Bisphenol A and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin at non-cytotoxic doses alter the differentiation potential and cell function of rat adipose-stem cells.

The possibility of chemical contamination is an important issue to consider when designing a cell therapy strategy. Both bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are among the most environmentally relevant endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs, compounds with a high affinity for adipose tissue) recently studied. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) obtained from adipose tissue widely used in regenerative medicine to prevent and treat diseases in several tissues and organs. Although the experimental use of tissue-engineered constructs requires careful analysis for approval and implantation, there has been a recent increase in the number of approved clinical trials for this promising strategy. This study aimed to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage, and the adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation potential of rat adipose-derived stem cells (rASCs) exposed to previously established non-cytotoxic doses of BPA and TCDD in vitro. Results demonstrated that 10 µM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD were able to significantly reduce cell viability, while all exposure levels resulted in DNA damage, although did not increase the apoptosis rate. According to the analysis of adipogenic differentiation, 1 µM of BPA induced the significant formation of oil droplets, suggesting an increased adipocyte differentiation, while both 10 µM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD decreased adipocyte differentiation. Osteogenic differentiation did not differ among the treatments. As such, BPA and TCDD in the concentrations tested can modify important processes in rASCs such as cell viability, adipogenic differentiation, and DNA damage. Together, these findings prove that EDCs play an important role as contaminants, putatively interfering in cell differentiation and thus impairing the therapeutic use of ASCs.

Interleukin-18 increases TLR4 and mannose receptor expression and modulates cytokine production in human monocytes.

Interleukin-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine belonging to the interleukin-1 family of cytokines. This cytokine exerts many unique biological and immunological effects. To explore the role of IL-18 in inflammatory innate immune responses, we investigated its impact on expression of two toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) and mannose receptor (MR) by human peripheral blood monocytes and its effect on TNF-α, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-10 production. Monocytes from healthy donors were stimulated or not with IL-18 for 18 h, and then the TLR2, TLR4, and MR expression and intracellular TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-10 production were assessed by flow cytometry and the levels of TNF-α, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-10 in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. IL-18 treatment was able to increase TLR4 and MR expression by monocytes. The production of TNF-α and IL-10 was also increased by cytokine treatment. However, IL-18 was unable to induce neither IL-12 nor IL-15 production by these cells. Taken together, these results show an important role of IL-18 on the early phase of inflammatory response by promoting the expression of some pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are important during the microbe recognition phase and by inducing some important cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-10.

Uncaria tomentosa aqueous-ethanol extract triggers an immunomodulation toward a Th2 cytokine profile.

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a large woody vine that is native to the Amazon and Central American rainforests and is used widely in traditional medicine for its immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activities. The present work used in vivo immunotoxic and in vitro immunomodulatory experiments to investigate the effects of a pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid extract from U. tomentosa bark on lymphocyte phenotype, Th1/Th2 cytokine production, cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity. For the in vivo immunotoxicity testing, BALB/c male mice were treated once a day with 125, 500 or 1250 mg/kg of U. tomentosa extract for 28 days. For the in vitro protocol, lymphocytes were cultured with 10-500 µg/mg of the extract for 48 h. The extract increased the cellularity of splenic white pulp and the thymic medulla and increased the number of T helper lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. Also, a large stimulatory effect on lymphocyte viability was observed. However, mitogen-induced T lymphocyte proliferation was significantly inhibited at higher concentrations of U. tomentosa extract. Furthermore, an immunological polarization toward a Th2 cytokine profile was observed. These results suggest that the U. tomentosa aqueous-ethanol extract was not immunotoxic to mice and was able to modulate distinct patterns of the immune system in a dose-dependent manner.

Increased TLR4 pathway activation and cytokine imbalance led to lipopolysaccharide tolerance in monocytes from preeclamptic women.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory response, and endogenous activation of monocytes. This study aimed to determine whether the activation of monocytes from preeclamptic women might interfere with the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-in vitro stimulation. Fifty-two preeclamptic women and 32 normotensive (NT) pregnant women were included. Monocytes from peripheral blood were cultured with or without LPS. TLR4 expression was analyzed by flow cytometry, NF-κB activity was determined in nuclear extracts and cytokines production was evaluated by ELISA. Endogenous TLR4 ligands such as Hyaluronan, HMGB1 and Hsp70 were determined in plasma. The endogenous TLR4 expression and activation of NF-κB were statistically higher in monocytes from women with PE compared to NT group. Early-onset PE showed higher TLR4 expression compared to late-onset PE. Plasma levels of Hyaluronan, HMGB1, and Hsp70, as well as endogenous production of inflammatory cytokines, were elevated whilst lower production of IL-10 was observed in the PE group. After culture with LPS, monocytes presented lower NF-κB activation, TNF-α and IL-12 production in PE groups than in the NT group. The study demonstrates endogenous activation of monocytes from preeclamptic women, accompanied by higher expression of TLR4, NF-κB activation and elevated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The higher plasma levels of the TLR4 ligands hyaluronan, HMGB1 and hsp70, as well as the high concentration of TNF-α endogenously produced by monocytes, could induce the LPS tolerance phenomenon in these cells. These results suggest that monocytes play an important role in the maternal excessive systemic inflammatory response in PE.

Agaricus brasiliensis polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture Candida albicans, express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines.

BACKGROUND: Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the ß-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since ß-glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of A. brasiliensis on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte C. albicans yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines. METHODS: Adhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled C. albicans was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cells were incubated with specific fluorochrome-labeled antibodies for TLR2 and 4, ßGR and MR and also evaluated by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured with ATF, and culture supernatants were collected for analysis of in vitro cytokine production by ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-12 and IL-10). RESULTS: ATF significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes and this was associated with enhanced expression of TLR2 and TLR4, while no effect was observed on ßGR or MR. Moreover, expression of TLR4 and TLR2 was associated with higher levels of in vitro production of TNF-α and IL-1, respectively. Production of IL-10 was also increased by ATF treatment, but we found no association between its production and the expression of Toll-like receptors. CONCLUSION: Our results provided us with evidence that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides affect human monocytes probably through the modulation of Toll-like receptors.

Enxerto de gordura: lipofragmentado x lipoaspirado / Fat grafting: Lipofragmentation x Liposuction

Introdução: Com o objetivo de obter lipoenxerto autógeno e injetável de tecido ressecado em dermolipectomias, este estudo propõe um novo método para colheita e processamento do tecido adiposo, através de um dispositivo fragmentador específico. O principal objetivo foi estabelecer uma análise comparativa das características de qualidade e viabilidade do novo lipofragmentado em relação ao já conhecido lipoaspirado, amplamente aceito como fonte viável de lipoenxerto. Ensaios in vivo e in vitro foram delineados para avaliar o comportamento biológico das amostras, a fim de orientar novos e possíveis estudos em humanos com aplicações clínicas. Métodos: Uma paciente pós-bariátrica que foi submetida a dermolipectomia abdominal teve sua peça cirúrgica ressecada e dividida em quatro partes que foram submetidas a Lipoaspiração e Lipofragmentação, sem e com infiltração prévia. Todas as amostras foram submetidas a centrifugação e então distribuídas para os ensaios que envolveram avaliação histológica, imunohistoquímica, citometria de fluxo, cultura celular e ainda a injeção de xenoenxerto no dorso de 10 ratos Wistar, retirados após seis semanas para avaliação de massa, volume e características histológicas. Resultados: As amostras de gordura fragmentada, seca e infiltrada, mostraram características estruturais e comportamento biológico semelhantes aos das amostras de lipoaspirado. Conclusões: A fragmentação da gordura transformou o tecido celular subcutâneo das dermolipectomias em uma nova variante de lipoenxerto injetável e viável, com características biológicas semelhantes àquelas do lipoaspirado tradicional. Embora ainda preliminares, nossos resultados embasam a realização de novas investigações buscando otimizar a técnica com vistas ao aprimoramento da enxertia gordurosa e suas possíveis aplicações na medicina regenerativa.

Introduction: Aiming to obtain autogenous and injectable lipografts from resected tissues in dermolipectomies, this study proposes a new method for harvesting and processing adipose tissue through a specific fragmenting device. The main objective was to establish a comparative analysis of the quality and viability characteristics of the new lipofragmentation technique and those of the well-known liposuction technique, widely accepted as a viable source of fat grafting. In vivo and in vitro assays were designed to evaluate the biological behavior of the samples to guide new and possible human studies with clinical applications. Methods: A post-bariatric patient who underwent abdominal dermolipectomy had her surgical specimen resected, which was divided into four parts that underwent liposuction and lipofragmentation, with and without prior infiltration. All samples were centrifuged and distributed for assays with assessments involving histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, cell culture, and xenograft injection on the back of 10 Wistar rats, which was evaluated after six weeks for mass, volume, and histological features. Results: The structural characteristics and biological behaviors of fragmented, dry, and infiltrated fat samples were similar to those of liposuction samples. Conclusions: Fat fragmentation transformed the subcutaneous cellular tissue of dermolipectomies into a new, viable injectable lipograft variant, with biological characteristics similar to those of traditional liposuction. Although still preliminary, our results support further investigations to optimize the technique and improve fat grafting and its possible applications in regenerative medicine.

Equine mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue and umbilical cord: immunophenotypic characterization and differentiation potential.

INTRODUCTION: Studies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasing due to their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerative properties. However, there is still no agreement about the best source of equine MSCs for a bank for allogeneic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell culture and immunophenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential of equine MSCs from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) and umbilical cord (UC-MSCs) under identical in vitro conditions, to compare these sources for research or an allogeneic therapy cell bank. METHODS: The BM-MSCs, AT-MSCs and UC-MSCs were cultured and evaluated in vitro for their osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential. Additionally, MSCs were assessed for CD105, CD44, CD34, CD90 and MHC-II markers by flow cytometry, and MHC-II was also assessed by immunocytochemistry. To interpret the flow cytometry results, statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. RESULTS: The harvesting and culturing procedures of BM-MSCs, AT-MSCs and UC-MSCs were feasible, with an average cell growth until the third passage of 25 days for BM-MSCs, 15 days for AT-MSCs and 26 days for UC-MSCs. MSCs from all sources were able to differentiate into osteogenic (after 10 days for BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs and 15 days for UC-MSCs), adipogenic (after 8 days for BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs and 15 days for UC-MSCs) and chondrogenic (after 21 days for BM-MSCs, AT-MSCs and UC-MSCs) lineages. MSCs showed high expression of CD105, CD44 and CD90 and low or negative expression of CD34 and MHC-II. The MHC-II was not detected by immunocytochemistry techniques in any of the MSCs studied. CONCLUSIONS: The BM, AT and UC are feasible sources for harvesting equine MSCs, and their immunophenotypic and multipotency characteristics attained minimal criteria for defining MSCs. Due to the low expression of MHC-II by MSCs, all of the sources could be used in clinical trials involving allogeneic therapy in horses. However, the BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs showed fastest ''in vitro'' differentiation and AT-MSCs showed highest cell growth until third passage. These findings suggest that BM and AT may be preferable for cell banking purposes.

Agaricus brasiliensis polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture Candida albicans, express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines

Agaricus brasiliensis é um cogumelo medicinal com atividades imunomoduladoras e antitumorais atribuídas aos ß-glucanos presentes na fração polissacarídica de seu corpo de frutificação. Uma vez que os ß-glucanos aumentam a imunorresponsividade celular, neste estudo objetivamos avaliar o efeito de uma fração rica em polissacarídeos tratados com ácido (ATF) de A. brasiliensis sobre a capacidade de monócitos humanos de aderir / fagocitar células de levedura C. albicans . expressão de receptores de reconhecimento de padrões e sua capacidade de produzir citocinas. Métodos: A adesão / fagocitose de C. albicans marcada com FITC foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo. As células foram incubadas com anticorpos marcados com fluorocromo específicos para TLR2 e 4, ßGR e MR e também avaliadas por citometria de fluxo. Os monócitos foram cultivados com ATF, e os sobrenadantes da cultura foram coletados para análise da produção de citocinas in vitro por ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-12 e IL-10). Resultados: ATF aumentou significativamente a aderência / fagocitose de C. albicans por monócitos e isso foi associado com expressão aumentada de TLR2 e TLR4, enquanto nenhum efeito foi observado em ßGR ou MR. Além disso, a expressão de TLR4 e TLR2 foi associada a níveis mais elevados de produção in vitro de TNF-α e IL-1, respectivamente. A produção de IL-10 também foi aumentada pelo tratamento com ATF, mas não encontramos associação entre sua produção e a expressão de receptores Toll-like. Conclusão: Nossos resultados nos forneceram evidências de que polissacarídeos de A. brasiliensis afetam monócitos humanos provavelmente através da modulação de receptores Toll-like.(AU)

Agaricus brasiliensis polysaccharides stimulate human monocytes to capture Candida albicans, express toll-like receptors 2 and 4, and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines

Abstract Background Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the -glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since -glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of A. brasiliensis on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte C. albicans yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines. Methods Adhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled C. albicans was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cells were incubated with specific fluorochrome-labeled antibodies for TLR2 and 4, GR and MR and also evaluated by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured with ATF, and culture supernatants were collected for analysis of in vitro cytokine production by ELISA (TNF-, IL-1, IL-12 and IL-10). Results ATF significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes and this was associated with enhanced expression of TLR2 and TLR4, while no effect was observed on GR or MR. Moreover, expression of TLR4 and TLR2 was associated with higher levels of in vitro production of TNF- and IL-1, respectively. Production of IL-10 was also increased by ATF treatment, but we found no association between its production and the expression of Toll-like receptors. Conclusion Our results provided us with evidence that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides affect human monocytes probably through the modulation of Toll-like receptors.

Effects of synbiotic-based Bifidobacterium animalis in female rats experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a synbiotic composed of Bifidobacterium animalis and fructooligosaccharides on female rats infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Female Wistar rats, treated or not with dexamethasone, were daily supplemented with synbiotics for 21 days. After 15 days of supplementation, the rats were orally infected with 10(4)T. gondii bradyzoites. Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of IFN-γ, IL-10 and T. gondii antibodies. All synbiotic-supplemented rats survived until the end of the experiment; however, non-supplemented dexamethasone-treated rats died between the fifth and the eighth days after T. gondii infection. Dexamethasone-treated rats supplemented with synbiotics (P<0.05) were capable of synthesizing IFN-γ, and this immunological response was essential to ensure their survival. In addition, brain cysts were found in one rat not supplemented with synbiotics. Results suggest that the synbiotic composed of B. animalis and fructooligosaccharides may be beneficial to toxoplasmosis control.

Prevention of experimental diabetes by Uncaria tomentosa extract: Th2 polarization, regulatory T cell preservation or both?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC (Rubiaceae) is a species native to the Amazon rainforest and surrounding tropical areas that is endowed with immunomodulatory properties and widely used around the world. In this study we investigated the immunomodulatory potential of Uncaria tomentosa (UT) aqueous-ethanol extract on the progression of immune-mediated diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were injected with MLDS (40 mg/kg) and orally treated with UT at 10-400mg/kg during 21 days. Control groups received MLDS alone or the respective dilution vehicle. Pancreatic mononuclear infiltrate and ß-cell insulin content were analyzed by HE and immunohistochemical staining, respectively, and measured by digital morphometry. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping and cytokine production were determined by flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: Treating the animals with 50-400mg/kg of UT caused a significant reduction in the glycemic levels, as well as in the incidence of diabetes. The morphometric analysis of insulitis revealed a clear protective effect. Animals treated with UT at 400mg/kg presented a higher number of intact islets and a significant inhibition of destructive insulitis. Furthermore, a significant protection against the loss of insulin-secreting presented ß-cells was achieved, as observed by a careful immunohistochemical evaluation. The phenotypic analysis indicated that the groups treated with higher doses (100-400mg/kg) presented CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell values similar to those observed in healthy animals. These same higher doses also increased the number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells. Moreover, the extract modulated the production of Th1 and Th2, with increased levels of IL-4 and IL-5. CONCLUSIONS: The extract was effective to prevent the progression of immune-mediated diabetes by distinct pathways.

Downregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway by silibinin in human monocytes challenged with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

AIMS: Silibinin is the major active component of silymarin, a polyphenolic plant flavonoid that has anti-inflammatory effects. The modulatory effect of silibinin on monocyte function against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb18) has not yet been demonstrated. The present study investigated whether the effect of silibinin on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathways may affect the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), nitric oxide (NO) and fungicidal activity of human monocytes challenged in vitro with Pb18. MAIN METHODS: Peripheral blood monocytes from healthy individuals were treated with silibinin and challenged with Pb18 for 18h. TNF-alpha, IL-10, TGF-beta1 and PGE(2) expression were determined by immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) and NO release was determined by the accumulation of nitrite in culture supernatants. Fungicidal activity of monocytes was analyzed after treatment with interferon-gamma plus silibinin and challenge with Pb18. NF-kappaB activation in cultured monocytes was evaluated by flow cytometry and ELISA. KEY FINDINGS: Silibinin partially inhibited p65NF-kappaB activation as the number of cells expressing this factor was reduced and the concentration of nuclear p65NF-kappaB was low, compared to untreated controls. The addition of silibinin also resulted in suppression of TNF-alpha, IL-10, TGF-beta1, PGE(2) and NO production but did not affect the fungicidal activity of monocytes against Pb18. SIGNIFICANCE: Silibinin exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on CD14+/- human monocytes challenged by Pb18 by partial inhibition of p65NF-kappaB activation.

Isolation and immunophenotypic characterization of mesenchymal stem cells derived from equine species adipose tissue.

The purpose of this work was to isolate and cultivate mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from equine adipose tissue and conduct cellular characterization with the following markers: CD90, CD44 and CD13. Adipose tissue collection was performed at the base of the horses' tails, followed by immediate isolation and cultivation of the MSC and posterior characterization by flow cytometry for the interspecies reaction test using mouse anti-rat CD90 monoclonal antibody (mAb), fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and tests with specific mAb mouse anti-horse CD13 and mouse anti-horse CD44. The technique used for isolation and cell cultivation proved to be safe and viable. The CD90 mAb expressed cross-reaction with MSC derived from equine adipose tissue and CD44 showed greater expression in cells as the number of culture passages increased. Although marker CD13 expresses reaction in other studies involving MSC in different species, it presented no expression in the experiment realized. The results obtained revealed the immunophenotypic characterization of the surface of isolated and cultivated MSC, classifying these cells as a promising type of progenitor cells that can be applied in equine cellular therapy.

Enhanced natural killer activity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice selected for high acute inflammatory response (AIRmax).

Strains of mice with maximal and minimal acute inflammatory responsiveness (AIRmax and AIRmin, respectively) were developed through selective breeding based on their high- or low-acute inflammatory responsiveness. Previous reports have shown that AIRmax mice are more resistant to the development of a variety of tumours than AIRmin mice, including spontaneous metastasis of murine melanoma. Natural killer activity is involved in immunosurveillance against tumour development, so we analysed the number and activity of natural killer cells (CD49b(+)), T-lymphocyte subsets and in vitro cytokine production by spleen cells of normal AIRmax and AIRmin mice. Analysis of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry showed that AIRmax mice had a higher relative number of CD49b(+) cells than AIRmin mice, as well as cytolytic activity against Yac.1 target cells. The number of CD3(+) CD8(+) cells was also higher in AIRmax mice. These findings were associated with the ability of spleen cells from AIRmax mice in vitro to produce higher levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-12p40 and interferon-gamma but not the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10. Taken together, our data suggest that the selective breeding to achieve the AIRmax and AIRmin strains was able to polarize the genes associated with cytotoxic activity, which can be responsible for the antitumour resistance observed in AIRmax mice.