Molecular diagnosis and therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis of a returned traveler from Mexico

Leishmaniasis is prevalent in Southern Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, and Central and South America. Cutaneous leishmaniasis may spontaneously heal over time without treatment; however, risk of visceral dissemination and the impact of cosmetic defect are important concerns. We report a Case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient who ever traveled to Mexico before the onset of a deteriorating wound around the swollen left eyebrow. A diagnosis of infection with Leishmania mexicana was made based on histopathological examination and molecular identification. Systemic treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and ketoconazole were administered with gradual healing of the lesion. Also, this traveler case implicates that the spread of endemic parasitic diseases may be a concealed risk on the public health for Taiwan underlying globalization.     

Viral kinetics are associated with changes in cytokines and chemokines in serum and target organs of SSM-CVB3-infected macaques

Objective

To determine the relationship between viral kinetics and the expression patterns for different cytokines and chemokines in the serum and organs of coxsackievirus B3 (SSM-CVB3)-infected macaques over the course of infection.

Methods

SSM-CVB3 levels in serum and organs were measured using the Spearman–Karber 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀) method. Cytokine and chemokine levels in the serum and organs were measured by indirect-ELISA.

Results

Low viral titers were detected in the serum samples on the first day post-inoculation (p.i.) and peaked at 6 to 10 days p.i. in the serum samples from five macaques. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-17α, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1 and MIP-1β were detected each day and, similar to the viral titers, peaked at 6 to 10 days. IL-10 was only detected on days 10 to 14 p.i. Additionally, higher viral titers and relative viral mRNA levels were associated with higher cytokine and chemokine levels in selected tissues from infected macaques including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and brain.

Conclusion

The results indicate that patterns of cytokine and chemokine response are associated with viral kinetics in the serum and target organs of SSM-CVB3-infected macaques, suggesting that the changes in cytokines and chemokines could help further our understanding of the progress of CVB3 infections in clinical settings.     

Therapeutic failure in American cutaneous leishmaniasis is associated with gelatinase activity and cytokine expression

Cutaneous lesions caused by Leishmania braziliensis infection occasionally heal spontaneously, but with antimonials therapy heal rapidly in approximately 3 weeks. However, about 15% of the cases require several courses of therapy. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 are gelatinases that have been implicated in other chronic cutaneous diseases and skin re-epithelialization. These enzymes are controlled by their natural inhibitors [tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs)] and by some cytokines. Uncontrolled gelatinase activity may result in intense tissue degradation and, consequently, poorly healing wounds. The present study correlates gelatinase activity to therapeutic failure of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) lesions. Our results demonstrate an association between gelatinase activity and increased numbers of cells making interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in lesions from poor responders. Conversely, high levels of MMP-2 mRNA and enhanced MMP-2 : TIMP-2 ratios were associated with a satisfactory response to antimonials treatment. Additionally, high gelatinolytic activity was found in the wound beds, necrotic areas in the dermis and within some granulomatous infiltrates. These results indicate the importance of gelatinase activity in the skin lesions caused by CL. Thus, we hypothesize that the immune response profile may be responsible for the gelatinase activity pattern and may ultimately influence the persistence or cure of CL lesions.     

Camphor elicits up-regulation of hepatic and pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines via activation of NF-kB in rats

Consumption of camphor infusions is widely used as an aphrodisiac in preparation for sexual intercourse, to boost performance. There is dearth of information associating or relating its consumption to liver or lung inflammation. Therefore, we investigated the effect of various doses of camphor in an acute study, on hepatic and pulmonary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in male wistar rats. Following administration, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor significantly increase liver and lung levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in a dose dependent manner compared with control, while interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels were significantly increased only by 1000 and 4000 mg/kg body weight camphor in liver and lung respectively, compared with control. Also compared with control, camphor administration resulted in a significant increase in the expressions of hepatic and pulmonary nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) or CCL5, and monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in a dose dependent manner. It is therefore advised that the use and consumption of camphor should be with caution as it could trigger liver and lung inflammation via activation of NF-kB and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators.     

Up-regulated expression of MICA and proinflammatory cytokines in skin biopsies from patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a disease of unknown etiopathogenesis that affects 5% of the population. In this study, we investigated expression of mRNA for IL-1 alpha, IL-6, IL-4, IFN-gamma, and the stress-inducible MICA molecule in skin biopsies from 12 patients with moderate to severe seborrhoeic dermatitis and 2 healthy volunteers by RT-PCR and hybridization with specific probes. Eight patients expressed INF-gamma, 2 expressed IL-6, 8 expressed IL-1 alpha, and 2 expressed IL-4 (1 with moderate disease). Eight patients expressed inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 alpha, IL-6, and/or IFN-gamma) in healthy skin. Higher cytokine mRNA in damaged vs healthy skin was also observed, suggesting the existence of an inflammation that predisposes healthy skin to develop overt disease. Up-regulated expression of MICA mRNA was observed in 8 patients. Although the pathogenesis of seborrhoeic dermatitis remains to be elucidated, expression of cytotoxicity-activating ligands (MICA), recruitment of NK cells, and a local pro-inflammatory microenvironment may facilitate the development of tissue injury.     

Inflammatory chemokines and their receptors in human visceral leishmaniasis: Gene expression profile in peripheral blood,splenic cellular sources and their impact on trafficking of inflammatory cells

Chemokines play an important role in determining cellular composition at inflammatory sites, and as such, influence disease outcome. In this study, we investigated the expression profile and splenic cellular source of various inflammatory chemokines and their receptors in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The expression of chemokines or their receptors was measured at the gene and protein level by employing real time qPCR and a cytometric bead array assay, respectively. In addition, the cellular source of chemokines and their receptors in the spleen was identified employing gene expression analyses in sequentially selected cell subsets. We identified elevated expression of CXCL10, CXCL9, CXCL8, and decreased CCL2 from VL patients. Further, we found reduced expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3 and CCR2, but increased expression of CCR7 on VL PBMC, compared to endemic healthy controls. Additionally, splenic monocytes were found to be the major source of CXCL10, CXCL9 and CCR2, whereas T cells were the main source of CXCR3 and CCR7. We also report a strong association between plasma IFN-γ and CXCL-10, CXCL-9 levels. Enhanced parasite burden positively correlates with increased expression of CXCL10, CXCL9, IFN-γ and IL-10. Overall our result indicates that VL patients have an elevated inflammatory chemokine milieu which correlated with disease severity. However, expression of their chemokine receptors was significantly impaired, which may have contributed to reduced frequencies of blood monocytes and neutrophils in peripheral blood. In contrast, enhanced expression of CCR7 was associated with increased numbers of activated T cells in circulation. These findings highlight the importance of chemokines for recruitment of various cell populations in VL, and the knowledge gained may help in global understandings of the complex interaction between chemokines and pathological processes, and therefore will contribute towards the design of novel chemokine based immunological therapies against VL.     

The mRNA expression profile of cytokines connected to the regulation of melanocyte functioning in vitiligo skin biopsy samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The expression pattern of several genes associated with different processes in melanocytes, including melanogenesis, is changed in vitiligo patients. We evaluated possible changes in the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 family cytokines (IL26, IL-28A, IL28B, IL29), their receptor subunits (IL20RB, IL22RA2, IL28RA), and genes potentially related to functioning of melanocytes (MDM1, IFNA1, IFNB1, IFNG, and ICAM1) in the case of vitiligo. We observed mRNA expression in vitiligo patients' and controls' skin and peripheral blood mononuclear cells using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA expression pattern of IL20RB, IL22RA2, IL-28A, IL28B, IL28RA, MDM1, IFNA1, IFNB1, IFNG, and ICAM1 changed in vitiligo skin and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) compared with controls. All of these genes may potentially be involved in vitiligo pathogenesis through controlling or participating in different pathways that regulate survival/apoptosis, development and migration of melanocytes, and melanogenesis. This study presents additional support for our previous findings about the importance of IL-10 family cytokines in vitiligo, in particular the possible involvement of IL-22. Further studies should be considered.     

哮喘豚鼠IL-5、IL-3、GM-CSF mRNA表达及雷公藤内酯醇的影响

目的研究ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３、ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ在哮喘发病中的作用及雷公藤的干预。方法将实验豚鼠随机分为：①哮喘组（ｎ＝８）：用卵蛋白雾化吸入诱导哮喘模型；②处理组（ｎ＝８）：用雷公藤内酯醇腹腔注射处理哮喘模型；③正常对照组（ｎ＝８）。制备ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｃＤＮＡ探针，用斑点印迹杂交法检测以上三组豚鼠支气管肺组织ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｍＲＮＡ的表达。结果哮喘豚鼠支气管肺组织ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｍＲＮＡ表达显著高于对照组（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．００１）；雷公藤处理组ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｍＲＮＡ表达低于哮喘组（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．００１），与对照组无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论哮喘豚鼠肺组织中有明显的ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｍＲＮＡ表达增加。雷公藤内酯醇能抑制体内ＩＬ－５、ＩＬ－３和ＧＭ－ＣＳＦｍＲＮＡ的表达，可能在哮喘抗炎中具有潜在的临床价值。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞基因表达谱的研究

目的 分析慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血单个核细胞差异表达基因，探索慢性乙型肝炎形成的分子机制。方法 应用含14000条人体cDNA的微阵列芯片和来自外周血单个核细胞的标记cDNA，分析了10例慢性乙型肝炎患者和10例健康人基因表达谱。通过应用GenePix 4000B扫描仪和ImaGene3．0分析软件比较cy5标记的慢性乙型肝炎来源cDNA与Cy3标记的健康人来源cDNA的杂交结果，获得个体基因的相对表达比值。结果 在分析的14000条基因中，差异表达的基因有92条，占0．66％。其中51条基因表达水平显著上调，41条基因表达水平显著下调。这些差异表达的基因主要为细胞信号转导，细胞周期和代谢，凋亡及炎症相关类基因。结论 在乙型肝炎病毒致慢性乙型肝炎过程中，涉及到了众多基因的差异表达，为进一步阐明慢性乙型肝炎形成的分子机制提供基础。     

Abnormal expression of intracellular cytokines and chemokine receptors in peripheral blood T lymphocytes from patients with systemic sclerosis

In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), there are conflicting findings regarding which is predominant between type 1 and type 2 immune responses. To determine the balance between type 1 and type 2 T lymphocytes in peripheral blood from SSc patients, we investigated the expression of intracellular cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, and IL-13, and chemokine receptors such as CXCR3 and CCR4 by flow cytometry. The frequency of IFN-gamma-producing cells among CD8+ cells was significantly increased in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (n = 11, P < 0.0001) and limited cutaneous SSc (lSSc; n= 16, P < 0.0001) compared with normal controls (n = 17) while there was no significant difference in the frequency of IL-4- or IL-13-producing cells. In contrast, the frequency of IFN-gamma- or IL-4-producing cells among CD4+ cells was similar between the three groups. Similar results were obtained when absolute numbers were assessed. The frequency of IFN-gamma-producing cells among CD8+ cells inversely correlated with percentage DLco in SSc patients (r = - 0.650, P < 0.005). CXCR3+ CD8+ cells selectively produced IFN-gamma, and the frequency of CXCR3+ CD45RO+ cells among CD8+ cells was higher in lSSc patients (n = 14, P < 0.01) than in normal controls (n = 22). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the frequencies of CXCR3- or CCR4-expressing CD45RO+ cells among CD4+ cells. These results demonstrate the predominance of type 1 cytokine-producing cells (Tc1 cells) in peripheral blood CD8+ T cells from SSc patients, but no definite Th1/Th2 imbalance in CD4+ T cells. Tc1 cells may be associated with pulmonary vascular damage in SSc.     

索拉非尼对敏感人肝癌细胞株MAPK信号通路基因表达的影响

 目的：筛选对索拉非尼敏感的人肝癌细胞株,检测索拉非尼作用于敏感细胞株后MAPK信号通路基因表达谱的变化。方法：索拉非尼作用于人肝癌细胞株Huh7、 MHCC97H、 HepG2 、SMCC7721、 HepG2.2.15和PLC,流式细胞术检测肝癌细胞凋亡,CCK-8测定细胞增殖的抑制率,筛选敏感肝癌细胞株;采用实时定量PCR基因芯片,观察索拉非尼作用于敏感细胞株前后MAPK信号通路基因的表达。结果：索拉非尼作用后,流式细胞术的结果显示,凋亡较明显的细胞株为PLC和HepG2.2.15,相对不明显的细胞株为SMCC7721和MHCC97H;CCK-8测定索拉非尼对PLC、HepG2.2.15、Huh7、HepG2、MHCC97H和SMCC7721细胞的IC50值分别为5.25 μmol/L、5.30 μmol/L、6.80 μmol/L、7.01 μmol/L、11.7 μmol/L和15.0 μmol/L。对索拉非尼相对敏感细胞株和不敏感细胞株分别为PLC和SMCC7721。索拉非尼作用敏感细胞株PLC后,MAPK信号通路表达 >2.0倍的有2个,≤0.5倍的有6个。结论：PLC为对索拉非尼相对敏感的人肝癌细胞株;索拉非尼主要导致MAPK信号通路中与调控细胞周期和活化转录因子相关的基因表达发生变化。     

Anti-inflammatory action of angiotensin 1-7 in experimental colitis may be mediated through modulation of serum cytokines/chemokines and immune cell functions

We recently demonstrated Ang 1–7 reduced inflammation in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis model. In this study we examined the effect of Ang 1–7 on modulation of plasma levels of selected cytokines and chemokines and immune cell effector functions (apoptosis, chemotaxis and superoxide release) in vitro. The degree of neutrophil recruitment to the colon was assessed by immunofluorescence and myeloperoxidase activity. Daily Ang 1–7 treatment at 0.01 mg/kg dose which previously ameliorated colitis severity, showed a significant reduction in circulating levels of several cytokines and chemokines, and neutrophil recruitment to the colonic tissue. It also significantly enhanced immune cell apoptosis, and reduced neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide release in vitro. In contrast, daily administration of the Ang 1–7R antagonist A779 which previously worsened colitis severity showed significant up-regulation of specific mediators. Our results demonstrate a novel anti-inflammatory action of Ang 1–7 through modulation of plasma levels of cytokines/chemokines and immune cell activity.     

Analysis of costimulation by 4-1BBL,CD40L,and B7 in graft rejection by gene expression profiles

Recent studies affirm costimulatory blockade as a beneficial means of preventing allograft rejection. The precise molecular effects of these pathways, however, are not entirely understood. A striking example is in the costimulatory pathways, 4-1BB/4-1BBL, CD40/CD40L, and B7/CD28. Blocking any one of these prolongs graft survival, yet each operates via distinct immunomodulatory signals. To examine the mechanistic relationships among these signals, our approach was a comprehensive investigation of their molecular constituents. Using a model of heterotopic heart transplantation in mice with a costimulatory pathway deficiency, we analyzed the expression profiles of a large panel of immune and inflammatory genes using ribonuclease protection assays coupled with algorithms. We found that while graft survival was prolonged in all groups, each pathway modulates a unique profile of expressed genes. There were 19 genes, for example, with significant changes in expression compared to the control, yet none of these were similarly modulated in all three groups. Our study reveals that despite similar delays of allograft rejection, the molecular basis for this effect is distinct in all three costimulatory pathways. Furthermore, we underscore the existence of numerous molecular mechanisms affecting graft survival. This, in turn, provides crucial implications for clinical treatment post-transplant where inhibitors would be designed to target multiple mechanisms.     

变异链球菌临床株乳酸脱氢酶mRNA水平的表达研究

目的 分析来自不同龋敏感人群变异链球菌不同基因型乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）的基因表达差异,探讨mRNA水平上基因表达与蛋白生物学功能及细菌致龋性的关系.方法 应用半定量RT-PCR两步法和凝胶成像系统定量软件分析,分别对20株来自不同基因型的LDH进行基因表达水平差异的评价和比较.结果 两种不同基因型LDH的mRNA表达水平不同（P＜0.05）,表现为低酶活性的B基因型1dh表达高;高龋和无龋菌株1dh表达的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 变异链球菌乳酸脱氢酶基因表达水平具有遗传异质性,产酸因子1dh基因表达高低与龋病活跃性不呈正相关关系.     

Gene expression in the muscle and central nervous system following intramuscular inoculation of encapsidated or naked poliovirus replicons

The spread of intramuscularly inoculated poliovirus to the central nervous system (CNS) has been documented in humans, monkeys, and mice transgenic for the human poliovirus receptor. Poliovirus spread is thought to be due to infection of the peripheral nerve and retrograde transport of poliovirus through the axon to the neuron cell body, where final virus uncoating occurs and translation/replication ensues. In previous studies, we have shown that polio-based vectors (replicons) can be used for gene delivery to motor neurons of the CNS. Using a replicon that encodes green fluorescent protein (GFP), we found that following intrathecal inoculation, GFP expression was confined to motorneurons of the spinal cord. To further characterize the gene expression of poliovirus in the periphery and CNS, we have intramuscularly inoculated transgenic mice with poliovirus replicons encoding GFP. Expression of GFP was demonstrated in the muscle, sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglion, and the ventral horn motorneurons following intramuscular inoculation. There was no evidence of paralysis or behavioral abnormalities in the mice following intramuscular inoculation of the replicon encoding GFP. Injection of replicon RNA alone (naked RNA) into the muscle of transgenic mice or rats, which do not express the poliovirus receptor, also resulted in expression of GFP in the muscle, sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglion, and ventral horn motorneurons, indicating that transport of the replicon RNA from the periphery to CNS had occurred. GFP expression was found in the muscles and sciatic nerve as early as 6 h after injection of replicons or replicon RNA, even after sciatic nerve section. Analysis at longer times postinjection revealed GFP expression similar to 6 h levels in the cut sciatic nerves and robust expression in the nerves of uncut animals. The infection and expression of GFP in the CNS following intramuscular inoculation of encapsidated replicons encoding GFP occurred in juvenile or adult animals. The expression of GFP in the CNS of juvenile animals was more intense and lasted for up to 5 weeks, in contrast to the duration of expression of approximately 96 h for adult animals. The results of these studies establish that poliovirus replicon RNA is expressed locally within the sciatic nerve and transported from the periphery to the CNS via axonal transport and support the potential of replicons for gene delivery to the CNS.