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Anka AU, Usman AB, Kaoje AN, Kabir RM, Bala A, Kazem Arki M, Hossein-Khannazer N, Azizi G. Potential mechanisms of some selected heavy metals in the induction of inflammation and autoimmunity. EUR J INFLAMM 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x221122719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a physiological event that protects tissues from infection and injury. Chronic inflammation causes immune cell over activation and sustained release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines cause pathologic conditions including autoimmune diseases. Heavy metals exposure affects innate and adaptive immune systems through triggering inflammatory responses. It seems that extended inflammatory responses could accelerate heavy metal-induced autoimmunity. In the present review we discuss the exposure route and toxicity of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Vanadium (V) and Platinum (Pt) and their effects on inflammatory responses by innate and adaptive immune system and autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar U Anka
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar B Usman
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
| | - Abubakar N Kaoje
- Department of Health Services, Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria
| | - Ramadan M Kabir
- Laboratory Department, Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Aliyu Bala
- Hematology Department, Federal Medical Center, Katsina, Nigeria
| | - Mandana Kazem Arki
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nikoo Hossein-Khannazer
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Azizi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Movassagh H, Halchenko Y, Sampath V, Nygaard UC, Jackson B, Robbins D, Li Z, Nadeau KC, Karagas MR. Maternal gestational mercury exposure in relation to cord blood T cell alterations and placental gene expression signatures. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111385. [PMID: 34129869 PMCID: PMC8478717 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The immunotoxic impacts of mercury during early life is poorly understood. We investigated the associations between gestational mercury exposure and frequency of cord blood T cells as well as placental gene expression. Frequency of natural Treg cells was positively associated with prenatal and postpartum mercury toenail concentrations. Frequency of NKT and activated naïve Th cells was positively associated with prenatal toenail mercury concentrations and number of maternal silver-mercury dental amalgams, respectively. Placental gene expression analyses revealed distinct gene signatures associated with mercury exposure. Decreased placental expression of a histone demethylase, KDM4DL, was associated with both higher prenatal and postpartum maternal toenail mercury levels among male infants and remained statistically significant after adjustment for fish and seafood consumption. The results suggest that gestational exposure to mercury concentrations contribute to alterations in both T cells and gene expression in placenta at birth. These alterations may inform mechanisms of mercury immunotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesam Movassagh
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yuliya Halchenko
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine and the Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Unni C Nygaard
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Oslo, Norway
| | - Brian Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College; Hanover, NH, USA
| | - David Robbins
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine; Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zhigang Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine and the Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine and the Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth; Hanover, NH, USA
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Yawei C, Jing S, Wenju S, Yupeng L, Ping Z, Liping H. Mercury as a cause of membranous nephropathy and Guillain-Barre syndrome: case report and literature review. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:300060521999756. [PMID: 33769115 PMCID: PMC8168032 DOI: 10.1177/0300060521999756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury is well known. Mercury also causes central nervous system damage and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Here, we describe a case of a patient with daily exposure to mercury in skin lightening cream and hair dyes who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and then developed nephrotic syndrome because of membranous neuropathy. By reviewing the literature describing mercury-associated diseases, we found that mercury components have an immunomodulatory activity, which is also involved in both peripheral neuropathy and glomerulonephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sun Jing
- The People's Hospital of QianNan, Duyun, China
| | | | - Li Yupeng
- Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Han Liping
- Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital, Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Bjørklund G, Peana M, Dadar M, Chirumbolo S, Aaseth J, Martins N. Mercury-induced autoimmunity: Drifting from micro to macro concerns on autoimmune disorders. Clin Immunol 2020; 213:108352. [PMID: 32032765 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is widely recognized as a neurotoxic metal, besides it can also act as a proinflammatory agent and immunostimulant, depending on individual exposure and susceptibility. Mercury exposure may arise from internal body pathways, such as via dental amalgams, preservatives in drugs and vaccines, and seafood consumption, or even from external pathways, i.e., occupational exposure, environmental pollution, and handling of metallic items and cosmetics containing Hg. In susceptible individuals, chronic low Hg exposure may trigger local and systemic inflammation, even exacerbating the already existing autoimmune response in patients with autoimmunity. Mercury exposure can trigger dysfunction of the autoimmune responses and aggravate immunotoxic effects associated with elevated serum autoantibodies titers. The purpose of the present review is to provide a critical overview of the many issues associated with Hg exposure and autoimmunity. In addition, the paper focuses on individual susceptibility and other health effects of Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Natália Martins
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Onwuzuligbo O, Hendricks AR, Hassler J, Domanski K, Goto C, Wolf MT. Mercury Intoxication as a Rare Cause of Membranous Nephropathy in a Child. Am J Kidney Dis 2018; 72:601-605. [DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Fei Q, Han Y, Qi R, Gao Y, Fang L, Hou R, Cai R, Qi Y. Shuang-Huang-Lian prevents basophilic granulocyte activation to suppress Th2 immunity. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 18:2. [PMID: 29298707 PMCID: PMC5753509 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2071-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Basophilic granulocytes (BGs) not only initiate the induction of Th2 cell differentiation, but also amplify the ongoing Th2 response. Shuang-Huang-Lian (SHL) is clinically used for relieving type I hypersensitivity by continuous treatment for several weeks. METHODS ELISA, flow cytometry, magnetic activated cell sorting, isoelectric precipitation, hybridoma technique, transfection and luciferase reporter assay were used in this study. The statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA. RESULTS Our recently published study demonstrated that SHL exerted a remarkable effect on mast cell stabilization. Herein, we sought to elucidate the effect of SHL on shrimp tropomyosin (ST)-induced Th2 immunity and its underlying mechanisms. The obtained data showed that continuous treatment with SHL significantly suppressed ST-stimulated Th2-cytokines release and IgE synthesis. A mechanistic study indicated that SHL not only reduced BG early IL-4 release before ST-specific IgE (sIgE) production, but also inhibited BG activation in the presence of sIgE, including suppressing CD200R surface expression and decreasing IL-4 production. Moreover, SHL markedly decreased the cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+[c]) level and inhibited the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation in RBL-2H3 cells. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, SHL potently reduces ST-induced Th2 immunity by inhibiting the BG Ca2+-NFAT pathway and, thus, suppressing the early IL-4 release before sIgE synthesis and inhibiting BG activation in the presence of sIgE. This study provides the pharmacological basis for the clinical use of SHL to relieve type I hypersensitivity by a successive dose regimen.
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Solanki AK, Bhatia B, Kaushik H, Deshmukh SK, Dixit A, Garg LC. Clostridium perfringens beta toxin DNA prime-protein boost elicits enhanced protective immune response in mice. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 101:5699-5708. [PMID: 28523396 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens beta toxin (CPB) is the primary pathogenic factor responsible for necrotic enteritis in sheep, cattle and humans. Owing to rapid progression of the disease, vaccination is the only possible recourse to avoid high mortality in animal farms and huge economic losses. The present study reports evaluation of a cpb gene-based DNA vaccine encoding the beta toxin of C. perfringens with homologous as well as heterologous booster strategy. Immunization strategy employing heterologous booster with heat-inactivated rCPB mounted stronger immune response when compared to that generated by homologous booster. Antibody isotyping and cytokine ELISA demonstrated the immune response to be Th1-biased mixed immune response. While moderate protection of immunized BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice against rCPB challenge was observed with homologous booster strategy, heterologous booster strategy led to complete protection. Thus, beta toxin-based DNA vaccine using the heterologous prime-boosting strategy was able to generate better immune response and conferred greater degree of protection against high of dose rCPB challenge than homologous booster regimen, making it an effective vaccination approach against C. perfringens beta toxin.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Bacterial Toxins/genetics
- Bacterial Toxins/immunology
- Bacterial Vaccines/immunology
- Clostridium perfringens/immunology
- Clostridium perfringens/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/immunology
- Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/microbiology
- Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous/prevention & control
- Enterocytes/microbiology
- Immunization/methods
- Immunization, Secondary
- Intestines/microbiology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar Solanki
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Bharati Bhatia
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Himani Kaushik
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Sachin K Deshmukh
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Aparna Dixit
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Lalit C Garg
- Gene Regulation Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Jha V, Workman CJ, McGaha TL, Li L, Vas J, Vignali DAA, Monestier M. Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3) negatively regulates environmentally-induced autoimmunity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104484. [PMID: 25122007 PMCID: PMC4133201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors including drugs, mineral oils and heavy metals such as lead, gold and mercury are triggers of autoimmune diseases in animal models or even in occupationally exposed humans. After exposure to subtoxic levels of mercury (Hg), genetically susceptible strains of mice develop an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of highly specific anti-nucleolar autoantibodies, hyperglobulinemia and nephritis. However, mice can be tolerized to the disease by a single low dose administration of Hg. Lymphocyte Activation Gene-3 (LAG-3) is a CD4-related, MHC-class II binding molecule expressed on activated T cells and NK cells which maintains lymphocyte homeostatic balance via various inhibitory mechanisms. In our model, administration of anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibody broke tolerance to Hg resulting in autoantibody production and an increase in serum IgE level. In addition, LAG-3-deficient B6.SJL mice not only had increased susceptibility to Hg-induced autoimmunity but were also unresponsive to tolerance induction. Conversely, adoptive transfer of wild-type CD4+ T cells was able to partially rescue LAG-3-deficient mice from the autoimmune disease. Further, in LAG-3-deficient mice, mercury elicited higher amounts of IL-6, IL-4 and IFN-γ, cytokines known to play a critical role in mercury-induced autoimmunity. Therefore, we conclude that LAG-3 exerts an important regulatory effect on autoimmunity elicited by a common environmental pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibha Jha
- Temple Autoimmunity Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Creg J. Workman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Tracy L. McGaha
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Liping Li
- Temple Autoimmunity Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jaya Vas
- Temple Autoimmunity Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Dario A. A. Vignali
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Marc Monestier
- Temple Autoimmunity Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Liu X, Wang X, Bai X, Liu X, Wu X, Zhao Y, Sun S, Yu L, Su X, Wang Z, Wang F, Liu M. Oral administration with attenuated Salmonella encoding a Trichinella cystatin-like protein elicited host immunity. Exp Parasitol 2014; 141:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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10
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Seno K, Ohno J, Ota N, Hirofuji T, Taniguchi K. Lupus-like oral mucosal lesions in mercury-induced autoimmune response in Brown Norway rats. BMC Immunol 2013; 14:47. [PMID: 24089704 PMCID: PMC3852543 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-14-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Administration of mercury at nontoxic doses induces systemic autoimmune disease in Brown Norway (BN) rats. The pathogenesis of lupus-like oral mucosal lesion by mercury-induced autoimmunity is still unclear, even though the oral mucosa is observed to be commonly affected in mercury-treated BN rats. In this study, we investigated the immunopathology of lupus-like oral mucosal lesions in a model of mercury-induced systemic autoimmunity. Methods Brown Norway male rats were injected subcutaneously with either phosphate-buffered saline (control) or mercury at a dose of 1.0 mg per kilogram of body weight on days 0, 3, 5, and 7. Blood, kidney, and tongue samples were taken at various timepoints for evaluation by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and lupus band test (LBT). Results Oral mucosal lesions were classified according to three consecutive temporal phases on the basis of infiltration of immunocompetent cells as follows: (phase I) infiltration of MHC class II+ dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages; (phase II) addition of ED1+ macrophage infiltrates; and (phase III) focal infiltration of pan T cells following increased infiltration of DC and macrophages. Dense infiltration of DC and macrophages was observed in the basement membrane (BM) zone of the oral epithelium. Tissue expression of IL-4 mRNA was detected in early lesions (phase I), suggesting that locally produced IL-4 may be responsible for Th2-mediated immune response. A linear and continuous smooth pattern of fluorescence was observed in the oral epithelial BM in addition to renal glomeruli, indicating immune complex deposits. Conclusions Local autoimmune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of mercury-induced lupus-like lesions of the oral mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Seno
- Department of Morphological Biology, Division of Pathology, Fukuoka Dental College, 2-15-1 Tamura, Fukuoka, Japan.
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Myers RC, Dunaway CW, Nelson MP, Trevor JL, Morris A, Steele C. STAT4-dependent and -independent Th2 responses correlate with protective immunity against lung infection with Pneumocystis murina. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:6287-94. [PMID: 23650614 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Although it is clear that the loss of CD4(+) T cells is a predisposing factor for the development of Pneumocystis pneumonia, specific Th mechanisms mediating protection are not well understood. Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses have each been implicated in protective responses during infection. As STAT4 may promote Th1 and Th17 development, yet antagonize Th2 development, we investigated its role in Pneumocystis murina host defense. STAT4 was required for Th1 and, unexpectedly, Th2 responses in the lungs of C57BL/6 (BL/6) and BALB/c mice 14 d postchallenge, but only BALB/c Stat4(-/-) mice demonstrated susceptibility to P. murina lung infection. BL/6 Stat4(-/-), but not BALB/c Stat4(-/-), mice maintained an enhanced alternatively activated (M2) macrophage signature in the lungs, which we have previously reported to be associated with enhanced P. murina clearance. In addition, anti-P. murina class-switched Abs were increased in BL/6 Stat4(-/-) mice, but not BALB/c Stat4(-/-) mice. Supporting our experimental observations, plasma from HIV-infected individuals colonized with Pneumocystis jirovecii contained significantly lower levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 compared with HIV-infected individuals who were not colonized. Collectively, our data suggest that robust local and systemic Th2-mediated responses are critical for immunity to Pneumocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley C Myers
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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12
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Gardner RM, Nyland JF, Silva IA, Ventura AM, Souza JMD, Silbergeld EK. Mercury exposure, serum antinuclear/antinucleolar antibodies, and serum cytokine levels in mining populations in Amazonian Brazil: a cross-sectional study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2010; 110:345-54. [PMID: 20176347 PMCID: PMC2873228 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Revised: 01/29/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is an immunotoxic substance that has been shown to induce autoimmune disease in rodent models, characterized by lymphoproliferation, overproduction of immunoglobulin (IgG and IgE), and high circulating levels of auto-antibodies directed at antigens located in the nucleus (antinuclear auto-antibodies, or ANA) or the nucleolus (antinucleolar auto-antibodies, or ANoA). We have reported elevated levels of ANA and ANoA in human populations exposed to mercury in artisanal gold mining, though other confounding variables that may also modulate ANA/ANoA levels were not well controlled. The goal of this study is to specifically test whether occupational and environmental conditions (other than mercury exposure) that are associated with artisanal gold mining affect the prevalence of markers of autoimmune dysfunction. We measured ANA, ANoA, and cytokine concentrations in serum and compared results from mercury-exposed artisanal gold miners to those from diamond and emerald miners working under similar conditions and with similar socio-economic status and risks of infectious disease. Mercury-exposed gold miners had higher prevalence of detectable ANA and ANoA and higher titers of ANA and ANoA as compared to diamond and emerald miners with no occupational mercury exposure. Also, mercury-exposed gold miners with detectable ANA or ANoA in serum had significantly higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in serum as compared to the diamond and emerald miners. This study provides further evidence that mercury exposure may lead to autoimmune dysfunction and systemic inflammation in affected populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee M. Gardner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jennifer F. Nyland
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21205
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia, SC 29209
| | - Ines A. Silva
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ana Maria Ventura
- Institute Evandro Chagas (IEC), Fundaçao Nacional da Saúde, Belem do Pará-66090, Brazil
| | - Jose Maria de Souza
- Institute Evandro Chagas (IEC), Fundaçao Nacional da Saúde, Belem do Pará-66090, Brazil
| | - Ellen K. Silbergeld
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Corresponding Author: Ellen K. Silbergeld, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, 615 N. Wolfe St., Room E6644, Baltimore, MD, 21205, Phone: (410) 955-8678, Fax: (443) 287-6414,
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Li SJ, Zhang SH, Chen HP, Zeng CH, Zheng CX, Li LS, Liu ZH. Mercury-induced membranous nephropathy: clinical and pathological features. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010; 5:439-44. [PMID: 20089494 DOI: 10.2215/cjn.07571009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Long-term contact with mercury may induce membranous nephropathy (MN); however, the clinical pathologic features and pathogenesis of mercury-induced MN have not been investigated. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS The present study retrospectively evaluated 11 cases of mercury-induced MN to analyze its causes and its clinical and pathologic features. RESULTS A total of 10 women and 1 man ages 15 to 45 years were enrolled in the present study. Mercury exposure was caused by mercury-containing pills (five patients), skin lightening cream (four patients), hair-dyeing agents (one patient), and mercury vapor (one patient). The duration of contact with mercury ranged from 2 to 60 months, and the urinary mercury concentrations were 1.5 to 50 times higher than reference values. All patients presented with proteinuria and normal renal function; three had nephrotic syndrome. Light microscopy revealed thickened glomerular basement membrane and mildly proliferative mesangial cells. Acute tubulointerstitial injury occurred in three patients. The immunofluorescence findings showed granular deposits of IgG and C3 along the glomerular capillary wall, mostly accompanied by deposits of C4 and C1q. IgG1 and IgG4 (predominantly IgG1) deposits were observed along the glomerular capillary loops. Nine patients reached complete remission in follow-up after withdrawal from mercury exposure. CONCLUSIONS Deposits of IgG1 subclasses in renal tissues indicated that the pathogenesis of mercury-induced MN differs from that of idiopathic MN. It is important that clinicians are aware that mercury exposure should be considered a possible cause of membranous nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jun Li
- Professor of Medicine, Research Institute of Nephrology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 21002, China
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Gardner RM, Nyland JF, Evans SL, Wang SB, Doyle KM, Crainiceanu CM, Silbergeld EK. Mercury induces an unopposed inflammatory response in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2009; 117:1932-8. [PMID: 20049214 PMCID: PMC2799469 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.0900855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Accepted: 08/19/2009] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human immune response to mercury is not well characterized despite the body of evidence that suggests that Hg can modulate immune responses, including the induction of autoimmune disease in some mouse models. Dysregulation of cytokine signaling appears to play an important role in the etiology of Hg-induced autoimmunity in animal models. OBJECTIVES In this study, we systematically investigated the human immune response to Hg in vitro in terms of cytokine release. METHODS Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 20 volunteers who donated blood six separate times. PBMCs were cultured with lipopolysaccharide and concentrations of mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)) up to 200 nM. Seven cytokines representing important pathways in physiologic and pathologic immune responses were measured in supernatants. We used multilevel models to account for the intrinsic clustering in the cytokine data due to experimental design. RESULTS We found a consistent increase in the release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and concurrent decrease in release of the antiinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and IL-10 in human PBMCs treated with subcytotoxic concentrations of HgCl(2). IL-4, IL-17, and interferon-gamma increased in a concentration-response manner. These results were replicated in a second, independently recruited population of 20 different volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Low concentrations of HgCl(2) affect immune function in human cells by dysregulation of cytokine signaling pathways, with the potential to influence diverse health outcomes such as susceptibility to infectious disease or risk of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee M. Gardner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer F. Nyland
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Sean L. Evans
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and
| | - Susie B. Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Doyle
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ciprian M. Crainiceanu
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ellen K. Silbergeld
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Address correspondence to E.K. Silbergeld, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, 615 N. Wolfe St., Room E6644, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA. Telephone: (410) 955-8678. Fax: (443) 287-6414. E-mail:
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15
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Abstract
The heavy metal mercury is ubiquitously distributed in the environment resulting in permanent low-level exposure in human populations. Mercury can be encountered in three main chemical forms (elemental, inorganic, and organic) which can affect the immune system in different ways. In this review, we describe the effects of these various forms of mercury exposure on immune cells in humans and animals. In genetically susceptible mice or rats, subtoxic doses of mercury induce the production of highly specific autoantibodies as well as a generalized activation of the immune system. We review studies performed in this model and discuss their implications for the role of environmental chemicals in human autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya Vas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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16
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Lerner A. Aluminum is a potential environmental factor for Crohn's disease induction: extended hypothesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2007; 1107:329-45. [PMID: 17804561 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1381.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al) is a common environmental compound with immune-adjuvant activity and granulomatous inflammation inducer. Al exposure in food, additives, air, pharmaceuticals, and water pollution is ubiquitous in Western culture. Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation in genetically susceptible individuals and is influenced by yet unidentified environmental factors. It is hypothesized, in the present review, that Al is a potential factor for induction or maintaining the inflammation in CD. Epidemiologically, CD incidence is higher in urban areas, where microparticle pollution is prevalent. Al immune activities share many characteristics with the immune pathology of CD: increased antigen presentation and APCs activation, many luminal bacterial or dietary compounds can be adsorbed to the metal and induce Th1 profile activity, promotion of humoral and cellular immune responses, proinflammatory, apoptotic, oxidative activity, and stress-related molecule expression enhancement, affecting intestinal bacterial composition and virulence, granuloma formation, colitis induction in an animal model of CD, and terminal ileum uptake. The Al-bacterial interaction, the microparticles homing the intestine together with the extensive immune activity, put Al as a potential environmental candidate for CD induction and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Lerner
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Carmel Medical Center, Pappaport School of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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17
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Chang-Lin WU, Jian-Cheng XUE, Fang LIU, Hong XIAO, Xue-Min ZHUO, Qun CHEN, Xue-Wen LV. Polarization and apoptosis of T cell subsets in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Int J Lab Hematol 2007; 29:177-84. [PMID: 17474894 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553x.2006.00857.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired organ-specific autoimmune hemorrhagic disease and dysfunctional cellular immunity is considered important in the pathophysiology of ITP, however, polarization and apoptosis profiles of T lymphocytes remain unclear completely. In this paper, we investigated the polarization of T cell subsets, the expressions of apoptotic proteins Fas/FasL on T cell subsets and the level of antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 and bax mRNA in the bcl-2 family, then discussed the role of them in ITP pathogenesis. We demonstrated that the ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 in ITP children increased obviously, the average percentages of Th1 and Th2 also increased clearly, but the average percentages of Tc1 and Tc2 did not changed. In ITP children, the expressions of Fas, FasL on Th, Th1, Th2, Tc, Tc1 and Tc2 increased significantly. The expressions of FasL on Th1 and Tc1 increased sharply vs. Fas, whereas the expressions of Fas on Th2 and Tc2 increased obviously vs. FasL. The expressions of bcl-2 mRNA in ITP children increased significantly, but the expressions of bax mRNA decreased, the ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA were improved obviously and there were positive correlation between the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IFN-gamma(+)T/IL-4(+)T) and the ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA. Taken together, our findings indicate that ITP is Th1 type cell predominant disease although the precise mechanisms await further functional assay. This abnormal polarization of T cell subsets might be related to the high ratios of bcl-2/bax mRNA and the abnormal expressions of Fas, FasL on T cell subsets, as can involve in ITP immunopathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W U Chang-Lin
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen City, Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, ShenZhen, China.
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18
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Hemdan NYA, Lehmann I, Wichmann G, Lehmann J, Emmrich F, Sack U. Immunomodulation by mercuric chloride in vitro: application of different cell activation pathways. Clin Exp Immunol 2007; 148:325-37. [PMID: 17302730 PMCID: PMC1868882 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2007.03338.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is emerging that exposure to mercury (Hg) may elicit many pathological manifestations, including immunomodulation. We tested whether changing cellular activation pathways may affect the immunomodulation by Hg. Human cell cultures were set up where isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, activated by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb: anti-CD3/-CD28/-CD40) or heat-killed Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (hk-SE), exposed to mercuric chloride (HgCl2) for 24 h. Cell vitality was assessed by MTT assay, and modulation of cytokine profiles were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), intracellular cytokine staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results show that Hg doses above 15 ng/ml significantly reduced cell vitality (P < 0.05). Lower doses elicited distinct effects on T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokine expression depending on cellular activation pathways. In MoAb-stimulated cells, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 production was reduced. Doses up to 0.150 and 0.5 microg/ml increased IL-10 and IL-4 production, respectively, resulting in significantly reduced Th1/Th2 ratios. Stimulation by hk-SE, however, elevated Th1/Th2 ratios due to induction of IFN-gamma versus IL-10 production. Taken together, we conclude that low-level exposure to Hg, in the absence of inflammation, polarizes the immune response toward Th2, but not in the case of Th1-polarized responses elicited by Salmonella antigens that can be promoted instead. This demonstrates differential in vitro effects of Hg on the Th1/Th2 balance produced by different stimuli, which may have important experimental and scientific implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Y A Hemdan
- Institute of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine (IKIT), University of Leipzig, Germany.
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19
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CHANG-LIN WU, JIAN-CHENG XUE, FANG LIU, HONG XIAO, XUE-MIN ZHUO, QUN CHEN, XUE-WEN LV. Polarization and apoptosis of T cell subsets in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Int J Lab Hematol 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2257.2006.00857.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Agrawal A, Kaushal P, Agrawal S, Gollapudi S, Gupta S. Thimerosal induces TH2 responses via influencing cytokine secretion by human dendritic cells. J Leukoc Biol 2006; 81:474-82. [PMID: 17079650 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0706467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thimerosal is an organic mercury compound that is used as a preservative in vaccines and pharmaceutical products. Recent studies have shown a TH2-skewing effect of mercury, although the underlying mechanisms have not been identified. In this study, we investigated whether thimerosal can exercise a TH2-promoting effect through modulation of functions of dendritic cells (DC). Thimerosal, in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited the secretion of LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-12p70 from human monocyte-derived DC. However, the secretion of IL-10 from DC was not affected. These thimerosal-exposed DC induced increased TH2 (IL-5 and IL-13) and decreased TH1 (IFN-gamma) cytokine secretion from the T cells in the absence of additional thimerosal added to the coculture. Thimerosal exposure of DC led to the depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH), and addition of exogenous GSH to DC abolished the TH2-promoting effect of thimerosal-treated DC, restoring secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-12p70 by DC and IFN-gamma secretion by T cells. These data suggest that modulation of TH2 responses by mercury and thimerosal, in particular, is through depletion of GSH in DC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu Agrawal
- Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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21
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Ciarrocca M, Tomei F, Bernardini A, Capozzella A, Fiore P, Amicarelli V, Sancini A, Perugi F, Firullo E, Rosati MV, Pimpinella B, Monti C, Tomei G. Immune parameters in female workers exposed to urban pollutants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2006; 370:17-22. [PMID: 16828147 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2005] [Revised: 05/19/2006] [Accepted: 05/24/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Urban outside workers, such as traffic police, are daily exposed to air pollutants and psychosocial stressors: for these workers, the working environment corresponds to the living environment of the general population. Studies in the literature have shown that immune parameters could be affected by chronic exposure to various chemical pollutants. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether occupational exposure to urban pollutants can cause alterations in NK, IL-2, IFN-gamma and C3 plasma levels in female traffic police compared to a control group. After excluding subjects with the principal confounding factors, 86 female traffic police and 87 controls were matched by age, years of police work and habitual alcohol consumption. The distribution of NK values in female traffic police and controls was significantly different (p=0.000); NK values above the upper limit of the normal laboratory range were observed in 23 female traffic police and in 2 controls (p=0.000). IL-2 mean levels were higher in traffic police compared to controls, but the difference was not significant. The mean and the distribution of IFN-gamma values in female traffic police and controls were not different. C3 mean levels were higher in female traffic police versus controls, but the difference was not significant. Considering that the subjects with the principal confounding factors were excluded from the study and that female traffic police and controls were matched by the above-mentioned variables, our results suggest that chronic occupational exposure to low doses of chemical stressors, which may interact with and add to psychosocial ones, can affect both innate and adaptative immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Ciarrocca
- University of Rome La Sapienza, Department of Occupational Medicine, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
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22
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Vinay DS, Kim JD, Kwon BS. Amelioration of Mercury-Induced Autoimmunity by 4-1BB. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 177:5708-17. [PMID: 17015760 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.8.5708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In certain strains of mice, subtoxic doses of HgCl2 (mercuric chloride; mercury) induce a complex autoimmune condition characterized by the production of antinucleolar IgG Abs, lymphoproliferation, increased serum levels of IgG1/IgE Abs, and deposition of renal immune complexes. 4-1BB is an important T cell costimulatory molecule that has been implicated in T cell proliferation and cytokine production, especially production of IFN-gamma. To elucidate T cell control mediated by the 4-1BB signaling pathway in this syndrome, we assessed the effect of administering agonistic anti-4-1BB mAb on mercury-induced autoimmunity. Groups of A.SW mice (H-2s) received mercury/control Ig or mercury/anti-4-1BB or PBS alone. Anti-4-1BB mAb treatment resulted in a dramatic reduction of mercury-induced antinucleolar Ab titers, serum IgG1/IgE induction, and renal Ig deposition. These effects may be related to the present finding that anti-4-1BB mAb decreases B cell numbers and function. The anti-4-1BB mAb-treated mercury group also showed a marked reduction in Th2-type cytokines but an increase in Th1-type cytokines and chemokines. Increased IFN-gamma production due to anti-4-1BB mAb treatment appears to be responsible for the observed B cell defects because neutralization of IFN-gamma in vivo substantially restored B cell numbers and partly restored IgG1/IgE. Collectively, our results indicate that 4-1BB mAb can down-regulate mercury-induced autoimmunity by affecting B cell function in an IFN-gamma-dependent manner and thus, preventing the development of autoantibody production and tissue Ig deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dass S Vinay
- Louisiana State University Eye Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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23
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Decker WK, Qiu J, Farhangfar F, Hester JH, Altieri DC, Lin AY. A retrogen plasmid-based vaccine generates high titer antibody responses against the autologous cancer antigen survivin and demonstrates anti-tumor efficacy. Cancer Lett 2006; 237:45-55. [PMID: 16019131 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2005.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2004] [Revised: 03/25/2005] [Accepted: 05/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe the use of retrogen plasmid-based vaccine technology to break tolerance and to generate a robust, dose-dependent antibody response against the self cancer antigen, survivin. We further demonstrate that this phenomenon is due to the incorporation of the survivin antigen into the retrogen system rather than to some peculiarity unique to survivin. In contrast to other genetic immunization methods designed to produce antibody responses, the retrogen system results in a broad range of antibody isotypes, indicative of both a Th-1 and a Th-2 CD4+ response. Additional evidence of a Th-1 response is demonstrated by tumor growth inhibition in a mouse model of colon cancer metastasis. We speculate that this cost-effective technology could one day bolster or even supplant the use of monoclonal antibodies in the targeting of cell surface cancer antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- William K Decker
- Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Box 65, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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24
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Santarelli L, Bracci M, Mocchegiani E. In vitro and in vivo effects of mercuric chloride on thymic endocrine activity, NK and NKT cell cytotoxicity, cytokine profiles (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-6): role of the nitric oxide-L-arginine pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2005; 6:376-89. [PMID: 16428073 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2005.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2005] [Revised: 06/01/2005] [Accepted: 08/30/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg2+) affects cell-mediated immunity, including thymulin production. Thymulin, a zinc-dependent thymic hormone synthesized by thymic epithelial cells (TECs), is involved in NK cell cytotoxicity and Th1 cytokine production (IL-2 and IFN-gamma), which in turn affect both NKT and classic NK spleen cell cytotoxicity. High doses of Hg2+ induce an inflammatory status, increased production of IL-6 and consequent Th1/Th2 imbalance as well as cell-mediated immune depression. The mechanisms by which Hg+ affects the cell-mediated immune response are still unclear. The nitric oxide (NO) pathway may be implicated. The aim of this work was to further explore its noxious role in innate and adaptive immunity and to study the possible role played by the NO pathway. Young Balb/c mice treated in vivo for 1 month with 1.0 mg HgCl2/kg b.w. showed low thymulin activity, depressed NO production (as measured by nitrite and nitrate plasma levels), impaired classic NK spleen cell cytotoxicity, decreased Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) cytokine profiles, and increased IL-6 production. In vitro, 10(-6) M of HgCl2 inhibited active thymulin kinetics, TEC proliferation, NKT cell cytotoxicity and Th1 cytokine production, whereas IL-6 increased. L-arginine restored thymulin activity, TEC proliferation, NKT cytotoxicity, cytokine profiles and nitrite and nitrate plasma levels both in vivo and in vitro. Since L-arginine is the substrate for NO production, it may compensate for the cell-mediated immune defect induced by HgCl2, via the arginine-NO-pathway. L-arginine is also able to reduce glomerular kidney IgG antibodies deposits induced by higher dose of HgCl2 administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lory Santarelli
- Occupational Medicine, Medical School Faculty, Polytechnic University of Marche, Educational Center, Via Tronto 10/a, 60020 Torrette, Ancona, Italy.
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25
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Häggqvist B, Hultman P. Interleukin-10 in murine metal-induced systemic autoimmunity. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 141:422-31. [PMID: 16045731 PMCID: PMC1809456 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02878.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2005] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic autoimmune diseases have a complicated and largely unknown aetiology and pathogenesis, but they are at least partly obeying the rules of an ordinary immune response. Cytokines are therefore important in the pathogenesis as demonstrated by the recent success in treating rheumatoid arthritis with anti-cytokine agents. The suppressive functions in the immune system have lately received much interest. One of the cytokines in focus in this respect is interleukin (IL)-10. We recently observed that in heavy-metal induced systemic autoimmunity, genetically resistant mice show a strong increase in IL-10 mRNA expression, which was not seen in susceptible mice. We have therefore examined the possible regulating effect of IL-10 on the induction and manifestation of systemic autoimmunity in this model. We took two approaches: a targeted mutation of the IL-10 gene in a strain resistant to heavy metal-induced autoimmunity, and treatment with recombinant IL-10 in the genetically susceptible A.SW strain during the induction of autoimmunity by metals. The wild-type C57BL/6 J (B6-WT) strain did not react with lymphoproliferation, polyclonal B cell activation, anti-nucleoar autoantibodies (ANoA) or tissue immune-complex (IC) deposits in response to inorganic mercury (Hg) or silver (Ag). However, serum IgG1 and IgE showed a modest increase during Hg treatment, while Ag caused a weak increase in IgE and IgG2a. The B6.129P2-Il10(tm1Cgn)/J strain (IL-10-deficient mice) did not develop antinucleolar antibodies (ANoA) during Hg treatment, but showed a higher median titre of homogeneous ANA compared with Hg-treated B6-WT mice. Both control and Hg-treated (but not Ag-treated) IL-10-deficient mice showed an increase in splenic weight and serum IgG1 compared with B6-WT control and Hg-treated mice. An early, significant increase in serum IgE was seen in Hg-treated IL-10-deficient and WT mice compared with the controls; the increase was 42- and sixfold, respectively. During ongoing intense treatment with rIL-10 in combination with Hg the susceptible A.SW mice showed a reduced development of ANoA and antichromatin antibodies, as well as serum IgE, compared with mice receiving Hg but not rIL-10. In conclusion, IL-10 suppresses several aspects of HgIA, but is not crucial for resistance to heavy metal-induced autoimmunity. Peroral silver treatment suppresses the spontaneous immune activation seen in IL-10-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Häggqvist
- Division of Molecular and Immunological Pathology (AIR), Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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26
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Yamaki K, Takano-Ishikawa Y, Goto M, Shinohara K. Effect of dietary fat on skin reactivity against histamine, Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels and some serum parameters in mice. Immunobiology 2005; 209:703-9. [PMID: 15969446 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2004.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Changes in diet may be associated with the increase in allergic disease; change to high-calorie and high-fat diets may be a factor. In this study our objective was to determine skin reactivity of histamine and serum cytokine concentrations in mice fed diets containing different amounts of fat. Histamine reactivity was performed on mice back skin and serum cytokine concentrations were measured by ELISA in mice injected with anti-CD3 antibody. We measured serum interferon-gamma as a Th1-type cytokine and interleukin-4 as a Th2-type cytokine. Mice fed a high fat diet displayed enhanced skin reactivity of histamine and higher IL-4 levels in serum. These data suggest that a high fat diet may play a role in enhancing allergic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohji Yamaki
- National Agricultural Research Center for Tohoku Region, National Agricultural Research Organization, 50 Harajuku-Minami, Arai Fukushima 960-2156, Japan.
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27
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Mellergård J, Havarinasab S, Hultman P. Short- and long-term effects of T-cell modulating agents in experimental autoimmunity. Toxicology 2004; 196:197-209. [PMID: 15036746 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2003.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2003] [Accepted: 10/04/2003] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Due to the easy and reliable induction of a disease condition with many of the features present in human autoimmunity, mercury-induced autoimmunity (mHgAI) in rodents is a favourable autoimmune model. Genetically susceptible (H-2(s)) mice develop in response to mercury (Hg) a systemic autoimmune condition with antinucleolar antibodies (ANoA) targeting the protein fibrillarin, transient polyclonal B-cell activation, hyperimmunoglobulinemia, and systemic immune-complex (IC) deposits. In order to study the short- and long-term effects of treatment with immunomodulating agents on the disease parameters in HgAI, groups of B10.S (H-2(s)) mice were given 6 mg HgCl(2)/l drinking water for 22 weeks. Three weeks initial treatment with cyclosporin A (CyA), a high dose of tacrolimus (HD tacrolimus), or anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (a-CD4) inhibited induction of ANoA and IC deposit by Hg. This effect persisted for the subsequent 19 weeks when the mice were only treated with Hg. Initial treatment with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody (a-IL-4) for 3 weeks inhibited induction of IgE and IC deposits by Hg, but not ANoA. However, subsequent treatment with Hg without a-IL-4 for 19 weeks induced IC deposits. The T-cell modulating agents aggravated some of the HgAI disease parameters: a-CD4 stimulated the polyclonal B-cell activation, a-IL-4 increased the IgG antichromatin antibody response, and a low dose of tacrolimus (LD tacrolimus) enhanced the ANoA, the polyclonal B-cell activation, and the IC deposits. We conclude that a short initial treatment with a-CD4 or CyA efficiently protects against induction of systemic autoimmunity for an extended period of time. However, some of the T-cell modulating agents, especially a low dose of tacrolimus, aggravate autoimmune manifestations not only during ongoing treatment, but also after treatment with these agents has ceased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Mellergård
- Division of Molecular and Immunological Pathology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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