OBJECTIVETo compare several schemes of inducing and expanding the antibody-mediated high efficiency CIK (AMHE-CIK) in vitro, so as to find out a method that can acquire a large number of cells capable to kill the tumor cells in a short time.

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from healthy volunteers was isolated and activated with CD3 antibody, then were cultured with the addition of different cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α) for 14 days in vitro. The morphological changes of cells were observed by light microscopy. Based on the immunophenotypes of cells in each groups analyzed by flow cytometry, the cytokines capable to induce the dendritic cells and killer cells were screened out, respectively. According to different combination of cytokines, the cells were divided 4 groups: control, IL-2, group 1 (componant A included IL-2, IL-4, and GM-CSF. Componant B included IL-2, G-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α), and group 2 (componant A included IL-2, IL-4, and GM-CSF. Componant B included IL-2, IL-4, G-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). The proliferation and differentiation of CD3(+) CD8(+) and CD3(+) CD56(+) cells were measured by flow cytometry after culture in vitro for 7 days.

RESULTSAfter inducing and expanding in vitro for 7 days, the cell proliferation rate of control group, IL-2 group, group 1 and group 2 were 1.57 ± 0.01, 4.17 ± 0.16, 5 ± 0.47, 7.17 ± 0.24-folds, respectively. The differences between IL-2 group, group 1, group 2 and control group were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The immunophenotype analysis showed that the proportion of CD3(+) CD8(+) induced by each protocol was 13.96 ± 0.23%, 26.33 ± 0.55%, 36.83 ± 0.34% and 35.88 ± 0.16%, respectively. The proportion of CD3(+) CD8(+) in group 1 and 2 was higher than that in IL-2 group (P < 0.05), but the difference between them was not significant (P < 0.05). The proportions of CD3(+) CD56(+) induced by each protocol were 11.03 ± 0.28%, 29.31 ± 0.60%, 39.96 ± 0.38% and 29.33 ± 0.54%, respectively, the proportion of group 1 was higher than that of IL-2 group and group 2 (P < 0.05), but the difference between IL-2 group and group 2 was not significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe group 1 protocol obtained from this study can promote the proliferation of DC-CIK and also increase the proportion of the tumor killing cells (CD3(+) CD8(+) and CD3(+) CD56(+)).

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

In the present study, the effects of Pleurotus nebrodensis polysaccharide (PN-S) on the immune functions of immunosuppressed mice were determined. The immunosuppressed mouse model was established by treating the mice with cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg/2d, CY) through intraperitoneal injection. The results showed that PN-S administration significantly reversed the CY-induced weight loss, increased the thymic and splenic indices, and promoted proliferation of T lymphocyte, B lymphocyte, and macrophages. PN-S also enhanced the activity of natural killer cells and increased the immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the serum. In addition, PN-S treatment significantly increased the phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages. PN-S also increased the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), and nitric oxide (NOS) in splenocytes. qRT-PCR results also indicated that PN-S increased the mRNA expression of IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ, and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the splenocytes. These results suggest that PN-S treatment enhances the immune function of immunosuppressed mice. This study may provide a basis for the application of this fungus in adjacent immunopotentiating therapy against cancer and in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating ; Biological Products ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line ; Cyclophosphamide ; Immunity ; drug effects ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Pleurotus ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

This study investigated the effect of arctigenin (Arc) on the cell activation, cytokines expression, proliferation, and cell-cycle distribution of mouse T lymphocytes. Mouse lymphocytes were prepared from lymph node and treated with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)/Ionimycin (Ion) and/or Arc. CD69, CD25, cytokines, proliferation and cell cycle were assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that, at concentrations of less than 1.00 micromol x L(-1), Arc expressed non-obvious cell damage to cultured lymphocytes, however, it could significantly down-regulate the expression of CD69 and CD25, as well as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 on PMA/Ion stimulated lymphocytes. At the same time, Arc could also inhibit the proliferation of PMA/Ion-activated lymphocytes and exhibited lymphocyte G 0/G1 phase cycle arrest. These results suggest that Arc possesses significant anti-inflammatory effects that may be mediated through the regulation of cell activation, cytokines expression and cell proliferation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; metabolism ; Arctium ; chemistry ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Furans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Ionomycin ; pharmacology ; Lectins, C-Type ; metabolism ; Lignans ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Chuankezhi (CKZ), a new Chinese medicine, plays an important role in immunoregulation. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have been commonly used for immunotherapy in recent years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory effect of CKZ on CIK cells. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from healthy donors, and CIK cells were generated by culturing monocytes with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 2. Different concentrations of CKZ were added on day 2. After incubation for 14 days in culture, the antitumor effects of CIK cells were measured by cytotoxicity assay. Flow cytometry was used to explore the effect of CKZ on CIK cell immunophenotype, intracellular cytokine production, and apoptosis. The effect of CKZ on the antitumor activity of CIK cells in nude mice was also investigated. CKZ increased the percentage of CD3+CD56+ CIK cells but did not significantly change the percentage of CD4+, CD8+, or CD4+CD25+ CIK cells. CKZ-conditioned CIK cells showed a greater ability to kill tumor cells, as well as a higher frequency of IFN-γ and TNF-&alpha; production, compared with the CIK cells in the control group. CKZ also suppressed the apoptosis of CIK cells in vitro. Furthermore, CKZ combined with CIK cells had a stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in vivo than the CIK, CKZ, or normal saline control groups. Our results indicate that CKZ enhances the antitumor activity of CIK cells and is a potential medicine for tumor immunotherapy.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; CD56 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Morinda ; chemistry ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-1β in the development of fibrosis in mice exposed to silica.

METHODSThe total of 96 Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups. (1) blank control group, (2) PBS group in which mice were instilled with PBS only, (3) silica + IL-1β mAb group in which mice were instilled with 2.5 mg silica dust and 40 µg anti-IL-1β mAb, (4) silica group in which mice were instilled with 2.5 mg silica dust and 40 µg IgG. The final volume of suspension or PBS instilled into the mouse was 50 µl. At 7, 28 and 84 days after treatment, 8 mice were sacrificed in each group. Then BALF was collected for the count of inflammatory cells and cytokines determination. The lung tissues were collected for the detecting of mRNA levels of fibrogenic molecules.

RESULTSThe collagen deposition induced by silica in the lung tissues was partly inhibited by anti-IL-1β. A intensely pulmonary cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-&alpha;, MCP-1 were induced by crystalline silica exposure, and partly inhibited by anti-IL-1β. The levels of TGF-β and fibronectin in silica exposed mice were significantly elevated than those in control mice at days 28 and 84 after treatment (P < 0.01). And the mRNA levels of TGF-β, collagen I and fibronectin were significantly decreased in silica+IL-1β mAb group when compared with those in silica group at days 7, 28 and 84 (P < 0.01). There was a significant decrease of the ratios of IFN-γ/IL-4 in both silica+anti-IL-1β mAb and silica groups when compared with those in control mice at the above three time points (P < 0.01). However, the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios in silica+anti-IL-1β group were significantly higher than those in silica group at 7, 28 and 84 days (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIL-1β may promote the pulmonary fibrosis in mice exposed to silica.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; physiology ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Silicon Dioxide ; toxicity ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of volatile oil of Schizonepetae Herba (VOSH), and its essential components-menthone and pulegone against anti-influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) in vivo and in vitro, as well as the signaling mechanism of its toll-like receptor/interferon (TLR/IFN).

METHODThe lung-adapted PR-8 virus model was prepared in mice. They were administered with preventive and therapeutic drugs, and the hemagglutination titer of model animals was determined to evaluate in vivo effect against H1N1. ELISA test was conducted to observe the effect on IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in serum, as well as IFN-beta secretion in H1N1 infected MDCK supernatant. Real-time RT-PCR was employed to observe the expression levels of IRAK4 and TLR3 mRNA.

RESULTThe in vivo experiment shows that the hemagglutination titer was significantly decreased when the mice were treated with VOSH (0.266 mg x kg(-1)), menthone(0.5 mg x kg(-1)) and pulegone (0.19 mg x kg(-1)) in therapeutic way; VOSH (0.226 mg x kg(-1)) had a significant effect on increasing serum levels of IFN-alpha, IL-2; Methone (0.5 mg x kg(-1)) had a significant effect on increasing serum levels of IFN-beta; Methone (0.5 mg x kg(-1)) and pulegone (0.19 mg x kg(-1)) had a significant effect on decreasing serum levels of IL-6; VOSH (0.452, 0.226 mg x kg(-1)) and pulegone (0.19 mg x kg(-1)) had a significant effect on decreasing serum levels TNF-alpha. The in vitro experiment showed that the expression levels of IRAK4 mRNA and IFN-beta were significantly increased in VOHS (0.1 g x L(-1)) and pulegone (0.1 g x L(-1)) groups; and the menthone (0.25 g x L(-1)) group showed a significant rise in the expression levels of IRAK4 mRNA, but a notable decline in TLR3 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONThe administration with VOSH, methone and pulegone in therapeutic way can significantly decrease the hemagglutination titer, which demonstrates the anti-virus effect of the administration in therapeutic way, but no notable efficacy of the administration in preventive way. The in vivo anti-virus mechanism is related to regulation of IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IL-2.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; physiology ; Influenza, Human ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; immunology ; Lamiaceae ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; immunology

In order to create a novel recombinant human interferon alpha2b (rh-IFN alpha2b) with higher biological activity, we subjected the rational designed sequence of rh-IFN alpha2b to direct evolution by strategy of the combinatorial mutagenesis. The amino acid residues at multiple sites of 52-53-55, 103-107, and 121-125 were simultaneously mutated. The resulted gene of the mutated rh-IFN a2b was cloned into the pET28a and expressed in E. coli BL21 Condon plus (RIL). The anti-virus activity of the novel interferon alpha2b was 9.3 x 10(7) IU/mg, 93 times higher than the wild type (1 x 10(6) IU/mg). The results showed that the multiple point mutation used in this study could effectively combine the site effects of rh-IFN alpha2b and increase its biological activity.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Base Sequence ; Combinatorial Chemistry Techniques ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; methods ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to examine the expression of apoptosis-associated gene Fas in HeLa cell, explore the effects of the co-immobilized cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma), and probe the potential mechanism of action. The preparation and application of the research couple IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha to the polystyrene cell culture plate were performed using the Photo-immobilization method, with different doses (20 ng/well and 200 ng/well) and synthesized optical active material. HeLa cells were treated with cytokines for two dose and 1, 3, 6 days. The result showed that the free cytokines induced HeLa apoptosis quickly, yet the HeLa apoptosis induced by co-immobilized cytokines had longer effect.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drug Synergism ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immobilized Proteins ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Up-Regulation ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo examine inhibition action of multi-glycoside of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis (anti-Thy1.1 GN), and to clarify its effects on inflammatory in vitro.

METHODTwo types of anti-Thy1.1 GN were induced in rats by a single or two intravenous injections with 500 microg of anti-Thy1.1 mAb 1-22-3. Rats were randomly divided into two groups, the GTW group and control group, and sacrificed on day 7 or on day 42 after induction of anti-Thy1.1 GN. Daily oral administration of different dose of GTW and distilled water as a control was started from 3 days before injection or at the same time of injection till the day of sacrifice. Proteinuria was determined during days 7 or during days 42. Infiltration of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma in renal tissue were examined.

RESULTIncrease of infiltration of macrophage in reversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, glomerular macrophage infiltration and IL-2 mRNA expansion were attenuated by higher dose of GTW (75 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), and increased accumulation of activated macrophage and T lymphocyte in irreversible anti-Thy1.1 GN model, accumulation of macrophage and T lymphocyte in glomeruli and mRNA expansion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma were decreased by middling dose of GTW (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) as well. Proteinuria was significantly ameliorated after GTW administration.

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggested that different dose of GTW can ameliorate infiltration of inflammatory cell in glomeruli with anti-Thy1.1 glomerulonephritis in vitro by decreasing the expression of IL-2 and IFN-gamma.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glomerulonephritis ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Fomes fomentarius polysaccharides (FFP) in mice.

METHODSMTT assay was employed to evaluate the in vitro metabolic activity of the mouse splenocytes treated with FFP at different concentrations, and the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) and interleukin 2 (IL-2) from the cells were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The changes in the phagocytotic activity of mouse macrophage in response to FFP treatment were evaluated by phagocytosis percentage of chicken red blood cells (CRBCs). The effect of FFP on the humoral immunity was assessed in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) by measuring the serum levels of specific antibody (hemolysin) against SRBCs.

RESULTSFFP at the concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 microg/ml all significantly enhanced the metabolic activity of mouse splenocytes in vitro and increased the production of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2. FFP treatment also markedly enhanced the metabolic activity of mouse peritoneal exudate cells and TNF-alpha production by the cells. At the doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, FFP significantly increased serum hemolysin level in mice immunized with SRBCs, and FFP at 50 and 100 mg/kg obviously increased the capacity of mouse peritoneal macrophages in vivo for CRBC phagocytosis.

CONCLUSIONFFP can promote the secretion of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2 by mouse immunocytes and enhance mouse humoral immune response and the phagocytotic activity of the macrophages.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Coriolaceae ; chemistry ; Female ; Immunologic Factors ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Interferon-gamma ; secretion ; Interleukin-2 ; secretion ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; secretion