Interleukin-36 cytokines are predominantly expressed by epithelial cells. Significant upregulation of epidermal IL-36 is now a recognised characteristic of psoriatic skin inflammation. IL-36 is known to induce inflammatory responses in dendritic cells, fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Although vascular alterations are a hallmark of psoriatic lesions and dermal endothelial cells are well known to play a critical role in skin inflammation, the effects of IL-36 on endothelial cells are unexplored. We here show that endothelial cells including dermal microvascular cells express a functionally active IL-36 receptor. Adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 are upregulated by IL-36γ stimulation, and this is reversed by the presence of the endogenous IL-36 receptor antagonist. IL-36γ-stimulated endothelial cells secrete the proinflammatory chemokines IL-8, CCL2 and CCL20. Chemotaxis assays showed increased migration of T-cells following IL-36γ stimulation of endothelial cells. These results suggest a role for IL-36γ in the dermal vascular compartment, and it is likely to enhance psoriatic skin inflammation by activating endothelial cells and promoting leucocyte recruitment.

The purpose of this study was to determine levels of the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 and the chemokines CXCL13, CCL19, CCL20, and CCL21 in aqueous humor (AH) samples from patients with specific uveitic entities.

Paired serum samples (n = 13) and AH samples (n = 111) from patients with active idiopathic granulomatous uveitis (IGU) or with uveitis associated with HLA-B27-related inflammation, Behçet's disease (BD), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, or sarcoidosis and control patients were analyzed in two different multiplex assays.

Cytokines IL-1β, IL-21, IL-22, and IL-23 were not detected in any AH sample. Chemokine CCL21 concentrations in serum were significantly higher than those in AH. CCL19 levels in AH and serum were not significantly different. Levels of CCL20 and CXCL13 in AH were significantly higher than those in serum. IL-6 was not detected in serum samples. IL-6 AH levels were significantly higher in patients with HLA-B27-associated uveitis and in BD patients than in patients with VKH disease, sarcoidosis, and IGU (P < 0.0001). CCL20 AH levels were significantly higher in HLA-B27-associated uveitis than in BD, VKH, sarcoidosis, and IGU (P = 0.001), whereas CXCL13 AH levels were significantly higher in VKH disease and IGU than in HLA-B27-associated uveitis, BD, and sarcoidosis (P = 0.007).

IL-6-driven immune responses are more potent in HLA-B27-associated uveitis and BD than in VKH disease, sarcoidosis, and IGU. CCL20 appears to be a specific biomarker of HLA-B27-associated uveitis, whereas CXCL13 appears to be a biomarker of VKH disease and IGU. Our findings suggest that IL-6, CCL20, and CXCL13 could serve as drug targets for treatment of specific clinical entities of endogenous uveitis.

Lower respiratory tract infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are due, in part, to secreted signals from lower airway cells that modify the immune response and trigger airway remodeling. To understand this process, we applied an unbiased quantitative proteomics analysis of the RSV-induced epithelial secretory response in cells representative of the trachea versus small airway bronchiolar cells. A workflow was established using telomerase-immortalized human epithelial cells that revealed highly reproducible cell type-specific differences in secreted proteins and nanoparticles (exosomes). Approximately one third of secretome proteins are exosomal; the remainder are from lysosomal and vacuolar compartments. We applied this workflow to three independently derived primary human cultures from trachea versus bronchioles. A total of 577 differentially expressed proteins from control supernatants and 966 differentially expressed proteins from RSV-infected cell supernatants were identified at a 1% false discovery rate. Fifteen proteins unique to RSV-infected primary human cultures from trachea were regulated by epithelial-specific ets homologous factor. A total of 106 proteins unique to RSV-infected human small airway epithelial cells was regulated by the transcription factor NF-κB. In this latter group, we validated the differential expression of CCL20/macrophage-inducible protein 3α, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and CCL3-like 1 because of their roles in Th2 polarization. CCL20/macrophage-inducible protein 3α was the most active mucin-inducing factor in the RSV-infected human small airway epithelial cell secretome and was differentially expressed in smaller airways in a mouse model of RSV infection. These studies provide insights into the complexity of innate responses and regional differences in the epithelial secretome participating in RSV lower respiratory tract infection-induced airway remodeling.

During tumor development, stromal cells are co-opted to the tumor milieu and provide favorable conditions for the tumor. Hypoxia stimulates cancer cells to acquire a more malignant phenotype via activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1). Given that cancer cells and astrocytes in glioblastomas coexist in a hypoxic microenvironment, we examined whether astrocytes affect the adaptation of glioblastoma cells to hypoxia. Immunoblotting, reporter assays, quantitative RT-PCR, and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to evaluate HIF-1 signaling in glioblastoma cells. Astrocyte-derived chemokine C-C motif ligand 20 (CCL20) was identified using cytokine arrays, and its role in glioblastoma development was evaluated in orthotopic xenografts. Astrocytes augmented HIF-1α expression in glioblastoma cells under hypoxia. The expression of HIF-1 downstream genes, cancer colony formation, and Matrigel invasion of glioblastoma cells were stimulated by conditioned medium from astrocytes pre-exposed to hypoxia. CCL20 was secreted in a hypoxia-dependent manner from astrocytes and busted the hypoxic induction of HIF-1α in glioblastoma cells. Mechanistically, the CCL20/CCR6 signaling pathway upregulates HIF-1α by stimulating nuclear factor kappa B-driven transactivation of the HIF1A gene. Compared with the control tumors, CCR6-deficient glioblastoma xenografts grew more slowly, with poor vascularization, and expressed lower levels of HIF-1α and its downstream proteins. Furthermore, CCR6 expression was correlated with HIF-1α expression in GEO and TCGA datasets from human glioblastoma tissues. These results suggest that glioblastoma cells adapt well to hypoxic stress by virtue of CCL20 derived from neighboring astrocytes.

OBJECTIVE

Whether the concentrations of antiviral proteins, and anti-HIV activity, within human vaginal secretions change across the menstrual cycle is unknown.

METHODS

Using a menstrual cup, vaginal secretions from pre-menopausal women were recovered at the proliferative (d6-8), mid-cycle (d13-15), and secretory (d21-23) stages of the menstrual cycle. Antiviral protein concentration was determined by ELISA, and anti-HIV activity assessed using the TZM-bl reporter cell line.

RESULTS

CCL20, RANTES, elafin, HBD2, SDF-1α, and IL-8 levels were detectable in the secretions. Vaginal secretions had anti-HIV activity against specific clade B strains of HIV, with significant inhibition of IIIB and increased infectivity of transmitted/founder CH077.t. No significant differences in either antiviral protein concentration or anti-HIV activity with respect to menstrual cycle stage were measured, but marked differences were observed in both parameters over the course of the cycle between different women and in consecutive cycles from the same woman.

CONCLUSIONS

The vagina contains a complement of antiviral proteins. The variation in anti-HIV activity demonstrates that immune protection in the vagina is not constant. Intra- and interindividual variations suggest that factors in addition to sex hormones influence antiviral protection. Lastly, the menstrual cup is a new model for recovering undiluted vaginal secretions from women throughout their reproductive life.

Multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are chronic neuroinflammatory autoimmune diseases characterized by axonal loss, demyelination and neurodegeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). Overactivation of CD4(+)T cells, especially the Th1 and Th17 subsets, is thought to play a causal role in this disease. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of IFN-β treatment in EAE. IFN-β significantly inhibits disease severity, and decreases levels of CCR2, CCR4, CCR5, CCR6 and CXCR3 in the CNS. This was associated with fewer Th1/Th17 cells expressing these chemokine receptors. Furthermore, levels of their corresponding ligands CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL20, CCL22 and CXCL10 were also reduced, coinciding with reduced CNS inflammation and demyelination. Chemokine expression significantly correlated with disease severity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IFN-β reduces CCL2/CCL5 induced-T cell migration by inhibiting p38-MAPK and ERK1/2 activation. Our results reveal that IFN-β reduces the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors expressed by encephalitogenic Th1/Th17 cells, thereby decreasing their migration into the CNS.

BACKGROUND

Renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are one of the main targets of inflammatory insults during interstitial nephritis and kidney transplant rejection. While Th1 cells are know to be essential in the pathogenesis of rejection, the role of Th17 is still under debate. We hypothesize that TECs modulate the outcome of rejection process by production of distinct chemokines and cytokines that determine the attraction of different T-cell subsets. Therefore, we studied differential effects of activated human renal epithelial cells on T-cell migration.

METHODS

Human primary TECs were stimulated by IFN-γ and TNF-α in vitro. Chemokines and cytokines produced by activated TECs were measured using Luminex or ELISA. Chemotaxis assay was performed using activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells composed of CD4+CXCR3+ and CD4+CCR6+ T cells migrating towards stimulated and unstimulated TECs.

RESULTS

While activated TECs secreted abundant amounts of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, the T helper cell differentiation cytokines IL-1β, IL-12p70, IL-23 or TGF-β1 were not produced. The production of Th1 chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CCL5 were significantly upregulated after TEC stimulation. In contrast, Th17 chemokine CCL20 could not be detected. Finally, activated TECs attracted significantly higher numbers of CD4+CXCR3+ T cells as compared to unstimulated TECs. No migration of CD4+CCR6+ T cells could be observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Activated primary renal tubular epithelial cells do not attract Th17 cells nor produce cytokines promoting Th17 cell differentiation in our experimental system mimicking the proinflammatory microenvironment of rejection.

The focus of this study was to determine which chemokine receptors are present on oral fibroblasts and whether these receptors influence proliferation, migration, and/or the release of wound healing mediators. This information may provide insight into the superior wound healing characteristics of the oral mucosa. The gingiva fibroblasts expressed 12 different chemokine receptors (CCR3, CCR4, CCR6, CCR9, CCR10, CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR7, CX3CR1, and XCR1), as analyzed by flow cytometry. Fourteen corresponding chemokines (CCL5, CCL15, CCL20, CCL22, CCL25, CCL27, CCL28, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL11, CXCL12, CXCL13, CX3CL1, and XCL1) were used to study the activation of these receptors on gingiva fibroblasts. Twelve of these fourteen chemokines stimulated gingiva fibroblast migration (all except for CXCL8 and CXCL12). Five of the chemokines stimulated proliferation (CCL5/CCR3, CCL15/CCR3, CCL22/CCR4, CCL28/CCR3/CCR10, and XCL1/XCR1). Furthermore, CCL28/CCR3/CCR10 and CCL22/CCR4 stimulation increased IL-6 secretion and CCL28/CCR3/CCR10 together with CCL27/CCR10 upregulated HGF secretion. Moreover, TIMP-1 secretion was reduced by CCL15/CCR3. In conclusion, this in-vitro study identifies chemokine receptor-ligand pairs which may be used in future targeted wound healing strategies. In particular, we identified the chemokine receptors CCR3 and CCR4, and the mucosa specific chemokine CCL28, as having an predominant role in oral wound healing by increasing human gingiva fibroblast proliferation, migration, and the secretion of IL-6 and HGF and reducing the secretion of TIMP-1.

The initial stages of the interaction between the host and Aspergillus fumigatus at the alveolar surface of the human lung are critical in the establishment of aspergillosis. Using an in vitro bilayer model of the alveolus, including both the epithelium (human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line, A549) and endothelium (human pulmonary artery epithelial cells, HPAEC) on transwell membranes, it was possible to closely replicate the in vivo conditions. Two distinct sub-groups of dendritic cells (DC), monocyte-derived DC (moDC) and myeloid DC (mDC), were included in the model to examine immune responses to fungal infection at the alveolar surface. RNA in high quantity and quality was extracted from the cell layers on the transwell membrane to allow gene expression analysis using tailored custom-made microarrays, containing probes for 117 immune-relevant genes. This microarray data indicated minimal induction of immune gene expression in A549 alveolar epithelial cells in response to germ tubes of A. fumigatus. In contrast, the addition of DC to the system greatly increased the number of differentially expressed immune genes. moDC exhibited increased expression of genes including CLEC7A, CD209 and CCL18 in the absence of A. fumigatus compared to mDC. In the presence of A. fumigatus, both DC subgroups exhibited up-regulation of genes identified in previous studies as being associated with the exposure of DC to A. fumigatus and exhibiting chemotactic properties for neutrophils, including CXCL2, CXCL5, CCL20, and IL1B. This model closely approximated the human alveolus allowing for an analysis of the host pathogen interface that complements existing animal models of IA.

Th1 and Th17 cells, T helper (Th) subtypes, are key inducers of renal fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms of their recruitment into the kidney, however, are not well understood. Here, we show that biglycan, a proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix, acting in its soluble form as a danger signal, stimulates autonomously the production of Th1 and Th17 chemoattractants CXCL10 and CCL20 in macrophages. In the presence of IFNγ, biglycan synergistically stimulates CXCL9. In macrophages deficient for TLR2, TLR4, and their adaptor molecules MyD88 or TRIF, we identified highly selective mechanisms of biglycan-dependent Th1/17 chemoattraction. Thus, the expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10, common chemoattractants for CXCR3-positive Th1 and Th17 cells, is triggered in a biglycan-TLR4/TRIF-dependent manner. By contrast, biglycan induces CCL20 chemokine production, responsible for CCR6-positive Th17 cell recruitment, in a TLR2/4/MyD88-dependent manner. Importantly, at the onset of diabetes mellitus and lupus nephritis we provide evidence for biglycan-dependent recruitment of Th1 and Th17 cells, IFNγ and IL-17 production, and development of albuminuria in mice lacking or overexpressing soluble biglycan. Furthermore, by genetic ablation of Cxcl10 we showed in vivo involvement of this chemokine in biglycan-dependent recruitment of Th1 and Th17 cells into the kidney. Finally, a positive correlation of biglycan and CXCL10/CXCL9 levels was detected in plasma from patients with diabetic nephropathy and lupus nephritis. Taken together, we identified biglycan as a novel trigger of Th1 and Th17 cell recruitment into the kidney and we postulate that interfering with biglycan/TLR/TRIF/MyD88-signaling might provide novel therapeutic avenues for renal fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate association of circulating inflammatory factors at the time of colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery with survival.

METHODS

Plasma levels from 174 CRC patients (69 females and 105 men), with median age 70 years (range 29-90), localized in the colon (n = 105) or rectum (n = 69), with stage I (n = 24), stage II (n = 54), stage III (n = 67) and stage IV (n = 29) were measured using commercially available Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Chemokine Panel 40-Plex, including 40 different chemokines, cytokines and interleukins. The prognostic association of each inflammatory factor was analysed as CRC-specific and total mortality.

RESULTS

Out of 174 patients, 66 died during the follow-up, 40 because of CRC specific mortality. High tertile levels of 8 factors were significantly associated with increased CRC-specific mortality, of which CCL1, CCL20, CCL24, CX3CL1, IL-4 and TNF-α remained significant in a multivariate Cox regression analysis. High tertile levels of 14 factors were associated with increased total mortality, of which CCL1, CCL15, CCL20, CX3CL1, CXCL13, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 remained significant after adjustment for clinical covariates. For most of the inflammatory factors the association between higher tertile levels and an increased mortality in general appeared two years after surgery. High tertile levels of TNF-α and CCL24 were exclusively associated with CRC-specific mortality. The distribution of these factors were not associated with TNM stage with exception for CCL20.

CONCLUSIONS

High plasma levels of inflammatory factors are associated with increased risk of mortality among CRC patients and could be potential biomarkers for revealing prognosis.

Ovulation is one of the cornerstones of female fertility. Disruption of the ovulatory process results in infertility, which affects approximately 10% of couples. Using a unique model in which the dominant follicle is collected across the periovulatory period in women, we have identified a leukocyte chemoattractant, chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), in the human ovary. CCL20 mRNA is massively induced after an in vivo human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulus in granulosa (>10 000-fold) and theca (>4000-fold) cells collected during the early ovulatory (12-18 h) and late ovulatory (18-34 h) periods after hCG administration. Because the LH surge sets in motion an inflammatory reaction characterized by an influx of leukocytes and CCL20 is known to recruit leukocytes in other systems, the composition of ovarian leukocytes (CD45+) containing the CCL20 receptor CCR6 was determined immediately prior to ovulation. CD45+/CCR6+ cells were primarily natural killer cells (41%) along with B cells (12%), T cells (11%), neutrophils (10%), and monocytes (9%). Importantly, exogenous CCL20 stimulated ovarian leukocyte migration 59% within 90 minutes. Due to the difficulties in obtaining human follicles, an in vitro model was developed using granulosa-lutein cells to explore CCL20 regulation. CCL20 expression increased 40-fold within 6 hours after hCG, was regulated partially by the epithelial growth factor pathway, and was positively correlated with progesterone production. These results demonstrate that hCG dramatically increases CCL20 expression in the human ovary, that ovarian leukocytes contain the CCL20 receptor, and that CCL20 stimulates leukocyte migration. Our findings raise the prospect that CCL20 may aid in the final ovulatory events and contribute to fertility in women.

OBJECTIVE

Cytokines are important mediators of immune-inflammatory responses implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis. Our objective was to investigate the cytokine expression profile in plasma of AAA patients.

METHODS

Cytokine protein expression was measured in plasma of 5 large AAA patients (aortic size >50mm) and 5 controls (aortic size <30 mm) using a 20-cytokine antibody-based protein array. IGFBP-1 plasma concentrations were analyzed by ELISA. IGFBP-1 protein levels were analyzed in AAA thrombus by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Platelet aggregation was assessed by conventional optical aggregometry.

RESULTS

Several proteins including MIP-3 alpha (CCL20), Eotaxin-2 and IGFBP-1 were increased in AAA patients compared to controls. Among them, IGFBP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in large AAA patients vs control subjects. These data were validated in plasma of patients with large AAA (n = 30) compared to matched controls (n = 30) [834(469-1628) vs 497(204-893) pg/ml, p<0.01]. Furthermore, the potential association of IGFBP-1 with AAA size was analyzed in a second independent group of subjects [large AAA (n = 59), small AAA patients (aortic size = 30-50mm, n = 54) and controls (n = 30)]. Interestingly, IGFBP-1 levels correlated with AAA size (r = 0.4, p<0.001), which remained significant after adjusting for traditional risk factors. IGFBP-1 was localized in the luminal part of AAA thrombus and IGFBP-1 levels were increased in AAA thrombus conditioned media compared to media layer and healthy media. Interestingly, IGFBP-1 abrogated the potentiation of ADP-induced platelet aggregation triggered by IGF-1.

CONCLUSIONS

IGFBP-1 has been identified by a protein array approach as a potential novel biomarker of AAA. The biological role of IGFBP-1 in AAA pathogenesis could be related to the modulation on the effect of IGF-1 on platelet aggregation.

Abnormalities of T cell-mediated immune activation, in the absence of active somatic immune diseases, have consistently been reported in mood disorders. Apart from being important players in the regulation of cells of the immune system, T cells are essential for normal brain development. We here report studies on the relationship between circulating levels of T helper cells and structural and functional brain imaging in depressed bipolar patients. Since the CCL20-CCR6 axis is an important entry to the brain we differentiated the various T helper cell subpopulations on the basis of their chemokine receptor expression.

METHODS

FACS staining was performed for Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22 and T regulatory cells on frozen leukocytes of 25 consecutively admitted inpatients affected by a major depressive episode, without psychotic features, in the course of Bipolar Disorder I and 21 healthy controls. The frequency of the T helper populations was associated with DTI and fMRI data acquired on a Philips 3.0 Tesla scanner. Tract based spatial statistic was used to obtain measures of white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy, axial, radial and mean diffusivity) from a standard DTI sequence with 35 directions. Patients were also studied for fMRI through a moral valence decision task were subjects had to decide whether morally tuned stimuli were positive or negative.

RESULTS

The percentage of circulating Th17 (CCR6+CXCR3negCCR4+CCR10neg) cells correlated positively with higher fractional anisotropy in fiber tracts contributing to the functional integrity of the brain both in patients and healthy controls, while the frequency of circulating T regulatory (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) cells correlated positively with higher radial and mean diffusivity in patients. The frequency of circulating T regulatory cells also correlated to lower neuronal responses to negative versus positive morally tuned stimuli in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of patients. Th1 cells correlated negatively with white matter integrity in several tracts (healthy controls), while the cells showed a positive correlation to the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (patients).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows a new putative role for Th17 cells. Th17 cells are not only playing a role in inducing autoimmunity and auto-inflammation, but might also play a counter intuitive anabolic role in the maintenance of the functional and structural integrity of the brain.

BACKGROUND

Both keratinocytes and T-cells are crucial players in cutaneous immune responses. We hypothesized that direct interactions between keratinocytes and T-cell subsets could shape the nature or strength of the local immune response.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated direct interactions between keratinocytes and T-cell subsets, focused on keratinocyte chemokine production and T-cell phenotype and cytokine production.

METHODS

A newly developed in vitro serum free co-culture model using primary keratinocytes and T-cells subsets from healthy human donors was used. Keratinocyte chemokine production was analyzed with luminex, T-cell phenotype and cytokine production were analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Our data show that upon co-culture with CD4(pos) or CD8(pos) T-cells primary human keratinocytes increased production of functionally active chemokines CCL2, CCL20 and CXCL10 and that regulatory T-cells did not regulate keratinocyte chemokine production. Next to that, we found that keratinocytes skewed CD4(pos) and CD8(pos) T-cell populations toward an IL-17(pos) CCR6(pos) RORγt(pos) phenotype in a cell-cell contact independent manner, and that Treg were able to decrease the absolute number of IL-17 producing T-cells in keratinocyte/T-cell co-cultures. Correspondingly, freshly isolated skin-derived T-cell populations contained relatively high percentages of IL-17(pos) cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence that keratinocyte/T-cell communication may regulate leukocyte influx in the skin, and that keratinocytes enrich T-cell populations for Th17/Tc17 cells. Accumulation of Th17/Tc17 cells, but not chemokine production, appears under the control of regulatory T-cells. Dysregulation of these processes may well contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases.

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory disorder of the esophagus defined by eosinophil infiltration and tissue remodeling with resulting symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) promotes inflammation through upregulation of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase midline-1 (MID1), which binds to and deactivates the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2Ac, resulting in increased nuclear factor κB activation.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to elucidate the role of TRAIL in EoE.

METHODS

We used Aspergillus fumigatus to induce EoE in TRAIL-sufficient (wild-type) and TRAIL-deficient (TRAIL(-/-)) mice and targeted MID1 in the esophagus with small interfering RNA. We also treated mice with recombinant thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and TRAIL.

RESULTS

TRAIL deficiency and MID1 silencing with small interfering RNA reduced esophageal eosinophil and mast cell numbers and protected against esophageal circumference enlargement, muscularis externa thickening, and collagen deposition. MID1 expression and nuclear factor κB activation were reduced in TRAIL(-/-) mice, whereas protein phosphatase 2Ac levels were increased compared with those seen in wild-type control mice. This was associated with reduced expression of CCL24, CCL11, CCL20, IL-5, IL-13, IL-25, TGFB, and TSLP. Treatment with TSLP reconstituted hallmark features of EoE in TRAIL(-/-) mice and recombinant TRAIL induced esophageal TSLP expression in vivo in the absence of allergen. Post hoc analysis of gene array data demonstrated significant upregulation of TRAIL and MID1 in a cohort of children with EoE compared with that seen in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

TRAIL regulates MID1 and TSLP, inflammation, fibrosis, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and expression of inflammatory effector chemokines and cytokines in experimental EoE.

Giardiasis is a common diarrheal disease caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis. Cysteine proteases (CPs) are acknowledged as virulence factors in Giardia but their specific role in the molecular pathogenesis of disease is not known. Herein, we aimed to characterize the three main secreted CPs (CP14019, CP16160 and CP16779), which were identified by mass spectrometry in the medium during interaction with intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in vitro. First, the CPs were epitope-tagged and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasmic vesicle-like structures. Second, we showed that recombinant CPs, expressed in Pichia pastoris, are more active in acidic environment (pH 5.5-6) and we determined the kinetic parameters using fluorogenic substrates. Third, excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs) from Giardia trophozoites affect the localization of apical junctional complex (AJC) proteins and recombinant CPs cleave or re-localize the AJC proteins (claudin-1 and -4, occludin, JAM-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin) of IECs. Finally, we showed that the ESPs and recombinant CPs can degrade several chemokines, including CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, IL-8, CCL2, and CCL20, which are up-regulated in IECs during Giardia-host cell interactions. This is the first study that characterizes the role of specific CPs secreted from Giardia and our results collectively indicate their roles in the disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier and modulating immune responses during Giardia infections.

OBJECTIVE

Vitamin D is recognized to be an important modulator of the immune system. In the eye, studies have shown that deficiencies and genetic differences in vitamin D-related genes have a significant impact on the development of various ocular diseases. Our current study examines the ability of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) to activate vitamin D and the effect of vitamin D treatment on antimicrobial peptide production and cytokine modulation during inflammation, with the ultimate goal of using vitamin D therapeutically for corneal inflammation.

METHODS

Human corneal epithelial cells were treated with 10-7M vitamin D3 (D3) or 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D3) for 24 hours and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) detected by immunoassay. Human cathelicidin (LL-37) expression was examined by RT-PCR, immunoblot, and immunostaining following 1,25D3 treatment and antimicrobial activity of 1,25D3-treated cells was determined. Cells were stimulated with TLR3 agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly[I:C]) for 24 hours and cytokine levels measured by RT-PCR, ELISA, and Luminex. Immunostaining determined expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoic acid inducible gene-1 receptor (RIG-1) as well as NF-κB nuclear translocation.

RESULTS

When treated with inactive vitamin D metabolites, HCEC produced active 1,25D3, leading to enhanced expression of the antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, dependent on VDR. 1,25-D3 decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and CCL20) and MMP-9 induced by Poly(I:C) as well as pattern recognition receptor expression (TLR3, RIG-1, MDA5). However, early activation of NF-κB was not affected.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate the protective ability of vitamin D to attenuate proinflammatory mediators while increasing antimicrobial peptides and antipseudomonas activity in corneal cells, and further our knowledge on the immunomodulatory functions of the hormone.

Effective biomarkers for multiple sclerosis diagnosis, assessment of prognosis, and treatment responses, in particular those measurable in blood, are largely lacking. We have investigated a broad set of protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma using a highly sensitive proteomic immunoassay. Cases from two independent cohorts were compared with healthy controls and patients with other neurological diseases. We identified and replicated 10 cerebrospinal fluid proteins including IL-12B, CD5, MIP-1a, and CXCL9 which had a combined diagnostic efficacy similar to immunoglobulin G (IgG) index and neurofilament light chain (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.95). Two plasma proteins, OSM and HGF, were also associated with multiple sclerosis in comparison to healthy controls. Sensitivity and specificity of combined CSF and plasma markers for multiple sclerosis were 85.7% and 73.5%, respectively. In the discovery cohort, eotaxin-1 (CCL11) was associated with disease duration particularly in patients who had secondary progressive disease (P _CSF < 4 × 10^-5, P _plasma < 4 × 10^-5), and plasma CCL20 was associated with disease severity (P = 4 × 10^-5), although both require further validation. Treatment with natalizumab and fingolimod showed different compartmental changes in protein levels of CSF and peripheral blood, respectively, including many disease-associated markers (e.g., IL12B, CD5) showing potential application for both diagnosing disease and monitoring treatment efficacy. We report a number of multiple sclerosis biomarkers in CSF and plasma for early disease detection and potential indicators for disease activity. Of particular importance is the set of markers discovered in blood, where validated biomarkers are lacking.

Keywords: biomarkers; cerebrospinal fluid; multiple sclerosis; proteomics; proximity extension assay.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) biomarker identification is important for pathogenesis research and diagnosis in routine clinical practice. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood cytokines as potential biomarkers that can inform MS pathogenesis, diagnosis and response to treatment have been assessed in numerous studies. However, there have been no comprehensive meta-analyses to pool cytokine data and to address their diagnostic performance. We systematically reviewed literature with meta-analyses to assess the alteration levels of cytokines and chemokines in MS. Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1990 and April 30, 2018 for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Data were extracted from 226 included studies encompassing 13,526 MS patients and 8,428 controls. Biomarker performance was rated by a random-effects meta-analysis based on the standard mean difference between cytokine concentration in patients with MS and controls, or patients before and after treatments. Results: Of the 26 CSF cytokines and 37 blood cytokines for potential differentiation between MS patients and controls, the random-effects meta-analysis showed that 13 CSF cytokines and 21 blood cytokines were significantly increased in MS patients in comparison to the controls. Interestingly, TNF-α, CXCL8, IL-15, IL-12p40, and CXCL13 were increased in both blood and CSF of MS patients. For those cytokines analyzed in at least 10 studies, differentiation between case and control was strong for CSF CXCL13, blood IL-2R, and blood IL-23; CSF CXCL8, blood IL-2, and blood IL-17 also performed well in differentiating between MS patients and controls, whereas those of CSF TNF-α and blood TNF-α, CXCL8, IL-12, IFN-γ were moderate. Furthermore, CSF IL-15, CCL19, CCL11, CCL-3, and blood CCL20, IL-12p40, IL-21, IL-17F, IL-22 had large effective sizes when differentiating between MS patients and controls but had a relatively small number of studies (three to seven studies). Conclusion: Our findings clarified the circulating cytokine profile in MS, which provide targets for disease modifying treatments, and suggest that cytokines have the potential to be used as biomarkers for MS.

The ichthyoses are rare genetic disorders associated with generalized scaling, erythema, and epidermal barrier impairment. Pathogenesis-based therapy is largely lacking because the underlying molecular basis is poorly understood.

We sought to characterize molecularly cutaneous inflammation and its correlation with clinical and barrier characteristics.

We analyzed biopsy specimens from 21 genotyped patients with ichthyosis (congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, n = 6; lamellar ichthyosis, n = 7; epidermolytic ichthyosis, n = 5; and Netherton syndrome, n = 3) using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR and compared them with specimens from healthy control subjects, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), and patients with psoriasis. Clinical measures included the Ichthyosis Area Severity Index (IASI), which integrates erythema (IASI-E) and scaling (IASI-S); transepidermal water loss; and pruritus.

Ichthyosis samples showed increased epidermal hyperplasia (increased thickness and keratin 16 expression) and T-cell and dendritic cell infiltrates. Increases of general inflammatory (IL-2), innate (IL-1β), and some TH1/interferon (IFN-γ) markers in patients with ichthyosis were comparable with those in patients with psoriasis or AD. TNF-α levels in patients with ichthyosis were increased only in those with Netherton syndrome but were much lower than in patients with psoriasis and those with AD. Expression of TH2 cytokines (IL-13 and IL-31) was similar to that seen in control subjects. The striking induction of IL-17-related genes or markers synergistically induced by IL-17 and TNF-α (IL-17A/C, IL-19, CXCL1, PI3, CCL20, and IL36G; P < .05) in patients with ichthyosis was similar to that seen in patients with psoriasis. IASI and IASI-E scores strongly correlated with IL-17A (r = 0.74, P < .001) and IL-17/TNF-synergistic/additive gene expression. These markers also significantly correlated with transepidermal water loss, suggesting a link between the barrier defect and inflammation in patients with ichthyosis.

Our data associate a shared TH17/IL-23 immune fingerprint with the major orphan forms of ichthyosis and raise the possibility of IL-17-targeting strategies.