The innate immune system provides a first line of defense against invading pathogens, in which the pattern recognition receptors (PRR) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and initiate the downstream signaling pathways to eliminate the encountered pathogens. There are two main classes of such signaling pathways: NOD-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. The microbial pathogens under selective pressure have evolved numerous mechanisms to avoid and/or manipulate the NLR and TLR signal transduction for survival and replication. To evade the NLR signaling pathway, pathogens interfere and/or inhibit inflammasome activation in innate immune cells by producing virulence factors or reducing PAMPs expression. The mechanisms for pathogens to evade TLR signaling pathway include: inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) cascade reaction, inhibition of NF-КB activation, and interference of down-stream signal transduction by producing Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR)-containing proteins which bind directly with TLRs or adaptor proteins in the signaling pathway.
Immunity, Innate ; NLR Proteins ; immunology ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1(TREM-1) in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD).

METHODSBased on color Doppler examination results, 45 children with KD were classified into two groups: coronary artery lesions (CAL group) and no coronary artery lesions (NCAL group). Fifteen children with fever caused by respiratory infection (fever control group) and fifteen healthy children (normal control group) served as controls. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of TREM-1 mRNA and DNAX-activating protein 12 (DAP12) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). ELISA was used to detect the expression of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), DAP12, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8) proteins levels.

RESULTSThe mean serum protein concentrations of sTREM-1 and DAP12 and the expression levels of TREM-1 mRNA and DAP12 mRNA in PBMC in 45 children with KD (KD group) were significantly higher than in the two control groups (P<0.05). The levels of sTREM-1 protein and TREM-1 mRNA in the CAL subgroup were significantly higher than in the NCAL subgroup (P<0.05). The serum protein concentrations of MCP-1 and IL-8 in the KD group were significantly higher than in the two control groups (P<0.05). The MCP-1 protein level in the CAL subgroup was significantly higher than in the NCAL subgroup (P<0.05). In children with KD, there was a positive correlation between serum sTREM-1 and MCP-1 levels (r=0.523, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTREM-1 activation may be involved in the development of KD.

Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; blood ; genetics ; physiology ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; etiology ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Immunologic ; blood ; genetics ; physiology ; Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1

Interleukin (IL) 33, a member of the IL-1 superfamily, is an "alarmin" protein and is secreted in its active form from damaged cells undergoing necrotic cell death. Mast cells are one of the main effector cell types in allergic disorders. They secrete a variety of mediators, including T helper 2 cytokines. As mast cells have high-affinity IgE receptors (FcepsilonRI) on their surface, they can capture circulating IgE. IgE-bound mast cells degranulate large amounts of histamine, heparin, and proteases when they encounter antigens. As IL-33 is an important mediator of innate immunity and mast cells play an important role in adaptive immune responses, interactions between the two could link innate and adaptive immunity. IL-33 promotes the adhesion of mast cells to laminin, fibronectin, and vitronectin. IL-33 increases the expression of adhesion molecules, such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, in endothelial cells, thus enhancing mast cell adhesion to blood vessel walls. IL-33 stimulates mast cell proliferation by activating the ST2/Myd88 pathway; increases mast cell survival by the activation of survival proteins such as Bcl-XL; and promotes the growth, development, and maturation of mast cell progenitors. IL-33 is also involved in the activation of mature mast cells and production of different proinflammatory cytokines. The interaction of IL-33 and mast cells could have important clinical implications in the field of clinical urology. Epithelial dysfunction and mast cells could play an important role in the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis. Urinary levels of IL-33 significantly increase in patients with interstitial cystitis. In addition, the number of mast cells significantly increase in the urinary bladders of patients with interstitial cystitis. Therefore, inhibition of mast cell activation and degranulation in response to increase in IL-33 is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of interstitial cystitis.
Adaptive Immunity* ; Allergy and Immunology ; Blood Vessels ; Cell Death ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; Cytokines ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibronectins ; Heparin ; Histamine ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukins ; Laminin ; Mast Cells* ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Receptors, IgE ; Urinary Bladder ; Urology ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; Vitronectin

OBJECTIVETo clone the variable region genes of human anti-IL1RAP (IL-1 receptor accessory protein) monoclonal antibodies (McAb) and to construct IL1RAP chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).

METHODSThe VH and VL DNA of IL1RAP single chain antibodies were amplified by RACE and overlap extension PCR from total RNA extracted from 3H6E10 and 10D8A7 hybridoma and ligated into specific IL1RAP single-chain variable fragments (scFv). CD8α transmembrane domain, CD137 intracellular domain, TCR ζ chain, human CD8α signal peptide and scFv-anti-IL1RAP were cloned into plasmid LV-lac. Recombinant lentiviruses were generated by co-transfection of recombinant plasmid LV-lac, pMD2. G, and psPAX2 helper vectors into 293FT packing cells.

RESULTSThe VH and VL genes of 2 human anti-IL1RAP McAb were acquired. The 3H6E10 VH and VL genes consisted of 402 bp and 393 bp encoding 134 and 131 aminoacid residues, respectively; 10D8A7 VH and VL genes consisted of 423 bp and 381 bp encoding 141 and 127 amine acid residues, respectively. Recombinant expression vertors LV-3H6E10 scFv-ICD and LV-10D8A7 scFv-ICD (ICD: CD8α transmembrane domain-CD137 intracellular domain-TCR ζ chain) were constructed. The target fragments were demonstrated by sequencing analysis. Recombinant plasmids were transfected into 293FT cells and lentiviral particles were acquired.

CONCLUSIONHuman anti-IL1RAP recombinant receptors are constructed successfully and lay a good foundation for the construction of IL1RAP-CAR killer T cell vaccine.

Antibodies, Monoclonal ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Hybridomas ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; Interleukin-1 Receptor Accessory Protein ; immunology ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Antigen ; genetics ; Single-Chain Antibodies

OBJECTIVETo study whether infantile wheezing pneumonia has similar immune mechanisms to asthma by determining the levels of serum inflammatory factors in wheezing infants with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

METHODSForty-two infants with CAP but without wheezing, 47 infants with CAP and wheezing, and 30 healthy infants as a control were recruited in the study. The peripheral blood levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-l, interferon-γ, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and periostin were compared in the three groups.

RESULTSThe serum levels of procalcitonin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-l, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 in the two CAP groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The ratio of interferon-γ/interleukin-4 in the wheezing pneumonia group was lower than in the non-wheezing pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05). The serum level of periostin in the wheezing pneumonia group was higher than in the non-wheezing pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe unbalanced ratio of interferon-γ/interleukin-4 and airway eosinophilic inflammation in wheezing infants with pneumonia suggest infantile pneumonia with wheezing may has similar immune mechanisms to asthma.

Child, Preschool ; Community-Acquired Infections ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; blood ; Pneumonia ; immunology ; Receptors, Immunologic ; blood ; Respiratory Sounds ; immunology ; Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and role of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) and ST2 in the nasal polyps of human Eosinophilic and non-Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ECRS and non-ECRS). METHOD: IL-33 and ST2 protein expression in nasal polyps of ECRS and non-ECRS as well as in seemingly normal mucosa of the inferior turbinate tissue was investigated by immunohistochemical staining and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of IL-33 and ST2 was assessed by realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 27 subjects with ECRS, 33 subjects with non-ECRS, and 11 control subjects. RESULT: (1) The ST2 was found both in nasal polyps of ECRS and non-ECRS,especially in ECRS, yet hardly found in the normal mucosa of the inferior turbinate tissue; (2) The expression of ST2 mRNA in nasal polyps of ECRS was higher than that in non-ECRS and normal inferior turbinate tissue, and the difference was both prominent in statistics (P<0.01); (3) The expression patterns of IL-33 at both mRNA and protein levels were not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The IL-33 and its receptor ST2 were both expressed in human nasal polyps including ECRS and non-ECRS, meanwhile the expression patterns of ST2 at both mRNA and protein levels were significantly higher in nasal polyps of ECRS. The current study suggests that IL-33 and its receptor ST2 may play important roles in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, especially in ECRS through the increased expression of ST2 in Eosinophils as a hypothesis.
Chronic Disease ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein ; Interleukin-33 ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Nasal Polyps ; immunology ; RNA, Messenger ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; metabolism ; Rhinitis ; immunology ; Sinusitis ; immunology ; Turbinates ; metabolism

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), tumor necrosis factor soluble receptors (sTNF-R) type I and II, and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) play an important role in the modulation of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) course. The aim of the study was to assess whether pre-treatment measurements of IL-1ra, sTNF-R, and RANTES assessed conjointly may be useful as predicting factors in patients with GN. In 84 patients (45 males and 39 female) serum concentration (pg/mL) and urinary excretion (pg/mgCr) of cytokines were measured. After 12 months of therapy with steroids and cyclophosphamide the patients were divided into two subgroups: Responders (R) and Non-Responders (NR) according to the treatment results. The urinary IL-1ra, TNF-RI and RII were significantly higher in R than NR (1,732 vs 646 with P < 0.001, 13.1 vs 6.3 with P = 0.005, and 33.6 vs 14.4 with P = 0.012). The urinary RANTES excretion was increased in NR (79.6 vs 28.5; P < 0.001). The multivariable analysis showed that if conjointly assessed, only urinary IL-1ra, TNF-R I and R II, RANTES with 85% probability pointed the feature remission (R). In conclusion, the urinary excretion of IL-1ra, TNF-R I and R II, and RANTES examined conjointly are effective in predicting favorable response to immunosuppressive treatment in patients with GN.
Adult ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis/drug therapy/*metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein/*analysis/blood/urine ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/*analysis/blood/urine ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II/*analysis/blood/urine ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of chemokine receptors and interleukin (IL) receptors on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and their correlations with clinical features as well as SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI).

METHODSThe mRNA expressions of chemokine receptors and IL receptors on PBMCs of 93 SLE patients and 30 healthy controls were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, including CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6, CCR8, CXCR3, CXCRS, CX3CR1, XCR1, IL-4R, and IL-10R. The clinical features of SLE patients were recorded. The correlations of chemokine receptors and IL receptors mRNA expressions with clinical features as well as SLEDAI were assayed using linear regression analysis.

RESULTSThe level of CCR5 mRNA in SLE patients (including active and inactive SLE) was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between active and inactive patients in this respect (P > 0.05). CX3CR1 mRNA expression significantly increased from healthy control to inactive SLE to active SLE in sequence. The others (except for CCR8, CXCR3, and IL-10R) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in both inactive SLE patients and healthy controls (all P < 0.05). There were positive correlations between SLEDAI and CCR2 (r = 0.424, t = 4.313, P < 0.001), CCR3 (r = 0.518, t = 5.410, P < 0.001), CCR4 (r = 0.376, t = 3.851, P < 0.001), CCR6 (r = 0.457, t = 4.513, P < 0.001), CXCR5 (r = 0.455, t = 4.629, P < 0.001), CX3CR1 (r = 0.445, t = 4.523, P < 0.001), as well as XCR1 (r = 0.540, t = 5.445, P < 0.001). And CCR5 mRNA expression level was positively correlated with IL-4R mRNA (r = 0.313, t = 2.353, P < 0.05). The patients with myositis and cutaneous vasculitis simultaneously showed lower levels of CCR5 and CX3CR1, and CCR5 expression was negatively correlated with the scores of SLEDAI in SLE cases accompanied by photosensitivity (r = 0.426, t = -2.155, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreased expressions of CCR5 and CX3CR1 on PBMCs may be indicators in clinical survey for SLE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1 ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; etiology ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Receptors, CCR5 ; genetics ; Receptors, Chemokine ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin-4 ; genetics

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Child ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; immunology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Immunologic ; metabolism

We studied the immunogenicity of pseudorabies virus gC DNA vaccination by fusing the murine complement C3d receptor binding domain. First, pseudorabies virus gC gene was linked to four copies of C3d receptor binding domain (M284), and then cloned into the vector pcDNA3.1 to construct the recombinant plasmid sgC-M284. Through the experiment of immunized BALB/c mice, we found that the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody titer for sgC-M284 was 17-fold higher than that for sgC alone, and protective rate of mice was augmented from 25% to 88% after lethal dose PrV (316 LD50) challenge. In addition, the IL-4 levels for sgC-M284 immunization approached that for the pseudorabies virus inactivated vaccine. In conclusion, we demonstrated murine C3d receptor binding domain fusion significantly increased Th2-biased immune response by inducing IL-4 production.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; physiology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; immunology ; Binding Sites ; Cloning, Molecular ; Complement C3d ; genetics ; immunology ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Pseudorabies Vaccines ; immunology ; Receptors, Complement 3d ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Swine ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; pharmacology ; Viral Fusion Proteins ; immunology