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PubMed1997

[Inflammatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease].

Senile plaques belong to the pathological hallmarks of the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. There is an increasing amount of evidence that the formation of senile plaques is accompanied by an acute phase reaction, involving the production of several inflammation-associated proteins and the activation of microglial cells. The products of these inflammatory reactions may contribute to the fibrillogenesis of the amyloid beta protein, the major constituent of senile plaques. Both fibrils of the amyloid beta protein and products of activated microglial cells may be neurotoxic, leading to neuronal degeneration and to clinical symptoms of dementia. Recent epidemiological findings have drawn attention to the possibility of therapy with anti-inflammatory agents. Although the results of these studies suggest a beneficial effect of such therapy, further study is warranted to gain more insight into the fundamental aspects of such treatment as well as to develop specific drugs that have little side-effects.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed1998

[Inflammatory mechanisms in the kidney].

Diverse mechanisms regulate the infiltration of the kidney with leukocytes in immune-mediated renal diseases. Chemotactic factors (chemokines) and intercellular adhesion molecules are known to promote the anchoring of infiltrating mononuclear cells in the kidney. We have recently shown that fragments of the polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA), but not native high molecular weight HA can cause prominent upregulation of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in renal proximal tubular cells. HA is also capable of stimulating the synthesis of chemokines in these cells. HA accumulates in many inflammatory renal diseases and could cause a proinflammatory effect by promoting leukocyte infiltration in the kidney after binding with its cellular receptor CD44. This mechanism may play an important role in immune renal injury in various renal diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Inflammatory mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease: inhibition of beta-amyloid-stimulated proinflammatory responses and neurotoxicity by PPARgamma agonists.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the extracellular deposition of beta-amyloid fibrils within the brain and the subsequent association and phenotypic activation of microglial cells associated with the amyloid plaque. The activated microglia mount a complex local proinflammatory response with the secretion of a diverse range of inflammatory products. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are efficacious in reducing the incidence and risk of AD and significantly delaying disease progression. A recently appreciated target of NSAIDs is the ligand-activated nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma). PPARgamma is a DNA-binding transcription factor whose transcriptional regulatory actions are activated after agonist binding. We report that NSAIDs, drugs of the thiazolidinedione class, and the natural ligand prostaglandin J2 act as agonists for PPARgamma and inhibit the beta-amyloid-stimulated secretion of proinflammatory products by microglia and monocytes responsible for neurotoxicity and astrocyte activation. The activation of PPARgamma also arrested the differentiation of monocytes into activated macrophages. PPARgamma agonists were shown to inhibit the beta-amyloid-stimulated expression of the cytokine genes interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Furthermore, PPARgamma agonists inhibited the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. These data provide direct evidence that PPARgamma plays a critical role in regulating the inflammatory responses of microglia and monocytes to beta-amyloid. We argue that the efficacy of NSAIDs in the treatment of AD may be a consequence of their actions on PPARgamma rather than on their canonical targets the cyclooxygenases. Importantly, the efficacy of these agents in inhibiting a broad range of inflammatory responses suggests PPARgamma agonists may provide a novel therapeutic approach to AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed2005

Antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of heat-shock protein protection.

We and others have previously shown that heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are involved in protecting the brain from a variety of insults including stroke, epilepsy, and other related insults. While the mechanism of this protection has largely been thought to be due to their chaperone functions (i.e., preventing abnormal protein folding or aggregation), recent work has shown that HSPs may also directly interfere with other cell death pathways such as apoptosis and inflammation. Using models of cerebral ischemic and ischemia-like injury, we overexpressed the 70-kDa heat-shock protein (HSP70) using gene transfer or by studying a transgenic mouse model. HSP70 protected neurons and astrocytes from experimental stroke and stroke-like insults. HSP70 transgenic mice also had better neurological scores following experimental stroke compared to their wild-type littermates. Overexpressing HSP70 was associated with less apoptotic cell death and increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Furthermore, HSP70 suppressed microglial/monocyte activation following experimental stroke. HSP70 overexpression also led to the reduction of matrix metalloproteinases. We suggest that HSPs are capable of protecting brain cells from lethal insults through a variety of mechanisms and should be explored as a potential therapy against stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inflammatory mechanisms in neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease: the role of the complement system.

This review discusses key findings indicating potential roles of the complement (C)-system in chronic inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Although there is no means to cure or prevent the disease, recent studies suggest that antiinflammatory drugs may delay the onset of AD dementia. One target of these drugs may be the (C)-system, which is best known for its roles in inflammatory processes in peripheral tissues. However, recent data show C-system expression and regulation in brain cells, and C-system protein deposition in AD plaques. It is still nuclear whether C-system activation contributes to neuropathology in the AD brain, as shown in multiple sclerosis (MS). New clinical studies with antiinflammatory agents are now under general consideration by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study program. In this review I outline research directions which address possible C-system contributions to neurodegeneration. Finally, I discuss potential pharmacological interventions designed to control segments of classical inflammatory cascades in which the C-system is highly implicated. These aspects are critical to the understanding of C-mediated responses in normal and pathologic brain.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1993

[Contribution of cytokines to inflammatory mechanisms].

A large number of cytokines are found within foci of inflammation. Two of these cytokines, namely interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), play a key role in orchestrating the mechanisms responsible for inflammation. These two cytokines induce production by many cells of lipid mediators, proteases, and free radicals, all of which play a direct role in development of the deleterious effects of inflammation. IL-1 and/or TNF exert cytotoxic effects on the vascular endothelium, cartilage, bone, muscle, or pancreatic beta-cell islets. Cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN), IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), amplify the inflammatory response by increasing production of IL-1 and TNF by macrophages. Macrophages also produce other cytokines, such as IL-8 and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), with chemoattractant properties that contribute to draw leucocytes to the site of inflammation. IL-6, produced in large amounts during inflammatory processes, induces the production of acute phase proteins by hepatocytes. IL-1, TNF, IL-11, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) share this effect. TGF beta also has a number of anti-inflammatory effects. TGF beta, IL-4, and IL-10 inhibit production of IL-1 and TNF. Glucocorticoids also have this effect. Glucocorticoids can be produced as a result of a chain of events initiated by IL-1, TNF, and IL-6 and involving the neuro-endocrine axis. Other substances, such as IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) or soluble forms of the TNF receptors, can specifically inhibit the effects of IL-1 and TNF. Cascade production of cytokines, inhibition, negative feed-back, and synergistic mechanisms are parameters that illustrate the concept of "cytokine network" and aptly characterize the role of these mediators in the mechanisms of inflammation.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed1992

Interaction of methyl-xanthines with myeloperoxidase. An anti-inflammatory mechanism.

1. Inhibition of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reactions by methyl-substituted xanthines has been investigated. 2. Except for theobromine and caffeine, all xanthines tested were potent inhibitors of the MPO-H2O2-Cl- system. 3. In contrast to methyl substitution in the 1 or 8 position of xanthine, substitution in the 3 or 7 position had a marked effect on the inhibition of MPO catalysis. 4. Two different inhibitory mechanisms were induced; scavenging of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) generated by the MPO system and accumulation of Compound II (ferryl MPO) which is inactive as a catalyst of Cl- oxidation.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1976

Inflammatory mechanisms in the newborn.

Both the vascular and cellular aspects of inflammation were studied in rats aged from 6 hours to 2 months. The onset of a vascular permeability reaction was found to vary according to the age of rat and type of permeability agent injected. Induction of acute inflammations (turpentine pleurisy, 48/80 and dextran-induced foot oedema) in new born rats revealed a marked reduction of exudate/oedema formation compared with adult rats. These observations were related to a lack of histamine and 5-HT-mediated increased vascular permeability during the inflammatory reactions of newborn rats. Qualitative differences were observed between the acute inflammatory pleural cell exudates of newborn and adult rats after intra-pleural injection of dextran. In contrast to adults, polymorphs were observed to dominate the newborn reaction, and the peak accumulation of these cells was delayed. The mononuclear cells of 4-day lesions induced by sub-cutaneous implantation of glass coverslips showed a higher rate of mitosis in newborn animals, compared with adults. Ultrastructural studies of the mononuclear cells of peritoneal exudates induced by carrageenan indicated that those of newborn rats contained fewer lysosomes than adults. The Golgi apparatus of newborn mononuclear cells was observed to be poorly-developed compared with adult mononuclear cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Inflammatory mechanisms.

Traditional concepts of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes have changed over the last few years. In particular it has been demonstrated that high-risk lesions are not necessarily angiographically severe. Rather, unstable high risk lesions are the ones composed of large lipid cores and thin fibrous caps. It is now widely accepted that plaque instability is related to the development of inflammation within the intima. A consequence of this is that stabilization of lesions provides a new therapeutic target. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that statins may stabilize lesions by altering the inflammatory response. A brief overview of these developments and their impact on clinical practice is presented.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

PubMed2006

Peripheral inflammatory mechanisms modulate microglial activation in response to mild impairment of oxidative metabolism.

Thiamine deficiency (TD) models the selective neurodegeneration that accompanies the mild impairment of oxidative metabolism, which is observed in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Several markers of inflammation accompany neuronal death in TD and in these diseases. Studies in the submedial thalamic nucleus (SmTN), the region most sensitive to TD, have begun to define the temporal response of inflammation, immune response and neurodegeneration. Our previous studies show that the immune response is involved in TD-induced neurodegeneration. The current experiments tested the roles of other inflammatory cascades in TD-induced neuronal death. Deletion of genes for CD4, or CD8 (the co-receptors for T-cells), IFN-gamma (the cytokine produced by T-cell), or NADPH oxidase (the inflammation related oxidase) were tested. None protected against neuronal death in late stages of TD. On the other hand, deletion of the genes for CD4, CD8 and IFN-gamma increased the microglial activation, and deletion of the gene for NADPH oxidase decreased microglial activation when compared to control mice. In wild type mice, TD caused hypertrophy of CD68 positive microglia without increasing the number of microglia. However, TD induced hypertrophy and proliferation of CD68-positive microglia in the CD4 (97%), CD8 (57%) or IFN-gamma (96%) genetic knockout mice. In the genetic knockout mice for NADPH oxidase, the microglial activation was 65% less than the wild type mice. The results demonstrate that mice deficient in specific T cells (CD4-/-, CD8-/-) or activated T cell product, (IFN-gamma-/-) have increased microglia activation, but mice deficient in NADPH oxidase have decreased microglial activation. However, at the time point tested, the deletions were not neuroprotective. The results suggest that inflammatory responses play a role in TD-induced pathological changes in the brain, and the inflammation appears to be a late event that reflects a response to neuronal damage, which may spread the damage to other brain regions.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Antigen-induced inflammatory mechanical hypernociception in mice is mediated by IL-18.

There is pre-clinical evidence that therapies targeting IL-18 might be beneficial in controlling arthropathies, which are accompanied by hypernociception (nociceptor sensitization). In the present study, we addressed the hypernociceptive role of IL-18 in a model of antigen-induced inflammation in mice and its mechanisms. In naïve mice, the intraplantar injection of IL-18 induced dose- and time-dependent mechanical hypernociception, which was inhibited in IFN-gamma deficient (-/-) mice, and by the pre-treatment with bosentan (dual endothelin [ET] receptor antagonist), BQ123 (ET(A) receptor antagonist) or indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor). IL-18 hypernociception was unaffected in TNFR1(-/-) mice or by the pre-treatment with sIL-15Ralpha (soluble form of IL-15 receptor), BQ788 (ET(B) receptor antagonist) or guanethidine (sympathetic blocker). The ovalbumin (OVA) challenge-induced mechanical hypernociception in immunized mice was inhibited by the pre-treatment with anti-IL-18 antibody or in IL-18(-/-) mice. Furthermore, IL-18 induced significant IFN-gamma production in the paw skin of naïve mice. The OVA challenge-induced IFN-gamma and ET-1 productions were inhibited in IL-18(-/-) immunized mice, as well as ET-1 production in IFN-gamma(-/-) immunized mice. In addition, significant PGE2 production was detected after IL-18 or ET-1 (via ET(A) receptors) injection in naïve mice. Taken together with previous data, these results suggest that IL-18 plays a significant role in antigen-induced inflammatory hypernociception via the production of IFN-gamma, ET-1 and PGE2. Thus, IL-18 and IL-18-downstream mediators demonstrated herein might constitute targets to inhibit antigen-induced inflammatory pain.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Isolation and characterization of human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells: mechanisms of inflammatory activation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common malady of the esophagus, affecting 7% of the United States population. Histological assessment demonstrates classic inflammatory mechanisms including selective leukocyte recruitment and hemorrhage, suggesting a prominent role for the microvasculature. We isolated and characterized human esophageal microvascular endothelial cells (EC) (HEMEC), examined inflammatory activation in response to cytokines, LPS, and acidic pH exposure, and identified signaling pathways that underlie activation. HEMEC displayed characteristic morphological and phenotypic features including acetylated LDL uptake. TNF-alpha/LPS activation of HEMEC resulted in upregulation of the cell adhesion molecules (CAM) ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and mucosal addressin CAM-1 (MAdCAM-1), increased IL-8 production, and enhanced leukocyte binding. Both acid and TNF-alpha/LPS activation lead to activation of SAPK/JNK in HEMEC that was linked to VCAM-1 expression and U-937 leukocyte adhesion. Expression of constitutive inducible nitric oxide synthase in HEMEC was in marked contrast to intestinal microvascular endothelial cells. In this study, we demonstrate that HEMECs are phenotypically and functionally distinct from lower gut-derived endothelial cells and will facilitate understanding of inflammatory mechanisms in esophageal inflammation.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed1975

Blockade by metal complexing agents and by catalase of the effects of arachidonic acid on platelets: relevance to the study of anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Metal-chelating agents inhibited platelet aggregation and the accompanying generation of rabbit aorta contracting and PG-like activities, when platelets were challenged with arachidonic acid. Inhibition required the presence of the chelating agents in the medium, and was insured by reagents avid for free or protein-bound copper. Catalase also prevented aggregation and generation of pharmacologically active substances; its activity was reversed by aminothiol agents and by Cu2+ and Zn2+, shown previously to potentiate the platelet effects of arachidonic acid. Inhibition by indomethacin was not prevented by amino-thiol drugs nor by Cu2+ or Zn2+. The catalase-induced inhibition was not affected by scavenging of thiol groups; this rules out, as a mechanism of action of catalase, the increased destruction of popoperoxides by glutathione peroxidase, which requires reduced glutathione as hydrogen donor. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that the agent that mediates platelet aggregation by arachidonic acid is a popoperoxide, requiring the presence either of H2O2 or of a similarly catalase-sensitive substance to be generated.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed2001

Predictors of deteriorating cerebral infarct: role of inflammatory mechanisms. Would its early treatment be useful?

The development of neurological deterioration in the hours following the stroke onset occurs in somewhat more than 1 in 3 cerebral infarcts and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. This early deterioration (0--48/72 h) entails the conversion of the ischemic penumbra area in an irreversible lesion, a process that is mediated as much by hemodynamic changes in the local cerebral circulation as by biochemical mechanisms. Late neurological deterioration (3--7 days) is more frequently associated with systemic causes. Knowledge of the various clinical, biochemical and imaging markers associated with neurological deterioration is consequently of fundamental importance. For their repercussion in clinical practice, we classify these predictors of deteriorating cerebral infarct into nonmodifiable, modifiable and possibly modifiable. The reduction in cerebral blood flow in a particular cerebral zone causes very early cerebral damage as a consequence of a significant liberation of neuroexcitatory amino acids, followed by an excessive entry of calcium into the interior of cells; this process causes lipid peroxidation, disintegration of the cellular membranes, nuclear destruction and neuronal death. Moreover, ischemia and posterior reperfusion induce an inflammatory response leading to further cellular destruction. It is therefore conceivable that therapeutic interventions aimed at decreasing proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules might result in better outcome in this population.

Cerebral Infarction↗

PubMed1983

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of MK-447 in rat carrageenin-induced pleurisy.

Intrapleural injection of 2% lambda-carrageenin caused the accumulation of exudate up to 19 hr. The rate of plasma exudation, measured by the exuded dye amounts for 20 min in the pleural cavity after intravenous injection of pontamine sky blue, showed a peak at 5 hr. Aspirin (100 mg/kg, i. p.) suppressed the dye exudation up to 5 hr, but did not at 7 hr. This inhibition coincided with the decrease of the PG and TXB2 levels, which were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, in the pleural exudate. In in vitro experiments, MK-447, a phenolic compound, stimulates PG endoperoxide biosynthesis at lower doses and inhibits it at higher doses, acting as a tryptophan-like cofactor required by PG endoperoxide synthetase. This drug (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, i. p.) suppressed the dye exudation dose-dependently up to 5 hr, but did not at 7 hr even at a higher dose, in combination with the dose-dependent decrease of the pleural level of PGE2, which was reported to be a major PG among PGs and TXB2 in the exudate in inducing the plasma exudation (Harada et al; Prostaglandins, 23: 881, 1982). Thus, the anti-inflammatory action of MK-447 can be explained by inhibition of PGE2 generation, giving no consideration to the role of oxygen-derived free radicals as a prime mediator in inflammation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Anti-inflammatory mechanism is involved in ethyl pyruvate-mediated efficacious neuroprotection in the postischemic brain.

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a pyruvate derivative, and has recently been reported to prevent lethality in mice with established lethal sepsis and systemic inflammation. In a previous study, we reported that EP has a neuroprotective effect in a rat cerebral ischemia model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), in which it was found to be effective when injected as late as 12 h after MCAO/reperfusion. In the present study, we show that therapeutic window of pyruvate in this MCAO animal model is limited to 1 h (30 min before and 30 min after MCAO). Moreover, both pyruvate and EP have a neuroprotective effect during oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) or H2O2 challenge in primary cortical culture. In contrast, EP suppressed the LPS-induced activation of primary microglia in culture, but pyruvate did not. The suppression of microglia activation was evidenced by a reduction in nitric oxide release and by a proinflammatory factor induction in primary microglia culture, which were accompanied by the repression of nuclear factor-kappaB activation. These results suggest that EP has a strong protective effect and a wide therapeutic window, and that this protective effect of EP is related to its anti-inflammatory action.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1) mediates the sympathetic component of inflammatory mechanical hypersensitivitiy in rats.

The hyperalgesic effect of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1/CXCL1) was measured in a model of mechanical hyperalgesia in rats. CINC-1 evoked a dose-dependent mechanical hypersensitivity, which was already significant 2 h after the cytokine injection, peaked 4 h after and decreased thereafter. The local pre-treatment of the rats with the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, atenolol (25 microg paw-1), but not with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (100 microg paw-1), inhibited (86%) the CINC-1-induced hypersensitivity. Conversely, IL-1beta-evoked hypersensitivity was inhibited (76%) by local pre-treatment of the animals with indomethacin, but not by atenolol. Carrageenin- and TNF-alpha-evoked hypersensitivity were attenuated to about the same extent (50%) by antisera neutralising CINC-1 or IL-1beta. The association of both antisera abolished the hypersensitivity effect of carrageenin and TNF-alpha. In addition, carrageenin, LPS and TNF-alpha were shown to stimulate the production of immunoreactive CINC-1 in the skin of injected paws. These data suggest that CINC-1, released at sites of inflammation, mediates inflammatory hyperalgesia in rats via release of sympathomimetic amines.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of prozime-10, a proteolytic enzyme.

When Prozime-10 (P-10), a protease extracted from cultured both of Aspergillus melleus, was injected intravenously into anesthetized dogs, plasma ACTH was increased with a latency of 30 min, and this was followed by remarkable elevation of plasma cortisol in many instances. A similar increase in plasma cortisol was elicited after trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin were injected. Plasma histamine was raised promptly prior to an increase in plasma ACTH after P-10 in every case. However, in certain cases, changes in cortisol occurred simultaneously with ACTH after P-10. Such a rapid elevation of cortisol can be explained, partly, by direct stimulation of the adrenal cortex by histamine.

Adrenal Cortex↗