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Peng SJ, Feng Y, Li X, Wang XX, Wang Y, Zhou BT, Liu Y, Liu T, Wu YC. Thymopentin (TP-5) prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neuron injury by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 119:110109. [PMID: 37121113 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and stroke, and is accompanied by excessive release of inflammatory cytokines and mediators by activated microglia. Microglial inflammatory response inhibition may be an effective strategy for preventing inflammatory disorders. However, the reciprocal connections between the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system have not been elucidated. Thus far, these links have been proven to mainly involve immuno- and neuropeptides. The pentapeptide thymopentin (TP-5) exerts a significant immunomodulatory effect; however, its antineuroinflammatory effects and underlying mechanism are still unclear. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to establish an inflammation model, and the therapeutic effect of TP-5 was evaluated. Behavioral tests showed that TP-5 treatment could improve the performance of LPS-treated mice in the open field and pole test, but not hanging wire test. TP-5 also attenuated neuronal lesions in the brains of LPS-treated mice. TP-5 reduced cytotoxicity and morphological changes in activated microglia. Label-free quantitative analysis indicated that the expression of multiple proteins and the activation of associated signaling pathways were altered by TP-5. Moreover, TP-5 could inhibit LPS-induced neuroinflammation in the brain and BV2 microglia and the expression of major genes in the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression downregulation was rescued in the LPS + TP-5 group compared with the LPS group. We conclude that TP-5 exerts neuroprotection by alleviating LPS-induced inflammatory damage and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The protective effect of TP-5 may involve the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Jia Peng
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Ya Feng
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Xi-Xi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Bu-Tian Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Ye Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China
| | - Te Liu
- Shanghai Geriatric Institute of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Yun-Cheng Wu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, PR China.
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Siebert A, Wysocka M, Krawczyk B, Cholewiński G, Rachoń J. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of amino acid and peptide derivatives of mycophenolic acid. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 143:646-655. [PMID: 29216563 PMCID: PMC7173178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.11.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
The series of 16 novel amino acid and peptide mycophenolic acid (MPA) derivatives was obtained as potential antibacterial agents. Coupling of MPA with respective amines was optimized with condensing reagents such as EDCI/DMAP and T3P/TEA. Amino acid analogs were received both as methyl esters and also with the free carboxylic group. The biological activity of the products was tested on five references bacterial strains: Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 (ESBL), Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, Staphylococcus aureus MSSA ATCC 25923. Peptide derivatives proved to be the most versatile ones, their MIC values relative to most strains was lower than MPA alone. It has been noted that the activity of amino acid derivatives depends on the configuration at the chiral center in the amino acid unit and methyl esters indicated better antimicrobial activity than analogs with free carboxylic group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Siebert
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Wysocka
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Beata Krawczyk
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Cholewiński
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Janusz Rachoń
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. G. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
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Jin E, Ren M, Liu W, Liang S, Hu Q, Gu Y, Li S. Effect of Boron on Thymic Cytokine Expression, Hormone Secretion, Antioxidant Functions, Cell Proliferation, and Apoptosis Potential via the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1 and 2 Signaling Pathway. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:11280-11291. [PMID: 29032684 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b04069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Boron is an essential trace element in animals. Appropriate boron supplementation can promote thymus development; however, a high dose of boron can lead to adverse effects and cause toxicity. The influencing mechanism of boron on the animal body remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of boron on cytokine expression, thymosin and thymopoietin secretion, antioxidant function, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) pathway in the thymus of rats. We found that supplementation with 10 and 20 mg/L boron to the drinking water significantly elevated levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4), and thymosin α1 in the thymus of rats (p < 0.05), increased the number of positive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA+) cells and concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) (p < 0.05), and promoted mRNA expression of PCNA and ERK1/2 in thymocytes (p < 0.05). However, the number of caspase-3+ cells and the expression level of caspase-3 mRNA were reduced (p < 0.05). Supplementation with 40, 80, and 160 mg/L boron had no apparent effect on many of the above indicators. In contrast, supplementation with 480 and 640 mg/L boron had the opposite effect on the above indicators in rats and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (p < 0.05). Our study showed that supplementation of various doses of boron to the drinking water had a U-shaped dose-effect relationship with thymic cytokine expression, hormone secretion, antioxidant function, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Specifically, supplementation with 10 and 20 mg/L boron promoted thymocyte proliferation and enhanced thymic functions. However, supplementation with 480 and 640 mg/L boron inhibited thymic functions and increased the number of apoptotic thymocytes, suggesting that the effects of boron on thymic functions may be caused via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhui Jin
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Man Ren
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Liang
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Hu
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Youfang Gu
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghe Li
- College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University , 9 Donghua Road, Fengyang, Chuzhou, Anhui 233100, People's Republic of China
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Su S, Sun X, Zhou X, Fang F, Li Y. Effects of GnRH immunization on the reproductive axis and thymulin. J Endocrinol 2015; 226:93-102. [PMID: 26016747 DOI: 10.1530/joe-14-0720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The bidirectional regulation of thymulin in the reproductive-endocrine function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis of rats immunized against GnRH remains largely unclear. We explored the alterations in hormones in the HPG axis in immunized rats to dissect the repressive effect of immunization on thymulin, and to clarify the interrelation of reproductive hormones and thymulin in vivo. The results showed that, in the first 2 weeks of booster immunization, thymulin was repressed when reproductive hormones were severely reduced. The self-feedback regulation of thymulin was then stimulated in later immune stages: the rising circulating thymulin upregulated LH and FSH, including GnRH in the hypothalamus, although the levels of those hormones were still significantly lower than in the control groups. In astrocytes, thymulin produced a feedback effect in regulated GnRH neurons. However, in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) and the median eminence (ME), the mediator of astrocytes and other glial cells were also directly affected by reproductive hormones. Thus, in immunized rats, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was distinctly stimulated in the Arc and ME. This study demonstrated that thymulin was downregulated by immunization against GnRH in early stage. Subsequently, the self-feedback regulation was provoked by low circulating thymulin. Thereafter, rising thymulin levels promoted pituitary gonadotropins levels, while acting directly on GnRH neurons, which was mediated by astrocytes in a region-dependent manner in the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiping Su
- College of Animal Sciences and TechnologyAnhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, People's Republic of ChinaCollege of Life ScienceFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of ChinaThe Biotechnology Center of Anhui Agriculture UniversityHefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Sun
- College of Animal Sciences and TechnologyAnhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, People's Republic of ChinaCollege of Life ScienceFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of ChinaThe Biotechnology Center of Anhui Agriculture UniversityHefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuhong Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences and TechnologyAnhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, People's Republic of ChinaCollege of Life ScienceFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of ChinaThe Biotechnology Center of Anhui Agriculture UniversityHefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuigui Fang
- College of Animal Sciences and TechnologyAnhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, People's Republic of ChinaCollege of Life ScienceFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of ChinaThe Biotechnology Center of Anhui Agriculture UniversityHefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- College of Animal Sciences and TechnologyAnhui Agricultural University, 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui 230036, People's Republic of ChinaCollege of Life ScienceFujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, People's Republic of ChinaThe Biotechnology Center of Anhui Agriculture UniversityHefei, People's Republic of China
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Mignini F, Sabbatini M, Mattioli L, Cosenza M, Artico M, Cavallotti C. Neuro-immune modulation of the thymus microenvironment (review). Int J Mol Med 2014; 33:1392-400. [PMID: 24676230 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site for T-cell lympho-poiesis. Its function includes the maturation and selection of antigen specific T cells and selective release of these cells to the periphery. These highly complex processes require precise parenchymal organization and compartmentation where a plethora of signalling pathways occur, performing strict control on the maturation and selection processes of T lymphocytes. In this review, the main morphological characteristics of the thymus microenvironment, with particular emphasis on nerve fibers and neuropeptides were assessed, as both are responsible for neuro-immune‑modulation functions. Among several neurotransmitters that affect thymus function, we highlight the dopaminergic system as only recently has its importance on thymus function and lymphocyte physiology come to light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenzo Mignini
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sabbatini
- Human Anatomy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont ̔Amedeo Avogadro̓, I-28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Laura Mattioli
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Monica Cosenza
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Medico-legal and Locomotor System Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ι-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavallotti
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Ι-00185 Rome, Italy
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Bank LM, Bianchi LM, Ebisu F, Lerman-Sinkoff D, Smiley EC, Shen YC, Ramamurthy P, Thompson DL, Roth TM, Beck CR, Flynn M, Teller RS, Feng L, Llewellyn GN, Holmes B, Sharples C, Coutinho-Budd J, Linn SA, Chervenak AP, Dolan DF, Benson J, Kanicki A, Martin CA, Altschuler R, Koch AE, Koch AE, Jewett EM, Germiller JA, Barald KF. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor acts as a neurotrophin in the developing inner ear. Development 2013; 139:4666-74. [PMID: 23172918 DOI: 10.1242/dev.066647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study is the first to demonstrate that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an immune system 'inflammatory' cytokine that is released by the developing otocyst, plays a role in regulating early innervation of the mouse and chick inner ear. We demonstrate that MIF is a major bioactive component of the previously uncharacterized otocyst-derived factor, which directs initial neurite outgrowth from the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) to the developing inner ear. Recombinant MIF acts as a neurotrophin in promoting both SAG directional neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival and is expressed in both the developing and mature inner ear of chick and mouse. A MIF receptor, CD74, is found on both embryonic SAG neurons and adult mouse spiral ganglion neurons. Mif knockout mice are hearing impaired and demonstrate altered innervation to the organ of Corti, as well as fewer sensory hair cells. Furthermore, mouse embryonic stem cells become neuron-like when exposed to picomolar levels of MIF, suggesting the general importance of this cytokine in neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Bank
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, 3728 BSRB 109, Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2200, USA
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7
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Expression of inflammation-related genes in mouse spleen under tuftsin analog Selank. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 170:18-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2011.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2011] [Revised: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Li J, Liu CH, Wang FS. Thymosin alpha 1: biological activities, applications and genetic engineering production. Peptides 2010; 31:2151-8. [PMID: 20699109 PMCID: PMC7115394 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2010] [Revised: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1), a 28-amino acid peptide, was first described and characterized from calf thymuses in 1977. This peptide can enhance T-cell, dendritic cell (DC) and antibody responses, modulate cytokines and chemokines production and block steroid-induced apoptosis of thymocytes. Due to its pleiotropic biological activities, Tα1 has gained increasing interest in recent years and has been used for the treatment of various diseases in clinic. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for the production of this peptide. So far, Tα1 used in clinic is synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis. Here, we summarize the genetic engineering methods to produce Tα1 using prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression systems. The effectiveness of these biological products in increasing the secretion of cytokines and in promoting lymphocyte proliferation were investigated in vitro studies. This opens the possibility for biotechnological production of Tα1 for the research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Li
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chun Hui Liu
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Feng Shan Wang
- Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Corresponding author at: Institute of Biochemical and Biotechnological Drug, National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. Tel.: +86 531 88382589; fax: +86 531 88382548.
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9
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Hernández-Ledesma B, Recio I, Amigo L. β-Lactoglobulin as source of bioactive peptides. Amino Acids 2007; 35:257-65. [PMID: 17726638 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-007-0585-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2007] [Accepted: 07/02/2007] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) is currently an important source of biologically active peptides. These peptides are inactive within the sequence of the precursor protein, but they can be released by in vivo or in vitro enzymatic proteolysis. Once released, these peptides play important roles in the human health, including antihypertensive, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as opioid-like features and ability to decrease the body-cholesterol levels. Bioactive peptides derived from beta-Lg are currently a point of intensive research. Their structure, biological significance and mechanism of action are briefly presented and discussed in this review.
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Sun X, Yamada H, Yoshihara K, Awaya A, Yoshikai Y. In vivo treatment with a nonapeptide thymic hormone, facteur thymique serique (FTS), ameliorates chronic colitis induced by dextran sulphate sodium in mice. Int Immunopharmacol 2007; 7:928-36. [PMID: 17499195 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2007.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2006] [Revised: 02/26/2007] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Facteur thymique serique (FTS), a thymic hormone with nonapeptide is involved in T cell differentiation in intestine. Here we investigated the effect of FTS on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously treated with 1 mug/mouse/day of FTS daily. FTS did not affect the course of acute colitis induced by DSS as assessed by survival rate, clinical activity of diseases, extent of tissue damage of colons. On the other hand, FTS significantly ameliorated chronic colitis induced by multiple cycles of DSS as reflected by lower lethality, weight loss, clinical scores and histological scores. The levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin 1(IL-1)-beta, and IL-12p40 in the culture supernatants of lamina propria (LP) cells of colon without any stimulation and IFN-gamma by T cells in the LP T cells under T cell receptor (TCR) triggering were reduced in FTS-treated mice, whereas the levels of IL-10 by LP cells and LPT cells were higher in FTS-treated mice. Thus, FTS may serve to suppress inflammation in DSS-induced chronic colitis accompanied by increased IL-10 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Sun
- Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
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Squillacioti C, Mirabella N, De Luca A, Paino G. Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the primary lymphoid organs of the duck Anas platyrhynchos. J Anat 2007; 209:51-8. [PMID: 16822269 PMCID: PMC2100303 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2006.00592.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) was studied in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius of the duck Anas platyrhynchos, at different ages, using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, RT-PCR and sequencing. In the thymus, PACAP immunoreactivity (-ir) was found in lymphoid cells. CD68/ and PGP 9.5/PACAP38 double labelling showed that PACAP was not expressed either in macrophages or in epithelial cells, suggesting that the PACAP-positive cells observed were lymphoid cells. Immunoreactive lymphocytes were observed in the interlobular septa. They increased in number with ageing. In the bursa, PACAP-ir was found in nerve fibres and in a few lymphoid cells. RT-PCR revealed PACAP mRNA expression in the thymus but not in the bursa. These results suggest that PACAP plays a role in the functions of the immune system in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Squillacioti
- Department of Structure, Functions and Biological Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
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