Immunosuppressive diterpenoids from Tripterygium wilfordii

A clinically used extract of Tripterygium wilfordii afforded three new diterpenoids-3beta,19-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene (triptobenzene L) (1); 12,19-dihydroxy-3-oxoabieta-8,11,13-triene (triptobenzene M) (2); and 19-hydroxy-3,7-dioxo-abieta-8,11, 13-triene (triptobenzene N) (3)-along with 14 known diterpenoids. The structures of 1-3 were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies. Of the known compounds, the stereochemistry at C-4 of triptonediol (4) was reassigned. Tripterifordin (8) and 13-epi-manoyl oxide-18-oic acid (9) showed significant inhibitory effects on cytokine production.

Transfection of interleukin-8 increases angiogenesis and tumorigenesis of human gastric carcinoma cells in nude mice

The growth and spread of tumour cells depends on adequate vasculature. We have previously reported that the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) directly correlates with the vascularity of human gastric carcinomas. To provide evidence for a causal role of IL-8 in angiogenesis and tumorigenicity of human gastric cancer, we used the lipofectin method to stably transfect the human TMK-1 gastric carcinoma cells (low endogenous IL-8) with an IL-8 expression vector or control vector. Transfection with IL-8 did not affect the proliferation of cultured cells, yet the culture supernatants of the transfected (but not control) cells stimulated proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The IL-8-transfected and control cells were injected into the gastric wall of nude mice. IL-8-transfected cells produced rapidly growing, highly vascular neoplasms as compared to control cells. These results provide direct evidence for the role of IL-8 in the angiogenesis and tumorigenicity of human gastric carcinomas.

Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, TGF-beta(2) and interleukin 8 messenger RNA in postsurgical and cultured lens epithelial cells obtained from patients with senile cataracts

BACKGROUND

Testing our hypothesis that residual lens epithelial cells (LEC) participate in the pseudophakic inflammation by producing cytokines, prostaglandins (PG) or both, we detected interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, b-FGF and PGE(2) in the incubation medium of cultured LEC. This paper describes our subsequent work on the expression of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta(2), IL-4 and IL-8 mRNA in postsurgical and cultured LEC.

METHODS

The anterior lens capsule with attached LEC was obtained by anterior capsulotomy during cataract surgery and cultured. Specimens in serum-free medium immediately after surgery or those in serum-added medium after 2 weeks of culture were used. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis were used to detect mRNA coding for TGF-alpha, TGF-beta(2), IL-4 and IL-8 in human cataract LEC.

RESULTS

Electrophoresis of the PCR products showed that appropriately sized amplification products were specific for TGF-alpha and TGF-beta(2) in the specimens immediately after surgery and after culturing, and IL-8 in the cultured LEC. IL-4 was not detected in either group of specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Human cataract LEC synthesize TGF-alpha and TGF-beta(2) mRNA in situ and after culturing, and the cultured LEC also synthesize IL-8 mRNA. These cytokines may be synthesized by LEC in vitro and play an important role in an autocrine or paracrine manner in the proliferative process of LEC after cataract surgery, which can cause inflammation and aftercataract.

Identification of the human sperm protein that interacts with sperm-immobilizing antibodies in the sera of infertile women

OBJECTIVE

To identify the target antigen of sperm-immobilizing antibodies present in the circulation of infertile women.

DESIGN

Laboratory research.

SETTING

Academic research laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Twenty-nine infertile women with sperm-immobilizing antibodies, 22 infertile women with other disorders, and 20 fertile women.

INTERVENTION(S)

Titers of antibodies to the sperm protein, rSMP-B, were determined by ELISA using as substrate the synthetic peptide segment (rSMP-230) that corresponds with the hydrophilic domain of rSMP-B. Tests for sperm immobilization and zona pellucida penetration were performed using the human IVF system.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Human sera with sperm-immobilizing activity were assayed for the presence of antibodies to rSMP-230. Polyclonal antibodies to rSMP-230 were assessed for the same biologic activities as sperm-immobilizing antibodies.

RESULT(S)

Antibodies to rSMP-230 were detected in 10 (34%) of 29 sera obtained from women with immunologic infertility. In contrast, only one serum sample (2%) from women without sperm-immobilizing activity had a low titer of antibodies to rSMP-230. Polyclonal antibodies to rSMP-230 completely immobilized human sperm in the presence of complement and blocked sperm penetration across the zona pellucida.

CONCLUSION(S)

The human sperm protein, rSMP-B, probably is the target antigen of sperm-immobilizing antibodies.

Production of interleukin-10 by alveolar macrophages from lung cancer patients

Interleukin (IL)-10 is known to be an autoregulatory factor of functions of monocyte macrophages. The purpose of this study was to determine whether IL-10 production by alveolar macrophages (AMs) is altered in patients with lung cancer. AMs were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from 25 patients with lung cancer and 14 control patients. The production of IL-10 by AMs was quantitated by enzyme immunoassay with or without stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). No significant difference in spontaneous and LPS-stimulated IL-10 production by AMs was observed between lung cancer patients and control patients (mean +/- SEM; 288.0 +/- 56.7 vs. 249.6 +/- 58.4 pg ml-1). IL-10 production of LPS-stimulated AMs was not impaired even in lung cancer patients with systemic metastasis. IL-4 failed to suppress LPS-induced production of IL-10 by AMs both in control patients and in lung cancer patients. In eight patients with lung cancer, IL-10 production by AMs was estimated before and after systemic chemotherapy and IL-10 production by LPS-stimulated AMs tended to increase after systemic chemotherapy from 152.3 +/- 51.9 to 278.0 +/- 112.8 pg ml-1. As IL-10 is a potent inhibitor of tumour angiogenesis, an important process of tumour progression, these results suggest that, even in advanced cancer patients, macrophages can produce potent angiogenesis inhibitor and systemic chemotherapy may augment this inhibitory activity in the lung.

MIP-1alpha and MCP-1 contribute to crescents and interstitial lesions in human crescentic glomerulonephritis

BACKGROUND

The precise molecular mechanisms of macrophage (Mphi) recruitment and activation in crescentic glomerulonephritis remain to be investigated. We hypothesized that locally produced macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 via the chemokine receptors participate in the pathophysiology of human crescentic glomerulonephritis by recruiting and activating Mphi.

METHODS

We investigated the levels of MIP-1alpha and MCP-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 20 healthy subjects, 20 patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis, and 41 control patients with various other renal diseases. The presence of MIP-1alpha, MCP-1, and the cognate chemokine receptor for MIP-1alpha, CCR5, in the diseased kidneys was evaluated by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analyses.

RESULTS

MIP-1alpha-positive cells were mainly detected in crescentic lesions, whereas MCP-1 was mainly in the interstitium. In addition, we detected CCR5-positive cells in diseased glomeruli and interstitium. Urinary MIP-1alpha was detected in crescentic glomerulonephritis, even though it was below detectable levels in healthy subjects and in patients with other renal diseases without crescents. Urinary MIP-1alpha levels in the patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis were well correlated with the percentage of cellular crescents and the number of CD68-positive infiltrating cells and CCR5-positive cells in the glomeruli. However, urinary MCP-1 levels were well correlated with the percentage of both total crescents and fibrocellular/fibrous crescents and the number of CD68-positive infiltrating cells in the interstitium. Moreover, elevated urinary levels of both MIP-1alpha and MCP-1 dramatically decreased during glucocorticoid therapy-induced convalescence.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that locally produced MIP-1alpha may be involved in the development of cellular crescents in the acute phase via CCR5 and that MCP-1 may be involved mainly in the development of interstitial lesions in the chronic phase when fibrocellular/fibrous crescents are present, possibly through Mphi recruitment and activation.

Paradoxical decrease of an adipose-specific protein, adiponectin, in obesity

We isolated the human adipose-specific and most abundant gene transcript, apM1 (Maeda, K., et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 221, 286-289, 1996). The apM1 gene product was a kind of soluble matrix protein, which we named adiponectin. To quantitate the plasma adiponectin concentration, we have produced monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for human adiponectin and developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system. Adiponectin was abundantly present in the plasma of healthy volunteers in the range from 1.9 to 17.0 mg/ml. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin in obese subjects were significantly lower than those in non-obese subjects, although adiponectin is secreted only from adipose tissue. The ELISA system developed in this study will be useful for elucidating the physiological and pathophysiological role of adiponectin in humans.

Variation in the immune response to adenoviral vectors in the brain: influence of mouse strain, environmental conditions and priming

E1-deleted adenoviral vectors expressing the bacterial beta-galactosidase gene were inoculated into the brain of unprimed and primed C3H.He or C57BL/6J mice housed under either conventional or specific-pathogen-free (SPF) conditions. The kinetics of immune responses to both the vector and the transgene were investigated. In mice previously sensitized to adenovirus, the leukocyte infiltrate in the brain was dominated by CD8+ T cells, whereas in unprimed mice CD4+ T cells were present at higher levels. As expected, antibody titres to both adenovirus and beta-galactosidase were higher in primed mice than in unprimed mice after intracranial inoculation. C3H.He mice consistently made higher antibody responses than C57BL/6J mice. Although adenoviral vectors induced an inflammatory response under all conditions, mice housed in SPF facilities exhibited less inflammation than conventional mice and transgene expression persisted for longer. Irrespective of whether the mice had been deliberately primed to adenovirus, antibody titres were consistently lower in SPF mice compared with conventional mice. This study clearly demonstrates that environmental conditions, as well as previous priming to adenovirus, will affect both the quality and duration of the immune response triggered by gene delivery to the brain.

Expression of cytokine and adhesion molecule mRNA in atherectomy specimens from patients with coronary artery disease

Coronary arteriosclerosis is an underlying condition in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and stable angina pectoris (SAP), and is also related to restenosis (RS) following coronary intervention. To investigate the pathogenesis of this condition, a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to determine relative levels of mRNA for interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 using directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) specimens. Eleven patients with AMI, 7 with UAP, 10 with SAP and 6 with RS following a previous coronary intervention underwent DCA. The mRNA intensity for each molecule was expressed by comparing it with that of beta-actin mRNA. The AMI and UAP patients showed high frequencies of mRNA for IL-1beta, IL-8, TGF-beta, and ICAM-1 together with strong intensities of expression, whereas SAP patients showed decreased mRNA expression for these molecules. Increased IL-6 mRNA expression was observed only in AMI samples. Specimens from RS patients revealed an accumulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, except for IL-6, as well as of TGF-beta. The study suggests that variation in mRNA expression may reflect the pathophysiology of specific types of coronary artery disease, and remodeling following vascular injury.

An assessment of the immunological environment based on intratumoral cytokine production in renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the immunological relationship between tumour and host, focusing on the production of T-cell helper (Th) subset-derived cytokines in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised 35 patients (19 men and 16 women, mean age 56.9 years, range 39-78) with RCC, who had undergone nephrectomy. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, the levels of Th1-derived cytokines were measured, including interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, and Th2-derived cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10 and others.

RESULTS

There was no detectable IL-2 or IFN-gamma production (below the detection limit) except in two patients; IL-4 was produced in 18 patients (51%) and of these, 15 (43%) showed a higher level than the mean. IL-5 was produced in 12 patients (34%), all of whom showed a higher level than the mean, and IL-6 was produced in 32 (91%) of whom 10 (29%) showed a higher level than the mean. IL-10 was detected in 28 patients (80%) of whom 14 (40%) showed a higher level than the mean. The production of these cytokines was closely related to the stage and grade of malignancy. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between the levels of production of IL-4 and IL-5 (r2=0.92), IL-4 and IL-10 (r2=0.91), and IL-5 and IL-10 (r2=0.85).

CONCLUSION

The intratumoral immunological environment in patients with RCC shows a tendency to produce Th2-related cytokines in accordance with the stage and grade; this suggests a role in humoral but not in cellular immunity.

Presence and potent immunosuppressive role of interleukin-10 in malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer

The presence and possible role of interleukin (IL)-10 were examined in malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer. In 37 out of 55 cases examined, IL-10 was detectable in pleural effusion and the mean level with standard error was 62.1+/-12.1 pg/ ml. Spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide-induced production of anti-tumor cytokines such as IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, by pleural macrophages, obtained from five patients with malignant pleurisy, were suppressed by IL-10. These findings suggest that IL-10 is present in the tumor-growing site and acts as a suppressive factor of local anti-tumor immunity in humans.

Cry j 1-induced synthesis of interleukin-5 and interferon-gamma by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis due to Japanese cedar pollens

This study comprised 130 adult patients with Japanese cedar pollen-specific IgE in the serum and 15 non-atopic individuals. Eighteen patients had no seasonal aggravation of nasal symptoms during the pollen season in 1998 (asymptomatic group). Forty-two patients had not been treated previously with immunotherapy and were treated with antihistamine tablets during the pollen season in 1998 (medication group). Sixty-one patients had undergone variable periods of immunotherapy using pollen extracts, and they were further divided into a good-IT group who responded markedly to immunotherapy and a poor-IT group who responded poorly to immunotherapy. The remaining nine patients had been treated with immunotherapy for more than 12 years and all of them had stopped immunotherapy by the end of May 1997 because they had no nasal symptoms for the last three pollen seasons and were considered to be cured of seasonal allergic rhinitis (cure group). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from each subject during the cedar pollen season in 1998 and were stimulated for 96 h with 10 micrograms/ml Cry j 1. The concentrations of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the culture supernatant were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of IFN-gamma did not differ significantly among the non-atopic group, the asymptomatic group, the medication group, the poor-IT group and the good-IT group. The level of IL-5 in the asymptomatic group was not different from that in the non-atopic group. The levels of IL-5 in the medication group, the good-IT group and the poor-IT group were significantly higher than in the non-atopic group. The level of IL-5 in the good-IT group, but not in the poor-IT group, was significantly lower than in the medication group. The level of IL-5 in the cure group was not significantly different from in the non-atopic group, and the level of IFN-gamma in the cure group was significantly lower than in the non-atopic group. In conclusion, immunotherapy can decrease the pollen allergen-induced synthesis of IL-5, but not of IFN-gamma, and this immunological modulation is involved in the working mechanism of immunotherapy related to its clinical efficacy. A tolerance or anergy of both TH1 and TH2 cells under allergen stimulation may be an immunological indication of cure after the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Thus, the suppression of synthesis of IL-5 and IFN-gamma by allergen-stimulated PBMCs is likely to be a reliable criterion for a possible cure of seasonal allergic rhinitis after immunotherapy.

The herbal medicine shoseiryu-to inhibits allergen-induced synthesis of tumour necrosis factor alpha by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

The herbal medicine shoseiryu-to is an effective agent in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, the mechanism by which it exerts its action in improving patient symptoms remains unclear. It might affect the allergen-induced TH1 and/or TH2 responses. This study investigated whether the herbal medicine could affect cytokine synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to the major Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) allergen, Der f 1. PBMCs were obtained from 15 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis due to D. farinae, and were stimulated for 96 h with 10 micrograms/ml Der f 1 in the presence or absence of 45 mg/ml shoseiryu-to. The culture supernatants were harvested to determine the synthesis of IgE, interleukin 5 (IL-5), IL-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). The agent did not affect the allergen-induced synthesis of IL-5, IL-6 and IFN-gamma, but somewhat decreased the synthesis of IgE and IL-10. This study highlighted an interesting pharmacological action of shoseiryu-to to substantially inhibit the allergen-induced synthesis of TNF-alpha. Our study suggests that the shoseiryu-to may alleviate nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis through control of the allergen-induced inflammatory process.

Possible involvement of interleukin-1 in cyclooxygenase-2 induction after spinal cord injury in rats

A standardized compression injury of rat spinal cord brought about a time-dependent biphasic production of thromboxane A2 (detected as thromboxane B2) and prostaglandin I2 (detected as 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha). Thromboxane B2 was predominant during the first 1 h, whereas the 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha level exceeded that of thromboxane B2 at 8 h postinjury. As examined by inhibitor experiments and northern blotting, cyclooxygenase-1 was responsible for the first phase, and cyclooxygenase-2 was involved in the second phase. On compression injury the levels of interleukin-1alpha and -1beta detected as mRNA and protein increased and peaked at 2-4 h. Injection of exogenous interleukin-1alpha into the spinal cord resulted in an increase of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA content and a predominant production of 6-ketoprostaglandin F1alpha resembling the second phase of eicosanoid production. Concomitantly, extravascular migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was enhanced after the interleukin-1alpha injection. These cells together with vascular endothelial cells and glial cells were stained positively with an anti-cyclooxygenase-2 antibody. The results suggest that the immediate eicosanoid synthesis after spinal cord injury was due to the constitutive cyclooxygenase-1 and the delayed synthesis of eicosanoids was attributable to the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 mediated by interleukin-1alpha.

Comparison of suppressive effects of a new anti-inflammatory compound, FR167653, on production of PGE2 and inflammatory cytokines, human monocytes, and alveolar macrophages in response to endotoxin

FR167653 [1-[7-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-8 (4-pyridyl) pyrazoro [5-1-c] [1,2,4] triazin-2-yl]-2-phenylethanedion sulfate monohydrate] was developed to inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production. However, the effects of FR167653 on prostanoid production are unclear. We investigated the effect of FR167653 on proinflammatory cytokine and prostaglandin (PG) production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages (AM) from the same individuals, and compared the effects in monocytes and AM. FR167653 inhibited interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha production. The effect on PGE2 production was assessed by four parameters. FR167653 inhibited PGE2 synthesis and LPS induction of cyclooxygenase activity. Western and Northern blot analyses revealed that LPS induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression was attenuated by this compound. The suppression in monocytes was greater than that in AM. We concluded that the reduction of LPS-induced PGE2 synthesis by FR167653 was due to inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 production. These results show that FR167653 may be therapeutically useful for inhibiting production of both inflammatory cytokines and PG production in inflammatory diseases.

IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in synovial fluid of patients with non-gonococcal septic arthritis

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are the main proinflammatory cytokines responsible for the inflammatory process and cartilage destruction of inflammatory arthropathies. The present study sequentially measured the concentrations of these cytokines and their proportions of detectable levels in the synovial fluid (SF) of 23 patients with non-gonococcal (GC) septic arthritis before and after treatment. Persistently high concentrations and proportions of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were found up to day 7 of treatment, while SF IL-1beta concentration declined significantly after day 7 (p = 0.036). SF IL-1beta and TNF-alpha correlated with each other significantly and with SF WBC counts (p < 0.01). Positive correlations between SF IL-1beta concentration and joint effusion (p < 0.01) and between SF TNF-alpha concentration and joint tenderness (p < 0.001) were observed. SF IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in patients with local complications of septic arthritis. In conclusion, high levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were detected in SF of patients with non-GC septic arthritis. Only IL-1beta decreased significantly after day 7 of treatment, but IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations were persistently high. SF IL-1beta and TNF-alpha may be useful in predicting the outcome and complications of patients with this disease.

[Relapsing pneumothorax secondary to thin-walled cavitary pulmonary metastasis from angiosarcoma of the scalp]

A 79-year-old woman was given a diagnosis of scalp angiosarcoma. Treatment with interleukin-2 and radiotherapy aclieved a complete response. However, a few months later, the patient presented with multiple thin-walled cavitary metastases in the right lung and pneumothorax. The pneumothorax was successfully treated but soon relapsed. The patient died of respiratory failure at home. Lung metastasis of malignant tumors should be considered one cause of relapsing pneumothorax.

Sarcoidosis associated with acute renal failure and increased levels of interleukin-6 in urine

A 24-year-old man who had uveitis and showed intrathoracic lymph node swelling on a chest X-ray, was admitted to our hospital for further examination. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens revealed non-caseating granulomas compatible to sarcoidosis. As the renal function became progressively worse, a specimen was obtained by renal biopsy. It showed a granuloma formation, and was diagnosed as renal sarcoidosis. A high level of interleukin (IL)-6 was detected in his urine. After oral administration of prednisolone, the renal function improved, and the urinary IL-6 level was reduced. These findings suggest that in sarcoidosis associated with renal failure, steroid therapy is effective and that IL-6 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of renal involvement of sarcoidosis.

Effects of rebamipide on production of several cytokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Recently, the relative contributions of local T helper cell responses of the Th1-type and Th2-type to the pathogenesis of gastritis and peptic ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori infection have been examined. However, the results were controversial with respect to whether cellular immunity (Th1-type) or humoral immunity (Th2-type) responses predominate in H. pylori infection and with respect to how these responses may contribute to disease pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the production of various cytokines induced by H. pylori or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which was derived from H. pylori or Escherichia coli, in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Live H. pylori induced production of many cytokines, such as IL-1beta, IL-10, IL-8, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, whereas we could not detect IL-2 or IL-4. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of rebamipide on the production of several cytokines from PBMC induced by various stimuli. Rebamipide suppressed the production of IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta induced by H. pylori in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, the production of IL-12 induced by H. pylori showed a tendency to increase as a result of treatment of the cells with rebamipide. These results suggested that rebamipide might be effective in regulating cytokine responses in the H. pylori-infected host and maintaining host immunity. Moreover, it might contribute positively to disease progression and bacterial eradication.

Molecular analysis of suppression of interleukin-8 production by rebamipide in Helicobacter pylori-stimulated gastric cancer cell lines

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) may play an important role in Helicobacter pylori infection-associated chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in human. We have recently reported that a gastric cancer cell line, MKN45, produced a massive amount of IL-8 upon coculture with live H. pylori. Moreover, H. pylori induced the activation of NF-kappaB as well as AP-1, leading to IL-8 gene transcription. In this study, we evaluated the effect of rebamipide, an antigastritis and antiulcer agent, on H. pylori-induced IL-8 production. Rebamipide inhibited the production of IL-8 in several gastric cancer cell lines infected with H. pylori. In addition, rebamipide suppressed H. pylori-induced IL-8 gene expression at the transcriptional level as revealed by northern blotting analysis and luciferase activity in cells that were transfected with a luciferase expression vector linked with a 5'-flanking region of the IL-8 gene (bp -133 to +44). Furthermore, rebamipide significantly suppressed the NF-kappaB activation by H. pylori infection. These results suggest that rebamipide may protect against the mucosal inflammation associated with H. pylori infection through inhibition of a proinflammatory cytokine, IL-8.

Effects of cilostazol on late lumen loss after Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation

Cilostazol inhibits intimal hyperplasia after stent implantation into canine iliac arteries. To determine the antiproliferative effect of this agent, cilostazol or aspirin was randomly given for 6 mo to 36 patients treated with Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation. Initial success was obtained in 34 patients. Repeat angiography was performed in 33 patients, and the complete angiographic data were obtained in 22 lesions of the cilostazol group and in 21 lesions of the aspirin group. The reference diameter and minimal luminal diameter were similar in both groups before and immediately after stent implantation. At follow-up, minimal luminal diameters were significantly greater in the cilostazol group than in the aspirin group (P < 0.001). Late loss and loss index were significantly smaller in the cilostazol group than in the aspirin group (P < 0.001). These results suggest that cilostazol reduces angiographic late lumen loss and thereby may reduce the incidence of restenosis after Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation.

Effects of branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrient mixture on natural killer cell activity in viral cirrhosis

A controlled study was performed in 18 viral cirrhosis patients to evaluate whether immune function, as indicated by natural killer (NK) cell activity, was improved by a branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrient mixture (nutrient-mixture), Aminoleban EN. Five patients received the nutrient-mixture (100 g/day) for 2 to 6 weeks preceded by control periods. Five additional patients received the nutrient-mixture for 2 to 4 weeks, and the remaining 8 patients did not receive the nutrient-mixture. NK cell activity, CD16, CD8, CD11b, and amino acids were assayed before and after the administration of the drug in the nutrient-mixture-supplemented group, and two times with 1 to 6 month intervals in the control group. In the nutrient-mixture-supplemented group (n = 10), increasing NK cell activity, expressed as the ratio of values of post-treatment to that of baseline (ratio > 1.25) was detected in 7 (70%) patients, whereas in the control group (n = 13), it was detected in only 1 (7.7%) (p < 0.01). While in the affected group (NK cell activity ratio > 1.25, n = 7), all patients had compensated liver cirrhosis, in the unaffected group (NK cell activity ratio < 1.25, n = 3), 2 of 3 patients had decompensated liver cirrhosis (p < 0.02). Laboratory data, indicating severity of liver cirrhosis, such as total bilirubin and albumin, showed better values (p < 0.01, p < 0.05 respectively), and baseline NK cell activity was low (8.7 +/- 7.2% vs 33.3 +/- 13.0%, p < 0.05) in the affected group than unaffected group. NK cell subpopulations such as CD16 (%), CD11b (%) and one of the populations of T cell such as CD8 (%) showed no significant change throughout the study. As for amino acids analysis, Fischer's ratio was increased in the nutrient-mixture-supplemented group compared to the control group (p < 0.05), but none of the amino acids showed significant change. Thus the changes in NK cell activity were not explained by increase in NK cell subpopulations nor changes of amino acids. These results suggest that the branched-chain amino acid-enriched nutrient mixture increases NK cell activity moderately in patients who have compensated liver cirrhosis and shows lower values of baseline NK cell activity.

Allergen-induced synthesis of interleukin-5, but not of IgE, is a key mechanism linked to symptomatic episodes of seasonal allergic rhinitis in sensitized individuals

Some individuals with detectable levels of Japanese cedar (Criptomeria japonica) pollen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E in serum have no apparent nasal symptoms during the pollen season. The response of CD4+ T-helper (Th) cells to the pollen allergen might differ fundamentally between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals who are already sensitized to the pollen. The aim of this study was to discern the possible differences in responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to the pollen allergen between asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects who have been sensitized to the pollen. This study included 20 non-atopic healthy volunteers (non-atopic group) and 48 patients who had detectable levels of the pollen-specific IgE before the pollen season in 1997. In the review of nasal symptoms during the pollen season 1997, 24 patients had typical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (symptomatic group), and the remainder had no seasonal aggravation of nasal symptoms (asymptomatic group). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (1.0 x 10(7) cells/well) were obtained from each individual during the pollen season and cultured in the absence or presence of 12.5 microg of Cry j 1 for 4 days. The concentrations of IgE, interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the culture supernatants were measured. The levels of IgE produced by Cry j 1-stimulated PBMCs of the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were significantly higher than those of the non-atopic group, but did not differ between the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. The levels of IL-5 produced by Cry j 1-stimulated PBMCs did not differ significantly between the non-atopic group and the asymptomatic group, but the levels of IL-5 were significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group as well as the non-atopic group. The levels of IFN-gamma produced by Cry j 1-stimulated PBMCs did not differ significantly among the three groups. In conclusion, our study has suggested that Japanese cedar pollen-induced synthesis of IL-5, but not of IgE or IFN-gamma, is likely to be a key mechanism linked to the symptomatic episode of seasonal allergic rhinitis in individuals sensitized to the pollen.

Interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta production in peripheral whole blood from patients with urological cancer

The activities of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interleukin-1 beta) were investigated in peripheral whole blood from 30 patients with bladder cancer, 12 patients with renal cell carcinoma, 18 patients with prostatic cancer and 16 healthy subjects. Heparinized blood was cultured in the absence and presence of various concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The culture supernatants were obtained and activities of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the absence of LPS stimulation, neither IL-1 alpha nor IL-1 beta was spontaneously produced in blood cultures from patients with bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma or prostatic cancer compared with control subjects. After stimulation with various concentrations of LPS, blood cultures from patients with bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, prostatic cancer, those from control subjects produced IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta in a dose-dependent manner, and IL-1 beta was predominant in all supernatants. The activities of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta showed no significant differences between the patients with bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma or prostatic cancer and control subjects. This study suggested that the patients with bladder cancer renal cell carcinoma and prostatic cancer did not spontaneously produce IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, but that the ability to produce IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta in response to LPS stimulation was not significantly impaired.

Endogenous neutralizing anti-IL-1 alpha autoantibodies in inflammatory skin diseases: possible natural inhibitor for over expressed epidermal IL-1

Interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) is thought to play a central role in inflammatory reactions of the skin. Its excessive production and discharge by keratinocytes has been implicated in psoriasis, bullous diseases and other skin diseases. In addition to the type 2 IL-1 receptor and the IL-1 receptor antagonist, anti-IL-1 antibody in human serum has been proposed as a potential means to down regulate systemic responses attributable to IL-1. However, the relationship of these antibodies to disease and particularly to disease pathogenesis is still unclear. To understand this relationship, we characterized the anti-IL-1 autoantibody in sera from various skin diseases. IL-1alpha and IL-1beta radioimmunoassay, and immuno-blotting study showed the existence of IL-1alpha autoantibody but not autoantibodies to IL-1beta or pro-IL-1beta. High titer of anti-IL-1alpha autoantibodies were detected in the sera from inflammatory skin diseases with epidermal injury, including psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, pustular psoriasis, pemphigus and lichen planus. In contrast, few samples from non-epidermodestructive bullous pemphigoid, atopic dermatitis and healthy normal controls had autoantibodies. The titer of anti-IL-1alpha autoantibodies showed some relation to the clinical course of psoriasis and pemphigus. Anti-IL-1 autoantibody neutralized rhIL-1alpha in D10.G4 assay and inhibited receptor binding of FITC-rhIL-1alpha. Taken together present data, the keratinocyte derived IL-1alpha could be a source of autoantigen that provokes production of endogenous anti-IL-1alpha autoantibody, which may regulate IL-1alpha mediated cutaneous inflammation.