• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.9
• /
• pp.4039-4044
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of immunochemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells. Materials and Methods: In order to detect whether 5-FU+IL-2 could effectively inhibit tumor growth in vivo, we established an A549-bearing nude mouse model. The cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells was evaluated using a standard chromium release assay. To evaluate the relevance of NK cells in 5-FU+IL-2-mediated tumor inhibitory effects, we depleted NK cells in A549-bearing mice by injecting anti-asialo-GM-1 antibodies. Effects of 5-FU+IL-2 on the expression and promoter activity of NKG2D ligands (MICA/MICB) in A549 cells in vitro were also assessed. Results: In A549-bearing nude mice, combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in comparison with monotherapy with 5-FU or IL-2 and enhanced the recognition and lysis of tumor cells by NK cells. Further study of mechanisms showed that NK cells played a vital role in the anticancer immune response of 5-FU+IL-2 immunochemotherapy. In addition, the combination therapy synergistically stimulated the expression and promoter activity of MICA/MICB. Conclusions: 5-FU and IL-2 immunochemotherapy significantly inhibited tumor growth and activated NK cytotoxicity in vivo, and these effects were partly impaired after depleting NK cells in tumor-bearing mice. Combination treatment of 5-FU and IL-2 upregulated the expression and the promoter activity of MICA/MICB in A549 cells, which enhanced the recognition of A549 cells by NK cells. All of the data indicated that immunochemotherapy of 5-FU and IL-2 may provide a new treatment option for patients with lung cancer.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.213-217
• /
• 2013

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) is a human gut commensal bacteria that causes inflammatory diarrhea and colitis. ETBF also promotes colorectal tumorigenesis in the Min mouse model. The key virulence factor is a secreted metalloprotease called B. fragilis toxin (BFT). BFT induces E-cadherin cleavage, cell rounding, activation of the ${\beta}$-catenin pathway and secretion of IL-8 in colonic epithelial cells. However, the precise mechanism by which these processes occur and how these processes are interrelated is still unclear. E-cadherin form homophilic interactions which tethers adjacent cells. Loss of E-cadherin results in detachment of adjacent cells. Prior studies have suggested that BFT induces IL-8 expression by inducing E-cadherin cleavage; cells that do not express E-cadherin do not secrete IL-8 in response to BFT. In the current study, we found that HT29/C1cells treated with dilute trypsin solution induced E-cadherin degradation and IL-8 secretion, consistent with the hypothesis that E-cadherin cleavage causes IL-8 secretion. However, physical damage to the cell monolayer did not induce IL-8 secretion. We also show that EDTA-mediated disruption of E-cadherin interactions without E-cadherin degradation was sufficient to induce IL-8 secretion. Finally, we determined that HT29/C1 cells treated with LiCl (${\beta}$-catenin activator) induced IL-8 secretion in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Taken together, our results suggest that BFT induced IL-8 secretion may occur by the following process: E-cadherin cleavage, disruption of cellular interactions, activation of the ${\beta}$-catenin pathway and IL-8 expression. However, we further propose that E-cadherin cleavage per se may not be required for BFT induced IL-8 secretion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1687-1696
• /
• 2015

Supplementation with probiotics can protect against the development of food allergies by modulating the host immune response; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the allergy-reducing effects of regulatory dendritic cells (regDCs) induced by Lactobacillus paracasei L9 (L9) in β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice. The L9 supplement suppressed the aberrant balance of Th1/Th2 responses to BLG in mice, via upregulation of the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell responses. The amount of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in mesenteric lymph nodes increased by 51.85%. Furthermore, administration of L9 significantly induced the expression of CD103 and reduced the maturation status of DCs in mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and spleen. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) were activated by L9 in vitro, with an approximate 1.31-fold and 19.57-fold increase in expression of CD103 in CD11c+DCs and the level of IL-10 production, respectively, while the expression of CD86 did not change significantly. These data demonstrate that L9 reduced the BLG allergic sensitization, likely through regDCs mediated active suppression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.634-640
• /
• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is mainly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently, it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in vivo and in vitro. AD was induced by treatment with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. A subset of mice was then treated with rifampicin by oral administration. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in the rifampicin-treated group. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also ameliorated in mice treated with rifampicin. We next examined whether rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cultures stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment with rifampicin also inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was reduced in the cells treated with rifampicin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.169-174
• /
• 1988

The role of passive cell-mediated transfer of immunity against primary amoebic meningoen- cephalitis(PAME) in mice was studied. Waegleria fowleri, ITMAP 359, were cultured in CGVS medium. The ICR mice used were six week-old males of average weight of 15 g. Immunization was done by three intraperitoneal injections of $1{\times}10^6$ N. fowleri trophozoites at the interval of one week. Splenocytes were obtained from normal and immune mice spleens, and Ix107 cells were administered intraperitoneally into mice 3 days before challenge infection. Mice were infected intranasally with $7{\times}10^4$ N. fowleri trophozoites in a $3{\;}{\mu}l$ suspension under secobarbiturate anesthesia. Transplants of normal or immune splenocytes seem to alter the pattern of the PAME level- opment. The splenocytcs transferred from immune mice reduced the mortality rate in the JV. fowleri infected mice, as compared with the mice transferred with the same number of normal splenocytes or without splenocyte, The blastogenic response of the splenocytes to both lipopoly- saccharide and concanavalin A was elevated on duty 7 after infection the mice transinoculated with immune splenocytes. The serum antibody titers in the mice transferred with immune spleno- cytes were increased gradually from day 7 up to day 20 after infections by mean of ELISA. It is suggested that the transfer of splenocytes from immuniged mice conferred immunity against N. fowleri infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.62 no.1
• /
• pp.30-41
• /
• 2024

The dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii, inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (IST) is an inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) transcriptional activity that binds to STAT1 and regulates the expression of inflammatory molecules in host cells. A sterile inflammatory liver injury in pathological acute liver failures occurs when excessive innate immune function, such as the massive release of IFN-γ and TNF-α, is activated without infection. In relation to inflammatory liver injury, we hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (TgIST) can inhibit the inflammatory response induced by activating the STAT1/IRF-1 mechanism in liver inflammation. This study used IFN-γ and TNF-α as inflammatory inducers at the cellular level of murine hepatocytes (Hepa-1c1c7) to determine whether TgIST inhibits the STAT1/IRF-1 axis. In stable cells transfected with TgIST, STAT1 expression decreased with a decrease in interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 levels. Furthermore, STAT1 inhibition of TgIST resulted in lower levels of NF-κB and COX2, as well as significantly lower levels of class II transactivator (CIITA), iNOS, and chemokines (CLXCL9/10/11). TgIST also significantly reduced the expression of hepatocyte proapoptotic markers (Caspase3/8/9, P53, and BAX), which are linked to sterile inflammatory liver injury. TgIST also reduced the expression of adhesion (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) and infiltration markers of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) induced by hepatocyte and tissue damage. TgIST restored the cell apoptosis induced by IFN-γ/TNF-α stimulation. These results suggest that TgIST can inhibit STAT1-mediated inflammatory and apoptotic responses in hepatocytes stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.45 no.12
• /
• pp.896-910
• /
• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible and potentially fatal virus. So far, most comprehensive analyses encompassing clinical and transcriptional manifestation have concentrated on the lungs. Here, we confirmed evident signs of viral infection in the lungs and spleen of SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice, which replicate the phenotype and infection symptoms in hospitalized humans. Seven days post viral detection in organs, infected mice showed decreased vital signs, leading to death. Bronchopneumonia due to infiltration of leukocytes in the lungs and reduction in the spleen lymphocyte region were observed. Transcriptome profiling implicated the meticulous regulation of distress and recovery from cytokine-mediated immunity by distinct immune cell types in a time-dependent manner. In lungs, the chemokine-driven response to viral invasion was highly elevated at 2 days post infection (dpi). In late infection, diseased lungs, post the innate immune process, showed recovery signs. The spleen established an even more immediate line of defense than the lungs, and the cytokine expression profile dropped at 7 dpi. At 5 dpi, spleen samples diverged into two distinct groups with different transcriptome profile and pathophysiology. Inhibition of consecutive host cell viral entry and massive immunoglobulin production and proteolysis inhibition seemed that one group endeavored to survive, while the other group struggled with developmental regeneration against consistent viral intrusion through the replication cycle. Our results may contribute to improved understanding of the longitudinal response to viral infection and development of potential therapeutics for hospitalized patients affected by SARS-CoV-2.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.723-731
• /
• 2008

Immunomodulatory feed additives might offer alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of dietary galacto-mannan-oligosaccharide (GMOS) and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on the immune response in early-weaned piglets. Forty 15-day-old piglets (Duroc$\times$Landrace$\times$Yorkshire) with an average live body weight of $5.6{\pm}0.51kg$ were weaned and randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups that were fed maize-soybean meal diets containing either basal, 110 mg/kg of lincomycin, 250 mg/kg of COS or 0.2% GMOS, respectively, over a 2-week period. Another six piglets of the same age were sacrificed on the same day at the beginning of the study for sampling, in order to obtain baseline values. Interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes, jejunal mucosa and lymph nodes, as well as serum levels of IL-1${\beta}$ IL-2 and IL-6, IgA, IgG, and IgM, were evaluated for 5 pigs from each group at 15 and 28 days of age. The results indicate that weaning stress resulted in decreases in serum antibody and cytokine levels. Dietary supplementation with GMOS or COS enhanced (p<0.05) IL-1${\beta}$gene expression in jejunal mucosa and lymph nodes, as well as serum levels of IL-1${\beta}$ IL-2, IL-6, IgA, IgG and IgM compared to supplementation with lincomycin. These findings suggest that GMOS or COS may enhance the cell-mediated immune response in early-weaned piglets by modulating the production of cytokines and antibodies, which shows that GMOS or COS have different effects than the antibiotic on animal growth and health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.174-179
• /
• 1999

The effect of a chronic inflammation (cell-mediated immune response) on energy metabolism and growth performance was assessed in weanling piglets. Twenty four barrows of 4 wk of age were assigned to one of two immunization treatments : Control group [CON: immunized with Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (lFA)] or Immunization group [IMMU: immunized with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)]. On d0, piglets were weaned and subcutaneously immunized at the medial side of the femur with 2 ml of IFA or CFA, respectively. Energy and nitrogen balances were measured per group during 13-d balance period, and total $(HP_{tot})$, activity-related ($(HP_{act})$) and non-activity-related $(HP_{cor})$ heat production were determined every 9-min by indirect calorimetry. Ig total titers to Mycobacterium butyricum, which is present in CFA, were higher (p<0.01) in IMMU than in CON on d13 (2.5 vs 1.8) and d20 (2.9 vs 1.8) after immunization. There were no differences (p>0.10) between treatments in rectal temperature, performance, feed intake, and availability and partitioning of energy during the balance period. Average daily feed intake was numerically higher in IMMU than in CON (0.34 vs 0.32 kg/d), but there was no difference (p>0.10) in metabolizability of the dietary energy between treatments. $HP_{act}/HP_{tot}$ was 16.24 and 16.89%, and retained energy was 251 and 268 $268\;kJ{\cdot}kg^{0.75}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ for CON and IMMU, respectively. Numerically, maintenance requirement of IMMU was even lower than that of CON $(419\;vs\;427\;kJ{\cdot}kg^{0.75}{\cdot}d^{-1})$. The present study suggests that a chronic inflammation has no effect on energy metabolism and growth performance, in spite of the difference in systemic antibody responses. The reason was considered to be due to locally induced immune response, resulting from the possible encapsulation at the site of injection, and/or to a low systemic immune stress which is within a functionally acceptable physiological range for the piglets.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.64-74
• /
• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary multi-strain probiotic (MSP) (Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 + Bacillus subtillis UBBS14 + Saccharomyces boulardii Unique 28) on performance, gut morphology and expression of nutrient transporter related genes in broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 256 (4×8×8) day-old CARIBRO Vishal commercial broiler chicks of uniform body weight were randomly distributed into four treatments with 8 replicates each and having eight chicks in each replicate. Four dietary treatments were T₁ (negative control-basal diet), T₂ (positive control-antibiotic bacitracin methylene disalicylate at 20 mg/kg diet), T₃ (MSP at 10⁷ colony-forming unit [CFU]/g feed), and T₄ (MSP at 10⁸ CFU/g feed). Results: During 3 to 6 weeks and 0 to 6 weeks, the body weight gain increased significantly (p<0.05) in T₃ and T₄ groups. The feed intake significantly (p<0.05) reduced from T₁ to T₃ during 0 to 3 weeks and the feed conversion ratio also significantly (p<0.05) improved in T₃ and T₄ during 0 to 6 weeks. The humoral and cell mediated immune response and the weight of immune organs were also significantly (p<0.05) improved in T₃ and T₄. However, significant (p<0.05) dietary effects were observed on intestinal histo-morphometry of ileum in T₃ followed by T₄ and T₂. At 14 d post hatch, the relative gene expression of glucose transporter (GLUT5), sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT₁) and peptide transporter (PepT₁) showed a significant (p<0.05) up-regulating pattern in T₂, T₃, and T₄. Whereas, at 21 d post hatch, the gene expression of SGLT₁ and PepT₁ was significantly (p<0.05) downregulated in MSP supplemented treatments T₃ and T₄. Conclusion: The supplementation of MSP at 10⁷ CFU/g diet showed significant effects with improved performance, immune response, gut morphology and expression of nutrient transporter genes. Thus, the MSP could be a suitable alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in chicken diets.