Lindenbergh-Kortleve, D.J.

Alcohol facilitates CD1d loading, subsequent activation of NKT cells, and reduces the incidence of diabetes in NOD mice (Article)

2011-04-08T00:00:00Z

Background: Ethanol ('alcohol') is a partly hydrophobic detergent that may affect the accessibility of glycolipids thereby influencing immunological effects of these molecules. Methods: The study included cellular in vitro tests using α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and in vivo NOD mice experiments detecting diabetes incidence and performing behavioural and bacterial analyses. Results: Alcohol in concentrations from 0.6% to 2.5% increased IL-2 production from NKT cells stimulated with αGalCer by 60% (p<0.05). CD1d expressed on HeLa cells contained significantly increasing amounts of αGalCer with increasing concentrations of alcohol, suggesting that alcohol facilitated the passive loading of αGalCer to CD1d. NOD mice were found to tolerate 5% ethanol in their drinking water without signs of impairment in liver function. Giving this treatment, the diabetes incidence declined significantly. Higher numbers of CD3+CD49b+ NKT cells were found in spleen and liver of the alcohol treated compared to the control mice (p<0.05), whereas the amount of CD4+Foxp3+ regulator T cells did not differ. Increased concentrations of IFN-γ were detected in 24-hour blood samples of alcohol treated mice. Behavioural studies showed no change in attitude of the ethanol-consuming mice, and bacterial composition of caecum samples was not affected by alcohol, disqualifying these as protective mechanisms. Conclusion: Alcohol facilitates the uptake of glycolipids and the stimulation of NKT cells, which are known to counteract Type 1 diabetes development. We propose that this is the acting mechanism by which treatment with alcohol reduces the incidence of diabetes in NOD mice. This is corroborated by epidemiology showing beneficial effect of alcohol to reduce the severity of atherosclerosis and related diseases.

Anti-inflammatory actions of phosphatidylinositol (Article)

2011-04-01T00:00:00Z

Chronic inflammatory T-cell-mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are often treated with immunosuppressants including corticosteroids. In addition to the intended T-cell suppression, these farmacons give rise to many side effects. Recently, immunosuppressive phospholipids have been proposed as less-toxic alternatives. We aimed to investigate the immunoregulatory capacities of the naturally occurring phospholipid phosphatidylinositol (PI). Systemic PI treatment dramatically reduced disease severity and intestinal inflammation in murine 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis. Moreover, PI treatment inhibited the inflammatory T-cell response in these mice, as T cells derived from colon-draining LN of PI-treated mice secreted less IL-17 and IFN-γ upon polyclonal restimulation when compared to those of saline-treated mice. Further characterization of the suppressive capacity of PI revealed that the phospholipid suppressed Th cell differentiation in vitro irrespective of their cytokine profile by inhibiting proliferation and IL-2 release. In particular, PI diminished IL-2 mRNA expression and inhibited ERK1-, ERK-2-, p38- and JNK-phosphorylation. Crucially, PI did not ablate Treg differentiation or the antigen-presenting capacity of DCs in vitro. These data validate PI as a pluripotent inhibitor that can be applied mucosally as well as systemically. Its compelling functions render PI a promising novel physiological immune suppressant.

T-cell regulation of neutrophil infiltrate at the early stages of a murine colitis model (Article)

2010-02-26T00:00:00Z

Background: T-cells are a main target for antiinflammatory drugs in inflammatory bowel disease. As the innate immune system is also implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases, T-cell suppressors may not only inhibit T-cell-dependent production of proinflammatory mediators but also affect innate immune cell function. Specifically, these drugs may impair innate immune cell recruitment and activation through inhibition of T-cells or act independent of T-cell modulation. We explored the extent of immune modulation by the T-cell inhibitor tacrolimus in a murine colitis model. Methods: We assessed the effects of tacrolimus on trinitro-benzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) colitis in wildtype and Rag2-deficient mice. The severity of colitis was assessed by means of histological scores and weight loss. We further characterized the inflammation using immunohistochemistry and by analysis of isolated intestinal leukocytes at various stages of disease. Results: Tacrolimus-treated wildtype mice were less sensitive to colitis and had fewer activated T-cells. Inhibition of T-cell function was associated with strongly diminished recruitment of infiltrating neutrophils in the colon at the early stages of this model. In agreement, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that tacrolimus inhibited production of the neutrophil chemoattractants CXCL1 and CXCL2. Rag2-deficient mice displayed an enhanced baseline level of lamina propria neutrophils that was moderately increased in TNBS colitis and remained unaffected by tacrolimus. Conclusions: Both the innate and the adaptive mucosal immune system contribute to TNBS colitis. Tacrolimus suppresses colitis directly through inhibition of T-cell activation and by suppression of T-cell-mediated recruitment of neutrophils.

Oxazolone-Induced Enterocolitis in Zebrafish Depends on the Composition of the Intestinal Microbiota (Article)

2009-11-01T00:00:00Z

Background & Aims: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease involves dysfunctional mucosal immune responses to commensal bacteria in genetically predisposed hosts. Interactions between host cells and bacteria are complicated, making it a challenge to assess their relative contribution to intestinal pathology. We developed a zebrafish model of enterocolitis to study these interactions. Methods: Enterocolitis was induced by intrarectal administration of the hapten oxazolone in adult wild-type and myeloperoxidase-reporter transgenic zebrafish in the presence or absence of antibiotics. Intestinal inflammation was evaluated by histological and flow cytometry analyses and cytokine profiling with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota following antibiotic administration were assessed by 16SrRNA sequencing and bacterial load was quantified by culture on nonselective media (colony-forming units). Results: In zebrafish, the infiltrate and severity of oxazolone-induced enterocolitis are influenced by the composition of the microbiota. Inflammation is characterized by granulocyte influx; epithelial damage; goblet cell depletion; and increased expression of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-10. Zebrafish given vancomycin had bacterial populations dominated by Fusobacteria and reduced enterocolitis scores, intestinal damage, and percentages of infiltrating neutrophils and eosinophils. In contrast, zebrafish given colistin sulphate had a predominance of proteobacteria and reduced eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration, but enterocolitis scores were not reduced. Conclusions: In zebrafish with oxazolone-induced enterocolitis, components of the intestinal microbiota affect the severity and composition of the intestinal infiltrate.

Alterations in epithelial and mesenchymal intestinal gene expression during doxorubicin-induced mucositis in mice (Article)

2007-08-01T00:00:00Z

In the current study we aimed to gain insight into epithelial-mesenchymal cross-talk and progenitor compartment modulation during doxorubicin (DOX)-induced mucositis in mice. Intestinal segments were collected on various days after DOX treatment. DOX-induced damage at day 1-2 was characterized by increased epithelial proliferation and apoptosis and a decrease in the expression of epithelial differentiation markers. Concurrently, T-cell factor-4 (TCF4) levels increased and the epithelial differentiation enhancing factor, bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP4), decreased. During severe damage (day 3), BMP4 levels were significantly increased, which inversely correlated with epithelial proliferation. At the same time, the expression of the epithelial differentiation markers was increasing again. At day 7, BMP4 levels were down-regulated, while the levels of the epithelial differentiation markers and TCF4 were normalized again. These data suggest that in response to DOX-induced damage, BMP4 and TCF4 are modulated in such a way that homeostasis of the progenitor compartment is partly preserved.

Methotrexate-induced mucositis in mucin 2-deficient mice (Article)

2007-01-01T00:00:00Z

The mucin Muc2 or Mycin2 (Muc2), which is the main structural component of the protective mucus layer, has shown to be upregulated during chemotherapy-induced mucositis. As Muc2 has shown to have protective capacities, upregulation of Muc2 may be a counter reaction of the intestine protecting against mucositis. Therefore, increasing Muc2 protein levels could be a therapeutic target in mucositis prevention or reduction. Our aim was to determine the role of Muc2 in chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Mucositis was induced in Muc2 knockout (Muc2-/-) and wild type (Muc2+/+) mice by injecting methotrexate (MTX). Animals were weighed and sacrificed on Days 2-6 after MTX treatment and jejunal segments were analyzed. Before MTX treatment, the small intestine of Muc2+/+and Muc2-/-mice were similar with respect to epithelial morphology and proliferation. Moreover, sucrase-isomaltase and trefoil factor-3 protein expression levels were comparable between Muc2+/+and Muc2-/-mice. Up to Day 3 after MTX treatment, percentages of weight-loss did not differ. Thereafter, Muc2+/+mice showed a trend towards regaining weight, whereas Muc2-/-mice continued to lose weight. Surprisingly, MTX-induced intestinal damage of Muc2-/-and Muc2+/+mice was comparable. Prior to MTX-injection, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 mRNAs were upregulated in Muc2-/-mice, probably due to continuous exposure of the intestine to luminal antigens. Muc2 deficiency does not lead to an increase in chemotherapy-induced mucositis. A possible explanation is the mechanism by which Muc2 deficiency may trigger the immune system to release interleukin-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine before MTX-treatment.

Insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (Article)

2003-01-01T00:00:00Z

PURPOSE: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I protein is a growth-promoting polypeptide that can act as an angiogenic agent in the eye. The purpose of the current study was to localize the expression of IGF-I and its receptor (IGF-IR) mRNA and IGF-IR protein in situ in the normal human eye and to examine the presence of expression in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded slides of 4 normal control eyes and 14 eyes with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to AMD were examined. Three eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were studied as the positive control. IGF-I and IGF-IR mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled RNA probes. IGF-IR protein was studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the normal retina, IGF-I and IGF-IR mRNA expression was found throughout the neuroretinal layers, in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and in some choriocapillary and retinal capillary endothelial cells. In eyes with CNV we found IGF and IGF-IR mRNA in capillary endothelial cells, some transdifferentiated RPE, and fibroblast-like cells. IGF-IR protein was found in normal eyes in all neuroretinal layers, in the RPE, and in the choroidal vessels. In eyes with CNV, IGF-IR protein was present in the RPE monolayer, in transdifferentiated RPE, and in newly formed vessels. CONCLUSIONS: The colocalization of protein and receptor indicates an autocrine function of IGF-I in the normal human retina. Because IGF-I participates in ocular neovascularization, synthesis of IGF-IR and IGF-I in endothelial cells, RPE cells, and fibroblast-like cells in CNV may point toward a role for this growth factor in the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD.

The role of the IGF axis in IGFBP-1 and IGF-I induced renal enlargement in Snell dwarf mice (Article)

2001-01-01T00:00:00Z

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is generally believed to inhibit IGF action in the circulation. In contrast, IGFBP-1 has been reported to interact with cell surfaces and enhance IGF-I action locally in some tissues. Renal IGFBP-1 levels are found elevated in various conditions characterized by renal growth (e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypokalemia). To test whether IGFBP-1 is a renotropic factor, IGFBP-1 was administered alone or in combination with IGF-I to Snell dwarf mice, an in vivo model without compensatory feedback effects on growth hormone (GH) secretion. In three control groups of Snell dwarf mice, placebo, GH or IGF-I was administered. Compared with placebo, kidney weight increased in all treated groups, however, with different effects on kidney morphology. Administration of IGF-I, alone or in combination with IGFBP-1, tended to increase glomerular volume, while no changes were seen in the other groups. Administration of IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-1+IGF-I both caused dilatation of the thin limbs of Henle's loop, while GH or IGF-I administration had no visible effect. Furthermore, IGF-I administration resulted in an increased mean number of nuclei per cortical area and renal weight, whereas GH, IGF-I+IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-1 caused a decreased renal nuclei number. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed specific changes of the renal IGF system expression patterns in the different groups. Particularly, IGFBP-1 administration resulted in extensive changes in the mRNA expression of the renal IGF system, whereas the other administration regimen resulted in less prominent modifications. In contrast, administration of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-1+IGF-I resulted in identical changes in the protein expression of the renal IGF system. Our results indicate that IGFBP-1, alone or in combination with IGF-I, demonstrated effects on the renal tubular system that differ from the effects of IGF-I.

Generation of antisera to mouse insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP)-1 to -6: comparison of IGFBP protein and messenger ribonucleic acid localization in the mouse embryo (Article)

1999-01-01T00:00:00Z

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is an important regulator of fetal growth and differentiation. IGF bioavailability is modulated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs). We have generated six different antisera, directed to synthetic peptide fragments of mouse IGFBP-1 through -6. The specificity of the produced antisera was demonstrated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, and by immunohistochemistry on sections of mouse embryos of 13.5 days post coitum. Specificity for the IGFBP-2 through -6 antisera also was confirmed immunohistochemically in liver and lung of corresponding gene deletion (knock-out) mutant mice and wild-type litter mates. Immunohistochemistry and messenger RNA (mRNA) in situ hybridization on sections of mouse embryos of 13.5 days post coitum revealed tissue-specific expression patterns for the six IGFBPs. The only site of IGFBP-1 protein and mRNA production was the liver. IGFBP-2, -4, and -5 protein and mRNA were detected in various organs and tissues. IGFBP-3 and -6 protein and mRNA levels were low. In several tissues, such as lung, liver, kidney, and tongue, more than one IGFBP (protein and mRNA) could be detected. Differences between mRNA and protein localization were extensive for IGFBP-3, -5, and -6, suggesting that these IGFBPs are secreted and transported. These results confirm the different spatial localization of the IGFBPs, on the mRNA and protein level. The overlapping mRNA and protein localization for IGFBP-2 and -4, on the other hand, may indicate that these IGFBPs also function in an auto- or paracrine manner.