Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Bendtzen

Publications and source records attributed to K Bendtzen.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Inhibition of human T lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Differential effects on CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ cells.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2 D3), the biologically active form of vitamin D3, has been shown to modulate lymphocyte functions in vitro. These effects are exerted through binding to specific receptors that are expressed in activated, but not in resting lymphocytes. 1,25-(OH)2 D3 inhibits lymphocyte proliferation, immunoglobulin production and the release of cytokines including interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) by mitogen driven blood mononuclear cells (MNC). A distinction between CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ subsets of T cells has, however, proven extremely relevant in terms of immunoactivation and immunopathology. The present study was undertaken to evaluate effects of 1,25-(OH)2 D3 on proliferation and cytokine production by purified CD45RA+ and CD45R0+ T cells. 1,25-(OH)2 D3 caused a dose- and time-dependent reduction in phytohemagglutinin-(PHA) and poke-weed mitogen (PWM)-driven proliferation of purified CD45R0+ T cells. In contrast, proliferation of the CD45RA+ subset was unaffected by this treatment. Comparable levels of lymphotoxin (LT), IFN gamma and IL-2 were obtained in cultures of both subsets. 1,25-(OH)2 D3 reduced these levels, but the suppressive effect of the hormone was delayed in cultures of CD45RA+ T cells. The results suggest that the CD45R0+ subset is relatively more sensitive than CD45RA+ subset to the inhibitory effects of 1,25-(OH)2 D3. This finding may be of pharmacological interest, because the CD45R0+ subset plays a key role in immune activation and because these cells have been associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗

Eosinophil protein X/eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EPX/EDN). Detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and purification from normal human urine.

Eosinophil protein X/eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EPX/EDN) is one of the cationic proteins found in the granules of the human eosinophilic granulocytes. EPX was purified from extracts of granules isolated from blood buffy coat cells of healthy donors. Polyclonal anti-EPX antibodies were subsequently raised in rabbits. The anti-EPX-antibodies raised in rabbits showed no reactivity with other proteins in the granule extract. The sandwich ELISA utilized the biotin/avidin amplification system and measured EPX over the range of 60-2000 pg/ml. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 6.5% and 8.2%, respectively, and the mean recoveries of 25 and 50 pg of purified EPX added to diluted serum samples were 106 +/- 16% (mean +/- SD; n = 12) and 112 +/- 14%, respectively. Using this assay we found high amounts of EPX in normal human urine (U-EPX). U-EPX was purified by a two step procedure involving affinity chromatography on heparin Sepharose and size exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-50 superfine. Extracted EPX and U-EPX had ribonuclease activity and comigrated on agarose electrophoresis. They also showed immunological identity when evaluated with rabbit anti-EPX antibodies, but they differed slightly on SDS-PAGE probably due to differences in glycosylation. Our results support the findings that EPX/EDN is identical to a nonsecretory ribonuclease isolated from urine.

Blood Proteins↗

Detection of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a highly basic and potent cytotoxic single-chain zinc-containing protein present in the granules of the eosinophilic granulocytes. ECP appears to be involved in defence against parasites and in the tissue damage seen in subjects with allergic and inflammatory disease. To investigate ECP release from in vitro activated human eosinophils and to study the involvement of eosinophils in health and disease, we have developed a sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay. ECP was purified from normal human peripheral blood eosinophils and polyclonal antibodies to ECP were subsequently raised in rabbits. The ELISA utilizes the biotin/avidin method and measures ECP within the range 15-1000 ng/l. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation were 6% and 10%, respectively, and the recoveries of 12 and 25 pg of purified ECP added to diluted serum samples were 108 +/- 14.5% (mean +/- SD, n = 12) and 107 +/- 7.5%, respectively. The high sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity of this ELISA makes it suitable for the determination of minute amounts of ECP in in vitro systems as well as in various biological fluids.

Blood Proteins↗

An interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein protects insulin-producing beta cells against suppressive effects of interleukin-1 beta.

The cytokine interleukin-1 beta may have an important role in the autoimmune mediated damage of pancreatic Beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the present study we have investigated the effects of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein, a blocker of the type I interleukin-1 receptor, on the suppressive actions of recombinant interleukin-1 beta on insulin-producing cells. Brief exposure (1-2 h) of rat and mouse pancreatic islets to 10 ng/ml recombinant interleukin-1 beta induced an 70-80% inhibition of insulin response to glucose after 12 h. These effects were completely counteracted by co-incubation with 100 ng/ml interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein. When rat islets were cultured for 48 h in the presence of recombinant interleukin-1 beta (5 ng/ml) higher concentrations of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (5000 ng/ml) were required to protect Beta-cell function. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein also counteracted the inhibitory effects of recombinant interleukin-1 beta on the growth of the rat insulinoma cell line RINm5F. These data suggest that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein can protect insulin-producing cells from the deleterious effects of recombinant interleukin-1 beta, and that these cells possess type I interleukin-1 receptors.

Animals↗

Inhibitor of interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta-induced T-cell activation in serum of patients with active Crohn's disease.

Interleukin-1 is a family of polypeptides with a wide spectrum of immunoinflammatory activities pertinent to Crohn's disease, including T-cell activation. Using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, only sera from two of 19 patients (11%) with active Crohn's disease contained interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta activity. Using the thymocyte proliferation assay, sera from the same patients contained significantly increased inhibitory activity against interleukin-1 alpha (P = 0.025) and interleukin-1 beta-induced cell activation (P = 0.00005) as compared with controls. Changes in both interleukin-1 alpha (P = 0.020) and interleukin-1 beta (P = 0.012) inhibitor concentrations correlated significantly with changes in clinical disease activity. None of the patient sera contained IgG or IgM autoantibodies to IL-1 alpha, nor did they exert significant inhibitory activity against interleukin 1 beta in the fibroblast prostaglandin E2-induction assay. Taken together, these data provide evidence for the presence of one or several regulators of interleukin-1-induced T-cell activation in sera from patients with active Crohn's disease.

Adult↗

Human anti-interleukin 1 alpha antibodies.

Autoantibodies to the cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 alpha are frequently found in sera of apparently healthy humans. We have developed a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) and an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of human serum antibodies to IL-1 alpha at concentrations below 10 pmol/l. The RIA is based on coprecipitation of 125I-labelled human recombinant IL-1 alpha (rIL-1 alpha) by rabbit antibodies to human immunoglobulins. The ELISA is based on recovery of added rIL-1 alpha to serum samples and takes advantage of the fact that free human autoantibodies to IL-1 alpha in a dose dependent manner reduce recovery of added rIL-1 alpha. The assays correlate exceedingly well (r = 0.99, P less than 0.001). Their inter- and intraassay coefficients of variation were less than 30% and less than 5% (RIA) and less than 20% and less than 10% (ELISA). Both assays were used to measure the presence of anti-IL-1 alpha antibodies in sera of patients with various autoimmune diseases. Autoantibodies to IL-1 alpha were detectable in up to 75% of these sera, but the frequencies and titers varied considerably between individuals with different diseases.

Autoantibodies↗

Inhibition of production and function of interleukin-6 by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) has been shown to interfere with immunoglobulin production and lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. These lymphocyte functions are influenced by interleukin (IL)-6 produced by antigen presenting cells. Hence, the ability of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to interfere with the production and function of IL-6 was investigated. 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the analogue MC 903 inhibited IL-6 production by LPS-stimulated human mononuclear cells. The precursor 25-OH D3 was ineffective. Likewise, 1,25-(OH)2D3 but not 25-OH D3 inhibited rIL-6-driven as well as rIL-1 alpha/beta-driven proliferation of murine thymocytes. This effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was partially or totally overcome by larger concentrations of rIL-6 as well as by rIL-2 and ionomycin. Consistently, the production of IL-6 and IL-2 in rIL-1 driven thymocyte cultures were found to be reduced by 1,25-(OH)2D3. Inhibition of production and function of IL-6 may therefore be involved in 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated regulation of lymphocyte functions in vitro.

Animals↗

Down-regulation of monocyte functions by treatment of healthy adults with 1 alpha,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.

A number of in vitro studies suggest an immunoregulatory role of 1 alpha,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3). The hormone inhibits production of interleukin-2 and immunoglobulin, and it blocks lymphocyte proliferation. Diverse effects on monocyte functions have been reported. However, immunological effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 have not been substantiated in vivo. Six healthy male volunteers, aged 28-45 yr, were treated orally with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (tabl. Rocaltrol), 1 microgram twice daily for 7 days. Blood and urine samples were collected before and 7 days after initiation of treatment. Blood mononuclear cells from individuals treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 showed a significantly reduced production of both interleukin-1 alpha (45%) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (58%) (both measured by ELISA). Interleukin-6, production, measured by the B9 cell assay, was reduced in five individuals (78%), and unchanged in one. There was no effect on the release of interleukin-1 beta. There was no measurable effect on interleukin-2, interferon gamma or immunoglobulin production, or on mitogen-induced proliferation of blood mononuclear cells. Serum-osteocalcin and urine excretion of calcium were increased to 131 and 173%, respectively. The serum-calcium and serum-phosphate levels were unchanged.

Administration, Oral↗

Interleukin-1 receptors on human thyroid cells and on the rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5.

Cellular binding of interleukin-1 (IL-1) was tested on monolayers of human thyrocytes in secondary culture, on long-term cultures of human thyrocytes, and on the rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5. The human thyrocytes in secondary culture showed specific binding of human 125I-rIL-1 alpha. Scatchard plots of data obtained at 4 degrees C indicated the presence of a single population of receptors with a Kd of 30 to 170 pM and 2,000 to 6,000 receptors per cell. Incubation at room temperature resulted in internalization of the receptor-ligand complex. Parallel experiments were performed with the IL-1 receptor-positive murine T-cell lines EL-4 and NOB-1. The IL-1 receptors on these cells had Kd values one fifth to one tenth those on human thyroid cells in secondary culture. Both rIL-1 alpha and rIL-1 beta inhibited 125I-rIL-1 alpha binding to human thyrocytes and the murine T cells. In contrast to the cells in secondary culture, there was no specific binding of 125I-rIL-1 alpha to long-term cultivated human thyroid cells or to the FRTL-5 cells. We concluded that recently described differences in the response to IL-1 of different thyroid cell culture systems are most likely caused by differences in expression of IL-1 receptors.

Animals↗

Effect of physical exercise on in vitro production of interleukin 1, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of physical exercise on production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Ten young, healthy volunteers underwent 60-min bicycle exercise at 75% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Blood samples were collected before and during the last minutes of exercise, as well as 2 h and 24 h later. Blood mononuclear cells (BMNC) were stimulated in vitro with either bacterial lipopolysaccharide or phytohaemagglutinin, and the supernatants were tested for the above-mentioned cytokines using bioassays as well as ELISA techniques. The production of IL-6 increased significantly 2 h after exercise, furthermore the production of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta was enhanced, although only borderline significant. TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma did not fluctuate in relation to exercise. The increased amounts of IL-1 and IL-6 in the supernatants generated from a fixed number of BMNC are most likely explained by the increased percentage and absolute number of blood monocytes 2 h after exercise. IL-2 and IFN-gamma are mainly produced by CD4+ and CD16+ cells. During exercise the CD4+ subset decreases, while the CD16+ subset increases. The finding of unchanged production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma was therefore expected.

Adult↗

Bioactive and inactive forms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in spinal fluid from patients with meningitis.

Twenty-four patients, including 12 with meningitis, were admitted with meningeal symptoms and fever. Their serum and spinal fluid tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) levels were determined by ELISA. TNF alpha immunoreactivity was found in spinal fluid of 10 meningitis patients and one nonmeningitis patient, whereas 7 sera, 5 from meningitis patients, contained TNF alpha. Levels were significantly higher in spinal fluids than in serum samples, and the TNF alpha bioactivity of spinal fluids and sera was considerably below predictions based on ELISA measurements. Gel filtration chromatography demonstrated the presence of both polymeric (greater than 200 kDa) and oligomeric (10-40 kDa) TNF alpha in spinal fluid. Significant bioactivity was obtained only from samples containing oligomeric cytokine. In agreement with previous in vitro findings, these results strongly indicate that bioactive TNF alpha oligomers form inactive polymers and monomers, which could contribute to the observed in vivo discrepancies between immunoreactive and bioactive protein. Finally, the data support the concept of local central nervous system production of TNF alpha in meningitis.

Adolescent↗

Anti-interleukin-6 antibodies in normal human serum.

High-avidity IgG antibodies to the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) were found in sera of apparently healthy adult individuals. These antibodies specifically interfered with an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for IL-6 in which specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies to human recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6) were used. Furthermore, using precipitation of 125I-rIL-6 with rabbit antibodies to human immunoglobulins (Ig), the sera of 7 out of 68 Danish blood donors were found to contain specific antibodies in substantial amounts. Judged by ELISA interference, gel filtration of sera incubated with 125I-rIL-6 and second antibody precipitation of 125I-rIL-6, IgG seemed to be the dominant IL-6 binding protein in these normal sera. Using specific antibodies to human Ig light chains, it was found that the anti-IL-6 antibodies were of polyclonal origin. Moreover, there are at least two epitopes on the IL-6 molecule, because more than one IgG bound to some IL-6 molecules at the same time. The anti-IL-6 antibodies did not cross-react with a number of other human recombinant-derived and native cytokines. The antibodies recognized native as well as rIL-6, but preferentially monomeric IL-6.

Autoantibodies↗

Biological assays for interleukin 1 detection. Comparison of human T lymphocyte, murine thymocyte and NOB-1 assays.

Various biological assays are used for qualitative and quantitative measurements of interleukin 1 (IL-1) in supernatants from cell cultures. The purpose of the present study was to compare the specificity and variability of three cellular IL-1 bioassays: the PHA co-stimulatory human T lymphocyte proliferation assay, the PHA co-stimulatory murine thymocyte (THY) proliferation assay, and the 2-step NOB-1 conversion assay. Three different ways of IL-1 unit calculation, based on a semi-logarithmic plot, a double-logarithmic plot, or a probit-analysis plot were also compared. The T lymphocyte assay can be used only to demonstrate qualitative differences in IL-1-like activity, whereas the THY assay is excellent as a semi-quantitative assay, with a low intra-assay variability, but also with a low specificity. The NOB-1 assay is probably more specific with respect to IL-1 measurement, although, with a high intra-assay variance. The THY and the NOB-1 assays both have a high inter-assay variability, and measurement of samples from longitudinal clinical studies must be done in one and the same analysis if quantitative differences are to be illustrated. Probit analysis for unit calculation is recommended. To generate a consensus view as to assay performance, collaborative laboratory studies are needed.

Animals↗