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Celiaki (glutenintolerans) är en kronisk, autoimmun sjukdom med diffusa symtom. Vid förtäring av glutenhaltig mat uppstår en allergisk reaktion hos glutenintoleranta individer. Gluten kan inte fullständigt brytas ned av kroppens enzymer, vilket betyder att icke nedbrutna peptidfragment (såsom glutamin) absorberas i tarmslemhinnan. Enzymet transglutaminas katalyserar omvandlingen av glutamin till glutamat. Glutenkänsliga T-celler aktiveras av glutamat att utsöndra proinflammatoriska cytokiner såsom interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) och tumörnekrosfaktor-alfa (TNF-⍺). Syftet med studien var att undersöka om gluten- och gliadinstimulering av celler i helsaliv in vitro kan inducera produktion av IFN-γ och TNF-⍺. Pilotstudier med 2 försökspersoner utfördes, där celler i salivprover stimulerades med enzymatiskt nedbrutet gliadin (<40 mg gliadin), samt PHA (5 µg/mL), PMA (50 ng/mL) och LPS (1 µg/mL) 20 timmar vid 37 ˚C. Cytokinproduktionen i salivproverna kvantifierades med ELISA och uppreglering av IFN-γ och TNF-⍺ undersöktes med RT-qPCR. Efter metodutveckling upprepades stimulering och ELISA med salivprov från 12 försökspersoner (6 individer med och utan celiaki). Immunreaktionen som uppstår hos glutenintoleranta individer in vivo kunde inte återskapas i saliv in vitro med den framtagna metoden. Hos övervägande delen av salivproverna var cytokinproduktionen under detektionsgränsen, 4 pg/mL för IFN-γ och 15,6 pg/mL för TNF-⍺. Det finns risk för att outforskade detaljer eller agens saknades från reaktionskedjan och därmed kunde den förväntade immunreaktionen inte återskapas. En annan felkälla kan vara för låg koncentration av immunceller i saliven. / Celiac disease is a chronic, autoimmune disease that has diffuse symptoms. Upon consuming gluten containing food, an allergic reaction occurs in gluten-sensitive individuals. Gluten cannot be fully digested by human enzymes, which leads to non-digested peptide fragments (such as glutamine) to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal wall. The transglutaminase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of glutamine to glutamate. Glutamate activates gluten-specific T-lymphocytes to produce proinflammatory cytokines e.g., interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-⍺). The aim of this study was to investigate whether stimulation of cells in whole saliva in vitro with gluten and gliadin can induce production of IFN-γ and TNF-⍺. Pilot studies were conducted, where cells in saliva from 2 subjects was stimulated with enzymatically digested gliadin (<40 mg gliadin) together with PHA (5 µg/mL), PMA (50 ng/mL) and LPS (1 µg/mL) for 20 hours at 37 ˚C. The production of cytokines was quantified by ELISA, and the upregulation of IFN-γ and TNF-⍺ was analyzed by RT-qPCR. After method development, the stimulations and ELISA quantifications of the proinflammatory cytokines were repeated in saliva samples from 12 subjects (6 individuals with and without celiac disease). The immune reaction that occurs in people with celiac disease could not be recreated in saliva in vitro with the developed method. In most of the samples the production of cytokines was under the detection range, 4 pg/mL for IFN-γ and 15,6 pg/mL for TNF-⍺. There is risk of unstudied details or agents missing from the reaction chain, and therefore the expected immune reaction could not be recreated. Another source of error could be low concentration of immune cells in saliva.

TNFα-induced programmed necrosis is a caspase-independent cell death program that is contingent upon the formation of a multiprotein complex termed the necrosome. The association of two of the components of the necrosome, receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) and RIP3, is a critical and signature molecular event during necrosis. Within this complex, both RIP1 and RIP3 are phosphorylated which are consequential for transmission of the pro-necrotic signal. Namely, it has been demonstrated that RIP3 phosphorylation is required for binding to downstream substrates. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanisms governing necrosome activation remain unclear. Since necrosis is implicated in a variety of different diseases, understanding the biochemical signaling pathway can potentially yield future drug targets. I was interested in identifying other regulators of necrosis in hope of gaining a better understanding of the necrosis signaling pathway and regulators of the necrosome. To address this, I screened a cancer gene siRNA library in a cell line sensitive to necrosis. From this, I independently identified CYLD as a positive regulator of necrosis. Previous studies suggest that deubiquitination of RIP1 in the TNF receptor (TNFR)-1 signaling complex is a prerequisite for transition of RIP1 into the cytosol and assembly of the RIP1-RIP3 necrosome. The deubiquitinase cylindromatosis (CYLD) is presumed to promote programmed necrosis by facilitating RIP1 deubiquitination in this membrane receptor complex. Surprisingly, I found that TNFα could induce RIP1-dependent necrosis in CYLD-/- cells. I show that CYLD does not regulate RIP1 ubiquitination at the receptor complex. Strikingly, assembly of the RIP1-RIP3 necrosome was delayed, but not abolished in the absence of CYLD. In addition to the TNFR-1 complex, I found that RIP1 within the necrosome was also ubiquitinated. In the absence of CYLD, RIP1 ubiquitination in the NP-40 insoluble necrosome was greatly increased. Increased RIP1 ubiquitination correlated with impaired RIP1 and RIP3 phosphorylation, a signature of kinase activation. My results show that CYLD regulates RIP1 ubiquitination in the NP-40 insoluble necrosome, but not in the TNFR-1 signaling complex. Contrary to the current model, CYLD is not essential for necrosome assembly. Rather, it facilitates RIP1 and RIP3 activation within the necrosome and the corollary is enhancement of necrosome functionality and subsequent necrosis. My results therefore indicate that CYLD exerts its pro-necrotic function in the NP-40 insoluble necrosome, and illuminates the mechanism of necrosome activation.

Studien utvärderar egenskaper hos mesenkymala stromaceller (MSC) i passage 2 och 3. I ett samarbete mellan Cellcolabs och Karolinska Institutet (KI) genomfördes projektet med Katarina Le Blancs forskargrupp. Genom att studera membranmarkörer från tre friska MSC-donatorer, tillsammans med deras förmåga att differentiera till osteoblaster, adipocyter och kondrocyter, samt deras förmåga att inhibera profileringen av CD8+ och CD4+ T-lymfocyter, och slutligen deras möjlighet att öka uttrycket av Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) och interleukin 6 (IL6), kunde en jämförelse mellan passage 2 och 3 göras. I korta drag kunde enbart en tydlig skillnad göras mellan de två passagerna. Skillnaden sågs i förmågan att differentiera till osteoblaster, där passage 3 inte kunde prestera på samma nivå som passage 2. Utöver detta var resultaten för de två typerna jämförbara och antydde inte till några större förändringar mellan passage 2 och 3. För att stärka tillförlitligheten av resultatet bör dock fler MSC-donatorer jämföras. / The study evaluates the characteristics and consistency of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in two different passages, specifically 2 and 3. In a collaboration between Cellcolabs and Karolinska Institutet (KI), the project was conducted with Katarina Le Blanc’s research group. Through studying the surface expression on cells from three distinct MSC donors, along with their differentiation ability into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes, their capability to suppress the proliferation of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes, and finally their possibility to increase the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and interleukin 6 (IL6), a comparison between passage 2 and 3 could be done. It was seen that a clear distinction could be made between the two passages while looking at their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts. The remaining results showed comparable outcomes between passage 2 and 3, suggesting minor changes with the increased passage number. However, to strengthen the reliability of the outcome, more MSC donors should be compared.

Weaning piglets are susceptible to the invasive Streptococcus (S.) suis infection, which can result in septicemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytokine profile induced upon S. suis infection of blood, to determine the cellular sources of those cytokines, and to study the potential effects of the induced cytokines on bacterial killing. We measured TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-10 after an experimental intravenous infection with S. suis serotype 2 in vivo, and analyzed whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and separated leukocytes to identify the cytokine-producing cell type(s). In addition, we used a reconstituted whole blood assay to investigate the effect of TNF-α on bacterial killing in the presence of different S. suis-specific IgG levels. An increase in IL-6 and IL-10, but not in IFN-γ or IL-17A, was observed in two of three piglets with pronounced bacteremia 16 to 20 h after infection, but not in piglets with controlled bacteremia. Our results confirmed previous findings that S. suis induces TNF-α and IL-6 and could demonstrate that TNF-α is produced by monocytes in vitro. We further found that IL-10 induction resulted in reduced secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Rapid induction of TNF-α was, however, not crucial for in vitro bacterial killing, not even in the absence of specific IgG.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / External Apical Root Resorption (EARR) can be an undesirable side effect of orthodontic treatment. Several studies have already recognized a genetic predisposition to EARR, and some have suggested possible candidate genes that may be involved. The objective of this prospective study was to explore one possible candidate gene that may predispose individuals to EARR during orthodontic treatment. The TNFRSF11A gene encodes the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa β (RANK). Together with the RANK ligand, RANK mediates cell signaling that leads to osteoclastogenesis. A diallelic marker was used to investigate the possible relationship between a nonsynonymous TNFRSF11A (RANK) polymorphism and the individuals' development of EARR concurrent with orthodontic treatment. Buccal swab cells of 112 patients who had completed orthodontic treatment were collected for DNA isolation and analysis. EARR of the maxillary central incisors was calculated based on measurements from pre and post treatment occlusal radiographs. Linear regression analysis indicated that length of treatment, overjet, and molar classification are significant predictors of EARR (p=0.05). Other factors, including age, gender, and overbite, were not found to be significantly associated with EARR. An ANOVA was performed to examine the relationship of the genotyped TNFRSF11A marker with the dependent variable EARR. When individuals having at least one copy of allele 2 (1,2 and 2,3 genotypes) were pooled together, a marginally significant association was found between EARR and the marker. Further analysis using logistic regression revealed that individuals with a (1,1) genotype are 4.3 times more likely to be affected by EARR than a person with a (1,2) or (2,2) genotype. From these findings it was concluded that EARR is a complex condition influenced by several treatment variables with the TNFRSF11A gene and its product (RANK) contributing to the individuals' predisposition.

No description available.

No description available.

112 Patienten wurden im Rahmen von 2 prospektiven multizentrischen Phase-II Studien mit einer isolierten Extremitätenperfusion mit Tumornekrosefaktor (TNF) und Melphalan behandelt. Hiervon waren 49 Patienten an einem lokoregionär metastasierten Melanom und 63 Patienten an einem lokal fortgeschrittenen Weichgewebssarkom erkrankt. Bei Patienten mit regionären Metastasen eines Melanoms fand sich in 46 % eine komplette und in 20 % eine partielle Remission. Die mittlere lokoregionäre progressionsfreie Zeit war 32,3 Monate (Median 15,6 Monate). Sie war signifikant länger bei Patienten mit einer kompletten Remission (46,0 Monate, Median 30,2 Monate) im Vergleich zu Patienten mit einer partiellen Remission (15,2 Monate, Median 16,1 Monate) oder Patienten mit unverändertem Befund (7,2 Monate, Median 6,0 Monate). Die Gesamt-Überlebenszeit der Patienten mit Melanom betrug im Mittel 42,6 Monate (Median 24,4 Monate) und die 5-Jahres-Überlebensrate 42 %. Die klinische Ansprechrate der Patienten mit Weichgewebssarkomen betrug 44,5 %. Bei kombinierter Analyse der klinischen und histologischen Remission betrug die Gesamtansprechrate in der Gruppe der Patienten mit Weichgewebssarkomen 60 % (21 % CR). Insgesamt war bei 86 % der Patienten mit Sarkomen (54/63 Patienten) ein extremitätenerhaltendes Vorgehen möglich. Die mittlere lokale progressionsfreie Zeit betrug für alle 63 Patienten mit Weichgewebssarkom 63,7 Monate und die 5-Jahres-Progessionsfreiheit 72 %. Die mittlere Überlebenszeit der Patienten mit Sarkomen betrug 61,9 Monate und die 5-Jahres-Überlebenszeit 64 %. Wichtigste Einflussfaktoren auf die Überlebenszeit waren das Tumorgrading (p=0,016) und die Tumorgrösse (p=0,046). 94 der 112 behandelten Patienten hatten nach der Extremitätenperfusion im Bereich der Extremität eine regionale Toxizität Grad I-II nach Wieberdink und bei 18 Patienten kam es zu einer höhergradigen Gewebeschädigung (Grad III-IV). Die postoperativen Serumkonzentrationen von Creatinkinase (CK) und Myoglobin zeigten eine signifikante Korrelation zur regionalen Toxizität (p=0,007 bzw. 0,003). An systemischen Nebenwirkungen der isolierten Extremitätenperfusion mit TNF und Melphalan fiel vor allem eine Erhöhung der Leberwerte auf, mit Anstieg der Transaminasen und des Bilirubins bis zu WHO-Schweregrad III und IV. Einschränkungen der Lebersyntheseleistungen wurden nicht beobachtet. Alle Veränderungen waren spontan rückläufig. Leuko- und Thrombopenien Grad III/IV betrafen häufig Patienten mit einer systemischen Leckrate von > 5 % (29 % bzw. 21 %). Eine Überlegenheit der isolierten Extremitätenperfusion mit TNF und Melphalan beim Melanom gegenüber der Perfusion mit Melphalan alleine kann aus den vorliegenden Daten nicht abgeleitet werden. Die von uns festgestellte klinische Remissionsrate von 66 % ist nicht höher als in der Literatur angegeben. Durch die isolierte Extremitätenperfusion mit TNF und Melphalan kann bei ca. 80 % der behandelten Patienten mit lokal fortgeschrittenen und primär nicht resektablen Weichgewebssarkomen ein Extremitätenerhalt erreicht werden. Die hohe Rate auch histologisch belegter Remissionen bei diesen Patienten untermauert den Stellenwert dieser Therapie eindrucksvoll. / 112 patients were treated by isolated limb perfusion with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan for locoregional metastases of melanoma (49 patients) or locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma (63 patients). Patients were treated in 2 prospective multicentric phase-II trials. For patients with intransit metastases from melanoma, complete response could be reached in 46 % and partial response in 20 %. Mean time to locoregional progression was 32.3 months (median 15.6 months). This was significantly longer for patients with complete response (46.0 months, median 30.2 months) when compared to patients with a partial response (15.2 months, median 16.1 months) or patients with no change (7.2 months, median 6.0 months). The mean overall survival time for patients with melanoma was 42.6 months (median 24.4 months) and the 5-year survival rate 42 %. The clinical response rate for sarcoma patients was 44.5 %, but on combined analysis of clinical and histologically confirmed response the overall response rate was 60 % (21 % CR). Limb salvage was possible in 86 % of the sarcoma patients (54/63 patients). The mean time to local progression was 63.7 months and the 5-year progression-free rate was 72 %. Mean overall survival time in this group was 61.9 months with a 5-year survival rate of 64 %. Grading (p=0,016) and tumor size (p=0,046) were the most important factors influencing survival. Regional toxicity after isolated limb perfusion was mild (Wieberdink grade I-II) in 94 of the 112 patients, and 18 patients had a more severe reaction (grade III-IV). Postoperative serum concentrations of creatinekinase (CK) and myoglobin were significantly correlated to regional toxicity (p=0.007 and 0.003). Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin with levels up to WHO III and IV were the most profound systemic side effect of isolated limb perfusion with TNF and melphalan. All changes resolved completely. Leucopenia and thrombopenia grade III/IV were mainly observed in patients with a systemic leakage rate greater than 5 % (29 % resp. 21 %). In melanoma patients, the observed overall response rate of 66 % after isolated limb perfusion with TNF and melphalan is not superior to literature results for limb perfusion with melphalan alone. Thus, the superiority of this treatment cannot be confirmed for this indication. In contrast, limb salvage became possible in approx. 80 % of the patients with locally advanced and unresectable sarcoma. In addition, the high rate of histologically confirmed response in these patients underlines the value of this treatment modality.

Background & Aims: Oxidative stress and apoptosis are proposed mechanisms of cellular injury in studies of xenobiotic hepatotoxicity. The aim of this work is to find early signal markers of drug-induced injury of the liver by focusing on select antioxidant/oxidant and apoptotic genes. As well, to address the relationship between conventional liver dysfunction markers and the measured mRNA and protein expressions in the D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide and tert-butylhydroperoxide hepatotoxicity models. Furthermore, potential hepatoprotective capabilities of antioxidant polyphenols quercetin and curcumin were evaluated in relation to its modulation of the oxidative stress and apoptotic parameters in the given xenobiotic hepatotoxicity models. Methods: Biochemical markers testing the hepatic function included aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and bilirubin. Measurements of TBARS and conjugated dienes were used to assess lipoperoxidation. Plasma levels of catalase and reduced glutathione were used as indicators of the oxidative status of the cell. Real time PCR was used to analyse the mRNA expressions of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx-1), caspase 3 (Casp3), BH3 interacting domain death agonist (Bid) and Bcl-2...