Cytokine polymorphisms in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is due to autoantibodies with or without complement activation and involves cellular and cytokine dysregulation. Here, we investigated cytokine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNF-α, TGF-β1, IL-10, IL-6, and IFN-γ, along with their serum levels. The former were related to hematological parameters, therapy, and clinical outcome. The study included 123 consecutive patients with primary AIHA [77 warm AIHA and 46 cold agglutinin disease (CAD)], followed up for a median of 49 months. Results show that the allelic frequency of TNF-α -308 G/A polymorphisms was significantly lower in patients versus controls. Moreover, the genotypic frequency of TNF-α -308G/A and TGF-β gene codon 25 G/C genotypes was significantly lower in patients versus controls. Considering cytokine SNP genotypes associated with different gene expression levels, TNF-α high gene expression was significantly more frequent in patients, TGF-β and IL-10 high gene expression was higher in patients with more severe anemia, and TGF-β high gene expression was higher in patients with active disease. Considering treatment, TNF-α and TGF-β high gene expression was more frequent in multitreated patients and particularly in CAD. It may be speculated that this genetic predisposition to a stronger inflammatory response may result in a greater immune dysregulation and in a relapsed/refractory disease. Regarding cytokine serum levels, TNF-α and TGF-β were significantly lower, and IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly higher in patients versus controls, underlying the complex interplay between genetic background and disease features.

Crude extract of hydatid laminated layer from Echinococcus granulosus cyst attenuates mucosal intestinal damage and inflammatory responses in Dextran Sulfate Sodium induced colitis in mice

Background

Inflammatory bowel disease is an immunologically mediated disease. Notably, it is less common in countries where there is a greater risk of exposure to helminths. In our study, we examined the modulatory effect of the laminated layer extracted from the cyst wall of a helminth parasite, Echinococcus granulosus, on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Methods

An acute colitis was induced in BALB/c mice using 2.5% w/v DSS in drinking water. The crude extract of E. granulosus laminated layer was injected intraperitoneally daily, starting 3 days before colitis induction. The Disease Activity Index was monitored daily, colon length and weight were measured and histological scores were evaluated. Nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine levels (interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10)) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the colonic expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was examined. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance and the survival rate was analyzed by the long rank test.

Results

Hydatid laminated layer pretreatment significantly improved the clinical symptoms and histological scores (*** p < 0.01) observed during DSS-induced colitis and maintained mucus production by goblet cells. Furthermore, treatment with hydatid laminated layer caused a significant decrease in NO, IFN-γ (** p < 0.01) and TNF-α production (* p < 0.05) and an increase in IL-10 production. These results were associated with localized downregulation of iNOS and NF-κB expression.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the potent anti-inflammatory effects of hydatid laminated layer. Furthermore, preventive treatment with the laminated layer played a beneficial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier against DSS-induced injury.

Kinetics of cytokine expression in bovine PBMCs and whole blood after in vitro stimulation with foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigen

The interest in analysing antigen-specific cytokine responses has substantially increased in recent years, in part due to their use in assessing vaccine efficacy. In the present study, the kinetics of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ expression was determined in bovine PBMCs by real-time PCR and in whole blood by cytokine-release assay after in vitro stimulation with recall foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) antigen. The results showed that the cytokine mRNA of IL-2 and IFN-γ in PBMCs were induced early (peak induction at 6 h), whereas the IL-4 mRNA showed delayed induction (peaked at 24 h). In contrast, the kinetics of cytokine proteins in whole blood was different and required the accumulation of the proteins before being optimally detected. The peak accumulation of cytokine protein in whole blood was recorded at 72 h for IL-2 and IL-4, and 96 h for IFN-γ. The findings of this study are of importance when selecting an optimal time points for measuring antigen-specific cytokine expression in cattle.