To investigate if nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) p65 antisense oligonucleotides might affect the expression of NF-kappa B p65 and cytokines in lamina propria mononuclear cells(LPMC) from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). LPMC were isolated from intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from 3 patients with UC, and cultured with or without NF-kappa B p65 antisense oligonucleotides (5'-GGAACAGTTCGTCCTATGG-3'), missense oligonucleotides (5'-GGAACAGTTCGTCTATGG-3') and dexamethasone. NF-kappa B p65 expression was determined by western blot analysis. The expression of cytokine mRNA was studied by reversal transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cytokine levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that NF-kappa B p65 antisense oligonucleotides resulted in down-regulation of NF-kappa B p65 expression, blocked the expression of IL-1 beta mRNA and IL-8 mRNA, and strikingly reduced the production of IL-1 beta and IL-8, and these effects were greater than those of dexamethasone in cultured LPMC from patients with UC(P < 0.05). Therefore, the application of NF-kappa B p65 antisense oligonucleotides may serve as a novel molecular approach for the treatment of patients with UC.
Cells, Cultured ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Intestinal Mucosa ; cytology ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis

The study was aimed to investigate the expression of midkine (MK) in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM MNC) from 65 acute myeloid leukemia patients and 15 normal controls. The method of RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of MK mRNA in BM MNC. Parts of samples were incubated for 24 hours and the gene expression of MK in the BM MNC was detected by means of Western blot. The results showed that the expression of MK of BM MNCs in 50 newly diagnosed AML patients (0.331 +/- 0.436) and 15 AML patients in relapse (0.374 +/- 0.463) were markedly higher than that in 15 CR cases (0.067 +/- 0.190), and 15 normal controls (0), respectively. The complete remission in MK positive patients (63.16%) was significantly lower than that in MK negative group (93.55%). The patients with positive MK expression had a higher relapse rate than those with negative MK expression. The positive rate of MK gene expression in drug-resistant patients and drug-sensitive patients were 57.69% and 25.64% respectively and there was positive correlation between the gene expressions of MK and bcl-2 (P < 0.01) (r = 0.0556, P < 0.001). It is concluded that MK can be secreted by AML cells and involved in drug-resistant, its positive expression may be associated with the poor prognosis in newly diagnosed AML patients. The inhibitory effect of MK on apoptosis of leukemic cells is induced by upregulating bcl-2 expression.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6 system by whole blood cells, and bone mineral density (BMD), and polymorphisms in IL-1 system and IL-6 gene in postmenopausal Korean women. The production of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6r) by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood cells was measured by ELISA in 110 subjects. Serum osteocalcin, C-telopeptide of type I collagen, and BMD at lumbar spine and proximal femur were measured. IL-1alphaC(-889)T polymorphism, IL-1beta C(-511)T polymorphism, 86-base pair variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in the IL-1ra gene, and IL-6 C(-634)G polymorphism were analyzed. The production of IL-1beta correlated positively with BMD at femoral neck, whereas the production of other ILs did not correlate with BMD at the skeletal sites examined. No significant differences in the production of ILs were observed among normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic postmenopausal women, and among the different IL system polymorphisms groups studied. No correlation between bone turnover markers and the production of ILs was noted. In conclusion IL-1beta may regulate bone metabolism at femoral neck, and the IL system polymorphism do not affect the production of ILs by whole blood cells.
Aged ; Blood Cells/drug effects/immunology ; Bone Density/*genetics/*immunology ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/blood/genetics/immunology ; Cytokines/*biosynthesis/blood ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro ; Interleukin-1/biosynthesis/blood/genetics ; Interleukin-6/biosynthesis/blood/genetics ; Interleukins/*genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/blood/genetics/immunology ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Interleukin-6/biosynthesis/blood/genetics ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sialoglycoproteins/biosynthesis/blood/genetics

OBJECTIVESHeparin-binding neurite-promoting factor (HBNF) is a heparin-binding protein primarily found in the brain, which can stimulate neurite outgrowth in vitro. We expressed recombinant human heparin-binding neurite-promoting factor (hrHBNF) using a yeast system, and observed its activity in stimulating neurite outgrowth in vitro.

METHODScDNA encoding mature human HBNF was amplified from total RNA isolated from an 18-week aborted human fetal brain by RT-PCR method. After amplification, the HBNF cDNA gene was cloned into pPIC9K, a shuttle expression vector for yeast system. The positive clone of expression vector bearing HBNF cDNA gene was obtained by screening. Verified recombinant vector was then used to transform Pichia strain GS115 by electroporation. His(+) transformants were selected on minimal dextrose medium (MD) plates which were histidine free. His(+) yeast recombinants with multi-copy inserts were screened in vivo by their resistance to G418. PCR analysis was used to confirm the integration of the HBNF cDNA gene into the Pichia genome. Secreted expression of hrHBNF protein in culture medium was obtained when the positive clone containing the HBNF cDNA gene was induced by methanol. The hrHBNF product purified by gel chromatography was added to cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells to observe its ability to stimulate neurite outgrowth.

RESULTSIn the recombinant expression vector, the insert was sequenced to show exactly the sequence encoding human HBNF according to Genbank data. The HBNF cDNA gene was cloned downstream to the alpha-factor, and its open reading frame was in frame with the alpha-factor signal sequence in pPIC9K. SDS-PAGE showed that the molecular weight of the induced expression product was about 18 kDa, consistent with that of human HBNF reported in the literature. The protein product did promote neurite outgrowth in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant human heparin-binding neurite-promoting factor can be expressed with a yeast system, and its product possesses the biological activity to promote neurite outgrowth.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neurites ; drug effects ; physiology ; PC12 Cells ; Pichia ; genetics ; Rats ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

This study was aimed to analyze the mRNA expression of cytokines (TGF-beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, FAS-L) in five rhesus treated with haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplantation after nonmyeloablative preparative regimens and to explore the role of these cytokines in the development and pathology of acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD). Five rhesus monkeys received nonmyeloablative haploidentical peripheral blood stem cells transplantation. Semi-quantitative reversed transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the kinetics of cytokine mRNA expression in the transplantation and aGVHD. The results showed that five rhesus monkeys acquired hematopoietic reconstitution successfully. The graft was rejected in one monkey which survived without disease, the other four achieved mixed chimerism and full donor chimerism. Chimerism of low centigrade in one monkey achieved high centigrade at 35 days after donor stem cell infusion. Intestinal aGVHD grade III developed in one monkey. Cytokines of Th1 and Th2 changed after transplantation. In period of aGVHD, expression of TGF-beta decreased but all others increased in various levels. When donor chimerism decreased, the cytokines decreased accordingly. It is concluded that the decrease of TGF-beta mRNA may be an indicator to predict aGVHD, and can be used as a differential diagnostic indicator for intestinal GVHD.
Animals ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Graft vs Host Disease ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Haploidy ; Macaca mulatta ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; biosynthesis ; genetics

This study was purposed to explore the effect of different cytokine combinations on the expansion of the mononuclear cells drived from umbilical cord blood (CB) ex vivo and expression of CXCR4 and CD49d on CD34+ cells after expansion. Human fresh CB mononuclear cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing different combinations of cytokine for 7 days. At day o and 7, the total cells were counted, CD34+ cells and CD34+CXCR4+, CD34+CD49d+ cells were assayed by flow cytometry, and CFU were determined. According to the different combinations of cytokine, experiments were divided into four groups: control, SF group (SCF + FL), SFT group (SCF + FL + TPO) and SFT6 group (SCF + FL + TPO + IL-6). The results showed that the SF (SF group) combination supported only low expansion of total cells, CD34+ cells and CFU. The addition of TPO in SF group restored UCB stem/progenitors expansion to a higher level than that in SF group, while there was no difference between groups SFT and SFT6 (P > 0.05). The cytokine combinations in groups SF, SFT and SFT6 all could upregulate the expression levels of CD49d and CXCR4 on expanded cord blood CD34+ cells, but there were no significant differences between groups SF, SFT and SFT6 (P > 0.05). It is concluded that SCF + FL has no strong synergistic effects on primitive hematopoietic cells. TPO plays an important role in enhancing expansion of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic cells, while IL-6 only shows a neutral effect on it. SCF + FL + TPO combination not only promotes progenitor cells expansion but also upregulates the expression of CD49d and CXCR4 on CD34+ cells from cord blood.
Antigens, CD34 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Integrin alpha4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Membrane Proteins ; pharmacology ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stem Cell Factor ; pharmacology ; Thrombopoietin ; pharmacology

High concentrations of oxygen, indispensable for the treatment of severe hypoxemia from neonatal as well as adult respiratory distress syndrome, increase the risk of oxygen toxicity. Biochemical mechanisms are lipid peroxidation, protein sulfhydryl oxidation, enzyme inactivation, and DNA damage. Recent reports suggest that cytokines might be involved in free radical injury as well as in adaptive response to hyperoxic injury. However, actual signal transduction pathways involving cytokines have not yet been clarified. In this study we exposed cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to either ambient air or 100% oxygen, and compared for the rate of DNA synthesis ([3H]thymidine uptake) at different time points up to 72 h. After exposing the cells to each treatment condition, we extracted RNA, constructed complementary DNA using reverse transcriptase, amplified the specific DNA segments of cytokines by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and used the PCR products for gel electrophoresis to examine the bands which signified mRNA levels of corresponding cytokines. There was a significant decrease in the rate of DNA synthesis as early as 24 h. The mRNA expression of IL-1 beta and TNFa seemed less influenced by hyperoxia, while IL-8 and TGF beta showed marked increase in mRNA levels at 6 h of 100% oxygen exposure.
Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines/genetics* ; DNA/biosynthesis ; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism* ; Human ; Hyperoxia/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/analysis* ; Umbilical Veins

BACKGROUNDTrichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) represents the most important agent of dermatophytosis in humans. T. rubrum infection causes slight inflammation, and tends to be chronic and recurrent. It is suggested that it may result from the failure of epithelial cells to recognize T. rubrum effectively and initiate effective immune responses. The C-type lectin receptors (CLR) and toll-like receptors (TLR) are the two major pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize fungal components. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to analyze the expression of those PRRs and the cytokines in HaCaT cells stimulated with heat-inactivated T. rubrum conidia and hyphae, respectively.

METHODSHaCaT cells were unstimulated or stimulated with heat-inactivated T. rubrum conidia and hyphae (1×10(6) and 1.5×10(5) colony-forming unit (CFU) in 2 ml medium, respectively) for 6, 12 and 24 hours. The mRNA expression of PRRs involved in recognizing fungal pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and signaling molecules were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, surface toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4 and Dectin-1 were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) 24 hours after treatment. The cytokines were detected in cell culture supernatants of HaCaT cells in 12 and 24 hours after treatment.

RESULTSHaCaT cells constitutively expressed mRNA of membrane-bound TLR1, 2, 4 and 6, Dectin1 and DC-SIGN, but not Dectin-2 or Mincle. Heat-killed T. rubrum did not significantly upregulate gene transcriptions of the PRRs of HaCaT cells. Heat-inactivated T. rubrum conidia significantly reduced the surface expression of TLR2 and Dectin-1, and suppressed the secretions of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) of HaCaT cells, while heat-killed T. rubrum hyphae significantly induced the secretions of IP-10 and MCP-1.

CONCLUSIONThe cell-wall antigens of T. rubrum fail to activate transcriptional expression of PRRs and induce a lower immune response of HaCaT cells by limited cytokines secretion.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; immunology ; Lectins, C-Type ; genetics ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; genetics ; physiology ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; physiology ; Trichophyton ; immunology

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent joint swelling and progressive destruction of cartilage and bone. Current RA treatments are largely empirical in origin and their precise mechanism of action is uncertain. Increasing evidence shows that chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA are caused by prolonged production of proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1). The nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays an essential role in transcriptional activation of TNF and IL-1. NF-kappaB is induced by many stimuli including TNF and IL-1, forming a positive regulatory cycle that may amplify and maintain RA disease process. NF-kappaB and enzymes involved in its activation can be a target for anti-inflammatory treatment. Aspirin and sodium salicylate inhibit activation of NF-KB by blocking IkappaB kinase, a key enzyme in NF-kappaB activation. Glucocorticoids suppress expression of inflammatory genes by binding glucocorticoid receptor with NF-kappaB, and increasing expression of inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB, IkappaBalpha. Sulfasalazine and gold compounds also inhibit NF-kappaB activation. Continuing advances in our understanding of action mechanism of antirheumatic agents will benefit the future development of RA regimens with greater efficacy and less toxicity.
Animal ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology ; Cytokines/immunology ; Cytokines/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Human ; Macrophages/immunology ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/immunology ; NF-kappa B/biosynthesis ; Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics

OBJECTIVEExpression, purification of tetanus toxin C fragment/cardiotrophin-1 recombinant fusion protein (CT-1/TTC) in BL21 (DE3) E. coli, examined whether tetanus toxin C fragment mediate the cardiotrophin-1 target delivery to the central nervous system and the cardiotrophin-1 has the neurotrophic ability.

METHODSInduction by IPTG, the fusion protein was expressed and then purified by GST affinity agarose. The interest protein was viewed by SDS-PAGE, further characterized by Western Blot Rat sciatic nerve transected model was selected. Using drug by nerve-regeneration-chamber and intramuscular injection. Execute these animals one week after the operation. The L4-L6 segments of the spinal cord were harvested after transaortic perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. The freeze sections of spinal tissues were stained with immunohistochemistry method. And select the new born SD rat sciatic nerve transected model, using CT-1/TTC fusion protein by muscle injection. Execute these animals one week after the operation. The L4-L6 segments of the spinal cord were harvested after transaortic perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde. The freeze sections of spinal tissues were stained by Nissl's staining.

RESULTSAfter induction, the fusion protein was about 15% of the total protein and the soluble part was predominant. Purified by GST fusion protein column, the interest protein's concentration is 2.7 g/L. The CT-1/TTC fusion protein was found in lumbar intumescentia by immunohistochemistry method. And after sciatic nerve transected, the numbers of cornu anterius medullae spinalis motoneurons in L4-L6 segments, compared to CT-1/TTC protein grope, have a lower survival rate.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant CT-1/TTC protein can be expressed and purified in BL21 (DE3) E. coli. This fusion protein has two biological activities of targeting delivery to central nervous system and protecting the cornu anterius medullae spinalis motoneurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Escherichia coli ; metabolism ; Female ; Motor Neurons ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; Tetanus Toxin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology