Secretion of tumor-promoting and immune suppressive cytokines by cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Cytokine profiles of permanent cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were analyzed to define the cytokine levels secreted in the absence of immune cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytokine profiles of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were analyzed in the supematants of 4 different permanent HNSCC cell lines using the Bio-Plex human cytokine assay system. RESULTS: In HNSCC, IL-6 and IL-8 are involved in oncogenic processes, while IL-4 and IL-10 suppress proper immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Our data indicate that, in the absence of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, HNSCC secretes high levels of the proto-oncogenic cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, but no significant levels of the immune suppressors IL-4 and IL-10. CONCLUSION: The data strongly suggest that the intercellular crosstalk between cells of HNSCC and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in vivo is required to stimulate an increased production of immune suppressive mediators in head and neck cancer.     

Immunological activation of human umbilical cord blood mast cells induces tryptase secretion and interleukin-6, and histidine decarboxilase mRNA gene expression.

Allergy is the result of a complex immune cascade leading to the disregulated production of Th2 cytokines, the generation of allergen-specific IgE-producing B cells and the subsequent activation and degranulation of mast cells upon allergen challenge. Mast cell effector function significantly influences the quantity, duration and magnitude of most allergic reactions. Here, using isolated human umbilical cord blood mast cells (HUCBMC) from CD34+ cells, activated with anti-IgE (10 microg/ml) in culture, we found an augmented release of IL-6, tryptase and histamine (p < 0.01 compared with control). In addition, in these cells anti-IgE (10 microg/ml) activated the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and IL-6. In these studies we describe a new biological activity of anti-IgE in inducing histidine decarboxylase and IL-6, suggesting that this cytokine may have an important effect on allergic and inflammatory diseases mediated by mast cells. Moreover, with these data we confirm the immunoregulatory and inflammatory function of mast cells.     

Different roles of IL-15 from IL-2 in differentiation and activation of human CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cells from cord blood in long term culture

The abundantly available source of stem cells and the low incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) made cord blood an attractive alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation. Besides T cell and NK cell, NKT cell played an important role in low incidence of GVHD during allogeneic transplantation. IL-2 and IL-15 can stimulate T cell and NK cell proliferation, survival and activation in vitro. But they exhibited different effects on the GVHD during allogeneic transplantation. In this study, we explored the different effects of exogenous IL-2 and IL-15 on the expansion of CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cells by in vitro long term culture of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs). The results showed that CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cells were derived from CD34-CD56- CBMCs and IL-2 improved CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cell expansion more strongly than IL-15. Interestingly, CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cells from IL-15-cocultured CBMCs had significantly lower apoptotic frequency and higher levels of activation markers (CD161, CD25, and IFN-gamma) than those from IL-2-cocultured CBMCs. The anti-apoptotic and activating effects of IL-15 on CD3+CD56+ NKT-like cells from CBMCs might possibly explain the pathogenic role of IL-15 in GVHD during allogeneic transplantation.     

Enhanced in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of umbilical cord blood cells against human breast cancer following activation with IL-15 and colony stimulating factors

BACKGROUND: Cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC) are a rich source of precursor cytotoxic effector cells. Earlier we have shown that interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated MNC from cord blood have significant cytotoxic activity against human leukemia and breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, compared to MNC from peripheral blood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to further improve the antitumor cytotoxic ability of cord blood MNC, IL-2 was combined with IL-15 and colony stimulating factors GMCSF, G-CSF and M-CSF for the activation. The activated cells were examined for their cytotoxic effects in vitro against human breast cancer cell lines MDA-231, MDA453 and SKB43 and in vivo against MDA-231 grown in SCID mice. Phenotypes of these activated cells were determined using flow cytometry. The expression of immune response related genes in activated cells was measured using RT-PCR techniques. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in cytotoxicity of the effector cells activated with IL-2, IL-15 and some colony stimulating factors compared to cells activated with each of these cytokines alone or other combinations. Our results demonstrated the increase in cytotoxicity appears to be due to: 1) increase in CD56-positive cytotoxic cells; 2) cytokine/cytotoxic factors produced by the effector cells, such as Interferon-7 and Perforin; 3) stimulation by accessory cells, such as dendritic cells. In vivo administration of in vitro-activated cord blood cells into SCID mice bearing MDA-231 tumors reduced the number of metastases and increased survival compared to untreated tumor bearing controls. CONCLUSION: The combination of IL-2 with IL-15 and CSF is better for the activation of cord blood effector cells than to IL-2 alone.     

Immune reconstitution after autologous hematopoietic transplantation with Lin-, CD34+, Thy-1lo selected or intact stem cell products

In sequential studies, we compared immune reconstitution following high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) and stem cell transplantation (SCT) using intact mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PSC) in intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients and CD34(+), lineage-negative (Lin(-)), Thy-1(lo) (CD34(+)Lin(-)Thy-1(lo)) stem cells in low-grade NHL patients. Cytokine expression and cellular phenotype and function were used as the basis of comparison. Despite differences in cellular composition of the stem cell grafts, immune reconstitution in both groups was similar. Significantly higher levels of type 1- and 2-associated cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were observed both prior to and following transplant in the peripheral blood (PB) of both cohorts as compared to normal individuals. Similar levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) were seen in PB mononuclear cells following transplant with either product. In contrast, patients receiving isolated CD34(+)Lin(-)Thy-1(lo) cells expressed significantly higher IL-2 levels at all times examined post-transplant. Despite the high levels of cytokine gene expression and rapid restoration to pretransplant levels of CD3 cell number by day 30, T cell function and CD4:CD8 and CD4(+)CD45RA:CD4(+)CD45RO(+) ratios were significantly depressed in both cohorts compared to normal donors, and significantly lower in patients transplanted with CD34(+)Lin(-)Thy-1(lo) compared to patients receiving an intact PSC product. These data suggest that the peripheral tolerance in patients receiving HDT and an autologous SCT occurs independent of graft composition, although immune function and CD4 recovery are better facilitated by transplantation of an intact product.     

Refinement of the colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) assay for its application to pharmaco-toxicological testing.

In vitro colony-forming unit (CFU) assays can be used in the evaluation of potentially haematotoxic compounds during preclinical testing. The use of undifferentiated haematopoietic cells, able to proliferate and commit towards a specific blood cell lineage, enable selective toxicity to be detected. We optimized the colony-forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) assay for toxicological applications. We used a collagen-based colony-forming assay to examine the sensitivity of four cell types: mononuclear human cord blood cells (CBC), mononuclear human bone marrow cells (BMC), cord blood enriched CD34+CD38- cells, and bone marrow enriched CD34+CD38- cells, to the toxic effects of five drugs known to cause thrombocytopenia in humans. The enrichment of CD34+CD38- cells was achieved by using a negative cell separation technique. Our results showed that a comparable toxicity was detected both with CBC, BMC and CD34+CD38- cells enriched from cord blood, whereas CD34+CD38- cells from bone marrow were more resistant to some drugs. The assay showed a high reproducibility of the endpoint measured (IC(50)), independently of the cell type used and donor source. The present study demonstrates that the refined CFU-MK assay is reproducible and can be used for in vitro toxicology studies with CBC as well as BMC.     

多抗甲素对脐血树突状细胞体外扩增、成熟的影响

目的观察多抗甲素(polyactin A,PA)对脐血树突状细胞(dendritic cell,DC)体外扩增、成熟的影响。方法分别用加有PA、GM-CSF+TNF-α+IL-4(GTI)及GTI+PA(GTIP)的RPMI-1640培养液体外诱导培养脐血单核细胞,培养d7,Elivision免疫组化方法检测各组细胞CD1a、CD83、HLA-DR、CD34抗原表达情况,透射电镜观察细胞形态。结果PA组、GTI组及GTIP组均有一定数量的典型DC,电镜观察该细胞表面有大量粗细不等的树枝状突起;PA组CD1a+、CD83+细胞比例分别达19·63%±3·61%、14·52%±5·79%,高于对照组(即单纯培养液组);GTIP组CD1a+细胞比例升高最明显,高于GTI组。结论PA不仅能促进脐血DC体外扩增、成熟,还能协同GM-CSF、TNF-α、IL-4促进DC生成,PA是一种实用的DC活化剂。     

Aging influences the response of T cells to stimulation by the ellagitannin,oenothein B

Several plant extracts, including certain polyphenols, prime innate lymphocytes and enhance responses to secondary stimuli. Oenothein B, a polyphenol isolated from Epilobium angustifolium and other plant sources, enhances IFNγ production by both bovine and human NK cells and T cells, alone and in response to secondary stimulation by cytokines or tumor cells. Innate immune cell responsiveness is known to be affected by aging, but whether polyphenol responses by these cells are also impacted by aging is not known. Therefore, we examined oenothein B responsiveness in T cells from cord blood, young, and adult donors. We found that oenothein B stimulates bovine and human T cells from individuals over a broad range of ages, as measured by increased IL-2Rα and CD69 expression. However, clear differences in induction of cytokine production by T cells were seen. In T cells from human cord blood and bovine calves, oenothein B was unable to induce IFNγ production. However, oenothein B induced IFNγ production by T cells from adult humans and cattle. In addition, oenothein B induced GM-CSF production by human adult T cells, but not cord blood T cells. Within the responsive T cell population, we found that CD45RO + memory T cells expressed more cytokines in response to oenothein B than CD45RO − T cells. In summary, our data suggest that the immunostimulation of T cells by oenothein B is influenced by age, particularly with respect to immune cytokine production.     

人脐血CD34^ 内皮祖细胞的体外分化

目的：研究人脐血CD34^ 细胞群体中内皮祖细胞在体外分化为内皮细胞的过程中,干细胞标志以及内皮细胞表型随时间的变化。方法：将免疫磁珠细胞分选法（MACS）得到的CD34^ 细胞体外培养于纤连蛋白和无纤连蛋白处理的培养皿中,以免疫细胞化学鉴定贴壁细胞的内皮标志Flk-1和vWF,并以流式细胞仪分析其干细胞标志AC133。结果：贴壁细胞的内皮标志Flk-1和vWF是逐步出现的,d3时有27.0%贴壁细胞表达Flk-1,vWF不表达,d7时已100%表达vWF和Flk-1,纤连蛋白促进贴壁细胞内皮标志Flk-1和vWF的表达,d3时的表达百分率分别为34.0%和47.0%,d7时Flk-1和vWF的表达均为100%,在培养过程中,AC133阳性细胞的比例迅速下降,但纤连蛋白对AC133的表达无显著影响。结论：在内皮祖细胞分化的过程中,干细胞标志迅速消失,向内皮细胞分化,内皮细胞的表型是逐步出现的,纤连蛋白促进内皮祖细胞的分化。     

脐血细胞生物学特性的研究

目的 :研究单份脐血造血干 /祖细胞 (HSC/ HPC)的质和量 ,脐血中的干细胞、免疫细胞的表型特征。方法 :收集 2 0份脐血 ,采用 6 %的羟乙基淀粉沉淀去除红细胞 (RBC) ,利用甲基纤维素半固体培养法培养和观察 HSC/ HPC的集落生成情况 ,以了解增殖能力 ,用流式细胞仪检测脐血 CD34 + CD38- 、CD34 + 、CD34 + CD38+ 细胞量及免疫细胞的表型特性。结果 :2 0份脐血采集量在 4 0 m L～ 16 5 m L 之间 ,均数为 (78± 2 3) m L。每次收集的有核细胞 (NC)数在 4 .8×10 8～ 4 .6× 10 9之间 ,均数为 (1.4 3± 0 .96 )× 10 9,NC的回收率为 86 .6 %。脐血中 CD34 + CD35-细胞数占 NC总数的 (0 .10 2± 0 .0 70 ) % ,平均为 (0 .12 0± 0 .0 90 )× 10 7/份 ,CD34 + 细胞占 NC总数的 (1.2 9± 0 .31) % ,平均为 (1.4 2± 0 .92 )×10 7个 /份 ,CFU- GM为 (2 .5 4± 2 .0 2 )× 10 6个 ,BFU- E为 (1.4 1± 1.39)× 10 6个 ,CFU- GEMM(1.6 0± 2 .30 )× 10 5个 ,CD4 + T细胞表达 CD4 5RA为 (89.95± 7.86 ) % ,CD8+ T细胞表达 CD4 5RA为 (99.5 8± 3.4 6 ) % ,均显著高于成人外周血 T淋巴细胞 (P<0 .0 1) ,结论 :单份脐血的 HSC/ HPC含量可以满足体重较轻的 (<5 0 kg成人和儿童患者移植的需要 ,体重 ) ,5 0 kg以上的     

ACUTE EXPOSURE TO MERCURY FROM AMALGAM: NO SHORT-TIME EFFECT ON THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES IN HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Mercury, released from dental amalgam, has been considered to adversely affect the human immune system. This study has been performed in order to evaluate if an acute low-dose mercury exposure, achieved by total amalgam removal in 10 healthy individuals, would affect the immunocompetent cells in human blood when the mercury level in blood and plasma was increasing. Induction of lymphocyte proliferation, measured as spontaneous de novo DNA synthesis, and total T cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells, was studied prior to and 7, 31, and 48 h after amalgam removal. In addition, the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum/ plasma were measured. Despite a significant increase of the plasma mercury levels within 24 h after intervention, no significant influence on the peripheral blood lymphocytes could be detected during the first 48 h. The serum IL-6 levels increased significantly within 48 h after intervention, but were still low and within normal range. No influence on the CRP levels up to 7 d after amalgam removal was detected.     

Capacity of CD34+ progenitor-derived dendritic cells to distinguish between sensitizers and irritants

In an attempt to develop an in vitro test to identify contact sensitizers, mostly dendritic cells (DCs) derived from monocytes (Mo-DC) have been used. Less is known about the potency of DC derived from CD34+ progenitors (CD34-DC) for in vitro allergen testing. CD34+ progenitor derived DC were exposed to nine well-known allergens (one weak, three moderate and five strong allergens) and two irritants. Surface marker expression (CD86, CD83 and HLA-DR) and cytokine production (IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha) were analyzed after 24 h exposure to these chemicals. All allergens tested induced a significant increase in at least one of the DC surface markers. In contrast, none of the irritants tested were able to significantly upregulate membrane marker expression in exposed DC. The level of upregulation of CD86, CD83 and HLA-DR was dependent on the nature and concentration of the chemical, but not on the classification of the allergen. Changes in cytokine production (IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-alpha) were not consistently related to exposure to an allergen. Based on these results, we conclude that the in vitro test using CD34-DC has the capacity to distinguish between allergens and irritants based on altered phenotypic characteristics.     

布鲁氏菌病患者外周血树突状细胞、Th1／Th2细胞因子含量的检测及意义

目的：观察布鲁氏菌病患者外周血树突状细胞表型、Th1／Th2细胞含量的检测及意义。方法选取诊治的布鲁氏菌病患者50例为病例组,另选取同期进行健康体检的正常人50例作为正常组。采用Real time-PCR测定2组Th1相关转录因子T细胞表达的T盒（T-bet）、GATA连接蛋白3（GATA-3）、维A酸相关核孤儿受体γt（RORγt）、叉头蛋白3（Foxp3）及Th1／Th2细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、干扰素γ（IFN-γ）、白介素6（IL-6）、白介素10（IL-10）mRNA含量。酶联免疫吸附实验（ELISA）测定TNF-α、IFN-γ、IL-6、IL-10蛋白表达及补体C3、C4含量。流式细胞术测定树突状细胞表型、Th1、Th2及T淋巴细胞亚群（ CD4＋T细胞、CD8＋T细胞、NK细胞）含量。结果病例组外周血Th1细胞相关转录因子T-bet、RORγt、Foxp3及Th1细胞、Th1／Th2、TNF-α、IFN-γ含量较对照组显著降低,Th2细胞及IL-6、IL-10含量较对照组显著升高,差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．05）;病例组CD8＋3、CD8＋0、CD8＋6阳性的树突状细胞比例、CD4＋T细胞、NK细胞及补体C3、C4含量较对照组显著降低,CD8＋T细胞含量较对照组显著升高,差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．05）;TNF-α、IFN-γ含量与CD4＋T细胞、NK细胞、C3、C4含量呈正相关性（ r值分别为2．879、3．214、3．255和2．978, P ＜0．05）,与CD8＋T细胞含量呈负相关性（ r值分别为－3．146和－3．011, P ＜0．05）。 IL-6、IL-10含量与CD4＋T细胞、NK细胞、C3、C4含量呈负相关性（ r值分别为－2．124、－2．343、－3．423、－2．789、－2．993、－2．566、－3．758, P ＜0．05）,与CD8＋T细胞含量呈正相关性（ r值分别为3．465、3．129, P ＜0．05）。结论布鲁氏菌病患者外周血成熟树突状细胞数目减少,同时Th1／Th2细胞及相关细胞因子失衡,且与机体天然免疫和细胞免疫功能降低有关,这可能在布鲁氏菌病发生发展过程中发挥重要作用。     

Immune response in liver transplantation: is there a preferential pattern in acute rejection?

To determine the immune factors involved in liver graft rejection, a study on 14 liver transplants was conducted. We have, in particular, studied CD4+CD7+ and CD8+CD38+ T cells in both liver tissue and blood of patients with and without acute rejection. Contemporarily, IL-2 and IL-4 secretion in both plasma and stimulated culture supernatants from hepatic T cells was evaluated. Early acute rejection was characterized by a higher expression of CD4+CD7+ and CD8+CD38+ T lymphocytes in the liver than in blood (p<0.001). Moreover, a preferential proinflammatory (Thl) cytokine profile was related to liver resident T cells in comparison with corresponding plasma (p<0.001). Conversely, in the patients without acute rejection CD4+CD7+ was higher in blood than in liver and the Th2-like cytokine profile characterized these subjects. Our data suggest that a preferential Th1 immune mechanism operates in a local fashion and may be involved in acute rejection.     

Human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells can be used as a prophylactic agent for experimental heatstroke

We attempted to assess the prophylactic effect of human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells in experimental heatstroke. Anesthetized rats, 1 day before heat stress, were divided into 2 major groups and given CD34(-) cells (defined by 1 x 10(6) human cord blood lymphocytes and monocytes that contained <0.2% CD34(+) cells) or CD34(+) cells (defined by 1 x 10(6) human cord blood lymphocytes and monocytes that contained >95% CD34(+) cells). They were exposed to ambient temperature of 43 degrees C for 70 min to induce heatstroke. When the CD34(-) cells-treated or untreated rats underwent heat stress, their survival time values were found to be 20-24 min. Pretreatment with CD34(+) cells significantly increased survival time (123-351 min). As compared with normothermic controls, all CD34(-) cells-treated heatstroke animals displayed hypotension, hepatic and renal failure, hypercoagulable state, activated inflammation, and cerebral ischemia and injury. However, these heatstroke reactions all were significantly suppressed by CD34(+) cells pretreatment. In addition, the levels of interleukin-10 in plasma and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors in brain were all significantly increased after CD34(+) cell administration during heatstroke. Our data indicate that human umbilical cord-derived CD34(+) cells can be used as a prophylactic agent for experimental heatstroke.     

脐血造血细胞扩增后细胞成分的变化

目的　探讨人脐血造血细胞体外扩增细胞数量和质量的变化及收获的最佳时机。方法　用重组人白细胞介素 - 3(rh IL- 3)、粒单集落刺激因子 (GM- CSF)和重组促红细胞生成素 (rh EPO)长期培养人脐血单个核细胞 ,动态观察其细胞构成和集落生成能力。结果　培养 1周后细胞总数逐渐增多 ,3周末细胞总数最多 ,扩增倍数为 (8± 4)倍 ,细胞构成则以髓系细胞为主 ;淋巴细胞 (CD3+ 、CD19+ )培养 1周明显下降 ,2周后低水平维持 ;培养 2周时 CD34+ 细胞百分比最高 ,为 (2 .4± 0 .7) % ,培养 3周时 CD34+ 细胞扩增倍数最大 ,为 (30± 7)倍 ,其中CD33+ CD34+ 细胞扩增倍数为 (4 5± 5 )倍。 CD71+ 细胞以培养 2周时最多 ,最高为 (5 1± 8) % ;CD42 a+ 细胞培养 3周时最高 ;单位数量细胞集落生成能力培养 ,1周时最大 ,但总的集落生成能力第 3周时最大。结论　含有上述生长因子的培养体系主要扩增脐血造血细胞的髓系细胞 ,次要扩增红系、巨核系细胞 ,最佳扩增时机为 3周。     

The immunostimulant RU41740 from Klebsiella pneumoniae activates human cells in whole blood to potentially stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses

The compound RU41740 from Klebsiella pneumoniae, when used as an immunostimulant, improves responses to bacterial and yeast infections in murine models and in human trials. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro, the capacity of RU41740 to stimulate human leukocytes in whole blood. Blood samples from healthy adult donors were incubated with RU41740 for 4 or 24 h and leukocytes were assessed for levels of activation markers and cytokine production by flow cytometry and ELISA. The early activation marker CD69 was induced at 4 h in NK cells > B cells > T cells > monocytes whereas at 24 h CD80 and CD86 levels were augmented on monocytes and IL-12 was induced; HLA-DR levels increased on both B cells and monocytes. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 were produced at 4 h at similar levels to that induced by LPS and monocytes appeared to be a source of TNF-alpha. IFN-gamma, was induced at 5 h just in NK cells. Activation induced by RU41740 was not abolished by polymixin B, ruling out the possible contamination with LPS. These data indicate that RU41740 can impact not only the innate immune responses but potentially enhance adaptive immune responses by up-regulating expression of molecules involved in antigen presentation on antigen presenting cells.