Neuroendocrine and immunological mechanisms in stress-induced immunomodulation

Here, we report that emotional stressors (restraint, footshock) can affect humoral immune responses as well as the capacity of immune and accessory cells to secrete interleukins. Acute restraint stress (5 min) caused a 4- to 6-fold enhancement of splenic antibody responses to sheep red blood cells. In an attempt to study endocrine mechanisms, we administered antibodies raised in rats to corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Intravenous administration of these antibodies prior to stress-exposure and immunization prevented the stress-induced increase in the humoral response. In a parallel experiment, we observed that CRF-immunoneutralization prevented the restraint stress-induced increase in plasma ACTH concentrations, but was without effect on plasma prolactin, melanocyte stimulating hormone, adrenaline and noradrenaline responses. These data suggest the presence of an indirect pathway involving ACTH and related peptides by which CRF controls humoral responses to stress. A pathway involving a direct mechanism of CRF at the level of the immune cells will be discussed. In a set of other experiments, we addressed the question of whether interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 plasma levels induced by injection of endotoxin could be modulated by emotional stress. Exposure to prolonged footshock stress (20 min) prior to endotoxin injection resulted in a blunted plasma ACTH and interleukin-1 response, without affecting the endotoxin-induced plasma interleukin-6 respose. These data suggest that at least one level at which emotional stress may influence immune function is by changing the capacity of immune cells to produce and/or secrete immune regulatory interleukins.     

Gamma-interferon inhibits rat granulosa cell differentiation in culture

A growing body of evidence indicates that factors secreted by cells of the immune system can directly affect a variety of endocrine phenomena. In the present study we examined the direct effects of the cytokine, interferon (IFN), on FSH-stimulated steroidogenesis and LH/hCG receptor induction in rat granulosa cells. We show that gamma-IFN, but not alpha-IFN, inhibits FSH-stimulated progesterone, 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and estrogen production as well as gonadotropin-induced LH/hCG receptor formation in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that gamma-IFN may play a role in the maturation and differentiation of granulosa cells and thus may serve as a regulatory link between the immune and reproductive endocrine systems.     

脂肪组织的免疫功能

脂肪组织不仅是能量的储备器官,也是一个重要的内分泌器官.它协助神经系统和其他内分泌器官维持机体的内平衡.近年来,一些研究表明脂肪组织与免疫反应有着密切的联系.人们发现脂肪细胞分泌的瘦素不仅调节机体的能量代谢和控制脂肪的积累,还参与调节单核细胞、巨噬细胞和淋巴细胞的免疫功能,是一种作用广泛的细胞因子.脂肪细胞分泌的其他因子如脂联素也有免疫调节作用.免疫刺激还会作用于淋巴结周围的脂肪组织,引起这些脂肪细胞发生脂解作用.脂肪组织与免疫系统的相互作用,进一步表明生命是由各系统组成的一个有机统一体.随着对这一领域的研究不断深入,可能为某些疾病的治疗提供新的途径.     

Chemical neuroanatomy of the vesicular amine transporters.

Acetylcholine, catecholamines, serotonin, and histamine are classical neurotransmitters. These small molecules also play important roles in the endocrine and immune/inflammatory systems. Serotonin secreted from enterochromaffin cells of the gut epithelium regulates gut motility; histamine secreted from basophils and mast cells is a major regulator of vascular permeability and skin inflammatory responses; epinephrine is a classical hormone released from the adrenal medulla. Each of these molecules is released from neural, endocrine, or immune/inflammatory cells only in response to specific physiological stimuli. Regulated secretion is possible because amines are stored in secretory vesicles and released via a stimulus-dependent exocytotic event. Amine storage-at concentrations orders of magnitude higher than in the cytoplasm-is accomplished in turn by specific secretory vesicle transporters that recognize the amines and move them from the cytosol into the vesicle. Immunohistochemical visualization of specific vesicular amine transporters (VATs) in neuronal, endocrine, and inflammatory cells provides important new information about how amine-handling cell phenotypes arise during development and how vesicular transport is regulated during homeostatic response events. Comparison of the chemical neuroanatomy of VATs and amine biosynthetic enzymes has also revealed cell groups that express vesicular transporters but not enzymes for monoamine synthesis, and vice versa: their function and regulation is a new topic of investigation in mammalian neurobiology. The chemical neuroanatomy of the vesicular amine transporters is reviewed here. These and similar data emerging from the study of the localization of the recently characterized vesicular inhibitory and excitatory amino acid transporters will contribute to understanding chemically coded synaptic circuitry in the brain, and amine-handling neuroendocrine and immune/inflammatory cell regulation.     

Muscle-to-tumor crosstalk: The effect of exercise-induced myokine on cancer progression

Physical exercise has gradually become a focus in cancer treatment due to its pronounced role in reducing cancer risk, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and improving prognosis. In recent decades, skeletal muscles have been considered endocrine organs, exerting their biological functions via the endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine systems by secreting various types of myokines. The amount of myokines secreted varies depending on the intensity, type, and duration of exercise. Recent studies have shown that muscle-derived myokines are highly involved the effects of exercise on cancer. Multiple myokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), oncostatin M (OSM), secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), and irisin, directly mediate cancer progression by influencing the proliferation, apoptosis, stemness, drug resistance, metabolic reprogramming, and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of cancer cells. In addition, IL-6, interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-15 (IL-15), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and irisin can improve obesity-induced inflammation by stimulating lipolysis of adipose tissues, promoting glucose uptake, and accelerating the browning of white fat. Furthermore, some myokines could regulate the tumor microenvironment, such as angiogenesis and the immune microenvironment. Cancer cachexia occurs in up to 80% of cancer patients and is responsible for 22%-30% of patient deaths. It is characterized by systemic inflammation and decreased muscle mass. Exercise-induced myokine production is important in regulating cancer cachexia. This review summarizes the roles and underlying mechanisms of myokines, such as IL-6, myostatin, IL-15, irisin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and musclin, in cancer cachexia. Through comprehensive analysis, we conclude that myokines are potential targets for inhibiting cancer progression and the associated cachexia.     

Interleukin-1 is a mucus secretagogue

Explant cultures of mouse duodenum were used to show that interleukin-1 (IL-1) causes release of mucus from epithelial goblet cells. Our experiments made use of a newly described enzyme-linked lectin assay (ELLA) which employs enzyme-conjugated soybean agglutinin to detect mucus glycoproteins secreted from explant cultures of mouse duodenum. Supernatants from cultures of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages as well as partially purified rabbit alveolar macrophage-derived IL-1 and human rIL-1 beta all induced mucus release in a rapid and dose-dependent fashion. This observation may be important for investigating a link between the immune response and mucus hypersecretion from inflamed intestinal mucosa.     

免疫细胞内源性儿茶酚胺的免疫调节作用

机体内儿茶酚胺（catecholamines,CAs）包括去甲肾上腺素（norepinephrine,NE）、肾上腺素（epinephrine,E）和多巴胺（dopamine,DA）。CAs由神经元和内分泌细胞合成和分泌,其主要功能是调节心血管、呼吸和消化等内脏活动。近三十年来的研究说明,CAs也参与调控机体的免疫功能,但CAs的这种免疫调节作用一般视为神经和内分泌系统调节的介导作用。然而,近年来的研究发现,免疫细胞也能合成CAs,这是对传统观念的一种补充和提高。免疫细胞内存在经典的CAs代谢途径,既有合成CAs的酪氨酸羟化酶（tyrosine hydroxylase,TH）又有降解CAs的单胺氧化酶（monoamine oxidase,MAO）和儿茶酚氧位甲基移位酶（catechol-O-methyl transferase,COMT）。免疫细胞合成的内源性CAs可以调控细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡和细胞因子生成等多种免疫功能。CAs的这些作用可能主要通过自分泌或旁分泌途径作用于免疫细胞上相应受体和细胞内环磷酸腺苷（cyclicAMP,cAMP）实现。细胞内氧化应激机制可能也参与免疫细胞内源性CAs的免疫调节作用。此外,一些自身免疫性疾病如多发性硬化、风湿性关节炎可能也与免疫细胞内CAs的代谢异常有关。上述发现不仅为免疫系统有可能成为除神经和内分泌系统以外的第三个CA能系统提供了证据,而且为免疫系统内源性CAs的功能意义拓展了认识。     

Identification of morphine-6-glucuronide in chromaffin cell secretory granules

We report for the first time that morphine-6-glucuronide, a highly analgesic morphine-derived molecule, is present in adrenal chromaffin granules and secreted from chromaffin cells upon stimulation. We also demonstrate that phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (alternatively named Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein or RKIP) acts as an endogenous morphine-6-glucuronide-binding protein. An UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B-like enzyme, described to transform morphine into morphine-6-glucuronide, has been immunodetected in the chromaffin granule matrix, and morphine-6-glucuronide de novo synthesis has been characterized, demonstrating the possible involvement of intragranular UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B-like enzyme in morphine-6-glucuronide metabolism. Once secreted into the circulation, morphine-6-glucuronide may mediate several systemic actions (e.g. on immune cells) based on its affinity for mu-opioid receptors. These activities could be facilitated by phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP), acting as a molecular shield and preventing morphine-6-glucuronide from rapid clearance. Taken together, our data represent an important observation on the role of morphine-6-glucuronide as a new endocrine factor.     

Identification of galectin-3-binding protein as a factor secreted by tumor cells that stimulates interleukin-6 expression in the bone marrow stroma

We have previously demonstrated that neuroblastoma cells increase the expression of interleukin-6 by bone marrow stromal cells and that stimulation does not require cell-cell contact. In this study we report the purification and identification of a protein secreted by neuroblastoma cells that stimulates interleukin-6 production by stromal cells. Using a series of chromatographic purification steps including heparin-affinity, ion exchange, and molecular sieve chromatography followed by trypsin digestion and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we identified in serum-free conditioned medium of neuroblastoma cells several secreted peptides including galectin-3-binding protein, also known as 90-kDa Mac-2-binding protein. We demonstrated the presence of the galectin-3-binding protein in the conditioned medium of several neuroblastoma cell lines and in chromatographic fractions with interleukin-6 stimulatory activity. Consistently, bone marrow stromal cells express galectin-3, the receptor for galectin-3-binding protein. Supporting a role for galectin-3-binding protein in stimulating interleukin-6 expression in bone marrow stromal cells, we observed that recombinant galectin-3-binding protein stimulated interleukin-6 expression in these cells and that interleukin-6 stimulation by neuroblastoma-conditioned medium was inhibited in the presence of lactose or a neutralizing anti-galectin-3 antibody. Down-regulation of galectin-3-binding protein expression in neuroblastoma cells also decreased the interleukin-6 stimulatory activity of the conditioned medium on bone marrow stromal cells. We also provide evidence that stimulation of interleukin-6 by galectin-3-binding protein involves activation of the Erk1/2 pathway. The data, thus, identifies galectin-3-binding protein as a factor secreted by neuroblastoma cells that stimulates the expression of interleukin-6 in bone marrow stromal cells and provides a novel function for this protein in cancer progression.     

Production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist isoforms by microglia in mixed rat glial cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide

Although the natural interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has been shown to be produced by microglial cells in response to immune stimuli, nothing was known about the ability of these cells in primary culture to produce the different isoforms of IL-1Ra. Using RT-PCR, we first confirmed that mixed glial cell cultures from newborn rats respond to the cytokine inducer, lipopolysaccharide, by synthesizing IL-1Ra mRNA. Using double immunostaining, we showed that IL-1Ra was detected in microglia but not in astrocytes. Using Western blotting, we finally demonstrated that the IL-1Ra1 isoform was secreted in the supernatant of mixed glial cell cultures, and its production increased in response to lipopolysaccharide. The three different IL-1Ra isoforms were constitutively expressed in cell lysates and their levels increased after lipopolysaccharide treatment, except for IL-1Ra3. These results point to the ability of microglial cells in primary culture to produce the different isoforms of IL-1Ra.     

Arachidonic acid release from mammalian cells transfected with human groups IIA and X secreted phospholipase A(2) occurs predominantly during the secretory process and with the involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)-alpha

Stable expression of human groups IIA and X secreted phospholipases A(2) (hGIIA and hGX) in CHO-K1 and HEK293 cells leads to serum- and interleukin-1beta-promoted arachidonate release. Using mutant CHO-K1 cell lines, it is shown that this arachidonate release does not require heparan sulfate proteoglycan- or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. It is shown that the potent secreted phospholipase A(2) inhibitor Me-Indoxam is cell-impermeable. By use of Me-Indoxam and the cell-impermeable, secreted phospholipase A(2) trapping agent heparin, it is shown that hGIIA liberates free arachidonate prior to secretion from the cell. With hGX-transfected CHO-K1 cells, arachidonate release occurs before and after enzyme secretion, whereas all of the arachidonate release from HEK293 cells occurs prior to enzyme secretion. Immunocytochemical studies by confocal laser and electron microscopies show localization of hGIIA to the cell surface and Golgi compartment. Additional results show that the interleukin-1beta-dependent release of arachidonate is promoted by secreted phospholipase A(2) expression and is completely dependent on cytosolic (group IVA) phospholipase A(2). These results along with additional data resolve the paradox that efficient arachidonic acid release occurs with hGIIA-transfected cells, and yet exogenously added hGIIA is poorly able to liberate arachidonic acid from mammalian cells.     

The pancreatic islet endothelial cell: emerging roles in islet function and disease

The pancreatic islets are one of the most vascularized organs of the body. This likely reflects the requirements of the organ for a rich supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tissue, as well as the need for rapid disposal of metabolites and secreted hormones. The islet endothelium is richly fenestrated to facilitate trans-endothelial transport of secreted hormones, has a unique expression of surface markers, and produces a number of vasoactive substances and growth factors. The islet endothelial cells play a critical role in the early phase of type 1 diabetes mellitus by increasing the expression of surface leucocyte-homing receptors, thereby enabling immune cells to enter the endocrine tissue and cause beta-cell destruction. Following transplantation, pancreatic islets lack a functional capillary system and need to be properly revascularized. Insufficient revascularization may severely affect the transport properties of the islet endothelial system, resulting in a dysfunctional islet graft.     

The pancreatic islet endothelial cell: emerging roles in islet function and disease

The pancreatic islets are one of the most vascularized organs of the body. This likely reflects the requirements of the organ for a rich supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tissue, as well as the need for rapid disposal of metabolites and secreted hormones. The islet endothelium is richly fenestrated to facilitate trans-endothelial transport of secreted hormones, has a unique expression of surface markers, and produces a number of vasoactive substances and growth factors. The islet endothelial cells play a critical role in the early phase of type 1 diabetes mellitus by increasing the expression of surface leucocyte-homing receptors, thereby enabling immune cells to enter the endocrine tissue and cause beta-cell destruction. Following transplantation, pancreatic islets lack a functional capillary system and need to be properly revascularized. Insufficient revascularization may severely affect the transport properties of the islet endothelial system, resulting in a dysfunctional islet graft.     

Fc-glycosylation of IgG1 is modulated by B-cell stimuli

We have recently shown that IgG1 directed against antigens thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis harbor different glycan moieties on their Fc-tail, as compared with total sera IgG1. Given the crucial roles of Fc-linked N-glycans for the structure and biological activity of IgG, Fc-glycosylation of antibodies is receiving considerable interest. However, so far little is known about the signals and factors that could influence the composition of these carbohydrate structures on secreted IgG produced by B lymphocytes. Here we show that both "environmental" factors, such as all-trans retinoic acid (a natural metabolite of vitamin A), as well as factors stimulating the innate immune system (i.e. CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, a ligand for toll-like receptor 9) or coming from the adaptive immune system (i.e. interleukin-21, a T-cell derived cytokine) can modulate IgG1 Fc-glycosylation. These factors affect Fc-glycan profiles in different ways. CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and interleukin-21 increase Fc-linked galactosylation and reduce bisecting N-acetylglucosamine levels, whereas all-trans retinoic acid significantly decreases galactosylation and sialylation levels. Moreover, these effects appeared to be stable and specific for secreted IgG1 as no parallel changes of the corresponding glycans in the cellular glycan pool were observed. Interestingly, several other cytokines and molecules known to affect B-cell biology and antibody production did not have an impact on IgG1 Fc-coupled glycan profiles. Together, these data indicate that different stimuli received by B cells during their activation and differentiation can modulate the Fc-linked glycosylation of secreted IgG1 without affecting the general cellular glycosylation machinery. Our study, therefore, furthers our understanding of the regulation of IgG1 glycosylation at the cellular level.     

Cytokines and reproduction.

Cytokines are important in reproduction. Interleukin-1, an established immune mediator, is one of the best-characterized members of the cytokine family. We describe what is known about the interactions between the interleukin-1 system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axes. We also review the ovarian role of the interleukin-1 system. This cytokine has an immense and, as yet, imperfectly understood effect on the human reproductive tract. Clearly the immune system has a potential autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine role in regulating human reproductive events such as ovulation, luteinization, and implantation.     

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli dominantly suppress the innate immune response of bladder epithelial cells by a lipopolysaccharide- and Toll-like receptor 4-independent pathway

Urinary tract infections are a major source of morbidity among women, with the majority caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Our objective was to test if uropathogenic E. coli suppress the innate immune response of bladder epithelial cells. We found that bladder epithelial cells secrete interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in response to non-pathogenic E. coli, whereas they failed to do so in response to uropathogenic E. coli. Uropathogenic E. coli prevented interleukin-6 secretion in response to non-pathogenic E. coli and a panel of Toll-like receptor agonists, as well as to interleukin-1beta, but not to tumor necrosis factor alpha. These results indicate that receptors with a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain are specifically targeted, and that suppression is not a consequence of toxicity. One candidate for mediating immune suppression is bacterial lipopolysaccharide. However, lipopolysaccharide isolated from either uropathogenic or non-pathogenic E. coli stimulated interleukin-6 secretion to similar levels. In addition, uropathogenic E. coli did not stimulate interleukin-6 secretion from cells expressing a dominant negative Toll-like receptor 4, and prevented cells lacking Toll-like receptor 4 from secreting interleukin-6 in response to synthetic lipoprotein. We conclude that uropathogenic E. coli suppress the innate immune response through a pathway partially independent of lipopolysaccharide and Toll-like receptor 4.     

Impact of selected Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species on Listeria monocytogenes infection and the mucosal immune response

The pathogenesis of Listeria monocytogenes depends on its ability to attach to and invade the gastrointestinal epithelium and subsequently withstand the host immune response. Despite a thorough understanding of the intracellular phase of infection, relatively little is known about how the pathogen behaves in the gastrointestinal tract and whether it is affected by the presence of host commensal microbiota. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are two important genera of the human gut microbiota proposed to possess probiotic effects. Here we demonstrate that probiotic bacteria significantly inhibit subsequent listerial infection in an in vitro C2Bbe1 epithelial cell model. In the case of Lactobacilli, inhibition was due to a combination of acid production and secretion of an as yet unidentified protein. In the case of Bifidobacterium, inhibition was attributable to an extracellular proteinaceous secreted compound. In addition, we observed a significant reduction in interleukin-8 and an increase in IL-10 cytokines secreted from epithelial cells following probiotic pretreatment and subsequent infection with Listeria. A reduction in the infection of epithelial cells and an altered mucosal immune response suggests that probiotic bacteria could be of therapeutic benefit against listerial infection. This study infers a role for probiotic bacteria as an antagonist of Li. monocytogenes infection.     

Enhancing effect of mouse peritoneal exudate cells and their products on antibody productivity of hybridoma cells: Application of in vivo factors to in vitro culture

Mouse peritoneal exudate cells induced by casein enhanced in vitro antibody production rate per cell of a hybridoma in co-culture. Culture supernatant of the exudate cells also enhanced three-fold the antibody productivity when added to cultures of a hybridoma at 10% (v/v). Hence the enhancement of antibody productivity by the exudate cells seemed to be caused by soluble enhancing factors secreted by the exudate cells. The exudate cells maximally secreted the enhancing factors when harvested from mice on day 4 of the induction period following the injection of casein. A semi-continuous culture of the hybridoma demonstrated the applicability of the culture supernatant to enhance antibody production by producing a two-fold increase over the control for seven days when supplemented with the supernatant at 5%. Significant amounts of interleukin-6 were detected in culture supernatant of the exudate cells. Interleukin-6 obtained from other sources enhanced the antibody productivity two-fold when added to the hybridoma culture at the concentration of 5 unit/ml. Interleukin-6, therefore, is expected to be one of the principal antibody enhancing factors secreted by the exudate cells. Other interleukins examined, that is, interleukin-1 to-5 did not enhance the antibody productivity.     

Poxviruses: Capturing Cytokines and Chemokines

Cytokines play a critical role in the regulation of immune responses and constitute important targets for virus immune evasion mechanisms. One strategy used by large DNA viruses is to encode proteins that mimic cytokines or cytokine receptors, which modulate the activity of cytokines during infection. Poxviruses encode a unique set of proteins that are secreted from the infected cell and function as soluble cytokine receptors or binding proteins and sequester tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1β, or chemokines. Characterization of these poxvirus proteins is providing information on virus pathogenesis, the function of cytokines, and new strategies for immune modulation and therapeutic intervention.