Progestins Inhibit Interleukin-1β-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 and Interleukin 8 Expression via the Glucocorticoid Receptor in Primary Human Amnion Mesenchymal Cells

Progesterone as an Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Immunomodulator: New Aspects in Hormonal Regulation of the Inflammation

The specific regulation of inflammatory processes by steroid hormones has been actively studied in recent years, especially by progesterone (P₄) and progestins. The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory P₄ action are not fully clear. The anti-inflammatory effects of P₄ can be defined as nonspecific, associated with the inhibition of NF-κB and COX, as well as the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, or as specific, associated with the regulation of T-cell activation, the regulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the phenomenon of immune tolerance. The specific anti-inflammatory effects of P₄ and its derivatives (progestins) can also include the inhibition of proliferative signaling pathways and the antagonistic action against estrogen receptor beta-mediated signaling as a proinflammatory and mitogenic factor. The anti-inflammatory action of P₄ is accomplished through the participation of progesterone receptor (PR) chaperones HSP90, as well as immunophilins FKBP51 and FKBP52, which are the validated targets of clinically approved immunosuppressive drugs. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of HSP90 inhibitors, tacrolimus and cyclosporine, are manifested, among other factors, due to their participation in the formation of an active ligand–receptor complex of P₄ and their interaction with its constituent immunophilins. Pharmacological agents such as HSP90 inhibitors can restore the lost anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticoids and P₄ in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. By regulating the activity of FKBP51 and FKBP52, it is possible to increase or decrease hormonal signaling, as well as restore it during the development of hormone resistance. The combined action of immunophilin suppressors with steroid hormones may be a promising strategy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including endometriosis, stress-related disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and miscarriages. Presumably, the hormone receptor- and immunophilin-targeted drugs may act synergistically, allowing for a lower dose of each.

Progesterone Suppresses Uterine Contraction by Reducing Odontogenic Porphyromonas gingivalis Induced Chronic Inflammation in Mice

Preterm birth is one of the most significant obstetric complications. Inflammation reportedly promotes uterine contraction and weakening of the fetal membrane, which induces preterm birth. Previous studies using animal models of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute inflammation have shown that progesterone (P4) promotes uterine quiescence. However, this effect is not fully understood in chronic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of P4 on uterine contractility and inflammation of the fetal membrane in mice infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.), a major periodontal pathogen as a model of preterm birth caused by chronic inflammation. Mice were injected with 1 mg of P4 from day 15.5 to 17.5. P4 prolonged the mean gestation period of P.g mice from 18.3 to 20.4 days, and no reduction in the gestation period was observed. P4 treatment suppressed spontaneous uterine contractility and decreased oxytocin sensitivity. In addition, the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the fetal membrane was significantly reduced. Thus, P4 prevented preterm birth by suppressing enhanced uterine contractility induced by chronic inflammation in this model. This result describes the effects of P4 in a chronic inflammation model, which may lead to a better understanding of the efficacy of P4 in preventing preterm birth in humans.

Molecular characterization and expression patterns of glucocorticoid receptors in the viviparous black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors associated with anti-inflammation, stress, metabolism and gonadal development. In this study, two gr genes (gr1 and gr2) were cloned and analyzed from a viviparous teleost, black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). The phylogenetic analysis of GRs showed that GR1 and GR2 clustered into teleost GR1 and GR2 separately and differed from the GRs of tetrapods or basal ray-finned fishes. Black rockfish GRs possess four modular domains of the nuclear receptor superfamily: an N-terminal domain (NTD), a DNA-binding domain (DBD), a hinge region (HR) and a ligand-binding domain (LBD). Nine conserved amino acid inserts were found in the GR1 DBD, and the ligand cavity-related amino acids of GR1 and GR2 LBD were slightly different. Tissue distribution analysis revealed that grs was widely expressed in various tissues, while cyp11b was mainly expressed in the testis and head kidney. The cyp11b transcripts were localized in the interrenal glands of the head kidney, the main source of cortisol; grs transcripts were detected in oocytes, the follicle layer and the ovarian wall. Histologically, significant blood vessel dilation was observed in the fetal membrane during or after parturition of black rockfish. The highest levels of serum cortisol and ovarian cyp11b mRNA were detected in parturition. In addition, the relative expression level of gr1 was upregulated significantly after delivery, while the levels of gr2 showed no significant change. In addition, in vitro GC treatment inhibited the expression of il1b but significantly upregulated the transcription of il1r1. These data provide evidence that GRs are likely to work as anti-inflammatory factors by inhibiting the functions of pro-inflammatory factors in the parturition of black rockfish.

Assessment of Interleukin-8 in Bronchial Asthma in Iraq

It has been approved that neutrophils are responsible for many inflammatory lung diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. It is well documented that the CXC chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) plays a key role as a potent neutrophil recruiting and activating factor. Asthma is one of the most common major non-contagious diseases and has a substantial impact on the patient's quality of life. The current evidence suggests that asthma is a complex multifactorial disorder, and its etiology is increasingly attributed to interactions between genetic susceptibility, host factors, and environmental exposures. IL-8 plays an important role in respiratory diseases and is a known regulator of pulmonary inflammation and immunity, induced phagocytosis, and promoted angiogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the IL-8 gene expression in blood samples of bronchial asthma patients. Therefore, the blood samples were taken from two groups of participants, including the group of patients with asthma (n=100) in the age range of20-61years and the group of healthy individuals (n=50).The obtained results indicated that the expression of IL-8 mRNA in the group of asthma patients was three times higher than that in the group of healthy individuals. Therefore, it is suggested that the antagonism of IL-8 could be a potent therapeutic strategy in the treatment of asthma.

Molecular Analysis of fimA Operon Genes among UPEC Local Isolates in Baghdad City

Specialized Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates, called uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), cause most of urinary tract infections (UITs). Once bacteria reached the urinary tract of the host, they have to adhere to the host cell for the colonization. For this purpose, bacteria have different structures including fimbrial adhesins. Most of the UPECs contain type 1 fimbriae encoded by fim operon (fimB, E, A, I, C, D, F, G, H) which is responsible for the adhesive ability in these isolates. Ninety-four isolates of UPEC were obtained from UTI patients in Baghdad hospitals and their diagnosis were confirmed by the PCR method using 16srDNA as a housekeeping gene. The UPEC isolates were tested for their ability of adherence to the urothelial cells obtained from the mid-stream urine from healthy women. Fifty isolates were subjected to detect type1 fimbriae genes (fimA operon) using specific primers followed by sequencing the amplified fragment which they were analyzed by Geneious software. The results confirm that all the isolates were E. coli according to the genetic analysis by the PCR test, and also, the ability of attachment for all isolates were approved (100%). For type 1 fimbriae, the findings figured out that 100% of the isolates harbored fimA,fimI, fimC, fimD, fimG and fimH genes; while 96% of them were positive for fimB, fimF,and 82% of the isolates were positive for fimE. This result exhibited a higher prevalence of fim genes, as the attachment ability was 100%. Approximately, all UPEC have type 1fimbrial genes, so it could be used as a genetic marker in the investigation of E. coli adhesion ability.