Interleukin 17-Producing γδT Cells Increased in Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Although it has been known that y8 T cells may play an important role in the immune response to infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), the mechanisms by which the T8 T cells participate in the innate and/or acquired immunity to tuberculosis (TB) have not been full elucidated. In the present study, 27 patients with active pulmonary TB and 16 healthy donors (HD) were performed. We found that proportion of IL-17-producing cells among lymphocyte was similar between TB patients and HD, whereas the proportions of γδ T cells in IL-17- producing cells (59.2%) and IL-17-producing cells in γδ T cells (19.4%) in peripheral blood were markedly increased in TB patients when compared to those in HD (43.9% and 7.7%, respectively). In addition, the proportions of IFN-γ-producing γδ T cells in TB patients were obviously lower than that in HD. Upon re-stimulated with M. tb heat-treated antigen (M. tb-HAg) in vitro, fewer IL-17-producing γδ T cells were generated from HD and TB patients, whereas IFN-γ-producing γδ T cells were increased in TB patients compared to that in HD. Our findings in TB patients and healthy human were consistent with other murine investigation that the IL-17- producing γδ T cells were main source of IL-17 in mouse model of BCG infection, suggesting that γδ T cells might be involved in the formation of tubercular granuloma in pulmonary TB patients, but need further identification. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2008;5(3):203-208.     

Seasonal variation in the content of a febrifugine and isofebrifugine alkaloid mixture in aerial parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hydrangea macrophylla</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otaksa</Emphasis>, with special reference to its antimalarial activity

Febrifugine and isofebrifugine alkaloid mixtures extracted from the leaves and buds of Hydrangea macrophylla var. Otaksa, collected during different months, in Japan, were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Leaves collected during the flowering season, namely from June to August, contained 0.16–0.31 mg/g of the alkaloid mixture, whereas those collected from September to December had less than 0.03 mg/g of the mixture. However, extracts of buds harvested from October to February contained a consistently larger amount (more than 0.49 mg/g) of the alkaloids. Hot-water extracts from the leaves and buds collected during different seasons were evaluated for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium yoelii 17XL in mice. The extract of leaves collected in August demonstrated high antimalarial activity, and all mice that received the extract survived the infection. In contrast, the extract of leaves collected in December showed little activity. The extract of buds collected in December cleared parasites, but with subsequent mortality to mouse. The present results show that the amount of antimalarial agent—febrifugine and isofebrifugine mixture—in H. macrophylla var. Otaksa is both part- and season-dependent, suggesting that the choice of plant parts and their harvesting season are important factors worth considering in the pharmacological use of medicinal plants.     

白细胞介素1α对鼠甲状腺细胞增殖的影响

采用四氮唑蓝（MTT）比色法检测TSH存在和缺乏时白细胞介素1α（IL－1α）对鼠FRTL-5细胞增殖的影响。结果提示，在无TSH条件下IL-1α20～2000kU／L对FRTL－5细胞无明显促增殖作用；在TSH存在时IL－1α20和200kU／L对FRTL－5细胞增殖亦无明显抑制作用，IL－1α2000kU／L则可显著抑制TSH介导的FRTL－5细胞增殖。     

Reciprocal regulation of the nitric oxide synthase/arginase balance in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages by TH 1 and TH 2 cytokines

Activation with lipopolysaccharide induces macrophages to produce the enzymes arginase and nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Both enzymes use as a substrate the amino acid L-arginine, which can be either hydrolyzed by arginase to urea and ornithine or oxidized by NO synthase to NO and citrulline. NO is important in the bactericidal and cytotoxic activities of macrophages. An equivalent functional role of arginase and its products is not known. We tested the induction of arginase in bone marrow-derived macrophages by endogenous mediators that are known to induce NO synthase, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ), or suppress the induction of this enzyme, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). We find that PGE₂ and the TH2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 are potent inducers of arginase. In contrast, the TH 1 cytokine IFN-γ does not induce arginase. Simultaneous application of both types of mediators leads to reduced induction of both arginase and NO synthase. Exposure of macrophage cultures to inducers of NO synthase exhausts their ability to respond subsequently to inducers of arginase. Conversely, exposure of the cells to inducers of arginase exhausts their ability to respond subsequently to inducers of NO synthase. The results are consistent with a competition of both enzymes for their substrate, L-arginine, with a reciprocal inhibition in the induction of both enzymes, or a combination of both phenomena. The enzymes NO synthase and arginase appear to define two alternate functional states of macrophages, induced by TH 1 and TH 2 cytokines, respectively.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Azole-Substituted Tetrahydronaphthalenes as Inhibitors of P450 arom,P450 17, and P450 TxA2

In search of potential drugs for the treatment of estrogen- and androgen-dependent cancer as well as the prophylaxis of metastases, tetralones, tetralins, and dihydronaphthalenes bearing a OCH₃ substituent at the benzene nucleus and an imidazol-4-yl, imidazol-1-yl, or 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl substituent in 2-position were synthesized with and without C₁-spacer between the rings (compounds 2 – 26 ). The compounds were tested in vitro for inhibition of the three target enzymes P450 arom (human placental microsomes), P450 17 (rat testicular microsomes), and P450 TxA₂ (citrated human whole blood). To examine selectivity, some compounds were further tested in vitro for inhibition of P450 18 (bovine adrenal mitochondria), P450 see (bovine adrenal mitochondria) and corticoid formation (aldosterone, corticosterone; ACTH stimulated rat adrenal tissue). In vivo, selected compounds were examined in Sprague Dawley rats regarding P450 TxA₂ inhibition, reduction of plasma testosterone concentration, antiuterotrophic activity (inhibition of the uterotrophic activity of androstenedione), reduction of plasma estradiol concentration (pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin-primed rats), and mammary tumor inhibiting activity (dimethylbenzanthracene-induced tumor; pre- and postmenopausal model). In the series of imidazol-4-yl compounds, which represent a novelty in the field of azole inhibitors of steroidogenic P450 enzymes, strong inhibitors of P450 arom and/or P450 17 were found: 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethylene)-1-tetralone ( 4 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 12 ) are among the most potent inhibitors of P450 arom in vitro known so far. Compound 4 is a selective inhibitor, whereas 12 shows in addition strong inhibition of P450 17. In contrast to 12 , the 6-OCH₃ derivative (compound 11 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 17, being 50 times more potent than ketoconazole. Some imidazol-1-yl compounds show a marked inhibition of P450 TxA₂: 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-1-tetralone ( 13 ) is a selective inhibitor of P450 TxA₂, whereas 7-OCH₃-2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 17 ) as well as 2-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-tetralin ( 16 ) and 7-OCH₃-2-imidazol-1-yl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene ( 25 ) additionally show strong inhibition of P450 arom and P450 17. Regarding the other steroidogenic P450 enzymes as well as corticosterone formation, the compounds show only little inhibitory activity. Aldosterone formation, however, is inhibited at low concentrations. Nevertheless, 4 and 12 are more selective, i.e. inhibit aldosterone synthesis less than the well known inhibitor of P450 arom fadrozole. The compounds show activity in the aforementioned in vivo tests.     

Interleukin-2, its soluble receptor,and soluble T8 antigen in acute ischemic stroke

The treatment of neoplasia with interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be complicated by neurological deficits resembling transient Ischemic attack and stroke. We investigated whether interleukin-2 contributes to the natural course of cerebrovascular ischemia and particularly to the pathogenesis of infection-associated stroke. Plasma levels of interleukin-2 were below the level of detectability in almost all measurements. Patients with and without previous infection (n = 11, 805 ±445 U/ml vs n = 19, 824 ± 501 U/ml) did not have significantly higher levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors than control subjects with (n = 14, 667 ± 229 U/ml) or without vascular risk factors (n = 17, 567 ± 176 U/ml). Receptor levels increased in patients during the first week after stroke (n = 15, 1157 ± 1013, p < 0.02). Levels of soluble T8 antigen (sT8) were higher in patients (n – 26, 320 ± 112 U/ml) than in healthy control subjects (n = 15, 246 ± 92 U/ml; p < 0.05) and sT8 levels increased during the first week after stroke (p < 0.05). These results reflect an immunological response to the cerebral infarct; they do not indicate a general role of the IL-2 system in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke with or without previous infection.     

白细胞介素-6对椎间盘细胞中蛋白多糖代谢影响的实验研究

目的:研究白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)对椎间盘纤维环和髓核细胞中蛋白多糖代谢的影响。方法:自然流产的胎儿4例,4h内无菌取出椎间盘,分别进行纤维环和髓核细胞的体外培养。在纤维环细胞的培养液中分别加入IL-60(对照组)、400、800ng/ml,培养24h后,用Alcian法检测培养液中硫酸软骨素的含量。在培养中的髓核细胞中加入IL-60(对照组)、100、400、800ng/ml,培养24h,然后测量培养液中硫酸软骨素的含量。结果:在纤维环细胞中加入IL-6组较不加IL-6对照组培养液中硫酸软骨素的含量增加,在髓核细胞组中加入IL-6组和对照组的差别无显著性。结论:IL-6可以刺激椎间盘纤维环细胞中蛋白多糖的合成,但对髓核细胞中蛋白多糖的合成没有明显的作用。     

建立白介素-1β诱导小型猪冠状动脉狭窄动物模型

目的探讨建立快速、稳定冠状动脉狭窄程度符合临床干预治疗的动物模型方法。方法将小型猪40头随机分为5组,每组8头分别开胸手术,游离搔刮冠状动脉前降支和回旋支外膜并按组包裹含不同剂量白介素-1β(IL-1β)纸巾,IL-1β含量依次为0、3.0、4.5、6.0、7.5μg。术后2周行冠状动脉造影,观察局部冠状动脉狭窄病变情况,处死动物,对包裹纸巾的冠状动脉血管段行病理分析。结果冠状动脉造影见各组冠状动脉管腔平均狭窄程度依IL-1β剂量分别为0、20.61%、39.58%、77.34%、93.79%。IL-1β剂量7.5μg组中2头猪前降支100%狭窄,1头于术后11d死亡未作造影。组织病理学检查见含IL-1β纸巾包裹的冠状动脉血管内膜均有不同程度的增生、炎性细胞浸润、管腔缩小,增生的血管内膜内可见少量血管平滑肌细胞;不含IL-1β纸巾包裹的冠状动脉血管内膜和中膜无增生,管腔无变化。结论采用游离搔刮小型猪冠状动脉前降支和回旋支外膜并包裹含IL-1β6.0μg的纸巾,2周内可建立起稳定、可靠、狭窄程度符合临床冠心病干预治疗的实验研究动物模型。     

联合应用纳洛酮与甲基强的松龙对大鼠急性肺损伤的保护作用

目的　探讨联合应用甲基强的松龙、纳洛酮对内毒素所致急性肺损伤大鼠的防治作用及可能机制。方法　建立大鼠内毒素吸入性ALI模型 (LPS ,3mg/kg气管内注射 ) ,85只大鼠随机分为生理盐水对照组、内毒素损伤组、甲基强的松龙组 (内毒素 甲基强的松龙 )、纳洛酮组 (内毒素 纳洛酮 )、联合用药组 (内毒素 甲基强的松龙 纳洛酮 )。采用放射免疫方法检测大鼠血清TNF -α、IL - 8水平 ,并观察动脉血气分析及肺组织病理变化。结果　内毒素损伤组较生理盐水组TNF -α、IL - 8水平明显增高 ,动脉血氧分压明显降低 ,肺组织可见肿胀、淤血、炎细胞浸润。联合用药组各项指标较内毒素损伤组均轻。结论　联合应用甲基强的松龙和纳洛酮可降低气管内注入内毒素致大鼠ALI血清TNF -α、IL - 8升高水平 ,减轻肺损伤病理改变程度 ,对大鼠ALI有防治作用     

Decreased Risk of Renal Allograft Thrombosis Associated With Interleukin-2 Receptor Antagonists: A Report of the NAPRTCS

Graft thrombosis is the most common cause of first year graft failure in pediatric renal transplantation. The North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS) database was analyzed for cases of graft failure due to thrombosis among patients transplanted from 1998 to 2004. The impact of interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor antagonists as induction therapy was determined. There were a total of 51 graft failures due to thrombosis among the 2750 reported renal transplants (1.85%) (95% CI (1.39%, 2.41%)). This represents the most common cause of graft loss during the first year post-transplant accounting for 35% of first year losses and 18% of all graft losses. The incidence of thrombosis among patients who received IL-2 receptor antibodies was 1.07% (12/1126) compared to 2.40% (39/1624) among patients who did not (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23, 0.84, p = 0.014). Use of IL-2 receptor blockade was the only significant prognostic factor in a multivariate model with previously identified risk factors. Analysis of NAPRTCS data found that the use of IL-2 receptor antibodies as induction therapy is associated with a significantly decreased risk of graft failure due to thrombosis. This provocative finding requires further investigation to determine whether thrombotic failure can be decreased by this therapeutic strategy.