scholarly journals Feline Infectious Peritonitis as a Systemic Inflammatory Disease: Contribution of Liver and Heart to the Pathogenesis

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra J Malbon ◽  
Sonja Fonfara ◽  
Marina L Meli ◽  
Shelley Hahn ◽  
Herman Egberink ◽  
...  

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal immune-mediated disease of cats, induced by feline coronavirus (FCoV). A combination of as yet poorly understood host and viral factors combine to cause a minority of FCoV-infected cats to develop FIP. Clinicopathological features include fever, vasculitis, and serositis, with or without effusions; all of which indicate a pro-inflammatory state with cytokine release. As a result, primary immune organs, as well as circulating leukocytes, have thus far been of most interest in previous studies to determine the likely sources of these cytokines. Results have suggested that these tissues alone may not be sufficient to induce the observed inflammation. The current study therefore focussed on the liver and heart, organs with a demonstrated ability to produce cytokines and therefore with huge potential to exacerbate inflammatory processes. The IL-12:IL-10 ratio, a marker of the immune system’s inflammatory balance, was skewed towards the pro-inflammatory IL-12 in the liver of cats with FIP. Both organs were found to upregulate mRNA expression of the inflammatory triad of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in FIP. This amplifying step may be one of the missing links in the pathogenesis of this enigmatic disease.

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Takano ◽  
Kumi Satoh ◽  
Tomoyoshi Doki ◽  
Taishi Tanabe ◽  
Tsutomu Hohdatsu

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease with a high morbidity and mortality by the FIP virus (FIPV, virulent feline coronavirus). Several antiviral drugs for FIP have been identified, but many of these are expensive and not available in veterinary medicine. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug approved by several countries to treat malaria and immune-mediated diseases in humans, and its antiviral effects on other viral infections (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, dengue virus) have been confirmed. We investigated whether HCQ in association with interferon-ω (IFN-ω) is effective for FIPV in vitro. A total of 100 μM of HCQ significantly inhibited the replication of types I and II FIPV. Interestingly, the combination of 100 μM of HCQ and 104 U/mL of recombinant feline IFN-ω (rfIFN-ω, veterinary registered drug) increased its antiviral activity against type I FIPV infection. Our study suggested that HCQ and rfIFN-ω are applicable for treatment of FIP. Further clinical studies are needed to verify the combination of HCQ and rIFN-ω will be effective and safe treatment for cats with FIP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 3318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madonna ◽  
Girolomoni ◽  
Dinarello ◽  
Albanesi

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that involves mainly T helper (Th)17, Th1 and Th22 lymphocytes, which cause hyper-proliferation of the epidermis with aberrant differentiation of keratinocytes, and local production of chemokines and cytokines. These fuel a self-amplifying loop where these products act on T cells to perpetuate cutaneous inflammatory processes. Among the various inflammatory mediators involved, interleukin (IL)-36 cytokines are important for the recruitment and activation of neutrophils and Th17 cells in psoriatic skin. In particular, IL-36s induce chemokines and cytokines interfere with differentiation/cornification programs in the epidermis, as well as promote pathological angiogenesis and endothelial cell activation. IL-36 cytokines belong to the IL-1 family, and comprise IL-36α, IL-36β, and IL-36γ agonists as well as IL-36 receptor antagonist and IL-38 antagonists. IL-36 cytokines are up-regulated in psoriatic epidermis, and their expression is strongly induced by TNF-α and IL-17. Contrarily, IL-38 antagonist is downregulated, and its impaired expression may be relevant to the dysregulated inflammatory processes induced by IL-36. Here, we discuss on the pathogenic mechanisms leading to the altered balance of IL-36 agonists/antagonists and the significance of this dysregulation in psoriasis. Collection of the information will provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies based on IL-36 agonist/antagonist manipulation in psoriasis.


Author(s):  
Andrea Pilotto ◽  
Stefano Masciocchi ◽  
Irene Volonghi ◽  
Valeria De Giuli ◽  
Francesca Caprioli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent findings indicated that SARS-CoV-2 related neurological manifestations involve cytokine release syndrome along with endothelial activation, blood brain barrier dysfunction, and immune-mediated mechanisms. Very few studies have fully investigated the CSF correlates of SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis. Methods Patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and encephalitis (COV-Enc), encephalitis without SARS-CoV-2 infection (ENC) and healthy controls (HC) underwent an extended panel of CSF neuronal (NfL, T-tau), glial (GFAP, TREM2, YKL-40) and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, Il-8, TNF- α, CXCL-13 and β2-microglobulin). Results Thirteen COV-Enc, 21 ENC and 18 HC entered the study. In COV-Enc cases, CSF was negative for SARS-CoV-2 real-time PCR but exhibited increased IL-8 levels independently from presence of pleocytosis/hyperproteinorracchia. COV-Enc patients showed increased IL-6, TNF- α, and β2-microglobulin and glial markers (GFAP, sTREM-2, YKL-40) levels similar to ENC but normal CXCL13 levels. Neuronal markers NfL and T-Tau were abnormal only in severe cases. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2-related encephalitis were associated with prominent glial activation and neuroinflammatory markers, whereas neuronal markers were increased in severe cases only. The pattern of CSF alterations suggested a cytokine-release syndrome as the main inflammatory mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 related encephalitis.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M H ElSayed ◽  
S E Ahmed ◽  
K Ali ◽  
N N ElKhazragy ◽  
M S Attia

Abstract Background Psoriasis is known as chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease affecting about 3% of the world’s population. Cytokine gene polymorphism attracted considerable interest as they have been found to alter gene transcription thereby influencing inflammatory processes in response to various diseases. Subjects A total of 50 psoraitic patients and 50 controls were genotyped for TNF–α −238G/A polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction. ECG and lipid profile were done to assess cardiovascular risk. Results Polymorphism of TNF–α −238 was not found to be associated with an increased risk for psoriasis (p value 0.98). There is significant difference between cases and controls as regard systolic and diastolic blood pressure . Conclusion Our findings suggest that there is no association between TNF alpha polymorphism and risk of psoriasis in Egyptian psoraitic patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (35) ◽  
pp. 4515-4521
Author(s):  
Francisco J. López-Iranzo ◽  
Ana M. López-Rodas ◽  
Luis Franco ◽  
Gerardo López-Rodas

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a potentially lethal, rapidly-expanding pandemic and many efforts are being carried out worldwide to understand and control the disease. COVID-19 patients may display a cytokine release syndrome, which causes severe lung inflammation, leading, in many instances, to death. Objective: This paper is intended to explore the possibilities of controlling the COVID-19-associated hyperinflammation by using licensed drugs with anti-inflammatory effects. Hypothesis: We have previously described that pentoxifylline alone, or in combination with oxypurinol, reduces the systemic inflammation caused by experimentally-induced pancreatitis in rats. Pentoxifylline is an inhibitor of TNF-α production and oxypurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase. TNF-α, in turn, activates other inflammatory genes such as Nos2, Icam or IL-6, which regulate migration and infiltration of neutrophils into the pulmonary interstitial tissue, causing injury to the lung parenchyma. In acute pancreatitis, the anti-inflammatory action of pentoxifylline seems to be mediated by the prevention of the rapid and presumably transient loss of PP2A activity. This may also occur in the hyperinflammatory -cytokine releasing phase- of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, it may be hypothesized that early treatment of COVID-19 patients with pentoxifylline, alone or in combination with oxypurinol, would prevent the potentially lethal acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Pentoxifylline and oxypurinol are licensed drugs used for diseases other than COVID-19 and, therefore, phase I clinical trials would not be necessary for the administration to SARS-CoV-2- infected people. It would be worth investigating their potential effects against the hyperinflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Author(s):  
Thea Magrone ◽  
Manrico Magrone ◽  
Matteo Antonio Russo ◽  
Emilio Jirillo

Background: Platelets are cellular fragments derived from bone-marrow megacaryocytes and they are mostly involved in haemostasis and coagulation. However, according to recent data, platelets are able to perform novel immune functions. In fact, they possess a receptorial armamentarium on their membrane for interacting with innate and adaptive immune cells. In addition, platelets also secrete granules which contain cytokines and chemokines for activating and recruiting even distant immune cells. Objectives: The participation of platelets in inflammatory processes will be discussed also in view of their dual role in terms of triggering or resolving inflammation. Involvement of platelets in disease will be illustrated, pointing to their versatile function to either up- or down-regulate pathological mechanisms. Finally, despite the availability of some anti-platelet agents, such as aspirin, dietary manipulation of platelet function is currently investigated. In this regard, special emphasis will be placed on dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and polyphenol effects on platelets. Conclusion: Platelets play a dual role in inflammatory-immune-mediated diseases either activating or deactivating immune cells. Diet based on substances, such as omega-3 PUFAs and polyphenols, may act as a modulator of platelet function, even if more clinical trials are needed to corroborate such a contention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511692094147
Author(s):  
Christopher Hoey ◽  
George Nye ◽  
Angela Fadda ◽  
Janet Bradshaw ◽  
Emi N Barker

Case summary A 7-month-old Siberian cat was presented for investigation of acute onset multifocal neurological deficits. Neurological examination documented dull mental status and an ambulatory left hemiparesis. Serum biochemistry documented marked hyperglobulinaemia. MRI of the brain identified marked leptomeningeal contrast enhancement extending along the brainstem caudally to involve the cranial cervical spinal cord. MRI of the cervical spine further identified a subarachnoid diverticulum that extended from the level of the obex to the C2–C3 vertebrae. Cerebrospinal fluid quantitative RT-PCR was positive for the presence of feline coronavirus. Histopathology revealed pyogranulomatous meningitis and choroid plexitis, uveitis and nephritis. Relevance and novel information This article describes the first reported case of a subarachnoid diverticulum associated with feline infectious peritonitis.


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