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Biomedical subjects

M Ceska

Publications and source records attributed to M Ceska.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interleukin-8 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with meningococcal disease.

To evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-8 in meningococcal disease, a solid-phase double-ligand ELISA was used to quantitate IL-8 in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with meningococcal meningitis, bacteremia, or both with or without septic shock. IL-8 was demonstrated in sera from 28 of 62 patients; levels were significantly higher in patients with septic shock without meningitis (median, 36.1 ng/mL) than in patients with other manifestations (median, < 0.02 ng/mL), and 4 of 5 patients who died had high levels. IL-8 was detected in all 27 CSF samples. Serum IL-8 levels correlated highly significantly with those of IL-6 (r = .83) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF; r = .64), while the correlations between corresponding CSF levels were less pronounced (r = .43 and r = .38, respectively) but still significant. Serum IL-8 levels were highest in patients with a symptom history < 12 h. The elimination rate of IL-8 from serum varied and was similar to that of IL-6 and TNF. IL-8 appears to participate in the complex cytokine network during the initial phase of systemic meningococcal infections.

Adolescent↗

Interleukin-8 release in baboon septicemia is partially dependent on tumor necrosis factor.

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in interleukin (IL)-8 release in septicemia in the baboon (2-h infusion of live Escherichia coli, 5 x 10(8) cfu/kg) was investigated. Four experiments were done: one control (n = 7) and three with pretreatment to reduce TNF plasma levels. Pretreatment was with anti-TNF antibody (anti-TNF) 15 mg/kg, which neutralized circulating TNF (n = 4); 0.5 mg/kg of anti-TNF, which reduced peak TNF from 6.2 ng/mL (controls) to 0.6 ng/mL (n = 4); and a xanthine derivate (HWA138), which reduced TNF to 1 ng/mL (n = 5). With TNF levels < 1 ng/mL, a significant reduction of circulating IL-8 from 10.4 ng/mL (peak) in controls to 1 ng/mL (peak) in anti-TNF-treated animals was found, but with HWA138 only some decrease in IL-8 was seen. Despite high endotoxin levels (10-30 ng/mL peak), neutralization of TNF resulted in diminished release of IL-8 and significantly lower levels of granulocyte elastase.

Animals↗

Selective cytokine production by epithelial cells following exposure to Escherichia coli.

This study compared the repertoire of cytokines produced by epithelial cell lines and human peripheral blood monocytes in response to Escherichia coli. The A-498 and J82 urinary tract epithelial cell lines and human peripheral blood monocytes were exposed to E. coli Hu734. The cytokine content of single cells was detected by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies to interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), TNF-beta, IL-6, IL-8, and granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, and the number of positive cells was used to quantitate the response. The J82 bladder cell line stained positive for IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1 alpha. The IL-8 and IL-6 response peaked at 2 h, while the number of IL-1 alpha-positive cells reached a peak 6 h after E. coli stimulation. The A-498 kidney cell line stained for IL-8 with a peak at 2 h and IL-6 with a peak at 6 h after E. coli stimulation. Peripheral blood monocytes stained for the cytokines IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-alpha but not for TNF-beta and granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor after stimulation with E. coli. The results demonstrated that bacteria activated a cytokine response in the epithelial cell lines and monocytes. The epithelial cell lines had a more limited cytokine response profile than circulating monocytes, which may serve to limit the consequences of microbial exposure at the mucosal surface and help maintain the integrity of other tissue compartments.

Adult↗

Interleukin-8 and the neutrophil response to mucosal gram-negative infection.

Urinary tract infections activate a mucosal inflammatory response, which includes cytokine secretion and neutrophil influx. The mechanisms involved in the neutrophil influx have not been identified. Interleukin-8, a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, is produced by urinary tract epithelial cell lines in vitro. This study analyzed the human IL-8 response to deliberate Escherichia coli infection of the urinary tract. Urine and serum samples were obtained before and after intravesical instillation of E. coli. Neutrophil numbers were determined on uncentrifuged urine, and IL-8 levels were measured by ELISA. A urinary IL-8 response was found in all patients after bacterial instillation, but no serum IL-8 was detected. There was a strong correlation between urinary IL-8 levels and urinary neutrophil numbers. The same E. coli strains used to colonize the patients stimulated IL-8 production in urinary tract epithelial cells. The level of IL-8 secreted by epithelial cell lines was influenced by the fimbrial properties of the E. coli. These results demonstrated that E. coli elicit a mucosal IL-8 response in humans, and suggested that IL-8 is involved in the onset of pyuria. Epithelial cells may be an important source of IL-8 during urinary tract infection.

Cell Line↗

Circulating and tissue levels of the neutrophil chemotaxin interleukin-8 are elevated in severe acute alcoholic hepatitis, and tissue levels correlate with neutrophil infiltration.

Acute alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by a unique degree of liver neutrophil infiltration, often accompanied by marked peripheral neutrophilia in the absence of demonstrable bacterial or fungal infection. In this study we assayed plasma and tissue levels of a potent neutrophil activator and chemotaxin, interleukin-8, in patients with a spectrum of alcoholic liver diseases and in normal and diseased control subjects. Levels of circulating interleukin-8 were undetectable in normal subjects but highly elevated in patients with alcoholic hepatitis, particularly in those who died (geometric mean = 600 ng/L; confidence interval = 323 to 1,120 vs. geometric mean = 184 ng/L; confidence interval = 114 to 309 in survivors). Levels correlated with biochemical indicators of severe disease (bilirubin: R = 0.38; international prothrombin ratio: R = 0.28; white blood cell count: R = 0.35; creatinine: R = 0.34) and with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (R = 0.43) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors (p55; R = 0.59). In contrast, moderate elevations in the levels of circulating interleukin-8 were seen in alcoholic cirrhosis (geometric mean = 93 ng/L; confidence interval = 40 to 213) and in alcoholic patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal (geometric mean = 137 ng/L; confidence interval = 72 to 259). Levels in nonalcoholic inflammatory liver disease were comparatively low (geometric mean = 17 ng/L; confidence interval = 10 to 29).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Demonstration of interleukin 8 and autoantibodies to interleukin 8 in the serum of patients with systemic sclerosis and related disorders.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Interleukin 8 (IL-8), a chemotactic cytokine produced by various cell types, displays structural homology to the connective tissue-activating peptide III. Little is known of the possible role of IL-8 in connective tissue disorders. We therefore determined serum concentrations of IL-8 and autoantibodies to IL-8 in 134 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and related connective tissue disorders, as well as in pooled serum from 28 healthy control subjects by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Interleukin 8 was undetectable in the pooled serum from 28 healthy controls, but detectable in serum samples from 24 of the 134 patients described above. It was detected in 13 of 60 patients with limited SSc and in eight of 48 patients with diffuse SSc. It was also detectable in one of three patients with eosinophilic fasciitis and in two of 10 patients with Raynaud's syndrome without skin involvement. In contrast, none of the three patients with morphea or the 10 patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome had detectable IL-8 levels. We further determined the concentration of autoantibodies to IL-8 in the same serum samples. The values in healthy controls were 6.7 +/- 0.2 ng/mL (mean +/- SEM). Significantly elevated autoantibody levels were detected in patients with limited SSc (21.5 +/- 1.7), diffuse SSc (23.4 +/- 2.2), and Raynaud's syndrome (20.5 +/- 3.7). Elevated levels were also detected in patients with eosinophilic fasciitis (43.7 +/- 8.6) and morphea (14.7 +/- 3.2). Normal levels (7.5 +/- 2.0) were found in patients with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Analysis of variance between the levels of autoantibodies to IL-8 and duration of the disease, extent of skin involvement, drug therapy, or serologic findings failed to show a significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased production of IL-8 may relate to activation of mononuclear phagocytes, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells, among other cell types, in patients with SSc, but not in those with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. This activation could be related to the production of autoantibodies to IL-8.

Adult↗

Interferon-gamma inhibits interleukin-8 production by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

Stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) with phagocytosable particles [yeast-IgG (Y-IgG)], lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (FMLP) results in an increase of the interleukin-8 (IL-8) mRNA accumulation and a subsequent release of the protein. Here, we report that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) down-regulates the constitutive IL-8 mRNA levels expressed by resting PMN. As shown by Northern analysis, this down-modulation occurred rapidly, was not dependent on new protein synthesis, and was not caused by an increased rate of degradation of IL-8 mRNA. Preincubation of PMN with IFN-gamma significantly inhibited their ability to release IL-8 upon stimulation with TNF, LPS, FMLP and Y-IgG, but enhanced the respiratory burst capability in response to FMLP and TNF. TNF-, LPS- and FMLP-induced expression of IL-8 mRNA was also selectively inhibited by IFN-gamma. Taken together these findings suggest that IFN-gamma has important regulatory effects on acute inflammatory response because of its capacity to modulate negatively IL-8 gene expression and secretion by human PMN. Further observations revealed that, in human PMN, degradation of IL-8 mRNA is finely regulated, and that cycloheximide (CHX), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, super-induces the mRNA accumulation for IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Blood Proteins↗

Leukoregulin, a T cell-derived cytokine, induces IL-8 gene expression and secretion in human skin fibroblasts. Demonstration and secretion in human skin fibroblasts. Demonstration of enhanced NF-kappa B binding and NF-kappa B-driven promoter activity.

It was shown previously that leukoregulin (LR), a T cell-derived cytokine with unique antitumor properties, modulates fibroblast functions in vitro, including prostaglandin production, matrix synthesis, and protease gene expression. Here, we have focused on the ability of LR to modulate IL-8 gene expression in human dermal fibroblasts. Using a specific ELISA, we demonstrated a dose-dependent enhancement of IL-8 production by LR, accompanied by a parallel elevation of the corresponding mRNA levels, as measured by Northern hybridizations. Maximum accumulation of IL-8 mRNA was observed after 6 h of incubation with LR, and the elevation persisted over 24 h. Inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide resulted in superinduction of IL-8 mRNAs by LR. Dexamethasone, all-trans-retinoic acid, and TGF-beta 1 failed to counteract the effect of LR on IL-8 gene expression. Transient cell transfections with an IL-8 promoter/CAT reporter gene construct showed a dose-dependent enhancement of the promoter activity by LR, suggesting transcriptional regulation. Gel shift assays with oligonucleotides containing the consensus NF-kappa B binding sequences of the IL-8 and Ig kappa light chain genes showed enhanced binding activity in nuclear extracts from cells incubated with LR. Transient transfection experiments using a NF-kappa B/SV2 promoter-CAT reporter gene construct showed enhanced CAT activity by LR. Taken together, these data suggest that LR may up-regulate IL-8 gene expression by activation of the binding of NF-kappa B to the corresponding cis-acting element in the IL-8 promoter. Our results demonstrate that LR, together with IL-1 and TNF-alpha, could participate in the recruitment of neutrophils to the sites of inflammation by induction of IL-8 production in fibroblasts.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Retinoic acid and phorbol ester synergistically up-regulate IL-8 expression and specifically modulate protein kinase C-epsilon in human skin fibroblasts.

Phorbol ester (TPA) and retinoic acid (RA) are two potent immunomodulatory agents whose actions are mediated through distinct signal transduction pathways involving protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear RA receptors, respectively. We have investigated the interactions between these two pathways in the regulation of expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in human skin fibroblasts. TPA (as previously reported) and RA both induced IL-8 mRNA and protein in a time- and dose-dependent manner. IL-8 mRNA induction by TPA (10 nM) was maximal (15-fold) within 6 h, and returned to baseline within 24 h of treatment, although maximal induction (10-fold) by RA (1 microM) did not occur until 24 h posttreatment. Induction of IL-8 by TPA was blocked by 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, which inhibits PKC and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA), but not by N-(2-ganidinoethyl)-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide, which preferentially inhibits PKA, consistent with the participation of PKC in the induction of IL-8 by TPA. In contrast, induction of IL-8 by RA was inhibited by both 1-(5-isoquinoline sulfonamide and N-(2-gamidinoethyl)-5-isoquinoline sulfonamide, suggesting the participation of PKA in the induction of IL-8 by RA. However, activation of PKA by addition of cAMP analogues was not sufficient to induce IL-8 expression. Induction of IL-8 by RA also did not appear to be mediated indirectly through induction of IL-1, because addition of IL-1R antagonist did not block IL-8 induction by RA. RA and TPA added in combination synergistically enhanced expression of IL-8 mRNA, measured at 6 (2-fold) and 24 h (10-fold) posttreatment. To investigate the mechanism of this synergy, the effect of TPA and RA on fibroblast PKC activation and PKC isozyme levels were determined. TPA, either alone or together with RA, but not RA alone, stimulated phosphorylation of an endogenous 80-kDa PKC substrate. Dermal fibroblasts expressed three PKC isozymes (alpha, (delta, and (epsilon). TPA, but not RA, down-regulated PKC-alpha, neither TPA or RA affected the level of PKC-delta, and both TPA and RA down-regulated PKC-epsilon. This latter effect was enhanced 2-fold by addition of RA and TPA together. These data suggest that modulation of PKC-epsilon may be a common participant in the regulation of IL-8 expression by TPA and RA.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Interleukin-8 is produced in neoplastic and infectious diseases of the human central nervous system.

The presence of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a leukocyte chemotactic factor, was examined in primary and metastatic central nervous system tumors and in nonneoplastic acute meningoencephalitides. In vitro: (a) 11 of 12 glioblastoma cell lines constitutively expressed IL-8 mRNA; (b) 5 of 6 of these cell lines secreted IL-8 protein as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a glucosaminidase release bioassay; and (c) IL-1 beta or tumor necrosis factor was able to augment both IL-8 mRNA steady state levels and protein secretion of all cell lines tested except IN-319. IL-8 was also found in vivo. (a) IL-8 poly A+ mRNA was detected in 2 of 2 low grade astrocytomas, 1 of 2 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 6 of 6 glioblastomas. (b) IL-8 protein was present in the cyst fluid of 1 of 4 low grade astrocytomas, 1 anaplastic astrocytoma, 2 of 2 glioblastomas, 1 oligodendroglioma grade III, and one central nervous system cervical carcinoma metastasis. (c) The cerebrospinal fluid of 3 of 4 metastatic lymphomas, 2 of 16 glioblastomas, 1 of 2 low grade astrocytomas, but none of 3 anaplastic astrocytomas and none of 9 meningiomas contained IL-8. The presence of IL-8 was not restricted to central nervous system tumors as 2 of 2 bacterial meningitis and 5 of 5 acute viral meningitis patients contained considerable IL-8 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. (d) Immunohistochemical analysis showed IL-8 immunoreactivity in perivascular tumor cells in 11 of 15 glioblastoma sections. These data suggest that IL-8 secretion could be a key factor involved in the determination of the lymphoid infiltrates observed in brain tumors and the development of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis in meningoencephalitides.

Astrocytoma↗

IL-8 production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The chemoattractant formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine induces the gene expression and release of IL-8 through a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway.

IL-8 is a novel chemotactic cytokine, produced by a variety of blood and tissue cells, that has marked activating effects on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). We report that IL-8 is produced and released by human PMN after stimulation with the chemotactic agonist FMLP. Release of IL-8 in response to FMLP was transient and not influenced by PMN adherence or by the absence of serum in the medium. Maximum yields were usually obtained with 10 nM FMLP within 2 h of stimulation (0.5-3.5 ng/ml/7 x 10(6) cells, range of 17 different donors). IL-8 release was dependent on FMLP-induced de novo protein synthesis because it was inhibited by cycloheximide, was paralleled by enhanced expression of IL-8 mRNA and was potentiated from two- to sixfold after preincubation of PMN with cytochalasin B. The FMLP effect was direct and not dependent on LPS or on contaminating monocytes, which showed only low responsiveness to FMLP. Pretreatment of PMN with pertussis toxin prevented FMLP-dependent IL-8 production, the effect being evident both at the level of mRNA expression and protein secretion. In addition, two other chemoattractans, platelet-activating factor and C5a, were found capable to induce release of IL-8 by PMN. The results of this study suggest that chemotactically stimulated PMN may be able to amplify the recruitment process of PMN to the inflammatory site by releasing IL-8. As a long-lived cytokine, IL-8 could markedly prolong the attractant effect.

Cells, Cultured↗

Interleukin-8 in inflammatory rheumatic diseases: synovial fluid levels, relation to rheumatoid factors, production by mononuclear cells, and effects of gold sodium thiomalate and methotrexate.

The content of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the synovial fluid and its production by blood and synovial fluid mononuclear cells (PBMC and SFMC) was compared in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and various other inflammatory rheumatic disorders. The study included 125 patients and 20 healthy individuals. The highest concentrations of IL-8 were found in the synovial fluids and culture supernatants of PBMC and SFMC from patients with seropositive RA. Only PBMC from seropositive patients, and not from other rheumatic diseases, exhibited significant spontaneous release of IL-8 that correlated with serum IgM rheumatoid factor titers. Gold sodium thiomalate (GST) and methotrexate (MTX) inhibited the spontaneous and stimulated IL-8 production by PBMC by 55-86% at 50 and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively. Two main conclusions were drawn: (1) rheumatoid factors appeared to be a major cause of enhanced IL-8 production in seropositive RA, and (2) inhibition of IL-8-mediated neutrophil migration and activation could be part of the mechanism of action of GST and MTX.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Endotoxin and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A induce different patterns of cytokines.

The effects of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A (SEA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in cytokine production were assessed at the single cell level in cells obtained from healthy blood donors. Cytokine production was studied with UV-microscopy of fixed and permeabilized cells stained with cytokine specific monoclonal antibodies. The cytokines evaluated included tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-2, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and TNF-beta. LPS exhibited marked production of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8. After LPS stimulation IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-8 were the dominating products, all peaking at or before 4 hours after cell stimulation. In addition, IL-10 production was evident after 12 hours of cell stimulation. The T-lymphocyte-derived cytokines TNF-beta, IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL-4 were never detected in the cultures. All cytokine production, except IL-8, was downregulated at 96 hours. In contrast, peak production of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-8, which were the dominant products, occurred after 12 hours in the SEA-stimulated cultures. Further, a significant T-lymphocyte production of TNF-beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-2 was found with peak production 12-48 hours after initiation. Only low amounts of IL-6 were evident. The two types of cytokine pattern and kinetics found may correspond to the different clinical conditions after invasive Gram-negative Escherichia coli vs Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus infections in humans, with a much more rapid onset of disease after E. coli infections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytokines↗

Enhanced synthesis of neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 in active ulcerative colitis.

1. We studied neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 in inflammatory bowel disease. 2. Mucosal levels of neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 were significantly higher in patients with active ulcerative colitis [median 74.5 (range 17.7-450.8) pg/mg] than in patients with active Crohn's disease [10.4 (4-46.9) pg/mg; P less than 0.002] or in normal control subjects [10.4 (4-16.6) pg/mg; P less than 0.002]. 3. Circulating neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 was generally undetectable but there were higher levels of anti-neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 antibodies in patients with active ulcerative colitis [62.9 (3.4-239) ng/ml] than in patients with active Crohn's disease [5.9 (2.1-18.10) ng/ml; P less than 0.001] or in control subjects [6.1 (3.2-15.8) ng/ml; P less than 0.001]. 4. Neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 may be of specific functional importance in mediating inflammation in ulcerative colitis.

Antibodies↗

Interleukin-8 serum concentrations after liver transplantation.

The study's objective was to investigate serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) after liver transplantation and to correlate these findings with tumor necrosis factor alpha serum levels and various clinical parameters. This was a prospective observation study conducted at the University Hospital of Innsbruck with 19 patients studied after orthotopic liver transplantation. Serum levels of IL-8 were analyzed by a solid-phase double ligand ELISA method. Serum TNF-alpha concentrations were measured by means of a commercially available radio immunoassay (IRE-Medgenix, Fleurus, Belgium). Three patients with an uneventful recovery after transplantation showed IL-8 levels below the detection limit. IL-8 serum levels markedly increased in patients with acute graft rejection, bacterial infection, and CMV disease. Increments of serum IL-8 preceded clinical complications in all patients. Highest levels were observed in bacterial infection, lowest in acute rejection. A statistically significant positive correlation was demonstrated between IL-8 and TNF-alpha serum levels in the context of bacterial infection and CMV disease. Elevated IL-8 serum levels represent a feature of alloimmune and infectious complications following liver transplantation. IL-8 can thus be considered a further indicator molecule in the heterogenous group of acute-phase reactants that accompany various inflammatory responses and do not permit the underlying clinical complication to be specified.

Adult↗

Interleukin-8 immunoreactivity in the skin of healthy subjects and patients with palmoplantar pustulosis and psoriasis.

Previous studies have shown that neutrophil-activating peptide 1/interleukin-8 (IL-8) is present in psoriatic scales and to a lesser extent in normal human epidermis. A panel of monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera raised against IL-8 was used to localize IL-8 with immunoperoxidase techniques in non-lesional and lesional skin of patients with psoriasis and palmo-plantar pustulosis (PPP), and in corresponding sites from healthy subjects. Intracellular IL-8 immunoreactivity was found in all epidermal cell layers in biopsies of healthy subjects and in non-lesional and lesional skin in both PPP and psoriasis. The most intense immunolabeling was regularly found in the basal cell layer. Intercellular epidermal IL-8 immunolabeling was regularly detected in lesional biopsies in PPP and psoriasis, but not in healthy subjects or non-lesional skin in PPP and psoriasis. No intercellular immunolabeling was detected after successful treatment of lesional skin. The majority of cells along the eccrine sweat glands, dermal mononuclear cell infiltrates, and endothelial cells were IL-8 immunoreactive in all biopsies studied. The present study suggests that IL-8, its precursor form, or, alternatively, a degradation product is present in normal human epidermis.

Humans↗

Signal transduction pathways leading to the production of IL-8 by human monocytes are differentially regulated by dexamethasone.

Previous studies have shown that IL-8 gene expression is enhanced by various stimuli, which induce different signal transduction pathways. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pathway has been reported to be inhibited by glucocorticoids in monocytes. We have now examined the effect of dexamethasone on the LPS-induced and other signal transduction pathways leading to the production of IL-8 by human monocytes. Dexamethasone inhibited the production of IL-8 stimulated with a cyclic adenosine monophosphate analog or LPS. In contrast, dexamethasone had no significant effect on a phorbol ester (PMA)-stimulated IL-8 production. These results suggest that the signal transduction pathways leading to the production of IL-8 by human monocytes are differentially regulated by dexamethasone.

Bucladesine↗

Interleukin-8 and neutrophil activation in acute pancreatitis.

It has been suggested that leucocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of complicated pancreatitis. Indeed, increased plasma concentrations of neutrophil elastase as a marker of neutrophil activation could be detected in patients with a severe course of the disease. Recently, interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been described as a novel neutrophil activating peptide. To determine the role of IL-8 in acute pancreatitis we measured its serum concentrations by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 10 patients with acute pancreatitis daily during the first week of hospitalization. IL-8 levels were compared with plasma concentrations of neutrophil elastase and the clinical course of the disease. Three of the patients had uncomplicated pancreatitis, while seven showed various extrapancreatic complications. Patients with complicated pancreatitis had statistically significant (P less than 0.05) higher mean values of IL-8 (121 +/- 41 pg/ml-1 vs. 13 +/- 6 pg ml-1, mean +/- SEM) and neutrophil elastase (547 +/- 35 ng ml-1 vs. 250 +/- 20 ng ml-1) than patients with uncomplicated disease. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.52, P less than 0.0001) between IL-8 and neutrophil elastase in the lower concentration range of IL-8 (less than 100 pg ml-1). At IL-8 levels greater than 100 pg ml-1 neutrophil elastase was always greatly elevated; however, under these conditions the relationship between IL-8 and elastase was no longer linear. No measurable IL-8 concentrations were found when plasma elastase was less than 200 ng ml-1. During follow-up, initially elevated IL-8 concentrations decreased in correlation with clinical improvement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗