[Neurobehavioral damage and Th17 cell infiltration in mice exposed to nano carbon black]

OBJECTIVE

The effects of nano-carbon black on neural behavior and Th17 cell infiltration in mice were investigated by establishing a mice model of subacute dynamic inhalation of carbon black aerosol.

METHODS

36 SPF grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group(clean air), a low carbon black group(15 mg/m~3), and a high carbon black group(30 mg/m~3). Nano-carbon black particles were blown into the dynamic exposure cabinet by aerosol generator for 28 days. Morris water maze test and open field test were used to detect the neural behavior of mice. The pathological changes of prefrontal cortex in mice were observed by HE staining. The proportion of Th17/CD4~+ cells in peripheral blood and brain tissue of mice was detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin(IL)-17 and IL-23 in the prefrontal cortex of mice.

RESULTS

The result of open field test showed that compared with the control group, the central area residence time and standing times of mice in the low and high carbon black groups decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the defecation times of mice in the high carbon black group increased significantly(P<0.05). The central area residence time of mice in the high carbon black group was significantly lower than that in the low carbon black group(P<0.05). The Morris water maze result showed that the escape latency of the high carbon black group mice on the 3rd day was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the escape latency of the carbon black group mice on the 4th day was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). The positioning navigation test showed that the number of mice crossing the platform in the high carbon black group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The HE staining result showed that the neural cells in the prefrontal cortex of the control group mice were round, the cytoplasm was plump and evenly distributed, and the nucleus was clearly visible in an oval shape. The low carbon black group showed that the neural cells were deep staining of nerve cells, blurred structure, and nuclear pyknosis. The high carbon black group further intensified. The flow cytometry result showed that compared with the control group, the percentage of Th17/CD4~+T cells in the peripheral blood of the carbon black group mice was significantly increased, and the high carbon black group mice were significantly higher than the low carbon black group(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the percentage of Th17/CD4~+T cells in the brain tissue of carbon black treated mice significantly increased(P<0.05). The high carbon black group was significantly higher than the low carbon black group(P<0.05). Western blotting result showed that compared with the control group, the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 proteins in the prefrontal cortex of the carbon black group mice brain tissue was significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with the low carbon black group, the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 proteins in the prefrontal cortex of the high carbon black group mice brain tissue was significantly increased(P<0.05). The difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Nano-carbon black exposure can lead to an increase in Th17 cells in peripheral blood and brain tissue of mice, which in turn promotes damage to the prefrontal cortex of mice, and ultimately causes neurobehavioral changes in mice.

Genetic polymorphism of interleukins 6 and 17 correlated with apical periodontitis: A Cross-sectional study

Interleukins 6 and 17 act in bone resorption in the presence of infections of endodontic origin for host defense. Genetic polymorphisms may be associated with increased bone loss, represented by areas of large periapical lesions. This study aimed to verify the frequency of interleukin 6 and 17 gene polymorphism in patients with asymptomatic apical periodontitis or chronic apical abscess and to verify the existence of correlations between periapical lesion area with age, gender, and presence of the polymorphism, in the studied population, in the state of Pernambuco. A population consisting of thirty diagnosed individuals was included. The area of the lesions was measured in mm². Genomic DNA was extracted and genotyping was performed by Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism for interleukin 6 (rs 1800795) and interleukin 17 (rs 2275913). Fisher's exact, chi-square, and odds ratio tests were used. A logistic regression analysis was also performed using sex, age, and the presence of polymorphism as covariates, in addition to linear regression to test the relationship between age and lesion area. All tests used a significance level of 0.05% (p ≤0.05%). There was no statistical significance in the occurrence of large areas of periapical lesions correlated with age, sex, and diagnosis, nor in the distribution of alleles in the polymorphism of interleukins 6 and 17 in the studied groups. The frequency of homozygous and heterozygous polymorphism was high. The polymorphism of these interleukins is not correlated with the increase in the areas of asymptomatic periapical inflammatory lesions.

Co-occurrence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis exacerbates psoriasis associated with decreased adiponectin expression in a murine model

Introduction

Clinical studies have suggested a bidirectional association between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and psoriasis, affecting each other's development and severity. Here, we explored bidirectional causal linkages between NASH and psoriasis using a murine model.

Methods

NASH was induced in mice by streptozotocin injection at 2 days of age and by high-fat diet feeding (STAM™ model). Psoriasis was induced by topical application of imiquimod (IMQ) on the ear. The severities of liver damage and psoriatic skin changes were determined using histological analysis. Gene expression in the skin tissues was evaluated using quantitative PCR analysis. Serum cytokine levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To examine the innate immune responses of normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs), the cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist.

Results and Discussion

There were no differences in the degree of liver tissue damage (fat deposition, inflammation, and fibrosis) between NASH mice with and those without psoriasis. Conversely, the co-occurrence of NASH significantly augmented psoriatic skin changes, represented by epidermal hyperplasia, in psoriatic mice. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were expressed in the inflamed skin of psoriatic mice, and the expression of genes, especially Il23a, Il1b, Il36g, and Mip2, was significantly upregulated by the co-occurrence of NASH. The expression of keratinocyte activation marker genes Defb4b and Krt16 was also upregulated by the co-occurrence of NASH. The serum TNF-α and IL-17 levels were increased by the co-occurrence of NASH and psoriasis. The serum adiponectin levels decreased in NASH mice compared with that in non-NASH mice. In NHEK culture, TNF-α and IL-17A synergistically upregulated CXCL1, CXCL8, and IL1B expression. The upregulated pro-inflammatory gene expression was suppressed by AdipoRon treatment, reflecting the anti-inflammatory capacity of adiponectin.

Conclusion

The co-occurrence of NASH exacerbated psoriatic skin changes associated with increased serum inflammatory cytokine levels and decreased serum adiponectin levels. Combined with in vitro findings, increased inflammatory cytokine levels and decreased adiponectin levels likely promote innate immune responses in epidermal keratinocytes in psoriatic skin lesions. Overall, therapeutic intervention for co-occurring NASH is essential to achieve a favorable prognosis of psoriasis in clinical practice.

Percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells and serum level of IL-17 and IFN-γ cytokines in COVID-19-associated mucormycosis

The considerable number of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients who developed mucormycosis infections in West and Central Asia urged a need to investigate the underlying causes of this fatal complication. It was hypothesized that an immunocompromised state secondary to the excessive administration of anti-inflammatory drugs was responsible for the outburst of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we aimed to study the implication of two major subsets of adaptive immunity T helper (Th)-1 and Th17 cells in disease development. Thirty patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, 38 with COVID-19 without any sign or symptom of mucormycosis, and 26 healthy individuals were included. The percentage of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood, as well as the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), were evaluated using flow cytometry and ELISA techniques, respectively. Th17 cell percentage in patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis was significantly lower than in COVID-19 patients (P-value: <0.001) and healthy subjects (P-value: 0.01). In addition, the serum level of IL-17 in COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals (P-value: 0.01). However, neither the frequency of Th1 cells nor the serum level of IFN-γ was different between the study groups. Given the critical role of Th17 cells in the defense against mucosal fungal infections, these findings suggest that low numbers of Th17 and insufficient levels of IL-17 might be a predisposing factor for the development of mucormycosis during or after COVID-19 infection.

New Biomarkers (Endocan, Interleukin-17, and Thrombospondin-4) for the Diagnosis, Assessment of Severity, and Follow-Up of Peripheral Arterial Disease

The present study evaluated the use of endocan, interleukin-17 (IL-17), and thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) blood levels as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with PAD (Rutherford categories I, II, and III) who were admitted between March 2020 and March 2022 for cardiovascular surgery or outpatient clinic follow-up were included. The patients (n = 60) were divided into 2 groups: medical treatment (n = 30) and surgical treatment (n = 30). In addition, a control group (n = 30) was created for comparison. Endocan, IL-17, and TSP-4 blood levels were measured at the time of diagnosis and at the first month after treatment. Endocan and IL-17 values were found to be significantly higher in both groups that underwent medical (259.7 ± 46 pg/mL, 63.7 ± 16.6 pg/mL) and surgical (290.3 ± 84.5 pg/mL, 66.4 ± 19.6 pg/mL) treatment than the control group (187.4 ± 34.5 pg/mL, 56.5 ± 7.2 pg/mL P < .001). Tsp-4 value was found to be significantly higher only in the surgical treatment group (15 ± 4.3 ng/mL) than the control group (12.9 ± 1.4 ng/mL P < .05). The decreases in endocan, IL-17, and TSP-4 levels at the first month of treatment in both groups were also significant (P < .001). A combination of classical and these new biomarkers could be included in PAD screening, early diagnosis, severity determination, and follow-up protocols in order to provide effective assessment in clinical practice.

Secukinumab-Induced Crohn's Disease in a Patient Treated for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a common form of arthritis that occurs in children, typically with an onset before the age of 16 years. It can affect joints in any part of the body. As per the International League of Rheumatology, JIA is classified into systemic arthritis, oligoarthritis, extended oligoarthritis, polyarthritis (rheumatoid factor positive), polyarthritis (rheumatoid factor negative), enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA), juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA), and other arthritis. JIA is treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs), which include both nonbiologic agents like methotrexate (MTX) and biologic agents like inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and T-cell co-stimulation modulators. As per recent studies, in December 2021, Secukinumab, an IL-17A inhibitor, is one of the most recent biologic agents approved for active ERA and JPsA. A few reports have suggested Secukinumab is related to new-onset inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). We present a case of a 20-year-old female who was being treated with Secukinumab for JIA, and six months into therapy, she developed symptoms suggestive of Crohn's disease (CD). The diagnosis was confirmed with colonoscopy, histopathology, and radiology results. Her symptoms completely resolved four weeks after discontinuing Secukinumab and oral steroid therapy. The efficacy and side effects of Secukinumab have been studied mainly on middle-aged populations who were being treated for psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis (AS); however, there is limited literature on younger populations. With this case report, we would like to highlight the possible relationship between the development of IBD and Secukinumab therapy in the adolescent population and emphasize the importance of regular screening for IBD in this population.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Anti-IL17 Biologic Therapies for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis Treatment in Italy and Germany: A Sequential Treatment Analysis

Objective

The objective of this study was to optimise the cost-effectiveness of different anti-IL17 treatment sequences used in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in Italy and Germany over a five-year time horizon.

Methods

We adjusted a previously published treatment sequence model for biologic drugs used in psoriasis treatment to an Italian and German setting, respectively. The model included all anti-IL17 biologics currently available in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in the markets of scope (secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab and bimekizumab). Real-world discontinuation rates were used to model switches between the four anti-IL17 biologics included in the study. The treatment costs were based on label dosing recommendations for each drug, including induction and maintenance therapy, and the manufacturer prices of each drug in Italy and Germany, respectively. We used long-term Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 100 (PASI100) measures to inform the model on the efficacy for each treatment. The cost-effectiveness in the analysis was evaluated based on the cost per PASI100-responder.

Results

We found that the most cost-effective treatment sequence was achieved by using brodalumab as first-line treatment, bimekizumab as second-line treatment, ixekizumab as third-line treatment and secukinumab as fourth-line treatment in both Italy and Germany, which resulted in a total cost per responder of €128,200 and €138,212, respectively, over a five-year period. Several scenario analyses were also conducted and ensured that the results were robust to changes in key input parameters.

Conclusion

Our study showed that using brodalumab as a first-line therapy to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis in both Italy and Germany leads to the most cost-effective treatment sequence, when compared to all possible combinations of anti-IL17s over a five-year time horizon. In addition, we found that treatment discontinuation and switching are important factors when assessing the cost-effectiveness of biologic therapies.

Inflammatory Cytokines in Psoriatic Arthritis: Understanding Pathogenesis and Implications for Treatment

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a persistent, inflammatory disease that affects individuals with psoriasis, arthritis, and enthesitis. Research has demonstrated that inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-23 (IL-23), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) play a pivotal role in both the onset and progression of PsA. These cytokines are generated by activated immune cells and stimulate the attraction of inflammatory cells to the synovium and joint tissues, resulting in the deterioration of cartilage and bone. The blocking of these cytokines has become a successful treatment strategy for PsA, as biological drugs that inhibit TNF-α, IL-23, and IL-17 have demonstrated notable clinical benefits. The association between PsA and other types of inflammatory cytokines or chemokines, excluding TNF-α, IL-23, and IL-17, has been extensively investigated in numerous studies. These findings may provide a chance for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents targeting other molecules, distinct from the currently approved biologics and targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the role of inflammatory cytokines in PsA pathogenesis and clinical implications of targeting these cytokines for PsA treatment.

Bimekizumab in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis: Focus on Patient Selection and Perspectives

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that significatively impairs patients' quality of life. Biological treatments are highly effective and safe and have led to breakthroughs in the management of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. However, therapeutic response can be unsatisfactory or lost with time, leading to discontinuation of treatment. Bimekizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits both interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F. The efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been demonstrated in Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. Bimekizumab may offer some advantages over other biological treatments, making it especially indicated for certain patients. This narrative review aims to summarize the latest published evidence on the use of bimekizumab for the treatment of moderate-severe plaque psoriasis, focusing on patient selection and therapeutic perspectives. Bimekizumab has been shown to be more efficacious than adalimumab, secukinumab and ustekinumab in clinical trials, with high estimated probabilities of achieving complete (approximately 60%) or almost complete clearance (approximately 85%) of psoriasis at weeks 10-16, and a good safety profile. Response to bimekizumab is usually fast and maintained in the long term for both biologic-naive patients and those resistant to previous biologic treatments. The usual maintenance dose of 320 mg every 8 weeks makes bimekizumab especially convenient for non-compliant patients. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab have also been demonstrated in psoriasis affecting challenging-to-treat areas, psoriatic arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa. In conclusion, dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F with bimekizumab is a good therapeutic option for moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Interleukin 17 in early invasive breast cancer

Introduction

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) has a key role in inflammatory responses. Increased serum concentrations of IL-17 have been reported in patients with different types of cancer. Some studies suggest antitumor activity of IL-17 while others speak in favor of its association with poorer prognosis. The lack of data on IL-17 behavior in vivo hinders the efforts to clarify the exact role of IL-17 in breast cancer patients and precludes the usage of IL-17 as potential therapeutic target.

Methods

The study included 118 patients with early invasive breast cancer. The serum concentration of IL-17A was measured before surgery and during adjuvant treatment and compared with healthy controls. The correlation of serum IL-17A concentration and different clinical and pathological parameters, including IL-17A expression in the corresponding tumor tissue samples, was analyzed.

Results

Significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-17A were found in women with early breast cancer before surgery, but also during adjuvant treatment in comparison to healthy controls. No significant correlation to tumor tissue IL-17A expression was observed. There was a significant postoperative decrease of serum IL-17A concentrations even in patients with relatively lower preoperative values. A significant negative correlation was found between serum IL-17A concentrations and the tumor estrogen receptor expression.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the immune response in early breast cancer is mediated by IL-17A, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer. IL-17A-mediated inflammatory response subsides postoperatively, but IL-17A concentrations remain elevated compared to the values in healthy controls, even after the removal of the tumor.

Maternal Th17 Profile after Zika Virus Infection Is Involved in Congenital Zika Syndrome Development in Children

Brazil is one of the countries that experienced an epidemic of microcephaly and other congenital manifestations related to maternal Zika virus infection which can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Since the Zika virus can modulate the immune system, studying mothers' and children's immune profiles become essential to better understanding CZS development. Therefore, we investigated the lymphocyte population profile of children who developed CZS and their mothers' immune response in this study. The study groups were formed from the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) (CZS+ group) result. To evaluate the lymphocyte population profile, we performed phenotyping of peripheral lymphocytes and quantification of serum cytokine levels. The immunophenotyping and cytokine profile was correlated between CSZ+ children and their mothers. Both groups exhibited increased interleukin-17 levels and a reduction in the subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, the maternal group showed a reduction in the population of B lymphocytes. Thus, the development of CZS is related to the presence of an inflammatory immune profile in children and their mothers characterized by Th17 activation.

Naringenin Prevents Renal Injury in Experimental Hyperuricemia Through Suppressing Xanthine Oxidase, Inflammation, Apoptotic Pathway, DNA Damage, and Activating Antioxidant System

Background/Purpose: This research was performed to determine the effect of naringenin (NAR) in experimental hyperuricemia (HU) induced by potassium oxonate (PO) on uric acid levels and xanthine oxidase (XO), inflammation, apoptotic pathway, DNA damage, and antioxidant system in kidney tissue. Study Design: Wistar Albino rats were categorized into four groups: (1) Control group, (2) PO group, (3) [PO+NAR] (2 weeks) group, and (4) PO (2 weeks)+NAR (2 weeks) group. Methods: The first group was not administered any drug. In group 2, PO was administered intraperitoneally 250 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. In the third group, 100 mg/kg/day NAR was given intraperitoneally 1 hr after PO injection for 2 weeks. In the fourth group, PO was injected for the first 2 weeks, followed by NAR injection for the second 2 weeks. Serum uric acid levels, XO, nuclear factor-kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-17, cytochrome c, 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and caspase-3 levels in kidney were determined. Results: HU increased the levels of inflammatory and apoptotic parameters, XO, and 8-OHdG levels in kidney. Administration of NAR caused a decrease in these values and an increase in GPx levels. Conclusions: The results of the study show that NAR treatment reduces serum uric acid levels, and apoptosis, inflammation, and DNA damage; increases antioxidant activity in kidney in experimental HU.

Is Th17-Targeted Therapy Effective in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. The proposed pathophysiological hypotheses of SLE are numerous, involving both innate and adaptive abnormal immune responses. SLE is characterized by the overproduction of different autoantibodies that form immune complexes, which cause damage in different organs. Current therapeutic modalities are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive. In the last decade, we have witnessed the development of many biologicals targeting different cytokines and other molecules. One of them is interleukin-17 (IL-17), a central cytokine of a proinflammatory process that is mediated by a group of helper T cells called Th17. Direct inhibitors of IL-17 are used in psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and other diseases. Evidence about the therapeutic potential of Th17-targeted therapies in SLE is scarce, and probably the most promising is related to lupus nephritis. As SLE is a complex heterogeneous disease with different cytokines involved in its pathogenesis, it is highly unlikely that inhibition of only one molecule, such as IL-17, will be effective in the treatment of all clinical manifestations. Future studies should identify SLE patients that are eligible for Th17-targeted therapy.

A Meta-Analysis of the Association Between Genetic Polymorphisms in IL-12, IL-17, and IL-21 and Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Cytokine imbalance is an important feature in the occurrence and outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within cytokine genes may affect the protein expression and eventually contribute to the susceptibility of HBV infection. The association between interleukin (IL)-12, IL-17, or IL-21 and the risk of HBV infection has been extensively studied, but yielding equivocal results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the impact of SNPs in IL-12, IL-17, and IL-21 on the risk of HBV infection. We retrieved studies evaluating whether SNPs in IL-12, IL-17, and IL-21 influenced HBV infection from electronic databases, including PUBMED, Web of Science, EBOCO, OVID, and Embase. Summarized odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using STATA software. Under a homozygous comparison, the IL-12A rs568408 was associated with an increased risk of HBV infection in both overall analysis (OR = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.12-2.53) and Caucasians (OR = 1.80, 95% CI, 1.14-2.84). Under a dominant genetic model, the similarly higher risk was also observed in overall analysis (OR = 3.62, 95% CI, 3.08-4.24), Caucasians (OR = 3.29, 95% CI, 2.67-4.05), high-quality studies (OR = 3.29, 95% CI, 2.61-4.14), and low-quality studies (OR = 3.95, 95% CI, 3.17-4.93). Although no significant association was observed between IL-17A rs2275913 and the risk of HBV infection in overall comparison, subgroup analysis revealed that the IL-17A rs2275913 AA genotype was associated with a reduced risk in Asians (OR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.57-0.91) and high-quality studies (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55-0.92). However, no significant association of IL12B rs3212227, IL-17A rs2275913, IL-21 rs2221903, and rs907715 with HBV infection was observed. In conclusion, we provide evidence that IL-12A rs568408 was associated with an increased risk of HBV infection and IL-17A rs2275913 AA genotype was a protective factor against HBV infection in Asians.

Exploring the Role of a Novel Interleukin-17 Homolog from Invertebrate Marine Mussel Mytilus coruscus in Innate Immune Response: Is Negative Regulation by Mc-Novel_miR_145 the Key?

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) represents a class of proinflammatory cytokines involved in chronic inflammatory and degenerative disorders. Prior to this study, it was predicted that an IL-17 homolog could be targeted by Mc-novel_miR_145 to participate in the immune response of Mytilus coruscus. This study employed a variety of molecular and cell biology research methods to explore the association between Mc-novel_miR_145 and IL-17 homolog and their immunomodulatory effects. The bioinformatics prediction confirmed the affiliation of the IL-17 homolog with the mussel IL-17 family, followed by quantitative real-time PCR assays (qPCR) to demonstrate that McIL-17-3 was highly expressed in immune-associated tissues and responded to bacterial challenges. Results from luciferase reporter assays confirmed the potential of McIL-17-3 to activate downstream NF-κb and its targeting by Mc-novel_miR_145 in HEK293 cells. The study also produced McIL-17-3 antiserum and found that Mc-novel_miR_145 negatively regulates McIL-17-3 via western blotting and qPCR assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis indicated that Mc-novel_miR_145 negatively regulated McIL-17-3 to alleviate LPS-induced apoptosis. Collectively, the current results showed that McIL-17-3 played an important role in molluscan immune defense against bacterial attack. Furthermore, McIL-17-3 was negatively regulated by Mc-novel_miR_145 to participate in LPS-induced apoptosis. Our findings provide new insights into noncoding RNA regulation in invertebrate models.

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau successfully treated with bimekizumab: A case report

Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is a rare variant of localized pustular psoriasis characterized by the recurrent eruption of sterile pustules involving the distal portions of the fingers and toes that can lead to the destruction of the nail apparatus. Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau is a chronic, relapsing condition that is resistant to most topical and systemic psoriasis therapies, making it notoriously difficult to manage. Interleukin-36 and interleukin-17 are thought to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of pustular psoriasis, and evidence suggests that interleukin-17 inhibition can be an effective therapy for pustular psoriasis variants, including acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau. Bimekizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the interleukin-17 pathway, may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau. We present the first documented case of a patient with acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau of the bilateral thumbnails who experienced an excellent response to bimekizumab treatment.

Study on the Mechanism of Allergic Rhinitis Based on the Expression of FIB, PCT, hs-CRP, and Th17/Treg-IL10/IL-17 Axis Balance

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) is ambiguous, while it is clear that various immune cells and cytokines play crucial roles in its occurrence and development.

AIM

To investigate the effect of exogenous interleukin-10 (IL-10) on the expression of fibrinogen (FIB), procalcitonin (PCT), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Th17/Treg-IL10/IL-17 axis balance in the nasal mucosa of rats with AR.

METHOD

In this study, 48 female-specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: blank control group, AR group, and IL-10 intervention group. The AR model was established in the AR group and IL-10 group. The rats in the control group were treated with normal saline; the rats in the AR group were given 20 μL of saline containing 50 μg of ovalbumin (OVA) every day. The rats in the IL-10 intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mL of 40 pg/kg IL-10 and provided with OVA. The IL-10 intervention group was composed of mice with AR that received IL-10. The behavior of nasal allergic symptoms (such as nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose) and the hematoxylin and eosin staining of nasal mucosa were observed. The levels of FIB, PCT, hs-CRP, IgE, and OVA sIgE in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of Treg and Th17 cells in serum were detected by flow cytometry. The protein levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-17 in nasal mucosa were detected by the Western-blot method.

RESULTS

The scores of snots, nasal itching, and sneezing in the AR group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the scores of the above symptoms in the IL-10 intervention group were lower than those in the AR group. The levels of FIB, PCT, hs-CRP, IgE, and OVA sIgE in serum and the protein levels of IL-10 and IL-17 in the nasal mucosa in the AR group were higher than those in the blank control group. Meanwhile, the levels of FIB, PCT, hs-CRP, IgE, and OVA sIgE in serum and IL-10 and IL-17 protein in the nasal mucosa in the IL-10 group were lower than those in the AR group.

CONCLUSION

IL-10 can relieve the allergy of AR rats by affecting the expression of FIB, PCT, and hs-CRP, as well as the balance of the Th17/Treg-IL10/IL-17 axis in the nasal mucosa of AR rats.

Interleukin-17 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Show a Functional Hierarchy to Regulate the Production of Matrix Metalloproteases by Monocytes from Patients with Psoriasis

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) regulate tissue remodeling through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). It is not yet clear whether these cytokines have a functional hierarchy in psoriasis. Serum levels of TNF (1,403 versus 1,058 pg/mL), IL-17 (1,528 versus 820 pg/mL), MMP-1 (1,999 versus 1,039 pg/mL), and MMP-9 (1,950 versus 1,561 pg/mL) were higher in psoriasis subjects (n = 60) than in control subjects (n = 60). Tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1; 1,374 versus 1,218 pg/mL) was lower in psoriasis subjects. Serum IL-17 was correlated with MMP-2 (r_s = 0.40) and TIMP-1 (r_s = -0.26) levels. Unstimulated production of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 by monocytes was higher in psoriasis subjects, whereas TIMP-1 production was lower. TNF stimulation increased all MMPs, whereas TIMP-1 production was unchanged. IL-17 stimulation increased all MMPs, whereas TIMP-1 production was decreased in psoriasis subjects. MMP-9 production was higher in monocytes stimulated with IL-17 compared with TNF. TIMP-1 production was decreased more by IL-17 than by TNF, but only in psoriasis cells. MMP-1/TIMP-1, MMP-2/TIMP-1, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios were higher after IL-17 stimulation (compared with TNF stimulation) in psoriasis subjects; this occurred in controls only for the MMP-2/TIMP-1 ratio. IL-17 has a greater ability than TNF to dysregulate the MMPs/TIMP-1 balance, supporting IL-17 blockade as first-line treatment in cutaneous psoriasis.

Type 3 innate lymphoid cells as an indicator of renal dysfunction and serum uric acid in hyperuricemia

BACKGROUND

Type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are a newly identified group of innate immune cells that participate in the progression of several metabolic diseases by secreting interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22. These cytokines are associated with hyperuricemia (HUA) severity and development; however, the relationship between ILC3s and HUA remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the characteristics of circulating ILC3s in patients with HUA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Type 3 innate lymphoid cells and their subsets were detected using flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 80 HUA patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Plasma levels of IL-17A and IL-22 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical data of enrolled subjects were collected from electronic medical records.

RESULTS

In patients with HUA, the frequency of circulating ILC3s was elevated and positively correlated with levels of serum uric acid and serum creatinine (Scr). Although there was no significant difference in the plasma concentration of IL-17A between the patients with HUA and healthy controls, positive correlations between plasma IL-17A and the concentration of serum uric acid and frequency of circulating ILC3s were observed in the patients with HUA.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HUA, positive correlations were detected between circulating ILC3 levels, plasma IL-17A and serum uric acid. Therefore, ILC3s and IL-17A may be useful indicators of disease severity, and are potential new therapeutic targets in HUA.

An Interleukin-17 Isoform from Thick Shell Mussel Mytilus coruscus Serves as a Mediator of Inflammatory Response

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL17) plays an important role in innate immunity by binding to its receptors (IL17Rs) to activate immune defense signals. To date, information on members of the IL17 family is still very limited in molluscan species. Here, a novel member of the IL17 family was identified and characterized from thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus, and this gene was designated as McIL17-1 by predicting structural domains and phylogenetic analysis. McIL17-1 transcripts existed in all examined tissues with high expression levels in gills, hemocytes and digestive glands. After the stimuli of different pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) for 72 h, transcriptional expression of McIL17-1 was significantly upregulated, except for poly I:C stimulation. Cytoplasm localization of McIL17-1 was shown in HEK293T cells by fluorescence microscopy. Further, in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the potential function of McIL17-1 played in immune response. McIL17-1 was either knocked down or overexpressed in vivo through RNA inference (RNAi) and recombinant protein injection, respectively. With the infection of living Vibrio alginolyticus, a high mortality rate was exhibited in the McIL17-1 overexpressed group compared to the control group, while a lower mortality rate was observed in the McIL17-1 knocked down group than control group. In vitro, the flow cytometric analysis showed that the apoptosis rate of McIL17-1 inhibited hemocytes was significantly lower than that of the control group after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These results collectively suggested that the newly identified IL17 isoform is involved in the inflammatory response to bacterial infection in M. coruscus.

Therapeutic potential of targeting IL-17 and its receptor signaling in neuroinflammation

T helper 17 cells are thought to significantly contribute to the neuroinflammation process during neurogenerative diseases via their signature cytokine, interleukin (IL)-17. Recently, an emerging key role of IL-17 and its receptors has been documented in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The clinical studies conducted on patients with neurodegenerative disease have also shown an increase in IL-17 levels in serum as well as cerebrospinal fluid samples. Therapeutic targeting of either IL-17 receptors or direct IL-17 neutralizing antibodies has shown a promising preclinical and clinical proof of concept for treating chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Thus, IL-17 and its receptors have a central role in regulation of neuroinflammation and can be considered as one of the major therapeutic targets in chronic neuroinflammatory diseases.

Effect of interleukin-17 on periodontitis development: An instrumental variable analysis

BACKGROUND

Circulating levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) are associated with the presence and severity of periodontitis. However, whether IL-17 is causal for disease development is unknown. We investigated the effect of genetically proxied IL-17 on periodontitis using instrumental variable analysis.

METHODS

We identified 12 genetic variants from genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7760 European descent individuals, used these variants as instrumental variables for IL-17, and linked them to a GWAS of 17,353 clinical periodontitis cases and 28,210 European controls. Generalized weighted least squares analysis accounted for linkage disequilibrium of variants.

RESULTS

We found an inverse association of genetically proxied IL-17 and periodontitis (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.75-0.94; p = 0.003), which was corroborated after sensitivity analysis for horizontal pleiotropy.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that IL-17 protects against initial periodontitis.

Enhanced secretion of hepatocyte growth factor in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in rats

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) are a reportedly promising choice in the treatment of irreversible pulmonary fibrosis and lethal interstitial lung disease with limited drug treatment options. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of UCMSCs overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is considered one of the main anti-fibrotic factors secreted by MSCs. Adenovirus vector carrying the HGF gene was transfected into UCMSCs to produce HGF-modified UCMSCs (HGF-UCMSCs). Transfection promoted the proliferation of UCMSCs and did not change the morphology, and differentiation ability, or biomarkers. Rats were injected with HGF-UCMSCs on days 7 and 11 after intratracheal administration of bleomycin (10 mg/kg). We performed an analysis of histopathology and lung function to evaluate the anti-fibrotic effect. The results showed that HGF-UCMSCs decreased the Ashcroft scores in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, the percentage positive area in Masson trichrome-stained sections, and the hydroxyproline level in lungs. Forced expiratory volume in the first 300 m/forced vital capacity was also improved by HGF-UCMSCs. To explore the possible therapeutic mechanism of HGF-UCMSCs, we detected inflammatory factors in the lungs and performed mRNA sequencing in UCMSCs and HGF-UCMSCs. The data indicated that inhibition of interleukin-17 in the lung may be related to the anti-fibrosis of HGF-UCMSCs, and overexpressed HGF probably played a primary role in the treatment. Collectively, our study findings suggested that the overexpression of HGF may improve the anti-fibrotic effect of UCMSCs through directly or indirectly interacting with interleukin-17-producing cells in fibrotic lungs.