Tumour Necrosis Factor-α\

In this study two different aspects of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 (IL-1) in locally induced murine streptococcal cell wall arthritis (SCW) were investigated. First, the kinetics and interdependence of TNF-α and IL-1 release; and second; their involvement in inflammation and cartilage destruction. Kinetic studies showed that the TNF-α peak level preceded the IL-1 peak level. However, in vivo neutralization of TNF-α did not result in decreased IL-1 bioactivity or immunoreactivity, suggesting that there is no dominant TNF-α-dependent IL-1 release in this model. Inflammation was studied by measuring knee joint swelling and inflammatory cell influx. Impact on cartilage was studied by measuring chondrocyte proteoglycan synthesis and cartilage proteoglycan depletion. The role of TNF-α in these phenomena was investigated using anti-TNF-α antibodies and tumour necrosis factor binding protein (TNFbp). Similarly, the role of IL-1 was studied using anti-IL-1 antibodies or IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Anti-TNF-α treatment significantly reduced joint swelling, whereas this effect was not found by using anti-IL-1 or IL-1Ra. In contrast, neutralization of IL-1, but not TNF-α, resulted in a significant decrease of chondrocyte proteoglycan synthesis inhibition. Moreover, histology revealed that anti-IL-1 treatment reduced cartilage proteoglycan depletion and inflammatory cell influx. Combined anti-TNF-α/anti-IL-1 treatment significantly suppressed both inflammation and cartilage damage. However, the impact on these separate parameters did not exceed the effects of either anti-TNF-α or anti-TNF-1. It can be concluded that both TNF-α and IL-1 exert specific activities in SCW arthritis. The involvement of TNF-α in this model is limited to joint swelling, whereas IL-1 plays a dominant role in cartilage destruction and inflammatory cell influx.

Interleukin (IL)‐6 is a multifunctional cytokine with diverse actions and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of many neurological and inflammatory disorders. In this study, we investigated the role of IL‐6 in pneumococcal meningitis. Cerebral infection in wild‐type (WT) mice ...

This study assessed the biodistribution of autologous leucocytes radiolabelled with technetium-99m stannous fluoride colloid (99mTcSnC) for detection of foci of induced inflammation in dogs. Venous blood was collected from seven healthy dogs and ...

Copper oxide nanoparticles are widely used in biomedical, electronic and catalytic fields. The evaluation of potential hazards and toxicity is necessary to ensure aquatic and human ecosystem do not get affected. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), are used numerous applications in research and preclinical studies. Zebra fish have the advantage of similarity in genetic homology with humans (70%). Due to this, it is widely used in toxicological studies. This study describes the expression of β-actin, Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and induced Nitric Oxide Synthetase (iNOS), inflammatory genes due to the effect of biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles from Coleus amboinicus in adult zebra fishes. Further the study focuses on the acute toxicity which is induced by copper oxide nanoparticles in adult zebra fishes. Isolated genes were characterised by using UV transilluminator. However copper oxide nanoparticles have antimicrobial property, they cause oxidative stress in human genes. This study concludes that inflammatory response was triggered by biosynthesized CuO nanoparticles in adult zebra fishes. In this study, the expression analysis helps in limiting the dosage of copper oxide nanoparticles in drug development.

In the absence of information on functional manifestations of carotid body (CB) inflammation, we studied an experimental model in which lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration to pentobarbitone-anaesthetized cats was performed by topical application upon the CB surface or by intravenous infusion (endotoxaemia). The latter caused: (i) disorganization of CB glomoids, increased connective tissue, and rapid recruitment of polymorphonuclear cells into the vascular bed and parenchyma within 4 h; (ii) increased respiratory frequency and diminished ventilatory chemoreflex responses to brief hypoxia (breathing 100% N(2) for 10 s) and diminished ventilatory chemosensory drive (assessed by 100% O(2) tests) during normoxia and hypoxia; (iii) tachycardia, increased haematocrit and systemic hypotension in response to LPS i.v.; and (iv) increased basal frequency of carotid chemosensory discharges during normoxia, but no change in maximal chemoreceptor responses to brief hypoxic exposures. Lipopolysaccharide-induced tachypnoea was prevented by prior bilateral carotid neurotomy. Apoptosis was not observed in CBs from cats subjected to endotoxaemia. Searching for pro-inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was localized by immunohistochemistry in glomus and endothelial cells; reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed that the CB expresses the mRNAs for both type-1 (TNF-R1) and type-2 TNF-alpha receptors (TNF-R2); Western blot confirmed a band of the size expected for TNF-R1; and histochemistry showed the presence of TNF-R1 in glomus cells and of TNF-R2 in endothelial cells. Experiments in vitro showed that the frequency of carotid nerve discharges recorded from CBs perfused and superfused under normoxic conditions was not significantly modified by TNF-alpha, but that the enhanced frequency of chemosensory discharges recorded along responses to hypoxic stimulation was transiently diminished in a dose-dependent manner by TNF-alpha injections. The results suggest that the CB may operate as a sensor for immune signals, that the CB exhibits histological features of acute inflammation induced by LPS, that TNF-alpha may participate in LPS-induced changes in chemosensory activity and that some pathophysiological reactions to high levels of LPS in the bloodstream may originate from changes in CB function.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may differ among rheumatologists and currently, clear and consensual international recommendations on RA treatment are not available. In this paper recommendations for the treatment of RA with synthetic and biological disease-modifying ...

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may differ among rheumatologists and currently, clear and consensual international recommendations on RA treatment are not available. In this paper recommendations for the treatment of RA with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and glucocorticoids (GCs) that also account for strategic algorithms and deal with economic aspects, are described. The recommendations are based on evidence from five systematic literature reviews (SLRs) performed for synthetic DMARDs, biological DMARDs, GCs, treatment strategies and economic issues. The SLR-derived evidence was discussed and summarised as an expert opinion in the course of a Delphi-like process. Levels of evidence, strength of recommendations and levels of agreement were derived. Fifteen recommendations were developed covering an area from general aspects such as remission/low disease activity as treatment aim via the preference for methotrexate monotherapy with or ...

SUMMARY The present study aimed to analyze adiposity heterogeneity and the role of liver X receptor (LXRα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs) as targets of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.). The screening of 20 fish at the beginning of the warm season identified two major groups with fat and lean phenotypes. Fat fish showed increased liver and mesenteric fat depots. This increased adiposity was concurrent in the adipose tissue to enhanced expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) whereas mRNA levels of the hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) remained almost unchanged. The resulting LPL/HSL ratio was thereby highest in fat fish, which suggests that this group of fish has not reached its peak fat storage capacity. This is not surprising given the increased expression of PPARγ in the absence of a counter-regulatory raise of TNFα. However, this lipolytic cytokine exerted dual effects in primary adipocyte cultures that differ within and ...

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may differ among rheumatologists and currently, clear and consensual international recommendations on RA treatment are not available. In this paper recommendations for the treatment of RA with synthetic and biological disease-modifying ...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of Fas in periarticular tenocytes of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to study their susceptibility to Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis. Tendon samples were obtained from the quadriceps femoris muscle of patients with knee OA and used for histological evaluation, for immunohistochemical detection of Fas, and to establish tenocyte cultures. The expression of Fas mRNA was determined by quantitative PCR. Levels of soluble Fas and soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor I were measured using ELISA. Apoptosis was induced with recombinant human Fas ligand and measured by a histone fragmentation assay and flow cytometry. The effects of TNF-alpha were studied by stimulation with TNF-alpha alone or 24 hours before the induction of apoptosis. Tendon samples from non-OA patients were used as controls. Histological evaluation revealed degenerative changes in the tendons of all OA patients but not in the controls. Fas was det...

Background  Previous studies have revealed that tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α is upregulated in fibrosing alveolitis (FA) in humans. The aim of this study was to compare the TNF-α secretory profile of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and peripheral blood monocytes (Mos) of patients with cryptogenic FA and systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rheumatological disorder in which lung fibrosis can occur. In particular, we wished to assess whether TNF-α levels differ between SSc patients with FA (FASSc) and a nonfibrotic group. Methods  The reverse haemolytic plaque assay was used to evaluate the secretion of cytokine at a single cell level while immunostaining allowed subtyping of AMs and Mos. Results  This study demonstrated a difference in total TNF-α levels produced by AMs when the levels in subjects with FA (cryptogenic FA and FASSc) were compared to levels in either SSc patients without FA (P = 0.0002) or normal healthy controls (P P = 0.003). In contrast, there were no significant differences in...

Numerous experimental studies point to the potential role of cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of renal disease. However, from the various autocrine and paracrine mediators identified in vitro and in animal models, so far only a few have been demonstrated in selected human glomerulopathies. We examined two types of glomerulonephritis (GN): extracapillary GN with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA), an example of an acute form of GN, and mesangial IgA GN, usually a chronic form of GN, with immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction. Normal renal tissue from tumour nephrectomies served as a control. In ANCA-positive GN with active renal lesions (crescents, glomerular and vascular necrosis), infiltrating mononuclear cells in glomeruli and in the interstitium expressed interleukin (IL)-1 beta, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth facto...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase function as defence and signalling molecules related to innate immunity and various cellular responses. The activation of NADPH oxidase in response to plasma membrane receptor activation depends on the phosphorylation of cytoplasmic oxidase subunits, their translocation to membranes and the assembly of all NADPH oxidase components. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a prominent stimulus of ROS production, but the molecular mechanisms by which TNF activates NADPH oxidase are poorly understood. Here we identify riboflavin kinase (RFK, formerly known as flavokinase) as a previously unrecognized TNF-receptor-1 (TNFR1)-binding protein that physically and functionally couples TNFR1 to NADPH oxidase. In mouse and human cells, RFK binds to both the TNFR1-death domain and to p22(phox), the common subunit of NADPH oxidase isoforms. RFK-mediated bridging of TNFR1 and p22(phox) is a prerequisite for TNF-induced but not for Toll-like-receptor-induced ROS production. Exogenous flavin mononucleotide or FAD was able to substitute fully for TNF stimulation of NADPH oxidase in RFK-deficient cells. RFK is rate-limiting in the synthesis of FAD, an essential prosthetic group of NADPH oxidase. The results suggest that TNF, through the activation of RFK, enhances the incorporation of FAD in NADPH oxidase enzymes, a critical step for the assembly and activation of NADPH oxidase.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts its actions through the binding of the high aYnity EP receptors. We wanted to evaluate the regulation of EP1 and EP4, and the expression of cyclooxigenase (COX)-2, main enzyme responsible for PGE2 synthesis in inXammatory situations, in ...

Cytokines have been measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from headache patients [infrequent episodic tension-type headache (TTH) and migraine with or without aura, all during attack, and cervicogenic headache] and compared with levels in pain-free individuals. Both proinflammatory [interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)] and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)] were included. There were significant group differences in IL-1ra, TGF-β1 and MCP-1 in episodic TTH and migraine compared with controls, and a significant difference in MCP-1 between cervicogenic headache and migraine with aura. Intrathecal MCP-1 correlated with IL-1ra, IL-10 and TGF-β1 in episodic TTH, and MCP-1 with IL-10 in migraine with aura. Cytokine increases were modest compared with those often accompanying serious neurological conditions, and may represent a mild response to pain. W...

Sorafenib induces apoptosis and enhances Tumour Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell killing of tumoural cells. We have investigated the effects of the multikinase inhibitor Sorafenib alone or in combination with TRAIL and agonistic Fas antibodies on endometrial carcinoma cells. We have also focused on the search of the differential molecular mechanisms by which Sorafenib induces cell death and the ones involved in sensitisation to TRAIL. In the present study, we show that Sorafenib induces apoptosis of both endometrial cancer cell lines and human primary cultures and sensitises these cells to TRAIL and agonistic Fas antibodies (aFas)-induced apoptosis. However, Raf/MEK/ERK inhibition by Sorafenib was not responsible for Sorafenib cell death or TRAIL sensitisation of endometrial cancer cells. Sorafenib treatment correlated with a downregulation of both FLICE-Inhibitory Protein (FLIP) and myeloid cell leukaemia-1 (Mcl-1), caused by a proteasomal degradation of both proteins. We evaluated the contribution of FLIP and Mcl-1 downregulation in apoptosis triggered by Sorafenib alone or Sorafenib plus TRAIL. Interestingly, cell death caused by Sorafenib was mediated by downregulation of Mcl-1, but not by FLIP. In contrast, we found that Sorafenib sensitisation of endometrial carcinoma cells to TRAIL- and Fas-induced apoptosis was dependent on FLIP but not on Mcl-1 downregulation. Altogether, we discern the dual mechanisms by which Sorafenib causes cell death from those involved in death receptor sensitisation.