scholarly journals Dysbiotic Gut Microbiota and Dysregulation of Cytokine Profile in Children and Teens With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xia Cao ◽  
Kevin Liu ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Yen-Wenn Liu ◽  
Li Xu ◽  
...  

Inflammation and the gut-brain axis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). To further understand the relationship between aberrant immune responses and dysbiotic features of the gut microbiome in ASD, we enrolled 45 ASD individuals and 41 healthy control subjects with ages ranging from 2 to 19 years. We found that ASD group subjects have significantly higher plasma levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, TNF-β, and IFN-γ when compared to healthy controls (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). The plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 are found to be further associated with several largely pathogenic gut microbiota uniquely detected in subjects with ASD. Furthermore, the ASD gut microbiome is characterized by reduced levels of several beneficial microbiota, including Bacteroides (FDR-adjusted p < 0.01) and Lachnospiraceae (FDR-adjusted p < 0.001). Analysis of Lachnospiraceae family and genus level taxa suggested that relative abundances of such taxa are negatively correlated with pro-inflammatory signaling cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6, particularly in subjects with severe ASD as defined by CARS (p < 0.05). Several largely pathogenic genera are determined to be associated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 (FDR-adjusted p < 0.1). Additionally, IL-4 is significantly negatively correlated with CARS total score (p < 0.05). Based on such results, we propose that the association between the disturbances of specific cytokines and alterations in gut microbiota abundance observed in children and adolescents with ASD provides additional evidence on the induction of aberrant pro-inflammatory mechanisms in ASD and its early diagnosis.

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 229-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Abram ◽  
Darinka Vučković ◽  
Branka Wraber ◽  
Miljenko Doric

Background:Exposure to microorganisms elicts the production of cytokines. These soluble factors enhance several innate immune functions and regulate the ensuing specific immune response aimed at limiting the spread of infection.Aim:This study was undertaken to quantify the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines during the course of primaryListeria monocytogenesandCampylobacter jejuniinfection. Using anin vivoinfection the relationship between endogenous cytokines and the bacterial number in the liver of infected animals was examined.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were infected by the intraperitoneal route. At different time points we determined the number of colony-forming units of bacteria in the liver of infected animals and paralled these with the plasma levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) measured by enzyme immunoassays.Results:L. monocytogenes infection lasted 10–11 days. IFN-γ production occurred in the early phase but was more pronounced after day 4, following the appearance of specific immunity. The duration of experimental campylobacteriosis was 15 days. Early IFN-γ production was not significant but a progressive rise of this cytokine in plasma was seen during the second week post infection. Mice produced measurable amounts of plasma TNF-α immediately after being given viableL. monocytogenes, peaking on day 2–3 when the greatest number of bacteria was present in the examined organs. DuringC. jejuniinfection plasma TNF-α was produced in a similar manner, but the highest concentrations were found a few days later than in listeriosis, in correlation with the different course of campylobacteriosis. The quantity of IL-6 increased and decreased in concordance with clearance ofL. monocytogenesand the clinical status of the animals.C. jejunidid not promote the induction of this cytokine. This is to some extent an unusual finding. With respect to the role of IL-6 in Th2 responses and antibody production, the appearance of this cytokine in campylobacteriosis was more expected.Discussion:During systemic bacterial infection, a network of pro-inflammatory cytokines is activated and blood levels of these cytokines are elevated, albeit inconsistently, with large individual variations and depending on microbial characteristics and structure.


Endocrine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Coperchini ◽  
Gianluca Ricci ◽  
Laura Croce ◽  
Marco Denegri ◽  
Rubina Ruggiero ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE-2) was demonstrated to be the receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. ACE-2 mRNA was identified in several human tissues and recently also in thyroid cells in vitro. Purpose Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the ACE-2 mRNA levels in human thyroid cells in primary cultures. Methods Primary thyroid cell cultures were treated with IFN-γ and TNF-α alone or in combination for 24 h. ACE-2 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. As a control, the levels of IFN-γ inducible chemokine (CXCL10) were measured in the respective cell culture supernatants. Results The mean levels of ACE-2 mRNA increased after treatment with IFN-γ and TNF-α in all the thyroid cell preparations, while the combination treatment did not consistently synergically increase ACE-2-mRNA. At difference, CXCL10 was consistently increased by IFN-γ and synergically further increased by the combination treatment with IFN-γ + TNF-α, with respect to IFN-γ alone. Conclusions The results of the present study show that IFN-γ and, to a lesser extent TNF-α consistently increase ACE-2 mRNA levels in NHT primary cultures. More interestingly, the combined stimulation (proven to be effective according to the synergic effect registered for CXCL10) produces different responses in terms of ACE-2 mRNA modulation. These results would suggest that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines could facilitate the entering of the virus in cells by further increasing ACE-2 expression and/or account for the different degree of severity of SARS-COV-2 infection. This hypothesis deserves to be confirmed by further specific studies.


Author(s):  
Н.А. Воронина ◽  
В.Г. Кучеряну ◽  
Л.А. Ветрилэ ◽  
В.В. Голоборщева ◽  
И.Г. Капица ◽  
...  

Целью данных исследований явилось изучение влияния гимантана (N-(2-адамантил)-гексаметиленимина гидрохлорида) на уровень провоспалительных цитокинов IL-1β, IL-6, интерферона-γ (ИФН-γ) и фактора некроза опухоли-α (ФНО-α) в нигрокаудатном комплексе мышей на ранней и поздней клинической фазе экспериментального паркинсонического синдрома (ПС), для выяснения его антипаркинсонического эффекта. Методы исследования: Раннюю и позднюю клиническую фазу ПС создавали у мышей линии C57BL/6J внутрибрюшинным введением пронейротоксина 1-метил-4-фенил-1,2,3,6-тетрагидропиридина (МФТП) в дозах 12 мг/кг или 20 мг/кг по 4 инъекции с интервалом 2 часа, соответственно. Гимантан вводили мышам внутрибрюшинным в дозе 20 мг/кг, предварительно каждый раз за 30 мин до введения МФТП. Содержание цитокинов в структурах мозга мышей определяли методом иммуноферментного анализа с использованием тест-систем производства «Cloud-Clone Corporation», США и считывающего устройства «ИФА-reader» прибора «ImmunoChem-2100», США. Результаты: Показано, что уровень IL-1β, IL-6, ИФН-γ и ФНО-α в нигрокаудатном комплексе мозга мышей возрастает как на ранней, так и на поздней фазах развития ПС. Предварительное применение гимантана снижало в нигрокаудатном комплексе мышей содержание цитокинов IL-1β, ИФН-γ и ФНО-α на ранней фазе, и только одного из 4 изученных (IL-6) - на поздней фазе развития ПС. Предполагается, что антипаркинсонический эффект гимантана на ранней клинической стадии МФТП-индуцированного ПС осуществляется, в том числе, за счёт снижения уровня провоспалительных цитокинов в нигростриатной системе, предупреждая снижение жизнеспособности дофаминергических нейронов. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Hemantane (N-(2-adamantyl)-hexamethyleneimine hydrochloride) on the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the nigrocaudate complex of mice in early and late clinical phases of experimental Parkinsonian syndrome (PS) to elucidate its antiparkinsonian effect. Material and methods: The early and late clinical phases of PS were created in C57BL / 6J mice by 4 intraperitoneal injections at 2-h intervals of a proneurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), at a dose of 12 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg. Hemantane was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg 30 min before each MPTP administration. Concentrations of cytokines in mouse brain structures were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Cloud-Clone Corporation (USA) test systems and an ImmunoChem-2100 (USA) ELISA reader. Results: Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in the nigrocaudate complex were increased both in the early and late phases of PS. Prior administration of hemantane reduced the content of IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in the nigrocaudate complex at the early phase and the content of only one of the 4 studied cytokines (IL-6) at the late phase of PS. It was assumed that the antiparkinsonian effect of hemantane at the early clinical stage of MPTP-induced PS involves a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines in the nigrostriatal system, which prevents the impairment of the viability of dopaminergic neurons.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1546
Author(s):  
Sungbae Park ◽  
Sangmin Lee ◽  
Youngho Weon ◽  
Taewook Kim ◽  
Hakwon Kim ◽  
...  

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, are caused by the accumulation of immune cells and the overproduction of chemokines, including CCL17 and CCL22, due to the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted from keratinocytes. In the present study, the inhibitory activity of HM-V on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines was examined in human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNCB)-induced chronic skin contact dermatitis animal models. Traditional Asian medicinal herb extracts mixture (HM-V), which have been extensively used in Asian medicine, were utilized. In TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced HaCaTs, HM-V strongly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of CCL17 and CCL22 in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was also inhibited. Therefore, localized administration of HM-V in the DNCB-induced animal model alleviated immune cell deposition and skin inflammation. The results indicate that HM-V exerts inhibitory effects on keratinocyte production of CCL17 and CCL22. Furthermore, HM-V may be a useful anti-inflammatory agent for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.


Author(s):  
Curzytek K. ◽  
Maes M. ◽  
Kubera M.

AbstractAllergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a T cell-mediated type of skin inflammation resulting from contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to antigens. There is strong comorbidity between ACD and major depression. Keratinocytes release immunomodulatory mediators including pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which modulate skin inflammation and are crucial cell type for the development of CHS. Our previous studies showed that fluoxetine and desipramine were effective in suppressing CHS in different mouse strains. However, the immune and molecular mechanisms underlying this effect remain to be explored. The aim of the current study was to determine the immune and molecular mechanisms of action of antidepressant drugs engaged in the inhibition of CHS response in the stimulated keratinocyte HaCaT cell line. The results show that LPS, TNF-α/IFN-γ, and DNFB stimulate HaCaT cells to produce large amounts of pro-inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-6, CCL2, and CXCL8. HaCaT stimulation was associated with increased expression of ICAM-1, a cell adhesion molecule, and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Imipramine, desipramine, and fluoxetine suppress the production of IL-1β, CCL2, as well as the expression of ICAM-1. LPS and TNF-α/IFN-γ activate p-38 kinase, but antidepressants do not regulate this pathway. LPS decreases E-cadherin protein expression and fluoxetine normalizes these effects. In summary, the antidepressant drugs examined in this study attenuate the stimulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and modulate adhesion molecule expression by the HaCaT cell line. Therefore, antidepressants may have some clinical efficacy in patients with ACD and patients with comorbid depression and contact allergy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaemoo Chun ◽  
So Min Lee ◽  
You Mee Ahn ◽  
Min-Gyung Baek ◽  
Hana Yi ◽  
...  

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by complex immune dysregulation and closely related to the gut microbiome. The present study investigated the microbiome-mediated effect of Sihocheonggan-Tang (SHCGT) on AD-like symptoms induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in BALB/c mice. DNCB was applied regularly to the ear and dorsal skin of BALB/c mice, and SHCGT was administered orally daily for 2 weeks. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and the effect of gut microbiome-derived metabolites, specifically short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), was evaluated in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)- and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-treated HaCaT cells. SHCGT alleviated DNCB-induced symptoms of AD and the immune response to AD by decreasing the plasma immunoglobulin E level and splenic interleukin-4, interleukin-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels. The gut microbiome composition and the damaged gut epithelial barrier in mice with AD were also significantly altered by SHCGT, and the reduced SCFA levels therein were elevated. We found that SFCAs directly inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1 in TNF-α- and INF-γ-treated HaCaT cells. The finding that SHCGT regulates the gut microbiome and improves DNCB-induced AD in mice suggests that this herbal medicine has therapeutic potential in patients with AD.


Author(s):  
N. Osakue ◽  
C. C. Onyenekwe ◽  
F. A. Ehiaghe ◽  
J. E. Ahaneku ◽  
J. I. Ikechebelu ◽  
...  

Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) that is widely used globally in the treatment of infertility. Infertility can occur due to male factors, female factors or both. Aim: This is the first Nigerian study that sets out to observe the levels and relationship between circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and progesterone (PG) in Nigerian women undergoing in vitro fertilization pre and post treatment and their possible effect on pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: This observational study randomly selected sixty-two (62) infertile females below 45 year of age who enrolled in the IVF treatment at Lily Hospitals, Warri and Shepherd Specialist Hospital, Warri, Southern Nigeria. Only data of the thirteen (13) infertile females who became pregnant after the IVF treatment where followed up and presented in this study. Five (5) ml of whole blood were collected into plain tubes on day 3 of the menstrual cycle of all the participants from the ante-cubital vein before and after IVF procedure using standard laboratory collection technique. Ovarian stimulation was done using the long gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist protocol. Oocyte retrieval transfer was done using ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and embryo transfer was done using ultrasound-guided embryo transfer. IFN-γ, TNF-α and PG were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results and Conclusion: Significant increase in the levels of TNF-α and PG at the second trimester and third trimester of pregnancy when compared with the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.000). While the level of IFN-γ was significantly increased in the second trimester of pregnancy when compared with the first trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.000). It is evident from the study that both pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) act in synergy to maintain the level of progesterone which act as an anti-inflammatory agent to regulate the activities of the pro-inflammatory cytokines for successful oocytes implantation and maturation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danfeng Lu ◽  
Jian-Bo Zhang ◽  
Yue-Xin Wang ◽  
Shi-Tao Geng ◽  
Zunyue Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background CD4+ T cell counts in certain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients called immunological non-responders (INRs) could not return to a normal level even with sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART) because of persistent immune activation, which is associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines production and an altered intestinal microbiome profile. Changes in gut bacterial composition have been linked to low CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-infected individuals. However, the association between CD4+ T cell counts and gut microbiota community composition and cytokines levels in INRs (CD4+ T cell counts < 500 cells/μL) from Yunnan Province, China, has not been previously investigated. Methods To address this issue, we carried out a cross-sectional study of 34 HIV-infected INRs. The patients were divided into CD4 count > 200 cells/μL group and CD4 count < 200 cells/μL group. The gut microbiota composition of each subject was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We also compared CD8+ T cell counts, pro-inflammatory cytokines levels, and nutritional status between the two groups. Results Compared to INRs with CD4 count > 200 cells/μL, those with CD4 count < 200 cells/μL had a lower CD4/CD8 ratio, lower nutritional status and higher serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 and interleukin (IL)-1α. Ruminococcaceae was less abundant in the CD4 count < 200 cells/μL group than in the CD4 count > 200 cells/μL group, and difference in alpha diversity was observed between the two groups. Moreover, CD4+ T cell counts were negatively associated with TNF-α and IL-1α levels and positively associated with the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that lower CD4+ T cell counts in INRs are associated with a reduced abundance of Ruminococcaceae in the gut and elevated serum pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Thus, interventions targeting gut microbiota to increase CD4+ T cell counts are a potential strategy for promoting immune reconstitution in HIV-infected INRs.


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