红景天苷对脂多糖诱导大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞和Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞共培养炎性介质分泌的影响

本研究旨在探讨红景天苷(salidroside, Sal)对脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide, LPS)诱导大鼠肺泡巨噬细胞NR 8383和II型肺泡上皮细胞RLE-6TN共培养炎性活化的影响。CCK-8比色法检测细胞增殖百分率,Western blot检测磷酸化AKT (p-AKT)和总AKT蛋白表达,酶联免疫吸附法测定细胞培养上清中肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factorα, TNF-α)、巨噬细胞炎性蛋白2(macrophage inflammatory protein-2, MIP-2)和白介素10 (interleukin-10, IL-10)的含量。结果显示:与对照组相比,32和128μg/mL Sal预处理RLE-6TN细胞或共培养RLE-6TN和NR 8383细胞1 h后继续培养24 h,细胞增殖百分率显著增加(P 0.05);与对照组相比,32和128μg/mL Sal预处理RLE-6TN细胞,p-AKT/AKT蛋白比值显著增加(P 0.05)。32μg/mL Sal预处理不仅抑制LPS诱导NR 8383细胞分泌TNF-α和MIP-2 (P 0.05),而且加强RLE-6TN和NR 8383细胞共培养对LPS诱导NR 8383细胞分泌TNF-α和MIP-2的抑制作用(P 0.05)。此外,32μg/mL Sal预处理能促进LPS诱导NR 8383细胞分泌IL-10 (P 0.05),并能加强RLE-6TN和NR 8383细胞共培养对LPS诱导NR 8383细胞分泌IL-10的促进作用(P 0.05)。以上结果提示,Sal不仅能直接抑制LPS诱导的NR 8383炎性活化,还可能通过PI3K/AKT信号通路促进RLE-6TN增殖,参与II型肺泡上皮细胞对LPS诱导肺泡巨噬细胞炎性活化的调节作用。     

甘利欣联合阿奇霉素治疗支原体肺炎伴肝功能损害患儿的效果 及对血清炎症因子、KL-6 及NF-κB 水平的影响

目的:探讨甘利欣联合阿奇霉素治疗对支原体肺炎伴急性肝功能损害患儿血清炎症因子、Ⅱ型肺泡表面抗原-6(KL-6)及核因子-κB(NF-κB)水平的影响。方法:选取86例支原体肺炎伴急性肝功能损害患儿为受试对象,随机数字表法分成研究组和对照组各43例。对照组中途脱落1例,共42例有效病例入组,予以常规对症治疗+阿奇霉素疗法;研究组中途脱落3例,共40例有效病例入组,在对照组治疗基础上联合甘利欣静脉滴注疗法。观察对比两组受试患儿治疗前后血清炎症因子[白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-12(IL-12)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]、血清KL-6、血清NF-κB、肝功能指标[血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)]变化情况,记录其发热、咳嗽、肺部湿罗音等消失时间差异。结果:治疗4w后,两组患儿IL-6[(44.5±6.2)pg/m L vs(60.3±6.6)pg/m L]、IL-12[(42.4±6.2)pg/m L vs(52.1±6.8)pg/m L]、TNF-α[(128.6±44.8)ng/L vs(201.4±51.8)ng/L]等血清炎症因子检测结果、ALT[(46.8±9.5)U/I vs(83.6±9.8)U/I]、AST[(62.2±10.1)U/I vs(84.8±10.2)U/I]、TBIL[(38.2±8.5)μmol/L vs(49.3±9.0)μmol/L]等肝功能指标检测结果及血清KL-6[(5.9±0.6)pg/m L vs(6.5±0.7)pg/m L]、NF-κB[(7.8±0.4)pg/m L vs(8.1±0.3)pg/m L]水平均较治疗前显著降低,且研究组小于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组患儿治疗后发热、咳嗽、肺部湿罗音等消失时间均显著短于对照组患儿,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:甘利欣联合阿奇霉素疗法可在促进支原体肺炎伴急性肝功能损害患儿病情转归、改善其血清炎症因子、调节肺功能、肝功能状态等方面发挥积极作用。     

呼出气一氧化氮水平与支气管哮喘患儿病情及炎症因子的关系研究

目的:研究呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO)水平与支气管哮喘患儿病情及炎症因子的关系。方法:选择从2014年9月到2016年9月在我院接受治疗的支气管哮喘患儿115例作为观察组,另选同期来我院体检的健康儿童115例作为对照组,对比两组FeNO及炎症因子的水平,比较观察组不同病情患儿FeNO及炎症因子水平,分析患儿FeNO与病情及炎症因子的相关性。结果:观察组C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)以及FeNO水平分别为(5.06±1.29)mg/L、(4.32±1.33)pg/mL、(2.37±0.21)pg/mL、(50.82±18.28)ppb,均分别显著高于对照组的(1.33±0.46)mg/L、(1.52±0.48)pg/mL、(0.28±0.11)pg/mL、(18.23±2.46)ppb(均P0.05)。观察组急性发作期患儿CRP、IL-6、TNF-α以及FeNO水平分别为(5.12±1.30)mg/L、(4.49±1.06)pg/mL、(2.48±0.19)pg/mL、(51.27±10.63)ppb,均分别显著高于缓解期的(2.97±0.82)mg/L、(2.39±0.62)pg/mL、(1.52±0.20)pg/mL、(32.41±5.52)ppb(均P0.05)。根据Spearman法相关性分析可知,患儿FeNO与病情及IL-6、CRP、TNF-α均呈正相关(r=0.736、0.684、0.713、0.594;均P0.05)。结论:支气管哮喘患儿的FeNO与炎症因子水平呈高表达,FeNO与病情及炎症因子之间密切相关,临床上可将其纳入监测指标,有助于辅助治疗支气管哮喘患儿。     

微生态制剂防治希尔施普龙病相关性小肠结肠炎的临床分析

为了探讨微生态制剂(双歧杆菌三联活菌肠溶胶囊)防治希尔施普龙病相关性小肠结肠炎(HAEC)的安全性、有效性及作用机制,本研究将120例在本院行经肛门Soave根治术的希尔施普龙病患儿随机分为试验组60例和对照组60例,对照组术后给予抗感染、补液、扩肛等常规治疗,试验组在常规治疗基础之上口服双歧杆菌三联活菌肠溶胶囊治疗,<1岁0.5粒/次,1～6岁1粒/次,6～13岁2粒/次,2次/d,连用3个月。比较两组患儿术后HAEC的发生率、治疗前后的炎症因子水平,包括白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)、白细胞介素-10 (IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的变化情况及药物不良反应的发生情况。结果表明:治疗后,试验组和对照组的HAEC发生率分别为6.67%(4/60例)和20.00%(12/60例),差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。治疗后,试验组和对照组的IL-6分别为(22.50±1.48) pg/mL,(26.33±1.65) pg/m L,IL-10分别为(35.02±2.71) pg/m L,(27.86±2.53) pg/m L,TNF-α分别为(24.31±3.26) pg/mL,(29.15±3.40) pg/m L,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。两组在治疗过程之中均无药物不良反应发生。本研究得出初步结论:希尔施普龙病患儿术后服用微生态制剂可有效调节炎症因子水平,纠正肠道菌群紊乱,增强肠黏膜机械防御屏障作用,减少HAEC发生。     

黄曲霉素对裸鼹鼠肺泡上皮Ⅱ型细胞基因表达的影响

目的:观察不同浓度黄曲霉素对裸鼹鼠肺泡上皮Ⅱ型细胞(AEC II)相关因子m RNA表达的影响,探讨裸鼹鼠抵御肺癌的分子机制。方法:通过酶消化法分离裸鼹鼠肺组织细胞并用免疫黏附法进行纯化得到裸鼹鼠肺泡上皮Ⅱ型细胞进行原代培养,40小时后,实验组分别给予不同浓度(0.25、0.5、1.0、2.0和4.0 mg/L)的黄曲霉素处理,溶剂对照组给予DMSO(0.4 m L/L)处理。黄曲霉素作用48小时后收集细胞,用实时定量PCR技术检测裸鼹鼠AECII细胞中的SP-C基因及TNF-α、IL-1、IL-6、IL-8、IL-12等炎症因子的m RNA表达变化。结果:原代分离的裸鼹鼠AEC II细胞纯度70%,活性90%,可用于体外实验。定量PCR结果显示黄曲霉素使裸鼹鼠AEC II细胞SP-C表达水平显著下降,TNF-α、IL-1、IL-6、IL-8、IL-12等炎症因子的表达水平在黄曲霉低于2 mg/L浓度的条件下没有显著变化。结论:裸鼹鼠AEC II细胞在黄曲霉素导致细胞受损的情况下,仍然保持较低水平的炎症因子表达,这可能是其抵抗肺癌的机制之一。     

甲氨蝶呤联合艾得辛可降低RA患者血清中IL-37及PD-1的水平

分析甲氨蝶呤联合艾得辛治疗对类风湿关节炎患者血清IL-37及PD-1水平的影响。选择2015年4月至2017年3月本院接诊的100例类风湿关节炎患者作为研究对象,按随机数字表法分组,每组50例,观察组患者采用甲氨蝶呤与艾得辛联合治疗,对照组患者单独采用甲氨蝶呤治疗,比较两组患者血清中细胞因子IL-6、IL-18和IL-18BP的表达,探讨IL-37、PD-1的临床意义。观察组患者的血清IL-18(63.23±7.89) pg/mL、IL-6 (3.25±0.98) pg/mL、IL-18BP (210.56±24.51) pg/mL表达水平显著低于对照组患者的血清IL-18 (140.67±18.65) pg/m L、IL-6 (8.27±1.23) pg/mL、IL-18BP (308.89±30.67) pg/mL表达水平;观察组患者的血清IL-37 (23.65±4.28) pg/m L及PD-1 (19.58±3.78) ng/mL表达水平显著低于对照组患者的血清IL-37 (58.98±5.29) pg/mL及PD-1 (36.72±4.62) ng/mL表达水平,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05),相关性分析发现,血清IL-37与细胞因子IL-18、IL-6和IL-18BP均呈正相关;但是PD-1仅与细胞因子IL-6呈正相关,按照RA评分标准,患者血清中IL-37与诊断评分呈正相关,PD-1与诊断评分呈正相关。甲氨蝶呤联合艾得辛治疗类风湿关节炎具有较为明确的疗效,能够短期内控制RA患者疾病的发展,临床的表现稳定,有效降低患者的血清IL-18、IL-6、IL-18BP以及IL-37、PD-1的表达水平,对患者的积极意义较大,可在临床的治疗中推广应用。     

EB病毒感染导致单核细胞增多症患儿免疫功能的变化及意义

探究EB病毒感染导致单核细胞增多症(IM)患儿免疫功能的变化及意义,以期为EB病毒感致IM的诊疗提供理论依据。研究对象选取2015年6月至2016年6月期间于我院诊治的80例EB病毒感染导致IM患者以及40例体检正常儿童,将确诊未开始治疗的IM患者设为观察组(40例),处于恢复期的IM患者设为治疗组(40例),将体检正常儿童设为对照组。检测淋T巴细胞亚群CD3~+T细胞、CD4~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞比例以及CD4~+/CD8~+比值,并比较3组观察对象外周血白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素8(IL-8)的水平。研究显示观察组CD3~+与CD8~+分别为(0.75±0.13)、(0.45±0.11),均显著高于对照组((0.53±0.09),(0.26±0.09))、治疗组((0.57±0.10),(0.30±0.10)),观察组CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+均显著低于对照组与治疗组,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05),治疗组与对照组各项指标差异均不显著(p0.05);观察组IL-6、IL-8分别为(16.34±4.22)pg/m L、(17.96±4.32)pg/m L,显著高于对照组((9.32±3.21)pg/m L、(10.12±3.10)pg/m L)、治疗组((10.32±3.32)pg/m L、(10.78±3.16)pg/m L),差异具有统计学意义(p0.05),治疗组与对照组各项指标差异均不显著(p0.05)。综上可得EB病毒感染后患儿体内CD3~+与CD8~+显著升高,打破CD4~+/CD8~+平衡,免疫功能失常是IM发病的重要原因,对于探究免疫功能的变化对IM的诊治具有重要意义。     

机械牵拉诱导人RPE细胞IL-8分泌及其对PI3K/AKT 通路的影响

目的:视网膜脱离发生机制尚不明确,本文旨在研究机械应力牵拉后视网膜色素上皮细胞上清中IL-8分泌量的变化以及人其对RPE细胞PI3K/AKT通路变化影响。方法:培养人RPE细胞,应用Flex-cell细胞应力加载系统牵拉人RPE细胞不同时间(0h、1 h、3 h、6 h、9 h)建立不同牵拉时间的模型。分别标记为对照组、牵拉1 h组、牵拉3 h组、牵拉6 h组、牵拉9 h组。随后用ELISA方法检测人RPE细胞不同实验组上清中IL-8分泌量的变化。细胞免疫荧光和Western blot方法观察PI3K、PPI3K、T-AKT、P-AKT的表达。结果:随着牵拉时间的延长,ELISA方法检测人RPE细胞不同实验组上清中IL-8分泌量逐渐增加[924.79±5.92 pg/m L、947.73±5.34 pg/m L、974.53±5.74 pg/m L、979.57±1.12 pg/m L、1019.22±4.25 pg/m L],差异有统计学意义(F=166,p0.01),各牵拉组与对照组分别对比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。细胞中P-AKT蛋白表达增加[0.61±0.02、0.97±0.05、0.99±0.04、1.21±0.11、1.20±0.07],差异有统计学意义(F=41.24,p0.01),各牵拉组与对照组分别对比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),AKT表达未见明显变化。结论:机械应力牵拉人RPE细胞时,细胞上清中IL-8分泌量逐渐增加同时RPE细胞内PI3K/AKT通路明显激活,并与牵拉时间有关,为探究EMT原因和对防治PVR提供了理论基础。     

脓毒症患儿血浆miR-146a、miR-223表达与IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α 水平变化的临床意义分析

目的:探讨脓毒症患儿血浆微RNA-146a(miR-146a)、miR-223表达及与白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、IL-10和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)的关系。方法:选取2016年2月至2017年2月在我院治疗的脓毒症患儿44例作为脓毒症组,同时选取32例全身性炎症反应综合征(SIRS)患儿(SIRS组)和40例健康儿童(对照组),检测和比较各组患儿血浆miR-146a、miR-223、IL-6、IL-10和TNF-α的表达,同时采用序贯器官衰竭估计评分(SOFA评分)评价脓毒症患儿的病情。结果:脓毒症组miR-146a、miR-223、IL-6和IL-10表达分别为(5.90±1.22)×10~(-5)、(13.17±2.13)×10~(-4),20.21(12.06,64.13)ng/L和17.60(8.94,70.11)pg/m L,明显高于SIRS组和对照组(P0.05);脓毒症组和SIRS组血浆TNF-水平分别为(22.50(22.50,29.80)pg/m L和(23.40(19.41,30.01)pg/m L,明显高于对照组(P0.05);患儿miR-146a、miR-223与SOFA评分呈正相关(rs=0.411和0.321,P0.05),而血浆IL-6、IL-10及TNF-α水平与SOFA评分无显著相关性(P0.05);miR-146a与血浆IL-6、IL-10水平呈显著正相关(rs=0.297和0.301,P0.05),miR-223与血浆TNF-α水平呈正相关(rs=0.284,P0.05)。结论:脓毒症患儿血浆miR-146a和miR-223表达、IL-6、IL-10和TNF-α水平均异常上调,且血浆miR-146a和miR-223表达与IL-6、IL-10、TNF-水平及病情程度显著相关。     

慢性哮喘小鼠肺组织中组蛋白去乙酰化酶8表达和活性增加

目的探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶8(histone deacetylase 8, HDAC8)在慢性哮喘小鼠肺组织中的表达和活性变化。方法 BALB/C小鼠分为正常组和哮喘组,12只/组。卵蛋白OVA致敏激发方法构建慢性哮喘模型。末次激发试验24h后,收集各组小鼠肺组织标本,免疫组织化学检测HDAC8在肺组织中的表达,Western blot分析HDAC8水平变化,荧光法检测HDAC8酶活性的变化。结果与正常小鼠相比,哮喘小鼠肺组织HDAC8水平和酶活性均显著升高;在正常小鼠肺组织细胞中HDAC8表达极少,哮喘致病时气道上皮细胞、上皮下炎症细胞、血管平滑肌细胞和肺泡腔炎症细胞中HDAC8呈明显阳性表达。结论哮喘致病时肺组织及其中炎性细胞内HDAC8表达表达水平和酶活性增高提示HDAC8可能参与哮喘气道炎症、气道重塑和气道高反应的发生。     

An in vitro investigation of the inflammatory response to the strain amplitudes which occur during high frequency oscillation ventilation and conventional mechanical ventilation

Children randomised in the neonatal period to high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) in the United Kingdom Oscillation study (UKOS) had superior lung function at 11 to 14 years of age. During HFOV, much smaller tidal volumes, but a higher mean airway distending pressure is delivered, hence, a possible explanation for a volume dependent effect on long term lung function could be an increase in inflammation in response to higher tidal volumes and strains. We tested that hypothesis by assessing interleukin-6 (IL-6) and -8 (IL-8) release from A549 alveolar analogue cells following biaxial mechanical strain applied at 0.5 Hz occurring during conditions mimicking strain during CMV (5–20% strain) and conditions mimicking strain during HFOV (17.5% ± 2.5% strain) for up to 4 h. Cyclic strain of 5–20%, occurring during CMV, increased levels of both IL-6 and IL-8 compared to unstrained controls, while 17.5% ± 2.5% strain, occurring during HFOV, was associated with significantly lower levels of IL-6 (46.31 ± 2.66 versus 56.79 ± 3.73 pg/mL) and IL-8 (1340.2 ± 74.9 versus 2522 ± 248 pg/mL) secretion compared to conditions occurring during CMV at four hours. These results may provide a possible explanation for the superior lung function in 11–14-year-old children who had been supported in the neonatal period by HFOV.     

Repeated lipopolysaccharide exposure causes corticosteroid insensitive airway inflammation via activation of phosphoinositide-3-kinase δ pathway

Corticosteroid resistance is one of major barriers to effective management of chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe asthma. These patients often experience exacerbations with viral and/or bacterial infection, which may cause continuous corticosteroid insensitive inflammation. In this study, we observed that repeated exposure of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intranasally attenuated the anti-inflammatory effects of the corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (FP) on neutrophils and CXCL1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in an in vivo murine model. Histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC2) and NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels in lungs after LPS administration for 3 consecutive days were significantly decreased to 38.9±6.3% (mean±SEM) and 77.5±2.7% of the levels seen after only one day of LPS exposure, respectively. In addition, 3 days LPS exposure resulted in an increase of Akt phosphorylation, indicating activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway by 4-fold in lungs compared with 1 day of exposure. Furthermore, combination treatment with theophylline and FP significantly decreased the neutrophil accumulation and CXCL1 concentrations in BAL fluid from 22.5±1.8×10⁴ cells/mL and 214.6±20.6 pg/mL to 7.9±0.5×10⁴ cells/mL and 61.9±13.3 pg/mL, respectively. Combination treatment with IC87114, a selective PI3Kδ inhibitor, and FP also significantly decreased neutrophils and CXCL1 levels from 16.8±0.7×10⁴ cells/mL and 182.4±4.6 pg/mL to 5.9±0.3×10⁴ cells/mL and 71.4±2.7 pg/mL, respectively. Taken together, repeated exposure of LPS causes corticosteroid-insensitive airway inflammation in vivo, and the corticosteroid-resistance induced by LPS is at least partly mediated through the activation of PI3Kδ, resulting in decreased levels of HDAC2 and Nrf2. These findings provide a potentially new therapeutic approach to COPD and severe asthma.     

Viability and gene expression responses to polymeric nanoparticles in human and rat cells

Applications of polymeric nanoparticles (NP) in medical fields are rapidly expanding. However, the influence of polymeric NP on cell growth and functions is widely underestimated. Therefore, we have studied cell and polymeric NP interactions by addressing two cell types with two endpoints (viability and gene expressions). Rat NR8383 and human THP-1 monocytic cell lines were exposed to 6 to 200 μg/mL of Eudragit^® RL NP for 24 h, and cellular viability was estimated using MTT, WST-1, and trypan blue tests. A decrease of viability was observed with NR8383 cells (down to 70 % for 200 μg/mL), and on the contrary, an increase with THP-1 cells (up to 140 % for 200 μg/mL). Differential expression of genes involved in oxidative damage (NCF1), inflammation (NFKB, TNFA, IL6, IL1B), autophagy (ATG16L), and apoptotic balance (PDCD4, BCL2, CASP8) was analyzed. ATG16L, BCL2, and TNFA were up-regulated in NR8383 cells, which are consistent with an induction of autophagy and inflammation. On the other hand, NCF1, NFKB, and IL1B were down-regulated in THP-1 cells, which may contribute to explain the increase of cellular viability. Our results show that (1) the toxic potency of NP is dependent on the cellular model used and (2) mechanistic toxicology should be the corner stone for the evaluation of NP hazard.     

Inactivation of IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor by neutrophil derived serine proteases in cystic fibrosis

The ability of IL-6 to signal via both membrane bound and soluble receptors is thought to explain the capacity of this cytokine to act in both the initiation and resolution of acute inflammatory responses. In cystic fibrosis (CF), poorly resolved neutrophillic inflammation of the lungs is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Expression of IL-6 has been reported to be low in CF lung secretions, despite ongoing inflammation, but the status of soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) in these patients is unknown. We hypothesised that sIL-6R may be an important potentiator of IL-6 activity in CF associated lung disease. IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 (a natural antagonist of responses mediated by the sIL-6R) were analysed by ELISA and Western blot in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 28 paediatric CF patients and nine non-CF controls. Total cell counts in CF were four fold higher compared to controls (median: 1.4 × 10⁶ cells/ml v. 0.35 × 10⁶ cells/ml in controls) (p < 0.001) and the infiltrate was dominated by neutrophils which were elevated by 89 fold (0.62 × 10⁶ cells/ml v. 0.007 × 10⁶ cells/ml in controls) (p < 0.001). Other markers of inflammation such as IL-8 and MCP-1 were elevated 17.5 and 3.8 fold respectively (IL-8; median: 1122 pg/ml v. 64 pg/ml in controls, p < 0.01 and MCP-1; median: 692 pg/ml v. 182 pg/ml in controls, p < 0.05). IL-6, although present in 23/32 CF BALF specimens compared to 1/9 controls (p < 0.01), was weakly expressed (median: 50 pg/ml). Expression of sIL-6R and sgp130 in CF was no different to control patients. We tested whether weak expression of all three molecules was due to degradation by CF BALF. Degradative activity was observed in association with BALF elastase activity and could be specifically blocked by serine protease inhibitors. Degradation of sIL-6R by purified serine proteases (elastase, cathepsin G and proteinase 3) was also observed leading to a loss of trans-signalling activity. Interestingly, sIL-6R was protected from proteolysis by interaction with IL-6. Our data identify and define a novel protease mediated deficiency of IL-6 signalling in the CF lung.     

Adult Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Is Characterised by Airway Luminal Th17 Pathway Activation

Background

Non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is characterised by chronic airway infection and neutrophilic inflammation, which we hypothesised would be associated with Th17 pathway activation.

Methods

Th17 pathway cytokines were quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and gene expression of IL-17A, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-23 determined from endobronchial biopsies (EBx) in 41 stable bronchiectasis subjects and 20 healthy controls. Relationships between IL-17A levels and infection status, important clinical measures and subsequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were determined.

Results

BALF levels of all Th17 cytokines (median (IQR) pg/mL) were significantly higher in bronchiectasis than control subjects, including IL-17A (1.73 (1.19, 3.23) vs. 0.27 (0.24, 0.35), 95% CI 1.05 to 2.21, p<0.0001) and IL-23 (9.48 (4.79, 15.75) vs. 0.70 (0.43, 1.79), 95% CI 4.68 to 11.21, p<0.0001). However, BALF IL-17A levels were not associated with clinical measures or airway microbiology, nor predictive of subsequent P. aeruginosa infection. Furthermore, gene expression of IL-17A in bronchiectasis EBx did not differ from control. In contrast, gene expression (relative to medians of controls) in bronchiectasis EBx was significantly higher than control for IL1β (4.12 (1.24, 8.05) vs 1 (0.13, 2.95), 95% CI 0.05 to 4.07, p = 0.04) and IL-8 (3.75 (1.64, 11.27) vs 1 (0.54, 3.89), 95% CI 0.32 to 4.87, p = 0.02) and BALF IL-8 and IL-1α levels showed significant relationships with clinical measures and airway microbiology. P. aeruginosa infection was associated with increased levels of IL-8 while Haemophilus influenzae was associated with increased IL-1α.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Established adult non-CF bronchiectasis is characterised by luminal Th17 pathway activation, however this pathway may be relatively less important than activation of non-antigen-specific innate neutrophilic immunity.     

Plasma cytokine profiling to predict susceptibility to acute mountain sickness

Extensive studies have been performed on acute mountain sickness (AMS), but biomarkers predicting AMS are lacking. Presently, the mainstay methods to identify AMS biomarkers include proteomic and genetic methods at high altitudes or in hypoxic simulated chambers. In the present study, we compared plasma cytokine profiles between AMS-susceptible individuals and AMS-resistant individuals at low altitude by cytokine array analysis. In total, 75 differentially expressed cytokines were identified between AMS-susceptible individuals and AMS-resistant individuals, most involved in inflammation. A quantifiable human custom cytokine antibody array was then used to further test results of cytokine array analysis. Compared to AMS-resistant individuals, the level of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP-6) was significantly lower in AMS-susceptible individuals (37,318.99 ± 23,493.11 pg/mL and 25,665.38 ± 25,691.29 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.04). Conversely, the levels of serum amyloid A1 (SAA1), dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 4 (Dkk4), and interleukin 17 receptor A (IL-17RA) were significantly higher in AMS-susceptible individuals than in AMS-resistant individuals (SAA1: 4,069.69 ± 2,502.93 pg/mL vs. 2,994.98 ± 2,295.91 pg/mL, P = 0.05; Dkk4: 2,090.00 ± 2,094.89 pg/mL vs. 1,049.88 ± 1,690.93 pg/mL, P = 0.07; IL-17RA: 11.52 ± 8.33 pg/mL vs. 8.67 ± 6.22 pg/mL, P = 0.08). Although further in-depth research is required to examine the possible role of these cytokines in the development of AMS, these four cytokines may be of use in predicting AMS-susceptibility in a low-altitude environment.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 deficiency promotes granulocytic allergen-induced airway inflammation

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in inflammatory reaction, including asthma-related airway inflammation. MMP-8, mainly produced by neutrophils, has recently been reported to be increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from asthmatic patients. To evaluate the role of MMP-8 in asthma, we measured MMP-8 expression in lung tissue in an OVA-sensitized mouse model of asthma and addressed the effect of MMP-8 deletion on allergen-induced bronchial inflammation. MMP-8 production was increased in lungs from C57BL/6 mice exposed to allergens. After allergen exposure, MMP-8(-/-) mice developed an airway inflammation characterized by an increased neutrophilic inflammation in BALF and an increased neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration in the airway walls. MMP-8 deficiency was associated with increased levels of IL-4 and anti-OVA IgE and IgG1 in BALF and serum, respectively. Although allergen exposure induced an enhancement of LPS-induced CXC chemokine, KC, and MIP-2 levels in BALF and lung parenchyma, no difference was observed between the two genotypes. Inflammatory cell apoptosis was reduced in the lungs from MMP-8(-/-) mice. For the first time, our study evidences an important role of MMP-8 in the control of neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration during allergen-induced lung inflammation, and demonstrates that the anti-inflammatory effect of MMP-8 is partly due to a regulation of inflammatory cell apoptosis.     

Preventative Effect of an Herbal Preparation (HemoHIM) on Development of Airway Inflammation in Mice via Modulation of Th1/2 Cells Differentiation

HemoHIM, an herbal preparation of three edible herbs (Angelica gigas Nakai, Cnidium officinale Makino, Paeonia japonica Miyabe) is known to increase the Th1 immune response as well as reduce the allergic response in human mast cells. Here, our goal was to determine whether or not HemoHIM could induce Th1 cell differentiation as well as inhibit the development of airway inflammation. To study Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, naive CD4⁺ T cells isolated from C57BL/6 mouse spleens were cultured with or without HemoHIM. To examine airway inflammation, C57BL/6 mice were fed HemoHIM for 4 weeks before sensitization and provocation with ovalbumin (OVA). In an in vitro experiment, naive CD4⁺ T cells displayed increased Th1 (IFN-γ⁺ cell) as well as decreased Th2 (IL-4⁺ cell) differentiation in a HemoHIM concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, in an airway inflammation mice model, eosinophil numbers in BALF, serum levels of OVA-specific IgE and IgG1, and cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) levels in BALF and the supernatant of splenocytes all decreased upon HemoHIM (100 mg/kg body weight) pretreatment (4 weeks). These results show that HemoHIM attenuated allergic airway inflammation in the mouse model through regulation of the Th1/Th2 balance.