IL-6 acts on endothelial cells to preferentially increase their adherence for lymphocytes

Using a quantitative monolayer adhesion assay, the current report shows that treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with IL-6 increases their adhesiveness for blood lymphocytes, particularly CD4⁺ cells, but not for polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes. This effect, which was most pronounced when using low concentrations of the cytokine (0.1–1.0 U/ml) and a short incubation period (4 h), was also apparent with microvascular endothelial cells and a hybrid endothelial cell line. Skin lesions from patients with mycosis fungoides contain high levels of IL-6, and blood lymphocytes from patients with this disorder also exhibited an enhanced adhesion to IL-6-treated HUVEC. The cytokine enhanced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and induced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin on endothelial cells. Antibody blocking studies demonstrated that the vascular adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin and the leucocyte integrin LFA-1 all contributed to lymphocyte binding to endothelium activated by IL-6. It is proposed that IL-6 may be involved in the recruitment of lymphocytes into non-lymphoid tissue.     

LPS对人胚胎胰岛分泌IL-6的调控效应

目的：为了探讨免疫介质ＬＰＳ对胚胎胰岛分泌ＩＬ－６以及对胰岛功能的影响，以便为研究免疫系统与内分泌系统的内在联系提供依据。方法：采用用常规消化方法分离人胚胎胰岛并对其进行原代培养，加入浓度为１０ｍｇ／Ｌ ＬＰＳ，经不同时相收获上清，测定ＩＬ－６、胰岛素、胰高血糖素含量和ＩＬ－６ ＭＣ或的试验，对ＬＰＳ刺激和对照一胰岛进行ＩＬ－６ ＲＮＡ斑点杂交。结果：１．人胚 ＬＰＳ刺激分泌ＩＬ－６的能力明显加强     

Histamine induces Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expression in endothelial cells and enhances sensitivity to Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell wall components

Histamine is a major inflammatory molecule released from the mast cell, and is known to activate endothelial cells. However, its ability to modulate endothelial responses to bacterial products has not been evaluated. In this study we determined the ability of histamine to modulate inflammatory responses of endothelial cells to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial cell wall components and assessed the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 in the co-operation between histamine and bacterial pathogens. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), or peptidoglycan (PGN) in the presence or absence of histamine, and the expression and release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), and NF-kappaB translocation were determined. The effect of histamine on the expression of mRNA and proteins for TLR2 and TLR4 was also evaluated. Incubation of HUVEC with LPS, LTA and PGN resulted in marked enhancement of IL-6 mRNA expression and IL-6 secretion. Histamine alone markedly enhanced IL-6 mRNA expression in HUVEC, but it did not stimulate proportional IL-6 release. When HUVEC were incubated with LPS, LTA, or PGN in the presence of histamine marked amplification of both IL-6 production and mRNA expression was noted. HUVEC constitutively expressed TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA and proteins, and these were further enhanced by histamine. The expression of mRNAs encoding MD-2 and MyD88, the accessory molecules associated with TLR signalling, were unchanged by histamine treatment. These results demonstrate that histamine up-regulates the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and amplifies endothelial cell inflammatory responses to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial components.     

Increased adhesion of human monocytes to IL-4-stimulated human venous endothelial cells via CD11/CD18, and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4)/vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)-dependent mechanisms.

Expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells (EC) can be up-regulated or induced by cytokines. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of IL-4 on both the expression of adhesion molecules on EC and monocyte adhesion to EC. Flow cytometric analysis showed that VCAM-1 expression on EC was up-regulated after stimulation with IL-4 for 24 h, whereas the expression of E-selectin (formerly called endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1)) was not enhanced, and that of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) only slightly. The adhesion of monocytes to EC increased to maximum values upon stimulation of EC with IL-4 for 24 h. Coating of monocytes with MoAb against the integrin beta 2-subunit (CD18) significantly inhibited their adhesion to IL-4-stimulated EC; maximal inhibition was found when monocytes were coated with anti-CD18 MoAb in combination with MoAb against CD49d (the alpha-chain of VLA-4), whereas no inhibition was found when monocytes were coated only with MoAb against CD49d. Monocyte adhesion was not significantly inhibited when IL-4-stimulated EC were coated with MoAbs against ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 alone or in combination. Adhesion of monocytes was inhibited to a greater extent when in addition to coating of monocytes with MoAb against CD18 the EC were coated with MoAb against VCAM-1. From these results we conclude that monocytes bind to IL-4-stimulated EC via interaction of CD11/CD18 molecules on the monocytes with an as yet unknown endothelial ligand, and interaction of VLA-4 on monocytes with VCAM-1 on EC.     

The cannabinoid R(+)methanandamide induces IL-6 secretion by prostate cancer PC3 cells

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of the cannabinoid R(+)methanandamide (MET) in the androgen-resistant prostate cancer PC3 cells. MET induced a dose-dependent decrease in PC3 cell viability as well as a dose-dependent increase in the secretion of the cytokine IL-6. Looking deeper into the mechanisms involved, we found that MET-induced de novo synthesis of the lipid mediator ceramide that was blocked by the ceramide synthase inhibitor Fumonisin B1. Pre-incubation of cells with the cannabinoid receptor CB2 antagonist SR 144528 (SR2), but not the CB1 antagonist Rimonabant or the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine, partially prevented the anti-proliferative effect, the ceramide accumulation, and the IL-6-induced secretion, suggesting a CB2 receptor-dependent mechanism. Fumonisin B1 did not have any effect in the IL-6 secretion increase induced by MET. However, even an incomplete down-regulation of (i.e., not a total silencing of) ceramide kinase expression by specific siRNA prevented the MET-induced IL-6 secretion. These results suggest that MET regulates ceramide metabolism in prostate PC3 cells which is involved in cell death as well as in IL-6 secretion. Our findings also suggest that CB2 agonists may offer a novel approach in the treatment of prostate cancer by decreasing cancer epithelial cell proliferation. However, the interaction of prostate cancer cells with their surrounding, and in particular with the immune system in vivo, needs to be further explored.     

IL-2 receptor gene expression and IL-2 production by human preterm newborns' cells.

IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) gene expression in human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of preterm and term newborns was examined following stimulation for 18 h with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and compared with that of adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; mothers and control group). mRNA for IL-2R could not be detected in CBMC of preterm infants, whereas the mRNA levels for IL-2R found in full term neonates were similar to those observed in PBMC of adults. IL-2 activity in conditioned medium (CM) of mononuclear cells stimulated with either optimal or suboptimal PHA concentrations for 24 h and 48 h was also determined. At 24 h of stimulation, IL-2 activity found in CM obtained from CBMC of preterm and term newborns was significantly higher than that found in CM of adults' PBMC. A further enhancement of IL-2 activity (six to eight times) was observed in CM of preterm and term cells stimulated for 48 h, whereas no significant difference was found in IL-2 activity in CM from adult cells tested at the two incubation periods. The present findings may provide an additional explanation for the impaired function of the immune system, and the high susceptibility to infections observed in preterm newborns.     

Polarized secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 by human retinal pigment epithelial cells

A number of cell types situated along interfaces of various tissues and organs such as the peritoneum and the intestine have been shown to secrete inflammatory cytokines in a polarized fashion. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are positioned at the interface between the vascularized choroid and the avascular retina, forming part of the blood–retina barrier. These cells are potent producers of inflammatory cytokines and are therefore considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation. Whether cytokine secretion by these cells also follows a vectorial pattern is not yet known, and was therefore the subject of this study. Monolayers of human RPE cells (primary cultures and the ARPE-19 cell line) cultured on transwell filters were stimulated to produce IL-6 and IL-8 by adding IL-1β (100 U/ml) to either the upper or the lower compartment. After stimulation, the human RPE cell lines showed polarized secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 towards the basal side, irrespective of the side of stimulation. The ARPE-19 cell line also secreted IL-6 and IL-8 in a polarized fashion towards the basal side after basal stimulation; polarized secretion was, however, not apparent after apical stimulation. The observation that human RPE cells secrete IL-6 and IL-8 in a polarized fashion towards the choroid may represent a mechanism to prevent damage to the adjacent fragile retinal tissue.     

DHT对卵巢癌细胞IL-6、IL-8及其受体表达的调节作用

目的 初步探讨雄激素对卵巢癌细胞IL-6、IL-8及其受体表达的调节作用及作用机制.方法 选择兼有雄激素受体(AR)、IL-6和IL-8及其受体表达的卵巢癌细胞系SKOV-3和OVCAR-3作为研究模型,观察5a-二氢睾酮(DHT)对IL-6、IL-8及其受体表达以及NF-κB加转录的调节作用.结果 DHT可促进卵巢癌细胞IL-6、IL-8分泌及相应mRNA表达,并增强IL-6基因启动子的转录活性,DHT的上述作用可被AR阻断剂氟他胺完全阻断.DHT显著提高卵巢癌细胞NF-κB加亚单位p50、p65(RelA)mRNA的表达水平,其中对后者的作用与对IL-6、IL-8 mRNA的作用相平行.此外,DHT尚能调节IL-6、IL-8受体的表达.结论 雄激素可能通过NF-κB信号传导途径促进卵巢癌细胞IL-6、IL-8的分泌,同时对二者受体的表达也有一定的凋节作用.     

Clq诱导Raji和U937细胞产生IL－1ra

Ｃｌｑ刺激Ｒａｊｉ和Ｕ９３７细胞２４ｈ，其上清中含ＩＬ－１抑制活性。抗人ｒＩＬ－１ｒａ抗血清能识别上清中一个约２２～２４ＫＤ的蛋白分子，并可中和其ＩＬ－１抑制活性，证实上清中的活性成份是ＩＬ－１ｒａ。Ｃｌｑ以特异、剂量依赖及可饱和的方式诱导这些细胞产生ＩＬ－１ｒａ，表明是Ｃｌｑ／ＣｌｑＲ系统介导了ＩＬ－１ｒａ的产生。资料提示：Ｃｌｑ／ＣｌｑＲ系统在炎症、免疫应答及细胞因子网络的调节中起重要作用。     

组胺对人结肠肥大细胞类胰蛋白酶释放的调节作用

探讨组胺对人结肠肥大细胞类胰蛋白酶释放的调节作用。经酶消化后获取人结肠组织肥大细胞,激发后行多种干预实验。用酶联免疫吸附试验法测定类胰蛋白酶。结果发现组胺可诱导人结肠肥大细胞释放类胰蛋白酶,浓度为100μg/L时组胺释放量最大,为基础值的3．5倍。浓度为10μg/L时对人肥大细胞的刺激强度与10mg/L的抗IgE抗体相似。组胺的作用从加样后10s开始,5min后完成。百日咳毒素和抗霉素A联合2．脱氧-D-葡萄糖可显著抑制组胺诱导人结肠肥大细胞释放类胰蛋白酶。100及1000μg/L的组胺与抗IgE抗体或离子载体钙同时加入细胞中,诱导类胰蛋白酶释放的能力低于组胺单独作用组。结论为组胺可激活人结肠肥大细胞,还以自身放大机制调节肥大细胞的脱颗粒过程。     

Hydrogen peroxide increases human leukocyte adhesion to porcine aortic endothelial cells via NFkappaB-dependent up-regulation of VCAM-1

Although a severe shortage of organs in transplantation can be overcome by using xenotransplantation of porcine donor organs, profound immune rejection to xenogeneic antigens remains a main obstacle. To elucidate the role of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) on xenogeneic immune responses, we investigated its effects on porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs). We found that H(2)O(2) can specifically induce vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression on PAECs, but little on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Furthermore, we further confirmed that H(2)O(2) induces activation of NFkappaB in PAECs, but not in HAECs. Interestingly, cell adhesion assay showed that U937, human promonocytic leukocyte, can adhere to PAECs in an H(2)O(2)-dependent manner and by using a neutralizing assay with anti-VCAM-1-specific antibodies, we also found that the interaction is mediated primarily by VCAM-1. Finally, we also demonstrated that up-regulation of VCAM-1 expression on PAECs by reactive oxygen species-producing HL-60, human leukemic neutrophil cells, could be significantly diminished by over-expressing an H(2)O(2)-removing catalase. In summary, our results suggest that NFkappaB-dependent porcine VCAM-1 expression by H(2)O(2) may promote interaction of human leukocyte to PAECs, and thus may play an important role on inducing xenogeneic immune responses.     

IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R and sgp130) in human pleural effusions: massive IL-6 production independently of underlying diseases

IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble gp130 (sgp130) levels were measured in sera and pleural effusions from 42 patients with metastatic carcinoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, tuberculosis, cardiac failure and miscellaneous diseases. Pleural IL-6 levels measured by ELISA were very high in all patient groups (mean 34.8 ± 15.3 ng/ml) without significant difference according to diseases. IL-6 was shown to be biologically active in a proliferative assay. Serum IL-6 levels were low (0.049 ± 0.014 ng/ml) and did not correlate with pleural fluid levels. Pleural IL-6 levels correlated with the number of polymorphonuclear cells in pleural fluid (P< 0.03). Pleural sIL-6R levels (76 ± 8 ng/ml) were always lower than serum levels (196 ± 12 ng/ml; P< 0.0001) but correlated with them (P< 0.01). Pleural sIL-6R and albumin levels correlated (P< 0.01), suggesting a transudation of sIL-6R from the serum. Pleural sgp130 levels (10.9 ± 1.0 ng/ml) were lower than serum levels (24.6 ± 2.8 ng/ml; P< 0.002). After gel filtration of pleural fluid, the bulk of IL-6 (>90%) was recovered in a 15 000–30 000 fraction, corresponding to the expected mol. wt of free IL-6. These results suggest a production and a sequestration of IL-6 in the pleural cavity in all studied conditions.     

IL-6 promotes immune responses in human ulcerative colitis and induces a skin-homing phenotype in the dendritic cells and Tcells they stimulate

Dendritic cells (DCs) control the type and location of immune responses. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is considered a Th2 disease mediated by IL-13 where up to one third of patients can develop extraintestinal manifestations. Colonic biopsies from inflamed and noninflamed areas of UC patients were cultured in vitro and their supernatants were used to condition human blood enriched DCs from healthy controls. Levels of IL-13 in the culture supernatants were below the detection limit in most cases and the cytokine profile suggested a mixed profile rather than a Th2 cytokine profile. IL-6 was the predominant cytokine found in inflamed areas from UC patients and its concentration correlated with the Mayo endoscopic score for severity of disease. DCs conditioned with noninflamed culture supernatants acquired a regulatory phenotype with decreased stimulatory capacity. However, DCs conditioned with inflamed culture supernatants acquired a proinflammatory phenotype with increased expression of the skin-homing chemokine CCR8. These DCs did not have decreased T-cell stimulatory capacity and primed T cells with the skin-homing CLA molecule in an IL-6-dependent mechanism. Our results highlight the role of IL-6 in UC and question the concept of UC as a Th2 disease and the relevance of IL-13 in its etiology.     

脂多糖刺激下大鼠腹膜间质细胞IL-18、IL-6的表达和氧化应激的影响

目的:研究脂多糖刺激下大鼠腹膜间皮细胞(RPMC)IL-18、IL-6和氧化应激产物丙二醛(MDA)的表达。方法:原代培养RPMC,用不同浓度脂多糖(1、10、100 mg/L)刺激RPMC 6 h;10 mg/L脂多糖刺激RPMC 3、6、12、24 h。用real time-PCR法检测IL-18mRNA的表达,ELISA法检测细胞上清液中IL-18和IL-6的蛋白水平,硫代巴比妥酸法检测细胞中MDA的含量。结果:与正常对照组比较,脂多糖刺激下RPMC IL-18、IL-6和MDA的表达明显增加(P<0.05),且呈浓度依赖性;随着刺激时间的延长,上述指标呈递增趋势,IL-18于12 h达高峰。结论:脂多糖刺激下RPMC促炎症因子IL-18、炎症因子IL-6及氧化应激产物MDA的表达均增加,引起持续放大的炎症氧化反应,损伤腹膜导致超滤失败。     

Autostimulatory effects of IL-6 on excessive B cell differentiation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: analysis of IL-6 production and IL-6R expression.

Introducing avidin-biotin complex ELISA for anti-DNA antibody, the mechanism of in vitro production of anti-ssDNA antibody as well as of polyclonal immunoglobulin mediated by an IL-6-IL-6R loop was studied in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Regardless of the presence or absence of T cells, B cells from SLE patients could produce IgG anti-ssDNA antibody as well as total IgG without any stimulation. Low density B cells obtained by Percoll gradient density centrifugation responded to rIL-6 to produce IgG and IgG anti-ssDNA antibody. rIL-2 and rIL-4 had lesser effects on the differentiation of low density B cells. In fact, IL-6R was preferentially expressed on low density B cells from active SLE patients, as detected by anti-IL-6R MoAb, MT18, which did not inhibit IL-6 binding. SLE B cells, especially high density B cells, produced greater amounts of IL-6 in culture supernatants than did T cells, regardless of whether disease was active or inactive. Normal T cells and B cells did not produce significant amounts of IL-6. Thus, endogenous IL-6 produced by high density B cells bound to the IL-6R preferentially expressed on the low density B cells, and drove them into terminal differentiation, especially in active SLE patients. Further, addition of polyclonal anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-6R MoAb (PM1), which inhibited IL-6 binding, both inhibited IgG anti-ssDNA antibody as well as total IgG production by SLE B cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that interruption of the autocrine IL-6 loop would be of therapeutic value in SLE.     

IL-27 regulates IL-4-induced chemokine production in human bronchial epithelial cells

IL-4 coordinates the Th2-type immune response in inflammatory diseases such as asthma. IL-27 can inhibit the development of both Th2 and Th1 cells. However, IL-27 can also drive naïve T cells to differentiate toward the Th1 phenotype. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-27 on the activation of IL-4-induced human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). Compared to controls, both IL-4 and IL-27 (25–100 ng/mL) increased the concentrations of CCL2 and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. However, compared to cells stimulated individually with IL-4 or IL-27, treatment with a combination of both cytokines reduced CCL2 and IL-8 concentrations in a dose- and time-dependent manner. IL-4 increased the activation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, STAT6 and NF-κB, while IL-27 increased the activation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 but not STAT6 and NF-κB. Compared to IL-4-stimulated cells, cells treated with both IL-27 and IL-4 displayed decreased activation of STAT6 and NF-κB but not ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-27 plays a pro-inflammatory role when administered alone but downregulates bronchial epithelial cell activation when combined with IL-4. Therefore, IL-27 may be an interesting target for the treatment of Th2 inflammatory diseases.     

Antibodies to proteinase 3 increase adhesion of neutrophils to human endothelial cells.

The detection of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), especially those with specificity for proteinase 3, is important in the diagnosis and in monitoring disease activity of Wegener's granulomatosis and related vasculitides. An ubiquitous feature of all ANCA-associated acute vascular injury is lytic necrosis. Adhesion of neutrophils to endothelium is a fundamental early step of the inflammatory response. Recently we were able to show that ANCA recognize their target antigen (proteinase 3) translocated into the membrane of human endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ANCA on the adhesion of neutrophils to human endothelial cells. Incubation of endothelial cells with affinity-purified antibodies to proteinase 3 (IgG- and F(ab')2-fractions) led to a marked increase of neutrophil adhesion, with a peak after 4 h and a rapid decrease after 8 h. This effect could be inhibited by preincubation of the endothelial cells with an antibody to endothelial-leucocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1). Incubation with antibodies to proteinase 3 also led to an increase of endothelial ELAM-1 expression as measured in a cyto-ELISA and by flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate a direct effect of ANCA on neutrophil-endothelial interactions. The enhanced adhesion of neutrophils occurs time-dependently via induction of ELAM-1 expression on the surface of endothelial cells. Our data give a hint of an ANCA-mediated mechanism of endothelial injury via induction of neutrophil adhesion to vascular endothelium in Wegener's granulomatosis and other ANCA-related vasculitides.     

IL-6 induces hepatic inflammation and collagen synthesis in vivo.

IL-6 regulates the synthesis of a broad spectrum of acute phase proteins in the liver. Also, it is involved in the pathogenesis of many fibrogenic diseases. To study the inflammatory effects of IL-6 on the liver in vivo, human rIL-6, produced in Escherichia coli, was injected intraperitoneally into rats (25 micrograms/100 g body weight). The major fraction of injected IL-6 was accumulated in the liver within 40 min, and the number of platelets was increased during 72 h after injection. After 5 weeks of injection, the levels of serum glutamine pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were not changed, but they were significantly elevated at 13 weeks of treatment. Meanwhile, serum albumin levels were slightly decreased compared with those of controls. The same phenomena were observed in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats. Collagen synthesis was increased in the liver tissues and in the culture supernatants of hepatic lipocytes isolated from the rats treated with IL-6 for 13 weeks. Histological analysis correlated well with biochemical analysis. At 5 weeks of treatment, only mild pathological changes were observed, but severe hepatocyte necrosis and the accumulation of fibres in necrotic area were developed in the liver of IL-6-treated rats after 13 weeks of treatment, confirming that hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were developed. IL-6 activities in the sera and in the culture supernatants of lipocytes from IL-6-treated rats were elevated compared with those in controls. These biochemical and pathological data indicate that IL-6 can induce hepatic inflammation, and it has important roles in the pathogenesis of fibrosis and diseases of the liver in vivo. In addition, these results will provide useful information for the clinical trials of IL-6.     

白细胞介素-6诱导相关新基因LX3的细胞定位研究

目的 研究IL-6诱导相关新基因KX3在真核细胞内的表达定位。方法构建真核融合表达载体pEGFP-N1／LX3,运用Lipofectin转染293T和NIH3T3细胞。共聚焦荧光显微镜检测GFP荧光,以确定IL-6诱导相关新基因KX3在细胞内的表达定位情况。结果获得真核表达载体pEGFP-N1／LX3,并成功转染293T和NIH3T3细胞,共聚焦荧光显微镜观察了KX3-GFP在细胞内的荧光分布。结论IL-6诱导相关新基因在细胞内为全细胞分布。