Interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-2(IL-2) and interleukin-6(IL-6) activities and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) contents in plasma from patients with different sites of cancers as well as controls using bioassay technique were studied. The results showed that the levels of IL-1,IL-2,IL-6 s from patients with different sites of cancer were decreased remarkably in comparision with controls and the contents of TNF from patients with different sites of cancers increased significantly. But the difference between different sites of cancer was not statistically significant. The data suggest that the variations in the contents of TNF and the levels of interleukins may be related to the development of these caner patients.
ObjectiveTo study the inhibitory effects of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) on oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization in mice, and to investigate the possible involvement of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the neovascular-inhibitory function of PEDF. Methods A total of 140 postnatal day (P)7 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group, oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model group, PEDF treatment group and PBS treatment control group. All mice except normal control group with their mothers were exposed to (75±2)% oxygen environment for 5 days and then kept in room air for another 5 days to establish the OIR model. Mice in normal control group were kept in room air only. At P12 and P14, respectively, mice in PEDF treatment group received intravitreous injections of 1 μl PEDF (2 μg/μl), while PBS treatment control group received the same volume of PBS (10 mmol/L, pH7.4).All mice were euthanized at P17 and eyes were isolated. The changes of retinal vessels were observed on retinal flat mounts and cryosections by fluorescence microscopy. Retinal specimens were prepared for IL-1β protein and mRNA analysis by Western blot and real time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (Real-time RT-PCR). ResultsChanges of retinal vessels had been viewed by fluorescence microscopy on flat-mounted retina, the relative retinal neovascularization areas were significantly increased in OIR model group compared with normal control group (t=15.02, P < 0.01), and the relative retinal neovascularization areas were obviously smaller in PEDF treatment group than those in PBS treatment control group (t=5.96, P < 0.01). Fluorescence staining revealed that retinal vascular tufts were extending from outer plexiform layer (OPL) to ganglion cell layer (GCL) of the retina along with multiple interconnections; Neovascular tufts in OIR model group and PBS treatment control group were presenting distinctly more than those of normal control group and PEDF treatment group. The specific expression levels of IL-1β protein in retinas of OIR mice by Western-blot analysis were higher than those of normal control group(t=3.35, P < 0.05), While these of PEDF treatment group showed a considerable decline in comparison with PBS treatment control group (P < 0.01), and there were no difference in normal control group and PEDF-treated group (F=11.764, P > 0.05). Similarly, expression levels of IL-1β mRNA tested by Real-time RT-PCR were obviously increased in the OIR model group when compared to normal control group(t=4.43, P < 0.01). After treated with PEDF, expression levels of IL-1β mRNA showed a considerable decrease when compared to PBS treatment control group (P < 0.01), and there were no difference in normal control group and PEDF-treated group (F=11.15, P > 0.05). ConclusionsPEDF can inhibit oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization. The mechanism may be related to that PEDF can downregulate the expression of IL-1β in retina.
Interleukin-18 is an inactive precursor which lacks a signal peptide, it has a role in regulating retinal pathological angiogenesis. It also inhibits experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) via interferon-γand thrombospondin-1. Currently little is known about its mechanisms of inhibition for CNV, may be speculated to be due to effects of anti-angiogenesis, down-regulates vascular permeability and lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels via directly acting on the vascular endothelial cell and epithelial cells. Exogenous administration of mature recombinant interleukin-18 has no adverse effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell viability. In addition, the anti-VEGF role of interleukin-18 is tested to be safe and effective for humans. Interleukin-18 alone or in combination with anti-VEGF shows to be a good prospect for improving the prognosis of experimental CNV. However, more large clinical studies are required to confirm the exact efficacy of interleukin-18 for CNV.
Objective To observe the influence of interleukin-1beta; (IL-1beta;) on the expression of phosphorylated signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (pSTAT 3) in rat retinal Muuml;ller cells.Methods For in vitro study cultured Muuml;ller cells were treated with IL-1beta; of different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 ng/ml) for 24 hours. For in vivo study, 32 Sprague-Dawley（SD）rats were divided into 4 groups randomly (control group，100，500 and 1000 ng/ml group) with 8 rats in each group. After 24 hours of injection with phosphate buffered solution (PBS), or 100,500,1000 ng/ml IL-1beta; into the vitreous cavities of the above rats, retinas were harvested. The expressions of pSTAT3 in cultured Muuml;ller cells or treated retinas were evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence and western blotting.Results After 24 hours of incubation without IL-1beta;, pSTAT3 has little expression in cultured Muuml;ller cells, but was upregulated by 1 ng/ml or higher IL-1beta; in a dosagedependent manner (F=46.64, 43.78;P＜0.01). pSTAT3 was not expressed in adult rat retina, but was upregulated by vitreous injection of 100 ng/ml or higher IL-1beta; in a dosagedependent manner (F=73.53,43.70;P＜0.01).pSTAT3 expressed mainly in inner nuclear layer and ganglion cell layer. Doublelabeling showed that there was no costaining of pSTAT3 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in retina of control group, but there were many costained Muuml;ller cells in retinas treated with IL-1beta;.Conclusions Expression of pSTAT3 in Muuml;ller cells could be activated by IL-1beta; which may represent one pathway link to reactive gliosis.
Objective To explore the mechanism of Liuhedan in promoting wound healing through applying Liuhedan to the infective wounds of New Zealand white rabbits. Methods A total of forty New Zealand white rabbit models of infective wounds were established after anesthesia. Five circular infective incisions were generated on the back of each rabbit, with a diameter of 2 cm. Five wounds of each rabbit were assigned respectively to the control group, model group, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (Oleum Lithospermum), Western medicine group (calcium alginat), and treatment group (Liuhedan). Wound dressings were performed every day since postoperative day 1. Ten rabbits were selected randomly to be euthanized on postoperative day 3, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Each specimen was divided into two parts. One was used for detecting interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the other was used for detecting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by immunocytochemistry. Results On postoperative day 3 and 7, groups with the expression of IL-1β from low to high were respectively the control group, the treatment group, the Western medicine group, the TCM group, and the model group [postoperative day 3: (680.81±185.53), (1 028.67±205.57), (1 278.67±251.15), (1 449.86±230.74), (1 544.62±371.77) pg/mL; postoperative day 7: (1 024.43±239.94), (1 333.57±257.31), (1 635.14±222.40), (1 784.71±323.85), (1 953.29±324.78) pg/mL], and all the differences among the groups were significant (P<0.05); On postoperative day 14, groups with the expression of IL-1β from low to high were respectively the treatment group, the control group, the Western medicine group, the TCM group, and the model group [(908.71±108.61), (978.57±161.75), (1 120.43±265.39), (1 129.71±298.06), (1 191.14±234.92) pg/mL], and all the differences among groups were significant (P<0.05) except the difference between the Western medicine group and the TCM group (P>0.05); On postoperative day 21, the expression of IL-1β in the control group, the model group, the TCM group, and the Western medicine group was (487.19±121.80), (496.35±102.15), (500.31±139.34), (499.08±120.67) pg/mL, respectively, with no significant differences among the groups (P>0.05), which were all higher than that in the treatment group [(398.62±102.93) pg/mL] with significant difference (P<0.05). The expression of TNF-α in the model group was significantly greater than those in the other groups. The expression of TNF-α in the treatment group and Western medicine group was significantly lower compared with the model group. The expression of TNF-α in the TCM group was stronger compared with those in the treatment group and the Western medicine group. Conclusion Liuhedan can specifically suppress the expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the treatment of infective wounds, decrease the release of inflammatory factor and promote the healing.
Objective To investigate the changes of microRNA-150 ( miR-150) in peripheral blood leukocytes in sepsis patients, and their relationship with expression of immune cytokines and sepsis severity. Methods The level of mature miR-150 was quantified by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and normalized to that of control miRNA, U6, in peripheral blood leukocytes of 40 patients with sepsis, 20 patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome ( SIRS) , and 20 normal individuals. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay in all subjects. The sequential organ failure assessment ( SOFA) score systemwas used to evaluate the severity of sepsis. The relationships between miR-150 and the white blood cell count ( WBC) , TNF-α, IL-10 and SOFA score of the sepsis patients were analyzed. Results MiR-150 was stable for at least 5 days when specimen stored at 4 ℃ and the determination of miR-150 had a broad linear detecting range ( 6. 97-6. 97 ×104 pg/ μL RNA, the lowest detecting limit: 6. 97 pg/μL RNA,r=0.999) .MiR-150 expression in the peripheral blood leukocytes in the sepsis group was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group ( Plt;0.01) , while WBC, IL-10 and IL-10/TNF-α ratio were significantly higher ( Plt;0.05) . There was no significant difference in levels of miR-150, IL-10, IL-10/TNF-α ratio, and WBC between the sepsis group and the SIRS group (Pgt;0.05) . There was no significant difference in serum concentrations of TNF-α among three groups ( Pgt;0.05) . MiR-150 expression in non-survivor sepsis patients was significantly lower than that in survivor sepsis patients (Plt;0.05) , while serum IL-10 and IL-10/TNF-αratio were significantly higher (Plt;0.01) , but there was no significant difference in serum TNF-α between the non-survivor group and the survivor group ( Pgt;0.05) . There was significantly negative correlation between miR-150 and SOFA score, TNF-α and IL-10( r=-0. 619, - 0.457, -0. 431, Plt;0.05, respectively) , but no correlation between miR-150 and WBC ( r =-0. 184, Pgt;0.05) . There was no relationship between serum TNF-α, IL-10, IL-10 /TNF-α ratio or SOFA score ( Pgt;0.05) . Conclusions MiR-150 expression in the peripheral blood specimens is significantly decreased in sepsis patients. The expression level of miR-150 not only reflect the situation of inflammatory response, but also may be used as a prognostic marker in sepsis, as it can reflect the severity of sepsis in certain degree.
Objective To explore the changes and interrelationship of serum interleukin-12 (IL-12) and T lymphocyte subset in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). Methods Serum IL-12 level was determined by ELISA in 36 patients with PHC. The peripheral blood T lymphocyte subset was assessed with flow cytometry. The distribution and changes of T lymphocyte subset in the tumor tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry analysis. Results The numbers of the CD＋4 T cell were reduced and of the CD＋8 T cell increased either in peripheral blood or tumor tissue, and showed the trend of the ratio (T4/T8) declined progressively with the aggravation of the state with PHC. IL-12 and T4/T8 had significant interrelationship.Conclusion IL-12 is an important antitumor factor of the patients with PHC. T lymphocyte subset plays a great role in the process of antitumor.
Objective To investigate the effects of ischemic postconditioning （IPO） on inflammatory response inischemia-reperfusion （IR） injury of rat lungs in vivo. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups inclu-ding a sham surgery group （S group），a 30-minute IR group （I/R-30 group），a 120-minute IR group（IR-120 group），a 30-minute IPO group （IPO-30 group），and a 120-minute IPO group （IPO-120 group）. There were 8 rats in each group. All therats received left thoracotomy after anesthesia. In the sham surgery group，a line was only placed around the left hilum butnot fastened. In the I/R-30 group and I/R-120 group，a line was fastened to block the blood flow of the left lung for 1 hour，then loosened for reperfusion for 30 minutes and 120 minutes respectively. In the IPO-30 group and IPO-120 group，afterblocking the blood flow of the left lung for 1 hour，the left hilum was fastened for 10 seconds and loosened for 10 seconds（repeating 3 times for 1 minute），then the line was loosened for 30 minutes and 120 minutes respectively. The levels of interleukin-10 （IL-10） in lung tissues and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （sICAM-1） in plasma were measured. Histopathological changes of lung tissues were observed and diffuse alveolar damage （DAD） scores was calculated.Results The levels of plasma sICAM-1 in the I/R-30 group and I/R-120 group were significantly higher than that of S group ［（2.140±0.250）μg/L vs. （0.944±0.188）μg/L，P=0.003；（2.191±0.230）μg/L vs. （0.944±0.188）μg/L，P=0.003］. IL-10levels in lung tissues in the I/R-30group and I/R-120 group were also significantly higher than that of S group［（15.922±0.606）pg/mg pro vs. （7.261±0.877）pg/mg pro，P=0.037；（17.421±1.232）pg/mg pro vs. （7.261±0.877）pg/mg pro，P=0.042］. Pathologic lesions of lung tissues in the I/R-30 group and I/R-120 group were more severe than that of S group. After IPO, plasma sICAM-1 levels in the IPO-30 group and IPO-120 group were significantly lower than those in the I/R-30group and I/R-120 group respectively ［（1.501±0.188）μg/L vs.（2.140±0.250）μg/L，P=0.038；（1.350±0.295）μg/L vs.（2.191±0.230）μg/L，P=0.005］. IL-10 levels in lung tissues in the IPO-30 group and IPO-120 group were significantly higherthan those in the I/R-30 group and I/R-120 group respectively ［（20.950±1.673）pg/mg pro vs.（15.922±0.606）pg/mgpro，P=0.008；（25.334±1.173）pg/mg pro vs.（17.421±1.232）pg/mg pro，P=0.006］. DAD scores in the IPO-30 group andIPO-120 group were significantly lower than those in the I/R-30 group and I/R-120 group respectively ［6.8±1.4 vs. 11.5±1.9，P=0.007；7.5±1.6 vs. 13.2±1.7，P=0.005］. Pathological lesions of the lung tissues of IPO groups were less severe than those of I/R groups. Conclusion IPO can attenuate IR injury by inhibiting inflammatory response in rat lungs.
Objective To construct a regulatable plasmid containing single chain fusion gene of murine interleukin-12 (mIL-12) which was regulated with mifepristone (RU486) and explore its expression in vitro. Methods The p40 and p35 subunit sequence of mIL-20 were respectively obtained from the plasmid GCp35Ep40PN by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and they were cloned into pCA14 plasmid after introducing a linker by overlap PCR. The single chain mIL-12 gene was comfirmed by sequencing and subcloned into pRS-17 vector which contains RU486 regulator cassette. The positive clone named pRS-RUmIL-12 was identified by restriction endonuclease digestion and PCR. Lipofectamine 2000 was used to transfect the pRS-RUmIL-12 to HEK293 cells followed by manufacturer’s recommendations. The protein concentration of mIL-12 induced with RU486 in supernatant of the transfected HEK293 cells was measured by ELISA. Results The sequence of single chain mIL-12 what we obtained was the same as the expected result. The results of restriction endonuclease digestion and PCR showed that the RU486-inducible regulatory vector (pRS-RUmIL-12) was successfully constructed. No significant mIL-12 protein concentration in supernatant of HEK293 cells activation was measured without the inducer RU486, whereas higher concentration of the mIL-12 protein was observed in the presence of RU486. The relationship of concentration of the mIL-12 protein and RU486 was positive correlated under definite range. Conclusion A regulatable eukaryotic expression plasmid of mIL-12 single chain fusion gene was constructed, which could be used in the further research of gene regulation and gene therapy.
【Abstract】Objective To investigate the role of interleukin-10（IL-10） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in experimental severe acute pancreatitis.Methods Forty-eight SD rats were divided into control group and SAP group by the random data table. The model of experimental severe acute pancreatitis was established by injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate into the bili-pancreatic duct. Lung wet weight index, ascities and level of serum amylase, IL-10 and IL-18 were quantitatively measured in different time. Intrapulmonary expressions of IL-10 mRNA and IL-18 mRNA were detected by semiquantitative RTPCR. The histopathology of pancreas and lung were observed under the light microscope.Results Lung wet weight index, ascities, level of serum amylase, IL-10 and IL-18, intrapulmonary expressions of IL-10 mRNA and IL-18 mRNA were significantly increased in SAP group (P＜0.01). The level of serum IL-18 and intrapulmonary expression of IL-18mRNA are positively correlated with lung wet weight index （r=0.68,P＜0.01; r=0.72,P＜0.01） and lung injury score （r=0.74,P＜0.01; r=0.79,P＜0.01) respectively, whereas the level of serum IL-10 and intrapulmonary expression of IL-10 mRNA are negatively correlated with lung wet weight index（r=-0.62,P＜0.01; r=-0.69,P＜0.01） and lung injury score（r=-0.66,P＜0.01; r=-0.60,P＜0.01）. Conclusion IL-18 may play a key role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in experimental severe acute pancreatitis, and IL-10 exerts the protection role in this process.