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Biomedical subjects

D De Groote

Publications and source records attributed to D De Groote.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

High levels of sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha in dengue-infected patients.

Soluble forms of the two molecular species of the cell surface TNF receptors (sTNFR p55 and sTNFR p75) can reduce the activity of TNF alpha but they may also enhance its function by stabilizing the active TNF alpha oligomer. Considering the pathophysiological importance of sTNFR p75 for the regulation of the bioavailability of TNF alpha in the body, we determined the serum levels of sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha in 45 children and 28 adults with laboratory-confirmed dengue infection by using immunoassays. The serum samples were obtained from day 1 to day 15 after the onset of the disease during the 1989-1990 outbreak of dengue-3 in Tahiti, French Polynesia. The patients were clinically classified as having dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and graded according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) into four grades from less severe (grade I) to severe (grade IV). The sera of both children and adult patients of all severity grades contained higher levels of sTNFR p75 than the sera of control subjects. Although high levels of TNF alpha were also detected in children and adults among grade I, II, III and IV patients, we found no correlation between sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha. We observed in adults a moderate elevation of sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha in sera compared with that observed in children. The raised levels of immunoreactive sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha in all clinical groups of dengue-infected patients strongly indicate activation of the TNF alpha system during dengue infection. The balance between sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha may be altered in dengue infection. Further investigations are needed to understand the role of sTNFR p75 and TNF alpha in the pathogenesis of DHF and to improve the management of dengue infection.

Adult↗

TNF alpha production by whole blood from HIV-1 infected patients.

Production of cytokines by immunocompetent cells in vitro may be assessed after stimulation with polyclonal activators. Because it mimics the natural environment, diluted whole blood (WB) culture may be the most appropriate milieu in which to study cytokine production in vitro. We tested TNF alpha production by small volume of whole blood (25 microliters) from HIV-1 positive patients by using a one-step procedure that combines WB stimulation with LPS and PHA and cytokine measurement. We studied 30 patients without secondary infection or at distance of secondary infection staged according to the classification proposed by the CDC and 12 healthy seronegative subjects. The mean values of TNF alpha from patients were not statistically different from those from normal controls however in certain patients at different stages of the disease higher values than the mean +2 SD of controls and lower values than the mean -2 SD of controls were obtained. Heparinized blood from 5 control subjects had been collected sequentially during a period of 5 months. The individual variation of TNF alpha production were limited for all these individuals. For each of 6 HIV-1 patients, whole blood samples were collected sequentially during a period of 5 months and in most of patients large variations of levels of TNF alpha were observed from one sample to another one. Our method can detect abnormal cytokine production in HIV-1 positive individuals and can become a useful tool to investigate the role of cytokines in the outcome of HIV-1 infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Ex vivo cytokine production by whole blood cells from cancer patients.

It has been hypothesized that the development of cancer might partially result from a diminution of immunocompetence. Using ex vivo cytokine production by whole blood (WB) cells after polyclonal activation, we compared cytokine production levels of cancer patients to those of healthy controls. Seventeen patients without any prior treatment and attending the hospital for oncological surgery (for cancers of several origins) were enrolled in the study. WB was collected in heparinized tubes, diluted 1/10 in RPMI 1640 and incubated for 2, 4, 24, 48, and 72 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of 5 micrograms/ml PHA and 25 micrograms/ml LPS. Cytokine levels in the supernatant were measured by specific immunoassay kits. IL-10 levels after 24 h of culture, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF levels after 24 and 72 h of culture, and LIF levels after 72 h of culture were significantly lower in cancer patients than in healthy controls. No significant difference was observed for IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-8, and TNF-alpha production at any culture time. Our results suggest that the putative immunosuppression of cancer patients might be reflected by their reduced production of immunostimulated cytokines.

Adult↗

In vivo soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor release in OKT3-treated patients. Differential regulation of TNF-sR55 and TNF-sR75.

Administration of monoclonal antibodies to CD3 triggers acute and massive release of several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), essentially T cell-derived. This cytokine release is responsible for the spontaneously reversible acute clinical syndrome observed in most OKT3-treated patients. We found that the first OKT3 injection in human renal allograft recipients led to the release in significant amounts of soluble TNF receptors (TNF-sR55 and TNF-sR75) that are considered main natural inhibitors of TNF bioactivity. As for OKT3-induced TNF-alpha, peak TNF-sR levels were observed 1 hr postinjection, and this release was limited to the first monoclonal antibody injection. A distinct regulation of OKT3-mediated release of TNF-sR75 and TNF-sR55 was observed, since (1) in clear contrast with OKT3-mediated TNF-sR75 induction, TNF-sR55 release was completely blocked by a high dose of corticosteroids prior to OKT3 injection and (2) secretion of TNF-sR75 but not TNF-sR55 correlated with immunoreactive TNF-alpha release. In hemodialyzed patients prior to transplantation and OKT3 treatment, a condition characterized by chronic TNF-alpha release, TNF-sR efficiently block TNF bioactivity. In contrast, the system is overwhelmed by the massive acute TNF-alpha release that follows the first OKT3 injection: in such a condition TNF-sR looses its capacity to counteract TNF bioactivity.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Clinical and biological significance of interleukin-10 plasma levels in patients with septic shock.

Interleukin-10 is a potent macrophage-deactivating cytokine that inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor production. We determined the plasma levels of immunoreactive interleukin-10 in 16 patients with septic shock and in 11 patients with circulatory shock of nonseptic origin. In septic shock, interleukin-10 levels peaked during the first 24 h (median: 48 pg/ml) and decreased progressively till Day 5. In nonseptic shock, interleukin-10 plasma levels also increased during the first 24 h but to a lesser extent (median: 17 pg/ml). In septic shock patients, interleukin-10 plasma levels were positively correlated with tumor necrosis factor (r = 0.8, p = 0.01) and with parameters of shock severity including lactate levels (r = 0.56, p < 0.05) and correlated negatively with blood platelet counts (r = -0.65, p < 0.05). The decreased production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 after in vitro incubation of whole blood from septic shock patients with lipopolysaccharide was not influenced by in vitro neutralization of interleukin-10. We conclude that interleukin-10 is produced in patients with circulatory shock of septic and nonseptic origin and that the production of this anti-inflammatory cytokine during septic shock correlates positively with the intensity of the inflammatory response.

Adult↗

Modulation of LIF expression in human melanoma cells by oncostatin M.

Oncostatin M (OSM) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) are involved in stimulation of acute-phase protein during inflammatory processes. We recently suggested that these two cytokines may play a role in human immune surveillance during tumor progression. The present study was designed to determine the capacity of OSM in modulating LIF production by human tumor cells and to provide a better definition of the interactions between these two molecules during inflammatory reaction due to neoplasia. LIF content in culture supernatants was assayed by a specific ELISA (sensitivity: 25 pg/ml). In vitro exposure to recombinant OSM increased LIF production 2 to 6-fold in all human melanoma cell lines tested. This effect was not limited to melanoma cell types since LIF production was also enhanced by an MDA breast undifferentiated adenocarcinoma line. Moreover, a synergistic effect was observed for OSM and TNF-alpha. LIF increase was apparently due to up-modulation through LIF synthesis since LIF transcript expression was also enhanced in these tumor cell lines. It is concluded that OSM can induce inflammatory reaction not only directly but also via LIF production by tumor cells.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Interleukin 12 unmasks HLA class I differences during mixed lymphocyte reaction induced interferon gamma production.

We investigated the genetic control of IFN-gamma release during MLR and its relationship with TNF-alpha and IL-12. Blocking experiments demonstrated the IFN-gamma dependence of TNF-alpha production and the significant contribution of IL-12 to IFN-gamma secretion. We studied informative pairs allowing the evaluation of the relative importance of HLA class I and class II antigens. Maximal IFN-gamma secretion allowing discrimination between fully HLA different and identical subjects required 5 days. In class I different but DRB1 identical pairs, a moderate but discriminant IFN-gamma release was found. Exogenous IL-12 addition after 24 hours of preactivation by MLR resulted in a marked enhancement of IFN-gamma production at day 2. In pairs differing only by class I antigens, the discriminating capacity was significantly increased as compared to values obtained in absence of IL-12 at day 2 (p < 0.004) and at day 5 (p < 0.004). The crucial role of class I antigens on IFN-gamma release was further substantiated by the blocking action of the W6/32 mAb directed against a monomorphic epitope common to all HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens. We conclude that IFN-gamma production during MLR is under the control of class I antigens. Furthermore, exogenous IL-12 strongly amplifies their influence.

HLA Antigens↗

Increased plasma levels of human interleukin for DA1.a cells/leukemia inhibitory factor in sepsis correlate with shock and poor prognosis.

Animal study results have suggested a role in sepsis for human interleukin for DA1.a cells/leukemia inhibitory factor (HILDA/LIF). HILDA/LIF and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were prospectively studied by serial ELISAs in 34 septic patients. HILDA/LIF was detected in 11 of 34 patients at plasma levels of 100-37,000 pg/mL. Peak HILDA/LIF levels correlated with increased temperature and creatinine and IL-6 and with decreased arterial CO2 (P < .05). Multivariate analysis showed that shock and decreased arterial CO2 accounted for 75% of peak HILDA/LIF plasma variations (R2 = .753). Fatal outcome was most often associated with detectable HILDA/LIF (> 56 pg/mL) and peak IL-6 plasma levels > 850 pg/mL (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 87%), but both (at respective levels of > 480 and > 850 pg/mL) were associated with fatal outcome. HILDA/LIF was detected in septic patients exhibiting shock, and its levels correlated with higher mortality and shorter survival.

APACHE↗

In vitro inhibition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 production by intravenous immunoglobulins.

In vitro data about the action of pooled immunoglobulins (Ig) on cytokine (CK) production are controversial. The recent finding of natural antibodies against staphylococcal toxins neutralizing superantigen-induced activation prompted us to design an assay determining their ability to modulate staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) induced CK production (IL-6 and TNF-alpha). Presence of anti-SEB antibodies was demonstrated by a dot-blot assay in the three preparations tested. Preincubation of SEB with pooled Ig prior to addition into the test tube containing PBMCs (neutralizing condition) resulted in a strong inhibition of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 release (TNF alpha: 59 +/- 5% inhibition, P < 0.0001; IL-6: 71 +/- 7% inhibition, P < 0.0001, n = 15). Anti-CD3 MoAb-induced CK production was not modified. During our study it was found that experimental conditions were critical to observe this inhibitory effect. Reversing the previous procedure by adding PBMCs into the test tube containing pooled Ig mixed with SEB resulted in a marked induction of TNF-alpha and IL-6 production. The same observation was made when pooled Ig solely was added (coating condition). F(ab')2 fragments of pooled Ig displayed similar inhibitory capacity when added in neutralizing condition, indicating that the mechanism involved was not Fc dependent. The fragments lost the activating properties of intact Ig when incubated in coating condition, showing that Fc receptor activation occurs in this setting. The present work demonstrates that inhibition of SEB-induced CKs release by pooled Ig can be achieved by SEB neutralization, provided that the experimental conditions avoid activation through the Fc receptor. It can be assumed that similar mechanisms take place in some clinical conditions during which pooled Ig are infused.

Cell Division↗

Defective cytokine expression but adult-type T-cell receptor, CD8, and p56lck modulation in CD3- or CD2-activated T cells from neonates.

Expression of IL-2, interferon-gamma, and IL-3 mRNA and proteins was investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cord blood after activation with phytohemagglutinin, CD2, or CD3 MAb. The results showed that interferon-gamma and IL-3 expression was decreased in cord peripheral blood mononuclear cells when compared with expression observed in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells, irrespective of the stimulation used. In addition, in newborn cells a defect in IL-2 secretion and mRNA expression was observed in response to CD2 or CD3 MAb but not in response to phytohemagglutinin-mediated activation. We further analyzed the modulation of nonlymphokine genes under the same protocol of stimulations. The results indicate that in newborn cells, despite a reduced lymphokine expression observed after CD2 or CD3 MAb activation, the up-regulation of the T-cell receptor, CD8, and p56lck was similar to that found in adult cells, as was also found after phytohemagglutinin activation of both types of cells. These data are in favor of a deficient T-cell responsiveness to CD2 or CD3 MAb in newborn cells. This impairment of the T-cell response appears to selectively affect lymphokine gene expression because the modulation of other genes also implicated in T cell activation is not altered.

Adult↗

Role of defective monocyte interleukin-10 release in tumor necrosis factor-alpha overproduction in alcoholics cirrhosis.

Monocytes of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis produce higher amounts of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The mechanisms of the overproduction remain undefined. IL-10 (IL-10) is an antiinflammatory cytokine known to downregulate TNF-alpha secretion by monocytes. The present study analyzes IL-10 production by monocytes and its control on TNF-alpha secretion in alcoholic cirrhosis. LPS-stimulated monocytes from alcoholic cirrhotics (n = 13) showed decreased IL-10 (median, 240 pg/mL [40 to 500] upsilon 513 pg/mL [152 to 1,335]; P = .01) compared with controls (n = 13). Cells from cirrhotic patients were normally responsive to recombinant IL-10, which induced a dose dependent decrease of TNF-alpha secretion. On the other hand, preincubation with anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibodies led to significant increase in TNF-alpha secretion in controls (median, 7,325 to 16,800 pg/mL; P = .002) but not in cells from cirrhotic patients (16,535 to 20,450 pg/mL; P = .14), abolishing the difference in TNF-alpha production between cirrhotic patients and controls. It is concluded that defective IL-10 secretion by monocytes from alcoholic cirrhotic patients could be involved in the characteristics TNF-alpha overproduction observed in this disease.

Adult↗

Adverse effect of abdominal operations on production of interferon-gamma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of abdominal operations on the production of cytokines as one of the mechanisms of postoperative immunosuppression. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Belgium. SUBJECTS: 19 Selected patients who underwent operations for benign (n = 10) or malignant (n = 9) diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Whole blood was collected in heparinised tubes before operation and on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9. After 1/10 dilution in culture medium the whole blood cells were stimulated with 5 micrograms/ml phytohaemagglutinin and 25 micrograms/ml lipopolysaccharide, and incubated at 37 degrees C in 5% carbon dioxide. Concentrations of interleukin 1 (IL-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured at 24 hours, and interferon-gamma and interleukin 2 (IL-2) were measured at 72 hours, with commercially available assays. OUTCOME MEASURES: Production of the monokines IL-1, TNF alpha, and IL-6, and of the lymphokines IL-2 and interferon-gamma, postoperatively. The monokines were expressed as a percentage of the preoperative values/monocyte, and the lymphokines as a percentage of preoperative values/lymphocyte. RESULTS: Production of IL-1 and TNF alpha, but not IL-6, decreased immediately after operation then returned to preoperative values. Production of IL-2 and interferon-gamma were significantly reduced immediately after operation, and that of interferon-gamma was still depressed on the ninth postoperative day. CONCLUSION: Cytokine production is altered after abdominal operations. The production of interferon-gamma may be a more sensitive indicator of altered immune response and vulnerability to infections and tumour growth than concentrations of other cytokines.

Abdomen↗

Characterisation of monoclonal antibodies against human interleukin-10 and their use in an ELISA for the measurement of this cytokine.

Biological and biochemical characteristics of monoclonal antibodies (MABs) raised against human interleukin-10 (IL-10) are described as well as their use in the design of a specific ELISA for the measurement of the cytokine. 21 murine anti-human interleukin-10 (IL-10) MABs were obtained by fusion of splenocytes from mice immunized against human recombinant IL-10 with SP2/0 myelomatous cells. These antibodies define three major antigenic areas on the IL-10 molecule, one of which comprises epitopes involved in receptor binding and induction of biological activity. They recognize recombinant human IL-10 with affinities ranging from 1.3 x 10(-7) to 3 x 10(-11), as well as natural IL-10. Most of them also recognize viral IL-10 (vIL-10) encoded by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A specific human-IL-10 ELISA has been developed using two MABs (18 and 19) as capture antibody and one MAB (17) as detector. The sensitivity (3 pg/ml), precision (intra-assays < 4%), reproducibility (interassay < 3%), and accuracy (recoveries, ranging between 84 and 107%, in several fluids) of the assay, plus its excellent performance in dilution tests, and the lack of interference when in the presence of possible cross-reactive substances, permits accurate cytokine measurement in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage, urine and culture supernatants. Using the assay, IL-10 was measurable in the plasma of patients with septic shock (range 11-2740 pg/ml) whereas IL-10 plasma levels were < 7.8 pg/ml in healthy volunteers.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The effect of UVB irradiation on proliferative activity and cell growth potential of cord blood.

To determine the degree of graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis that might be necessary if cord blood (CB) transplantation is more widely applied, we compared human cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) and adult peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferative responses and stimulatory capabilities; to examine the utility of UVB irradiation for GVHD prophylaxis, we compared proliferative responses, antigen-presenting cell (APC) stimulatory functions, and cytokine production by untreated and UVB-irradiated CBMCs. The two cell types, CBMC and PBMC, proliferated equally both in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and alloantigen in mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Cord blood stimulatory function in MLC was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced to 60% of PBMC stimulatory capability. Ultraviolet-B irradiation at a dose of 100 J/m2 of CBMCs significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited PHA stimulation by 79.4%, reduced responder activity in MLC by 75.8%, and inhibited stimulatory activity in MLC by 55.6% as compared with the activity shown by untreated CBMCs. The same dose of UVB preserved 59.9% of CFU-GM and 65.9% of BFU-E colony growth as compared with untreated CBMCs. Production of lymphokines (IL-2, GM-CSF, LIF, and gamma-IFN) by PHA-stimulated CBMCs was decreased, but monokine (IL-1 beta and IL-6) production was unchanged. We conclude that UVB irradiation at a dose of 100 J/m2 inhibits CB lymphocyte activation and preserves the cellular growth potential of CB hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Antigen-Presenting Cells↗

Interleukin-10 production during septicaemia.

Interleukin-10 is produced during incubation of human whole blood with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and down-regulates tumour necrosis factor-alpha production in this in-vitro model of endotoxaemia. 39 out of 69 (57%) patients with gram-negative (n = 25) or gram-positive septicaemia (n = 44) had increased plasma interleukin-10 (range 12-2740 pg/mL), whereas interleukin-10 was undetectable in 29 out of 33 control patients without infection and in 20 healthy volunteers. Patients with septic shock (n = 21) had higher interleukin-10 (main 58 pg/mL) than septicaemic patients without shock (11 pg/mL, p < 0.001). We conclude that interleukin-10 is produced during sepsis and might be involved in the control of the inflammatory response induced by bacterial products.

Adult↗

An ELISA for the measurement of human leukemia inhibitory factor in biological fluids and culture supernatants.

A new monoclonal antibody-based ELISA for leukaemia inhibitory factor/human interleukin for DA cells (LIF/HILDA) measurements is described. The sensitivity (56 pg/ml after 4 h incubation, 14 pg/ml after 24 h incubation), precision (intra-assays < 5%), reproducibility (interassay < 10%), and accuracy (recoveries, ranging between 98 and 119%, in several fluids) of the assay, plus its excellent performance in dilution tests, and the lack of interference when in the presence of possible cross-reactive substances guarantee accurate cytokine measurement in biological fluids such as serum, plasma, synovial fluid, follicular fluid, urine and culture supernatants. Using the assay, LIF/HILDA was measurable in supernatants after in vitro whole blood stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), OKT3, and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) but not with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Ca ionophore. LIF/HILDA production was not measurable until after 24 h of culture, when cytokine levels were seen to increase linearly in the supernatant to reach values of up to 40 ng/ml after 96 h of culture. Finally, a good correlation was found (r = 0.96; p < 0.0001; y = 23.1x + 233) between the LIF/HILDA values obtained using the ELISA and DA-1a bioassay.

Adult↗

Interleukin-10 controls interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor production during experimental endotoxemia.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production and has been shown to protect mice from endotoxin shock. As IFN-gamma is another important mediator of LPS toxicity, we studied the effects of IL-10 on LPS-induced IFN-gamma synthesis in vitro and in vivo. First, we found that the addition of recombinant human IL-10 (rhIL-10) (10 U/ml) to human whole blood markedly suppressed LPS-induced IFN-gamma release while neutralization of endogenously synthesized IL-10 resulted in increased IFN-gamma levels. The ability of rIL-10 to inhibit LPS-induced IFN-gamma synthesis was also observed in vivo in mice. Indeed, administration of 1000 U recombinant mouse IL-10 (rmIL-10) 30 min before and 3 h after challenge of BALB/c mice with 100 micrograms LPS resulted in a threefold decrease in peak IFN-gamma serum levels. We then examined the production and the role of IL-10 during murine endotoxemia. We found that LPS injection causes the rapid release of IL-10, peak IL-10 serum levels being observed 90 min after LPS challenge. Neutralization of endogenously produced IL-10 by administration of 2 mg JES5-2A5 anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2 h before LPS challenge resulted in a marked increase in both TNF and IFN-gamma serum levels while irrelevant isotype-matched mAb had no effect. The enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines in anti-IL-10 mAb-treated mice was associated with a 60% lethality after injection of 500 micrograms LPS, while all mice pretreated with control mAb survived. We conclude that the rapid release of IL-10 during endotoxemia is a natural antiinflammatory response controlling cytokine production and LPS toxicity.

Animals↗