Modulation of TDM-induced granuloma pathology by human lactoferrin: a persistent effect in mice.

Lactoferrin (LTF), an iron binding protein, is known to exhibit immune modulatory effects on pulmonary pathology during insult-induced models of primary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. The effects of LTF correlate with modulation of the immune related development of the pathology, and altering of the histological nature of the physically compact and dense lung granuloma in mice. Specifically, a recombinant human version of LTF limits immediate progression of granulomatous severity following administration of the Mtb cell wall mycolic acid, trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), in part through reduced pro-inflammatory responses known to control these events. This current study investigates a limited course of LTF to modulate not only initiation, but also maintenance and resolution of pathology post development of the granulomatous response in mice. Comparison is made to a fusion of LTF with the Fc domain of IgG2 (FcLTF), which is known to extend LTF half-life in circulation. TDM induced granulomas were examined at extended times post insult (day 7 and 14). Both LTF and the novel FcLTF exerted sustained effects on lung granuloma pathology. Reduction of pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß occurred, correlating with reduced pathology. Increase in IL-6, known to regulate granuloma maintenance, was also seen with the LTFs. The FcLTF demonstrated greater impact than the recombinant LTF, and was superior in limiting damage to pulmonary tissues while limiting residual inflammatory cytokine production.

Lactoferrin reduces mycobacterial M1-type inflammation induced with trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate and facilitates the entry of fluoroquinolone into granulomas.

Primary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in the formation of a densely packed granulomatous response that essentially limits the entry and efficacy of immune effector cells. Furthermore, the physical nature of the granuloma does not readily permit the entry of therapeutic agents to sites where organisms reside. The Mtb cell wall mycolic acid, trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), is a physiologically relevant molecule for modelling macrophage-mediated events during the establishment of the tuberculosis-induced granuloma pathogenesis. At present, there are no treatments for tuberculosis that focus on modulating the host's immune responses. Previous studies showed that lactoferrin (LF), a natural iron-binding protein proven to modulate inflammation, can ameliorate the cohesiveness of granuloma. This led to a series of studies that further examined the effects of recombinant human LF (rHLF) on the histological progression of TDM-induced pathology. Treatment with rHLF demonstrated significant reduction in size and number of inflammatory foci following injections of TDM, together with reduced levels pulmonary pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß. LF facilitated greater penetration of fluoroquinolone to the sites of pathology. Mice treated with TDM alone demonstrated exclusion of ofloxacin to regions of inflammatory response, whereas the animals treated with rHLF demonstrated increased penetration to inflammatory foci. Finally, recent findings support the hypothesis that this mycobacterial mycolic acid can specifically recruit M1-like polarized macrophages; rHLF treatment was shown to limit the level of this M1-like phenotypic recruitment, corresponding highly with decreased inflammatory response.

Mycobacterial Trehalose 6,6'-Dimycolate-Induced M1-Type Inflammation.

Murine models of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection demonstrate progression of M1-like (proinflammatory) and M2-like (anti-inflammatory) macrophage morphology following primary granuloma formation. The Mtb cell wall cording factor, trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM), is a physiologically relevant and useful molecule for modeling early macrophage-mediated events during establishment of the tuberculosis-induced granuloma pathogenesis. Here, it is shown that TDM is a major driver of the early M1-like macrophage response as seen during initiation of the granulomas of primary pathology. Proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-12p40 are produced in lung tissue after administration of TDM to mice. Furthermore, CD11b+CD45+ macrophages with a high surface expression of the M1-like markers CD38 and CD86 were found present in regions of pathology in lungs of mice at 7 days post-TDM introduction. Conversely, only low phenotypic marker expression of M2-like markers CD206 and EGR-2 were present on macrophages. These findings suggest that TDM plays a role in establishment of the M1-like shift in the microenvironment during primary tuberculosis.

Recombinant Human Lactoferrin Reduces Inflammation and Increases Fluoroquinolone Penetration to Primary Granulomas During Mycobacterial Infection of C57Bl/6 Mice.

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in the primary formation of a densely packed inflammatory foci that limits entry of therapeutic agents into pulmonary sites where organisms reside. No current therapeutic regimens exist that modulate host immune responses to permit increased drug penetration to regions of pathological damage during tuberculosis disease. Lactoferrin is a natural iron-binding protein previously demonstrated to modulate inflammation and granuloma cohesiveness, while maintaining control of pathogenic burden. Studies were designed to examine recombinant human lactoferrin (rHLF) to modulate histological progression of Mtb-induced pathology in a non-necrotic model using C57Bl/6 mice. The rHLF was oral administered at times corresponding to initiation of primary granulomatous response, or during granuloma maintenance. Treatment with rHLF demonstrated significant reduction in size of primary inflammatory foci following Mtb challenge, and permitted penetration of ofloxacin fluoroquinolone therapeutic to sites of pathological disruption where activated (foamy) macrophages reside. Increased drug penetration was accompanied by retention of endothelial cell integrity. Immunohistochemistry revealed altered patterns of M1-like and M2-like phenotypic cell localization post infectious challenge, with increased presence of M2-like markers found evenly distributed throughout regions of pulmonary inflammatory foci in rHLF-treated mice.

Using a PyMOL activity to reinforce the connection between genotype and phenotype in an undergraduate genetics laboratory.

With the purpose of developing an activity that would help clarify genetic concepts related to the connection between genotype and phenotype and the nature of mutations, we designed a three hour teaching module using the PyMol software. The activity starts with two pre-laboratory assignments, one to learn how to use PyMol and the other to read about a specific protein or protein family. During the laboratory students are given instructions where and how to find additional information on a specific disease and its causal mutations in order to prepare a 10-minute, in-class presentation. Using a post activity, anonymous quiz, we found a statistically significant different grade distribution in students that participated in the PyMol activity relative to a control group. We also found a significant improvement in the student's comprehension when answering questions regarding the nature of mutations and protein structure. This demonstrates the utility of this simulation activity as a vehicle to improve student's understanding of specific key genetic concepts.