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Background Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, can be transmitted to the offspring of infected women, which constitutes an epidemiologically significant parasite transmission route in nonendemic areas. It is relevant to evaluate differentially expressed factors in T. cruzi-infected pregnant women as potential markers of Chagas congenital transmission. Methods Circulating levels of 12 cytokines and chemokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or cytometric bead array in T. cruzi-infected and uninfected pregnant women in their second trimester of pregnancy and control groups of T. cruzi-infected and uninfected nonpregnant women. Results Trypanosoma cruzi-infected women showed a proinflammatory Th1-biased profile, with increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-12p70, IL-15, and monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG). Uninfected pregnant women presented a biased response towards Th2/Th17/Treg profiles, with increased plasma levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17A, and IL-10. Finally, we identified that high parasitemia together with low levels of TNF-α, IL-15, and IL-17, low TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, and high IL-12p70 levels are factors associated with an increased probability of Chagas congenital transmission. Conclusions Trypanosoma cruzi-infected pregnant women who did not transmit the infection to their babies exhibited a distinct proinflammatory cytokine profile that might serve as a potential predictive marker of congenital transmission.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most prevalent cutaneous parasitic protozoan infections in Iraq; characterized by a chronic infection and granulomatous disease that invades the skin. Type 1 immune was predominates in CL patients with exacerbated production of pro-inflammatory cytokine, therefore this study aimed to evaluate serum level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and monokine induce by interferon gamma (MIG/CXCl9) as a useful markers of disease development in patients during different stage of infection (6 months.. late). The result showed that there was an early effort to eliminate the parasite proliferation which illustrated by a high significant increase of both IFN-γ and MIG during the early stage of infection, but this response was down-regulated during the chronic stage of infection, which observed by low levels of both studied cytokine and monokine, nevertheless this down-regulation was transient where the levels to increase returns during the late stage of infection. The evaluation of IFN-γ and MIG considered as a biological markers of disease activity in each stage of infection.

PROBLEM: We investigated if the PROGINS mutation increases the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: PROGINS was analysed through KASP assay; HEV serologies assessed via ELISA and multiplex cytokine assays were evaluated in plasma with the ProcartaPlex human immunoassay. RESULTS: Seventy liver transplant recipients were evaluated, of which 23 (33%) were HEV IgG-positive (HEV+). The frequency of PROGINS in the HEV+ group was 34%, compared to 14% in those that were HEV IgG negative (HEV−). Cytokine measurements in a sub-set of samples from HEV+/PROGINS+ individuals showed decreased plasma levels of MIG (monokine induced by gamma interferon), APRIL (A proliferation-inducing ligand) and SCF (stem cell factor), as well as increased levels of eotaxin-3 and interleukin-31 compared to those HEV−/PROGINS− samples. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an association between the PROGINS mutation and seropositivity for HEV in liver transplant recipients with consequent distorted cytokine levels.

Objective Primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) is characterized by T and B cell infiltration of exocrine glands. The cysteine protease cathepsin S (CatS) is crucially involved in MHCII processing and T cell stimulation, and elevated levels have been found in patients with RA, psoriasis and pSS. However, little is known about the functional characteristics and mechanisms of SS-A- and SS-B-specific T cells in pSS patients. We herein investigated the inhibition of CatS activity in different biocompartments of pSS patients including antigen-specific T cell responses. Methods Ex vivo CatS activity was assessed in tears, plasma and saliva of 15 pSS patients and 13 healthy controls (HC) and in the presence or absence of the specific CatS inhibitor RO5459072. In addition, antigen (SS-A (60kD), SS-B, influenza H3N2, tetanus toxoid and SEB)-specific T cell responses were examined using ex vivo IFN-γ/IL-17 Dual ELISPOT and Bromdesoxyuridin (BrdU) proliferation assays in the presence or absence of RO5459072. Supernatants were analysed for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-21, IL-22 and IL-23, using conventional ELISA. Results CatS activity was significantly elevated in tear fluid, but not other biocompartments, was inversely associated with exocrinic function in pSS patients and could significantly be suppressed by RO5459072. Moreover, CatS inhibition by RO5459072 led to strong and dose-dependent suppression of SS-A/SS-B-specific T cell effector functions and cytokine secretion by CD14+ monocytes. However, RO5459072 was incapable of suppressing SS-A/SS-B-induced secretion of cytokines in CD14+ monocytes when T cells were absent, confirming a CatS/MHCII-mediated mechanism of suppression. Conclusion CatS activity in tear fluid seems to be a relevant biomarker for pSS disease activity. Conversely, CatS inhibition diminishes T cell and associated monokine responses towards relevant autoantigens in pSS. Thus, CatS inhibition may represent a promising novel treatment strategy in pSS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-019-1955-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objectives: Evidence points towards an important relationship between the antidepressant effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the modulation of the immune system. To further elucidate this interplay, we performed a study on the effects of the antidepressant treatment by ECT on 25 cytokines in patients with depression.Methods: We measured 25 different cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1RA, Il-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p40/p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), monokine induced by IFN-γ, Eotaxin, Rantes and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of 12 patients with a severe and treatment-resistant depressive episode before and after a course of ECT.Results: CSF levels of IP-10, IL-5 and IL-8 were elevated after ECT and more ECT sessions were associated with the differences of CSF levels before and after ECT of IFN-γ, IL-2RA, Rantes, IL-6 and IL-1β. Responders and/or remitters had a decrease of CSF levels of IL-17, MIP-1α, Rantes and IL-2R during ECT. CSF IP-10 levels increased less during ECT in patients who had a remission.Conclusions: Although the sample size was small, we found different effects of the ECT treatment per se and of the antidepressant action induced by ECT in CSF and blood.

Backgrounds: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is an oldest-known and most formidable disease. The standard microbiology culture is time-wasting. Monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) has been reported as a new biomarker to auxiliarily detect PTB. In our study, we used meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic value of MIG for PTB. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for relative records up to April 2, 2020. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, area under the curve, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve were estimated. Results: Eight studies including 1487 participants were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of MIG for detecting PTB were 84%, 84%, 5.19, and 0.19, respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve were 27.88 and 0.90, respectively, indicating a good diagnostic ability of MIG. Meta-regression analysis showed that human immunodeficiency virus status might be a source of heterogeneity (P = .02). Conclusions: Our results showed that MIG had a good diagnostic value for PTB.

In a pilot study, we showed that the intermittent administration of benznidazole in chronic Chagas disease patients resulted in a low rate of treatment suspension and therapeutic failure, as assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at the end of treatment. Here, a 3-year posttreatment follow-up study of the same cohort of patients is presented. The treatment scheme consisted of 12 doses of benznidazole at 5 mg/kg of body weight/day in two daily doses every 5 days. Parasite load, Trypanosoma cruzi-specific antibodies, and serum chemokine levels were measured prior to treatment and after a median follow-up of 36 months posttreatment by DNA minicircle kinetoplastid and nuclear DNA satellite sequence qPCR methods, conventional serological techniques, a Luminex-based assay with recombinant T. cruzi proteins, and a cytometric bead array. At the end of follow-up, 14 of 17 (82%) patients had negative qPCR findings, whereas three of 17 (18%) had detectable nonquantifiable findings by at least one of the qPCR techniques. A decline in parasite-specific antibodies at 12 months posttreatment was confirmed by conventional serological tests and the Luminex assays. Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels increased after treatment, whereas monokine induced by gamma interferon levels decreased. New posttreatment electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in only one patient who had cardiomyopathy prior to treatment. Together, these data strengthen our previous findings by showing that the intermittent administration of benznidazole results in a low rate of treatment suspension, with treatment efficacy comparable to that of a daily dose of 5 mg/kg for 60 days. Fil: Alvarez, María Gabriela. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; Argentina Fil: Ramirez Gomez, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina Fil: Bertocchi, Graciela Luciana. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; Argentina Fil: Fernandez, Marisa Liliana. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina Fil: Hernandez Vasquez, Yolanda Maria. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina Fil: Lococo, Bruno Edgardo. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; Argentina Fil: Lopez Albizu, Maria Constanza. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina Fil: Schijman, Alejandro Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina Fil: Checura, Cintia Carolina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina Fil: Abril, Marcelo. Fundación Mundo Sano; Argentina Fil: Laucella, Susana Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; Argentina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina Fil: Tarleton, Rick L.. University of Georgia; Estados Unidos Fil: Natale, Maria Ailen. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Castro Eiro, Melisa Daiana. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; Argentina. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina Fil: Viotti, Rodolfo Jorge. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos "Eva Perón"; Argentina

Despite numerous advances in medical treatment, sepsis remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Sepsis is characterized by the involvement of all organs and tissues as a consequence of blood poisoning, resulting in organ failure and eventually death. Effective treatment remains an unmet need and novel approaches are urgently needed. The growing evidence of clinical and biological heterogeneity of sepsis suggests precision medicine as a possible key for achieving therapeutic breakthroughs. In this scenario, biomimetic nanomedicine represents a promising avenue for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including sepsis. We investigated the role of macrophage-derived biomimetic nanoparticles, namely leukosomes, in a lipopolysaccharide-induced murine model of sepsis. We observed that treatment with leukosomes was associated with significantly prolonged survival. In vitro studies elucidated the potential mechanism of action of these biomimetic vesicles. The direct treatment of endothelial cells (ECs) with leukosomes did not alter the gene expression profile of EC-associated cell adhesion molecules. In contrast, the interaction of leukosomes with macrophages induced a decrease of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-1b, and TNF-α), an increase of anti-inflammatory ones (IL-10 and TGF-β), and indirectly an anti-inflammatory response on ECs. Taken together, these results showed the ability of leukosomes to regulate the inflammatory response in target cells, acting as a bioactive nanotherapeutic.

Exposure to ionizing radiation is a crucial life-threatening factor in nuclear and radiological incidents. It is known that ionizing radiation affects cytokine/chemokine concentrations in the blood of B6D2F1 mice. It is not clear whether radiation dose rates would vary the physiological response. Therefore, in this study we utilized data from two experiments using B6D2F1 female mice exposed to six different dose rates ranging from low to high rates. In one experiment, mice received a total dose of 8 Gy (LD(0/30)) of (60)Co gamma radiation at four dose rates: 0.04, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.47 Gy/min. Blood samples from mice were collected at 24 and 48 h postirradiation for cytokine/chemokine measurements, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, keratinocyte cytokine (KC), IL-12p70, IL-15, IL-17A, IL-18, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage (GM)-CSF, macrophage (M)-CSF, monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-basic, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor basic (PDGF-bb). At 24 h after ionizing irradiation at dose rate of 0.04 Gy/min, significant increases were observed only in G-CSF and M-CSF (P < 0.05). At 0.15 Gy/min, IL-10, IL-17A, G-CSF and GM-CSF concentrations were increased. At 0.3 Gy/min, IL-15, IL-18, G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-2, MIG, FGF-basic, VEGF and PDGF-bb were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). At 0.47 Gy/min, IL-6, KC, IL-10, MCP-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF and M-CSF were significantly increased. At 48 h postirradiation, all cytokines/chemokines except MCP-1 returned to or were below their baselines, suggesting these increases are transient at LD(0/30) irradiation. Of note, there is a limitation on day 2 because cytokines/chemokines are either at or below their baselines. Other parameters such as fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 ligand (Flt-3 ligand) concentrations and lymphocyte counts, which have proven to be unaffected by radiation dose rates, can be used instead for assessing the radiation dose. However, in a separate radiation dose and time-course experiment, increases in IL-18 and G-CSF depended on the radiation doses but showed no significant differences between 0.58 and 1.94 Gy/min (P.> 0.05) at 3 and 6 Gy but not 12 Gy. G-CSF continued to increase up to day 7, whereas IL-18 increased on day 4 and remained above baseline level on day 7. Therefore, time after irradiation at different doses should be taken into consideration. To our knowledge, these results are the first to suggest that ionizing radiation, even at a very low-dose-rate (0.04 Gy/min), induces circulating G-CSF increases but not others for selected time points; radiation-induced increases in IL-18 at radiation dose rates between 0.15 and 1.94 Gy/min are also not in a radiation dose-rate-dependent manner. C-CSF, lymphocyte counts and circulating Flt-3 ligand should be explored further as possible biomarkers of radiation exposure at early time points. IL-18 is also worthy of further study as a potential biomarker at later time points.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells play important roles in the progression of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, the contribution of monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG)/CXCL9 to the Treg/Th17 imbalance in MAFLD is only partially understood. In the present study, we detected increased levels of MIG/CXCL9 and a Treg/Th17 imbalance in the setting of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated gene transfer and silencing of MIG/CXCL9 expression in mice alleviated MASH and increased the Treg/Th17 ratio. Furthermore, the percentage of Th17 cells, but not Treg cells, differentiated from splenic CD4+ T cells was significantly increased by administration of MIG/CXCL9. MIG/CXCL9 also promoted Th17 cell proliferation, and its effects were dose dependent. Levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) decreased dramatically when MIG/CXCL9 was inhibited in a murine MASH model. In cultured Treg cells, phosphorylated JNK levels decreased dose-dependently in response to MIG/CXCL9 inhibition, but increased in cultured Th17 cells. This effect was blocked in the presence of a JNK inhibitor. These findings underline the fundamental importance of MIG/CXCL9 in maintaining the Treg/Th17 balance in MAFLD and provide the foundations for a novel approach to preventing and treating MAFLD.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a combination extract of Gardeniae Fructus and Perillae Folium (GP) on inflammatory reactions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 cells. Multiplex cytokine assay, Fluo-4 calcium assay, Flow cytometry assay for phospho-P38 MAPK, and quantitative PCR were carried out. GP significantly reduced LPS-induced productions of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) and release of intracellular calcium in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. GP also significantly inhibited P38 MAPK phosphorylation and mRNA levels of Chop, Camk2a, Stat1, Stat3, Jak2, Fas, Nos2, and Ptgs2 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Taken together, this study represents that GP exerts anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells via ER stress-induced CHOP pathway.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) essential oil (LEO), which has citral as its main component, has exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in both animal and human cells. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a commercially available LEO in pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblasts. We first studied the impact of LEO on 17 protein biomarkers that are critically associated with inflammation and tissue remodeling. LEO significantly inhibited production of the inflammatory biomarkers vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC), and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG); decreased levels of the tissue remodeling biomarkers collagen-I and III, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1); and inhibited the immunomodulatory biomarker macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Furthermore, we studied the impact of LEO on genome-wide gene expression profiles. LEO significantly modulated global gene expression and robustly impacted signaling pathways, many of which are critical for inflammation and tissue remodeling processes. This study provides the first evidence of the anti-inflammatory activity of LEO in human skin cells and indicates that it is a good therapeutic candidate for treating inflammatory conditions of the skin.

Studying the cytokine profiles in animal models or patients with sepsis provides an experimental basis for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we used a liquid protein chip (LiquiChip), also known as flexible multi-analyte profiling technology, to perform quantitative analyses of several cytokines and chemokines (e.g., IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, keratinocyte chemoattractant, monocyte chemoattractant protein, monokine induced by gamma interferon, IFN-γ-inducible protein 10, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha). The levels of these cytokines and chemokines were determined both in the blood and in tissues, including the lung, liver, heart, kidney, spleen, brain, stomach, intestine and muscle, of mice challenged with LPS. Our data showed variable production levels of LPS-induced cytokines in different mouse organs, and the cytokine in the blood did not correlate with those in the organs. We also showed that the levels of most cytokines peaked within 1 to 6 h and decreased rapidly afterward. A variety of inflammatory cytokines might be related to the damage in different organs during septic shock. Our data also suggest that the spleen might be an important target organ in the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis.

Background: During periodontal inflammation, bacteria induces chemokine expression and migration of various inflammatory cells. The aim of the study was to learn if periodontal treatment alters salivary concentrations of macrophage activation-related chemokines and if such alterations correlate with abundance of periodontitis-associated bacteria. Methods: Twenty-five patients with periodontitis completed the study (NCT02913248 at clinicaltrials.gov). Periodontal parameters and stimulated saliva samples were obtained at baseline and 2, 6 and 12 weeks after non-surgical periodontal treatment. Salivary concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCP-1-4), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α) and interferon-inducible protein (IP-10) were quantified using the Luminex® xMAP™ technique and abundance of bacteria was quantified using next-generation sequencing. Results: The treatment improved all periodontal parameters and caused an increase in the concentrations of MCP-2, MDC and MIP-1α at week 12 compared to baseline, week 2 and week 6, respectively. Salivary concentrations of MCP-1-2, MDC, MIG, MIP-1α and IP-10 correlated with the abundance of specific periodontitis-associated bacteria. Conclusions: Periodontal treatment impacts salivary concentrations of MCP-2, MDC and MIP-1α, which correlate with the abundance of specific periodontitis-associated bacteria. This indicates that these chemokines reflect periodontal status and possess potential in illustrating a response to treatment.

Cordycepin, a natural derivative of adenosine, has been shown to exert pharmacological properties including anti-oxidation, antitumor, and immune regulation. It is reported that cordycepin is involved in the regulation of macrophage function. However, the effect of cordycepin on inflammatory cell infiltration in inflammation remains ambiguous. In this study, we investigated the potential role of cordycepin playing in macrophage function in CFA-induced inflammation mice model. In this model, we found that cordycepin prevented against macrophage infiltration in paw tissue and reduced interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in both serum and paw tissue. Using luciferase reporter assay, we found that cordycepin suppressed IFN-γ-induced activators of transcription-1 (STAT1) transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, western blotting data demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited IFN-γ-induced STAT1 activation through attenuating STAT1 phosphorylation. Further investigations revealed that cordycepin inhibited the expressions of IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFN-γ (Mig), which were the effector genes in IFN-γ-induced STAT1 signaling. Meanwhile, the excessive inflammatory cell infiltration in paw tissue was reduced by cordycepin. These findings demonstrate that cordycepin alleviates excessive inflammatory cell infiltration through down-regulation of macrophage IP-10 and Mig expressions via suppressing STAT1 phosphorylation. Thus, cordycepin may be a potential therapeutic approach to prevent and treat inflammation-associated diseases.

In this article, we studied the production of the chemokine CXCL9, also termed Mig (monokine induced by gamma interferon) by cultured SJL/J mouse astrocytes infected with the BeAn strain of Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). This picornavirus induces demyelination in the SJL/J genetically susceptible strain of mice through an immune process mediated by CD4+ Th1 T cells. Those cells were chemoattracted by chemokines inside the central nervous system (CNS) after blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. cRNAs from TMEV- and mock-infected astrocytes cells were hybridized to the Affymetrix murine genome U74v2 DNA microarray. Hybridization data analysis revealed the upregulation of six sequences potentially coding for Mig. We confirmed post infection Mig mRNA increase by quantitative (qPCR) and RT-PCR. The presence of Mig in the supernatants of infected astrocytes was quantified using a specific ELISA. Secreted Mig was biologically active, inducing chemoattraction of mouse activated CD4+ T lymphocytes. Conversely, attracting activity on CD3+ resting T cells that can be attributed to chemokines as CXCL12/SDF-1α could not be demonstrated in these supernatants. No overinduction of the gene coding for this chemokine was assessed by DNA hybridization either. Both recombinant IFN-γ and TNF-α inflammatory cytokines were also strong inducers of Mig in SJL/J astrocyte cultures.

To investigate the relationship between the expression of CC and CXC chemokines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 62 children with ASD (ASD group) and 60 gender- and age-matched normal children (control group) admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were included in the study. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monokine induced by interferon (IFN)-γ (MIG), and purified human interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10) were detected in the ASD group. The correlation between the above indexes and the severity of the ASD group was analyzed. Significantly increased MCP-1 levels (P .05). Children in the ASD group showed significantly decreased IP-10 levels (P .05). MCP-1 level was positively related to the Module 1 scores of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-second edition (ADOS-2), whereas the levels of Childhood Autism Rating Scale MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IL-8, IP-10, and MIG were negatively correlated with the ADOS-2 Module 1 scores (P .05). The levels of CC chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES) and CXC chemokines (IL-8, IP-10, and MIG) are positively correlated with the pathogenesis of ASD. Inflammation is an important contributing factor to ASD.

The tests for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are limited by a poor predictive value for identifying people at the highest risk for progressing to active tuberculosis (TB) and have various sensitivities and specificities in different populations. Identifying a more robust signature for LTBI is important for TB prevention and elimination. A pilot study was conducted with samples from immigrants to the United States that were screened for LTBI by the three commercially approved tests, namely, the tuberculin skin test (TST), the Quantiferon-TB Gold in-tube (QFT-GIT), and the T-SPOT.TB (T-SPOT). QFT-GIT supernatants from 13 people with concordant positive results and 26 people with concordant negative results were analyzed via the highly multiplexed SOMAscan proteomic assay. The proteins in the stimulated supernatants that distinguished LTBI from controls included interleukin-2 (IL-2), monocyte chemotactic protein 2 (MCP-2), interferon gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14, also known as LIGHT), monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG), and granzyme B ( P P

Chemokines are a group of low molecular weight peptides. Their major function is the recruitment of leukocytes to inflammation sites, but they also play a key role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. In the last few years, accumulated experimental evidence supports that monokine induced by interferon (IFN)‐gamma (CXCL9), a member of CXC chemokine family and known to attract CXCR3‐ (CXCR3‐A and CXCR3‐B) T lymphocytes, is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of physiologic diseases during their initiation and their maintenance. This review for the first time presents the most comprehensive summary for the role of CXCL9 in different types of tumors, and demonstrates its contradictory role of CXCL9 in tumor progression. Altogether, this is a useful resource for researchers investigating therapeutic opportunities for cancer.

Aims Monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG) is a chemokine that has been found to increase in the myocardium of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. It is not known whether MIG is regulated in patients with Chagas' disease (CD) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible diagnostic and/or prognostic value of MIG in these patients. Methods and results In this prospective cohort study, MIG was measured in patients with CD (n = 93) and DCM (n = 47) and in healthy control subjects (n = 24). MIG was found to be significantly increased in patients with CD and advanced heart failure (New York Heart Association III-IV). Although no significant increase in MIG levels was observed in patients with DCM, there was a significant correlation between MIG and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with DCM. In contrast, despite the significant increase in patients with CD and advanced heart failure, MIG had no significant correlation with any of the echocardiographic parameters in CD. MIG also failed to predict mortality and necessity for heart transplant in patients with CD but showed a clear trend for patients with DCM. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate MIG in patients with CD and DCM. The significant increase of MIG in patients with CD and advanced heart failure, the negative correlation between MIG and left ventricular ejection fraction, and the clear trend in discrimination using a cutoff value found in patients with DCM require further investigation to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic potential of MIG in these patients.

Immune suppression is a hallmark of multiple myeloma (MM), but data on soluble factors involved in the fate of immune effector cells are limited. The CXCR3-binding chemokine monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG/CXCL9) has been associated with tumor progression, immune escape, and angiogenesis in several malignancies. We here aimed to evaluate the prognostic relevance of MIG in MM. MIG serum levels were significantly elevated in newly diagnosed MM patients (n = 105) compared to patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS; n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 37). MIG expression in stromal compartments but not purified MM cells correlated with serum levels. High MIG serum levels were significantly associated with established prognostic markers (international staging system: R = 0.25, p = 0.001; age: R = 0.47, p 0.0001; lactate-dehydrogenase: R = 0.34, p = 0.0005) and poor overall survival (OS) (median OS 17.0 months vs. not reached, p 0.001). A similar association was found for CXCL10 and CXCL11. Multivariate regression analysis indicated MIG as an independent prognostic factor of OS.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of chronic disability in adults due to pain and altered joint function. Although most patients report pain and functional limitation, symptoms, age of onset and disease progression are extremely variable. While inflammation could play a central role in the OA pathogenesis and progression, many underpinning mechanisms are still unclear. A number of proinflammatory mediators have been found in OA joints and could play a role, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15, IL-17, IL-18, TNF-alpha, macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monokine induced by interferon (MIG), oncostatin M (OSM), growth-related oncogene (GRO)-alpha, chemokine (C-C-motif) ligand 19 (CCL19), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, and TGF-alpha. Biological approaches have recently got increasing interest due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, regenerative potential, and high tolerability. The primary aim of this paper is to report the current concepts on regenerative medicine for knee OA with a particular focus on Autologous Protein solution (APS). APS is a blood derived product obtained by using a proprietary device, made of APS Separator, which isolates WBCs and platelets in a small volume of plasma, and APS Concentrator, which further concentrates platelets, WBCs and plasma proteins. The result is a peculiar formulation differing from other biologic products as it contains high levels of growth factors (EGF, IGF-1, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-β1) along with high concentrations of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-1ra, sIL-1RII, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII) and low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il-1β and TNF-α). While emerging evidence supports the use of APS, as confirmed by in vitro studies and preliminary clinical results, the real clinical potential of APS and its benefits are still under investigation.

Purpose Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major cause of mortality in heart transplant patients. Gene expression data implicates that interferon gamma (IFN-γ) inducible pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of CAV. At this time, it is unclear whether cytokine signaling pathways in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are altered in patients with CAV. Methods Using a cross-sectional study design, 23 patients with CAV and 21 age- and sex-matched patients with non-CAV (controls) were recruited from the Stanford heart transplant clinic. There was no significant difference between the groups in HbA1c, creatinine, and post-transplant time course. We analyzed 6 lymphocyte subsets and monocytes for pSTAT-1, pSTAT-3, pSTAT-5 and Phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) signaling. PBMCs were stimulated with cytokines including IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-21, GM-CSF, MIG (monokine induced by IFN-γ), and IP-10 (IFN-inducible protein 10), then stained using 9-color flow cytometry. Results All transplant patients were on immunosuppressant treatment, either Sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or both. There was a greater pSTAT-5 signaling response in monocytes (p=0.002) stimulated with MIG and IP-10 for patients with CAV compared to the non-CAV patients. High dimensional data also highlights the monocyte activation network in allograft vasculopathy. Conclusion This exploratory study highlights the potential role of interferon-γ inducible pathways in monocytes in cardiac allograft vasculopathy. If further validated, this could prove a potential biomarker to monitor risk of CAV or response to immunosuppression therapy.

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and skin structure infection (SSSI), a primary portal of entry for invasive infection. Our prior studies discovered a role for protective innate memory against recurrent methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) SSSI. In the present study, the dynamics and mechanisms of this response were explored in recurrent SSSI in WT mice. Priming by prior infection reduced skin lesion severity and MRSA burden, and protected against dissemination at day 7 but not day 2. Cytokine and cellular signatures in SSSI differed at day 2 versus 7, and were distinct in skin versus blood or spleen. Cytokines associated with protection in skin included increased IL-17, IL-6, monokine inducible by IFN-γ (MIG), and RANTES, while increased IP-10 correlated with protection from dissemination. Cellular signatures of protection included increased Th17, M1 macrophage, and dendritic cell populations in abscesses, and total macrophages in lymph nodes. Priming potentiated S. aureus-specific phagocytic killing by bone marrow-derived macrophages in vitro, and their adoptive transfer into naive skin afforded protective efficacy in vivo. Present findings indicate that protective immunity in recurrent S. aureus infection is locally targeted, and involves specific memory conferred by macrophages. These insights provide targets for vaccine and immunotherapeutic development against MRSA.

Objectives To determine whether silicone hydrogel (SH) contact lens (CL) use, with or without meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), promotes ocular surface inflammation. Methods Subjects wearing SH-CL for at least 6 months who also had coexisting MGD (group 1, n=20), SH-CL users who did not have MGD (group 2, n=20), patients who had MGD but did not use CL (group 3, n=20), and healthy CL-naive individuals with no known systemic or ocular diseases (group 4, n=20) were included in this cross-sectional, single-center study. All subjects underwent tear function tests consisting of tear break-up time (tBUT), ocular surface staining, Schirmer test, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, as well as determination of tear IL-1RA, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IP-10, monokine induced by gamma interferon, RANTES, eotaxin, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MCP-1 levels using Luminex multicytokine immunobead assay. Intergroup comparisons were made using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results The tBUT was lower (P=0.048) and ocular surface staining (P=0.032) as well as OSDI scores (P=0.001) were higher in group 1 but not in groups 2 or 3 when compared with those in the control group. Tear cytokine levels were similar across all groups. None of the tear cytokine levels were elevated in CL wearers (groups 1 and 2) or those with MGD (groups 1 and 3) as compared to those in control subjects. Conclusion Silicone hydrogel contact lens use with concomitant MGD is not associated with cytokine-driven ocular surface inflammation but may impact tear function leading to dry eye symptoms.

Background Autoantibodies (auto Abs) and inflammatory mediators (IMs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). Previous studies indicated that anti-N-methyl d -aspartate receptor NR2 subunit (NR2) Abs have a pathogenic role in NPSLE by BBB abruption. Hirohata S, et al, Arthritis Res Ther , 2014 We also reported the association between NPSLE and CSF-anti-U1RNP Abs (Sato, et al, A and R , 2010). Objectives In the present study, synergistic effects of these auto Abs, their associated IMs, and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability are determined in NPSLE patients. Methods CSF samples were collected from 69 of NPSLE patients at their acute phase and 13 of non-NPSLE control after obtaining the written informed consent. CSF anti-NR2 and anti-U1RNP Abs were determined by ELISA. CSF IL-6, IL-8, and monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG) were measured by quantitative multiplex cytokine analysis. BBB permeability was evaluated by albumin quotient ( Q alb). Results 1) CSF IL-6 levels were higher in CSF anti-NR2 Ab +ve (70±178 pg/mL) than in -ve (11±32, p=0.02) patients and in controls (16±40, p=0.003) and positively correlated with anti-NR2 Ab titer ( r =0.42, p=0.003). Anti-U1RNP Ab positivity was not associated with CSF IL6 elevation. 2) CSF IL-8 levels were higher in CSF anti-U1RNP Ab +ve than in –ve (270±862 vs. 52±177 pg/mL, p=0.04) patients. Anti-NR2 Ab positivity was not involved in CSF IL8 elevation. 3) CSF MIG levels were more elevated in both CSF anti-NR2 +ve (4483±11845 pg/mL, p=0.04) and anti-U1RNP Ab +ve (5519±13504, p=0.03) patients than in controls (115±125). 4) All the patients were divided into 4 groups: CSF anti-NR2 +ve/anti-U1RNP+ve (double positive [DP], n=9), anti-NR2 +ve/anti-U1RNP -ve (aNR2, n=15), anti-NR2 -ve/anti-U1RNP+ve (aU1RNP, n=9), and anti-NR2 -ve/anti-U1RNP -ve (double negative [DN], n=36). In comparison between DP and aNR2 groups, anti-U1RNP Abs had a synergistic effect on CSF IL-6 elevation (150±260 vs. 18±44 pg/mL, p=0.03) that is not directly associated with anti-U1RNP Ab positivity. In comparison with aNR2 group, both CSF IL-8 (543±1198 vs. 43±102 pg/mL, p=0.04) and MIG (10104±17 748 vs. 1111±2584 pg/mL, p=0.03) levels, which were positively correlated with CSF anti-U1RNP Ab titer, were more elevated in DP group. 5) Q alb was positively correlated with CSF IL-8 ( r =0.51, p r =0.44, p=0.0003), suggesting that CSF anti-U1RNP Ab positivity is involved in the BBB abruption. Actually, Q alb (x10 3 ) tended to be higher in DP than in aNR2 group (13±9 vs. 9±8, p=0.06) and CSF anti-NR2 Ab titer appeared to be more elevated in DP than in aNR2 group (81±47 vs. 57±21, p=0.06). Conclusions The present study suggested that anti-NR2 and U1RNP Abs have synergistic effects on CSF IL-6 elevation in patients with NPSLE. CSF IL-6 level was associated with anti-NR2 Ab titers, which depend on BBB permeability. CSF anti-U1RNP Ab-mediated IL-8 and MIG elevation may induce BBB abruption followed by anti-NR2 Ab penetration into CSF. References [1] Sato T, Fujii T, et al. Arthritis Rheum2010;62:3730. [2] Yokoyama T, Fujii T, et al. Lupus2014;23:635. Acknowledgements The present study is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology. Disclosure of Interest None declared

SCOPE: To examine potentially immunomodulating effects of dietary benzoxazinoids (BXs), present in cereal grains.METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen healthy volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, who received diets with high or low content of BXs for three weeks. After a week's wash-out, the groups switched diets. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or tetanus toxoid (TT). PBMCs from a healthy donor received the same stimuli in presence of serum from each participant receiving BXs. The production of monokines, T-cell cytokines and T-helper cell proliferation were assessed. A three-week diet with high BX content enhanced IL-1β responses against LPS and P. gingivalis, as well as TNF-α response against P. gingivalis, after 24 hours of stimulation. Moreover, IL-6 was found to be increased after 7 days of stimulation with LPS. No effect was observed on T-cell cytokines or proliferation. BX levels in serum after a single meal did not modify cytokine responses.CONCLUSIONS: High dietary intake of BXs enhances bacteria-induced production of pro-inflammatory monokines by PBMCs, but not T-cell responses; presumably due to intrinsic changes within PBMCs, built up over three weeks of BX-rich diet, rather than to immediate effects of BXs contained in serum. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a potent inducer of interferon gamma (IFNγ), is a heterodimeric protein consisting of p40 and p35 subunits whose expression is regulated independently. IL-12 is part of a cytokine family (currently consisting of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35) that can have profoundly different immunologic effects, despite sharing subunits. In constructing a single-chain fusion of p40 and p35, we discovered an insert corresponding to an intron in the gene encoding the p35 subunit that would result in a truncated form of p35 if translated. To test its possible role, we constructed, expressed, and analyzed fusions of p40 with the full-length or the truncated form of p35. The fusion protein containing the truncated p35 did not stimulate the proliferation of the IL-12-responsive cell line CTLL-2 nor did it induce IFNγ or the chemokine IFNγ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10, CXCL10) or monokine induced by IFNγ (MIG, CXCL9) from spleen cells. In striking contrast, the full-length IL-12 p40/p35 fusion induced robust responses in both assays. Moreover, the truncated IL-12 fusion protein inhibited the action of the full-length IL-12 p40/p35 fusion in the proliferation assay and also blocked the induction of IFNγ. These findings raise the possibility that alternative splicing may provide an additional regulatory mechanism for IL-12.

CD4(+) T-helper (Th) cells reactive against myelin antigens mediate the mouse model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). It is currently debated whether encephalitogenic Th cells are heterogeneous or arise from a single lineage. In the current study, we challenge the dogma that stimulation with the monokine IL-23 is universally required for the acquisition of pathogenic properties by myelin-reactive T cells. We show that IL-12-modulated Th1 cells readily produce IFN-γ and GM-CSF in the CNS of mice and induce a severe form of EAE via an IL-23-independent pathway. Th1-mediated EAE is characterized by monocyte-rich CNS infiltrates, elicits a strong proinflammatory cytokine response in the CNS, and is partially CCR2 dependent. Conversely, IL-23-modulated, stable Th17 cells induce EAE with a relatively mild course via an IL-12-independent pathway. These data provide definitive evidence that autoimmune disease can be driven by distinct CD4(+) T-helper-cell subsets and polarizing factors.

BACKGROUND T-cell-mediated immune responses play important roles in the progression of atherosclerotic disease. Studies have linked various inflammatory biomarkers with the burden of coronary artery calcification, but the significance of T-cell-specific chemokines in coronary artery calcification has not been confirmed. We aimed to examine the association between serum levels of the monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) and the coronary artery calcium score (CACS). METHODS We enrolled 456 individuals (285 men, 66.5±5.8 years) who were registered in the Mapo-gu public health center cohort. We selected 228 individuals with a CACS of more than 100 and 228 age-matched and sex-matched individuals with a CACS of less than 100. All participants underwent coronary computed tomography for CACS measuring. Clinical and laboratory variables including serum MIG levels were analyzed at the time of enrollment. RESULTS The serum level of MIG was significantly higher in participants with a CACS of more than 100 (152.1±119.1 vs. 130.3±112.9, P=0.046). Serum MIG levels correlated significantly with CACS (r=0.113, P=0.016), and higher levels of MIG were associated with severe plaque burden (CACS>400, P=0.025). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum MIG levels were associated independently with CACS after controlling for confounding factors and medications (β=0.114, P=0.026). CONCLUSION Serum MIG levels were associated independently with CACS after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. These findings suggest that MIG may be used as a novel biomarker for T-cell inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque burden in humans.

Objectives The aim of the study was to assess the impact of rapid and sustained viral control produced by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on HIV-associated immune activation and inflammation. Methods In this longitudinal observational study, we examined changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels during 2 years of effective first-line cART. Biomarker levels before and after cART were compared with those observed in healthy subjects, using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Elevated biomarker levels were defined with respect to values for healthy subject (mean + 2 standard deviations). Factors associated with persistently elevated biomarker levels after 2 years of cART were identified by logistic regression. Results We included in the study 139 patients with a median HIV-1 RNA level of 4.8 log10 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL and a median CD4 cell count of 294 cells/μL at cART initiation [day 0 (D0)]. At D0, all biomarker levels were higher than in healthy subjects (P 75% of patients. In contrast, sCD14 levels did not change significantly (0.18 × 106 pg/mL; P = 0.102) and remained elevated. Older age was associated with elevated levels of IP-10 [odds ratio (OR) 1.60 per 10 years older; P = 0.047] and MIG (OR 1.92 per 10 years older; P = 0.007) after 2 years of cART. Conclusions The rapid and sustained viral suppression produced by first-line cART reduced IL-6, IP-10 and MIG to normal levels, while sCD14, a marker of monocyte activation, remained elevated. High levels of IP-10 and MIG tended to persist in older patients.

The exoproteome ofStaphylococcus aureuscontains enzymes and virulence factors that are important for host adaptation. We investigated the exoprotein profiles and cytokine/chemokine responses obtained in three differentS. aureus-host interaction scenarios by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) and two-dimensional immunoblotting (2D-IB) combined with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and cytometric bead array techniques. The scenarios includedS. aureusbacteremia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), and healthy carriage. By the 2-DGE approach, 12 exoproteins (the chaperone protein DnaK, a phosphoglycerate kinase [Pgk], the chaperone GroEL, a multisensor hybrid histidine kinase, a 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate hydroxymethyltransferase [PanB], cysteine synthase A, anN-acetyltransferase, four isoforms of elongation factor Tu [EF-Tu], and one signature protein spot that could not be reliably identified by MS/MS) were found to be consistently present in more than 50% of the bacteremia isolates, while none of the SSTI or healthy-carrier isolates showed any of these proteins. By the 2D-IB approach, we also identified five antigens (methionine aminopeptidase [MetAPs], exotoxin 15 [Set15], a peptidoglycan hydrolase [LytM], an alkyl hydroperoxide reductase [AhpC], and a haptoglobin-binding heme uptake protein [HarA]) specific for SSTI cases. Cytokine and chemokine production varied during the course of different infection types and carriage. Monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) was more highly stimulated in bacteremia patients than in SSTI patients and healthy carriers, especially during the acute phase of infection. MIG could therefore be further explored as a potential biomarker of bacteremia. In conclusion, 12 exoproteins from bacteremia isolates, MIG production, and five antigenic proteins identified during SSTIs should be further investigated for potential use as diagnostic markers.

The impact of food restriction (FR) during 56 days on serum levels of cytokines in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or high-carbohydrate diet (HCD) were evaluated. The amount of food was reduced 50% for HFD-FR and HCD-FR groups compared to mice receiving free access to HFD (HFD group) or HCD (HCD group). We quantified the serum levels of basic fibroblast growth factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, inducible protein 10, interferon γ, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, keratinocyte chemoattractant, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, monokine induced by IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor α. Only IL-12 levels were lower (P

Infliximab (IFX) is effective for treatment of refractory Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the precise mechanisms and biomarkers for IFX efficacy are unknown. We tried to evaluate the effect and response to IFX therapy by measuring serum cytokine levels. Twenty-nine children with KD who had been resistant to two courses of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin were enrolled and treated with IFX. Plasma samples were analyzed for cytokines before and after IFX administration. Serum levels of interleukin-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon-gamma-induced monokine, interferon-gamma inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemotactic protein 1, and soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor (sTNFR) 1 and 2 were significantly elevated before IFX treatment, but promptly decreased after the administration. The pre-treatment G-CSF and sTNFR1 levels in non-responders to IFX were significantly higher than in responders, who were defined as patients who defervesce (

Host inflammatory and immune responses play an important role in aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Thus, this study aims to evaluate levels of the innate immunity-related markers calprotectin, colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 in serum and saliva from patients with generalized AgP and those with gingivitis or a healthy periodontium.This study enrolled 40 individuals (17 males and 23 females; mean age 33.30 ± 9.31 years), 15 with generalized AgP, 15 with gingivitis, and 10 who were periodontally healthy. Full-mouth periodontal examinations were performed, and serum and saliva were collected. Levels of calprotectin, CSF-1, MIF, MIG, and MMP-8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.In serum, mean levels of calprotectin were 2.06-fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.01). Serum levels of MMP-8 were significantly elevated in patients with AgP compared with both healthy patients and those with gingivitis, by 2.60-fold and 2.77-fold, respectively (P = 0.03 and P = 0.009, respectively). In saliva, levels of MMP-8 were 5.66-fold higher in patients with AgP than in healthy patients (P = 0.02). CSF-1, MIF, and MIG levels in both serum and saliva did not differ significantly among the groups.Serum levels of calprotectin and MMP-8 are elevated in patients with AgP. MMP-8 levels are also increased in saliva from patients with AgP. These results support involvement of innate immune response in the pathogenesis of AgP.

Cancer immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor-armed T cells (CAR-T cells) have shown excellent outcomes in hematological malignancies. However, cytokine release syndrome (CRS), characterized by excessive activation of CAR-T cells and macrophages remains to be overcome. Steroid administration usually resolves signs and symptoms of CRS but abrogates CAR-T cell expansion and persistence. Tocilizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), attenuates CRS without significant loss of CAR-T cell activities, while perfect rescue of CRS symptoms cannot be achieved by IL-6/IL-6R blockade. There is actual need for novel strategies to prevent or cure CRS. TO-207, an N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine derivative compound, significantly inhibits inflammatory cytokine production in a human monocyte/macrophage-specific manner. Here we tested TO-207 for its ability to inhibit cytokine production without impaired CAR-T cell function in a CRS-simulating co-culture system consisting of CAR-T cells, target leukemic cells and monocytes. To observe a precise pattern of cytokine release from CAR-T cells and monocytes, we first established a co-culture system that mimics CRS using K562/CD19 cells, 19-28z CAR-T cells, and peripheral blood CD14+ cells. IFN-γ was produced exclusively from CAR-T cells, and TNF-α, MIP-1α, M-CSF, and IL-6 were produced from both CAR-T cells and monocytes, but monocytes were the major source of these cytokine production. MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 were released exclusively from monocytes. To observe the effect of drugs on cytokine production, prednisolone (PSL), TO-207, tocilizumab, and anakinra (an IL-1R antagonist) were added to the co-culture. PSL exhibited suppressive effects on TNF-α and MCP-1 production. Tocilizumab did not suppress these cytokines. Anakinra up-regulated IL-6 and IL-1β production, probably due to activation of negative feedback loops. Interestingly, TO-207 widely suppressed all of these monocyte-derived cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-8, and GM-CSF. Next, we observed whether the cytokine inhibition by TO-207 attenuates killing effect of CAR-T cells. PSL attenuated killing effect of CD4+ CAR-T cells and CD8+ CAR-T cells toward K562/CD19 cells. In contrast, TO-207 did not exhibit any change in cytotoxicity of CD4+ CAR-T cells and CD8+ CAR-T cells. To determine whether the effect of PSL and TO-207 on cytotoxicity changes in the presence of CD14+ monocytes, CD14+ cells were added to the co-culture. In the absence of CAR-T cells, PSL induced a modest attenuation of cytotoxicity, whereas to the CAR-T cells, PSL exhibited a significant attenuation of cytotoxicity. TO-207 exhibited a minimal effect on cytotoxicity in the absence or presence of CAR-T cells. These results suggested that CAR-T cells play a major role in the cytotoxicity toward leukemia cells, and drugs that do not affect CAR-T cell functions, such as TO-207, maintain their cytotoxic effects on leukemia cells. In conclusion, our present co-culture model with K562/CD19 cells, 19-28z CAR-T cells, and CD14+ monocytes accurately recapitulate killing effect and cytokine release profiles. IFN-γ was produced exclusively by CAR-T cells, but majority of other cytokines such as TNF-α, MIP-1α, M-CSF, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL-10 were from CD14+ monocytes/macrophages. Because killing effect was largely dependent on CAR-T cells while cytokine production was dependent on monocytes/macrophages, selective inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines from monocytes by TO-207 would be ideal for treatment of CAR-T-related CRS. These results encourage us to consider a clinical application for CRS. Figure Disclosures Futami: Torii Pharmaceutical: Research Funding. Suzuki:Torii Pharmaceutical: Employment. Kato:Torii Pharmmaceutical: Research Funding. Tahara:Torii Pharmaceutical: Employment. Imai:Celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding. Mimura:Torii Pharmaceutical: Employment. Watanabe:Torii Pharmaceutical: Employment. Tojo:AMED: Research Funding; Torii Pharmaceutical: Research Funding.

The immune system may play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. T-cell mediated immune responses in human progression of atherosclerotic disease and hypertension have recently been revealed, but the significance of T-cell specific chemokines in coronary artery heart disease has not been confirmed. In our study, we sought to examine the association between serum levels of the monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG)/CXCL9 and the severity of coronary artery disease. We studied 117 patients with coronary heart disease and 80 patients with no coronary heart disease. The severity of coronary artery disease was assessed via coronary artery angiography and the Gensini score was calculated. Clinical and biochemical indices, including serum levels of MIG, CD40L, and IFN-γ were analyzed in all subjects. Finally, we found there was a significant correlation between serum MIG levels and the severity of coronary artery disease, quantified by the Gensini score (r = 0.122, P = 0.009). Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis revealed that serum MIG levels were independently associated with the severity of coronary artery disease, quantified by the Gensini score (β = 0.100, P = 0.021). Our findings could indicate the potential clinical implication of MIG with respect to early coronary artery atherosclerosis in humans.

Individual susceptibility to HIV is heterogeneous, but the biological mechanisms explaining differences are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that penile inflammation may increase HIV susceptibility in men by recruiting permissive CD4 T cells, and that male circumcision may decrease HIV susceptibility in part by reducing genital inflammation. We used multi-array technology to measure levels of seven cytokines in coronal sulcus (penile) swabs collected longitudinally from initially uncircumcised men enrolled in a randomized trial of circumcision in Rakai, Uganda. Coronal sulcus cytokine levels were compared between men who acquired HIV and controls who remained seronegative. Cytokines were also compared within men before and after circumcision, and correlated with CD4 T cells subsets in foreskin tissue. HIV acquisition was associated with detectable coronal sulcus Interleukin-8 (IL-8 aOR 2.26, 95%CI 1.04–6.40) and Monokine Induced by γ-interferon (MIG aOR 2.72, 95%CI 1.15–8.06) at the visit prior to seroconversion, and the odds of seroconversion increased with detection of multiple cytokines. Coronal sulcus chemokine levels were not correlated with those in the vagina of a man’s female sex partner. The detection of IL-8 in swabs was significantly reduced 6 months after circumcision (PRR 0.59, 95%CI 0.44–0.87), and continued to decline for at least two years (PRR 0.29, 95%CI 0.16–0.54). Finally, prepuce IL-8 correlated with increased HIV target cell density in foreskin tissues, including highly susceptible CD4 T cells subsets, as well as with tissue neutrophil density. Together, these data suggest that penile inflammation increases HIV susceptibility and is reduced by circumcision., Author Summary The per-contact risk of infection with HIV through sexual exposure is low and highly variable. Understanding the biological basis for this variability could help in the development of new methods to prevent infection. There is some evidence that penile inflammation, even in the absence of any clinical symptoms, may increase HIV-susceptibility by recruiting CD4 T cells, the immune cell type that is the principal target of HIV. We analyzed soluble inflammatory mediators in prepuce swabs collected longitudinally from initially HIV-negative men enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of adult circumcision. We found that these inflammatory mediators were elevated in men who went on to acquire HIV. We also found that higher levels of these mediators were associated with an increased density of HIV-susceptible target cells in the underlying foreskin tissue and that circumcision reduced their levels, which may help to explain why circumcision reduces HIV risk by 60% or more. Together, these data suggest that penile inflammation, in the absence of genital infections, increases HIV susceptibility and is reduced by adult male circumcision.

Objective To assess the effect of human biofield therapy, an integrative medicine modality, on the development of tumors and metastasis, and immune function in a mouse breast cancer model. Methods Mice were injected with 66cl4 mammary carcinoma cells. In study one, mice received biofield therapy after cell injection. In study two, mice were treated by the biofield practitioner only prior to cell injection. Both studies had two control groups of mock biofield treatments and phosphate-buffered saline injection. Mice were weighed and tumor volume was determined. Blood samples were collected and 32 serum cytokine/chemokine markers were measured. Spleens/popliteal lymph nodes were isolated and dissociated for fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of immune cells or metastasis assays in cell culture. Results No significant differences were found in weight, tumor size or metastasis. Significant effects were found in the immune responses in study one but no additional effects were found in study two. In study one, human biofield treatment significantly reduced percentage of CD4 + CD44loCD25 + and percentage of CD8 + cells, elevated by cancer in the lymph nodes, to control levels determined by FACS analysis. In the spleen, only CD11b + macrophages were increased with cancer, and human biofield therapy significantly reduced them. Of 11 cytokines elevated by cancer, only interferon-γ, interleukin-1, monokine induced by interferon-γ, interleukin-2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 were significantly reduced to control levels with human biofield therapy. Conclusion Human biofield therapy had no significant effect on tumor size or metastasis but produced significant effects on immune responses apparent in the down-regulation of specific lymphocytes and serum cytokines in a mouse breast cancer model.

Purpose To investigate the course of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines in the aqueous humor of patients with persistent/recurrent neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) under ranibizumab monotherapy (IVM) or ranibizumab plus dexamethasone combination treatment. Methods In this 12-month prospective study, 40 eyes with nAMD were treated with either IVM or combined treatment with ranibizumab plus intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IVC). Patients in the IVM group were treated following an "as needed" treatment regimen; patients in the IVC group received ranibizumab and a dexamethasone implant at baseline and were re-treated with ranibizumab. At baseline and at each time of retreatment aqueous humor samples were taken. Results Before treatment, levels of macrophage chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, monokine induced by γ interferon (MIG), and lipocalin-2/ neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were elevated in nAMD patients compared to healthy controls (P = 0.024; P = 0.04; P = 0.01). In contrast, tumor necrosis factor α, IL-12p70, and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) concentrations were lower (P = 0.001; P = 0.008; P = 0.03), while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was not altered (45 ± 6/51 ± 12 pg/mL nAMD/control group; P = 0.6). During IVC, levels of VEGF, MIG, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and transforming growth factor β1 (P = 0.005; P = 0.011; P = 0.008; P = 0.013) were reduced. Ranibizumab monotherapy did not influence the course of any inflammatory/angiogenic cytokine. Interleukin 6 and PDGF-AA levels correlated with central retinal thickness changes (P = 0.007; P = 0.022). Over the 12-month period visual function was maintained with no significant differences during or between both treatment groups. Conclusions Inflammatory proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic macular edema due to AMD and are associated with disease activity. During combined treatment, levels of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines decreased over a 12-month period with no superiority in functional outcome.

Thai patients with scrub typhus caused by the intracellular pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi displayed elevated plasma concentrations of granzymes A and B, interferon-gamma (IFN)-gamma-inducible protein 10, and monokine induced by IFN-gamma. These data suggest that activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes is part of the early host response to scrub typhus.

Background Aging is accompanied by alterations in immune functions. How these changes translate into levels of circulating inflammatory mediators and network expression after severe trauma is not well characterized. To address this, we compared time-dependent changes in the levels of an extensive biomarker panel in cohorts of severely injured young and aged adults. Study Design Cohorts of young (18 to 30 years old, n = 115) and aged (65 to 90 years old, n = 101) blunt trauma patients admitted to the ICU with plasma sampled 3 times within the first 24 hours and daily from day 1 to day 7 were assayed for 30 inflammatory biomarkers using Luminex analyzer. Stringently matched groups controlling for sex ratio and Injury Severity Score (n = 56 young vs n = 56 aged) were generated. Data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA, area under the curve analysis, Dynamic Bayesian Network inference, and Dynamic Network Analysis. Results In the overall cohorts, the young group had a significantly higher Injury Severity Score, which was associated with higher circulating levels of 18 inflammatory mediators from admission to day 7. The aged group had higher levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10/interferon gamma-induced protein 10 and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9/monokine induced by gamma interferon. In groups that were matched for Injury Severity Score, the significantly higher levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 and monokine induced by gamma interferon persisted in the aged. Dynamic Bayesian Network revealed interferon gamma-induced protein 10 and monokine induced by gamma interferon as key mediators in the aged, and Dynamic Network Analysis revealed higher network complexity in the aged. Conclusions These findings indicate that differences in the early inflammatory networks between young and aged trauma patients are not simply a suppression of pro-inflammatory responses in the aged, but are characterized by a major shift in the mediator profile patterns with high levels of CXC chemokines in the aged.

Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory cytokine, plays important roles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Chemokines are chemoattractant cytokines that regulate trafficking of monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes to sites of inflammation. However, no studies have been reported regarding the temporal expression of these cytokines in CSF after SAH. Findings The concentrations of IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), and monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG) in the CSF of ten patients with SAH were measured using ELISA kits over a period of 14 days. All aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation. CSF samples from patients with unruptured aneurysms were used as controls. The concentration of IL-6 significantly increased during the acute stage of the disease. The concentration of MCP-1 increased from days 1 to 5, peaking on day 3, and decreased thereafter. The concentrations of IP-10 and MIG progressively increased, peaked on day 5, and then gradually decreased. There were strong correlations between the maximum levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 and IP-10 and MIG on day 5. The maximum level of IL-6 was much higher in poor outcome patients than in good outcome patients. Conclusions The present investigation demonstrated that increases in IL-6 levels may induce the expression of MCP-1 in CSF after SAH, followed by increases in the expression of IP-10 and MIG. Dynamic changes in the levels of these cytokines may induce inflammation and may be closely associated with the development of delayed ischemic neurological deficits after SAH. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0675-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

HIV long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs) maintaining high CD4(+) T-cell counts without antiretroviral therapy (ART) are divided into elite controllers (ECs) with undetectable and viremic controllers (VCs) with low viral loads. Little is known about the long-term changes of T-cell subsets and inflammation patterns in ECs versus VCs. The aim of the study was to explore the long-term evolution of CD4(+) T-cell levels in LTNPs and to analyze cytokine profiles in ECs versus VCs. Nineteen ECs and 15 VCs were enrolled from the natural virus controller cohort (NaViC). T-cell counts were monitored over years, the mean annual change was calculated, and plasma concentrations of 25 cytokines were evaluated using a multiplex bead array. While absolute numbers of T cells did not differ between ECs and VCs over time, we observed a significant decrease of CD4(+) T-cell percentages in VCs, but not in ECs (median [interquartile range]: ECs: 37% [28-41] vs. VCs: 29% [25-34]; p = .02). ECs had lower levels of macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β, p = .003), interferon γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10, p = .03), and monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG, p = .02). CD4(+) T-cell percentages inversely correlated with MIP 1-β (r = -0.42, p = .017) and IP-10 (r = -0.77, p

Clinical manifestations in leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, depend on the immunologic reactions of the patient to the bacilli. Previously, we have shown a reversion of the inefficiency of the cellular-mediated immune response against M. leprae in lepromatous leprosy patients when dendritic cells (DCs) were used in vitro as APC. The aim of the current study is to investigate the cell-to-cell interaction when purified human monocytes-derived DCs and macrophages from healthy adult donors were co-cultured with autologous lymphocytes in the presence of either M. leprae or M. bovis BCG by using APCs which were either attached or in suspension. Subsequently, APCs were analyzed by optical microscopy, phenotypically monitored by flow cytometry, and cytokines secretion evaluated by ELISA and Luminex. Overall, our results suggest that: (1) the process of adhesion of the APC may not be absolutely essential for antigen presentation activity; (2) IL-12 production appears to be in direct relation to the susceptibility of the host cell to infection with M. leprae; (3) in the presence of autologous lymphocytes, there is a down-modulation of surface markers studied, except for CD209 in M. leprae-infected CD11c+ DCs, although a similar decreased expression of these markers on macrophages was also observed, and this step occurs in an antigen-dependent manner; and (4) the cytokines secretion is also dependent on the APCs’ adhesion process. In parallel, the human THP-1 cell line was assessed showing that no monokine was differentially regulated when cells remained either attached or in suspension, regardless of the stimulus employed. These results may further guide future pivotal experimental procedures when studying in vitro cellular immune responses against mycobacteria.