The influence of porcine cathelicidins on neutrophils isolated from rabbits in the course of bone graft implantation

[EN] Antimicrobial peptides are important elements of host defence because of their direct antimicrobial activity and modulatory role in innate immune response. The purpose of the study was to determine whether porcine peptides PR-39, protegrins (PGs) and low molecular weight extract (LMWE) are able to influence the neutrophil response during bone graft implantation in rabbits. The study was conducted on 10 White New Zealand rabbits and neutrophil activity was assayed on the basis of elastase, myeloperoxidase, and alkaline phosphatase release as well as free radical generation. Our study showed that PR-39 and PGs inhibited enzyme release from neutrophils except for elastase, which is essential in the first phase of injury. Superoxide and nitric oxide generation under the influence of PR-39 and PGs were also decreased. Moreover, we found that unlike separated peptides PR-39 and PGs, LMWE acts proinflammatorily, intensifying the neutrophil secretory response and free radical generation. These results should be taken into account in treatment with natural antimicrobial peptides. The increased neutrophil responses in the first phase of inflammation during surgery may be useful in prevention of infection, but LMWE should not be used in conditions in which excessive neutrophil response is injurious.Wessely-szponder, J.; Szponder, T.; Bobowiec, R.; Smolira, A. (2013). The influence of porcine cathelicidins on neutrophils isolated from rabbits in the course of bone graft implantation. World Rabbit Science. 21(3):175-183. doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1350.SWORD17518321

The influence of intrauterine exposure to immunosuppressive treatment on changes in the immune system in juvenile Wistar rats

Joanna Kabat-Koperska,1 Agnieszka Kolasa-Wołosiuk,2 Bartosz Wojciuk,3 Iwona Wojciechowska-Koszko,3 Paulina Roszkowska,3 Barbara Krasnodębska-Szponder,3 Edyta Paczkowska,4 Krzysztof Safranow,5 Edyta Gołembiewska,1 Bogusław Machaliński,4 Kazimierz Ciechanowski1 1Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, 2Department of Histology and Embryology, 3Department of Microbiology and Immunological Diagnostics, 4Department of General Pathology, 5Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland Background: In our study, we assessed the impact of immunosuppressive drug combinations on changes in the immune system of juvenile Wistar rats exposed to these drugs during pregnancy. We primarily concentrated on changes in two organs of the immune system – the thymus and the spleen. Methods: The study was conducted on 40 (32+8) female Wistar rats administered full and half dose of drugs, respectively, subjected to regimens commonly used in therapy of human kidney transplant recipients ([1] cyclosporine A, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone; [2] tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone; [3] cyclosporine A, everolimus, and prednisone). The animals received drugs by oral gavage 2 weeks before pregnancy and during 3 weeks of pregnancy. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the weight of the thymus and spleen, but changes were found in the results of blood hematology, cytometry from the spleen, and a histologic examination of the examined immune organs of juvenile Wistar rats. In the cytokine assay, changes in the level of interleukine 17 (IL-17) after increasing amounts of concanavaline A were dose-dependent; the increase of IL-17 was blocked after administration of higher doses of immunosuppressive drugs. However, after a reduction of doses, its increase resumed. Conclusion: Qualitative, quantitative, and morphological changes in the immune system of infant rats born to pharmacologically immunosuppressed females were observed. Thymus structure, spleen composition, and splenocyte IL-17 production were mostly affected in a drug regimen–dependent manner. Keywords: immune system, immunosuppressive drugs, kidney transplantation, pregnancy, Wistar rat