白细胞介素12在细胞免疫及抗肿瘤中的作用

IL-12是由巨噬细胞和B细胞产生的一种二聚体细胞因子,是具有多种生物活性的免疫效应细胞生长刺激因子。细胞因子网络在维持免疫功能,促进机体抗感染方面起重要作用。特别是能促进T细胞和NK细胞的增殖与杀瘤作用,诱导IFN-γ等多种细胞因子的产生,调节Th1细胞发育,因而具有良好的抗癌作用。     

系统性红斑狼疮与细胞因子的研究进展

系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)属系统性自身免疫病,以B淋巴细胞高度活化为特征,产生大量自身抗体与免疫复合物导致组织器官损害,但其致病机制仍未阐明.研究发现Th1/Th2细胞亚群及细胞因子在其发病的过程中发挥着重要的作用,细胞因子的异常表达将有助于判断疾病活动程度及指导临床免疫治疗.本文就以下几种细胞因子IL-10,IL-12,IL-18,IFN-γ,IL-17,IL-6的研究进展作一综述.     

IL-1α、IFN-γ、TNF-α和NGF-β在胚胎后期皖西白鹅中脑的表达

用免疫组化SABC法研究白介素-1α(IL-1α)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和神经生长因子-β(NGF-β)在胚胎后期皖西白鹅中脑的表达与分布,并作统计学处理。结果发现,中央灰质层、中央白质层、室周灰质纤维层、半圆丘、峡核细胞胞质与突起阳性反应明显,其中峡核阳性反应最为明显,顶盖最不明显,且峡核大细胞部纤维着色明显;IL-1α在4种细胞因子中分布范围最广,阳性反应最强;IFN-γ与TNF-α阳性反应中,部分树突着色明显,且IFN-γ染色效果强于TNF-α;NGF-β的阳性突起与纤维较少。由结果可得,细胞因子可能是通过峡核-顶盖通路的作用,由峡核传递到顶盖;IL-1α在中枢神经系统中有重要作用;IFN-γ作为中枢神经系统介质的作用强于TNF-α。     

蛋氨酸脑啡肽单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ对小鼠CD4+T细胞作用的研究

通过体内外MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ对C57BL/6小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量以及细胞因子产生量的变化,来阐明MENK对CD4+T细胞的免疫效应.应用流式细胞术、酶联免疫吸附试验、RT-PCR方法检测C57 BL/6小鼠体内外单独应用MENK,或联合IL-2、IFN-γ后,CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA的表达量及上清中细胞因子含量.MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ,在体内能显著增加小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量及细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ含量;体外MENK单独应用可以显著增加小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量及细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ含量;而体外MENK联合IL-2或IFN-γ与MENK单独作用时相比无明显差异.MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ,在体内能上调CD4+T细胞的免疫效应.     

白细胞介素18在免疫应答中的作用

白细胞介素18(IL-18)是IL-1细胞因子超家族中的一员,是γ干扰素(IFN-γ)细胞因子产生的主要诱导因子之一[1],在调节机体的免疫反应中起着重要的作用,可调节天然免疫应答和获得性免疫应答,而且也是一个能够在不同的免疫环境中调节Th1或Th2类免疫应答的细胞因子[2].     

五种益生菌菌株对脐血单个核细胞免疫作用的实验研究

目的比较不同剂量的5种不同益生菌菌株的免疫调节作用,为选择适当的菌株进行治疗提供依据。方法取7例健康孕妇的脐血分离出的脐血单个核细胞(cord blood monocular cells,CBMC),分别与长双歧杆菌6-1株、婴儿双歧杆菌CGMCC313-1株、嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株、粪链球菌YIT0072株和酪酸梭状芽胞杆菌CGMCC313-2株,以菌和CBMC比例2∶1(低)、20∶1(中)和200∶1(高)共培养24~36 h,同时设阴性对照(PBS)和阳性对照(脂多糖,LPS)。然后采用流式细胞仪检测各组CBMC表面CD4、CD25分子表达情况,用ELISA方法检测培养上清中IL-10、IL-12、IL-4、TGF-β1和IFN-γ的水平。结果 (1)与阴性对照(PBS)组相比,除200∶1比例的酪酸梭状芽胞杆菌CGMCC313-2株能够显著提高CBMC表达CD4CD25(10.45±3.16 vs 5.84±2.32,P=0.009)以外,其余益生菌菌株对表达CD4CD25差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)长双歧杆菌6-1株在中高剂量下,能够刺激CBMC产生IL-10和IFN-γ,对产生IL-12无明显影响。(3)婴儿型双歧杆菌CGMCC313-1株在各个剂量下均能够刺激CBMC产生IL-10,对IL-12和IFN-γ产生无明显影响。(4)酪酸梭状芽胞杆菌CGMCC313-2株在中高剂量下,能够刺激CBMC产生IL-10,对IL-12和IFN-γ产生无明显影响。(5)粪链球菌YIT0072株在低中剂量下,能够刺激CBMC产生IL-10、IL-12和IFN-γ,而高剂量则无影响。(6)嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株在中高剂量下,能够刺激CBMC产生IL-10,在中剂量下,能够刺激CBMC产生IFN-γ,对IL-12无影响。(7)在本研究中均未能检测出IL-4和TGF-β1。结论在目前国内使用的益生菌菌株中,仅酪酸梭状芽胞杆菌CGMCC313-2株能够显著提高CBMC表达CD4CD25。5种菌株均能够刺激CBMC产生抗炎症因子IL-10;长双歧杆菌6-1株、粪链球菌YIT0072株和嗜酸乳杆菌YIT2004株能够刺激CBMC产生Th1型细胞因子INF-γ,仅粪链球菌YIT0072株能够刺激CBMC产生IL-12。各个菌株在不同的剂量下,具有不同作用。提示在应用益生菌治疗免疫等相关性疾病时,应该考虑不同菌株对免疫细胞的不同作用机制。     

金线莲多糖对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、分泌NO及细胞因子的影响

本试验旨在研究金线莲多糖(ARP)对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、NO及细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ分泌水平的影响。MTT法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖;Griess法检测NO分泌水平;ELISA法检测细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的含量。结果显示,与对照组比较,ARP在50~400μg/m L可明显促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖(P0.01),促进NO分泌(P0.01),促进细胞因子IL-2、IL-6和IFN-γ分泌(P0.05,P0.01)。以上结果提示ARP能提高免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外免疫活性,其作用机制可能与促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,促进NO产生以及提高IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的分泌水平有关。     

IL-10、IFN-γ调控早孕蜕膜基质细胞活性IL-10受体表达

研究IL-10、IFN-γ对人早孕蜕膜基质细胞活性及IL-10受体表达的影响。MTT法检测蜕膜基质细胞活性,选择两种不同作用浓度的IL-10、IFN-γ作用蜕膜基质细胞,处理15min、30min、45min、60min分别检测组胞IL-10受体R1、R2基因表达。高浓度IL-10(10-100ng/ml)促进蜕膜基质细胞活性(P＜0．05),低浓度IL-10(0．10-lng/ml)则无明显促进作用(P＞0．05);高浓度IFN-γ(1000ng/ml)抑制蜕膜基质细胞活性(P＜0．01),低浓度IFN-γ(10ng/ml)反而起促进作用(P＜0．05)。较高浓度IL-10(10ng/ml)作用15min即见IL-10R1高表达,30min明显减弱,45min表达消失;较低浓度IL-10(lng/ml)作用60min内未见IL-10R1表达。IFN-γ(100ng/ml)作用45min见IL-10R1短暂低表达：较低浓度IFN-γ(10ng/ml)作用30min诱导IL-10R1中表达,45min表达减弱,60min消失。上述细胞因子作用前后IL-10R2表达差异无显著性(P＞0．05)。因此,我们认为,早孕IL-10、IFN-γ可能通过影响蜕膜基质细胞IL-10R1表达及细胞活性,发挥免疫调节作用。     

乳杆菌对牛乳β-乳球蛋白致敏小鼠淋巴细胞分泌Th1/Th2型细胞因子和抗体的体外影响

为了分析乳杆菌对致敏小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌Th1/Th2细胞因子及抗体的体外影响,用牛乳β-乳球蛋白腹腔注射BALB/c小鼠建立过敏症模型,造模成功后,分离致敏小鼠的脾淋巴细胞并与4种活/死乳杆菌(107 CFU/mL)体外共同孵育,ELISA法检测细胞上清液中细胞因子(IL-12、IFN-γ和IL-4)和抗体(总IgE、β-Lg特异性IgE和总IgG)含量。4种活/死乳杆菌均可体外调节致敏小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子和抗体的水平,特别是热致死的发酵乳杆菌和嗜酸乳杆菌可提高淋巴细胞IL-12和IFN-γ的分泌,抑制IL-4的分泌,使其IFN-γ/IL-4比值(代表Th1/Th2细胞平衡)高于活菌,与空白对照组比较差异显著(P<0.05)。同时,这两株热致死菌还可显著下调细胞上清液中总IgE、特异性IgE和总IgG抗体的浓度(P<0.05)。试验结果表明乳杆菌可提高牛乳β-乳球蛋白致敏小鼠脾淋巴细胞的IFN-γ/IL-4比值,进而纠正Th2占优势的Th1/Th2失衡,下调抗体分泌量,且具有菌株特异性。     

白细胞介素18的生物学作用

白细胞介素 18(IL - 18)是新近发现的细胞因子 ,具有诱导 IFN-γ的产生 ,促进 T细胞的增殖 ,促进 Th1细胞的发育和增殖 ,增强 NK细胞及 Th1细胞的细胞毒性 ,增强粒细胞 -巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (GM- CSF)的产生 ,抗肿瘤效应 ,抑制 Ig E的生成以及破骨细胞的形成等多种生物学活性和作用     

Genomic structure and characterisation of the promoter region of the human IL-18 gene

Interleukin (IL)-18 is a cytokine that plays an important role in the T helper (Th) 1 response, primarily by its ability to induce gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells. It also plays a role in host resistance to infection and in Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced histopathology. By a direct sequencing on P1 Artificial Chromosomes (PAC) clones, we have determined the genomic structure and the promoter region of the human IL-18 gene. The IL-18 gene spans approximately 20 Kb and consists of 6 exous. The 5'-flanking regions of human IL-18 and mouse IL-18 show 75% homology suggesting conserved promoter regulatory factors.     

Interleukin-18.

Interleukin (IL)-18 is a newly discovered cytokine, structurally similar to IL-1, with profound effects on T-cell activation. This short review summarizes the present knowledge on IL-18, to give an insight into the future perspectives for its possible use as vaccine adjuvant. Formerly called interferon (IFN) gamma inducing factor (IGIF), IL-18 is the new name of a novel cytokine that plays an important role in the T-cell-helper type 1 (Th1) response, primarily by its ability to induce IFNgamma production in T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Mice deficient in IL-18 have suppressed IFNgamma production despite the presence of IL-12 IL-18 is related to the IL-1 family in terms of structure, receptor family, and function. In terms of structure, IL-18 and IL-1beta share primary amino acid sequences of the so-called "signature sequence" motif and are similarly folded as all-beta pleated sheet molecules. Also similar to IL-1beta, IL-18 is synthesized as a biologically inactive precursor molecule lacking a signal peptide which requires cleavage into an active, mature molecule by the intracellular cysteine protease called IL-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE, also called caspase-1). The activity of mature IL-18 is closely related to that of IL-1. IL-18 induces gene expression and synthesis of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1, Fas ligand, and several chemokines. The activity of IL-18 is via an IL-18 receptor (IL-18R) complex. This IL-18R complex is made up of a binding chain termed IL-18Ralpha, a member of the IL-1 receptor family previously identified as the IL-1 receptor-related protein (IL-1Rrp), and a signaling chain, also a member of the IL-1R family. The IL-18R complex recruits the IL-1R-activating kinase (IRAK) and TNFR-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6) which phosphorylates nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB)-inducing kinase (NIK) with subsequent activation of NFkappaB. Thus on the basis of primary structure, three-dimensional structure, receptor family, signal transduction pathways and biological effects, IL-18 appears to be a new member of the IL-1 family. Similar to IL-1, IL-18 participates in both innate and acquired immunity.     

Serum levels of interleukin-18 in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Interleukin (IL)-18, a newly discovered cytokine produced primarily by macrophages, has been shown to induce gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by natural killer cells, to induce the T helper type 1 response. To further elucidate the role of this cytokine in uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, serum levels of IL-18, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), determined by an immunoenzymatic assay, were analyzed in 40 adult patients, and in 15 healthy control subjects. A significant increase in serum levels of IL-18 was observed in patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria on admission, whereas serum levels of IFN-gamma tended to increase although not significantly. Serum levels of IL-18 decreased three days later, but still remained significantly high, whereas IFN-gamma levels returned to normal levels compared to the controls. No significant correlation was found between parasitemia and serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-gamma. The increase of IL-18 levels during acute and recovery phases of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria may reflect a proinflammatory role of IL-18 in these patients. An early and effective immune response regulated by proinflammatory Th1 cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-12, and possibly IFN-gamma may limit the progression from uncomplicated malaria to severe and life-threatening complications.     

Yaba monkey tumor virus encodes a functional inhibitor of interleukin-18

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a critical proinflammatory cytokine whose extracellular bioactivity is regulated by a cellular IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). Many poxviruses have acquired variants of this IL-18BP gene, some of which have been shown to act as viral virulence factors. Yaba monkey tumor virus (YMTV) encodes a related family member, 14L, which is similar to the orthopoxvirus IL-18BPs. YMTV 14L was expressed from a baculovirus system and tested for its ability to bind and inhibit IL-18. We found that YMTV 14L bound both human IL-18 (hIL-18) and murine IL-18 with high affinity, at 4.1 nM and 6.5 nM, respectively. YMTV 14L was able to fully sequester hIL-18 but could only partially inhibit the biological activity of hIL-18 as measured by gamma interferon secretion from KG-1 cells. Additionally, 17 hIL-18 point mutants were tested by surface plasmon resonance for their ability to bind to YMTV 14L. Two clusters of hIL-18 surface residues were found to be important for the hIL-18-YMTV 14L interaction, in contrast to results for the Variola virus IL-18BP, which has been shown to primarily interact with a single cluster of three amino acids. The altered binding specificity of YMTV 14L most likely represents an adaptation resulting in increased fitness of the virus and affirms the plasticity of poxviral inhibitor domains that target cytokines like IL-18.     

Cryptococcus neoformans and its cell wall components induce similar cytokine profiles in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells despite differences in structure

We studied the cytokine profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimulation with various cryptococcal strains or its purified cell wall components. After 3 h of stimulation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha levels were strongly increased, whereas interferon (IFN) gamma and interleukin (IL) 10 levels were increased only slightly, or not at all (respectively). In contrast, after 18 h, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were (strongly) decreased, whereas the IL-10 levels were increased. The IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were equally high throughout the experiment. In order to establish which of the cryptococcal envelope components contributed most to the observed cytokine profile induced by whole cryptococci, glucuronoxylomannan, galactoxylomannan and mannoproteins were purified and partially characterized biochemically. All cryptococcal components elicited a similar cytokine pattern despite the differences in structure.     

Cloning and characterization of a new isoform of mouse interleukin-18

Interleukin-18 （IL-18） is a novel proinflammatory cytokine with potent interferon （IFN）-γ inducing activity that plays an important biological role in the enhancement of the activity of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, In this study, we have identified a novel short form of IL- 18 in mouse, named IL-18s. IL-18s might be an alternative splicing variant of IL-18 and its cDNA contains a 57 bp in-frame deletion, Like IL-18, IL-18s is also widely expressed in mouse tissues, It was suggested that IL-18s might have a caspase- 1-dependent mechanism for maturation and secretion similar to that of IL- 18： when transfected in COS-7 cells, pro-IL-18s （22 kDa） could be detected, and the mature IL-18s （16 kDa） could also be detected when combined with caspase-1. We observed that recombinant mouse IL-18s did not show any IL-18-like function, and IL-18s could enhance the ability of IL-18 to increase IFN-γ production by approximately 40% in mouse splenocytes. This effect was observed primarily at relative low concentrations of IL-18, suggesting that IL- 18s might regulate the activity of IL- 18 in the physiological conditions,     

Regulation of Staphylococcus epidermidis-induced IFN-gamma in whole human blood: the role of endogenous IL-18, IL-12, IL-1, and TNF

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-18 act synergistically to stimulate interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) production; moreover, IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may also augment IFN-gamma synthesis. We have investigated the relative contributions of these cytokines in the production of IFN-gamma and TNF by the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis, using the specific cytokine inhibitors IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), anti-IL-12 antibodies (anti-IL-12 Ab), and TNF binding protein. Inhibition of caspase-1 reduced IFN-gamma and IL-1beta levels (by 80 and 67%, respectively) when heat-killed S. epidermidis was added to whole human blood cultures. IL-18BP reduced S. epidermidis-induced IFN-gamma (77% maximal suppression). In contrast, blocking IL-1 receptors by IL-1Ra had no effect on IFN-gamma production. Blocking endogenous IL-12 and TNF reduced IFN-gamma production by 69 and 36%. S. epidermidis-induced TNF-alpha was inhibited by IL-18BP and IL-1Ra, but not anti-IL-12 Ab, whereas IL-8 production was unaffected by any of the specific cytokine blocking agents. In conclusion, S. epidermidis stimulates IFN-gamma which is IL-18, IL-12 and TNF-dependent, but IL-1 independent.     

Human keratinocytes are major producers of IL-18: predominant expression of the unprocessed form

The cytokine network in the skin is a tightly regulated system in which IL-1 isoforms, as well as their receptors and antagonists have a central role. The recently discovered IL-1 isoform IL-18 (also known as interferon gamma-inducing factor (IGIF) or IL-1gamma), promotes IFN-gamma expression by T cells in concert with IL-12. Because IFN-gamma plays an important role in many inflammatory skin diseases by facilitating the development of Th1 cells, it is important to elucidate the role of mediators which regulate the production of this cytokine. We demonstrate that human keratinocytes constitutively express IL-18 at the mRNA as well as at the protein level. The protein was mainly expressed intracellularly in the 24 kD unprocessed pro-form, but was also secreted. Histochemistry revealed a diffuse staining of IL-18 in the epidermis of normal skin, which is in line with our in vitro data. Furthermore, we show that the level of IL-18 expressed in freshly isolated normal human epidermal cells, whether or not containing HLA-DR+ cells, significantly exceeded the expression levels of other cell types such as monocytes and bronchial epithelial cells. Finally, our results show that stimulation of the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT with PMA LPS or IL-1beta, does not significantly affect intracellular or released (pro) IL-18 levels. These experiments show for the first time that human keratinocytes relative to monocytes, PBMC or leukocytes produce a considerably larger amount of pro-IL-18, which is also readily released. High constitutive levels of IL-18 may contribute to the skewing towards a Th1-like environment, which is apparent in many human inflammatory skin diseases.