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Biomedical subjects

A Matsukawa

Publications and source records attributed to A Matsukawa.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Therapeutic use of chemokines.

Chemokines are involved in a number of pathological processes, and therefore represent important targets. However, it has also become apparent that chemokines have exciting therapeutic applications in inflammatory, infectious and cancer-related diseases. The following review will highlight the application of novel therapies including viral-encoded, recombinant, and genetically engineered chemokines to a number of diseases or disorders. Advances in the application of novel chemokine delivery procedures both at the research bench and the clinical bedside will also be discussed. Overall, the utilization of chemokines to prevent and treat disease has tremendous potential.

Animals↗

Chemokines and innate immunity.

Our environment contains a great variety of infectious microbes that may be potentially destructive and threaten our survival. As soon as microbes try to establish a site of infection, the host launches a complex defense system. Innate immunity is a non-specific response and serves as the first-line of defense where phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages, and NK cells play central roles in neutralizing and clearing microorganisms. Thus, migration of cells into infectious foci and subsequent activation of these cells appear to be a critical step, enabling the host to achieve effective and efficient removal of microbes. Over the past decade, chemokines have been identified as chemotactic cytokines that attract and activate specific types of leukocyte populations in vitro. There is now evidence that the magnitude of chemokines' expression in infectious diseases is strongly associated with the severity of the inflammatory responses. Blocking chemokines or their receptors with neutralizing antibodies or gene targeting technology has allowed us to understand the pathological significance of chemokines in animal models of infectious diseases. Growing evidence suggests that chemokines play an important beneficial role in immune system development, homeostasis and in innate immunity, which may pave the way for new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Animals↗

Endogenous monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) protects mice in a model of acute septic peritonitis: cross-talk between MCP-1 and leukotriene B4.

We investigated the involvement of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in a murine model of septic peritonitis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Initial studies demonstrated that CLP induced a dramatic increase in MCP-1 production in the peritoneum, followed by an increase in the recruitment of leukocytes. MCP-1 blockade with anti-MCP-1 antiserum significantly decreased the survival rate following CLP, which was accompanied by an enhanced recovery of viable bacteria from the peritoneum. This was likely due to the reduction in the recruitment and activation of both macrophages and neutrophils. To understand the mechanisms whereby MCP-1 may influence neutrophil infiltration, levels of chemokines known to attract neutrophils were monitored, which showed that peritoneal levels of macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, KC, and MIP-1alpha were not altered with anti-MCP-1 Abs. However, anti-MCP-1 Abs reduced the peritoneal levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) by 59%. The i.p. injection of MCP-1 into normal mice resulted in elevated levels of LTB4 in the peritoneum. In vitro, MCP-1 stimulated the production of LTB4 from peritoneal macrophages, in a dose-dependent manner. A specific LTB4 receptor antagonist (CP-105, 696) inhibited CLP-induced recruitment of both neutrophils and macrophages, which was accompanied by a reduced level of MCP-1 in the peritoneum. Finally, administration of CP-105,696 was extremely detrimental to the survival of mice following CLP. These experiments demonstrate that endogenous MCP-1 serves as an indirect mediator to attract neutrophils via the production of LTB4, and suggest the cross-talk can occur between MCP-1 and the lipid mediator LTB4 during septic peritonitis.

Animals↗

Functional roles of MCP-1 in Propionibacterium acnes-induced, T cell-mediated pulmonary granulomatosis in rabbits.

The immunological manifestation of granuloma formations in humans largely depends on the delayed-type hypersensitivity response. We investigated the involvement of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in a rabbit model of T cell-mediated pulmonary granulomatosis. Intravenous injection of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) into sensitized rabbits induced massive and diffuse pulmonary granulomas. Levels of MCP-1 in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) peaked before the granuloma formation reached the peak (on days 1 and 3 after challenge, respectively). Chemotactic activities toward monocytes and T cells in BALF were inhibited by anti-MCP-1 IgG by 80 and 36%, respectively. The phenotypic analysis of the migrating T cells revealed that activated and memory T cells rather than naive cells were preferentially attracted to the BALF. Administration of anti-MCP-1 antiserum inhibited the development of granuloma formation in both size and number, the numbers of infiltrating leukocytes in BALF, the expression of adhesion molecules on peripheral monocytes/T cells, and on macrophages/T cells in BALF, and the production of TNF-alpha in the lung. Anti-MCP-1 resulted in a trend toward decreased level of IL-1beta in the lung. The inhibition of the production of these cytokines appeared to be induced indirectly through the inhibition of the recruitment of macrophages that produce these cytokines. The results suggest important roles of MCP-1 in the development of granuloma formation in this model through the attraction and activation of specific types of cells.

Animals↗

Role and regulation of IL-8 and MCP-1 in LPS-induced uveitis in rabbits.

Intravitreal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces leukocyte infiltration and protein leakage into the aqueous humor. In the present study, we investigated the role of IL-8 and MCP-1 and regulation of these chemokines by TNFalpha and IL-1 in LPS-induced uveitis in rabbits. After intravitreal injection of LPS, generation of IL-8 in the aqueous humor showed a biphasic pattern with the first peak at 12 hr and the second one at 24 hr, while MCP-1 was produced in a monophasic pattern and peaked at 24 hr. Immunohistochemistry showed that ciliary epithelial cells and infiltrating leukocytes were the producing cells of IL-8 and MCP-1. Administration of anti-IL-8 IgG suppressed by 66% the peak levels of LPS-induced aqueous neutrophil counts at 24 hr but did not suppress aqueous mononuclear cell counts or protein levels. anti-MCP-1 IgG inhibited aqueous mononuclear cell counts by 41% and protein levels by 28%, but did not inhibit aqueous neutrophil counts. The levels of LPS-induced aqueous IL-8 and MCP-1 at 12 hr were inhibited by anti-TNFalpha mAb but not by an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), while concentrations of the two chemokines at 24 hr were inhibited by both anti-TNFalpha mAb and IL-1Ra. A combination of anti-TNFalpha mAb and rrIL-1Ra had an additive effect on the 24 hr-chemokine levels and inhibited up to 90% chemokine production. Taken together, our results show that IL-8 mediates neutrophil infiltration, while MCP-1 mediates mononuclear cell infiltration and protein leakage in LPS-induced uveitis in rabbits. Levels of aqueous IL-8 and MCP-1 at 12 hr are regulated by TNFalpha, while levels at 24 hr are regulated by TNFalpha and IL-1.

Animals↗

Dermatomyositis with elevated serum hyaluronate.

We report two Japanese patients with dermatomyositis whose serum hyaluronate levels were correlated with their disease activities. The diagnosis of one patient was primary idiopathic dermatomyositis, and that of the second patient was dermatomyositis associated with neoplasia. The serum hyaluronate level of the former patient was decreased by systemic corticosteroid therapy, and that of the latter patient decreased following the surgical resection of mammary carcinoma and subsequent chemotherapy. The disease activity of each patient was greatly improved after these therapies. The longitudinal measurement of serum hyaluronate concentration may be useful to estimate the disease activity of patients with dermatomyositis whose initial serum levels of hyaluronate are elevated.

Adult↗

Increased interleukin-1 (IL-1) and imbalance between IL-1 and IL-1 receptor antagonist during acute inflammation in experimental Shigellosis.

Infection by the enteric bacterial pathogen Shigella results in intense mucosal inflammation and destruction of the colonic and rectal epithelium in infected humans. Initial bacterial translocation occurs through the follicle-associated epithelium. Previous experiments suggest that interleukin-1 (IL-1) is crucial to trigger inflammation, particularly in the follicular zones. During the first 4 hours of infection in a rabbit ligated-loop model of intestinal invasion, there are two salient characteristics: (i) a high concentration of IL-1alpha and IL-1beta, both in infected Peyer's patch tissue and in the corresponding efferent mesenteric blood, and (ii) a very low level of expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). These may reflect a combination of regulation of expression and secretion of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1ra by both resident and recruited phagocytes and the induction of mononuclear phagocyte apoptosis by Shigella. This low IL-1ra/IL-1 ratio likely accounts for the rapid, uncontrolled inflammation characteristic of shigellosis.

Acute Disease↗

Crucial role of group IIA phospholipase A(2) in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in rabbits.

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) has been implicated in a variety of inflammatory diseases including acute lung injury (ALI); however, the role of sPLA(2) in this disorder remains unclear. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the role of this enzyme in a model of ALI induced by oleic acid (OA) in rabbits by testing human group IIA phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitor, S-5920/LY315920Na. Experimental groups consisted of a saline control group (n = 8), an OA control group (n = 10) infused intravenously with OA (0.1 ml/kg/h for 2 h), and three groups given OA + S-5920/LY315920Na (three different doses, n = 8, respectively). Infusion of OA provoked pulmonary hemorrhage and edema formation, protein leakage, and massive neutrophil infiltration, resulting in severe hypoxemia and impaired lung compliance. PLA(2) activity was detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), but not plasma, which correlated well with severity of lung injury in this model. Pretreatment with S-5920/LY315920Na diminished the OA-induced PLA(2) activity in the BALF and dose-dependently attenuated the previously described lung injury induced by OA, accompanied by protection against lung surfactant degradation and production of thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)). S-5920/LY315920Na also inhibited the OA-induced production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), both in plasma and BALF. Thus, sPLA(2) appears to play a key role in OA-induced lung injury, suggesting that the group IIA PLA(2) inhibitor may be a promising agent for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Acetates↗

Neutrophils as a source of cytokines in inflammation.

The recruitment of neutrophils into inflammatory foci is a fundamental process observed in inflammation. The function of neutrophils has long been regarded only as an effector cell that kills the invading pathogens. Recent evidence has demonstrated that neutrophils are capable of producing inflammatory cytokines. The findings are, however, mainly based on the findings obtained in vitro. It has not been fully elucidated if neutrophils could synthesize and secrete cytokines in vivo. Animal models of inflammation are essential to address the issue and provide insight into the involvement of neutrophils in producing cytokines.

Animals↗

Involvement of growth-related protein in lipopolysaccharide-induced rabbit arthritis: cooperation between growth-related protein and IL-8, and interrelated regulation among TNFalpha, IL-1, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-8, and growth-related protein.

We investigated the functional role of a CXC chemokine, growth-related protein (GRO), in the recruitment of neutrophils in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rabbit arthritis. The amounts of GRO in the synovial fluids (SF) reached the first peak (major) at 2 hours and the second peak (minor) at 9 hours after injection of LPS into the knee joints. Administration of anti-GRO mouse monoclonal antibody inhibited 54% of the peak leukocyte accumulation at 9 hours (neutrophils greater than 95%), which was similar to the inhibition by anti-IL-8 IgG (48%). Co-administration of these inhibitors increased the inhibition up to 70% at 9 hours and also inhibited 65% of the initial phase of leukocyte infiltration at 2 hours (neutrophils greater than 99%), which was not affected by a single administration of each inhibitor. The amounts of GRO in SF at 2 hours were not altered by either anti-TNFalpha mAb or anti-IL-8 IgG, but reduced by rabbit recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (rrlL-1Ra) by 39%. The inhibition by rrlL-1 Ra was augmented further to 59% with coadministered anti-TNFalpha mAb. In contrast, the amounts of GRO at 9 hours were reduced by rrlL-1Ra by 67%. There was no additional reduction in the amounts of GRO at 9 hours by either combination of rrlL-1Ra with anti-TNFalpha mAb or anti-IL-8 IgG. Administration of anti-GRO mAb did not alter TNFalpha or IL-8 contents in SF at their peak (2 hours), but reduced the amounts of IL-1beta at 6 hours and IL-1Ra at 9 hours by 42% and 49%, respectively. These results provide evidence for the following: (a) GRO as well as IL-8 are important mediators involved in the recruitment of neutrophils both in the early and the late phase of LPS-induced arthritis, (b) IL-1 produced in the early phase stimulates GRO production, (c) GRO plays a role in the later induction of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra, and (d) induction of GRO is not regulated by IL-8.

Animals↗

IL-8 is an essential mediator of the increased delayed-phase vascular permeability in LPS-induced rabbit pleurisy.

We investigated the involvement of IL-8 in the delayed vascular permeability (VP) in rabbit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-pleurisy. Maximal level of interleukin-8 (IL-8) was detected in pleural fluid at 2 h after LPS injection and anti-IL-8 inhibited the delayed VP by 90%. Injection of homologous IL-8 induced VP, the time-course of which preceded that of LPS-induced delayed VP. Production of IL-8 in LPS-pleurisy was inhibited with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), whereas the production of TNF-alpha was not affected with anti-IL-8. Injection of IL-8 did not induce TNF-alpha production and anti-TNF-alpha had no effect on IL-8-induced VP. Injection of homologous TNF-alpha induced IL-8 production and VP, and TNF-alpha-induced delayed VP was blocked with anti-IL-8. These results indicate important roles of IL-8 in LPS-induced delayed VP and that TNF-alpha causes the delayed VP through the production of IL-8.

Animals↗

Involvement of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist in LPS-induced rabbit uveitis.

The objective of the study was to investigate involvement of TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis. Intravitreal injection of LPS (100 ng) to rabbits induced a massive leukocyte infiltration and protein leakage into the aqueous humor. Aqueous leukocyte counts and protein levels reached a peak 24 hr after this injection. The peak concentrations of aqueous TNF alpha (230 +/- 37 pg ml-1, at 9 hr) and IL-1 beta (185 +/- 80 pg ml-1, at 18 hr) preceded peak levels of aqueous leukocyte counts and protein levels. In contrast, the levels of aqueous IL-1Ra peaked at 48 hr (12,239 +/- 1964 pg ml-1) and a fairly high concentration of IL-1Ra remained when the inflammatory reactions subsided. Immunohistochemistry and leukocyte-depletion studies showed that infiltrating leukocytes were the major cellular sources of aqueous TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra. Intravitreal injection of homologous TNF alpha (0.1-1.5 micrograms) or IL-1 beta (0.5-5 ng) reproduced a rapid leukocyte infiltration and protein leakage. Administration of anti-TNF alpha mAb (10 micrograms) suppressed the number of LPS-induced infiltrating neutrophils by 50%, mononuclear cells by 58%, and protein leakage by 42%. Administration of rabbit IL-1Ra (10 micrograms) also suppressed neutrophil influx by 78%, however, neither mononuclear cell influx nor protein leakage was inhibited by rabbit IL-1Ra. Co-administration of the two inhibitors enhanced inhibition of neutrophil infiltration to 88%, and protein leakage to 64%. We conclude that TNF alpha and IL-1 beta are the principal mediators of LPS-induced uveitis. Our observations also suggest that endogenous IL-1Ra may down-regulate inflammatory reactions.

Animals↗

Sequential generation of cytokines during the initiative phase of inflammation, with reference to neutrophils.

Studies have suggested the role of cytokines in inflammation, as determined by results obtained in vitro, or with assessments of clinical samples. However, extrapolation of in vitro results to an in vivo situation must be made with caution, and findings obtained from clinical samples tend to lack a causal relation between cytokines and inflammatory responses. Animal models of inflammation can be useful in understanding roles of cytokines at sites of inflammation. We examined the production kinetics and cellular sources of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and obtained evidence for the involvement of these cytokines in a rabbit model of arthritis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We also attempted to analyze the inflammatory cytokine network among TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-1Ra. Understanding the role of cytokines in animal models paves the way to a better understanding of disease in humans.

Animals↗

Analysis of the cytokine interaction among interleukin-1beta, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in the rabbit ovulatory process.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the regulation and involvement of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist in the hCG-induced rabbit ovulatory process. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled animal study. SETTING: University research laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Mature female New Zealand white rabbits. INTERVENTION(S): After i.v. administration of 100 IU of hCG to rabbits, ovarian levels of IL-1beta. IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist were determined at indicated times by ELISA. Anti IL-1beta, anti-lL-8, or anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist antiserum was given i.v. 30 minutes before hCG injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Effects of each antiserum on the levels of the other cytokines and neutrophil accumulation, assessed by myeloperoxidase activity, were determined. Ovulation rate (rate of ruptured follicles) was also evaluated. RESULT(S): The maximal level of IL-8 was detected at 4 hours. which preceded that of IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist, detected at 6 hours after hCG injection. Administration of anti-IL-1beta antiserum resulted in a statistically significant reduction of the peak levels of IL-8 and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Administration of anti-IL-8 antiserum reduced the accumulation of IL-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist. Anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist antiserum significantly augmented the accumulation of IL-1beta and IL-8. Myeloperoxidase activity was reduced by anti-IL-8 antiserum. Anti-IL-1beta and anti-lL-8 antiserum reduced the hCG-induced ovulation rate, but a synergistic effect was not evident when these antisera were injected simultaneously. Anti-IL-1 receptor antagonist antiserum had no apparent effect on ovulatory efficiency. CONCLUSION(S): IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist may affect the accumulation of related cytokines in ovaries and may be involved in ovulation.

Animals↗

Interleukin-8 as an essential factor in the human chorionic gonadotropin-induced rabbit ovulatory process: interleukin-8 induces neutrophil accumulation and activation in ovulation.

The objective of our study was to elucidate the involvement of interleukin (IL)-8 in the hCG-induced rabbit ovulatory process. After administering hCG (100 IU i.v.), we examined myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which represents neutrophil accumulation; neutrophil elastase (NE) activity, which is an indicator of neutrophil activity; and levels of IL-8 in the ovaries. The maximal level of IL-8 was observed before MPO and NE activities reached a peak: production of IL-8, MPO, and NE activities peaked, respectively, at 4 h (5.58 +/- 0.88 pg/mg ovary, n = 13), 6 h (1.07 +/- 0.13 deltaA/min per gram ovary, n = 8), and 9 h (18.89 +/- 1.05 U/g ovary, n = 8). Anti-rabbit IL-8 antiserum given i.v. significantly reduced the maximal levels of hCG-induced MPO activity (antiserum vs. control; 0.34 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.12 +/- 0.11 deltaA/min per gram ovary, n = 14, p < 0.001) and NE activity (8.14 +/- 0.85 vs. 18.30 +/- 0.79 U/g ovary, n = 14, p < 0.001). The hCG-induced ovulation rate was significantly inhibited by the antiserum (50.5% vs. 83.9%, n = 14, p < 0.001). Intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg of ONO-5046, a specific NE inhibitor, also attenuated the ovulation rate (ONO-5046 vs. vehicle; 56.0% vs. 74.0%, n = 14, p < 0.05). These findings clearly indicate that IL-8 has an important role in the hCG-induced ovulatory process through the accumulation and activation of neutrophils.

Animals↗

Analysis of the cytokine network among tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in monosodium urate crystal-induced rabbit arthritis.

In the present study, we analyzed the cytokine network among TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a rabbit experimental model of acute gout. The production of TNFalpha in synovial fluids reached the peak at 2 hours after the intra-articular injection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals. The production of IL-1beta and IL-8 reached the first peak at 2 hours and the second peak at 9 and 12 hours, respectively. The production of endogenous IL-1Ra reached the peak at 9 hours. The source of TNFalpha and the first phase of IL-8 was synovial cells, whereas infiltrating leukocytes were the source of the second phase of IL-8 and also of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra. The production of TNFalpha was not altered by either anti-lL-8 IgG or IL-1Ra. The first IL-1beta peak was reduced only with a combination of anti-TNFalpha mAb and anti-lL-8 IgG, whereas the second peak was significantly reduced by either inhibitor. The first IL-8 peak was not altered with anti-TNFalpha mAb or IL-1 Ra, whereas the second IL-8 peak was reduced with IL-1Ra. Anti-TNFalpha mAb or anti-lL-8 IgG significantly reduced the peak level of endogenous IL-1Ra. These cytokine inhibitors also attenuated the maximal leukocyte accumulation at 9 hours, but not the initial phase, which occurred within 2 hours. These results provide evidence that IL-8 and TNFalpha were responsible for the production of IL-1beta and IL-1Ra, and that IL-1beta was responsible for the second phase of IL-1beta and IL-8 production. Our data also suggest that the initial and the maximal phases of leukocyte influx are differently regulated. Finally, the intravenous injection of colchicine inhibited neutrophil infiltration without affecting the production of TNFalpha or the first peak of IL-8, suggesting that colchicine inhibits MSU crystal-induced arthritis by directly inhibiting the migration of neutrophils.

Animals↗