Molecular characterization and immunological roles of avian IL-22 and its soluble receptor IL-22 binding protein

As a member of the interleukin (IL)-10 family, IL-22 is an important mediator in modulating tissue responses during inflammation. Through activation of STAT3-signaling cascades, IL-22 induces proliferative and anti-apoptotic pathways, as well as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), that help prevent tissue damage and aid in its repair. This study reports the cloning and expression of recombinant chicken IL-22 (rChIL-22) and its soluble receptor, rChIL22BP, and characterization of biological effects of rChIL-22 during inflammatory responses. Similar to observations with mammalian IL-22, purified rChIL-22 had no effect on either peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or lymphocytes. This was due to the low expression of the receptor ChIL22RA1 chain compared to ChIL10RB chain. rChIL-22 alone did not affect chicken embryo kidney cells (CEKCs); however, co-stimulation of CEKCs with LPS and rChIL-22 enhanced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and AMPs. Furthermore, rChIL-22 alone stimulated and induced acute phase reactants in chicken embryo liver cells (CELCs). These effects of rChIL-22 were abolished by pre-incubation of rChIL-22 with rChIL22BP. Together, this study indicates an important role of ChIL-22 on epithelial cells and hepatocytes during inflammation.

Effect of interferon therapy on radionuclide imaging in chronic liver diseases due to HCV infection

Interferon (alpha-IFN) exerts a modulating effect on the immune system. Kupffer cells of the liver play an important immunological role by their uptake of various agents and particles, including colloids. We sought to discover if alpha-IFN could enhance the colloid uptake function of the Kupffer cells. The effect of alpha-IFN therapy on radioisotope scans of the liver was studied in 20 patients with chronic liver disease due to hepatitic C virus (HCV) infection who received therapy at a dose of 3 million IU for 6 mo, in another 20 patients who received the same therapy for 12 mo and in matched control groups (10 patients with HCV infection for each study group) who did not receive alpha-IFN.

METHODS

A 99mTc-sulfur colloid scan of the liver was obtained for each group before and after therapy and, for control subjects, at the start and end of the study periods. The liver-to-spleen geometric mean ratio of colloid uptake was assessed.

RESULTS

In the first study group, the mean rate of improvement in the liver-to-spleen ratio was 48% in 70% of patients, compared to 8% in 20% of controls (p < 0.05). In the second study group, mean liver-to-spleen ratio was 88% in 85% of patients, compared to 12% in 40% of controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Alpha-IFN therapy appears to enhance the colloidal uptake function of Kupffer cells, which adds a new dimension to the immunomodulatory effect of interferon.

Nuclear morphometry as a predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer

We have studied nuclear morphometric characteristics from H & E slides of 23 patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (cis-platinum + 5-fluorouracil) plus radiation therapy to see if a correlation existed between these morphometric assessments and response to chemotherapy/radiotherapy. On the same 23 patients, biopsies were taken at three times: before treatment, after chemotherapy alone, and after chemotherapy plus radiation therapy. Using the Zeiss Videoplan III morphometric workstation, tumor nuclear area and nuclear roundness factor were assessed on three different tumor cell populations: the basal, intermediate, and superficial cell layers. There were two principal results from this study: (1) There was a significant (P = 0.007) reduction in the appearance of the basal layer of tumor cells following chemotherapy. (2) The reduction in nuclear area of intermediate layer tumor cells by chemotherapy alone was significant in responders (P = 0.005) but not in nonresponders (P = 0.74) to the combined therapy. The ability to differentiate between responders and nonresponders to combined therapy after only the chemotherapy has been administered may allow more rational patient selection for radiation therapy.

Correlation between the level of IgA and Pneumocystis carinii infection

Sputum examination for detection of P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) can be substituted for more invasive techniques. There was a significant correlation between PCP and the increased level of IgA in serum (P less than 0.01) and sputum. The increase in IgA level in sputum was much more higher than that in the serum. This supports the concept that local antibody formation by the lung may have a more important role in the immune and inflammatory response to P. carinii.

Cyclophosphamide intensifies the acquisition of allergic contact dermatitis in mice rendered B-cell deficient by heterologous anti-IgM antisera

Treatment with cyclophosphamide (Cy) before contact sensitization regularly intensifies the induced sensitivity. The immunopotentiation is specific and appears due to toxicity for suppressor cells. It has been proposed that the target of Cy immunopotentiation is a suppressor B cell. We have studies allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice rendered B-cell deficient by chronic treatment, beginning at birth, with a goat antiserum against mouse IgM. The ACD induced in these B-cell deficient mice was equal to that induced in intact mice. The hypersensitivity was readily and equally immunopotentiated by Cy in normal and in B-cell deficient mice. It appears that the suppressor cell that is the target of Cy immunopotentiation is not a B cell but rather a T cell.