Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D on the STATs and transcription factors of CD4+ T cell subsets in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

This study evaluated the in vitro modulatory effect of vitamin D (VD) on T cells, by determining the expression of STATs and the transcription factors of each CD4+ T cell subsets. Twenty women with preeclampsia (PE) and 20 normotensive pregnant women were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with or without VD to analyse the STATs and transcription factors by flow cytometry, and cytokines production by ELISA. The plasma levels of VD were lower in the PE group. Treatment of cells with VD decreased STAT1/STAT4/T-bet, STAT3/RORγt, and increased STAT6/GATA-3 and STAT5/FoxP3 in preeclamptic women. Treatment with VD also decreased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and increased IL-10 and TGF-ß. This hormone exerts immunomodulatory effects on the STAT signalling pathway, shifting the inflammatory profiles, Th1/Th17 cells to Th2/Treg profiles, and it can be suggested as a promising strategy to regulate the systemic inflammatory response in PE.

Vitamin D decreases cell death and inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and placental explants from pregnant women with preeclampsia cultured with TNF-α.

This study evaluated the impact of vitamin D on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) and inflammation in placental explants from women with preeclampsia (PE). HUVEC and explants from 10 late-onset PE (LOPE), 10 early-onset (EOPE), and 10 normotensive (NT) pregnant women were cultured with/without tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and VD. Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), 18 (IL-18), TNF-α, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were detected by ELISA. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was determined by qPCR/Western blotting, and cell death by flow cytometry. Statistical significance was accepted at p < .05. Compared to the NT group, the endogenous levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-18 were higher in the PE group. The stimulus with TNF-α increased cytokines in NT, TNF-α in EOPE/LOPE, IL-18 in LOPE, and all cytokines in HUVEC. TNF-α+VD treatment decreased cytokines in explant and HUVEC supernatants. TRAIL was higher in EOPE versus NT, while TNF-α increased this receptor in NT versus control. In HUVEC, TNF-α increased TRAIL versus control, and TNF-α+VD decreased levels compared to only TNF-α stimulus. Protein expression of HMGB1 was higher in explant cultures treated with TNF-α and decreased after TNF-α+VD treatment in all groups, and gene/protein expression in HUVEC. Gene expression was elevated in EOPE versus NT and LOPE, and TNF-α increased HMGB1 in NT versus control, while TNF-α+VD decreased mRNA levels in EOPE. TNF-α stimulus increased late apoptosis in HUVEC, while VD increased viability. These in vitro observations suggest that VD administration to women with preeclampsia may be beneficial in reducing placental inflammation and cell death.

Brazilian red propolis synergistically with imipenem modulates immunological parameters and the bactericidal activity of human monocytes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

OBJECTIVES: Propolis is a bee product found all over the globe and has a well-known antibacterial activity. Previous findings of our group revealed that the combination of Brazilian red propolis (BRP) with a lower concentration of imipenem (IPM) exerted a bactericidal action against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro. Here, we aimed at investigating the effects of BRP in combination or not with IPM on human monocytes to assess a possible immunomodulatory action. METHODS: Monocyte metabolic activity was analysed by MTT assay, cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) by ELISA, and the expression of cell markers (TLR-2, TLR-4, HLA-DR, and CD80) by flow cytometry. The bactericidal activity of monocytes over MRSA was determined by colony-forming units' count. KEY FINDINGS: BRP alone or in combination with IPM exerted no cytotoxic effects on monocytes. BRP downregulated TLR-2 expression and inhibited TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 production, while BRP + IPM stimulated these parameters. BPR alone or in combination increased the bactericidal activity similarly to LPS-activated monocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicated the potential of BRP as an anti-inflammatory agent increasing the bactericidal activity of monocytes against MRSA. The combination of BRP + IPM exhibited a stimulatory profile that may be potentially useful in treating patients with MRSA infection.

Oxidative stress evaluation in patients with chronic Chagas disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease (CD), caused by protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The parasite clearance by the immune cells is accomplished by the activation of inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species, including nitric oxide (NO) that can lead to tissue injury and DNA damage. On the other hand, to balance the oxidative environment and decrease free radicals, there is an antioxidant system composed of enzymes and vitamins. The aim was to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with Chagas disease. METHODS: Participants were divided into three groups: indeterminate CD (asymptomatic, n = 8), CD with cardiac/digestive involvement (symptomatic, n = 14), and Control healthy individuals (n = 20). The following parameters were analyzed: DNA damage, NO serum levels, hydrophilic antioxidant capacity (HAC) and vitamin E. RESULTS: Symptomatic patients showed increased DNA damage and NO levels and lower HAC and vitamin E levels compared to asymptomatic patients and control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to conclude that CD patients with clinical symptoms have higher oxidative stress, characterized by increased DNA damage and NO levels, and reduced antioxidant capacity and vitamin E levels.

DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic infectious disease, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Expression of iNOS and consequent production of NO during the inflammatory process is an important defense mechanism against TB bacteria. We have tested whether pulmonary TB patients undergoing anti-tuberculosis treatment present DNA damage, and whether this damage is related to oxidative stress, by evaluating total hydrophilic antioxidant capacity and iNOS expression. DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients and healthy tuberculin test (PPD) positive controls was evaluated by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), and iNOS expression was measured by qPCR. We also evaluated total hydrophilic antioxidant capacity in plasma from patients and controls. Compared to controls, pulmonary TB patients under treatment presented increased DNA damage, which diminished during treatment. Also, the antioxidant capacity of these individuals was increased at the start of treatment, and reduced during treatment. TB patients showed lower iNOS expression, but expression tended to increase during treatment. Our results indicate that pulmonary TB patients under anti-TB treatment exhibit elevated DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This damage was not related to nitric oxide but may be due to other free radicals.

Inflammasomes in placental explants of women with preeclampsia cultured with monosodium urate may be modulated by vitamin D.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia (PE) is an important syndrome of gestation characterized by placental and systemic inflammation. High plasma concentration of uric acid are frequently associated with inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and may contribute to PE pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the vitamin D (VD) immunomodulatory effect on the NLRP1/NLRP3 inflammasomes in placental explants from preeclamptic (PE) and normotensive (NT) pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: Placental explants from 10 late-onset PE (LOPE), 10 early-onset PE (EOPE), and 10 NT pregnant women were cultured with or without monosodium urate (MSU) and VD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gene and protein expression of NLRP1, NLRP3, HMGB1, caspase-1, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), and IL-18 were determined by quantitative PCR and Western blotting/ELISA. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Basal gene and protein expression of NLRP1/NLRP3 and IL-1ß, IL-18 and HMGB1 were significantly higher in explants from EOPE compared to LOPE and NT pregnant women. In addition, culture with MSU increased these inflammatory markers, and concomitant treatment with MSU+VD decreased this effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasomes are upregulated in the placental tissue of EOPE women, associated with high production of inflammatory cytokines. The in vitro treatment with VD downregulated placental inflammasomes induced by MSU, suggesting its immunomodulatory role in the systemic inflammation of PE.

Silibinin downregulates the expression of the Th1 and Th17 profiles by modulation of STATs and transcription factors in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial disease that is characterized by inflammation. Some of the factors responsible for this inflammation are the cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems and their interactions. The use of natural products, such as silibinin (SB), can contribute to the control of this inflammation and gestational success. The present study evaluated whether the flavonoid SB has an in vitro immunomodulatory effect on the signal transducers and transcription activators (STATs) signaling pathway and transcription factors of CD4+ T cell subsets obtained from preeclamptic and normotensive (NT) pregnant women. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 18 preeclamptic and 18 NT pregnant women were cultured with and without SB to analyze the expression of STATs and transcription factors by flow cytometry, and cytokines were measured in the culture supernatant by ELISA. The results showed that treating cells with SB decreased STAT1/ STAT4/T-bet and STAT3/RORγt, which characteristic of Th1 and Th17 inflammatory profiles, as well as increased STAT6/GATA-3 and STAT5/FoxP3 of anti-inflammatory and regulatory profiles, respectively. In addition, PBMCs from preeclamptic women treated with SB released lower concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß. Therefore, SB plays an immunomodulatory role on CD4+ T cell subsets in PE, leading to the downregulation of inflammatory profiles and upregulation of anti-inflammatory and regulatory profiles. More studies are necessary to better understand the modulation of CD4+ T cell subsets by the JAK/STAT and NF-κB pathways in this gestational pathology.

DNA damage and nitric oxide production in mice following infection with L. chagasi.

Leishmania chagasi, which causes visceral leishmaniasis in South America, is an obligate intracellular protozoan. Production of nitric oxide by macrophages during the inflammatory response is one of the main microbicidal mechanisms against this parasite. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether L. chagasi infection causes DNA damage in peripheral blood and spleen cells of Balb/c mice and whether such damage may be related to NO production. Balb/c mice were either infected with L. chagasi or maintained as controls. The single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay was used to measure DNA damage in peripheral blood and spleen cells, and the Griess reaction was used to measure NO production in the spleen. L. chagasi infection induced DNA damage in peripheral blood and spleen cells of infected mice. Macrophages from the control group, challenged with L. chagasi, showed significantly (p<0.05) greater NO production, compared to non-challenged cells. Treatment of spleen cells with N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (LNMMA) caused a significant reduction of NO production and DNA damage (p<0.05). Our results indicate that L. chagasi induces DNA damage in the peripheral blood and spleen cells and that NO not only causes killing of the parasite but also induces DNA damage in adjacent cells.

Analysis of the expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and cytokine production during experimental Leishmania chagasi infection.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen-derived molecules and influence immunity to control parasite infections. This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of TLRs 2 and 4, the expression and production of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-17, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the spleen of mice infected with Leishmania chagasi. It also aimed to evaluate any correlations between mRNA expression TLR2 and 4 and cytokines and NO production. Infection resulted in increased TLR2-4, IL-17, TNF-α and TGF-ß mRNA expression during early infection, with decreased expression during late infection correlating with parasite load. IFN-γ and IL-12 mRNA expression decreased at the peak of parasitism. IL-10 mRNA expression increased throughout the entire time period analysed. Although TGF-ß, TNF-α and IL-17 were highly produced during the initial phase of infection, IFN-γ and IL-12 exhibited high production during the final phase of infection. IL-10 and NO showed increased production throughout the evaluated time period. In the acute phase of infection, there was a positive correlation between TLR2-4, TNF-α, IL-17, NO, IL-10 and TGF-ß expression and parasite load. During the chronic phase of infection, there was a positive correlation between TLR2-4, TNF-α, IL-17 and TGF-ß expression and parasite load. Our data suggest that infection by L. chagasi resulted in modulation of TLRs 2 and 4 and cytokines.

Calcitriol Prevents Neuroinflammation and Reduces Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Local Macrophage/Microglia Activation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that involves damage to the myelin sheath surrounding axons. MS therapy is based on immunomodulatory drugs that reduce disease recurrence and severity. Vitamin D is a hormone whose immunomodulatory ability has been widely demonstrated, including in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is an animal model of CNS inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the potential of very early intervention with the active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) to control neuroinflammation during EAE development. EAE was induced in C57BL/6J mice and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration began 1 day after disease induction. This procedure decreased prevalence, clinical score, inflammation, and demyelination. It also reduced MHCII expression in macrophages and microglia as well as the level of oxidative stress and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression for NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1ß, CX3CR1, CCL17, RORc and Tbx21 at the CNS. Otherwise, mRNA expression for ZO-1 increased at the lumbar spinal cord. These effects were accompanied by the stabilization of blood-spinal cord barrier permeability. The results of this study indicate that early intervention with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 can control the neuroinflammatory process that is the hallmark of EAE and MS immunopathogenesis and should thus be explored as an adjunct therapy for MS patients.

Calming Down Mast Cells with Ketotifen: A Potential Strategy for Multiple Sclerosis Therapy?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by extensive inflammation, demyelination, axonal loss and gliosis. Evidence indicates that mast cells contribute to immunopathogenesis of both MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is the most employed animal model to study this disease. Considering the inflammatory potential of mast cells, their presence at the CNS and their stabilization by certain drugs, we investigated the effect of ketotifen fumarate (Ket) on EAE development. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with MOG35-55 and the animals were injected daily with Ket from the seventh to the 17th day after disease induction. This early intervention with Ket significantly reduced disease prevalence and severity. The protective effect was concomitant with less NLRP3 inflammasome activation, rebalanced oxidative stress and also reduced T cell infiltration at the CNS. Even though Ket administration did not alter mast cell percentage at the CNS, it decreased the local CPA3 and CMA1 mRNA expression that are enzymes typically produced by these cells. Evaluation of the CNS-barrier permeability indicated that Ket clearly restored the permeability levels of this barrier. Ket also triggered an evident lymphadenomegaly due to accumulation of T cells that produced higher levels of encephalitogenic cytokines in response to in vitro stimulation with MOG. Altogether these findings reinforce the concept that mast cells are particularly relevant in MS immunopathogenesis and that Ket, a known stabilizer of their activity, has the potential to be used in MS control.

Selenization of S. cerevisiae increases its protective potential in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by triggering an intestinal immunomodulatory loop.

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the myelinated central nervous system (CNS) neurons and triggers physical and cognitive disabilities. Conventional therapy is based on disease-modifying drugs that control disease severity but can also be deleterious. Complementary medicines have been adopted and evidence indicates that yeast supplements can improve symptoms mainly by modulating the immune response. In this investigation, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its selenized derivative (Selemax) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Female C57BL/6 mice submitted to EAE induction were orally supplemented with these yeasts by gavage from day 0 to day 14 after EAE induction. Both supplements determined significant reduction in clinical signs concomitantly with diminished Th1 immune response in CNS, increased proportion of Foxp3+ lymphocytes in inguinal and mesenteric lymph nodes and increased microbiota diversity. However, Selemax was more effective clinically and immunologically; it reduced disease prevalence more sharply, increased the proportion of CD103+ dendritic cells expressing high levels of PD-L1 in mesenteric lymph nodes and reduced the intestinal inflammatory process more strongly than S. cerevisiae. These results suggest a clear gut-brain axis modulation by selenized S. cerevisiae and suggest their inclusion in clinical trials.

Organic Selenium Reaches the Central Nervous System and Downmodulates Local Inflammation: A Complementary Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The persistent inflammation is being mainly attributed to local oxidative stress and inflammasome activation implicated in the ensuing demyelination and axonal damage. Since new control measures remain necessary, we evaluated the preventive and therapeutic potential of a beta-selenium-lactic acid derivative (LAD-ßSe), which is a source of organic selenium under development, to control experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) that is an animal model for MS. Two EAE murine models: C57BL/6 and SJL/J immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and proteolipid protein, respectively, and a model of neurodegeneration induced by LPS in male C57BL/6 mice were used. The preventive potential of LAD-ßSe was initially tested in C57BL/6 mice, the chronic MS model, by three different protocols that were started 14 days before or 1 or 7 days after EAE induction and were extended until the acute disease phase. These three procedures were denominated preventive therapy -14 days, 1 day, and 7 days, respectively. LAD-ßSe administration significantly controlled clinical EAE development without triggering overt hepatic and renal dysfunction. In addition of a tolerogenic profile in dendritic cells from the mesenteric lymph nodes, LAD-ßSe also downregulated cell amount, activation status of macrophages and microglia, NLRP3 (NOD-like receptors) inflammasome activation and other pro-inflammatory parameters in the CNS. The high Se levels found in the CNS suggested that the product crossed the blood-brain barrier having a possible local effect. The hypothesis that LAD-ßSe was acting locally was then confirmed by using the LPS-induced neurodegeneration model that also displayed Se accumulation and downmodulation of pro-inflammatory parameters in the CNS. Remarkably, therapy with LAD-ßSe soon after the first remitting episode in SJL/J mice, also significantly downmodulated local inflammation and clinical disease severity. This study indicates that LAD-ßSe, and possibly other derivatives containing Se, are able to reach the CNS and have the potential to be used as preventive and therapeutic measures in distinct clinical forms of MS.

DNA damage in BALB/c mice infected with Lacazia loboi and its relation to nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: Jorge Lobo's disease, also known as lacaziosis, is a cutaneous-subcutaneous mycosis with chronic evolution. It is caused by the fungus Lacazia loboi. Herein we report a study that relates the genotoxicity caused by L. loboi in isogenic mice with nutritional status, through a normal or restricted diet. METHODS: DNA damage was assessed in the peripheral blood by the comet assay (tail intensity). RESULTS: The results for leukocytes showed increases in the mean tail intensity in mice under dietary restriction, in infected mice under dietary restriction and in infected mice ingesting a normal diet. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that dietary restriction and L. loboi infection may increase DNA damage levels in mice, as detected by the comet assay.

Analysis of Toll-like receptors, iNOS and cytokine profiles in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in mycobacterial infection, although little is known about the roles of these receptors, cytokines and nitric oxide during anti-tuberculosis treatment. Our objective was to evaluate the mRNA and cell surface expression of TLR2 and TLR4; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression; and cytokine Th1, Th2 and Th17 profiles in pulmonary tuberculosis patients at different time points of anti-tuberculosis treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from PPD(+) healthy controls and from patients receiving anti-tuberculosis treatment. Gene expression quantification was performed by qPCR, cell surface expression was assessed using flow cytometry, and cytokine quantification was conducted using the CBA technique. The treated patients presented higher gene expression and higher numbers of receptors on the cell surface of lymphocytes and monocytes than did control individuals. IL-12 and IFN-γ levels increased after the start of treatment, whereas TNF-α levels were reduced. TGF-ß presented the highest levels during treatment. IL-10 and IL-17 expression and production tended to increase during treatment. iNOS gene expression was reduced throughout treatment in patients. Our results suggest that anti-tuberculosis treatment modulates the immune response, inducing an increase in the expression of TLRs and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines to combat bacteria and reduce the inflammatory process.