scholarly journals Escin Increases the Survival Rate of LPS-Induced Septic Mice Through Inhibition of HMGB1 Release from Macrophages

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 1577-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajun Cheng ◽  
Hongrui Wang ◽  
Min Mao ◽  
Chao Liang ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Treatment Methods ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Background: Previous studies have described the effects of Escin on improving the survival rate of endotoxemic animals. The purpose of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms of this potentially beneficial treatment. Methods: First, the survival rate of endotoxemic mice was monitored for up to 2 weeks after Escin pretreatment, Escin post-treatment, or Escin post-treatment + rHMGB1. The effects of Escin on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1ß, IL-6 and HMGB1 in the serum of endotoxemic mice and LPS-induced macrophages were evaluated by ELISA. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of HMGB1 in LPS-induced macrophages were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Additionally, the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-1ß, IL-6 was evaluated by ELISA in rHMGB1-induced macrophages. Finally, the protein levels and the activity of NF-κB in macrophages were checked by Western blot and ELISA, respectively. Results: Both pretreatment and post-treatment with Escin could improve the survival rate of endotoxemic mice, while exogenous rHMGB1 reversed this effect. In addition, Escin decreased the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-1ß, IL-6 and HMGB1 in endotoxemic mice and in LPS-induced macrophages. Escin could also inhibit the mRNA levels and activity of HMGB1. The release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-1ß, IL-6 could be suppressed in rHMGB1-induced macrophages by Escin. Finally, Escin could suppress the activation of NF-κB in LPS-induced macrophages. Conclusion: Escin could improve the survival of mice with LPS-induced endotoxemia. This effect maybe meditated by reducing the release of HMGB1, resulting in the suppression of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

scholarly journals Knockdown of Long Non-Coding RNA XIST Inhibited Doxorubicin Resistance in Colorectal Cancer by Upregulation of miR-124 and Downregulation of SGK1

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhu ◽  
Rui Zhang ◽  
Dongxiang Yang ◽  
Jibin Li ◽  
Xiaofei Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Regulatory Function ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Ic50 Value

Background/Aims: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the acquirement of DOX resistance limits its clinical application for cancer therapy. Mounting evidence has suggested that aberrantly expressed lncRNAs contribute to drug resistance of various tumors. Our study aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanisms of lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in chemoresistance of CRC to DOX. Methods: The expressions of XIST, miR-124, serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) mRNA in DOX-resistant CRC tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR or western blot analysis. DOX sensitivity was assessed by detecting IC50 value of DOX, the protein levels of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and glutathione S-transferase-π (GST-π) and apoptosis. The interactions between XIST, miR-124 and SGK1 were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and western blot. Xenograft tumor assay was used to verify the role of XIST in DOX resistance in CRC in vivo. Results: XIST expression was upregulated and miR-124 expression was downregulated in DOX-resistant CRC tissues and cells. Knockdown of XIST inhibited DOX resistance of CRC cells, as evidenced by the reduced IC50 value of DOX, decreased P-gp and GST-π levels and enhanced apoptosis in XIST-silenced DOX-resistant CRC cells. Additionally, XIST positively regulated SGK1 expression by interacting with miR-124 in DOX-resistant CRC cells. miR-124 suppression strikingly reversed XIST-knockdown-mediated repression on DOX resistance in DOX-resistant CRC cells. Moreover, SGK1-depletion-elicited decrease of DOX resistance was greatly restored by XIST overexpression or miR-124 inhibition in DOX-resistant CRC cells. Furthermore, XIST knockdown enhanced the anti-tumor effect of DOX in CRC in vivo. Conclusion: XIST exerted regulatory function in resistance of DOX possibly through miR-124/SGK1 axis, shedding new light on developing promising therapeutic strategy to overcome chemoresistance in CRC patients.

Abstract 205: Ouabain Activates the NF-κB Pathway in Macrophages via Na/K-ATPase/TLR4 Complex Leading to Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiliang Chen ◽  
Roy L Silverstein
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine Production ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain, digoxin, and marinobufagenin are known ligands for the plasma membrane receptor Na/K-ATPase (NKA). These ligands are able to stimulate interaction of the NKA with other membrane and cytosolic proteins leading to cellular events such as activation of kinase cascades and gene transcription. Endogenous cardiotonic steroids have been detected in human circulation and interestingly their levels were elevated in human patients with hypertension, congestive heart failure and diabetes, all of which were associated with chronic systemic inflammation. However, the role of cardiotonic steroids in systemic inflammation and immunity has not been well studied. We previously discovered that ouabain stimulated macrophages to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, many of which are known targets of the transcription factor, NF-κB. Therefore, we hypothesized that ouabain activates NF-κB pathway leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages. Using Western blot and densitometry analysis, we showed that physiological concentrations of ouabain promoted IκBα degradation (as low as 5 nM ouabain decreased IκBα level by 66.8%±7.4%, n=4). This was accompanied by NF-κB translocation from cytoplasm to the nuclei as shown by immunocytochemistry (% of nuclei NF-κB signals increased from 30.5%±2.3% in control to 62.2%±2.6% in ouabain-treated macrophages, n>25). Moreover, via quantitative RT-PCR (n=3), we found that ouabain increased mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1 (3.2±1.1 fold), TNF-α (59.7±35.6 fold), and CXCL-10 (2.8±1.6 fold), all of which are known NF-κB targets. Consistent with the increase in mRNA level, we found that MCP-1 protein levels were elevated in both cell lysates (1.8±0.3 fold) and culture media (1.4±0.1 fold; n=4). Addition of an NF-κB inhibitor blocked MCP-1 production induced by ouabain (n=4). Mechanistically, ouabain stimulated interaction between NKA and TLR4 as shown by Co-Immunoprecipitation (n=3). Blockade of TLR4 signaling using a specific peptide inhibitor, CLI-095, abolished the ouabain effect on NF-κB activation (n=3). We conclude that ouabain activates NF-κB through NKA/TLR4 complex leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages.

scholarly journals The progesterone-responsive gene 14-3-3τ enhances the transcriptional activity of progesterone receptor in uterine cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Ito ◽  
Tomohiko Urano ◽  
Hisahiko Hiroi ◽  
Mikio Momoeda ◽  
Mayuko Saito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Transcriptional Activity ◽  
Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Endometrial Stromal Cells ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Responsive Gene

Members of the 14-3-3 family are intracellular dimeric phosphoserine-binding proteins that can associate with and modulate the activities of many proteins. In our efforts to isolate the genes regulated by progesterone (P4) using suppressive subtractive hybridization, we previously found that14-3-3τis one of the genes upregulated by P4. In this study, we demonstrated by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot analyses, and immunohistochemistry that 14-3-3τ mRNA and protein levels were increased in the rat uterus after P4treatment. Furthermore, qRT-PCR indicated that P4increased14-3-3τmRNA levels in human endometrial epithelial cells and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses revealed thatin vitrodecidualization using cAMP and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate increased levels of 14-3-3τ mRNA and protein in ESCs. We have shown by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses that P4increased the mRNA and protein levels of 14-3-3τ in Ishikawa cells that stably express P4receptor-B (PR-B). Immunocytochemistry revealed that 14-3-3τ colocalizes with PR and translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in response to P4. Moreover, by luciferase reporter assay, we demonstrated that 14-3-3τ enhances the transcriptional activity of PR-B. Taken together, we propose that14-3-3τis a P4-responsive gene in uterine cells that modulates P4signaling.

scholarly journals Punicalagin Prevents Inflammation in LPS-Induced RAW264.7 Macrophages by Inhibiting FoxO3a/Autophagy Signaling Pathway

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cao ◽  
Chen ◽  
Ren ◽  
Zhang ◽  
Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Western Blot Analysis ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Raw264.7 Macrophages ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Autophagy Inhibition ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Punicalagin, a hydrolysable tannin of pomegranate juice, exhibits multiple biological effects, including inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. Autophagy, an intracellular self-digestion process, has been recently shown to regulate inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of punicalagin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 macrophages and uncovered the underlying mechanisms. Punicalagin significantly attenuated, in a concentration-dependent manner, LPS-induced release of NO and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 release at the highest concentration. We found that punicalagin inhibited NF-κB and MAPK activation in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Western blot analysis revealed that punicalagin pre-treatment enhanced LC3II, p62 expression, and decreased Beclin1 expression in LPS-induced macrophages. MDC assays were used to determine the autophagic process and the results worked in concert with Western blot analysis. In addition, our observations indicated that LPS-induced releases of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 were attenuated by treatment with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine, suggesting that autophagy inhibition participated in anti-inflammatory effect. We also found that punicalagin downregulated FoxO3a expression, resulting in autophagy inhibition. Overall these results suggested that punicalagin played an important role in the attenuation of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages and that the mechanisms involved downregulation of the FoxO3a/autophagy signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Modulation of ACE-2 mRNA by inflammatory cytokines in human thyroid cells: a pilot study

Endocrine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Coperchini ◽  
Gianluca Ricci ◽  
Laura Croce ◽  
Marco Denegri ◽  
Rubina Ruggiero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Human Thyroid ◽  
Thyroid Cell ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Thyroid Cells ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Introduction Angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE-2) was demonstrated to be the receptor for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. ACE-2 mRNA was identified in several human tissues and recently also in thyroid cells in vitro. Purpose Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the ACE-2 mRNA levels in human thyroid cells in primary cultures. Methods Primary thyroid cell cultures were treated with IFN-γ and TNF-α alone or in combination for 24 h. ACE-2 mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. As a control, the levels of IFN-γ inducible chemokine (CXCL10) were measured in the respective cell culture supernatants. Results The mean levels of ACE-2 mRNA increased after treatment with IFN-γ and TNF-α in all the thyroid cell preparations, while the combination treatment did not consistently synergically increase ACE-2-mRNA. At difference, CXCL10 was consistently increased by IFN-γ and synergically further increased by the combination treatment with IFN-γ + TNF-α, with respect to IFN-γ alone. Conclusions The results of the present study show that IFN-γ and, to a lesser extent TNF-α consistently increase ACE-2 mRNA levels in NHT primary cultures. More interestingly, the combined stimulation (proven to be effective according to the synergic effect registered for CXCL10) produces different responses in terms of ACE-2 mRNA modulation. These results would suggest that elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines could facilitate the entering of the virus in cells by further increasing ACE-2 expression and/or account for the different degree of severity of SARS-COV-2 infection. This hypothesis deserves to be confirmed by further specific studies.

scholarly journals Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of neuroinflammation in children with hydrocephalus and shunt malfunction

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn A. Harris ◽  
Diego M. Morales ◽  
Rooshan Arshad ◽  
James P. McAllister ◽  
David D. Limbrick
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Shunt Revision ◽  
Csf Shunt ◽  
Shunt Failure ◽  
Revision Operation ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Background Approximately 30% of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems for hydrocephalus fail within the first year and 98% of all patients will have shunt failure in their lifetime. Obstruction remains the most common reason for shunt failure. Previous evidence suggests elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines in CSF are associated with worsening clinical outcomes in neuroinflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute towards shunt failure in hydrocephalus. Methods Using multiplex ELISA, this study examined shunt failure through the CSF protein concentration profiles of select pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as select MMPs. Interdependencies such as the past number of previous revisions, length of time implanted, patient age, and obstruction or non-obstruction revision were examined. The pro-inflammatory cytokines were IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, TNF-α, GM-CSF, IFN-γ. The anti-inflammatory cytokines were IL-4 and IL-10, and the MMPs were MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9. Protein concentration is reported as pg/mL for each analyte. Results Patient CSF was obtained at the time of shunt revision operation; all pediatric (< 18), totaling n = 38. IL-10, IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-7 demonstrated significantly increased concentrations in patient CSF for the non-obstructed subgroup. Etiological examination revealed IL-6 was increased in both obstructed and non-obstructed cases for PHH and congenital hydrocephalic patients, while IL-8 was higher only in PHH patients. In terms of number of past revisions, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9 progressively increased from zero to two past revisions and then remained low for subsequent revisions. This presentation was notably absent in the obstruction subgroup. Shunts implanted for three months or less showed significantly increased concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-7 in the obstruction subgroup. Lastly, only patients aged six months or less presented with significantly increased concentration of IL-8 and MMP-7. Conclusion Non-obstructive cases are reported here to accompany significantly higher CSF cytokine and MMP protein levels compared to obstructive cases for IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-7 and MMP-9. A closer examination of the definition of obstruction and the role neuroinflammation plays in creating shunt obstruction in hydrocephalic patients is suggested.

scholarly journals Involvement of calcium-sensing receptor activation in the alleviation of intestinal inflammation in a piglet model by dietary aromatic amino acid supplementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (12) ◽  
pp. 1321-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongnan Liu ◽  
Bie Tan ◽  
Bo Huang ◽  
Jianjun Li ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Aromatic Amino Acids ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

AbstractCa2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) represents a potential therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel diseases and strongly prefers aromatic amino acid ligands. We investigated the regulatory effects of dietary supplementation with aromatic amino acids – tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine (TPT) – on the CaSR signalling pathway and intestinal inflammatory response. The in vivo study was conducted with weanling piglets using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a randomised complete block design. Piglets were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with TPT and with or without inflammatory challenge. The in vitro study was performed in porcine intestinal epithelial cell line to investigate the effects of TPT on inflammatory response using NPS-2143 to inhibit CaSR. Dietary supplementation of TPT alleviated histopathological injury and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in intestine challenged with lipopolysaccharide. Dietary supplementation of TPT decreased serum concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, TNF-α), as well as the mRNA abundances of pro-inflammatory cytokines in intestine but enhanced anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β mRNA levels compared with pigs fed control diet and infected by lipopolysaccharide. Supplementation of TPT increased CaSR and phospholipase Cβ2 protein levels, but decreased inhibitor of NF-κB kinase α/β and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB) protein levels in the lipopolysaccharide-challenged piglets. When the CaSR signalling pathway was blocked by NPS-2143, supplementation of TPT decreased the CaSR protein level, but enhanced phosphorylated NF-κB and IκB levels in IPEC-J2 cells. To conclude, supplementation of aromatic amino acids alleviated intestinal inflammation as mediated through the CaSR signalling pathway.

scholarly journals Cytokine-Mediated Downregulation of Coxsackievirus-Adenovirus Receptor in Endothelial Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (15) ◽  
pp. 8047-8058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Vincent ◽  
Ralf F. Pettersson ◽  
Ronald G. Crystal ◽  
Philip L. Leopold
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Cytokine Treatment ◽  
Adenovirus Receptor ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Endothelial cells have the ability to change their complement of cell surface proteins in response to inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that the expression of the coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR), a viral receptor and putative cell-cell adhesion molecule, may be altered during the response of endothelial cells to inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated CAR protein and mRNA levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after they were exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha, gamma interferon, or a combination of the two cytokines. Flow cytometric and Western blot analyses indicated that cytokine treatment led to a synergistic decrease in CAR protein expression. A Western blot analysis showed that CAR levels decreased to 16% ± 4% or 1% ± 4% of the CAR protein levels in untreated cells with either 24 or 48 h of cytokine treatment, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that the combination treatment caused CAR mRNA levels to decrease to 21% ± 12% or 5% ± 3% of the levels in untreated cells after a 24- or 48-h cytokine treatment, respectively. Reduced CAR expression led to a decrease in adenovirus (Ad) binding of 80% ± 3% (compared with untreated endothelial cells), with a subsequent decrease in Ad-mediated gene transfer that was dependent on the dose and duration of cytokine treatment but not on the dose of Ad. A similar decrease in CAR protein level and susceptibility to Ad infection was observed in human microvascular endothelial cells, while CAR expression on normal human bronchial epithelial cells or A549 lung epithelial cells was less affected by cytokine treatments. Taken together, the data demonstrate that inflammatory cytokines decrease CAR mRNA and protein expression with a concomitant decrease in Ad binding, reflecting the impact of cell physiology on the function of CAR and the potential effect of inflammation on the ability of Ad to transfer genes to endothelial cells.

scholarly journals Prolonged Helium Postconditioning Protocols during Early Reperfusion Do Not Induce Cardioprotection in the Rat HeartIn Vivo: Role of Inflammatory Cytokines

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gezina Tanya Mei Ling Oei ◽  
Hamid Aslami ◽  
Raphaela Priscilla Kerindongo ◽  
Renske Johanna Steenstra ◽  
Charlotte Jacqueline Peter Beurskens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infarct Size ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Noble Gas ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Myocardial Tissue ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Early Reperfusion ◽  
Protein Levels

Postconditioning of myocardial tissue employs short cycles of ischemia or pharmacologic agents during early reperfusion. Effects of helium postconditioning protocols on infarct size and the ischemia/reperfusion-induced immune response were investigated by measurement of protein and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Rats were anesthetized with S-ketamine (150 mg/kg) and diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). Regional myocardial ischemia/reperfusion was induced; additional groups inhaled 15, 30, or 60 min of 70% helium during reperfusion. Fifteen minutes of helium reduced infarct size from 43% in control to 21%, whereas 30 and 60 minutes of helium inhalation led to an infarct size of 47% and 39%, respectively. Increased protein levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC-3) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were found after 30 or 60 min of helium inhalation, in comparison to control. 30 min of helium increased mRNA levels of CINC-3, IL-1β, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in myocardial tissue not directly subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. These results suggest that the effectiveness of the helium postconditioning protocol is very sensitive to duration of noble gas application. Additionally, helium was associated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines; however, it is not clear whether this is causative of nature or part of an epiphenomenon.

scholarly journals The purine receptor P2X7R regulates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human craniopharyngioma

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Nie ◽  
Guang-long Huang ◽  
Sheng-Ze Deng ◽  
Yun Bao ◽  
Ya-Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Tumor Tissue ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Cytokine Modulation ◽  
Selective Agonists ◽  
Cultured Tumor Cells ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are usually benign, non-metastasizing embryonic malformations originating from the sellar area. They are, however, locally invasive and generate adherent interfaces with the surrounding brain parenchyma. Previous studies have shown the tumor microenvironment is characterized by a local abundance of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), infiltration of leukocytes and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are thought to be responsible, at least in part, for the local invasion. Here, we examine whether ATP, via the P2X7R, participates in the regulation of cytokine expression in CPs. The expression of P2X7R and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured at the RNA and protein levels both in tumor samples and in primary cultured tumor cells. Furthermore, cytokine modulation was measured after manipulating P2X7R in cultured tumor cells by siRNA-mediated knockdown, as well as pharmacologically by using selective agonists and antagonists. The following results were observed. A number of cytokines, in particular IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1, were elevated in patient plasma, tumor tissue and cultured tumor cells. P2X7R was expressed in tumor tissue as well as in cultured tumor cells. RNA expression as measured in 48 resected tumors was positively correlated with the RNA levels of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 in tumors. Furthermore, knockdown of P2X7R in primary tumor cultures reduced, and stimulation of P2XR7 by a specific agonist enhanced the expression of these cytokines. This latter stimulation involved a Ca2+-dependent mechanism and could be counteracted by the addition of an antagonist. In conclusion, the results suggest that P2X7R may promote IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 production and secretion and contribute to the invasion and adhesion of CPs to the surrounding tissue.

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