In order to observe activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the serum, pancreatic histopathological damage, as well as their relationships in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), thirty five SD rats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to their sampling time with 5 in each group. ANP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate through biliopancreatic duct in 6 experimental groups (Group B1～B6).Blood and pancreatic tissue samples were obtained at hour 0,0.5,2,4,6 or 8 respectively when the animals were sacrificed.Results showed that serum level of TNF activity rose significantly in Group B2,and reached the maximal value in Group B4.The pancreatic histopathological damage in ANP rats was getting worse along with time. Serum TNF activity had close relation to pancreatic histopathological score (r=0.63, Ｐ＜0.01),suggesting that serum TNF may play an important role in the process of deterioration of pancreatic tissue damage during ANP.
Objective To examine the levels of interferon-gamma; (INF-gamma;), tumor necrosis factor-alpha; (TNF-alpha;) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum of patients with acute uveitis before and after treatment, and to explore the possible roles of those cytokines in the initiation and progression of the uveitis. Methods A series of 75 patients with acute uveitis,and 30 healthy persons from our hospital were investigated. The levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase and convalescent phase were measured by the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Result The serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase were significantly higher than that of the convalescent phase and the healthy controls (F=65.805/50.418/155.381, P=0.000). A significant negative correlation was found between the serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase with their initial visual acuity(r=-0.656, -0.592 and -0.653, Plt;0.01). There was also a positive correlation among the serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6(r=0.340, 0.467 and 0.338, Plt;0.05). Conclusions There are high serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in patients with acute uveitis, and the cytokines levels were decreased after the treatment. The results suggested that the INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 involved in initiation and progression of uveitis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) induced by laser in mice. Methods Eighty male C57BL/6J mice at the age of 6-8 weeks old were randomly divided into the normal control, photocoagulation model, photocoagulation with phosphate buffered saline (PBS control group) and photocoagulation with TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups (TGF-β receptor inhibitor group), twenty mice of each group. Fundus argon laser photocoagulation was performed in the photocoagulation model group, PBS control group and TGF-β receptor inhibitor group to induce CNV. One week, two, three and four weeks after the laser procedure, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was carried out in the normal control or photocoagulation model groups to observe CNV formation dynamically. Western blot was used to analyze the expressions of TGF-β in the retina from the mice of normal control or photocoagulation model groups, and VEGF or TNF-α in the retina of normal control, PBS control or TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups. The CNV areas of each group were evaluated by using fluorescein stain on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid flat mounts after two weeks of photocoagulation. ResultsThe FFA results showed the retinal vessels centered on the optic disc and arranged radially, while the choroidal vascular present network distribution in the normal control mice. Significant leakage of fluorescein showed discoid strong fluorophore in photocoagulation sites of retina at one week after photocoagulation. The quantitative analysis results of Western blot demonstrated that the TGF-β protein expression levels in retina of photocoagulation model mice gradually increased with time passing. The protein expression levels of TGF-β were significant differences in the photocoagulation model group comparing with the normal control group (F=13.042, P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of TNF-α (F=14.721, 17.509) and VEGF (F=18.890, 11.251) increased significantly in retina of PBS control or TGF-β receptor inhibitor groups when compared with that of normal control group at one week, two, three and four weeks after photocoagulation, and the differences were both statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with PBS control group, the protein levels of TNF-α and VEGF in retina from TGF-β receptor inhibitor group were significantly reduced, the differences was statistically significant (F=21.321, 16.160, P < 0.05). Two weeks after laser photocoagulation, a distinct reduction in CNV lesion size in the TGF-β receptor inhibitor group mice when compared to PBS or normal control groups, the differences was statically significant (F=4.482, P < 0.05). ConclusionTGF-β may promote CNV formation by up-regulating both TNF-α and VEGF protein expressions, the application of its specific inhibitor is able to reduce CNV progression.
Objective To detect the effects of cytokines on the expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect and quantitatively analyze the expression of Egr-1 protein and mRNA in cultured human RPE cells which were exposed to stimulants, including 20 mu;g/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 40 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha;, 10 U/ml interferon (IFN)gamma;, 30% supernatant of monocyte/macrophage strain (THP1 cells) and the vitreous humor from healthy human eyeballs, for 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes, respectively. Results The RPE cells stimulated for 0 minute revealed faint green fluorescence of Egr-1 in the cytoplasm. With exposure to the stimulants, the expressionof Egr-1 increased obviously and b green fluorescence was found in cytoplasm in some nuclei of RPE cells. Compared with the untreated RPE cells, after stimulated by 20 mu;g/ml LPS, 40 ng/ml TNFalpha;, 10 U/ml IFNgamma;, 30% supernatant of THP-1 cells and the vitreous humor, the approximate ultimate amplitudes of Egr-1 mRNA enhanced 1.9, 1.3, 14, 1.2, and 1.4 times, respectively; the greatest amplitudes of Egr-1 protein increased 3.4, 1.2, 1.7, 32, and 1.3 times, respectively. Conclusion LPS, TNF-alpha;, IFN-gamma;, supernatant of THP-1 cells and the vitreous humor can upregulate the expression of Egr-1 mRNA and protein in cultured human RPE cells, and induce its nuclear transposition, which suggests the activation of Egr-1.
Objective To explore the role and intrinsic mechanism of the injury of intestines induceded by pancreatitis associated ascitic fluid (PAAF) and acute suppurative peritonitis associated ascitic fluid (ASPAAF) in rats. Methods Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, male or female, were randomly divided into three groups averagely. The control group: 8 ml of normal saline (NS) was injected into the peritoneal cavity; the PAAF group: 8 ml of PAAF was injected into the peritoneal cavity; and the ASPAAF group: 8 ml of ASPAAF was injected into the peritoneal cavity. After peritoneal cavity injection, the rats were put to death in batches at 6 h and 12 h, eight rats per-batch. Levels of TNF-α and endotoxin in serum were measured. The activity of ATP enzyme and level of TNF-α in the intestinal tissues were measured. The pathological changes of intestines were observed by microscope.Results The levels of TNF-α, endotoxin and the degree of injury of the intestines were markedly elevated and the activity of ATP enzyme of the intestinal tissues was decreased in the PAAF group and ASPAAF group compared with those in the control group (P＜0.05). The levels of TNF-α, endotoxin and the degree of injury of the intestines were markedly elevated and the activity of ATP enzyme of the intestinal tissues was decreased in the ASPAAF group compared with those in the PAAF group (P＜0.05). Conclusion PAAF and ASPAAF can induce the injury of intestines, but the injury of intestines induced by ASPAAF is more serious.
Objective To summarize the change in the cytokine network, the classification of various cytokines, interaction, and systemic impact on patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods The recently published literatures in domestic and abroad about advancement of cytokines in AP were reviewed. Results Cytokines had a complex network and interactions. There were a variety of regulatory mechanisms. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin cytokines played important roles in the progress of AP. Conclusions Change of cytokines during AP is a complex process. Any separate regulation for the release of sigle factor has no significant effect on the disease. The treatment according to immune balance should be a better direction.
Objective To investigate influence of genders on the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lungs of endotoxemic rats. Methods Twenty female and 20 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as follow: female control group (n=10), male control group (n=10), male endotoxemic group (n=10), and female endotoxemic group (n=10). The endotoxemic rats model was made by injecting lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg) into the abdominal cavity. Tissue samples were collected from the lungs in different groups and electrophoresis mobility shift assay was used to measure the activity of NF-κB. The levels of serum TNF-α and estrogen were measured at the same time. Results There was no significant difference between the activities of NF-κB in male and female control groups (1.33±0.24 vs 1.47±0.40）, and there was also no significant difference between other items in these groups as well (Pgt;0.05). Yet, the activity of NF-κB (female: 12.10±2.89; male: 19.53±2.12) and the level of TNF-α 〔female: (4.10±0.72) ng/ml; male: (6.37±1.29) ng/ml〕 were significantly increased after injection of lipopolysaccharide (Plt;0.01), and the indices in female group were significantly lower than those in male group (Plt;0.01). Correlation analysis showed that there was a positive relation between the activity of NF-κB in lungs and the level of TNF-α (female: r=0.921 1, P=0.013; male: r=0.907 2, P=0.017), and there was a negative correlation between the activity of NF-κB and the level of estrogen (female: r=-0.887 5, P=0.017; male: r=0.872 3, P=0.022) in both male endotoxemic group and female endotoxemic group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Gender may be one of the factors that influence the activity of NF-κB in the lungs of endotoxemic rats. While on the other hand, endogenous estrogen may protect the lungs of endotoxemic rats from injury by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of lung tissue apoptosis in LPS-induced mice ARDS via TNF-α neutralization. MethodsThirty-six mice were randomly divided into a control group,a LPS group,and TNF-α neutralization group.LPS(5 mg/kg) was intratracheally nebulized to induce ARDS in the LPS group and the TNF-α neutralization group.Twenty-four hours before LPS treatment,etanercept (0.4 mg/kg) was abdominal injected to the mice in the TNF-α neutralization group.Mice were sacrificed 2 hours after LPS treatment.PCR were used to detected the expression of NF-κB p65,Bax and Bcl-2 in lung tissue.Western blot were used to detected protein level of NF-κB p65,Erk1/2 and their phosphorylation and Bax,Bcl-2.The lung dry-to-wet ratio was measured.The lung histological changes were evaluated by HE staining. ResultsActivation level of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2 was elevated,the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax was decreased in the LPS group(P<0.05).After TNF-α neutralization,the activation level of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2 were reduced,the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax was increased (P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,the lung dry-to-wet ratio and lung injury semi-quantitative score were significantly decreased in the TNF-α neutralization group (P<0.05). ConclusionTNF-α neutralization can suppress lung injury in LPS-induced ARDS mice by inhibiting activation of NF-κB p65 and Erk1/2,increasing the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax ratio,and eventually reducing apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo establish 16HBE cell lines stably expressing glutathione S-transferase mu 5 (GSTM5) gene, and explore the mechanism of GSTM5 nuclear translocation. MethodsRecombinant lentiviral expression vector containing GSTM5 gene was constructed and lentivirus was produced. After lentivirus infection of 16HBE cells, 16HBE-GSTM5 cell lines were obtained by screening with puromycin. Expression of GSTM5 in different cells was examined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The nuclear translocation of GSTM5 was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope, after the 16HBE-GSTM5 cell lines were treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 10 ng/ml) for 0.5 hour. ResultsLentiviral expression plasmids, PLVX-puro-3*flag-SBP-GSTM5-C and PLVX-puro-GSTM5-SBP-3*flag-N, were constructed and lentiviral particles were successfully packed. After infected with lentivirus and screened by puromycin, two cell lines, 16HBE-GSTM5-SBP-3*flag-N and 16HBE-3*flag-SBP-GSTM5-C, were obtained. GSTM5 expression in these two cell lines was significantly higher compared with the control group and parental cells. After treated with TNF-α for 0.5 hour, the nuclear translocation of GSTM5 in 16HBE-GSTM5-SBP-3*flag-N was much more obviously than that in 16HBE-3*flag-SBP-GSTM5-C. ConclusionThe N-terminal region of GSTM5 is critical for nuclear translocation induced by TNF-α, which is mediated by a novel and non-classical nuclear localization signal.
Objective To study the role of hydrogen sulfide （H2S） in prophase of acute peritoneal cavity infection. Methods NaHS was taken as a donor of H2S. Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups randomly：control group， cecal ligation and puncture （CLP） and treated with natural saline group，CLP and treated with NAHS group， and CLP and treated with DL-propargylglycine （PAG， an inhibitor of H2S formation） group. Selected 6 rats at 2h， 6h， and 12h after treatment in each group. The contents of TNF-αand H2S in serum and the content of MPO in intestinal tissue were measured， respectively. The histopathological change of ileum tissues were observed at 6 h after treatment in each group. Results The H2S could alleviate CLP-induced inflammation obviously， decrease the content of TNF-α in serum when inflammation，and attenuate the infiltration of neutrophilic granulocyte in small intestine. Conclusion The H2S has anti-inflammation effect in prophase of acute peritoneal cavity infection.