Differential T-cell responses of semi-immune and susceptible malaria subjects to in silico predicted and synthetic peptides of Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria remains a public health hazard in tropical countries as a consequence of the rise and spread of drug and insecticide resistances; hence the need for a vaccine with widespread application. Protective immunity to malaria is known to be mediated by both antibody and cellular immune responses, though characterization of the latter has been less extensive. The aim of the present investigation was to identify novel T-cell epitopes that may contribute to naturally acquired immune responses against malaria. Using the Microsoft software, Epitome™ T-cell peptide epitopes on 19 Plasmodium falciparum proteins in the Plasmodium Database (www.plasmodb.org.PlasmoDB 9.0) were predicted in-silico. The peptides were synthesized and used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 14 semi-immune and 21 malaria susceptible subjects for interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production ex-vivo. The level of IFN-γ production, a marker of T-cell responses, was measured by ELISPOT assay in semi-immune subjects (SIS) and frequently sick subjects (FSS) from an endemic zone with perennial malaria transmission. Of the 19 proteins studied, 17 yielded 27 pools (189 peptides), which were reactive with the subjects’ PBMCs when tested for IFN-γ production, taking a stimulation index (SI) of ≥2 as a cutoff point for a positive response. There were 10 reactive peptide pools (constituting eight protein loci) with an SI of 10 or greater. Of the 19 proteins studied, two were known vaccine candidates (MSP-8 and SSP2/TRAP), which reacted both with SIS and FSS. Similarly the hypothetical proteins (PFF1030w, PFE0795c, PFD0880w, PFC0065c and PF10_0052) also reacted strongly with both SIS and FSS making them attractive for further characterization as mediators of protective immunity and/or pathogenesis.     

慢性荨麻疹患者血清25羟基维生素D水平检测及意义

目的 检测慢性荨麻疹患者血清25羟基维生素D水平,探讨25羟基维生素D（25HVD）在慢性荨麻疹（CU）发病中的作用。方法 收集50例CU患者及40例健康对照血清,同时应用CU症状评分标准（UAS）对疾病进行评分;用 ELISA测定血清25HVD、干扰素γ（IFN?γ）、白细胞介素4（IL?4）、免疫球蛋白E（IgE）水平。所得数据采用t检验、秩和检验、直线相关回归分析进行统计学分析。结果 CU组血清25HVD水平［（15.20 ± 7.72） μg/L］明显低于对照组［（21.54 ± 8.31） μg/L,t = 3.75,P < 0.05］,且两组25HVD水平分布比较,差异有统计学意义（H = 17.9,P < 0.05）。UAS评分重度组25HVD水平［（15.57 ± 7.38） μg/L］与轻度组［（14.86 ± 6.28） μg/L］差异无统计学意义（t = 0.37,P > 0.05）。CU组血清IFN?γ水平明显低于对照组（t = 15.34, P < 0.05）,但血清IL?4和IgE水平明显高于对照组（t值分别为6.54, 4.88,均P < 0.05）。CU组血清25HVD水平与IFN?γ水平呈正相关（r = 0.738,P < 0.05）,与IL?4水平呈负相关（r = -0.689,P < 0.05）,与IgE水平无相关性（r = -0.271,P > 0.05）。结论 CU患者血清25HVD水平明显降低,可能通过介导Th1细胞/Th2细胞失衡参与CU的发生。     

三氧化二砷对MRL/lpr狼疮鼠IFN-γ基因表达的调控

目的: 探讨三氧化二砷(ATO)调控MRL/lpr狼疮鼠干扰素γ(IFN-γ)基因表达的机制。方法: 将20周龄MRL/lpr狼疮鼠和正常C57BL/6J小鼠无菌条件下取出脾脏,制成脾脏淋巴细胞悬液。体外经植物血球凝集素P(PHA-P,终浓度20 mg/L)和白细胞介素-2(IL-2,终浓度10⁶ IU/L)常规刺激48 h后,随机分为PBS组(空白对照)和 ATO(1.0 μmol/L)组,继续培养24 h。酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定各组培养上清液IFN-γ的表达量,采用实时荧光定量PCR(Q-PCR)检测各组IFN-γ mRNA的表达情况,应用基于半定量PCR和Q-PCR的染色质免疫共沉淀(ChIP)技术检测各组细胞 IFN-γ 启动子区乙酰化组蛋白H3、H4(acH3, acH4)及启动子区结合RNA聚合酶Ⅱ(RNAPⅡ)的水平。结果: (1)MRL/lpr狼疮鼠PBS组IFN-γ的分泌和IFN-γ mRNA的表达均高于C57BL/6J小鼠PBS组(分别P<0.01和 P<0.05),并且 IFN-γ 启动子区acH3、acH4的水平及启动子区域富集RNAPⅡ水平高于C57BL/6J小鼠PBS组(均P<0.01)。(2)在MRL/lpr狼疮鼠中,与PBS组相比,ATO组IFN-γ的分泌和IFN-γ mRNA的表达下降(分别P<0.01, P<0.05),IFN-γ基因启动子区域acH3、acH4的水平及启动子区域富集RNAPⅡ水平也下降(均P<0.01)。(3)在C57BL/6J小鼠中,PBS组和ATO组之间以上指标均无差异。结论: ATO下调MRL/lpr狼疮鼠IFN-γ的分泌和IFN-γ mRNA的表达可能是通过降低基因启动子区域acH3、acH4的水平减弱了RNAPⅡ依赖的转录,而ATO对正常C57BL/6J小鼠无明显影响。     

The effects of inflammatory cytokines on steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression in macrophages

Objective: To investigate the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in macrophages and the effects of inflammatory cytokines on StAR expression. Methods: The macrophages isolated from ApoE knockout mice and C57BL/6J mice and RAW264.7 cells (a cell line from mouse macrophage. ATCC Number: TIB-71^TM) were cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. RAW264.7 cells were treated with different inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ and TGF-β1) and 8-Br-cAMP, a cAMP analog. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were applied to evaluate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on StAR expression. Results: RT-PCR and Western blot analysis demonstrated the expression of StAR in the macrophages isolated from ApoE knockout mice, C57BL/6J mice and RAW264.7 cells. Proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ significantly decreased StAR mRNA and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibition was dose- and time-dependent. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β1 increased StAR mRNA and protein levels. At 1:15 molecular ratio, TGF-β1 blocked the down-regulation of StAR expression mediated by TNF-α. cAMP also induced StAR expression in RAW264.7 cells. When the cells were co-treated with 8-Br-cAMP and TNF-α, 8-Br-cAMP failed to induce StAR expression. Conclusion: Our results provide interesting evidence that inflammatory cytokines regulate StAR expression in macrophages. Received 12 August 2006; returned for revision 28 September 2006; returned for final revision 28 May 2007; accepted by M. Katori 22 June 2007     

Association of vitamin D levels and risk of latent tuberculosis in the hemodialysis population

BackgroundVitamin D is essential in the host defense against tuberculosis (TB). Suboptimal vitamin D status is common in the hemodialysis population. Hemodialysis patients have an increased risk compared to the general population latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, the association between vitamin D deficiency and LTBI in this population remains unclear.Materials and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study between March and May 2017. Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) through QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube was used to assess LTBI. Plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD) levels were measured by Elecsys Vitamin D Total assay. Suboptimal vitamin D levels included vitamin D insufficiency 20–29 ng/mg and vitamin D deficiency <20 ng/mL. Predictors for LTBI were analyzed.ResultsA total of 287 participants were enrolled. The suboptimal vitamin D level was 31.4% (90/287), which including the vitamin D deficiency was 13.9% (40/287). A total of 49.1% (141/287) people received nutritional vitamin D supplementation. The prevalence of IGRA positivity in this study was 25.1% (72/287). There was no significant difference in vitamin D concentrations or the proportion of vitamin D supplementation among the IGRA-positive and IGRA-negative groups (p = 0.789 and 0.496, respectively). In multivariate analysis, age >65 years old (odds ratio (OR), 1.89; 95% CI, 1.08–3.31; p = 0.026) and TB history (OR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.38–8.91; p = 0.008) were independent predictors of IGRA positivity.ConclusionThis is the first study to report that vitamin D deficiency was not associated with IGRA positivity in a hemodialysis population. Aging and TB history were both independent predictors for LTBI.     

TNF-alpha −308G>A polymorphism is associated with suicide attempts in major depressive disorder

Background

Despite the substantial role of the cytokine network in depression and suicide, few studies have investigated the role of genetic polymorphisms of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in suicide in major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this study was to investigate whether tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) −308G>A, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) +874A>T, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) −1082A>G are associated with increased risk for suicide attempts in MDD.

Methods

Among patients with MDD, 204 patients who had attempted suicide and 97 control patients who had not attempted suicide were recruited. A chi-square test was used to identify a possible risk genotype or allele type for suicide. A subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the influence of a risk genotype or allele type adjusted for other environmental factors. The lethality of the suicide attempt was also tested between genotype and allele types among suicidal patients with MDD.

Results

The GG genotype of the TNF-alpha −308G>A polymorphism was found to significantly increase risk for suicide attempt (adjusted OR=2.630, 95% CI=1.206 to 5.734). IFN-gamma +874A>T and IL-10 −1082A>G were not associated with risk for suicide. Lethality of the suicide attempt was not associated with any of the three cytokine genotypes or allele types.

Limitations

Limitations include a relatively small sample size and a cross-sectional design.

Conclusions

TNF-alpha −308G>A polymorphism is an independent risk factor for suicide attempts in MDD. Future studies should clarify the neural mechanisms by which the GG genotype of TNF-alpha −308G>A influences suicide in MDD.     

Performance evaluation of newly developed fluorescence immunoassay-based interferon-gamma release assay for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in healthcare workers

The ichroma? IGRA-TB (Boditech Med Inc., Chuncheon, Republic of Korea) is an automated fluorescent immunoassay-based point-of-care interferon-gamma release assay for detecting latent tuberculosis infection. We evaluated this assay with 408 health care workers, and demonstrated its acceptable performances comparing to QuantiFERON-TB Gold-Plus (QFT-Plus; Qiagen, Germantown, MD).     

Interferon-gamma in ascites could be a predictive biomarker of outcome in ovarian carcinoma

Objective

The ovarian cancer-associated ascites is an ideal material for evaluating the interaction between the host immune system and cancer cells in the tumor micro-environment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the selected target cytokine expression levels in ascites could serve as an immune biomarker for predicting outcomes in ovarian cancer.

Methods

Eighty-eight specimens of ovarian cancer-associated ascites were evaluated to select the target cytokine by a cytokine profiling kit. The 144 total samples were subsequently analyzed for this target cytokine. The correlation between the target cytokine and clinical characteristics was analyzed.

Results

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) was identified as the target cytokine. Higher levels of IFN-γ in the ascites of the tumor micro-environment were associated with advanced disease (p = 0.012), higher tumor histological grading (p = 0.004), and sub-optimal surgical status (p = 0.040). By multivariate analysis, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 2.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.85–4.05, p < 0.001) for disease-free survival (DFS) and 1.72 (95% CI 1.01–2.93, p = 0.048) for overall survival (OS) for a 10-fold increase in IFN-γ concentration in the ascites. An inverse dose–response relationship between IFN-γ level and survival was also noted (P_trend < 0.001 for DFS and P_trend < 0.042 for OS).

Conclusions

Patients with ovarian cancer and higher IFN-γ expression levels in cancer-associated ascites will have shorter DFS and OS. IFN-γ levels in the ascites may be a prognostic marker and a potential reference for immunotherapy targeting IFN-γ.     

Differentiating between active and latent tuberculosis with chest computed tomography

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of chest computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing between active and latent tuberculosis in patients positive for interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) testing, and to compare the performance of CT with that of quantitative IGRA testing in a low incidence setting.Materials and methodsPatients with latent or active tuberculosis define by an IGRA positive test were retrospectively recruited. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were determined for CT variables and quantitative IGRA results. Final diagnosis of active tuberculosis was based on clinical data and microbiological culture. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using logistic regression model to identify CT variables associated with the diagnosis of active tuberculosis.ResultsA total of 92 patients with positive IGRA results who underwent CT examination were included. There were 54 men and 38 women with a mean age of 53.5 ± 18 (SD) years (range: 40–68 years). Of them, 22 patients (24%) had positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and 70 (76%) had latent tuberculosis. Among CT variables, consolidation had the greatest sensitivity (77%; 95%CI: 60–95%) and “tree-in-bud” the greatest specificity (97%; 95% CI: 93–100%) for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. At univariable analysis “tree-in-bud”, splenic calcification and non-calcified lung nodules were the significant variables independently associated with active tuberculosis. At multivariable analysis, the adjusted odds ratio of “tree-in-bud” was 42.91 (95% CI: 5.62–327.42). Using an optimal threshold of 51 spots, quantitative IGRA yielded 64% sensitivity (95% CI: 44–84%) and 61% specificity (95% CI: 50–73%) for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis.ConclusionsIn a low incidence setting, chest CT, especially when “tree-in-bud” pattern is present, is superior to quantitative IGRA testing to identify patients with active tuberculosis among those with positive IGRA testing.     

Role for interferon-gamma release assays in latent tuberculosis screening before TNF-α antagonist therapy

TNF-α antagonist therapy is associated with a risk of severe, extrapulmonary, disseminated tuberculosis, which is fatal in 10% of cases. The risk of tuberculosis is increased four-fold in patients on TNF-α antagonist therapy. The main risk factors are a history of untreated or inadequately treated primary tuberculosis, recent contact with a tuberculosis patient, and residence in or travel to a high-endemicity region. Infection surveillance agencies throughout the world have issued recommendations to ensure the detection and treatment of latent tuberculosis before TNF-α antagonist initiation. These recommendations have returned the incidence of tuberculosis to the level seen before the introduction of TNF-α antagonists. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. Recommendations about latent tuberculosis screening include the use of tuberculin skin tests. However, these tests are positive in individuals vaccinated with the BCG vaccine, which leads to overuse of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis and, therefore, to unnecessary patient exposure to hepatotoxic effects. Furthermore, tuberculin skin tests may be falsely negative in immunosuppressed patients, leading to underuse of tuberculosis prophylaxis. These shortcomings of tuberculin skin tests have generated interest in interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). In patients with overt tuberculosis, IGRAs are more sensitive and more specific than tuberculin skin tests. However, the accuracy of IGRAs for diagnosing latent tuberculosis remains unknown, because no reference standard is available. In addition, patients taking immunosuppressant agents to treat systemic disease may exhibit anergia, which complicates the interpretation of IGRAs. Until additional data become available, caution requires that IGRAs be used only when a positive or negative result, as assessed on a case-by-case basis, will help to decide whether tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis is in order.