Curcumin and Berberine Arrest Maturation and Activation of Dendritic Cells Derived from Lupus Erythematosus Patients

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease recognized by elevated activity of autoimmune cells, loss of tolerance, and decreased regulatory T cells producing inhibitory cytokines. Despite many efforts, the definitive treatment for lupus has not been fully understood. Curcumin (CUR) and berberine (BBR) have significant immunomodulatory roles and anti-inflammatory properties that have been demonstrated in various studies. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of CUR and BBR on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) with an special focus on the maturation and activation of DCs.

METHODS

Human monocytes were isolated from the heparinized blood of SLE patients and healthy individuals, which were then exposed to cytokines (IL-4 and GM-CSF) for five days to produce immature DCs. Then, the obtained DCs were characterized by FITC-uptake assay and then cultured in the presence of CUR, BBR, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 48 h. Finally, the maturation of DCs was analyzed by the level of maturation using flow cytometry or real-time PCR methods.

RESULTS

The results showed promising anti-inflammatory effects of CUR and BBR in comparison with LPS, supported by a significant reduction of not only co-stimulatory and antigen-presenting factors such as CD80, CD86, CD83, CD1a, CD14, and HLA-DR but also inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12.

CONCLUSION

CUR and BBR could arrest DC maturation and develop a tolerogenic DC phenotype that subsequently promoted the expression of inhibitory cytokines and reduced the secretion of proinflammatory markers.

The effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on cytokines and their related molecules: An ex vivo study on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the ex vivo impact of Lactobacillus delbrueckii (L. delbrueckii) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as their related molecules on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Patients and methods

This study was conducted with 20 newly diagnosed SLE patients (18 females, 2 males; mean age: 33.3±12.4 years; range, 18 to 68 years) between September 2017 and September 2018. Extracted PBMCs from each patient were divided into 4 cell groups in our study. Three cell groups act as treatment groups receiving L. rhamnosus (107 CFU/mL), L. delbrueckii (105 CFU/mL) or a mixture of both, and one group act as our untreated control group in the absence of any probiotic agents. All cell groups were cultured in RPMI 1460 medium for 48 h. Then, total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized.

Results

The gene expression levels of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-2 were evaluated by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that expression levels of FOXP3, TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-2 increased and the level of IL-6 decreased in probiotics-receiving groups compared to the control group. Lactobacillus delbrueckii and L. rhamnosus enhanced the expression of regulatory T cell-related molecules such as FOXP3 and IL-2 and also increased the expression of IL-10. These probiotics also reduced the expression of IL-6 as proinflammatory cytokines in the PBMCs of SLE patients.

Conclusion

The results of the present study show that these probiotics could be effective in regulating the balance of cytokine gene expression ex vivo , and due to their beneficial effects, they can be an intriguing option in the production of new complement drugs for SLE.

The Evaluation of the Effect of Tolerogenic Probiotics on the Maturation of Healthy Dendritic Cells versus Immature Dendritic Cells

BACKGROUND

Dendritic cells, (DCs) as one of the important immune cell populations, are responsible for the initiation, development, and control of acquired immune responses. Myeloid dendritic cells can be used as a vaccine for several autoimmune diseases and cancers. Tolerogenic probiotics with regulatory properties can affect the maturation and development of immature dendritic cells (IDC) into mature DCs with certain immunomodulatory effects.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, as two tolerogenic probiotics, in the differentiation and maturation of myeloid dendritic cells.

METHODS

The IDCs were derived from the healthy donors in GM-CSF and IL 4 medium. Mature DCs (MDC) were produced with L. delbrueckii, L. rhamnosus, and LPS from IDCs. Real-Time PCR and flow cytometry were used to confirm the DC maturation and to determine DC markers as well as IDO, IL10, and IL12 expression levels, respectively.

RESULTS

Probiotic-derived DCs showed a significant reduction in the level of HLA-DR (P≤0.05), CD86 (P≤0.05), CD80 (P≤0.001), CD83 (P≤0.001), and CD1a. Also, the expression of IDO (P≤0.001) and IL10 increased while IL12 expression decreased (P≤0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that tolerogenic probiotics could induce regulatory DCs by reducing co-stimulatory molecules along with increasing the expression of IDO and IL10 during the differentiation process. Therefore, the induced regulatory DCs probably can be used in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.

Immunoregulatory, proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nanocurcuminoids on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Curcuminoids are dietary complexes extracted from the seeds of Curcuma longa L. that contain curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and desmethoxycurcumin. Curcuminoids are popular for their pleiotropic therapeutic functions, such as their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Nonetheless, their clinical use is associated with poor systemic bioavailability and insolubility. The nano-formulation of curcuminoids eliminates these shortcomings. In the present study, we explored immunoregulatory, proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nanocurcuminoids on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs). Flow cytometry analysis and MTT assay were employed to explore the effects of nanocurcuminoids on the apoptosis and proliferation of adipose-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs). The anti-oxidant effect of nanocurcuminoids on AT-MSCs also was examined. The immune regulatory effect of nanocurcuminoids was evaluated by the flow cytometric measurement of the T regulatory (Treg) population. The expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines was quantified using real-time PCR. Our findings demonstrate that low concentrations of nanocurcuminoids are beneficial for MSC proliferation, protection of MSCs from apoptosis, reducing inflammatory cytokines and SOD activity. A high concentration of nanocurcuminoids increases the population of Tregs and elevates the expression of TGFβ and FOXP3 genes. The beneficial effects of nanocurcuminoids on AT-MSCs were mainly observed at low doses of nanocurcuminoids.

In vivo study: Th1-Th17 reduction in pristane-induced systemic lupus erythematosus mice after treatment with tolerogenic Lactobacillus probiotics

Uncontrolled inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could cause dysfunction in multiple organs. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are a main branch of inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of SLE, and by producing interleukin 17 (IL-17), represent a major functional tool in the progression of inflammation. Animal models provide a special field for better studies of the pathogenesis of diseases. Tolergenic probiotics could decrease inflammation in autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system and maintaining homeostasis. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii on Th17 cells and their related mediators in a pristane-induced BALB/c mice model of SLE. The mice were divided into pretreatment groups, which received probiotics or prednisolone at Day 0, and treatment groups, which received probiotics and prednisolone 2 months after injection. The presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), and anti-ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP) and lipogranuloma was evaluated; also, the population of Th1-Th17 cells as well as interferon γ (IFN-γ), IL-17, and IL-10 levels, and the expression of RAR-related orphan related receptor gamma (RORγt) and IL-17 were determined. We observed that probiotics and prednisolone could delay SLE in pretreatment and treatment mice groups, with a reduction in ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-RNP, and mass of lipogranuloma. Probiotics and prednisolone decreased the population of Th1-Th17 cells and reduced IFN-γ and IL-17 as inflammatory cytokines in the pretreatment and treatment groups in comparison with SLE-induced mice. Our results indicated that, due to their anti-inflammatory properties and reduction of Th17, Th1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) cells, the use of these probiotics could probably represent a new tool for the better management of SLE.

Clinical & immunological characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Background & objectives:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects females more than males. Gender affects the manifestations of SLE and men with lupus show more severe symptoms and worse prognosis. This study was aimed to compare clinical and immunological features in female and male lupus patients in Iran.

Methods:

Demographic, clinical and laboratory data from 78 women and 20 men with lupus were collected. Autoantibodies (against nRNP, Sm, SSA, SSB, Ro-52, CENP, Jo-1, Scl-70, nucleosome, anti-dsDNA, histone and Rib-p protein) were determined using immunoblotting technique.

Results:

Men with lupus had less anti-SSA (21.1 vs 48.1%) and anti-Ro52 (10.5 vs 44.3%) antibodies when compared to women and none of the male patients had anti-SSB antibodies. Kidney damage was more frequent in men (68.4% in men vs 36.7% in women). In men with kidney involvement, anti-dsDNA increased significantly (84.6 vs 20.0%) in comparison to males without nephritis. Anti-SSA (7.7 vs 50.0%) and anti-nRNP (0.0 vs 33.8%) on the other hand, decreased. Women with renal involvement had no anti-SSB antibodies.

Interpretation & conclusions:

In male patients, SLE appeared with more severe features, and kidney damage was more frequent in males. The frequency of some autoantibodies was different between females and males. In males with kidney damage anti-dsDNA increased significantly, while anti-SSA and anti-nRNP decreased. Anti-SSB was not detected in males and females with nephritis.

Bifidobacterium animalis in combination with human origin of Lactobacillus plantarum ameliorate neuroinflammation in experimental model of multiple sclerosis by altering CD4+ T cell subset balance

BACKGROUND

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent reports have shown that probiotics can induce immunomodulatory activity with promising effects in inflammatory diseases. This study was designed to reveal the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum A7, which comprises human commensal bacteria, and Bifidobacterium animalis, a potential probiotic strain, on alleviation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS.

METHODS

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of probiotic strains, female C57BL/6 mice (8-10 wks old) received Lactobacillus plantarum A7, Bifidobacterium animalis PTCC 1631or a mixture of both strains through oral administration daily for 22days beginning simultaneous with induction of EAE. The clinical parameters were recorded daily. On Day 22, each mouse was bled, and their spinal cord was removed for histology analysis. The effects of the treatments on regulatory T (Treg) cells level were evaluated using flow cytometry, and T-cell proliferation was assessed using a BrdU incorporation assay. The supernatants of spleen and lymph nodes cultured and mononuclear cells were collected for quantification of different panel of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines by ELISA. The analysis of gene expression was performed at RNA level for transcription factors by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The results showed that treatment with a mixture of the two strains caused a more significant delay in the time of disease onset and clinical score compared to when the strains were used alone. The pathological features of the disease, such as mononuclear infiltration into the CNS, were also inhibited more significantly by the combinational approach. The results also revealed that treatment with combination of both strains enhanced the population of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺-expressing T-cells in the lymph nodes and the spleen.

TREATMENT

with our probiotic strains markedly inhibited disease associated cytokines while increased anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, L. plantarumA7 and B. animalis ameliorated EAE condition by favoring Th2 and Treg differentiation via up-regulation of Foxp3 and GATA3 in the brain and spleen as well as inhibited the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The current research provided evidence that probiotic therapy with L. plantarum and B. animalis can effectively attenuate EAE progression as well as reinforce the polarization of regulatory T-cells.

Vitamin D3 Alters the Expression of Toll-like Receptors in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by production of inflammatory cytokines and autoreactive antibodies due to the loss of immune tolerance. Recognition of self-nucleic acids by intracellular Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can overactivate immune responses and this abnormal activation of TLRs contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. In recent years, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VitD3) on the immune system has received particular attention. The present study investigated the effects of vitamin D3 on the expression of TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9 in SLE patients. Study participants included 20 SLE patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and cultured in the presence or absence of vitamin D3 (50 nM). Then RNA was extracted, cDNA was synthesized and gene expression levels of TLR3, TLR7, and TLR9 were assessed using real-time PCR. Up-regulated expression levels of TLR7 and TLR9 were observed in the PBMCs of SLE patients in comparison with controls. Culturing PBMCs with vitamin D3 significantly down-regulated the expression of TLR3 (8.86 ± 4.2 for SLE patients vs. 45.34 ± 18.6 for control; P = 0.03), TLR7 (17.91 ± 7.7 for SLE patients vs. 242.37 ± 89.6 for controls; P = 0.0001) and TLR9 (4.67 ± 1.9 for SLE patients vs. 8.9 ± 1.5 for controls; P = 0.007) in SLE patients in comparison with healthy controls. The results of the current study suggest that vitamin D3 could exert some of its immunomodulatory effects in SLE patients via affecting the expression levels of some TLRs. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4831-4835, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ursolic acid induced apoptotic cell death following activation of caspases in isolated human melanoma cells

Ursolic acid (UA) is plentifully present in fruits, foods, and medicinal plants, and has anti-cancer activity on many cancer cell lines. However, the effects of UA on some melanoma cells and the mechanisms of action have not been reported. The effect of UA on isolated human melanoma and fibroblast cell lines has been investigated using the MTT assay, and cell death was determined using Annexin-V/PI staining. To explore whether the activation of caspases was required for apoptosis induction, cells were treated with pan-caspase inhibitor and UA. Changes in apoptosis pattern were analyzed by flow cytometry. Activation of caspases was detected by western blot analysis. A significant concentration-dependent suppression of cell proliferation was seen after 24 and 48 h in the presence of UA. Apoptosis was considerably increased by UA, indicated by enhancement of an Annexin-V positive population and a sub-G1 peak. UA induced proteolytic processing of caspase-3. The results confirm the anti-cancer properties of UA on cultured human melanoma cells, possibly mediated through the induction of apoptosis following activation of caspases.

Crocin Effects on Human Myeloma Cells Regarding Intracellular Redox State, DNA Fragmentation, and Apoptosis or Necrosis Profile

Background:

Well-documented studies reported several pharmacological properties for crocin, the active compound of Crocus sativus, such as its antitumor, radical scavenging, antidepressant, and memory-enhancing effects.

Objectives:

We aimed to evaluate the possible cytotoxic activity of crocin on B lymphocytes in human myeloma (U266 cell line) after 24- and 48-hour treatment.

Materials and Methods:

For this purpose, cell viability was determined by the colorimetric MTT assay and cell death pattern was evaluated using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis detection kit. ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and DNA fragmentation were assessed using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) kit and PI staining, respectively.

Results:

The highest concentration of crocin significantly decreased ROS production after 48 hours of treatment. However, crocin had no effect on the expression level of HSP (Heat shock protein). Additionally, its administration caused a mild decline in cell viability and a mild increase in the population of DNA fragmented cells as well as apoptosis.

Conclusions:

In our study, no prominent effect was seen; therefore, in order to have a better perspective of crocin activity against cancerous cell lines, further studies are highly recommended.

Distribution of Hepatitis C virus genotypes in city of Mashhad, North-east of Iran

PURPOSE

Six major hepatitis C virus genotypes have been characterised, which vary in their geographical distribution. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in an area is not constant, and depends on the changes in route of infection, which may change over time. In this study, the distribution of HCV genotypes in Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan province in north-east of Iran was investigated. Mashhad is a holy city of Shiate Moslems, which attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-eight HCV infected subjects (227 males and 51 females) were included in this study. HCV genotypes were analysed by type specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Genotype 3a was detected in 49.6%, 1a in 36.3%, 1b in 12.6% and 2a in 0.4%. Two HCV genotypes were detected in 1.1% cases; 1a +3a in 1%, 3a + 1b in 0.4%. Genotypes 2b and 3b were not detected in any samples.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that despite the previous reports on the frequency of HCV genotypes in Iran, 3a is the predominant genotype in Mashhad.

Evaluation of anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects of carnosol in a Balb/c WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma model

Agents that destroy tumor cells and simultaneously boost host anti-tumor immunity are of keen interest in cancer therapy. In the present study, the effect of carnosol on anti-tumor immunity in a Balb/c mouse model of fibrosarcoma was evaluated. Carnosol was administered intraperitoneally daily (at 5 or 10 mg/kg/day, for 7 days) to tumor-bearing mice (i.e. 7 days after initial injection of tumor cells). Another group of tumor-bearing mice was treated with 20 mg cyclophosphamide/kg/d (positive control); a final group received vehicle only (vehicle control). After an initial measure on Day 0, tumor size was measured twice during the 7-day treatment period. One day after the final treatment with vehicle/carnosol (i.e. Day 7), the mice had their tumors measured and then were euthanized to permit their spleen and tumor to be harvested for isolation of, respectively, splenocytes and tumor-associated lymphocytes. Using these materials, spontaneous and mitogen-induced release of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ, lymphocyte proliferation, and the absolute numbers/relative percentages of splenic and tumor-associated T-regulatory (Treg) and other T-lymphocyte sub-sets were evaluated. The results showed that carnosol at both doses significantly suppressed tumor growth and caused depletion of splenic and tumor-associated Treg cells. It also caused relative (vs control mouse cell values) decreases in splenocyte spontaneous/inducible production of IL-4 and IL-10 and increases in IFNγ and cell proliferation. Carnosol at either dose did not cause changes in the percentages of CD4(+) or CD8(+) lymphocytes in the spleen or in tumor-associated lymphocyte populations. The observed increases in IFNγ, decreases in IL-10 and IL-4 production, and reductions in splenic/tumor-associated Treg cell levels might be signs reflecting the potential anti-tumor activity of carnosol. Based on the findings here, it is asserted that carnosol is a likely candidate - after more complete toxicologic evaluation - for eventual use as an anti-cancer therapeutic.

T lymphocyte apoptosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

OBJECTIVE(S)

Apoptosis is a tightly regulated process and plays a crucial role in autoimmune diseases. Because abnormalities in apoptosis are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in present study we studied the apoptosis in T lymphocytes from Iranian SLE patients at protein and gene expression levels for some molecules which are involved in apoptosis pathways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty five SLE patients (23 female, 12 male), and 20 age matched controls (10 female, 10 male) participated in this study. T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using MACS method. Apoptosis rate was studied at protein level by flow cytometer using Annexin V, and at gene expression level using semi-quantitative RT-PCR method for detection of Fas, FasL, Bcl-2, caspase 8, and caspase 9 genes.

RESULTS

The percentage of apoptotic cells in SLE patients was not different in comparison with controls (20.2% ± 1.4 vs 21.1% ± 1.0), but the expression levels of FasL, caspase 8, and caspase 9 genes in all SLE patients and in female patients were significantly lower than controls; 0.45R vs 0.78R for FasL, 0.74R vs 1.0R for caspase 8, and 0.76R vs 1.26R for caspase 9 in all SLE patients and 0.37R vs 0.82R for FasL, 0.45R vs 1.6R for caspase 8, and 0.63R vs 1.56R for caspase 9 in female patients.

CONCLUSION

The expression levels of FasL, caspase 8 and caspase 9 molecules involved in apoptosis decreased in female, but not in male SLE patients.

Evaluation of HTLV-I and HCV Prevalence in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

OBJECTIVE(S)

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a lymphoproliferative malignancy in which cells undergo microscopic changes with unknown etiology, and risk factors such as age, sex, genetic and environmental factors are involved. The relationship between the presence of infectious agents and the development of lymphoproliferative diseases has been an interesting research topic. HTLV-I (Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1) predisposes the infected individulas to opportunistic neoplasms and lymphoid malignancies. HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) the etiologic agent of hepatitis C, is hepatotropic, and long-term infection with HCV can continuously stimulate and expand lymphocyte clones, resulting in further transformation and finally aggressive malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

54 tissue samples diagnosed with NHL were selected to be studied for the presence of HTLV-I and HCV viruses. DNA and RNA were extracted from samples, cDNA was synthesized and using specific primers presence of HTLV-I and HCV viruses were investigated by PCR and nested RT-PCR methods.

RESULTS

In 10 out of 54 (18.8%) samples (7 men and 3 women), HTLV-I was present, and 4 out of 54 (7.4%) samples (3 men and one woman) were positive for HCV.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, it is recommended that in patients with NHL, infection with HTLV-I and HCV viruses need to be screened.