Interleukin-6 counteracts effects of cyclosporin A on extracellular matrix metabolism by human dermal fibroblasts

Modulation of Skin Inflammatory Response by Active Components of Silymarin

In this study, we compared selected silymarin components, such as quercetin (QE), 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) and silybin (SB), with the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (IND) in terms of their wound healing potential. In view of the fact that pathological cutaneous wound healing is associated with persistent inflammation, we studied their anti-inflammatory activity against inflammation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We investigated the regulation of crucial pro-inflammatory transcription factors—nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1)—as well as the expression of downstream inflammatory targets by Western blotting, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in vitro using primary normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). We demonstrated the greater ability of DHS to modulate the pro-inflammatory cytokines production via the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways when compared to other tested substances. The prolonged exposure of LPS-challenged human dermal fibroblasts to DHS had both beneficial and detrimental consequences. DHS diminished interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) secretion but induced the significant upregulation of IL-8 mRNA associated with NF-κB and AP-1 activation. The observed conflicting results may compromise the main expected benefit, which is the acceleration of the healing of the wound via a diminished inflammation.

Variances in the mRNA expression profile of TGF-β1-3 isoforms and its TGF-βRI-III receptors during cyclosporin a treatment of psoriatic patients

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic, immunologic, multi-factor inflammatory skin disease, strongly associated with a higher level of a number of cytokines, such as isoforms of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1–3) and its receptors (TGF-βRI–III). One of the most popular and important drugs used to treat this disease is cyclosporin A (CsA).

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of genes encoding the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms and receptors of the cytokine TGF-βRs in psoriatic patients during an 84-day long observation of the effects of cyclosporin A therapy. It made an attempt to determine the usefulness of testing mRNA expression of TGF-β1–3 and its receptors TGF-βRI–III as the supplementary molecular markers of lost sensitivity to the medicine.

Material and methods

The study group consisted of 32 patients with psoriasis (20 men and 12 women) treated with cyclosporin A. The changes in expression patterns of TGF-β1-3 and TGF-βRI-III were performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RTqPCR).

Results

The expression of TGF-β1-3 and TGF-βRI-III were detected in the whole period of therapy with CsA. Changes in transcriptional activities of TGF-β1–3 and TGF-βRI–III during pharmacotherapy were observed. Differences in the expression of these genes were found before and after 42 and 84 days of using CsA.

Conclusions

The changes in expression profiles of TGF-β1-3 and TGF-βRI-III during CsA therapy can be a useful molecular marker of lost sensitivity to the medicine.

Cyclosporin A reduces matrix metalloproteinases and collagen expression in dermal fibroblasts from regenerative FOXN1 deficient (nude) mice

Background

Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressive agent modifies the wound healing process through an influence on extracellular matrix metabolism. We have compared the effects of CsA on dermal fibroblasts from nude (FOXN1 deficient) mice, a genetic model of skin scarless healing, and from control (C57BL/6 J (B6) mice to evaluate metabolic pathways that appear to have important roles in the process of scarless healing/regeneration.

Results

High levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagen III expression in dermal fibroblasts from nude (regenerative) mice were down-regulated by CsA treatment to the levels observed in dermal fibroblasts from B6 (non-regenerative) mice. In contrast, dermal fibroblasts from control mice respond to CsA treatment with a minor reduction of Mmps mRNA and 2.5-fold increase expression of collagen I mRNA. An in vitro migratory assay revealed that CsA treatment profoundly delayed the migratory behavior of dermal fibroblasts from both nude and control mice.

Conclusion

The data suggest that by alternation of the accumulation of extracellular matrix components CsA treatment stimulates the transition from a scarless to a scar healing.

Interleukin 6 destabilizes atherosclerotic plaques by downregulating prolyl-4-hydroxylase α1 via a mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun pathway

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pivotal cytokine that regulates extracellular matrix metabolism by ameliorating the modification of collagen content, important in fibrous caps of atherosclerotic plaque. Prolyl-4-hydroxylase α1 (P4Hα1) is a key intracellular enzyme required for synthesis of collagen in animals. We investigated the relationship of IL-6 and P4Hα1 in atherosclerosis-prone mice and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and a perivascular constrictive silica collar was placed on the right common carotid artery to induce atherosclerotic lesions, then mice were divided into two groups for transfection with empty lentivirus or IL-6 lentivirus. HASMCs were transfected with small interfering RNA or treated with recombinant human IL-6. IL-6 significantly downregulated collagen, P4Hα1 and smooth muscle cell contents in atherosclerotic mouse arteries. Macrophage and lipid contents in the atherosclerotic area were significantly increased with IL-6 treatment. IL-6 significantly downregulated P4Hα1 expression in HASMCs through an RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and c-Jun was involved in the process. Our findings highlight IL-6 destabilize atherosclerotic plaques in mice by downregulating P4Hα1 via an RAF-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 MAPK and c-Jun pathway.

Cyclosporine-A inhibits MMP-2 and -9 activities in the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide: an experiment in human gingival fibroblast and U937 macrophage co-culture

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Studies have shown that bacterial plaque and the associated gingival inflammation increase the severity of gingival overgrowth induced by cyclosporine-A (CsA). This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of CsA on the activities of MMPs from the co-culture of human gingival fibroblasts and U937 macrophages in the presence or absence of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Activities of pro-MMP-2, MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 in the supernatants of independent cultures and co-cultures were examined by zymography. RT-PCR was selected to evaluate the expression of mRNA for membrane type-1 (MT1) MMP in the co-cultures.

RESULTS

Activities of MMPs in the co-cultures were significantly greater when compared with any of the independent cultures. Lipopolysaccharide significantly increased the MMP activities in a dose-dependent manner in the co-cultures, whereas CsA inhibited these activities. In the presence of both CsA and LPS, the MMP activities inhibited by CsA could still be observed in the co-cultures. In the individual cultures, in contrast, the CsA-inhibited MMP activities, in the presence of LPS, were minimally detected. The mRNA expression of MT1-MMP was significantly enhanced after LPS treatment; however, this enhancement was inhibited by CsA.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that, in co-cultures of human gingival fibroblasts and U937 macrophages, CsA could inhibit MMP activities in the presence of P. gingivalis LPS. It might be part of the underlying reason for the persistent overgrowth of gingiva seen when bacterial plaque and local inflammation are present during CsA therapy.

Detection of multiple cytokines in the urine of patients with focal necrotising glomerulonephritis may predict short and long term outcome of renal function

BACKGROUND

Detection of urinary cytokines in pauci-immune focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis (FSNGN) may provide valuable information about disease pathogenesis and prognosis.

METHODS

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by ELISA, and Interleukins, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP1β) by a multiplex cytokine assay, in 38 patients with FSNGN. Their levels were correlated with severity of histological findings and renal function outcome in short and long term.

RESULTS

The percentage of crescents in renal biopsy had positive correlation with TGF-β1 (p=0.004) and IL-15 urinary excretion (p=0.01), and negative correlation with EGF (p=0.01). Increased urinary excretion of IL-6, IL-15, VEGF and MIP-1β was associated with poor renal function outcome, but increased levels of EGF, IL-2 and IL-9 predicted a favourable prognosis. In multiple regression analysis IL-6 and VEGF urinary levels were independent predictors of no-response at the acute phase (p=0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively), while, IL-6 was the only factor (p=0.03) predicted worse outcome at the end of follow-up (39.4±45 months).

CONCLUSION

Increased urinary excretion of IL-6, IL-15, VEGF, TGF-β1, MCP-1 and MIP-1β and reduced EGF, IL-2, IL-9 may be associated with histological damage and influence response to treatment in pauci-immune FSNGN.

Inhibition effect of Gynura procumbens extract on UV-B-induced matrix-metalloproteinase expression in human dermal fibroblasts

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gynura procumbens Merr. (Asteraceae) has been used as a traditional remedy for various skin diseases in certain areas of Southeast Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In order to evaluate the protective activity of Gynura procumbens extract on skin photoaging and elucidate its mode of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and -9 expressions were induced by UV-B irradiation in human primary dermal fibroblasts. MMP-1 expression level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot analysis. Zymography was employed for evaluating the enzymatic activity of MMP-9. Anti-inflammatory activity and anti-oxidative capacity of the extract were evaluated by ELISA and dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay.

RESULTS

The ethanolic extract of Gynura procumbens inhibited MMP-1 expression up to 70% compare to negative control group. The enzymatic activity of MMP-9 was inhibited around 73% by the treatment of 20μg/mL of the extract. The extract markedly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Gynura procumbens extract showed an inhibitory effect on releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in human HaCat keratinocyte.

CONCLUSION

The ethanolic extract of Gynura procumbens inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-9 expressions induced by UV-B irradiation via inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine mediator release and ROS production.

Gingival overgrowth in cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or sirolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens and the single nucleotide IL-6 (-174 G/C) gene polymorphism

OBJECTIVE

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) may be involved in drug-induced gingival overgrowth (GO). The present study was conducted to assess the association between IL-6 (-174 G/C) gene polymorphism and GO in renal transplant recipients under cyclosporine (CsA), tacrolimus (Tcr), or sirolimus (Sir)-based regimens.

METHODS

Within an eligible population, 45 unrelated subjects were selected for each CsA, Tcr, and Sir group, totaling a sample of 135 subjects. GO was visually assessed and subjects were assigned as controls (non-responders) or cases (responders) in a post hoc definition. IL-6 gene polymorphism was assessed using the polymerase chain reaction amplification and digestion. The distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies in responders and non-responders were compared using the Chi-squared test.

RESULTS

The number of responders was 27 (60.0%), 13 (28.9%), and 7 (15.6%) in the CsA, Tcr, and Sir groups, respectively. No differences could be observed at frequencies of -174GG, -174CG, and -174CC genotypes when comparing responders to non-responders in the CsA, Tcr, and Sir groups. Similar to genotypes, allele frequencies showed no differences between responders and non-responders in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No association between IL-6 (-174 G/C) gene polymorphism and gingival overgrowth was observed in renal transplant recipients under CsA, Tcr, or Sir-based immunosuppressive maintenance regimens.