Comparative study on the mechanism of formation of pulse manifestations in coronary heart disease and hematopathic patients

Most patients suffering from coronary heart disease have string--like pulse due mainly to disorder of cardiac function, lowered arterial compliance and increased total peripheral resistance. The common type of pulse in hematopathy patients is rapid, thready, string--like and slippery, due mainly to increased compensatory pumping action of heart, shortening of ejection time of left ventricle, relatively better vessel compliance and blood rheology as well as low total peripheral resistance.

Increased interleukin-10 messenger RNA expression in atopic allergy and asthma

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation and production of cytokines. We have examined expression of IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA) in atopic asthma and in allergen and tuberculin skin responses by in situ hybridization. The proportion of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells positive for IL-10 mRNA was increased in a group of 10 symptomatic asthmatics when compared with control subjects (17.5% versus 5.2% BAL cells positive; P < 0.001). In a separate group of six mild atopic asthmatics, there was an increased proportion of BAL cells positive for IL-10 mRNA 24 h after allergen inhalation challenge compared with diluent challenge BAL from the same subjects (24% versus 10%; P < 0.005). By simultaneous in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, IL-10 mRNA was localized to both CD3+ T cells and CD68+ alveolar macrophages in BAL, with a significantly more prominent T-cell signal in the symptomatic asthmatics compared with control subjects and after allergen challenge compared with diluent challenge of the mild asthmatic subjects. It has been suggested that IL-10 production is a late event after T-cell activation. To examine kinetics and specificity of IL-10 mRNA expression, skin biopsies were obtained from atopic, tuberculin-sensitive subjects at 1, 6, and 48 h after cutaneous injection of allergen or tuberculin. With both stimuli, there was an increase in IL-10 mRNA-positive cells at 6 h when compared with control sites injected with appropriate diluent which were biopsied 24 h after injection (P < 0.01 for allergen and P < 0.02 for tuberculin). These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that IL-10 mRNA is expressed in both macrophages and T lymphocytes in the airway in asthma and that IL-10 mRNA expression is induced from T lymphocytes in response to allergen. This response may also occur in other types of cell-mediated inflammation.

Prednisolone treatment in asthma. Reduction in the numbers of eosinophils, T cells, tryptase-only positive mast cells, and modulation of IL-4, IL-5, and interferon-gamma cytokine gene expression within the bronchial mucosa

We have tested the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of corticosteroids in asthma may result from reduction in the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the bronchial mucosa with inhibition of cytokine gene expression. A randomized parallel group study was performed in 18 moderately severe asthmatic patients in whom an elective trial of corticosteroid treatment was indicated. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed and bronchial biopsies taken from segmental carinae before and after 2 wk treatment with prednisolone (0.6 mg/kg/d) or matched placebo tablets. Immunohistology was performed on 6-microns cryostat sections using monoclonal antibodies. The number of cells expressing cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) was assessed by in situ hybridization using S35-labeled riboprobes. When prednisolone- and placebo-treated groups were compared there was a decrease in airway methacholine responsiveness (p < 0.01) and an increase in FEV1 (p < 0.05) after prednisolone. This was accompanied by a reduction in CD3+ T lymphocytes (p < 0.05), "activated" EG2+ eosinophils (p < 0.02), and tryptase-only (mucosal-type) MCT cells (p < 0.02) but not MCTC (tryptase+chymase positive) cells in prednisolone-treated patients. In prednisolone-treated patients there was also a reduction in the number of cells expressing mRNA for interleukin-4 (IL-4, p < 0.01), and interleukin-5 (IL-5, p < 0.03) and an increase in cells expressing mRNA for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (p < 0.01). These results support the view that corticosteroid treatment in asthma may act by modulation of cytokine expression with consequent inhibition of the local bronchial inflammatory infiltrate and tissue eosinophilia.

Human eosinophils express messenger RNA encoding RANTES and store and release biologically active RANTES protein

Eosinophils synthesize and store various cytokines with potential autocrine activity. We hypothesized that eosinophils synthesize and store RANTES, a CC-chemokine with potent eosinophil chemotactic activity. Expression of RANTES mRNA in highly purified eosinophil populations was detected by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction analysis. In situ hybridization (ISH) with 35S-labeled RANTES-specific riboprobes showed that 6.8-10% of peripheral blood eosinophils obtained from atopic subjects expressed RANTES mRNA, increasing to 25% after incubation (16 h) with interferon (IFN)-gamma, but not ionomycin in vitro. Peripheral blood eosinophils also showed specific immunoreactivity with an anti-RANTES monoclonal antibody, consistent with translation of the mRNA. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, blood eosinophils were shown to contain a median of 7300 pg (range 5200-8800) RANTES per 10(6) cells, of which a mean of 24% was released into culture supernatants after stimulation of the cells with serum-coated particles in vitro. These culture supernatants exhibited eosinophil chemotactic activity which was inhibited (mean 68%) by a specific anti-RANTES antibody. Sequential immunocytochemistry and ISH on biopsies obtained from allergen-induced late-phase cutaneous reactions showed that 55-75% of the infiltrating RANTES mRNA+ cells were EG2+ eosinophils. Allergen, but not diluent challenge, was also associated with a time-dependent increase in the number of cells showing RANTES immunoreactivity. Of these cells, 55% were identified as eosinophils by morphological criteria. Thus, human eosinophils have the capacity to synthesize, store and secrete physiologically relevant quantities of RANTES, and may therefore be an important source of this chemokine in allergic inflammation.

Protective efficacy of major outer membrane protein-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG monoclonal antibodies in a murine model of Chlamydia trachomatis genital tract infection

The protective efficacy of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis MoPn was evaluated in a murine genital tract infection model. MAbs were delivered into serum and vaginal secretions of naive mice by using the backpack hybridoma tumor system, and protective efficacy was assessed over the first 8 days following challenge by quantitative determination of chlamydial recovery from cervicovaginal swabs, histopathological evaluation of genital tract tissue, and immunohistochemical detection of chlamydial inclusions. IgA and IgG significantly reduced the incidence of infection following vaginal challenge with 5 50% infectious doses, but such protection was overwhelmed by 10- and 100-fold higher challenge doses. Both MAbs also consistently reduced vaginal shedding from infected animals with all three challenge doses compared with the negative control MAb, although the magnitude of this effect was marginal. Blinded pathological evaluation of genital tract tissues at 8 days postinfection showed a significant reduction in the severity of the inflammatory infiltrate in oviduct tissue of infected IgA- and IgG-treated animals. Immunohistochemical detection of chlamydial inclusions revealed a marked reduction in the chlamydial burden of the oviduct epithelium; this finding is consistent with the reduced pathological changes observed in this tissue. These studies indicate that the presence of IgA or IgG MAbs specific to major outer membrane proteins has a marginal effect in preventing chlamydial colonization and shedding from the genital tract but has a more pronounced effect on ascending chlamydial infection and accompanying upper genital tract pathology.

Identification of messenger RNA for IL-4 in human eosinophils with granule localization and release of the translated product

Human eosinophils are cytokine-producing cells that are prominent in IgE-dependent allergic tissue reactions. IL-4 promotes the development of the Th2-type phenotype in T cells and is an essential cofactor for IgE production by B cells. We detected mRNA for IL-4 by reverse transcription-PCR in blood eosinophils from atopic asthmatics. By specific ELISA, 108 +/- 20 pg of IL-4 protein/10(6) cells could be extracted from whole cells, and approximately 30% of the IL-4 was released after incubation with serum-coated particles. Using immunocytochemistry, eosinophils from atopic asthmatics and nonatopic controls showed IL-4 immunoreactivity using an anti-IL-4 mAb. IL-4 was located predominantly in the eosinophil granules, as shown by both immunogold electron microscopy and a cell fractionation technique that dissociated cell granules from membrane and cytosolic components. IL-4 mRNA colocalized with eosinophils (using sequential immunocytochemistry with an eosinophil-specific (EG2) mAb and in situ hybridization using an IL-4-specific antisense riboprobe) in both cell cytospins from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asthmatics as well as skin biopsies obtained from allergen-induced late phase (6-h) reactions in atopic subjects. Using double immunocytochemistry on skin biopsies with eosinophil- and IL-4-specific mAb, 83.5 +/- 3.5% of eosinophils were IL-4+. Conversely, eosinophils accounted for 46.5 +/- 3.9% of the total cells expressing IL-4 immunoreactivity. Thus, human eosinophils express mRNA for IL-4, and the translated product is contained within the crystalloid granule from which it is released after stimulation with serum-coated particles. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that eosinophils contribute to the development of the Th2 phenotype by T cells infiltrating atopic allergic reactions as well as to IgE synthesis.

Identification of messenger RNA for IL-4 in human eosinophils with granule localization and release of the translated product

Human eosinophils are cytokine-producing cells that are prominent in IgE-dependent allergic tissue reactions. IL-4 promotes the development of the Th2-type phenotype in T cells and is an essential cofactor for IgE production by B cells. We detected mRNA for IL-4 by reverse transcription-PCR in blood eosinophils from atopic asthmatics. By specific ELISA, 108 +/- 20 pg of IL-4 protein/10(6) cells could be extracted from whole cells, and approximately 30% of the IL-4 was released after incubation with serum-coated particles. Using immunocytochemistry, eosinophils from atopic asthmatics and nonatopic controls showed IL-4 immunoreactivity using an anti-IL-4 mAb. IL-4 was located predominantly in the eosinophil granules, as shown by both immunogold electron microscopy and a cell fractionation technique that dissociated cell granules from membrane and cytosolic components. IL-4 mRNA colocalized with eosinophils (using sequential immunocytochemistry with an eosinophil-specific (EG2) mAb and in situ hybridization using an IL-4-specific antisense riboprobe) in both cell cytospins from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from asthmatics as well as skin biopsies obtained from allergen-induced late phase (6-h) reactions in atopic subjects. Using double immunocytochemistry on skin biopsies with eosinophil- and IL-4-specific mAb, 83.5 +/- 3.5% of eosinophils were IL-4+. Conversely, eosinophils accounted for 46.5 +/- 3.9% of the total cells expressing IL-4 immunoreactivity. Thus, human eosinophils express mRNA for IL-4, and the translated product is contained within the crystalloid granule from which it is released after stimulation with serum-coated particles. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that eosinophils contribute to the development of the Th2 phenotype by T cells infiltrating atopic allergic reactions as well as to IgE synthesis.

[Maintenance of the auriculocephalic sulcus in total auricle reconstruction]

The auriculocephalic sulcus is important for the position and shape of a reconstructed ear. With an additional cartilage graft, the sulcus has been created in 31 cases since 1985 and the results have been satisfactory. In the first stage of auricle reconstruction while assembling and implanting cartilage framework, a piece of cartilage was buried in the subcutis of the donor site. Three months later in the second stage, after the framework was elevated, the stored cartilage was taken out, carved and fixed between the auricular framework and the periosteum of the skull, which then was covered with a retroauricular fascial flap. The raw surface was covered with skin graft.

The kinetics of allergen-induced transcription of messenger RNA for monocyte chemotactic protein-3 and RANTES in the skin of human atopic subjects: relationship to eosinophil, T cell, and macrophage recruitment

The C-C chemokines RANTES and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) are potent chemoattractants in vitro for eosinophils and other cell types associated with allergic reactions. We tested the hypothesis that the allergen-induced infiltration of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in the skin of atopic subjects is accompanied by the appearance of mRNA+ cells for RANTES and MCP-3. Cryostat sections were obtained from skin biopsies from six subjects 6, 24, and 48 h after allergen challenge. Tissue was processed for immunocytochemistry (ICC) and for in situ hybridization using 35S-labeled riboprobes for RANTES and MCP-3. In contrast to diluent controls, allergen provoked a significant increase in mRNA+ cells for MCP-3, which peaked at 6 h and progressively declined at 24 and 48 h. This paralleled the kinetics of total (major basic protein positive [MBP]+) and activated (cleaved form of eosinophil cationic protein [EG2]+) eosinophil infiltration. The allergen-induced expression of cells mRNA+ for RANTES was also clearly demonstrable at 6 h. However, the numbers were maximal at 24 h and declined slightly at the 48-h time point. The number of mRNA+ cells for RANTES paralleled the kinetics of infiltration of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells whereas the number of CD68+ macrophages was still increasing at 48 h. These data support the view that MCP-3 is involved in the regulation of the early eosinophil response to specific allergen, whereas RANTES may have more relevance to the later accumulation of T cells and macrophages.

Kinetics of cell infiltration and cytokine messenger RNA expression after intradermal challenge with allergen and tuberculin in the same atopic individuals

BACKGROUND

Previous studies, in which one time point was used, have shown that cells infiltrating skin biopsy specimens taken during allergen-induced late-phase responses (LPR) had a TH2-like (interleukin-4 [IL]-4 and IL-5 mRNA+) cytokine profile, whereas in delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) there was a predominant TH1-type pattern.

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to examine the kinetics of accumulation of inflammatory cells and cells expressing mRNA for TH2- or TH1-type cytokines in LPR and DTH elicited simultaneously in the same subjects.

METHODS

Immunocytochemistry (alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique) and in situ hybridization were used to analyze skin biopsy specimens taken during allergen-induced LPR.

RESULTS

In LPR elevated numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA+ cells were detected as early as 1 hour after allergen challenge, with a peak at 6 hours, which was maintained for up to 96 hours. A small but significant delayed increase in macrophages, CD8+ and CD25+ cells, and IL-2 and interferon-gamma mRNA+ cells was also observed, but only at the 48-hour and 96-hour time points. In contrast, in DTH the numbers of CD3+, CD4+, and mRNA+ cells for IL-2 and interferon-gamma were not elevated until 24 hours after challenge and peaked at 48 hours after injection. At 48 hours there was an additional small but significant increase in IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA+ cells. For both LPR and DTH the kinetics of the increases in inflammatory cells and cytokine mRNA-expressing cells paralleled the clinical response.

CONCLUSIONS

In LPR accumulation of T cells and granulocytes, together with cells expressing mRNA encoding for TH2-type cytokines, is relatively rapid (i.e., within 1 to 6 hours), whereas in DTH the T cell/macrophage infiltration and appearance of cells expressing TH1-type cytokines are not apparent until 24 to 48 hours. In LPR there is a TH1-type (or possibly TH0) component at 48 to 96 hours, and in DTH there is an additional TH2/TH0 response.

Tubulin genes in the algal protist Euglena gracilis

Alpha- and beta-tubulin cDNA were selected from a Euglena lambda gt11 expression library, recloned and either sequenced (alpha-tubulin cDNA) or hybridized to Euglena RNA and DNA (alpha- and beta-tubulin cDNA). RNA for hybridization was extracted at 30 minute intervals after flagellar amputation and quantitated for cDNA binding. Unlike previous reports on most other flagellates, no net increase in either alpha- or beta-tubulin RNA could be detected during regeneration--suggesting steady state or constitutive tubulin RNA synthesis. Incubation of the cDNA with genomic DNA after restriction digestion produced patterns of hybridization consistent with the presence of one to two kinds each of the alpha- and beta-tubulin genes. The deduced amino acid sequence of the alpha-tubulin cDNA was more than 90% identical to the alpha-tubulins of Trypanosoma, Chlamydomonas, Naegleria, Tetrahymena and higher plants. The carboxy terminus of the alpha-tubulin cDNA and the previously sequenced beta-tubulin of Euglena showed greatest identity to the carboxy terminus of the tubulins from Trypanosoma brucei. The sequence data for alpha- and beta-tubulins of Euglena provides direct evidence for the similarity of two gene products from euglenas and trypanosomes and adds support to earlier suggestions that these organisms are phylogenetically related.

Topical glucocorticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) inhibits cells expressing cytokine mRNA for interleukin-4 in the nasal mucosa in allergen-induced rhinitis

Allergen-induced late nasal responses are associated with recruitment and activation of T lymphocytes and eosinophils and preferential mRNA expression for T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines. We tested the hypothesis that topical corticosteroids may inhibit late responses by inhibiting cells expressing mRNA for Th2 cytokines. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of topical corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) was performed in 48 adult grass pollen-sensitive patients. Nasal biopsies were taken at baseline and repeated 24 hr after local nasal allergen provocation following 6 weeks treatment with either fluticasone propionate 200 micrograms or placebo nasal spray twice daily. Baseline mRNA expression for interleukin-4 (IL-4) (P = 0.01) and IL-5 (P = 0.002) was higher in the patients than in normal controls. Topical corticosteroid treatment significantly inhibited immediate nasal symptoms, with almost complete inhibition of the late response following allergen challenge. This was associated with a marked decrease in the allergen-induced increases in cells expressing mRNA for IL-4 (P = 0.002) but not for IL-5. Inhibition of the late response was also accompanied by decreases in CD25+ cells, presumed T lymphocytes and eosinophils. A significant correlation was observed between the decreases in IL-4 mRNA+ cells and in eosinophils after treatment (r = 0.46, P < 0.05). These results suggest that prolonged treatment with topical corticosteroid inhibits allergen-induced early and late nasal responses and the associated tissue eosinophilia, and that, at least in part, this may result from inhibition of cells expressing mRNA for IL-4.

Privatization of the medical market in socialist China: a historical approach

A Socialist-Market Economy was defined as a target model for China's economic reform by China's 14th National Congress in 1992. Such an innovative change in China's more than a decade long economic reform has brought both new challenges and opportunities for its health care system reform as it moves toward a market determination mechanism and involvement of the private sector. A better understanding of the nature and history of the Chinese private medical market and its dynamic socio-economic environment would certainly shed a great deal of light onto the accomplishments of the health care reform. Research in this area, however, is almost non-existent at either national or international levels. The present study attempts to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive assessment of both historical and prospective development of the Chinese private medical market. Three stages are defined to present the tortuous development of this market over the last four decades, coupled with our critiques of the underlying merits and problems. Predictions are also made on the future perspective of the private market, and its possible impact and role in shaping the reform of the entire Chinese health care system. The government's role as well as its future strategy to cope with the issues surrounding Chinese health care reform are also summarized. The study concludes with five health policy recommendations aimed at facilitating China's health care reform via more market-oriented determination of resources allocation, production, and distribution, coupled with promotion of the private sector's involvement while minimizing its potential adverse side effects.

Relationships among numbers of bronchoalveolar lavage cells expressing messenger ribonucleic acid for cytokines, asthma symptoms, and airway methacholine responsiveness in atopic asthma

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated that T lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from atopic asthmatic patients were activated and expressed increased cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for "TH2-type" cytokines, particularly IL-4 and IL-5, when compared with those in normal control subjects. This pattern of cytokines may determine the nature of the cellular infiltrate in the bronchial mucosa in asthma and hence the bronchial hyperresponsive (BHR) and symptoms that characterize this condition.

METHODS

To examine the association between these cytokines and clinical measures of asthma severity we have extended our studies of BAL cells from subjects with atopic asthma. Numbers of BAL cells with positive in situ hybridization signals for IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interferon-gamma were counted on cytocentrifuge preparations. Results were compared between patients with symptomatic (n = 19) and asymptomatic asthma (n = 10), and associations were sought with airway methacholine responsiveness, resting airway caliber, and asthma symptom scores.

RESULTS

There were increased proportions of cells positive for IL-3 (p < 0.05), IL-4 (p < 0.005), IL-5 (p < 0.005), and GM-CSF (p < 0.005) mRNA in BAL fluid from patients with symptomatic asthma when compared with that from subjects free of symptoms, but no difference between the groups in numbers of cells expressing IL-2 and interferon-gamma mRNA. There were significant associations among numbers of cells expressing mRNA for IL-4, IL-5, and GM-CSF, and airflow restriction, BHR, and Aas asthma score.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the hypothesis that cytokines contribute to airway events that determine asthma symptoms and BHR.

Chronic hyperplastic sinusitis: association of tissue eosinophilia with mRNA expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3

BACKGROUND

We investigated the association among tissue eosinophilia, cellular infiltration, and cytokine mRNA expression in chronic hyperplastic sinusitis (CHS).

METHODS

Percutaneous biopsies of the maxillary sinuses and nasal polyps were performed in 12 adult patients (six men and six women) of whom seven were nonallergic and 11 were asthmatic. Tissues were compared with biopsy specimens from the inferior and middle turbinates of normal control subjects.

RESULTS

Histologically, an eosinophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrate was seen in 10 of 12 patients, whereas a mild to moderate neutrophilic infiltrate was seen in 4 of 12 patients. As determined by immunocytochemistry, diseased tissues and normal control tissues differed significantly in terms of the number of activated (EG2+) eosinophils (p = 0.005) but not in terms of CD3+ or CD4+ T lymphocytes, elastase-positive neutrophils or CD68+ macrophages. The number of eosinophils did not correlate with that of any other cell type. By in situ hybridization, CHS tissues showed significantly higher numbers of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-3 mRNA-positive cells than normal control tissues (p = 0.002 and 0.0005, respectively) per high-powered field. There was a significant correlation between the number of infiltrating EG2+ eosinophils and cells that expressed mRNA for GM-CSF (r = 0.60, p = 0.041) or IL-3 (r = 0.69, p = 0.013). Furthermore, epithelial cells did not show detectable mRNA expression for GM-CSF or IL-3. No significant correlation was found between IL-5 mRNA expression and infiltrating EG2+ eosinophils in diseased tissues. However, the IL-5 density was significantly higher in the five patients with CHS who had positive allergy skin test results than in the seven patients with negative skin test results (p = 0.017) or in normal control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support a role for GM-CSF and IL-3 in the eosinophilia characteristic of CHS and show that IL-5 mRNA expression is not a prominent feature of nonallergic inflammation. The cellular sources of GM-CSF and IL-3 in CHS remain to be definitely determined.

Increases in activated T lymphocytes, eosinophils, and cytokine mRNA expression for interleukin-5 and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor in bronchial biopsies after allergen inhalation challenge in atopic asthmatics

Immunohistology and in situ hybridization were used to evaluate the presence, activation status, and cytokine mRNA profile of cells in the bronchial mucosa during human allergen-induced asthma. Fifteen atopic asthmatic subjects underwent inhalation challenge with allergen and with allergen diluent, performed in random order separated by an interval of at least 3 wk. Bronchial biopsies were obtained 24 h after challenge. Immunostaining revealed increases in the numbers of secreting eosinophils (EG2+; P < 0.05) and in interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R)-positive cells (CD25+; P < 0.01) after allergen compared with diluent challenge. No differences were observed in the numbers of total leukocytes (CD45+), T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+), elastase-positive neutrophils, macrophages (CD68+), or mast cell subtypes (MCT+ or MCTC+). In situ hybridization revealed significant increases in the numbers of cells expressing mRNA for IL-5 (P < 0.02) and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (P < 0.01) after allergen compared with diluent challenge. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the number of cells expressing mRNA for IL-4 and for interferon-gamma (r = -0.75, P < 0.02). The results support the view that cytokines possibly from activated T lymphocytes may contribute to local eosinophil accumulation during allergen-induced asthma.

Expression and generation of interleukin-8, IL-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor by bronchial epithelial cells and enhancement by IL-1 beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha

We have tested the hypothesis that the bronchial epithelium has the capacity to generate and release cytokines that could contribute to inflammatory events associated with inflammatory lung diseases. Messenger RNA (mRNA) for interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was identified in human bronchial epithelial cell primary cultures, characterized on the basis of staining for cytokeratin, using both in situ hybridization and Northern blotting. Using in situ hybridization we have shown that the majority of the cells expressed mRNA for IL-6 and IL-8, whereas fewer than 20% of cells expressed message for GM-CSF. The numbers of cells expressing message were increased by culture with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) (20 ng/ml, 24 hr). These observations were substantiated by Northern blotting, which showed that both TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta were able to induce a dose-dependent increase in IL-8-specific mRNA. Immunoreactive IL-6 and GM-CSF were detected and quantified in the culture supernatants by ELISA, and IL-8 by radioimmunoassay. The levels of immunoreactivity were increased by incubation of epithelial cells with either IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha for 24 hr. A transformed tracheal epithelial cell line (9HTEo-) expressed mRNA for IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF but, whereas levels of immunoreactive IL-6 in culture supernatants were comparable with those in primary cell cultures, levels of IL-8 were low and GM-CSF trivial. These observations indicate that the bronchial epithelium has the potential to be a major source of IL-8 and a number of other cytokines, and that production can be amplified substantially by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. The bronchial epithelium is ideally situated to modulate inflammatory and immunological events in and around the airways, and these observations suggest that it could contribute to promote and sustain inflammatory and immunological processes in inflammatory lung diseases such asthma.

Human eosinophils synthesize and secrete interleukin-6, in vitro

Using the technique of in situ hybridization, we have shown that resting, unstimulated, human peripheral blood eosinophils, obtained from subjects with greater than 8% eosinophilia, transcribe and translate messenger RNA (mRNA) for interleukin-6 (IL-6). After incubation for 24 hours in culture medium alone, approximately 19% of eosinophils were positive for IL-6 mRNA. This may be a reflection of their in vivo activation, but also may suggest that the gene for this cytokine is constitutively expressed in eosinophils. After stimulation with interferon gamma (IFN gamma) (500 U/mL), the percentage of IL-6-mRNA+ cells increased to 51.3%. This was accompanied by an enhancement of intensity of the hybridization signals. The specificity of the IL-6 probe and the hybridization signals was confirmed by the use of an IL-6 sense probe and RNase pretreatment of cell preparations. Evidence for the translation of IL-6 mRNA was obtained by immunocytochemical staining. Normal and activated eosinophils gave IL-6-specific immunoreactivity with a polyclonal antihuman IL-6 antibody. A higher percentage of positive cells was detected among activated eosinophils than those treated with medium alone. Using a specific immunoenzymetric assay, we detected 190.15 +/- 18.1 and 403.32 +/- 213.6 pg/mL of IL-6 in supernatants of unstimulated and IFN gamma-treated (24 and 48 hours) eosinophils, respectively. These data indicate that eosinophils are an important cellular source of IL-6.

Preliminary report on seroepidemiology of HCV and HBV infection in northern China

1 141 serum samples from various population groups in north China were examined for C100-3Ab by ELISA. Antibody to C100-3 antigen derived from HCV genome (C100-3A) and HBsAg were measured in 438 normal population in Beijing. The C100-3Ab positive rate was 2.1% and the HBsAg positive rate was 2.5%. There is increased occurrence with age. In 649 cases of chronic liver diseases, the HBsAg positive rate was 87.1% in chronic persistent hepatitis (CPA), 88.8% in chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 64.9% in liver cirrhosis (LC) and 67.3% in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The C100-3Ab positive rate was 10.5% (CPH), 12.1% (CAH), 42.6% (LC) and 38.4% (HCC). It is noteworthy that the C100-3Ab positive rate significantly increased with disease progression from CPH to CAH, LC and HCC. Prevalence of cases positive for both C100-3Ab and HBsAg was 0% in the normal population, 6.7% in CPH, 8.4% in CAH, 31.1% in LC and 28.8% in HCC. Investigation of patients with HCV infection showed that only 36.8% had blood transfusions. HCV and HBV infection may play important pathogenic roles in CPH, CAH, LC and HCC in north China.

TNF alpha mRNA expression in allergic inflammation

Using the technique of in situ hybridization, we have attempted to identify messenger RNA for tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) in cells infiltrating allergen-induced late phase reaction (LPR) of the skin and the nose of atopic subjects. We have also compared the number of TNF alpha mRNA positive cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from atopic asthmatics and normal controls. Twenty-four hours after local allergen challenge, 12/14 skin biopsies and 9/10 nasal biopsies had positive hybridization signals for TNF alpha mRNA whereas only 4/14 and 2/10 biopsies were positive in the relevant diluent controls. Compared with diluent sites significantly increased numbers of cells expressing mRNA for TNF alpha were observed in the LPR of skin (P less than 0.004) and nose (P less than 0.006). All BAL from asthmatics (n = 10) and from normal volunteers (n = 10) had cells showing positive hybridization signals for TNF alpha mRNA but these were at increased frequency in asthmatics (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that TNF alpha may be an important cytokine in atopic allergic inflammation.

Seroepidemiology of HCV and HBV infection in northern China

The HCVAb positive rate in normal population in Beijing was 2.1% and HBsAg positive rate was 2.5%. There is an increasing tendency in the aged group. Plasmapheresis might have been the major cause of HCV transmission in blood donors in the Hebei area. There was a high prevalence of HCVAb and HBsAg in chronic liver diseases in the Beijing area and the HCVAb-positive rate significantly increased corresponding to disease progression.