Recombinant human Hsp70 protects against lipoteichoic acid-induced inflammation manifestations at the cellular and organismal levels

It has been previously reported that pretreatment with exogenous heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is able to protect cells and animals from the deleterious effects of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced by Gram-negative bacteria. However, the effects of Hsp70 pretreatment on lipoteichoic acid (LTA) challenge resulted from Gram-positive bacteria infection have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that preconditioning with human recombinant Hsp70 ameliorates various manifestations of systematic inflammation, including reactive oxygen species, TNFα, and CD11b/CD18 adhesion receptor expression induction observed in different myeloid cells after LTA addition. Therefore, exogenous Hsp70 may provide a mechanism for controlling excessive inflammatory responses after macrophage activation. Furthermore, in a rat model of LTA-induced sepsis, we demonstrated that prophylactic administration of exogenous human Hsp70 significantly exacerbated numerous homeostatic and hemodynamic disturbances induced by LTA challenge and partially normalized the coagulation system and multiple biochemical blood parameters, including albumin and bilirubin concentrations, which were severely disturbed after LTA injections. Importantly, prophylactic intravenous injection of Hsp70 before LTA challenge significantly reduced mortality rates. Thus, exogenous mammalian Hsp70 may serve as a powerful cellular defense agent against the deleterious effects of bacterial pathogens, such as LTA and LPS. Taken together, our findings reveal novel functions of this protein and establish exogenous Hsp70 as a promising pharmacological agent for the prophylactic treatment of various types of sepsis.     

双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶体内联用对肿瘤细胞凋亡的影响

目的研究双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶联用诱导H22荷瘤小鼠肿瘤细胞凋亡的作用机制。方法双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸联合5-FU处理H22荷瘤Balb/c小鼠,计算抑瘤率,观察小鼠生存期;采用Real time-PCR和Western blot方法分别检测荷瘤小鼠肿瘤组织Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白的表达变化。结果双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸联合5-FU应用,与单独5-FU处理组比较,不仅抑瘤率明显提高（P〈0.01）,且荷瘤小鼠存活时间明显延长（P〈0.01）,肿瘤组织Bcl-2表达下降,Bax和Caspase-3表达升高（P〈0.05）。结论双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸联合5-FU可通过上调Bax和Caspase-3,下调Bcl-2,促进肿瘤细胞凋亡,从而发挥协同抗肿瘤作用。     

Intrinsic nitric oxide-stimulatory activity of lipoteichoic acids from different Gram-positive bacteria

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a structural component of the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria. Similar to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is expressed in Gram-negative bacteria, LTA exhibits immunostimulatory properties. Frequently observed positive response of LTA in the Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay has been interpreted as a sign of LPS contamination, raising doubts about the intrinsic immune activities of LTA. Regarding many similarities in immunobiological and physicochemical properties of LTA and LPS, we hypothesized that similar to LPS, the LAL reactivity of LTA might be due to its ability to bind to LAL. Our data confirm the positivity of Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes LTAs in the LAL test. The estimates of suspected LPS content were 605, 10.3, 6.2 and 127 pg/μg LTA, respectively. The effectiveness of LTAs to induce the NO production in rat peritoneal cells was remarkably higher than that of equivalent concentrations of reference LPS (Escherichia coli). The LPS-induced NO was inhibited by polymyxin B (PMX), the IC₅₀ of PMX:LPS concentration ratio (pg:pg) being 1050:1. Many fold higher concentrations of PMX were needed to partially suppress the NO-augmenting effects of LTAs, applied at concentrations representing the equivalents of LPS. Transposed to the concentrations of LTAs per se, the IC₅₀s of the PMX:LTA ratios (μg:μg) ranged from 0.3:1 (S. aureus) to 7.5:1 (B. subtilis). It is concluded that LTA is not necessarily contaminated with LPS. The results prove the intrinsic immunostimulatory properties of LTAs of Gram-positive bacteria. The positive response of LTA in the LAL assay results from its capacity to bind to LAL. In addition, LTA binds with high affinity to PMX.     

细菌表面呈现技术研究进展

自从首次描述外源蛋白在大肠杆菌表面呈现成功以来,细菌表面呈现技术得到了迅猛的发展,无论是革兰氏阴性菌还是革兰氏阳性菌都可用于异源蛋白的表面呈现,该技术被应用于微生物学、免疫学、分子生物学、疫苗学以及生物工程的多个领域的基础和应用研究。     

双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶联用的抗肿瘤研究

目的探讨双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-氟尿嘧啶（5-Fu）联用对H22荷瘤小鼠的抗肿瘤作用及免疫功能的影响。方法双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸单独或联合5-Fu处理H22荷瘤Balb／c小鼠,定期测量肿瘤大小,观察小鼠一般状况;计算抑瘤率、血红细胞数和白细胞数,取脾和胸腺计算脏器指数;HE染色分析肿瘤组织变化;MTT法检测小鼠脾T淋巴细胞增殖转化功能以及ELISA法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ含量。结果双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸及5-Fu单独应用均可抑制肿瘤生长,但单独5-Fu处理组小鼠一般状况差,毒性反应重;双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸与5-Fu联合应用,与单独5-Fu处理组比较,不仅抑瘤率明显提高（P〈0．01）,且荷瘤小鼠一般状况改善,白细胞数升高,脏器指数增加,小鼠脾T淋巴细胞增殖能力强,脾淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ,水平提高;光镜观察HE染色瘤体组织,双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸处理组可见大量炎症细胞浸润。结论双歧杆菌脂磷壁酸联合5-FU能增强化疗的抑瘤作用,并能扭转化疗引起的免疫低下现象,起到增效减毒作用。     

CD40/CD40L interaction induces E-selectin dependent leukocyte adhesion to human endothelial cells and inhibits endothelial cell migration

Background

CD40 is a receptor expressed on a wide range of cells such as leukocytes and endothelial cells (EC). As a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily the activation of CD40 by CD40-ligand (CD40L) plays a crucial role for the development and progression of a variety of inflammatory processes including atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of CD40/CD40L interaction on leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium and on endothelial cell migration.

Methods and results

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with either stable transfectants of mouse myeloma cells expressing the CD40L or wild type cells (4 h). Subsequently adhesion of leukocytes expressing Sialyl Lewis X, the counterpart for E-selectin (HL60 cells), was measured under shear stress (2–2.6 dyne/cm²) using a flow chamber adhesion assay. Stimulation of CD40 led to a significant increase of E-selectin dependent adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium. Incubation of cells with either the CD40L blocking antibody TRAP-1 or the E-selectin blocking antibody BBA2 during CD40 stimulation completely abolished adhesion of leukocytes to HUVEC. Similar results were found in human cardiac microvasculature endothelial cells (HCMEC). In contrast stimulation of CD40 had no effect on adhesion of l-selectin expressing NALM6-L cells. Furthermore, CD40/CD40L interaction abrogated VEGF-induced migration of HUVEC compared to non-stimulated controls. In comparison experiments, stimulation of endothelial cells with VEGF led to a significant phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt, and eNOS. Stimulation of endothelial CD40 had no effect on VEGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. However, VEGF-induced activation of Akt and eNOS was reduced to baseline levels when endothelial CD40 was stimulated.

Conclusion

CD40/CD40L interaction induces E-selectin dependent adhesion of leukocytes to human endothelial cells and reduces endothelial cell migration by inhibiting the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.     

Triton X-100-induced lipoteichoic acid release is correlated with the methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

We previously reported that Triton X-100 (TRX) reduced methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, although the degree of reduction varied among strains. One of the biological effects of TRX on S. aureus cells was enhancement of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) release. We investigated the correlation between the amount of LTA released and the degree of reduction in methicillin resistance induced by TRX. The strains showing the greatest reduction of methicillin resistance released the largest amount of LTA, compared to those showing slight or moderate reduction. A mutant whose resistance was not affected by TRX did not increase its release of LTA. These findings suggest that LTA release is associated with a reduction in methicillin resistance in the presence of TRX.     

Toll-like receptor activation of human cells by synthetic triacylated lipid A-like molecules

Recognition of microbial molecules by mammalian host receptors is essential to mount an immune response. Hexaacylated LPS is the prototypic example of a bacterial molecule recognized by the receptor complex TLR4/MD-2 with its lipid A moiety, whereas bacterial lipopeptides are recognized by TLR2. Here we show that a series of synthetic triacylated lipid A-like molecules are weak Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists (mainly TLR2 agonists) but very potent TLR4/MD-2 antagonists (submicromolar range). Not only do they block human cell responses to LPS but also to whole gram-negative bacteria, and they inhibit the phagocytosis of gram-negative bacteria. These compounds may represent promising immunomodulatory agents.     

Whole blood-derived microRNA signatures in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharides

Background

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized as the most potent microbial mediator presaging the threat of invasion of Gram-negative bacteria that implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. This study was designed to examine the microRNA (miRNA) expression in whole blood from mice injected with intraperitoneal LPS.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of varying concentrations (range, 10–1000 μg) of LPS from different bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Serratia marcescens and were killed 2, 6, 24, and 72 h after LPS injection. Whole blood samples were obtained and tissues, including lung, brain, liver, and spleen, were harvested for miRNA expression analysis using an miRNA array (Phalanx miRNA OneArray® 1.0). Upregulated expression of miRNA targets in the whole blood of C57BL/6 and Tlr4^−/− mice injected with LPS was quantified using real-time RT-PCR and compared with that in the whole blood of C57BL/6 mice injected with lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from Staphylococcus aureus.

Results

Following LPS injection, a significant increase of 15 miRNAs was observed in the whole blood. Among them, only 3 miRNAs showed up-regulated expression in the lung, but no miRNAs showed a high expression level in the other examined tissues. Upregulated expression of the miRNA targets (let-7d, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-103, miR-107 and miR-451) following LPS injection on real-time RT-PCR was dose- and time-dependent. miRNA induction occurred after 2 h and persisted for at least 6 h. Exposure to LPS from different bacteria did not induce significantly different expression of these miRNA targets. Additionally, significantly lower expression levels of let-7d, miR-25, miR-92a, miR-103, and miR-107 were observed in whole blood of Tlr4^−/− mice. In contrast, LTA exposure induced moderate expression of miR-451 but not of the other 7 miRNA targets.

Conclusions

We identified a specific whole blood–derived miRNA signature in mice exposed to LPS, but not to LTA, from different gram-negative bacteria. These whole blood-derived miRNAs are promising as biomarkers for LPS exposure.     

Structural characterization and in vitro inhibitory activities in P-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion of polysaccharide fractions isolated from the roots of Physalis alkekengi

Selectin-mediated leukocyte initial attachment and rolling over vessel endothelial surface are crucial steps for inflammatory responses. As P-selectin is a promising target for anti-inflammation therapeutic strategy, recent works have focused on searching for more potent and non-toxic P-selectin antagonists among various natural carbohydrate products. Here, we isolated three water-soluble polysaccharide fractions (PPS-1, PPS-2 and PPS-3) from the roots of Physalis alkekengi by DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. Their physicochemical and structural characterizations were determined by chemical methods, GC (gas chromatography), HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometry), partial acid hydrolysis, methylation and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analyses. The inhibitory capacity of the polysaccharide fractions in P-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion was evaluated by flow cytometric, static adhesion and laminar flow assays. Results showed that different polysaccharide fractions possess distinct physicochemical and structural properties, including carbohydrate, protein and uronic acid contents, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkage type. Among the polysaccharide fractions, PPS-2 could effectively block the interaction between P-selectin and its native ligand.     

Cytokine-inducing glycolipids in the lipoteichoic acid fraction from Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790

Abstract Five high molecular weight glycolipids capable of stimulating human peripheral whole-blood cell cultures to cause interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induction were isolated from one of the lipoteichoic acid fractions (LTA-2) extracted from Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790 (Tsutsui et al., (1991) FEMS Microbiol. Immunol. 76, 211–218) by a combination of hydrophobic interaction and anion-exchange chromatographies. This purification procedure resulted in a remarkable increase in the cytokine-inducing activities on the weight basis of isolated glycolipids (a maximum of 36- and 17-fold increases of IL-6 and TNF-α induction, respectively). The total yield of these bioactive glycolipids amounted to 6 wt% of the parent LTA-2 fraction, while the recovery rate in terms of the cytokine-inducing activities was estimated to be sufficient. The chemical composition and the profile, using SDS-PAGE, revealed that all of the isolated bioactive components were high molecular weight glycolipids, which were distinct from each other and from the parent LTA-2 fraction. These findings suggest that the IL-6 and TNF-α-inducing activities previously noted in the parent LTA-2 fraction are not attributable to a chemical entity, the structure of which had been proposed elsewhere (Fischer, W. (1990) in Glycolipids, Phosphoglycolipids and Sulfoglycolipids (Kates, M. ed.) pp. 123–234, Plenum Press, New York), but to the other high molecular weight glycolipids described here.     

Saikosaponin C inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis by suppressing caspase-3 activation and subsequent degradation of focal adhesion kinase in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an important mediator of inflammation and a potent inducer of endothelial cell damage and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of saikosaponin C (SSc), one of the active ingredients produced by the traditional Chinese herb, Radix Bupleuri, against LPS-induced apoptosis in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). LPS triggered caspase-3 activation, which was found to be important in LPS-induced HUVEC apoptosis. Inhibition of caspase-3 also inhibited LPS-induced degradation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), indicating that caspase-3 is important in LPS-mediated FAK degradation as well as in apoptosis in HUVECs. SSc significantly inhibited LPS-induced apoptotic cell death in HUVECs through the selective suppression of caspase-3. SSc was also shown to rescue LPS-induced FAK degradation and other cell adhesion signals. Furthermore, the protective effects of SSc against LPS-induced apoptosis were abolished upon pretreatment with a FAK inhibitor, highlighting the importance of FAK in SSc activity. Taken together, these results show that SSc efficiently inhibited LPS-induced apoptotic cell death via inhibition of caspase-3 activation and caspase-3-mediated-FAK degradation. Therefore, SSc represents a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of vascular endothelial cell injury and cellular dysfunction.     

血培养标本中病原菌的分布特征、耐药性变迁和耐药基因分型

目的 分析嘉兴市中医医院血培养标本中病原菌的分布特征、耐药性变迁和耐药基因分型。方法 将本院2013年1月至2016年12月送检的血培养标本进行培养、转种、分离鉴定和药敏试验,采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术进行产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）革兰阴性菌和革兰阳性菌的耐药基因检测,并对阳性菌株、科室分布、耐药性等相关数据进行分析。结果 2013年1月至2016年12月共送检血培养标本27 003份,共分离出病原菌（剔除重复菌株）978株,阳性率为3.62%,2015‒2016年阳性率显著低于2013‒2014年,差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。血培养阳性株数前三位为ICU、儿科和肾内科,2015‒2016年与2013‒2014年相比,ICU的阳性株数构成比显著下降,儿科、呼吸内科和其他科室显著上升,差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。血培养致病菌检出率最高的为大肠埃希菌,占18.51%,其次为表皮葡萄球菌,占10.53%,不可忽视的是真菌,占4.91%。2015‒2016年与2013‒2014年相比,金黄色葡萄球菌检出率显著上升,粪肠球菌和近平滑假丝酵母菌的检出率显著下降,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。血培养分离的大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林的耐药率最高,肺炎克雷伯菌对呋喃妥因的耐药率最高。2015‒2016年与2013‒2014年相比,大肠埃希菌对氨苄西林/舒巴坦和庆大霉素的耐药率显著下降（P<0.01）,肺炎克雷伯菌对庆大霉素的耐药率显著上升（P<0.01）。分离的表皮葡萄球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌对青霉素的耐药率最高,2015‒2016年与2013‒2014年相比,表皮葡萄球菌对红霉素和氯洁霉素的耐药率显著下降（P<0.01）,金黄色葡萄球菌对环丙沙星和左氧氟沙星的耐药率显著下降（P<0.01）。大肠埃希菌ESBLs（+）菌株对氨苄西林、氨苄西林/舒巴坦、头孢唑啉等的耐药率以及所有基因型表达率均显著高于ESBLs（‒）菌株（P<0.05或P<0.01）;肺炎克雷伯菌ESBLs（+）菌株对头孢唑啉、头孢曲松、庆大霉素等的耐药率以及TEM、SHV、CTX-MⅡ基因型表达率均显著高于ESBLs（‒）菌株（P<0.05或P<0.01）。表皮葡萄球菌检出mecA基因（+）72株,金黄色葡萄球菌检出mecA基因（+）53株。屎肠球菌和粪肠球菌分离株中,未发现有vanA（+）、vanB（+）和vanM（+）万古霉素耐药株。结论 了解本院血培养致病菌整体变化趋势、病区分布特点及耐药性变迁和耐药基因分型,对临床合理使用抗生素和院内感染的控制有重要意义。     

Inhibition of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase increases cardiac peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha expression and fatty acid oxidation and prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced heart dysfunction

Septic shock results from bacterial infection and is associated with multi-organ failure, high mortality, and cardiac dysfunction. Sepsis causes both myocardial inflammation and energy depletion. We hypothesized that reduced cardiac energy production is a primary cause of ventricular dysfunction in sepsis. The JNK pathway is activated in sepsis and has also been implicated in impaired fatty acid oxidation in several tissues. Therefore, we tested whether JNK activation inhibits cardiac fatty acid oxidation and whether blocking JNK would restore fatty acid oxidation during LPS treatment. LPS treatment of C57BL/6 mice and adenovirus-mediated activation of the JNK pathway in cardiomyocytes inhibited peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α expression and fatty acid oxidation. Surprisingly, none of the adaptive responses that have been described in other types of heart failure, such as increased glucose utilization, reduced αMHC:βMHC ratio or induction of certain microRNAs, occurred in LPS-treated mice. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with a general JNK inhibitor (SP600125) increased fatty acid oxidation in mice and a cardiomyocyte-derived cell line. JNK inhibition also prevented LPS-mediated reduction in fatty acid oxidation and cardiac dysfunction. Inflammation was not alleviated in LPS-treated mice that received the JNK inhibitor. We conclude that activation of JNK signaling reduces fatty acid oxidation and prevents the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α down-regulation that occurs with LPS.     

Efficacy of single versus multiple exposure by electromagnetic modalities on gram-negative and positive bacterial strains in an in-vitro model

ObjectivesThe primary purpose of the recent experiment was to scrutinize the dissimilarity between single and multiple exposures by electrotherapeutic modalities to determine the development of Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria spectrum.Material and methodsBacterial strains employed in this study were Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonae and Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Fluence for Low level laser therapy (LLLT) (810 nm) was 40 J/cm² for 80 s, for microwave (MWD) a dosage of 100-Watt with duration of 5 min and for magnetic field therapy (MT) duration of 30 min with 100% intensity was used.ResultsRepeated Measures of analysis of variances (RANOVA) for within-subject effects was used to detect a global significant change within the means at dissimilar time points. The experiments of within-subjects revealed a significant difference within groups, df of (3, 40), F value of 39.38 and a p value less than 0.001, representing a significant variation between the three groups between pre and post exposures. There was a significant variation between single exposure and multiple exposures in the experimental sample’s pre-post between the four groups with df (1, 40) f value of 2943.69 and p value less than 0.001. Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy images were also taken into account to determine the extent of damage caused to the bacterial cells surface topography in Gram negative and Gram positive spectrums.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that single high exposure with the LLLT appears to have the most emphatic effect followed by exposure by MWD and MT.     

Similarities and differences for membranotropic action of three unnatural antimicrobial peptides

Previously, we described the design and synthesis of three nine‐residue AMPs, P9Nal(SS), P9Trp(SS), and P9Nal(SR), showing high stability in serum and broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. The peptides P9Trp(SS) and P9Nal(SR) differ from P9Nal(SS) for the replacement of the two 2Nal residues with Trp residues and for the replacement of the two Cys (StBu) with Cys (tBu) residues, respectively. These changes led to peptides with a lower hydrophobicity respect to the P9Nal(SS). Interestingly, the three peptides have very similar activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. Instead, they exhibit a significant difference towards Gram‐positive bacteria, being P9Nal(SS) the most active. In order to evaluate the impact of amino acids substitution on membranotropic activity and rationalize the observed effects in vivo, here, we report the detailed biophysical characterization of the interaction between P9Nal(SR) and P9Trp(SS) and liposomes by combining differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The comparison with the results for the previously characterized P9Nal(SS) peptide reveals similarities and differences on the interaction process and perturbation activities. It was found that the three peptides can penetrate at different extent inside the bilayer upon changing their conformation and inducing lipid domains formation, revealing that the formation of lipid domains is fundamental for the activity against Gram‐negative bacteria. On the contrary, the dissimilar activity against Gram‐positive bacteria well correlate with the different affinity of peptides for the lipoteichoic acid, a component selectively present in the cell wall of Gram‐positive bacteria.     

Lipopolysaccharide induces proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro via TLR4 activation

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are capable of multi-lineage differentiation and support regenerative processes. In bacterial infections, resident MSC can come intocontact with and need to react to bacterial components. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a typical structure of Gram-negative bacteria, increases the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSC. LPS is usually recognized by the toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and induces pro-inflammatory reactions in numerous cell types. In this study, we quantified the protein expression of TLR4 and CD14 on adipose-derived MSC (adMSC) in osteogenic differentiation and investigated the effect of TLR4 activation by LPS on NF-κB activation, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adMSC. We found that TLR4 is expressed on adMSC whereas CD14 is not, and that osteogenic differentiation induced an increase of the amount of TLR4 protein whereas LPS stimulation did not. Moreover, we could show that NF-κB activation via TLR4 occurs upon LPS treatment. Furthermore, we were able to show that competitive inhibition of TLR4 completely abolished the stimulatory effect of LPS on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adMSC. In addition, the inhibition of TLR4 leads to the complete absence of osteogenic differentiation of adMSC, even when osteogenically stimulated. Thus, we conclude that LPS induces proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of adMSC in vitro through the activation of TLR4 and that the TLR4 receptor seems to play a role during osteogenic differentiation of adMSC.     

Hepatic Scavenger Receptor BI Protects Against Polymicrobial-induced Sepsis through Promoting LPS Clearance in Mice

Recent studies revealed that scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI or Scarb1) plays a critical protective role in sepsis. However, the mechanisms underlying this protection remain largely unknown. In this study, using Scarb1^I179N mice, a mouse model specifically deficient in hepatic SR-BI, we report that hepatic SR-BI protects against cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis as shown by 75% fatality in Scarb1^I179N mice, but only 21% fatality in C57BL/6J control mice. The increase in fatality in Scarb1^I179N mice was associated with an exacerbated inflammatory cytokine production. Further study demonstrated that hepatic SR-BI exerts its protection against sepsis through its role in promoting LPS clearance without affecting the inflammatory response in macrophages, the glucocorticoid production in adrenal glands, the leukocyte recruitment to peritoneum or the bacterial clearance in liver. Our findings reveal hepatic SR-BI as a critical protective factor in sepsis and point out that promoting hepatic SR-BI-mediated LPS clearance may provide a therapeutic approach for sepsis.