Acute-phase responses in transgenic mice with CNS overexpression of IL-1 receptor antagonist

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (3) ◽  
pp. R644-R651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Lundkvist ◽  
Anna K. Sundgren-Andersson ◽  
Susanne Tingsborg ◽  
Pernilla Östlund ◽  
Catherine Engfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Type I ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Transgenic Phenotype ◽  
And Control

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is an endogenous antagonist that blocks the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-1β by occupying the type I IL-1 receptor. Here we describe transgenic mice with astrocyte-directed overexpression of the human secreted IL-1ra (hsIL-1ra) under the control of the murine glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. Two GFAP-hsIL-1ra strains have been generated and characterized further: GILRA2 and GILRA4. These strains show a brain-specific expression of the hsIL-1ra at the mRNA and protein levels. The hsIL-1ra protein was approximated to ∼50 ng/brain in cytosolic fractions of whole brain homogenates, with no differences between male and female mice or between the two strains. Furthermore, the protein is secreted, inasmuch as the concentration of hsIL-1ra in the cerebrospinal fluid was 13 (GILRA2) to 28 (GILRA4) times higher in the transgenic mice than in the control animals. To characterize the transgenic phenotype, GILRA mice and nontransgenic controls were injected with recombinant human IL-1β (central injection) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, peripheral injection). The febrile response elicited by IL-1β (50 ng/mouse icv) was abolished in hsIL-1ra-overexpressing animals, suggesting that the central IL-1 receptors were occupied by antagonist. The peripheral LPS injection (25 μg/kg ip) triggered a fever in overexpressing and control animals. Moreover, no differences were found in LPS-induced (100 and 1,000 μg/kg ip; 1 and 6 h after injection) IL-1β and IL-6 serum levels between GILRA and wild-type mice. On the basis of these results, we suggest that binding of central IL-1 to central IL-1 receptors is not important in LPS-induced fever or LPS-induced IL-1β and IL-6 plasma levels.

A γGT-AT1A receptor transgene protects renal cortical structure in AT1 receptor-deficient mice

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thu H. Le ◽  
Michael I. Oliverio ◽  
Hyung-Suk Kim ◽  
Harmony Salzler ◽  
Rajesh C. Dash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Proximal Tubule ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Renal Proximal Tubule ◽  
Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyl Transferase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Deficient Mice

To understand the physiological role of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors in the proximal tubule of the kidney, we generated a transgenic mouse line in which the major murine AT1 receptor isoform, AT1A, was expressed under the control of the P1 portion of the γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT) promoter. In transgenic mice, this promoter has been shown to confer cell-specific expression in epithelial cells of the renal proximal tubule. To avoid random integration of multiple copies of the transgene, we used gene targeting to produce mice with a single-copy transgene insertion at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase ( Hprt) locus on the X chromosome. The physiological effects of the γGT-AT1A transgene were examined on a wild-type background and in mice with targeted disruption of one or both of the murine AT1 receptor genes ( Agtr1a and Agtr1b). On all three backgrounds, γGT-AT1A transgenic mice were healthy and viable. On the wild-type background, the presence of the transgene did not affect development, blood pressure, or kidney structure. Despite relatively low levels of expression in the proximal tubule, the transgene blunted the increase in renin expression typically seen in AT1-deficient mice and partially rescued the kidney phenotype associated with Agtr1a−/− Agtr1b−/− mice, significantly reducing cortical cyst formation by more than threefold. However, these low levels of cell-specific expression of AT1 receptors in the renal proximal tubule did not increase the low blood pressures or abolish sodium sensitivity, which are characteristic of AT1 receptor-deficient mice. Although our studies do not clearly identify a role for AT1 receptors in the proximal tubules of the kidney in blood pressure homeostasis, they support a major role for these receptors in modulating renin expression and in maintaining structural integrity of the renal cortex.

Lower skeletal muscle mass in male transgenic mice with muscle-specific overexpression of myostatin

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. E876-E888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Reisz-Porszasz ◽  
Shalender Bhasin ◽  
Jorge N. Artaza ◽  
Ruoqing Shen ◽  
Indrani Sinha-Hikim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Mass ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Myostatin Gene

Mutations in the myostatin gene are associated with hypermuscularity, suggesting that myostatin inhibits skeletal muscle growth. We postulated that increased tissue-specific expression of myostatin protein in skeletal muscle would induce muscle loss. To investigate this hypothesis, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress myostatin protein selectively in the skeletal muscle, with or without ancillary expression in the heart, utilizing cDNA constructs in which a wild-type (MCK/Mst) or mutated muscle creatine kinase (MCK-3E/Mst) promoter was placed upstream of mouse myostatin cDNA. Transgenic mice harboring these MCK promoters linked to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expressed the reporter protein only in skeletal and cardiac muscles (MCK) or in skeletal muscle alone (MCK-3E). Seven-week-old animals were genotyped by PCR of tail DNA or by Southern blot analysis of liver DNA. Myostatin mRNA and protein, measured by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively, were significantly higher in gastrocnemius, quadriceps, and tibialis anterior of MCK/Mst-transgenic mice compared with wild-type mice. Male MCK/Mst-transgenic mice had 18–24% lower hind- and forelimb muscle weight and 18% reduction in quadriceps and gastrocnemius fiber cross-sectional area and myonuclear number (immunohistochemistry) than wild-type male mice. Male transgenic mice with mutated MCK-3E promoter showed similar effects on muscle mass. However, female transgenic mice with either type of MCK promoter did not differ from wild-type controls in either body weight or skeletal muscle mass. In conclusion, increased expression of myostatin in skeletal muscle is associated with lower muscle mass and decreased fiber size and myonuclear number, decreased cardiac muscle mass, and increased fat mass in male mice, consistent with its role as an inhibitor of skeletal muscle mass. The mechanism of gender specificity remains to be clarified.

Localisation of mRNA for interleukin-1 receptor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the rat ovary

1997 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
L-J Wang ◽  
M Brännström ◽  
K-H Cui ◽  
A P Simula ◽  
R P Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Type I ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Primordial Follicles

Abstract Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a multifunctional cytokine with profound effects on ovarian function. The effects of IL-1 on ovarian steroidogenesis have been demonstrated in several species. IL-1 mRNA levels are increased in the thecal layer of the ovulating follicle and IL-1β has been shown to induce ovulations in vitro. In this study we have investigated the presence and distribution of the mRNAs for type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1RtI) and for the naturally occurring IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in ovaries of adult cycling rats, to elucidate the target cells for IL-1 action. We have demonstrated the presence of mRNA for both substances by in situ hybridisation and reverse transcription PCR. mRNA for IL-1RtI was not found in primordial follicles but was abundant in the granulosa and thecal layer in developing follicles with stronger signals in the granulosa layer. In the preovulatory and ovulatory follicles, there was a further increase in the signal for IL-1RtI mRNA in the thecal layer compared with the granulosa layer. Corpora lutea were weakly positive at all stages and atretic follicles were largely negative. No mRNA was detected in oocytes of any stage. mRNA for IL-1ra showed a similar distribution to that of IL-1RtI. The changes in distribution suggest an action of IL-1 on rat granulosa cells during follicular development and on thecal cells during ovulation. Journal of Endocrinology (1997) 152, 11–17

Beta-MHC and SMLC1 transgene induction in overloaded skeletal muscle of transgenic mice

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (4) ◽  
pp. C1111-C1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Wiedenman ◽  
I. Rivera-Rivera ◽  
D. Vyas ◽  
G. Tsika ◽  
L. Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Troponin C ◽  
Type I ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Specific Expression ◽  
Slow Type ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Fast Twitch Muscle ◽  
Mechanical Overload

The hypertrophic responses of white fast-twitch muscle to mechanical overload has been investigated using transgenic mice. After 7 wk of overload, endogenous beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) and slow myosin light chain 1 and 2 (SMLC1, SMLC2) protein were increased in the overloaded plantaris (OP) muscle compared with sham-operated control plantaris (CP)muscle. Concurrently, the levels of endogenous beta-MHC, SMLC1, SMLC2, and cardiac/slow troponin C (CTnC) mRNA transcripts were significantly increased in OP muscles, whereas skeletal troponin C (sTnC) mRNA transcript levels decreased. As an initial attempt to locate DNA sequence(s) that governs beta-MHC induction in response to mechanical overload, multiple independent transgenic lines harboring four different human beta-MHC transgenes (beta 1286, beta 988, beta 450, beta 141) were generated. Except for transgene beta 141, muscle-specific expression and induction (3- to 22-fold) in OP muscles were observed by measuring chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity (CAT assay). Induction of a SMLC1 transgene (3920SMLC1) in OP muscles was also observed. Collectively, these in vivo data provide evidence that 1) a mechanical overload inducible element(s) is located between nucleotides -450 and +120 of the human beta-MHC transgene, 2) 3,900 bp of 5' sequence is sufficient to confer mechanical overload induction of a SMLC1 transgene, and 3) the increased expression of slow/type I isomyosin (beta-MHC, SMLC1, SMLC2) in response to mechanical overload is regulated, in part, transcriptionally.

Effect of Heme Oxygenase-1 Overexpression in Two Models of Lung Inflammation

2003 ◽  
Vol 228 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zampetaki ◽  
T. Minamino ◽  
S.A. Mitsialis ◽  
S. Kourembanas
Keyword(s):  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Heme Oxygenase ◽  
Lung Inflammation ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mice

An increasing number of studies implicate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the regulation of inflammation. Although the mechanisms involved in this cytoprotection are largely unknown, HO-1 and its enzymatic products, carbon monoxide and bilirubin, downregulate the inflammatory response by either attenuating the expression of adhesion molecules and thus inhibiting leukocyte recruitment or by repressing the induction of cytokines and chemokines. In the present study we used genetically engineered mice that express high levels of a human cDNA HO-1 transgene in lung epithelium to assess the effect of HO-1 on lung inflammation. Two separate models of inflammation were studied: hypoxic exposure and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. We found that both mRNA and protein levels of specific cytokines and chemokines were significantly elevated in response to hypoxia in the lungs of wild-type mice after 2 and 5 days of exposure but significantly suppressed in the hypoxic lungs of transgenic mice, suggesting that inhibition of these cytokines was caused by overexpression of HO-1. However, LPS treatment resulted in a very pronounced increase in mRNA levels of several cytokines in both wild-type and transgenic mice. Despite the high mRNA levels, significantly lower cytokine protein levels were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage of HO-1 overexpressing mice compared with wild type, indicating that HO-1 leads to repression of cytokines in the airway. These results demonstrate that HO-1 activity operates through distinct molecular mechanisms to confer cytoprotection in the hypoxic and the LPS models of inflammation.

scholarly journals Synergistic benefit in inflammatory arthritis by targeting IκB kinase ϵ and interferon β

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Corr ◽  
D L Boyle ◽  
L Ronacher ◽  
N Flores ◽  
G S Firestein
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Poly I:C ◽  
Type I ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Polycytidylic Acid ◽  
Iκb Kinase ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Clinical Arthritis

Objectives:The IκB kinase (IKK)-related kinase IKKϵ regulates type I interferon expression and responses as well as proinflammatory mediator production. We examined the role of IKKϵ in arthritis and its ability to enhance the therapeutic response to systemic interferon (IFN) β therapy in passive murine K/BxN arthritis.Methods:IKKϵ–/–, IFNα∼βR–/– and wild type mice were given K/BxN serum and treated with polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), IFNβ, or normal saline. Clinical response and histological scores were assessed. Gene expression in the paws was measured by quantitative PCR. Serum interleukin 1a receptor agonist (IL1Ra) and IL10 were measured by ELISA and multiplex bead array.Results:Arthritis was almost completely blocked in wild type mice if arthritogenic K/BxN serum and the Toll-like receptor (TLR)3 ligand, poly(I:C), were coadministered at the onset of the model, but not in established disease. Mice deficient in IFNα∼βR had an accelerated course of arthritis, and did not respond to poly(I:C). IKKϵ null mice had a modest decrease in clinical arthritis compared with heterozygous mice. Low doses of IFNβ that were ineffective in wild type mice significantly decreased clinical arthritis in IKKϵ null mice. Articular chemokine gene expression was reduced in the IKKϵ–/– mice with arthritis and secreted IL1Ra (sIL1Ra) mRNA was significantly increased. Serum levels of IL1Ra were increased in low dose IFNβ-treated IKKϵ–/– mice.Conclusions:Subtherapeutic doses of IFNβ enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of IKKϵ deficiency, possibly by increasing production of IL1Ra and unmasking the antichemokine effects. Combination therapy with low dose IFNβ and an IKKϵ inhibitor might improve efficacy of either agent alone and offers a novel approach to RA.

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