Status of Cytokine and Antigen Presentation Genes in Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

1998 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Istvan Arany ◽  
Stephen K. Tyring
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Neuroendocrine Differentiation ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cdc2 Kinase ◽  
Cell Mediated Immune Response ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Background: Merkel carcinoma (MCC) of the skin is an aggressive form of skin cancer, morphologically demonstrating both epithelial and neuroendocrine properties. However, little is known about its molecular characteristics. Objective: The aims of the study were to explore growth characteristics and immune responses of MCCs at the molecular level. Methods: A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was employed to study those parameters in biopsies of MCCs and their adjacent areas. Results: Analyzing mRNA levels of various epithelial genes (c- myc, cdc2 kinase, E2F, PCNA, p53, and RB, cytokeratins 5 and 10) we concluded that MCCs express markers of epithelial hyperproliferation together with markers of neuroendocrine differentiation (NSE). On the other hand, there is a lack of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) typical for a specific, T cell-mediated immune response in MCCs. However, several cytokines (e.g., IL-12) are produced that are required for the initial steps of that type of immune response. Conclusion: The epithelial hyperproliferation and impaired local immune responses might contribute to the aggressive behaviour of the tumour.

Molecular cloning, expression analysis and developmental changes in ovarian follicles of goose 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Hehe Liu ◽  
Mingjun Yang ◽  
Shengqiang Hu ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Human And Mouse ◽  
Main Factor

The enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase1 (3βHSD1) can catalyse the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone in the △4-3-ketosteroid metabolic pathway. The aim of the present study was to clone 3βHSD1 and to determine whether this enzyme in the follicular wall has an effect on yolk progesterone in geese (Anser cygnoides). A putative coding sequence of 3βHSD1, which was 1134 nucleotides in length, was successfully obtained by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with chicken, quail, zebra finch, cattle, horse, pig, human and mouse 3βHSD1 showed 89.7%, 88.4%, 87.3%, 55.6%, 54.0%, 53.5%, 55.3% and 52.9% similarity, respectively. The detection of 3βHSD1 mRNA levels in several tissues by quantitative real-time PCR showed that the highest level of 3βHSD1 was in the adrenal gland, followed by the ovary, which indicated that the gene we obtained was the adrenal gland/gonad-specific one. We measured the level of 3βHSD1 mRNA in the follicular wall and determined the concentration of progesterone in the yolk of these ovarian follicles; the concentration of progesterone in the yolk had a pattern of expression similar to that of 3βHSD1 in the follicular wall during follicular development. This result suggests that the expression of 3βHSD1 in the follicular wall may be a main factor that contributes to the accumulation of yolk progesterone.

scholarly journals The effect of Kefir on The Immune Response of Healthy Volunteers In Vitro

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Desie Dwi Wisudanti
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Cd8 T Cells ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Fermented Milk ◽  
Bioactive Components ◽  
Ifn Γ

Kefir is a functional foodstuff of probiotics, made from fermented milk with kefir grains containing various types of beneficial bacteria and yeast. There have been many studies on the effects of oral kefir on the immune system, but few studies have shown the effect of bioactive components from kefir (peptides and exopolysaccharides/ kefiran), on immune responses. The purpose of this study was to prove the effect of kefir supernatant from milk goat on healthy immune volunteer response in vitro. The study was conducted on 15 healthy volunteers, then isolated PBMC from whole blood, then divided into 5 groups (K-, P1, P2, P3 and P4) before culture was done for 4 days. The harvested cells from culture were examined for the percentage of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, IFN-γ, IL-4 using flowsitometry and IL-2 levels, IL-10 using the ELISA method. The results obtained that kefir do not affect the percentage of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. The higher the concentration of kefir given, the higher levels of secreted IFN- γ and IL-4, but a decrease in IL-2 levels. Significant enhancement occurred at levels of IL-10 culture PBMC given kefir with various concentrations (p <0.01), especially at concentrations of 1%. These results also show the important effects of kefir bioactive components on immune responses. The conclusion of this study is that kefir can improve the immune response, through stimulation of IL-10 secretion in vitro.

scholarly journals Innate, adaptive, and cell-autonomous immunity against Toxoplasma gondii infection

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miwa Sasai ◽  
Masahiro Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Acquired Immune Responses ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Antimicrobial Immunity

AbstractHosts have been fighting pathogens throughout the evolution of all infectious diseases. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common infectious agents in humans but causes only opportunistic infection in healthy individuals. Similar to antimicrobial immunity against other organisms, the immune response against T. gondii activates innate immunity and in turn induces acquired immune responses. After activation of acquired immunity, host immune cells robustly produce the proinflammatory cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which activates a set of IFN-γ-inducible proteins, including GTPases. IFN-inducible GTPases are essential for cell-autonomous immunity and are specialized for effective clearance and growth inhibition of T. gondii by accumulating in parasitophorous vacuole membranes. Recent studies suggest that the cell-autonomous immune response plays a protective role in host defense against not only T. gondii but also various intracellular bacteria. Moreover, the negative regulatory mechanisms of such strong immune responses are also important for host survival after infection. In this review, we will discuss in detail recent advances in the understanding of host defenses against T. gondii and the roles played by cell-autonomous immune responses.

scholarly journals Dose-dependent immune response in milk cells and mammary tissue after intramammary administration of lipopolysaccharide in dairy cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 231-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Werner-Misof ◽  
M.W. Pfaffl ◽  
R.M. Bruckmaier
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Mammary Tissue ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Lps Challenge ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Cox 2

The immune response in milk cells and the status of mammary tight junctions (TJ) in response to intramammary (IM) infusion of different doses of <i>Escherichia col</i>i lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was investigated. <i>Experiment I</i>: Seven German Braunvieh cows were IM infused into one quarter with 1 &mu;g (LPS-1) and 3 &mu;g (LPS-3) of LPS, respectively, and the contralateral control quarter with saline (9 g/l; C). Milk samples were taken immediately before and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 84 and 108 h after infusion and analysed for somatic cell counts (SCC), lactose, sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions, and electrical conductivity (EC). Milk cell mRNA expression of various inflammatory factors was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Blood samples were taken immediately after milking for the analysis of leukocytes (WBC), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), Na and Cl. Milk SCC, lactose, Na, Cl and EC did not differ significantly between LPS-1 and C quarters after the challenge. In LPS-3 quarters SCC levels increased within the first 12 h, reached peak levels between 12 and 36 h (<i>P</i> &le; 0.001) and decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) thereafter to reach baseline at 108 hours. Lactose in LPS-3 quarters decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) to a minimum at 24 h and increased slightly thereafter while EC, Na, and Cl increased transiently in response to LPS-3. WBC and PMN levels in both groups decreased numerically within 24 h after LPS administration. In LPS-1, WBC at 24, 48 and 108 h were significantly lower whereas in LPS-3 they were significantly higher than at time 0. TNF&alpha;-mRNA expression in both groups did not change in response to IM LPS-challenge. IL-1&beta;-mRNA expression at 12, 24 and 36 h in LPS-1 quarters increased significantly as compared to time 0. In LPS-3 quarters the mRNA expression values of all tested ILs increased significantly as compared to time 0 within 12 h after LPS-challenge. IL-1&beta;-mRNA expression decreased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) at 48 and 84 h in LPS quarters. IL-8 mRNA was significantly decreased at 84 h after challenge in LPS-3 quarters. COX-2-mRNA expression in LPS-1 quarters decreased significantly as compared to time 0 at 48, 84 and 108 h, with a minimum at 84 h (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05). In LPS-3 quarters COX-2-mRNA levels increased (<i>P</i> &le; 0.05) within 48 h after the LPS-challenge. <i>Experiment II</i>: Six cows (5 German Braunvieh, 1 Brown Swiss) were injected in one quarter with 100 &mu;g LPS and in the contralateral quarter with saline (9 g/l; C). Mammary biopsy samples of both quarters were taken immediately before and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after infusion and mRNA expression of TJ proteins occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens (ZO-) 1, 2 and 3 were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. OCLN-mRNA expression did not change in response to the IM infusion while that of ZO-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3 decreased significantly within six hours. In conclusion, a dose of 1 &mu;g LPS did not initiate a immune response in the mammary gland. Furthermore the dose of 100 &mu;g of LPS enhanced TJ permeability by reducing TJ plaque proteins density.

scholarly journals CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Act as Adjuvants that Switch on T Helper 1 (Th1) Immunity

1997 ◽  
Vol 186 (10) ◽  
pp. 1623-1631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose S. Chu ◽  
Oleg S. Targoni ◽  
Arthur M. Krieg ◽  
Paul V. Lehmann ◽  
Clifford V. Harding
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cpg Odn ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Helper 1 ◽  
Cpg Oligodeoxynucleotides ◽  
Cytokine Pattern ◽  
Incomplete Freund’S Adjuvant ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Hen Egg

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) that contain unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) induce macrophages to secrete IL-12, which induces interferon (IFN)-γ secretion by natural killer (NK) cells. Since these cytokines can induce T helper 1 (Th1) differentiation, we examined the effects of coadministered CpG ODN on the differentiation of Th responses to hen egg lysozyme (HEL). In both BALB/c (Th2-biased) and B10.D2 (Th1-biased) mice, immunization with HEL in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) resulted in Th2-dominated immune responses characterized by HEL-specific secretion of IL-5 but not IFN-γ. In contrast, immunization with IFA-HEL plus CpG ODN switched the immune response to a Th1-dominated cytokine pattern, with high levels of HEL-specific IFN-γ secretion and decreased HEL-specific IL-5 production. IFA-HEL plus CpG ODN also induced anti-HEL IgG2a (a Th1-associated isotype), which was not induced by IFA-HEL alone. Control non–CpG ODN did not induce IFN-γ or IgG2a, excepting lesser increases in B10.D2 (Th1-biased) mice. Thus, CpG ODN provide a signal to switch on Th1-dominated responses to coadministered antigen and are potential adjuvants for human vaccines to elicit protective Th1 immunity.

Distribution and regulation of guanylyl cyclase type B in the rat nephron

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (2) ◽  
pp. F311-F318 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Dean ◽  
V. M. Vehaskari ◽  
D. Ritter ◽  
J. E. Greenwald
Keyword(s):  
Guanylyl Cyclase ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Hydration Status ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Type B ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Data Link ◽  
Renal Inner Medulla ◽  
Polymerase Chain

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been localized to the proximal and distal nephron. In this study, we examined the distribution and regulation of the CNP receptor, guanylyl cyclase type B (GC-B), in the rat kidney. GC-B mRNA was detected most frequently in microdissected glomeruli, thin and thick limbs of the loop of Henle, and outer and inner medullary collecting ducts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This pattern of expression is supported by immunofluorescent staining, using anti-GC-B-specific antiserum. Nearly equivalent levels of GC-B and guanylyl cyclase type A (GC-A) mRNAs were found by quantitative RT-PCR (5,662 +/- 1,622 and 5,187 +/- 1,204 molecules of cDNA/microgram total RNA, respectively; means +/- SE, n = 6). Renal inner medulla GC-B mRNA levels, but not renal CNP mRNA levels, were 3.2-fold greater in hypervolemic and 2.3-fold less in hypovolemic rats compared with euvolemic controls. Immunohistochemical staining also supports a greater GC-B expression with increased volume status. These data link hydration status and GC-B expression and suggest an additional and novel mechanism for regulating intravascular volume.

The rôle of cortisol and β-endorphin in the response of the immune system to weaning in lambs

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
H. W. Reid ◽  
S. R. McMillen ◽  
G. Palmarini
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Stress Hormone ◽  
Keyhole Limpet Haemocyanin ◽  
Weaning Stress ◽  
Cell Mediated Immune Response ◽  
Acth Treatment ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe relationship between weaning stress-induced changes in stress hormone profiles and immune function was investigated in groups of 10 lambs immunized against adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH; treatment A) or fi-endorphin (treatment B) to reduce the circulating concentrations of cortisol and fi-endorphin respectively. Control animals (treatment C) were immunized against a porcine thyroglobulin carrier protein. Application of weaning stress was associated with significantly elevated plasma cortisol concentrations but no significant increase in fi-endorphin concentrations in C lambs. Immunization against ACTH suppressed the post-weaning increase in cortisol concentration. This was associated with a transient reduction in the lymphocyte stimulation response to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) antigen in the A animals but there was no effect on the antibody response or interferon-y production by antigen stimulated lymphocytes. There were no significant effects of immunization against fi-endorphin on the capacity to mount antibody or cell-mediated immune responses. It is concluded that weaning stress-induced increases in cortisol did not inhibit the immune response. Since cortisol concentrations and the cell mediated immune response at 8 days after immunization were positively associated it is concluded that these indices are not independent measures of stress.

scholarly journals Molecular and Immunological Significance of Chimpanzee Major Histocompatibility Complex Haplotypes for Hepatitis C Virus Immune Response and Vaccination Studies

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 6093-6103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eishiro Mizukoshi ◽  
Michelina Nascimbeni ◽  
Joshua B. Blaustein ◽  
Kathleen Mihalik ◽  
Charles M. Rice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cellular Immune Responses ◽  
Functional Homology ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Cellular Immune

ABSTRACT The chimpanzee is a critical animal model for studying cellular immune responses to infectious pathogens such as hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, and malaria. Several candidate vaccines and immunotherapies for these infections aim at the induction or enhancement of cellular immune responses against viral epitopes presented by common human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles. To identify and characterize chimpanzee MHC class I molecules that are functionally related to human alleles, we sequenced 18 different Pan troglodytes (Patr) alleles of 14 chimpanzees, 2 of them previously unknown and 3 with only partially reported sequences. Comparative analysis of Patr binding pockets and binding assays with biotinylated peptides demonstrated a molecular homology between the binding grooves of individual Patr alleles and the common human alleles HLA-A1, -A2, -A3, and -B7. Using cytotoxic T cells isolated from the blood of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected chimpanzees, we then mapped the Patr restriction of these HCV peptides and demonstrated functional homology between the Patr-HLA orthologues in cytotoxicity and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assays. Based on these results, 21 HCV epitopes were selected to characterize the chimpanzees' cellular immune response to HCV. In each case, IFN-γ-producing T cells were detectable in the blood after but not prior to HCV infection and were specifically targeted against those HCV peptides predicted by Patr-HLA homology. This study demonstrates a close functional homology between individual Patr and HLA alleles and shows that HCV infection generates HCV peptides that are recognized by both chimpanzees and humans with Patr and HLA orthologues. These results are relevant for the design and evaluation of vaccines in chimpanzees that can now be selected according to the most frequent human MHC haplotypes.

Transcription Factor BACH2 Inhibits AP1 Proteins JunB and FosL1 in Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) CD4+ T-Cells.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1743-1743
Author(s):  
Mathew L. Lesniewski ◽  
Laura R. Fanning ◽  
Margeret Kozik ◽  
Richard P. Weitzel ◽  
Yeal Hegerfeldt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cd4 T Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Sirna Knockdown

Abstract Introduction: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD4+ T-cells have been shown to express significant levels of BACH2 transcription factor protein compared to adult blood (AB) CD4+ T-cells. Previously, NFAT1 siRNA knockdown of UCB T-cells exhibited a significantly higher BACH2 mRNA expression, and IFN-γ, TNF-α. and CTLA-4 mRNA levels were significantly suppressed. BACH2, a member of the b-Zip family, has been shown to act as a heterodimer with the bZip protein MafK, as a transcriptional inhibitor via recruitment of a histone deacetylase class II complex (HDAC II) in differentiating B-cells, and neurons. Due to observed inverse expression of BACH2 and NFAT1 in UCB CD4+ T-cells, we hypothesized that BACH2 may regulate transcription factors known to bind with NFAT1 including AP-1 proteins JunB and FosL1. We tested this by siRNA knockdown of BACH2 in primary UCB-derived CD4+ T-cells. Key developmental transcription factors JUNB, FosL1, NFAT1 and downstream IFN-γ, and TNF-α were mRNA analyzed. Methods: UCB T-cells were purified using autoMACs system (Miltenyi). After overnight culture, T-cells were transfected with BACH2 siRNA (Dharmacon) using Amaxa Nucleofector system (Amaxa Inc). Both siRNA treated and control cells were incubated in media for 18 hours, and then stimulated using anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies (BD BioScience). Aliquots of cells were collected at specified time points post-stimulation for protein and total RNA isolation. The relative change in mRNA levels for BACH2, JUNB, FosL1, IFN-γ, NFAT1, and TNF-α were determined by Lightcycler SybrGreen real time RT-PCR system (Roche). siRNA knockdown of BACH2 protein in transfected UCB T-cells was confirmed by western blot. Results: Real-time RT-PCR of BACH2 siRNA treated UCB CD4+ T-cells stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies and analyzed after 6 hrs of stimulation showed a 4 log increase in FosL1 and NFAT1 mRNA, a 3 log increase in JunB mRNA, a 5 log increase in IFN-γ as compared to stimulated control UCB T-cells. TNF-α mRNA was decreased by 5 logs in BACH2 siRNA treated UCB T-cells as compared to control. CD3/CD28 stimulated untransfected UCB T-cells were previously shown to have decrease expression of NFAT1, JunB, FosL1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, and in UCB T-cells compared to stimulated AB T-cells. Conclusions: BACH2 expression correlates with an inhibition of expression of AP1 transcription regulatory proteins in UCB T-cells during primary CD3/CD28 stimulation. The complete activation of the T-cell requires the activation of AP1 by CD28 pathway otherwise the antigen presenting cell signals the T-cell to enter anergy. In UCB CD4+ T-cells express BACH2, which acts as a transcriptional inhibitor of two critical AP1 genes, JUNB and FosL1, which mediate the CD28 co-stimulatory pathway. These results further suggests that expression of BACH2 in UCB T-cells may contribute to lower incidence of alloreactivity observed in leukemia patients receiving UCB stem cells compared to AB bone marrow stem cells and thus leads to low GVHD, and contribute to the weak Th1 response seen in stimulated UCB T-cells by reduced amounts of AP1 protein available for activating the T-cell.

Interferon β-1b effects on cytokine mRNA in peripheral mononuclear cells in multiple sclerosis

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 262-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
PV Byskosh ◽  
AT Reder
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cytokine Mrna ◽  
Serum Triglycerides ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Peripheral Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Polymerase Chain

IFN-β reduces the number and severity of exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS), presumably by modifying immune regulation. We used semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to measure mRNA levels for cytokines before and after IFN β-1b therapy. mRNA was extracted from mononuclear cells of nine healthy controls and 31 patients with MS. Before therapy, IL-10 and leukemia inhibitory factor (UF) mRNA levels were elevated in stable MS compared to active MS. Twenty four hours after IFN β-1b treatment, mRNA levels for IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α and UF had not changed. At 1 week, TNF-α mRNA increased and IL-10 and UF mRNA rose in 75% of patients. IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, IL-13 and IFN-γ did not change. At 3 months, cytokine mRNA returned to baseline levels. mRNA for the IFN-induced antiviral enzyme, 2, 5-OAS, rose by 24 h, peaked at 1 week, and remained elevated thereafter. Serum triglycerides and liver enzymes rose after therapy. Increased SGPT at 3 months correlated with TNF-α mRNA levels, suggesting that cytokines may cause some side effects of IFN β-1b. Baseline cytokine mRNA levels reflect disease activity, but the therapeutic effect of IFN β-1b does not appear to be explained by changes in cytokine mRNA levels.

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