Ragweed-allergic subjects have decreased serum levels of chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5 out of the pollen season

Colon Expression of Chemokines and Their Receptors Depending on the Stage of Colitis and Oat Beta-Glucan Dietary Intervention-Crohn's Disease Model Study

Crohn’s disease (CD), a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission, is becoming common around the world. This study aimed to analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of oat beta-glucans of varying molar masses by modulating the expression of chemokines and their receptors as well as other proteins related to both stages of TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzosulfonic acid)-induced colitis, which is an animal model of CD. The experiment involved 96 Sprague–Dawley rats, which were divided into two main groups: control and TNBS-induced colitis. Both groups of rats were further divided into three dietary subgroups, which were fed with standard feed or feed supplemented with low- or high-molar-mass oat beta-glucans for 3 (reflecting acute inflammation) or 7 days (reflecting pre-remission). The gene expression of chemokines and their receptors in the colon wall was determined by RT-PCR, and the expression of selected proteins in the mucosa was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. The results showed that acute and pre-remission stages of colitis were characterized by the increased gene expression of seven chemokines and four chemokine receptors in the colon wall as well as disrupted protein expression of CXCL1, CCL5, CXCR2, CCR5, and OPN in the mucosa. The consumption of oat beta-glucans resulted in decreased expression of most of these genes and modulated the expression of all proteins, with a stronger effect observed with the use of high-molar-mass beta-glucan. To summarize, dietary oat beta-glucans, particularly those of high molar mass, can reduce colitis by modulating the expression of chemokines and their receptors and certain proteins associated with CD.

Pediococcus pentosaceus LI05 alleviates DSS-induced colitis by modulating immunological profiles, the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid levels in a mouse model

The gut microbiota is considered a key factor in pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The bacterium Pediococcus pentosaceus LI05 alleviated host inflammation by maintaining the gut epithelial integrity, modulating the host immunity, gut microbiota and metabolism, but its effect on IBD remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of P. pentosaceus LI05. Mice were administered P. pentosaceus LI05 or phosphate-buffered saline once daily by oral gavage for 14 days, and colitis was induced by providing mice 2% DSS-containing drinking water for 7 days. P. pentosaceus LI05 ameliorated colitis in mice and reduced the body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length shortening, intestinal permeability and the proinflammatory cytokine levels. Furthermore, a significantly altered gut microbiota composition with increased diversity and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was observed in mice treated with P. pentosaceus LI05. Several genera, including Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium, were differentially enriched in the P. pentosaceus LI05-treated mice and were negatively correlated with colitis indices and positively correlated with gut barrier markers and SCFA levels. The P. pentosaceus LI05 treatment alleviated intestinal inflammation by maintaining the intestinal epithelial integrity and modulating the immunological profiles, gut microbiome and metabolite composition. Based on our findings, P. pentosaceus LI05 might be applied as potential preparation to ameliorate colitis.

The Relationship between Chemokine Ligand 3 and Allergic Rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic and frequent condition characterized by an excessive response of the immune system to innocent substances encountered in the nasal mucosa. These reactions are mediated by many factors, including chemokines. Chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3, a macrophage inflammatory protein 1α) is a chemokine implicated in the activation of mast cells - white cells shown to be highly involved in orchestrating allergic reactions. The present study evaluated the role of CCL3 in AR. Material and methods Thirty-nine participants, including 24 patients with AR and 15 healthy controls, were evaluated for allergies to dust mites, cat and dog danders, cockroaches (Blatella germanica), molds, grasses, weeds, and tree pollen using skin prick tests. Participants were also evaluated for inflammatory conditions by measuring total blood count with differential; concentrations of rheumatoid factor, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. CCL3 in blood samples was measured at the Immunology Laboratory, Cantacuzino National Institute for Military Medical Research and Development, Bucharest, Romania, using Human Multianalyte Profiling Base Kits (R&D Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN). Results Mean serum CCL3 concentration was significantly higher in patients with AR than in controls (15.03 ± 7.11 pg/ml vs. 8.34 ± 4.46 pg/ml, p = 0.001 [t-test] and p = 0.026 [Mann-Whitney test]). CCL3 concentrations correlated with polysensitization, defined as two or more positive prick tests per patient (r = 0.325, p = 0.046) and seasonal AR (r = 0.482, p = 0.002). Conclusions Elevated levels of CCL3 were seen in our patients with AR. We have observed correlations with polysensitization and seasonal allergies. These results suggest that chemokines might play an important role in the pathogenesis of AR. In the future, chemokines might be used in endotype classification of patients with AR and as a possible target in the treatment of AR.

Administration of Akkermansia muciniphila Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) develop as a result of complex interactions among genes, innate immunity and environmental factors, which are related to the gut microbiota. Multiple clinical and animal data have shown that Akkermansia muciniphila is associated with a healthy mucosa. However, its precise role in colitis is currently unknown. Our study aimed to determine its protective effects and underlying mechanisms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. Twenty-four C57BL/6 male mice were administered A. muciniphila Muc^T or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) once daily by oral gavage for 14 days. Colitis was induced by drinking 2% DSS from days 0 to 6, followed by 2 days of drinking normal water. Mice were weighed daily and then sacrificed on day 8. We found that A. muciniphila improved DSS-induced colitis, which was evidenced by reduced weight loss, colon length shortening and histopathology scores and enhanced barrier function. Serum and tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-α, IL1α, IL6, IL12A, MIP-1A, G-CSF, and KC) decreased as a result of A. muciniphila administration. Analysis of 16S rDNA sequences showed that A. muciniphila induced significant gut microbiota alterations. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that pro-inflammatory cytokines and other injury factors were negatively associated with Verrucomicrobia, Akkermansia, Ruminococcaceae, and Rikenellaceae, which were prominently abundant in A. muciniphila-treated mice. We confirmed that A. muciniphila treatment could ameliorate mucosal inflammation either via microbe-host interactions, which protect the gut barrier function and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines, or by improving the microbial community. Our findings suggest that A. muciniphila may be a potential probiotic agent for ameliorating colitis.

Altered expression of itch‑related mediators in the lower cervical spinal cord in mouse models of two types of chronic itch

In this study, we focused on several itch-related molecules and receptors in the spinal cord with the goal of clarifying the specific mediators that regulate itch sensation. We investigated the involvement of serotonin receptors, opioid receptors, glia cell markers and chemokines (ligands and receptors) in models of acetone/ether/water (AEW)- and diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP)-induced chronic itch. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we examined the expression profiles of these mediators in the lower cervical spinal cord (C5-8) of two models of chronic itch. We found that the gene expression levels of opioid receptor mu 1 (Oprm1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A (Htr1a) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6 (Htr6) were upregulated. Among the chemokines, the expression levels of C-C motif chemokine ligand (Ccl)21, Cxcl3 and Cxcl16 and their receptors, Ccr7, Cxcr2 and Cxcr6, were simultaneously upregulated in the spinal cords of the mice in both models of chronic itch. By contrast, the expression levels of Ccl2, Ccl3, Ccl4 and Ccl22 were downregulated. These findings indicate that multiple mediators, such as chemokines in the spinal cord, are altered and may be central candidates in further research into the mechanisms involved in the development of chronic itch.

Protective Effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus LI05 Against Clostridium difficile Infection in a Mouse Model

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of infectious diarrhea among hospitalized patients. Probiotics could be instrumental in restoring the intestinal dysbiosis caused by CDI. Here, we examined the protective effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus LI05 in a mouse CDI model. C57BL/6 mice were administrated P. pentosaceus LI05 (LI05 group) or sterile anaerobic PBS (CDI group) everyday for 14 days. Mice were exposed to antibiotics cocktail for 5 days; then challenged with C. difficile strain VPI10463. Mice were monitored daily for survival and weight loss. Colonic tissue and serum samples were assessed for intestinal histopathology, intestinal barrier function and systemic inflammation. The oral administration of P. pentosaceus LI05 improved the survival rate and alleviated the histopathological impact of C. difficile. Compared to the CDI group, the levels of inflammatory mediators in the colon as well as inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in serum were substantially attenuated in the LI05 group. P. pentosaceus LI05 alleviated the CDI-induced of disruption of ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1. Additionally, fecal microbiome analysis showed an enrichment in the abundance of the Porphyromonadaceae and Rikenellaceae, while, the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae were decreased. Our results demonstrated that the preventive effect of P. pentosaceus LI05 against CDI was mediated via improving tight junction proteins and down-regulating the inflammatory response. Therefore, P. pentosaceus LI05 could be a promising probiotic in CDI.