IL-37b在炎症及其相关疾病中的作用

白细胞介素-1(IL-1)家族成员IL-1F7(IL-1 family 7)最近被命名为IL-37,它共有五种不同的亚型(IL-37a-e)。研究表明,IL-37b(IL-1F7b)可以与IL-18受体的α链结合,但并不影响IL-18的生理功能;IL-37b与IL-18结合蛋白(IL-18BP)结合后,可以增强IL-18BP对IL-18的抑制作用。IL-37b的主要作用是抑制炎症反应,它在多种炎症相关性疾病中起重要作用。     

Ⅲ型固有淋巴细胞在炎症性疾病中的作用

Ⅲ型固有淋巴细胞(group 3 innate lymphoid cells, ILC3)是近十年才被定义的一群新型免疫细胞,属于固有淋巴细胞家族。ILC3包括多种表型和功能差异的细胞亚群,主要分布于肠道、肺及皮肤等屏障组织,在机体免疫调节、组织修复和淋巴组织形成中起重要作用。然而,在多种炎症性疾病中,ILC3出现数量和功能异常,可通过分泌白介素(interleukin, IL)-17、IL-22、γ-干扰素(interferon γ, IFN-γ)及粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, GM-CSF)等致炎性细胞因子调控其他免疫细胞和诱导异位淋巴结构形成,从而促进疾病的发生和进展。因此,深入探究ILC3的表型及功能对拓展炎症性疾病的认识和寻找新的治疗靶点具有重要意义。本文就ILC3的表型特点、生物学功能及其在炎症性疾病中的研究进展进行综述。     

IL-36细胞因子在炎性疾病与肿瘤中的作用机制

白细胞介素36(IL-36)家族属于IL-1超家族,现已鉴定出4个IL-36家族成员:三种激动剂(IL-36α/β/γ)和一种拮抗剂(IL-36Ra)。IL-36的N-端经蛋白酶水解切除后具备活性,具备活性的IL-36通过结合IL-36R进一步招募IL-1RAcP形成三元复合物,进而激活下游促炎信号通路。IL-36Ra可以与IL-36激动剂竞争性结合IL-36R从而抑制信号传导。IL-36的失调会导致泛发性脓疱型银屑病、感染性疾病、关节炎以及炎症性肠病等。最近的研究结果表明,IL-36在非小细胞肺癌与结肠癌等肿瘤发生发展过程中具有关键作用,IL-36γ特异性中和抗体在小鼠模型中能有效抑制非小细胞肺癌和结肠癌进展。该文首先介绍了IL-36细胞因子家族及其介导的信号通路,然后总结了IL-36信号通路在驱动各类炎症性疾病以及改变肿瘤微环境中的关键调节作用,最后展望了靶向IL-36及其信号通路在调控炎性疾病与肿瘤发生过程中的潜在应用。     

IL-25在支气管哮喘中的作用

白介素25(Interleukin-25,IL-25)是细胞因子IL-17家族的成员之一,主要由活化的Th细胞和肥大细胞所分泌。IL-25能够诱导释放Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-5、IL-13,炎性细胞因子IL-6,Th1型趋化因子CXCL10、CXCL9、CCL5的产生,导致嗜酸性粒细胞的浸润,在支气管哮喘的发病中起重要作用,本文就此作一综述。     

IL-12和支气管哮喘

支气管哮喘是一种气道慢性炎症性疾病。越来越多的事实表明,哮喘的发生与内源性IL-12生成不足有关。IL-12无论单独应用还是作为免疫佐剂,均可逆转哮喘动物模型体内Th1/Th2失衡和抑制气道变态反应性炎症。该文综述了IL-12的生物学效应、IL-12与哮喘的关系、IL-12在哮喘治疗中的作用及其应用。     

白细胞介素-37在流感病毒感染导致的重症肺炎中作用的研究进展

流感是由流感病毒引起的急性呼吸道传染病,流感病毒感染机体过程中,常因免疫反应过度促使细胞因子大量分泌,形成细胞因子风暴,导致肺损伤、肺衰竭甚至死亡.流感病毒感染导致的重症肺炎是流感患者死亡的重要原因之一,目前临床上用于流感治疗的药物主要是抗病毒药物,通常不能调控机体的过度免疫反应,也不能减轻肺部的炎症损伤.白细胞介素-...     

IL-41/Metrnl的生物学特性及在代谢与炎症相关疾病中的作用

白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-41是一种新近发现和重新命名的细胞因子或脂肪因子.IL-41也曾分别被称为Metrnl、Cometin、Subfatin、Meteorin (Metrn)-like或Meteorin-β、IL-39等.IL-41/Metrnl是一种小分子分泌蛋白,在体内广泛表达,特别是在皮肤、黏膜和白色脂肪组织中高表达.它在神经发育、白色脂肪褐变、胰岛素敏感、代谢与炎症相关疾病中起重要作用.IL-41/Metrnl的功能和作用机制有待进一步证实.本文将综述IL-41/Metrnl的生物学特性、表达及其在代谢与炎症相关疾病中的作用研究进展,为研究相关疾病的治疗靶点或药物提供新思路.     

血清IL-17 与IL-23 在支气管哮喘患者中的表达水平及其相关性

目的:探讨IL-17与IL-23在支气管哮喘患者血清中的表达水平及其相关性。方法:选择2010年2月~2015年9月在我院进行诊治的支气管哮喘患者98例,其中包括56例为缓解期组,42例为急性发作期组,对照组为20例体检健康者,观察三组的血清IL-17、IL-23水平及肺功能指标的差异,并分析其相关性。结果:与对照组相比,缓解期组和急性发作期组血清IL-17、IL-23水平均明显升高(P0.05),急性发作期组血清IL-17、IL-23水平均显著高于缓解期组(P0.05);急性发作期组患者的PEF%、FEV1%、V50%、V25%均明显低于缓解期组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);哮喘患者血清IL-17水平与IL-23水平呈正相关(r=0.685,P=0.000),血清IL-17与FEV1负相关(r=-0.592,P=0.000)、与PEF负相关(r=-0.515,P=0.000),IL-23与FEV1负相关(r=-0.598,P=0.000),与PEF负相关(r=-0.532,P=0.000)。结论:血清IL-17和IL-23的高表达可能参与了支气管哮喘的形成,并能影响疾病的进程,两者表达水平密切相关。     

IL-37对粉尘螨诱导气道上皮及固有免疫细胞产生IL-6的作用研究

目的探讨气道上皮细胞及固有免疫细胞经粉尘螨刺激后,白细胞介素37(interleukin 37,IL-37)对其产生细胞因子IL-6的影响。方法体外培养人肺泡上皮细胞系A549、小鼠肺上皮细胞系MLE-12、小鼠巨噬细胞系RAW264.7和原代小鼠固有淋巴样2型细胞(ILC2细胞),当细胞融合度达70%时,用IL-37预处理2 h,再给予粉尘螨粗提物刺激细胞,每种细胞均设PBS、IL-37及粉尘螨对照,并分别于不同时间点收集细胞沉淀和细胞培养液上清;用实时聚合酶链反应(real-time polymerase chain reaction,real-time PCR)法检测细胞因子IL-6在mRNA水平上的变化,用双抗体夹心ELISA检测细胞因子IL-6在蛋白水平的变化,用流式细胞术分选ILC2细胞并检测ILC2细胞表面IL-37受体的表达情况。结果粉尘螨粗提物可促进A549细胞、MLE-12细胞、RAW264.7细胞和ILC2细胞表达I L-6,且呈时间依赖的方式(P0.05)。IL-37可抑制粉尘螨粗提物所诱导的IL-6在A549细胞、MLE-12细胞和RAW264.7细胞表达(P0.05);但IL-37对粉尘螨粗提物刺激ILC2细胞分泌IL-6无明显抑制作用(P0.05)。结论IL-37可抑制粉尘螨诱导的气道上皮细胞和巨噬细胞产生IL-6,并可通过负向调控下调气道炎症反应,为IL-37在哮喘治疗中的潜在应用提供了实验依据。     

小青龙汤对小鼠支气管哮喘模型气道炎症及细胞因子的影响

目的:探讨中药方剂小青龙汤对小鼠哮喘模型气道炎症及细胞因子的影响。方法:40只BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常对照组(A组)、哮喘模型组(B组)、小青龙汤低剂量组(C组)和小青龙汤高剂量组(D组)。B、C、D组采用卵蛋白(OVA)腹腔注射致敏与雾化吸入激发制作哮喘模型。于OVA激发结束后24h收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)计数炎性细胞总数及嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)数目,并测定BALF上清液中白细胞介素-4(IL-4)和干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)水平变化。结果:小青龙汤的干预治疗能显著降低小鼠BALF中炎性细胞总数及EOS数量;BALF上清液中IFN-γ水平明显升高,IL-4水平显著下降。D、C组与A组、B组有显著性差异(P<0.05),C组与D组结果亦存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:小青龙汤能明显降低哮喘小鼠BALF中炎性细胞数量,影响细胞因子水平变化,从而改善哮喘气道炎症。     

IL-17 family cytokines mediated signaling in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is the immediate protective response of the body to pathogen invasions, allergen challenges, chemical exposures or physical injuries. Acute inflammation usually accompanies with transient infiltration of leukocytes, removal of danger signals and eventually tissue repair, while persistent and uncontrolled inflammation becomes a major stimulator in the progression of many chronic diseases in human, including autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer. Interleukin (IL)-17 family is a recent classified subset of cytokines, playing critical roles in both acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In this review, we will summarize recent progresses on the signalings of this family cytokines and their impacts on the inflammatory responses or disorders.     

IL-17A is involved in diabetic inflammatory pathogenesis by its receptor IL-17RA

Interleukin (IL)-17A, a proinflammatory cytokine produced by T-helper (Th)17 cells, has been associated with autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused either due to mutation of insulin gene or developed as an autoimmune disease. Studies have shown that IL-17A expression is upregulated in the pancreas in T1D patients and animal models. However, role or importance of IL-17A in T1D pathogenesis needs elucidation. Particularly, evidence for a direct injury of IL-17A to pancreatic β cells through activating IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) is lacking. Ins2^Akita (Akita) mouse, a T1D model with spontaneous mutation in insulin 2 gene leading to β-cell apoptosis, was crossed with IL-17A-knockout mouse and male IL-17A-deficient Akita mice were used. Streptozotocin, a pancreatic β-cell-specific cytotoxin, was employed to induce a diabetic model in MIN6 cells, a mouse insulinoma cell line. IL-17A expression in the pancreas was upregulated in both Akita and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. IL-17A-knockout Akita mice manifested reduced blood glucose concentration and raised serum insulin level. IL-17A deficiency also decreased production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ in Akita mice. IL-17RA expression in MIN6 cells was upregulated by IL-17A. IL-17A enhanced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and further increased streptozotocin-induced expression of the inflammatory factors in MIN6 cells. IL-17A exacerbated streptozotocin-induced MIN6 cell apoptosis and insulin secretion impairment. Blocking IL-17RA with anti-IL-17RA-neutralizing antibody reduced all these deleterious effects of IL-17A on MIN6 cells. Collectively, IL-17A deficiency alleviated hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and inflammatory response in Akita mice that are characteristic for T1D. IL-17A exerted an alone and synergistic destruction with streptozotocin to pancreatic β cells through IL-17RA pathway. Thus, the data suggest that targeting IL-17A and/or IL-17RA is likely to preserve remaining β-cell function and treat T1D.Impact statementThe participation of interleukin (IL)-17A in diabetic pathogenesis is suggested in animal models of autoimmune diabetes and in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but with some contradictory results. Particularly, evidence for a direct injury of IL-17A to pancreatic β cells is lacking. We showed that IL-17A deficiency alleviated diabetic signs including hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and inflammatory response in Ins2^Akita (Akita) mice, a T1D model with spontaneous mutation in insulin 2 gene leading to β-cell apoptosis. IL-17A enhanced inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis but attenuated insulin level in mouse insulin-producing MIN6 cells. IL-17A had also a synergistic destruction to MIN6 cells with streptozotocin (STZ), a pancreatic β-cell-specific cytotoxin. Blocking IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) reduced all these deleterious effects of IL-17A on MIN6 cells. The results demonstrate the role and the importance of IL-17A in T1D pathogenesis and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for T1D targeting IL-17A and/or IL-17RA.     

Targeting IL-34 in inflammatory autoimmune diseases

Interleukin-34 (IL-34) shares a common receptor with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and can bind to CSF-1R, induces lymphocytes differentiation, proliferation, and regulates the synthesis of inflammatory components. Recent findings reported aberrant expression of IL-34 in several autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, arthritis, systemic sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases. The functional analysis further demonstrated that IL-34 may perform significantly in these inflammatory autoimmune disorders. IL-34 might consider as a biomarker for these diseases. I hope this collection of the findings in this review will improve knowledge of the role of IL-34, and targeting IL-34 may give the potential for these autoimmune diseases.     

Immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), comprising polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion-body myositis, are characterized by inflammatory cell infiltrates in skeletal muscle tissue, muscle weakness, and muscle fatigue. The cellular infiltrates often consist of T lymphocytes and macrophages but also, in some cases, B lymphocytes. Emerging data have led to improved phenotypic characterization of the inflammatory cells, including their effector molecules, in skeletal muscle, peripheral blood, and other organs that are frequently involved, such as skin and lungs. In this review we summarize the latest findings concerning the role of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and other antigen-presenting cells in the pathophysiology of IIMs.     

Angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint and lung diseases

This paper reviews hypotheses about roles of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease in two organs, the synovial joint and the lung. Neovascularisation is a fundamental process for growth and tissue repair after injury. Nevertheless, it may contribute to a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis. Inflammation can promote angiogenesis, and new vessels may enhance tissue inflammation. Angiogenesis in inflammatory disease may also contribute to tissue growth, disordered tissue perfusion, abnormal ossification, and enhanced responses to normal or pathological stimuli. Angiogenesis inhibitors may reduce inflammation and may also help to restore appropriate tissue structure and function.     

IL-23 in inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer

Studies in recent years have identified a pivotal role of the cytokine IL-23 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: Crohn´s disease, ulcerative colitis) and colitis-associated colon cancer. Genetic studies revealed that subgroups of IBD patients have single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-23R gene suggesting that IL-23R signaling affects disease susceptibility. Furthermore, increased production of IL-23 by macrophages, dendritic cells or granulocytes has been observed in various mouse models of colitis, colitis-associated cancer and IBD patients. Moreover, in several murine models of colitis, suppression of IL-12/IL-23 p40, IL-23 p19 or IL-23R function led to marked suppression of gut inflammation. This finding was associated with reduced activation of IL-23 target cells such as T helper 17 cells, innate lymphoid cells type 3, granulocytes and natural killer cells as well as with impaired production of proinflammatory cytokines. Based on these findings, targeting of IL-23 emerges as important concept for suppression of gut inflammation and inflammation-associated cancer growth. Consistently, neutralizing antibodies against IL-12/IL-23 p40 and IL-23 p19 have been successfully used in clinical trials for therapy of Crohn´s disease and pilot studies in ulcerative colitis are ongoing. These findings underline the crucial regulatory role of IL-23 in chronic intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated cancer and indicate that therapeutic strategies aiming at IL-23 blockade may be of key relevance for future therapy of IBD patients.     

Tissue transglutaminase and coeliac disease pathogenesis: potential molecular mechanisms for other human diseases.

Coeliac disease (CD) is one of the most common food intolerances described in the western population. The main food agent that provokes the strong and diffuse clinical symptoms has been known for several years to be gliadin, a protein present in a very large number of human foods derived from vegetables. Only recently, some biochemical and immunological aspects of this very common disease have been clarified, and tissue transglutaminase, a multifunctional and ubiquitous enzyme, has been identified as one of the major factors. This enzyme, through its catalytic activities, produces the main biochemical and immunological effects observed in patients affected by this disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent findings concerning the relationships between the biochemical properties of tissue transglutaminase and the basic molecular mechanisms responsible for CD. In addition, we present some frequent clinical associations of CD with other human diseases, with particular reference to neuropsychiatric disorders. Possible molecular links between CD, neuropsychiatric disorders and biochemical activities of transglutaminase enzymes are discussed.     

上皮源性细胞因子IL-33、IL-25和TSLP在哮喘发病机制中的作用

哮喘(asthma)是一种以气道高反应性、慢性气道炎症、气道重塑和可逆性的气流受阻为特征的常见慢性呼吸系统疾病。近年来,研究发现气道上皮细胞在霉菌、尘螨、花粉、病毒感染、空气污染物等各种损伤因素的作用下,可释放细胞因子白细胞介素-33(interleukin-33,IL-33)、白细胞介素-25(interleukin-25,IL-25)和胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素(thymic stromal lymphopoietin,TSLP),这些细胞因子不仅可作用于2型辅助性T细胞(type 2 helper T cells,Th2 cells),同时也可作用于固有淋巴样2型细胞(group 2 innate lymphoid cells,ILC2s),通过释放Th2型细胞因子,参与哮喘的发生与发展。尽管这3种细胞因子在哮喘的发生与发展中均起到重要作用,但其在哮喘病理、生理学效应及作用方式上并非完全相同。现就这3种上皮源性细胞因子IL-33、IL-25和TSLP在哮喘发病机制中的作用作一概述。