Pro-inflammatory Stimuli (pro-inflammatory + stimulus)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Cell contact interaction between adipose-derived stromal cells and allo-activated T lymphocytes

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2009
Monique E. Quaedackers
Abstract Mesenchymal stromal cells regulate immune cell function via the secretion of soluble factors. Cell membrane interactions between these cell types may play an additional role. Here, we demonstrate that subpopulations of allo-activated T cells are capable of binding to human adipose-derived stromal cells (ASC). The bound T-cell population contained CD8+ T cells and was enriched for CD4,CD8, T cells, whereas the proportion of CD4+ T cells was decreased compared with the non-bound T-cell population. Bound CD4+ T cells had high proliferative activity and increased CD25 and FoxP3 expression. However, they also expressed CD127, excluding regulatory T-cell function. In CD8+ T cells, IL-2 sensitivity, as determined by the analysis of phosphorylated STAT5, was lower in the presence of ASC and even lower in bound cells. In contrast, IL-2-induced phosphorylated STAT5 levels were higher in bound CD4+ T cells than in non-bound CD4+ T cells. Additionally, pro-proliferative TGF-, signalling via endoglin and SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation was detected in bound CD4+ T cells. Even after prolonged co-culture with ASC, the activated phenotype of bound CD4+ T cells persisted. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the binding of lymphocytes to ASC represents an immunomodulatory mechanism in which CD8+ T cells are inhibited in their responsiveness to pro-inflammatory stimuli and reactive CD4+ T cells are depleted from the immune response. [source]


The role of MAPK in governing lymphocyte adhesion to and migration across the microvasculature in inflammatory bowel disease

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Franco Scaldaferri
Abstract Lymphocyte recruitment is a key pathogenic event in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Adhesion of T cells to human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) is mediated by ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and fractalkine (FKN), but the signaling molecules that orchestrate this process have yet to be identified. Because MAPK play an important role in the response of many cell types to pro-inflammatory stimuli, we assessed the functional role of p38 MAPK, p42/44 MAPK and JNK in the regulation of lymphocyte adhesion to and chemotaxis across the microvasculature in IBD. We found that the MAPK were phosphorylated in the bowel microvasculature and human intestinal fibroblasts of patients with IBD but not of healthy individuals. Stimulation of HIMEC with TNF- , triggered phosphorylation of the MAPK, and up-regulation of VCAM-1, FKN and ICAM-1. Blockade of p38 decreased the expression of all MAPK by 50% (p<0.01), whereas inhibition of p42/44 decreased the expression of ICAM-1 and FKN by 50% (p<0.01). Treatment of human intestinal fibroblasts with TNF- , elicited production of IL-8 and MCP-1, which was reduced (p<0.05) by blockade of p38 and p42/44. Finally, blockade of p38 and p42/44 reduced lymphocyte adhesion to (p<0.05) and transmigration across (p<0.05) HIMEC monolayers. These findings suggest a critical role for MAPK in governing lymphocyte influx into the gut in IBD patients, and their blockade may offer a molecular target for blockade of leukocyte recruitment to the intestine. [source]


Roles of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and its receptors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002
Noriaki Kume
In elderly populations, atherosclerotic diseases, including ischemic heart disease and stroke, frequently impair quality of life and affect mortality. Hypercholesterolemia, especially increased plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is one of the strongest risk factors for atheroscletorotic diseases. Oxidative modification of LDL appears to convert LDL particles to more atherogenic forms. Scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) and CD36 have been identified and well-characerized as receptors for Ox-LDL in macrophages. In addition to these molecules, lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX)-1 and scavenger receptor for phosphatidylserine and oxidized lipoprotein (SR-PSOX) are type II and I membrane glycoproteins, respectively, both of which can act as cell-surface endocytosis receptors for atherogenic oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). LOX-1 expression can dynamically be induced by pro-inflammatory stimuli, and is detectable in cultured macrophages and activated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), in addition to endothelial cells. LOX-1-dependent uptake of Ox-LDL induces apoptosis of cultured VSMC. In vivo, endothelial cells that cover early atherosclerotic lesions, and intimal macrophages and VSMC in advanced atherosclerotic plaques dominantly express LOX-1. LOX-1 expressed on the cell-surface can be cleaved in part and released as soluble molecules, suggesting the diagnostic value of soluble LOX-1. SR-PSOX is a newly identified receptor for Ox-LDL, which appears to be identical to CXCL16, a novel membrane-anchored chemokine directed to CXCR6-positive lymphocytes. In contrast to LOX-1, which is expressed by a variety of cell types, SR-PSOX expression appeared relatively confined to macrophages in atherogenesis. Taken together, oxidized LDL receptors, including LOX-1 and SR-PSOX, may play important roles in atherogenesis and atherosclerotic plaque rupture. [source]


The role of fatty acid hydrolase gene variants in inflammatory bowel disease

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2009
M. STORR
Summary Background, Recent studies suggest a role for the endocannabinoid system, including fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in intestinal inflammation. Aim, To analyse FAAH expression and the FAAH 385 C/A (p.Pro129Thr; rs324420) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in-patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients and methods, Genomic DNA from 1008 individuals (CD: n = 435; UC: n = 167; controls: n = 406) was analysed for the FAAH 385 C/A SNP. We determined FAAH mRNA expression by quantitative PCR in CD and UC lesions as well as in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Results, There were no significant differences regarding the frequency of this SNP in the three study groups (CD, UC, controls). However, CD patients homozygous for the FAAH p.Pro129Thr polymorphism were more likely to develop a severe disease phenotype associated with fistulas (P = 0.03, OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.08,8.98) and extra-intestinal manifestations (P = 0.005, OR 4.29, CI 1.49,12.35). In UC, homozygous carriers had an earlier disease onset than wild-type carriers (P = 0.01). FAAH mRNA expression correlated with IL-8 mRNA expression in CD lesions (r = 0.53). However, pro-inflammatory stimuli did not significantly increase FAAH mRNA expression in IECs. Conclusion, The FAAH p.Pro129Thr polymorphism may modulate the CD phenotype. [source]


N-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-anthranilic acid (tranilast) suppresses microglial inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and activity induced by interferon-, (IFN-,)

BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 6 2001
Michael Platten
Microglial cells up-regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in response to various pro-inflammatory stimuli including interferon-, (IFN-,), allowing for the release of nitric oxide (NO). Tranilast (N-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-anthranilic acid) is an antiallergic compound with suppressive effects on the activation of monocytes. Here, we show that N9 murine microglial cells express iNOS mRNA and protein and release nitric oxide into the culture medium in response to IFN-, (200 u ml,1) as measured by Northern and Western blot analyses and Griess assay. Exposure to non-toxic doses of tranilast (30 , 300 ,M) leads to a concentration-dependent inhibition of IFN-,-induced (200 u ml,1) iNOS mRNA and protein expression. This is paralleled by a suppression of NO-release into the cell culture medium. Inhibition of IFN-,-induced iNOS mRNA expression by tranilast is paralleled by an inhibition of nuclear factor-,B (NF-,B) activation and phosphorylation of inhibitory ,B (I,B) as determined by Western blot analyses and NF-,B reporter gene assay. These results suggest that tranilast-mediated suppression of microglial iNOS activity induced by IFN-, involves the inhibition of NF-,B-dependent iNOS mRNA expression. British Journal of Pharmacology (2001) 134, 1279,1284; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704373 [source]


Effect of pro-inflammatory stimuli on mucin expression and inhibition by secretory leucoprotease inhibitor

CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Siobhan Griffin
Summary Stimuli-induced expression of certain mucin genes has been demonstrated to occur as a result of ligand-dependent activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In particular, MUC5AC expression can be induced by cigarette-smoke, neutrophil elastase and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following activation of tumour necrosis factor ,-converting enzyme. We now show that a large of number of stimuli relevant to the cystic fibrosis lung , neutrophil elastase, LPS, Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4 Hydrochloride (a lipopeptide analogue), CpG DNA (which mimics bacterial DNA) and cystic fibrosis bronchoalveolar lavage fluid , can activate MUC1 and 2 expression as well as MUC5AC expression in lung epithelial cells via an EGFR-dependent mechanism. In addition, we demonstrate that the immunomodulatory anti-protease, secretory leucoprotease inhibitor, can inhibit stimuli-induced MUC1, 2 and 5AC expression via a mechanism that is primarily dependent on the inhibition of transforming growth factor type alpha release. Therefore, mucin gene expression, induced by cystic fibrosis respiratory stimuli, can be inhibited by secretory leucoprotease inhibitor indicating its potential importance as an anti-mucin agent in cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung diseases characterized by mucus hypersecretion. [source]


Potential mechanisms for astrocyte-TIMP-1 downregulation in chronic inflammatory diseases

JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2006
Jessica Gardner
Abstract The pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 associated dementia, is exacerbated by an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the context of disease, TIMP-1 has emerged as an important multifunctional protein capable of regulating inflammation. We previously reported differential TIMP-1 expression in acute versus chronic activation of astrocytes. This study investigates possible mechanisms underlying TIMP-1 downregulation in chronic neuroinflammation. We used interleukin (IL)-1, as a model pro-inflammatory stimulus and measured TIMP-1 binding to extracellular matrix, cell death, receptor downregulation, TIMP-1 mRNA stability and transcriptional regulation in activated astrocytes. TIMP-1 remained localized to the cell body or was secreted into the cell supernatant. DNA fragmentation ELISA and MTT assay showed that prolonged IL-1, activation of astrocytes induced significant astrocyte death. In acute and chronic IL-1,-activated astrocytes, IL-1 receptor levels were not significantly different. TIMP-1 mRNA stability was measured in astrocytes and U87 astroglioma cells by real-time PCR, and TIMP-1 promoter activation was studied using TIMP-1-luciferase reporter constructs in transfected astrocytes. Our results indicated that TIMP-1 expression is regulated through multiple mechanisms. Transcriptional control and loss of mRNA stabilization are, however, the most likely primary contributors to chronic downregulation of TIMP-1. These data are important for unraveling the mechanisms underlying astrocyte responses during chronic neuroinflammation and have broader implications in other inflammatory diseases that involve MMP/TIMP imbalance. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]