scholarly journals The role of interleukin 12 and nitric oxide in the development of spontaneous autoimmune disease in MRL/MP-lpr/lpr mice.

1996 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 1447-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
F P Huang ◽  
G J Feng ◽  
G Lindop ◽  
D I Stott ◽  
F Y Liew

MRL/MP-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice develop a spontaneous autoimmune disease. Serum from these mice contained significantly higher concentrations of nitrite/nitrate than serum from age-matched control MRL/MP-+/+ (MRL/+), BALB/c or CBA/6J mice. Spleen and peritoneal cells from MRL/lpr mice also produced significantly more nitric oxide (NO) than those from the control mice when cultured with interferon (IFN) gamma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. It is interesting to note that peritoneal cells from MRL/lpr mice also produced markedly higher concentrations of interleukin (IL) 12 than those from MRL/+ or BALB/c mice when cultured with same stimuli. It is striking that cells from MRL/lpr mice produced high concentrations of NO when cultured cells from MRL/+ or BALB/c mice. The enhanced NO synthesis induced by IFN-gamma/LPS was substantially inhibited by anti-IL-12 antibody. In addition, IL-12-induced NO production can also be markedly inhibited by anti-IFN-gamma antibody, but only weakly inhibited by anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody. The effect of IL-12 on NO production was dependent on the presence of natural killer and possibly T cells. Serum from MRL/lpr mice contained significantly higher concentrations of IL-12 compared with those of MRL/+ or BALB/c control mice. Daily injection of recombinant IL-12 led to increased serum levels of IFN-gamma and NO metabolites, and accelerated glomerulonephritis in the young MRL/lpr mice (but not in the MRL/+ mice) compared with controls injected with phosphate-buffered saline alone. These data, together with previous finding that NO synthase inhibitors can ameliorate autoimmune disease in MRL/lpr mice, suggest that high capacity of such mice to produce IL-12 and their greater responsiveness to IL-12, leading to the production of high concentrations of NO, are important factors in this spontaneous model of autoimmune disease.

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (9) ◽  
pp. 4977-4981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Perkins ◽  
Peter G. Kremsner ◽  
Daniela Schmid ◽  
Mary A. Misukonis ◽  
Meghan A. Kelly ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Plasmodium falciparum malaria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Factors that determine the development of mild versus severe malaria are not fully understood. Since host-derived nitric oxide (NO) has antiplasmodial properties, we measured NO production and NO synthase (NOS) activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy Gabonese children with a history of prior mild malaria (PMM) or prior severe malaria (PSM) caused by P. falciparum. The PMM group had significantly higher levels of NOS activity in freshly isolated PBMC and higher NO production and NOS activity in cultured PBMC. The investigation of NO-modulating cytokines (e.g., interleukin 12, gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and transforming growth factor β1) as an explanation for differing levels of NOS activity revealed that plasma levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in the PSM group. Our results suggest that NOS/ NO and TNF-α are markers for prior disease severity and important determinants of resistance to malaria.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (2) ◽  
pp. G260-G267 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Rockey ◽  
J. J. Chung

Nitric oxide (NO) has many important physiological effects that depend in part on its cellular source(s). In liver, NO is produced by all major cell types, including hepatocytes, Kupffer, stellate, and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). Although endothelial cells have been commonly associated with constitutive NO production, recent evidence suggests that NO is inducible in this cell type. Here, we investigated the regulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in SECs. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as individual compounds induced iNOS mRNA in SECs. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) had no effect when used alone but enhanced iNOS mRNA upregulation by IFN-gamma. iNOS transcription after LPS was present only for 4 h after exposure yet was more sustained after IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha, LPS was unique in that it transiently induced iNOS mRNA, whereas IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha resulted in prolonged increases in iNOS mRNA. Both LPS and IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha caused prolonged elevation of immunoreactive protein. However, when stimulated by LPS, iNOS remained enzymatically active for only 24-48 h. After IFN-gamma or IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha, iNOS activity declined only moderately. LPS added to IFN-gamma alone or IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha did not result in more rapid decay of iNOS enzymatic activity. These data indicate that induction of iNOS by sinusoidal endothelial cells is prominent and that it is regulated both transcriptionally and by its inactivation. Such complex regulation of iNOS has important implications for NO biology in liver disease.


2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 3686-3695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hany M. Ibrahim ◽  
Hiroshi Bannai ◽  
Xuenan Xuan ◽  
Yoshifumi Nishikawa

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii modulates pro- and anti-inflammatory responses to regulate parasite multiplication and host survival. Pressure from the immune response causes the conversion of tachyzoites into slowly dividing bradyzoites. The regulatory mechanisms involved in this switch are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory role of T. gondii cyclophilin 18 (TgCyp18) in macrophages and the consequences of the cellular responses on the conversion machinery. Recombinant TgCyp18 induced the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor alpha through its binding with cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and the production of gamma interferon and IL-6 in a CCR5-independent manner. Interestingly, the treatment of macrophages with TgCyp18 resulted in the inhibition of parasite growth and an enhancement of the conversion into bradyzoites via NO in a CCR5-dependent manner. In conclusion, T. gondii possesses sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate host cell responses in a TgCyp18-mediated process.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (2) ◽  
pp. F212-F217 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Lau ◽  
O. Nakashima ◽  
G. R. Aalund ◽  
L. Hogarth ◽  
K. Ujiie ◽  
...  

Cytokines increase the expression of the inducible (type II) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in macrophages, liver, and renal epithelial cells. Previously, we found that cultured rat medullary interstitial cells (RMIC) contain high levels of soluble guanylyl cyclase. To determine whether these cells can also produce NO, we studied the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on NO production, NOS II mRNA, and NOS II protein expression. Both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in the presence of a low concentration of the other cytokine, caused dose-dependent increases in NO production. Exposure to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma stimulated the production of NOS II mRNA, as determined by Northern blotting. Restriction mapping of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products indicated that normal cells contained macrophage NOS II, whereas cytokine-stimulated cells contained primarily vascular smooth muscle NOS II and some macrophage NOS II. The appearance of NOS II protein was demonstrated by Western blotting. RMIC cell guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation increased 129-fold in response to the cytokines. NOS inhibitors decreased nitrite production. We conclude that 1) TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induce the expression of vascular smooth muscle NOS II and production of NO in RMIC, and 2) NO acts as an autocrine activator of the soluble guanylyl cyclase in RMIC.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1300800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanidta Kaewkroek ◽  
Chatchai Wattanapiromsakul ◽  
Palangpon Kongsaeree ◽  
Supinya Tewtrakul

The ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Kaempferia marginata showed a potent inhibitory effect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the partition with various organic solvents also inhibited NO production. One new pimarane-type diterpene, 1α-acetoxysandaracopimaradien-2α-ol (5), along with four known diterpenes (1–4), were isolated from the n-hexane and chloroform layers, respectively. Among these metabolites, compounds 1 and 4 were isolated for the first time from K. marginata. Compounds 1–5 showed significant inhibitory effects on NO production, with IC50 values ranging from 38.6 to 51.9 μM. Furthermore, compound 2 also exhibited significant activity against TNF-α release (IC50 = 48.3 μM). These findings may support the use of K. marginata by traditional doctors for treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.


1997 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Wiszniewska ◽  
Rafal Kurzawa ◽  
Andrzej Ciechanowicz ◽  
Boguslaw Machalinski

The expression of mRNA for inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rat epithelial cells of epididymis was investigated with reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction. Immunocytochemical reaction for iNOS was performed to confirm the enzyme’ s localization in the epididymal epithelium. Additionally, an indirect spectrophotometric method for nitric oxide (NO) determination was applied for measurement of nitrite production by cultured epididymal epithelial cells. Inducible NOS mRNA was detected in freshly isolated epithelial cells, in cultured cells without stimulation as well as in cultured cells after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma. Inducible NOS immunoreactivity was observed in the apical part of epithelial cells of epididymal sections and in the cytoplasm of cells in culture. Release of nitrite was observedin vitro in both the unstimulated and stimulated cells of caput (1·44 ± 0·94 v. 4·37 ± 2·42 µM) and cauda (0·69 ± 1·21 v. 5·21 ± 2·76 µM) epididymis (P < 0·001). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate iNOS in the epididymal epithelial cells of the rat. Nitric oxide released by epididymal epithelial cells may act on cells and tissues located nearby. The results may help explain epididymal function: sperm storage, passage and maturation. Excessive epididymal NO production may also play a role in the inflammatory infertility of the male. Extra keyword: iNOS


1994 ◽  
Vol 180 (3) ◽  
pp. 907-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Ozmen ◽  
M Pericin ◽  
J Hakimi ◽  
R A Chizzonite ◽  
M Wysocka ◽  
...  

The Shwartzman reaction is elicited by two injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The priming LPS injection is given in the footpad, whereas the lethal LPS challenge is given intravenously 24 h later. The injection of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin 12 (IL-12) instead of the LPS priming injection induced the lethal reaction in mice further challenged with LPS. Antibodies against IFN-gamma when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS, IL-12, or IFN-gamma. Antibodies against IL-12, when given together with the priming agent, prevented the lethal reaction in mice primed with either LPS or IL-12 but not with IFN-gamma. These results strongly suggest that LPS induces the release of IL-12, that IL-12 induces the production of IFN-gamma, and that IFN-gamma is the cytokine that primes macrophages and other cell types. Upon LPS challenge, the lethal Shwartzman reaction is induced by a massive production of inflammatory cytokines that act on the target sites already sensitized by IFN-gamma. If mixtures of TNF and IL-1 or mixtures of TNF and IFN-gamma are used to challenge mice previously primed with IFN-gamma or IL-12, mortality is induced. In the same conditions, the individual cytokines or a mixture of IL-1 and IFN-gamma do not replace the LPS challenge. When the mice are primed with LPS, the combination of TNF, IL-1, and IFN-gamma induced only a partial mortality incidence suggesting that the involvement of other LPS-induced factors.


1997 ◽  
Vol 352 (1359) ◽  
pp. 1355-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alexander ◽  
T. M. Scharton-Kersten ◽  
G. Yap ◽  
C. W. Roberts ◽  
F. Y. Liew ◽  
...  

The interaction of protozoan parasites with innate host defences is critical in determining the character of the subsequent infection. The initial steps in the encounter of Toxoplasma gondii with the vertebrate immune system provide a striking example of this important aspect of the host–parasite relationship. In immunocompetent individuals this intracellular protozoan produces an asymptomatic chronic infection as part of its strategy for transmission. Nevertheless, T. gondii is inherently a highly virulent pathogen. The rapid induction by the parasite of a potent cell–mediated immune response that both limits its growth and drives conversion to a dormant cyst stage explains this apparent paradox. Studies with gene–deficient mice have demonstrated the interleukin–12 (IL–12)–dependent production of interferon gamma (IFN–gamma) to be of paramount importance in controlling early parasite growth. However, this seems to be independent of nitric oxide production as mice deficient in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumour necrosis factor receptor were able to control early growth of T. gondii , although they later succumbed to infection. Nitric oxide does, however, seem to be important in controlling persistent infection; treating chronic infection with iNOS metabolic inhibitors results in disease reactivation. Preliminary evidence implicates neutrophils in effector pathways against this parasite distinct from that described for macrophages. Once initiated, IL–12–dependent IFN–gamma production in synergy with other proinflammatory cytokines can positively feed back on itself to induce ‘cytokine shock’. Regulatory cytokines, particularly IL–10, are essential to down–regulate inflammation and limit host pathology.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. F297-F304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Kakoki ◽  
Hyung-Suk Kim ◽  
Cora-Jean S. Edgell ◽  
Nobuyo Maeda ◽  
Oliver Smithies ◽  
...  

To examine the mechanisms whereby amino acids modulate nitric oxide (NO) production and blood flow in the renal vasculature, chemiluminescence techniques were used to quantify NO in the renal venous effluent of the isolated, perfused rat kidney as different amino acids were added to the perfusate. The addition of 10−4 or 10−3 M cationic amino acids (l-ornithine, l-lysine, or l-homoarginine) or neutral amino acids (l-glutamine, l-leucine, or l-serine) to the perfusate decreased NO and increased renal vascular resistance. Perfusion with anionic amino acids (l-glutamate or l-aspartate) had no effect on either parameter. The effects of the cationic and neutral amino acids were reversed with 10−3 M l-arginine and prevented by deendothelialization or NO synthase inhibition. The effects of the neutral amino acids but not the cationic amino acids were dependent on extracellular sodium. Cationic and neutral amino acids also decreased calcimycin-induced NO, as assessed by DAF-FM-T fluorescence, in cultured EA.hy926 endothelial cells. Inhibition of system y+ or y+L by siRNA for the cationic amino acid transporter 1 or the CD98/4F2 heavy chain diminished the NO-depleting effects of these amino acids. Finally, transport studies in cultured cells demonstrated that cationic or neutral amino acids in the extracellular space stimulate efflux of l-arginine out of the cell. Thus the present experiments demonstrate that cationic and neutral amino acids can modulate NO production in endothelial cells by altering cellular l-arginine transport through y+ and y+L transport mechanisms.


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