肝癌患者癌组织与外周血Th1/Th2细胞的监测及临床意义

目的 :为观察肝癌患者癌组织与外周血Th1 Th2细胞变化及临床意义。方法 :Th1 Th2细胞检测采用酶联免疫斑点法 (ELISPOT) ,细胞因子检测采用双抗体夹心ELISA法。结果 :肝癌患者癌组织与外周血Th1 Th2细胞比值明显降低 (P <0 0 5 ) ,其Th1型细胞表达IL 2、INF γ等细胞因子水平明显低于正常对照组 ;Th2型细胞表达IL 4、IL 10等细胞因子水平明显高于正常对照组。PHA和IL 12介导肝癌患者手术切除前和手术切除 3个月后外周血Th1型细胞表达IL 2、INF γ等细胞因子水平升高 ,Th2型细胞表达IL 4、IL 10等细胞因子水平明显下降。结论 :肝癌患者癌组织与外周血Th1 Th2细胞比值均明显降低 ,细胞因子表达失衡 ,肝癌患者存在免疫功能抑制 ,因此 ,在肝癌治疗过程中打破免疫抑制 ,纠正Th1 Th2细胞比例失衡是必要的     

新生期胰岛素干预对NOD鼠1型糖尿病的影响及其机制

目的 :探讨新生期胰岛素干预对NOD鼠 1型糖尿病的预防作用及其机制。方法 :采用NOD鼠作动物模型 ,新生期胰岛素干预后检测血糖、尿糖及糖尿病发病率 ,HE染色观察胰岛炎 ,用RT PCR法检测胰腺干扰素γ(IFN γ)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF α)、白介素 10 (IL 10 ) ,免疫组化检测胰腺胰岛细胞Bcl 2和Bax表达。结果 :新生期胰岛素干预组糖尿病发病率为31 6 % ,明显低于对照组 (72 2 % ) (P <0 0 1) ,且胰岛炎严重程度也明显减轻 (P <0 0 1)。胰腺TNF α、IFN γmRNA的表达较对照组显著降低 (P <0 0 1) ;IL 10mRNA的表达增强 (P <0 0 1)。胰腺胰岛Bcl 2表达明显增强 ,而Bax表达较对照组明显减弱。结论 :新生期胰岛素干预可以预防NOD鼠糖尿病的发生 ,其机制可能与纠正Th1型细胞因子与Th2型细胞因子比例失衡 ,进而上调胰岛β细胞Bcl 2和下调Bax表达有关     

热休克蛋白70诱导抗肿瘤免疫的机制研究

目的　研究肿瘤热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )诱导的抗肿瘤免疫产生的机制。方法　用液相色谱法提纯小鼠肿瘤细胞株中的HSP70。通过动物实验观察HSP70的抗肿瘤作用 ,并用流式细胞技术测定HSP70免疫后小鼠外周血中T细胞亚群的变化。用ELISA法测定HSP70免疫后小鼠体内细胞因子的水平。结果　用HSP70免疫后 ,小鼠外周血中CD8+T细胞及几种主要Th1型细胞因子 (IL 2、TNF α、TNF β和IFN γ)均升高 ,与对照组相比较 ,差异显著 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　HSP70免疫后 ,小鼠外周血中CD8+ T细胞及Th1型细胞因子均有明显升高。此作用可能是其诱导特异性抗肿瘤免疫的重要机制     

扩张型心肌病小鼠Th1/Th2细胞亚群及其相关细胞因子的分析

目的:探讨体液免疫在扩张型心肌病发病机制中的重要性。方法:以线粒体腺苷酸转位酶(adeninenucleotidetranslocator,ANT)合成肽免疫液免疫小鼠建立扩张型心肌病动物模型(DCM组) ,运用三色荧光标记流式细胞术检测其脾淋巴细胞中Th细胞亚群分布,ELISA法检测其血清细胞因子IFN γ、IL 4、IL 2、IL 6、TNF α的表达及其抗ANT自身抗体的产生。以不含肽的免疫液免疫小鼠为对照组。结果:DCM组小鼠Th1及Th2细胞亚群较对照组均有增多,以Th2更为显著,且Th1/Th2比值明显低于对照组(P均<0 0 1) ;IL 4、IL 6和TNF α表达明显增高,而IFN γ和IL 2却较对照组明显降低(P均<0 0 1) ;抗ANT自身抗体均为阳性,对照组为阴性。结论:ANT合成肽诱导扩张型心肌病时Th细胞均被激活,Th2细胞介导的体液免疫应答在该病发病机理中起着优势作用。     

IL-18在实验性暴发型肝衰竭发病机制中的作用

为探讨IL 18在暴发型肝衰竭发生中的表达变化及对其他细胞因子的调控作用。采用D 氨基半乳糖 (D Gal) 90 0mg/kg与脂多糖 (LPS ) 10 μg/kg诱导BALB/c小鼠暴发型肝衰竭 ,检测不同时间点血清转氨酶 (ALT、AST )和肝组织病理、DNA梯形条带 ,评估肝损伤情况 ;用半定量RT PCR和相应的分析软件分析不同时间点肝组织中IL 18mRNA、TNF αmRNA和IFN γmRNA表达及ELISA方法检测血浆IL 18、TNF α和IFN γ的蛋白表达。结果 :D Gal/LPS给予后 4h血清转氨酶明显升高 ,7h小鼠开始死亡 ,10h死亡率达 80 %。肝组织病理学检查发现 ,5h肝窦扩张、炎性细胞浸润、枯否细胞增生 ;7h肝细胞大量凋亡、坏死或肝组织出现大量出血性坏死 ;5h电镜示肝细胞核仁碎裂、线粒体肿胀或空泡变性 ;7h核仁边聚 ,呈半月型 ,表现为典型的凋亡形态学变化 ,线粒体大部分空泡变性。DNA电泳显示 5h始出现梯形条带。正常小鼠肝组织IL 18mRNA有少量表达 ,TNF αmRNA、IFN γmRNA微量表达。给药后 ,三者的mRNA分别在 1h、 2h、 3h达高峰 ,血浆中TNF α、IFN γ水平与其mRNA变化显著正相关 (rTNF α=0 4 3,P =0 0 1;rIFN γ=0 6 9,P <0 0 0 1) ,而血浆IL 18与其mRNA表达无明显相关 (r= 0 12 ,P =0 2 5 )。本实验诱导的暴发型肝衰竭模型中 ,肝细?     

消化道肿瘤患者Th1/Th2细胞的监测和分析

为观察肿瘤患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞数及其与肿瘤的相关性。Th1/Th2细胞的检测采用酶联免疫斑点法 (ELISPOT ) ,细胞因子的检测采用双抗体夹心ELISA法。结果胃癌患者Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。经IL 12 +抗IL 4单抗处理组 ,Th1/Th2细胞比值升高 ;经IL 4 +抗IFN γ单抗处理组 ,Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 (P <0 0 5 )。胃癌、结直肠癌患者外周血中Th2细胞均占优势 ,其Th1型细胞因子IL 2和IFN γ与正常人相比显著降低 ;Th2型细胞因子IL 4、IL 6和IL 10与正常人相比显著升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;同时 ,TNF α显著升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;IL 12降低 ,其中结直肠癌患者与正常人比没有显著差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ,胃癌患者与正常人比有显著差异 (P <0 0 5 )。此外还发现随着肿瘤分化程度的降低 ,Th1型细胞因子的降低和Th2型细胞因子的升高更加明显 (P <0 0 5 )。肿瘤患者Th1/Th2细胞比值降低 ,同时 ,Th1型细胞因子降低 ,Th2型细胞因子升高。但在肿瘤的免疫治疗过程中 ,通过诱导IL 12等Th1型细胞因子的分泌 ,可促进细胞免疫应答 ,有助于疾病的治疗。     

强直性脊柱炎TH亚群激活及T细胞活化状态研究

目的 :研究强直性脊柱炎 (AS)患者TH1 TH2细胞激活状态及T细胞活化状况 ,探讨其发病机理。方法 :运用流式细胞仪 (CBA)法检测 35例AS患者TH1(INF γ、TNF α、IL 2 )、TH2 (IL 10、IL 5、IL 4 )细胞因子水平以及外周血淋巴细胞CD3 、CD4 、CD8 T细胞、B细胞 (CD19 )、NK细胞 (CD16 5 6 )和CD3 HLA DR 、CD4 HLA DR 、CD8 HLA DR T细胞百分率 ,并与健康对照组比较。结果 :AS患者血浆TNF α水平、IL 2水平均显著低于健康对照组 (P <0 0 1,P <0 0 5 ) ,IL 10水平显著高于健康对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。CD3 、CD3 CD8 T细胞百分率显著低于健康对照。CD8 HLA DR T细胞百分率均显著低于健康对照 (P <0 0 5 ) ,CD4 HLA DR T显著高于健康对照 (P <0 0 5 )。结论 :AS患者血浆低水平的TNF α、IL 2和高水平的IL 10提示其体内存在着TH1 TH2平衡的偏移 ;TH1激活程度低下 ,而TH2激活程度增强 ,细胞因子水平的改变尤以TH1细胞因子TNF α改变特别明显。AS患者在多个层面存在细胞免疫功能紊乱     

异烟腙类衍生物TJU103对人T细胞增殖和细胞因子分泌的影响

目的 :探讨异烟腙类衍生物TJU10 3体外对同种异体抗原刺激的T淋巴细胞增殖和细胞因子分泌的影响。方法 :采用MTT法和酶联免疫吸附实验 (ELISA)分别观察了TJU10 3对T细胞增殖和分泌细胞因子的影响。结果 :TJU10 3在 5 0mg/L浓度时 ,能够明显降低HLA半相合供、受者间混合淋巴细胞反应 (MLR)以及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF α)和γ干扰素 (IFN γ)等细胞因子的分泌 (P <0 0 1)。结论 :TJU10 3能够特异性地与CD4 T细胞结合 ,降低CD4 T细胞的增殖和细胞因子分泌。     

一氧化氮-NF-κB信号通路在人初始T细胞向Th1/Th2分化中的作用

目的 :探讨一氧化氮 (NO)核因子κB(NF κB)信号通路在人幼稚T细胞向 1型辅助性T细胞 (Th1) /2型辅助性T细胞(Th2 )分化过程中的作用。方法 :分离人脐血幼稚T细胞 ,分别加入不同浓度的NO供体硝普钠 (SNP)、NO合成抑制剂左旋精氨酸甲基酯 (NAME)和NF κB抑制剂吡咯二硫氨基甲酸酯(PDTC) ,通过流式细胞术检测细胞内IFN γIL 4的表达 ,了解幼稚T细胞的分化。结果 :在不同浓度的SNP和NAME和PDTC作用下 ,表达IFN γ(即Th1)或IL 4(即Th2 )T细胞的百分率与对照组相比较均无显著差异 (P >0 .0 5)。结论 :NONF κB信号通路对人幼稚T细胞向Th1和Th2细胞的分化均无显著影响。该通路在Th1/Th2型细胞因子表达过程中的调控作用可能主要发生于成熟的Th1和Th2细胞水平     

碘化钠对人甲状腺上皮细胞TNF-α、IL-1β分泌的影响

为研究碘化钠 (NaI)对人甲状腺上皮细胞 (TEC )分泌细胞因子TNF α和IL 1β的影响 ,以探讨碘在GD病 (GD )发病中的可能机制 ,取手术切除的GD病患者甲状腺组织和甲状腺腺瘤患者瘤旁正常甲状腺组织 ,进行细胞培养。以不同浓度的NaI (10 8～ 10 3 mol/L )刺激单层培养的甲状腺细胞 ,采用放射免疫测定技术测定刺激前后甲状腺细胞培养上清液中细胞因子TNF α和IL 1β的含量。同时以透射电镜观察NaI刺激后甲状腺细胞的形态学改变。结果 :(1)正常甲状腺细胞能分泌少量的TNF α和IL 1β。GD的甲状腺细胞TNF α和IL 1β的分泌量与正常TEC相比显著增加 (P <0 0 1) ;(2 )当NaI浓度为 10 8～10 3 mol/L时 ,正常人甲状腺细胞TNF α、IL 1β的分泌量与 0mol/L组相比无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 ) ;透射电镜示正常甲状腺细胞无损伤型改变 ;(3)当NaI浓度为 10 6～ 10 3 mol/L时 ,GD甲状腺细胞TNF α的分泌量显著增加 (P <0 0 5 ) ;当NaI浓度为 10 8～ 10 3 mol/L时 ,GD甲状腺细胞IL 1β的分泌量显著增加 (P <0 0 5 )。NaI浓度超过 10 6mol/L时 ,透射电镜示GD甲状腺细胞出现损伤型改变。表明高浓度的碘不仅造成GD甲状腺细胞的直接损伤 ,而且可以增加甲状腺细胞细胞因子TNF α和IL 1β的分泌 ,特别是在GD甲状腺细     

Increased T helper 1 cytokine responses by circulating T cells are present in women with recurrent pregnancy losses and in infertile women with multiple implantation failures after IVF

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 intracellular cytokine expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) or infertility with multiple implantation failures after IVF cycles. METHODS: Twenty-six women with three or more RSA and 23 with two or more IVF failures (14 with no history of spontaneous abortion (SAB) and nine with more than one SAB) comprised the two study groups. Twenty-one non-pregnant healthy multiparous women served as controls. Proportions (%) of lymphocytes containing IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-10 and the Th1/Th2 ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-4, IFN-gamma/IL-10, TNF-alpha/IL-4 and TNF-alpha/IL-10 in CD3+, CD3+/CD8- (T helper) and CD3+/CD8+ (T suppressor) cells were measured by 4-colour flow cytometry. RESULTS: RSA women demonstrated significantly higher Th1/Th2 ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-4 (P < 0.01), TNF-alpha/IL-4 and TNF-alpha/IL-10 (P < 0.05 each) in CD3+/CD8- T helper cells than those of controls. The proportion of TNF-alpha producing CD3+/CD8- cells (P < 0.05), and the Th1/Th2 ratios of TNF-alpha/IL-4 (P < 0.05) and TNF-alpha/IL-10 (P < 0.005) in CD3+/CD8- cells were significantly higher in women with multiple IVF failures without SAB as compared with those of controls. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dominant Th1 immune responses in peripheral blood lymphocytes may reflect the systemic contribution of Th1 cytokines to RSA or multiple implantation failures in IVF cycles.     

Th1 cytokine pattern in sarcoidosis is expressed by bronchoalveolar CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

The pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis has been related to an increased production of Th1-like cytokines. However, cytokine expression in sarcoidosis has not been systematically studied at a single-cell level. We therefore investigated the expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) intracellularly in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood CD3+ T lymphocytes from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (radiologic stage II-III, n = 8) and normal controls (n = 9) by flow cytometry. In contrast to IL-4 and IL-13, the percentage of T lymphocytes expressing intracellular IL-2 (49.3 +/- 21.3% versus 14.5 +/- 15.6%), IFN-gamma (75.5 +/- 14.9% versus 32.6 +/- 18.7%) and TNF-alpha (68.3 +/- 18.7% versus 36.8 +/- 20.8%) was significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in normal controls (each P < 0.005). In contrast to BAL lymphocytes, expression of these cytokines in peripheral blood lymphocytes did not differ between patients with sarcoidosis and normal controls. Close correlations were observed between the percentages of BAL lymphocytes expressing intracellular IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but not for IL-4 or IL-13. Analysis of the expression of these cytokines in T lymphocyte subsets revealed IL-2, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha in CD4+ as well as CD8+ T lymphocytes, suggesting a contribution of TC1 cells to the production of proinflammatory cytokines in sarcoidosis. We conclude that a Th1-like cytokine pattern can be observed in CD4+ as well as in CD8+ BAL T lymphocytes in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.     

Differential regulation of Th1-type and Th2-type cytokine profiles in pancreatic islets of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice by multiple low doses of streptozotocin

In the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, the T helper (Th)1-type inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha play a critical role in the development of type 1 diabetes, whereas the Th2-type anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 operate counterregulatory. There are no comprehensive analyses on cytokine profiles in the mouse model of diabetes induced with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ). Therefore, we used islets to study ex vivo effects of MLD-STZ and in vitro effects of STZ on IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-10 on both levels of protein-producing cells and the mRNA expression, as well as the mRNA expression of the Th3-type cytokine transforming growth factor TGF-beta1. C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice of both genders were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg body wt STZ on five consecutive days and islets were isolated on day I and 3 after the fifth STZ-injection. Control mice received the solvent of STZ. In islets of C57BL/6 mice of both genders MLD-STZ similarly stimulated production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but significantly reduced IL-4 and IL-10 levels in male mice only. Opposite results were obtained in islets of BALB/c mice of both genders. Here, MLD-STZ markedly decreased the levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but significantly increased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10. The functional results were in line with MLD-STZ effects on the mRNA expression of the cytokines. Moreover, MLD-STZ effects on the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression were reversed to the effects on IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The in vitro effects of STZ in islets, in general, were similar to those exerted by MLD-STZ. Apparently, reduction and upregulation of Th2-type cytokines was more associated with susceptibility and resistance, respectively, to MLD-STZ-induced diabetes than upregulation of Th1-type cytokine levels.     

Interferon-gamma limits Th1 lymphocyte adhesion to inflamed endothelium: a nitric oxide regulatory feedback mechanism

CD4(+) T helper (Th1 and Th2) cell localization to a site of inflammation is important for the development, maintenance and regulation of an immune response. The factors that regulate Th1 and Th2 cell recruitment into tissue are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different cytokine microenvironments on the recruitment of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes into tissue. Fluorescently labelled Th1 or Th2 lymphocyte-endothelial interactions were observed via intravital microscopy of the cytokine-treated cremaster muscle. Our results show that TNF-alpha alone is sufficient to maximally recruit Th1 cells. Surprisingly, treatment with TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma significantly decreased Th1 adhesion and emigration in comparison to TNF-alpha treatment alone. The decreased adhesion of Th1 cells in response to TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma reflected a decreased ability to bind to ICAM-1 and was iNOS-dependent. This phenomenon was not observed with Th2 cells. These results suggest that IFN-gamma may play a key immunomodulatory role in the recruitment of different T lymphocyte subsets. Indeed, blockade of IFN-gamma or iNOS function during the Th1-mediated contact hypersensitivity response resulted in an acceleration and exacerbation of the late-phase inflammatory response.     

Cytokine profiles of BAL T cells and T-cell clones obtained from human asthmatic airways after local allergen challenge.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the heterogeneity of cytokine expression in asthma before and after local allergen challenge. METHODS: BAL T cells were obtained 10 min or 24 h after local endobronchial allergen challenge in atopic asthmatic subjects. T cells were cloned by direct limiting dilution. mRNA expression was assessed by RT-PCR, and cytokine protein production by ELISA. RESULTS: Unstimulated baseline BAL T cells expressed mRNA for IFN-gamma, IL-13, and TNF-alpha. A minority of samples expressed IL-4 and IL-5, but no IL-3 mRNA was detected. PHA stimulation increased expression of IL-3, IL-4, and IL-5 mRNA in 4/6 samples. IL-13 and GM-CSF mRNA were found in BAL cells after allergen challenge, but expression of IFN-gamma was reduced. Both IL-4 and IL-3 were strongly upregulated after PHA stimulation, while the expression of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was reduced, compared to equivalent baseline samples. Seventeen panels of BAL T-cell clones were derived (average cloning efficiency 1/40 T cells). Seven panels survived to 8 weeks for analysis. Clones derived 4 h after saline challenge showed strong mRNA signals for IL-13, IL-4, and IFN-gamma, whereas clones derived 24 h after allergen challenge expressed IL-13, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-4, and often IL-5 (i.e., closer to the Th2 profile). There was considerable heterogeneity in the patterns of cytokine mRNA and protein production by different clones. CONCLUSIONS: T cells from asthmatic airways produce IL-13, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, but after allergen challenge, type 2 cytokines are upregulated. mRNA and protein analysis provide complementary information on airways T-cell cytokine profiles.     

Cytokine expression pattern in benign prostatic hyperplasia infiltrating T cells and impact of lymphocytic infiltration on cytokine mRNA profile in prostatic tissue

The aim of the study is to characterize the type of immune response in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue. BPH tissue-derived T cells (n = 10) were isolated, activated (PMA + ionomycin), and analyzed for intracellular reactivity with anti-IFN-gamma and IL-2, -4, -5, -6, -10, and -13, as well as TNF-alpha and -beta by four-color flow cytometry. Lymphokine release was tested using Th1/Th2 cytokine bead arrays. The amount of IFN-gamma and IL-2, -4, -13, and TGF-beta mRNA expressed in normal prostate (n = 5) was compared with that in BPH tissue separated into segments with normal histology (n = 5), BPH histology with (n = 10) and without (n = 10) lymphocytic infiltration, and BPH nodules (n = 10). Expression of lymphokine receptors was analyzed by immunohistology, flow cytometry, and RT-PCR. We found that 28 +/- 18% of BPH T helper cells were IFN-gamma(+)/IL-4(-) Th1 cells, 10 +/- 2% were IFN-gamma(-)/IL-4(+) Th2, and 12 +/- 6% were IFN-gamma(+)/IL-4(+) Th0 cells. In relation, cytotoxic and double-negative BPH T lymphocytes showed a slight decrease in Th1 and Th0 in favor of Th2. In double-positive BPH T lymphocytes, the trend toward Th2 (35 +/- 15%) was significant (Th1: 12 +/- 7%; Th0: 5 +/- 4%). Lymphokine release upon stimulation was found in the case of IL-2, IL-5, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha > 4 microg; of IL-4 > 2 microg; and of IL-10 > 1 microg/ml. Expression of lymphokine mRNA in tissue was increased (2- to 10-fold) in infiltrated BPH specimens with and without BPH histology. The infiltrated BPH specimens with normal histology differed from those with BPH histology, most evident by the significant decrease in IFN-gamma and the increase in TGF-beta mRNA expression. Infiltrated BPH specimens with BPH histology expressed significantly more IFN-gamma (5-fold), IL-2 (10-fold), and IL-13 (2.8-fold) when compared with noninfiltrated BPH specimens. BPH nodules, however, showed the highest level of expression of IL-4 and IL-13, with only intermediate levels of IFN-gamma and very low levels of IL-2 mRNA. Immune response in histologically less transformed BPH specimens is primarily of type 1, whereas in chronically infiltrated nodular BPH and especially within BPH nodules, it is predominantly of type 0 or type 2.     

Th1 cytokines and the prothrombinase fgl2 in stress-triggered and inflammatory abortion

PROBLEM: The immune system contributes to the outcome of pregnancy by complex immunological interactions. Cytokines especially influence the immune milieu pro or contra pregnancy. T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)] cause inflammation and together are thought to threaten the maintenance of pregnancy. It has been proposed that increased levels of these Th1 cytokines activate coagulation via up-regulating the novel prothrombinase, fgl2. This study further investigates the Th1 cytokine up-regulation of fgl2 expression in a pathophysiological, stress induced abortion model, and an inflammatory, interleukin-12 (IL-12) triggered abortion model. METHOD: The DBA/2J-mated CBA/J female mice were exposed to sonic sound stress or were injected with IL-12 during early gestation. On day 13.5 of pregnancy the uteri were removed and the resorption rate was calculated. We evaluated TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, fgl2 as well as IL-12 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in decidual samples of all mice by quantitative, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A similar resorption rate of 24% was detected in stressed mice, as well as in IL-12 injected mice compared with approximately 11% in non-stressed, non-injected control mice. In stressed mice compared with controls, we observed on day 13.5 up-regulated TNF-alpha, unchanged IFN-gamma down-regulated fgl2, and a slightly increased levels of IL-12. In the IL-12 triggered abortion model, we observed up-regulated levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and fgl2. CONCLUSION: These novel data suggest two distinct cytokine patterns leading to similar abortion rates. A physiological cascade associated with up-regulation of TNF-alpha, and an IL-12-triggered cascade characterized by persistent up-regulation of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma as well as a persistent increase in fgl2.     

Hapten-induced colitis associated with maintained Th1 and inflammatory responses in IFN-gamma receptor-deficient mice

IFN-gamma is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. To further define the role of IFN-gamma in intestinal inflammation, we studied the effects of intra-colonic 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) instillation in mice with a functionally inactivated IFN-gamma receptor 1 (IFN-gammaR1(- / -)). Our results indicate that IFN-gamma is not necessary for the induction of hapten-induced colitis: after TNBS administration both wild-type and IFN-gammaR1(- / -) mice lost body weight, and the histological features of TNBS-induced colitis were comparable. Colons of IFN-gammaR1(- / -) mice contained a greater number of cells, represented by macrophages and CD4(+) T cells; caudal lymph node cells produced more IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha upon stimulation in vitro. Moreover, IL-18 and IL-12 p40 RNA levels were comparably up-regulated after TNBS treatment in IFN-gammaR1(- / -) wild-type mice. These findings demonstrate that IFN-gamma is dispensable for the development of TNBS-induced colitis. Importantly, the production of Th1 cytokines (e. g. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) by caudal lymph node T lymphocytes was enhanced rather than decreased in IFNgammaR1(- / -) mice with no evidence for default Th2 development.