TLR4 ligation induces expression of APRIL molecule in human neutrophils — a preliminary study

In the present study we investigate the consequences of TLR4 activation by LPS for the synthesis of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) by human neutrophils (PMNs), and the possible role of the ERK1/2 kinases signaling pathway. In order to make a comparison, the same examinations were carried out on autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The levels of mRNA for APRIL and TLR4 were measured using the real-time PCR method. Western blot analysis was used to assay the expressions of APRIL and ERK1/2 in cell lysates. We discovered an increased expression of APRIL accompanying the increased expression of TLR4 in the LPS-stimulated PMNs and PBMCs. Furthermore, stimulation with LPS triggered similar changes in phospho-ERK1/2 proteins expression in those cells. The present study suggests that LPS plays a role in TLR4-ligation in APRIL induction through ERK1/2 pathway activation in human neutrophils and mononuclear cells of peripheral blood. The association between TLR4 activation and APRIL expression in examined leukocytes might have important implications for the  mmune response of the host exposed to TLR4 ligands such as LPS

Występowanie chorób autoimmunologicznych u pacjentów z późno ujawniającą się cukrzycą autoimmunologiczną u osób dorosłych — związek z genotypem HLA

  Introduction: Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is a slow-developing form of autoimmune diabetes, characterised by the presence of type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibody and presentation at diagnosis similar to patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of auto-antibodies related to endocrine autoimmune diseases in patients with LADA and to assess their association with HLA genotype. Material and methods: We evaluated the presence of anti-thyroglobulin (ATG), anti-thyroid peroxidase (ATPO), anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (ATTA), and anti 21 hydroxylase (A21H) in 70 patients with LADA, 69 with Type 2 diabetes, and in 50 healthy controls HLA genotype was assed in subpopulation of sluclied subjects. Results: The presence of ATPO (28.6 vs. 10%); ATG (28.6 vs. 14%) was higher in patients with LADA in comparison to healthy controls and ATPO in comparison to patients with type 2 diabetes (38.6 vs. 17.4 %). In patients with LADA the presence of autoimmune thyroid autoantibodies was associated with newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism; almost 7% of patients presented with high TSH. The presence of A21H (2.86 vs. 5.8 vs. 6.1%) and ATTA (2.86 vs. 4.3 vs. 6.0%) was not different between groups. Patients with high TSH level were positive for DQA1*0301 and DRB1*04 HLA genotype: DQB1*0201 and DQB1*02 were higher in patients positive for ATTA. Conclusions: Patients with LADA have higher prevalence of thyroid autoimmune diseases. In patients with LADA similarly to type 1 genotype DQA1*0301 seems to CONFER susceptibility to thyroid autoimmunity, and DQB1*0201 to celiac disease. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (2): 197–201)  Wstęp: Późno ujawniająca się cukrzyca autoimmunologiczną u osób dorosłych cechuje się obecnością przeciwciał skierowanych przeciwko antygenom wysp trzustkowych u pacjentów z kliniczną prezentacją cukrzycy typu 2. Celem pracy była ocena występowania chorób autoimmunologicznych u pacjentów z cukrzycą LADA oraz ocena związku z genotypem HLA. Materiał i metody: W obecnej pracy oceniono występowanie przeciwciał przeciwko-tyreoglobulinie (ATG), przeciwko peroksydazie tarczycowej (ATPO), przeciwko transglutaminazie tkankowej IgA (ATTA) oraz przeciwko 21 hydroksylazie (A21H) u 70 pacjentów z cukrzycą LADA, 69 z cukrzycą typu 2 oraz 50 osób z grupy kontrolnej oraz genotyp HLA. Wyniki: Częstość występowania przeciwciał ATPO (28,6 vs. 10%), ATG (28,6 vs. 14%) była wyższa w grupie pacjentów z cukrzycą typu LADA w porównaniu do grupy kontrolnej oraz ATPO (38,6 vs. 17,4%) w porównaniu z pacjentami z cukrzycą typu 2. W grupie pacjentów z cukrzycą typu LADA istotnie cześciej stwierdzono obecność przeciwciał ATPO oraz ATG, którym towarzyszyly nowowykryte zaburzenia kliniczne funkcji tarczycy. Częstość występowania przeciwciał przeciwko 21 OH hydroksylazie (2,86 vs. 5,8 vs. 6,1%) oraz przeciwko transglutaminazie w klasie IgA (2,86 vs. 4,3 vs. 6,0%) nie różniła się pomiędzy badanymi grupami. Genotyp HLA DQA1*0301 występował częściej u pacjentów z autoimmunologiczną niedoczynnością tarczycy, nastomiast DQB1*0201 u pacjentów z przeciwciałami ATTA będącymi markerem choroby trzewnej. Wnioski: U pacjentów z cukrzycą LADA częściej występują przeciwciała skierowane przeciwko antygenom tarczycy współistniejące z subliniczną niedoczynością tarczycy. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (2): 197–201)

The mRNA expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in T regulatory cells in children with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by the autoimmune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. T regulatory cells (Tregs) represent an active mechanism of suppressing autoreactive T cells that escape central tolerance. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that T regulatory cells express pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, elements of cytotoxicity and OX40/4-1BB molecules. The examined group consisted of 50 children with T1DM. Fifty two healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled into the study. A flow cytometric analysis of T-cell subpopulations was performed using the following markers: anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD25, anti-CD127, anti-CD134 and anti-CD137. Concurrently with the flow cytometric assessment of Tregs we separated CD4+CD25+CD127dim/- cells for further mRNA analysis. mRNA levels for transcription factor FoxP3, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, transforming growth factor beta1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha), activatory molecules (OX40, 4-1BB) and elements of cytotoxicity (granzyme B, perforin 1) were determined by real-time PCR technique. We found no alterations in the frequency of CD4+CD25highCD127low cells between diabetic and control children. Treg cells expressed mRNA for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Lower OX40 and higher 4-1BB mRNA but not protein levels in Treg cells in diabetic patients compared to the healthy children were noted. Our observations confirm the presence of mRNA for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in CD4+CD25+CD127dim/- cells in the peripheral blood of children with T1DM. Further studies with the goal of developing new strategies to potentiate Treg function in autoimmune diseases are warranted

Stężenie interleukiny-6, receptora dla interleukiny-6 i glikoproteiny 130 oraz cytokin zależnych od limfocytów Th17 u pacjentek z cukrzycą ciążową

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine which signals through a cell surface receptor complex consisting of a cognatereceptor subunit (IL-6R) and glycoprotein 130 (gp130), which is considered an antagonist to the IL-6R/IL-6 pathway. The aim of the present study was to assess IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 system and Th17 associated cytokines in different time points during and after pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT).Material and methods: Serum levels of IL-6, sIL6R, sgp130, IL-17 and IL-23 were measured in 91 women divided into three groups: GDMin the 24th–28th week of gestation (visit 1), NGT at the 1st visit and GDM in the 29th-32nd week, and NGT at both visits.Results: The patients with GDM recognised at the 1st visit had significantly higher IL-6 (p = 0.02) and sgp130 (p = 0.03) concentrations than had the women with NGT, whereas the women with GDM diagnosed at the 2nd visit had elevated sIL-6R concentrations (p = 0.03). The patients with low sIL-6R but high sgp130 concentration had significantly higher glucose levels (p = 0.04) and lower IL-6 values (p = 0.04) than had the patients with low sIL-6R and sgp130 concentrations. IL-17 and IL-23 were detected in approximately one-third of the population studied. A trend towards higher IL-17 levels was observed in the subjects with GDM, but the differences were not significant.Conclusions: Our results suggest that an increased serum sgp130 concentration in the patients with GDM might represent a compensatory mechanism, controlling intracellular IL-6 signalling and preventing the activation of the IL-6/IL-6R pathway.Wstęp: Interleukina-6 (IL-6) jest plejotropową cytokiną, która przekazuje sygnał do wnętrza komórki za pośrednictwem receptora błonowego złożonego z właściwej podjednostki receptorowej (Il-6R) i glikoproteiny 130 (gp130), uważanej za antagonistę kompleksu IL-6R//IL-6. Celem pracy była analiza szlaku IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 i cytokin zależnych od limfocytów Th17 w II i III trymestrze ciąży oraz po porodzie u pacjentek z cukrzycą ciążową i prawidłową tolerancją glukozy.Materiał i metody: Dokonano pomiaru stężenia IL-6, IL6R, gp130, IL-17 i IL-23 w surowicy 91 kobiet podzielonych na 3 podgrupy: pacjentki z cukrzycą ciążową zdiagnozowaną w 24.–28. tygodniu ciąży (wizyta 1), pacjentki z prawidłową tolerancją glukozy w trakcie 1 wizyty i cukrzycą ciążową rozpoznaną w 29.–32. tygodniu ciąży oraz pacjentki z prawidłową tolerancją glukozy w trakcie obu wizyt.Wyniki: U pacjentek z cukrzycą ciążową rozpoznaną w trakcie 1 wizyty wykazano istotnie wyższe stężenia IL-6 (p = 0,02) i gp130(p = 0,03) w porównaniu z kobietami z prawidłową tolerancją glukozy, podczas gdy pacjentki z cukrzycą ciążową rozpoznaną w trakcie 2 wizyty charakteryzowały się wyższym stężeniem IL-6R (p = 0,03). U pacjentek z niskim stężeniem IL-6R i wysokim stężeniem gp130 obserwowano znamiennie wyższe wartości glikemii (p = 0,04) i niższe stężenia IL-6 (p = 0,04) w porównaniu z kobietami z niskimi stężeniami IL-6R i sgp130. Obecność krążących IL-17 i IL-23 stwierdzono u około 1/3 spośród badanych kobiet. Wykazano również tendencję do wyższych stężeń IL-17 u pacjentek z cukrzycą ciążową, różnice nie były jednak istotne statystycznie.Wnioski: Wyniki sugerują, że podwyższone stężenie gp130, obserwowane u kobiet z cukrzycą ciążową, może stanowić mechanizm kompensacyjny, zapobiegający nadmiernej aktywacji szlaku IL-6/IL-6R

Association between polymorphisms of a folate – homocysteine – methionine – SAM metabolising enzyme gene and multiple sclerosis in a Polish population

Background and Objectives. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune disease with a still unknown aetiology. The main initial mechanism of demyelination and injury to the central nervous system (CNS) appears to be inflammation. Neurotoxicity induced by homocysteine (Hcy) may be a factor affecting this process. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an essential enzyme involved in Hcy metabolism. It leads to Hcy remethylation to methionine. In the present study, we aimed to investigate a possible association between two variants of MTHFR gene in patients with MS in Poland and healthy individuals.Methods. In this study, we genotyped 174 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 186 healthy controls using the TaqMan technique.Results and Conclusions. It was found that, regardless of the presence of a specific allele, the gender of MS patients affects age at the time of the clinical onset of the disease: in rs1801133 for the C allele and T, the average age was 35 years for women and 29 for men (p = 0.0004; p = 0.034 respectively). Similarly for the second polymorphism rs1801131 for the A allele and C, the average age was 35 years for women and 29 for men (p = 0.001; p = 0.01 respectively). No significant allelic / genotypic frequency differences have been observed between the studied groups (c.677C > T, CT/TT p = 0.719, p = 0.262; c.1298A > C, AC/CC of p = 0.686; p = 0.66). We found no association between polymorphisms of a folate-homocysteine-methionine-SAM metabolising gene enzyme and multiple sclerosis in a Polish population

TLR4 ligation induces expression of APRIL molecule in human neutrophils — a preliminary study

In the present study we investigate the consequences of TLR4 activation by LPS for the synthesis of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) by human neutrophils (PMNs), and the possible role of the ERK1/2 kinases signaling pathway. In order to make a comparison, the same examinations were carried out on autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The levels of mRNA for APRIL and TLR4 were measured using the real-time PCR method. Western blot analysis was used to assay the expressions of APRIL and ERK1/2 in cell lysates. We discovered an increased expression of APRIL accompanying the increased expression of TLR4 in the LPS-stimulated PMNs and PBMCs. Furthermore, stimulation with LPS triggered similar changes in phospho-ERK1/2 proteins expression in those cells. The present study suggests that LPS plays a role in TLR4-ligation in APRIL induction through ERK1/2 pathway activation in human neutrophils and mononuclear cells of peripheral blood. The association between TLR4 activation and APRIL expression in examined leukocytes might have important implications for the  mmune response of the host exposed to TLR4 ligands such as LPS

The Paired Siglecs in Brain Tumours Therapy: The Immunomodulatory Effect of Dexamethasone and Temozolomide in Human Glioma In Vitro Model

The paired sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin like lectins (Siglecs) are characterized by similar cellular distribution and ligand recognition but opposing signalling functions attributed to different intracellular sequences. Since sialic acid—Siglec axis are known to control immune homeostasis, the imbalance between activatory and inhibitory mechanisms of glycan-dependent immune control is considered to promote pathology. The role of sialylation in cancer is described, however, its importance in immune regulation in gliomas is not fully understood. The experimental and clinical observation suggest that dexamethasone (Dex) and temozolomide (TMZ), used in the glioma management, alter the immunity within the tumour microenvironment. Using glioma-microglia/monocytes transwell co-cultures, we investigated modulatory action of Dex/TMZ on paired Siglecs. Based on real-time PCR and flow cytometry, we found changes in SIGLEC genes and their products. These effects were accompanied by altered cytokine profile and immune cells phenotype switching measured by arginases expression. Additionally, the exposure to Dex or TMZ increased the binding of inhibitory Siglec-5 and Siglec-11 fusion proteins to glioma cells. Our study suggests that the therapy-induced modulation of the interplay between sialoglycans and paired Siglecs, dependently on patient’s phenotype, is of particular signification in the immune surveillance in the glioma management and may be useful in glioma patient’s therapy plan verification

The Paired Siglecs in Brain Tumours Therapy: The Immunomodulatory Effect of Dexamethasone and Temozolomide in Human Glioma In Vitro Model

The paired sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin like lectins (Siglecs) are characterized by similar cellular distribution and ligand recognition but opposing signalling functions attributed to different intracellular sequences. Since sialic acid—Siglec axis are known to control immune homeostasis, the imbalance between activatory and inhibitory mechanisms of glycan-dependent immune control is considered to promote pathology. The role of sialylation in cancer is described, however, its importance in immune regulation in gliomas is not fully understood. The experimental and clinical observation suggest that dexamethasone (Dex) and temozolomide (TMZ), used in the glioma management, alter the immunity within the tumour microenvironment. Using glioma-microglia/monocytes transwell co-cultures, we investigated modulatory action of Dex/TMZ on paired Siglecs. Based on real-time PCR and flow cytometry, we found changes in SIGLEC genes and their products. These effects were accompanied by altered cytokine profile and immune cells phenotype switching measured by arginases expression. Additionally, the exposure to Dex or TMZ increased the binding of inhibitory Siglec-5 and Siglec-11 fusion proteins to glioma cells. Our study suggests that the therapy-induced modulation of the interplay between sialoglycans and paired Siglecs, dependently on patient’s phenotype, is of particular signification in the immune surveillance in the glioma management and may be useful in glioma patient’s therapy plan verification

The Role of the CYP11B2 Promoter Polymorphism in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism

Background: nowadays, primary aldosteronism (PA) is suggested to be the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension and it reaches 10% of whole hypertensive population. The CYP11B2 promoter polymorphism might cause aldosterone overproduction. The aim of this study was to establish whether the polymorphism CYP11B2 promoter has a significant impact on diagnostic of PA. Material and Methods: study group consisted of 239 hypertensive patients previously diagnosed with adrenal incidentaloma. For diagnose of PA were performed: screening test–aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) and saline suppression test (SIT) as a confirmatory test. Genotyping was carried out by the real time PCR method. The significance of differences between the groups was evaluated through Student’s t-test. Results: our study revealed that genotype TT had plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), ARR and SIT significantly higher in comparison with CC patients. The mean PAC in CC was 12.71 ng/dL vs. 20.55 ng/dL in TT patients (p = 0.037), which consequently gave a higher ARR in TT patients (119 vs. 44, p = 0.034). Mean aldosterone concentration in SIT was 2.40 ng/dL in CC patients and 9.99 ng/dL in TT patients (p = 0.046). Patients with CC genotype required less hypotensive drugs in comparison with TT genotype (p = 0.044). PA was recognized in 16 patients. Nine patients had TC genotype, six TT, and one with CC genotype. Conclusion: our study revealed predisposing TT genotype to PA. Additionally, patients with TT genotype, regardless of the PA presence, had more severe hypertension. The determination of the CYP11B2 promoter polymorphism seems to be useful in the diagnosis of PA, especially in cases where it is difficult to properly prepare patients for hormonal tests or even results of the hormonal test are incoherent