphK1 mRNA and protein expression in microglia as revealed by the RT–PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. Suppression of SphK1 by its inhibitor, N, N Dimethylsphingosine (DMS), or siRNA resulted in decreased mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS and release of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-activated microglia. Moreover, addition of sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), a breakdown product of sphingolipid metabolism, increased the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and iNOS and production of TNF-α and NO in activated microglia. Hence to summarize, suppression of SphK1 in activated microglia inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines and NO and the addition of exogenous S1P to activated microglia enhances their inflammatory responses. Since the chronic proinflammatory cytokine production by microglia has been implicated in neuroinflammation, modulation of SphK1 and S1P in microglia could be looked upon as a future potential therapeutic method in the control of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.     

The clinical role of serum concentrations of selected cytokines: IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in children

Abstract

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (cAIT) leads to hypothyroidism due to T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in most cases. By contrast, Graves’ disease (GD) with thyrotropin receptor stimulatory autoantibodies cause hyperthyroidism. Cytokines play a crucial role in modulating immune response in both disorders. The aim of study was to evaluate the concentrations of cytokines: IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in these two opposite clinical and hormonal thyroid diseases. The study group consisted of 64 children, 44 newly diagnosed, untreated children with cAIT (n?=?22; with hypothyroidism) and GD (n?=?22; hyperthyroidism), and the control group of 20 healthy children. Cytokine concentrations were evaluated using the ELISA technique. The studied groups of children did not differ significantly in concentrations of IL-6 (p?=?0.48) and TNF-α (p?=?0.067). In children with hypothyroidism, we found significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β (median 2.16?pg/ml, IQR 0.87) compared to hyperthyroidism (median 1.39?pg/l, IQR 1.27) (p?<?0.01) and the control group (median 1.88?pg/ml, IQR 1.04) (p?<?0.05). The results of ROC curve analysis demonstrated the usefulness of IL-1β (AUC?=?0.77, p?=?0.003) and TNF-α (AUC?=?0.691, p?=?0.034) as diagnostic parameters in cAIT which enable discrimination of children with autoimmune thyroid disease from healthy individuals. Concentrations of these markers are increased in autoimmune hypothyroidism. We found no significant sex differences in the tested parameters. In conclusion, IL-1β and TNF-α may be considered as markers of hypothyroidism, and could efficiently discriminate between healthy and autoimmune hypothyroid children. Significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β in children with hypothyroidism may be used to distinguish children with cAIT from GD patients.