Takehiro Hasegawa^1,2, Hitoshi Uga¹, Akio Mori³, Hirokazu Kurata^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 8-18, 2017, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2017.0390

Abstract Asthma is a syndrome of chronic bronchial inflammation and airway remodelling. Initially, asthma has been categorized into atopic and nonatopic types, based on antigen-specific IgE levels. Moreover, recently, asthma has been classified into different endotypes based on its pathophysiology, leading to the selection of the most optimal and effective therapies. Although T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokines were proven to play critical roles in atopic asthma, IL-17A has been reported to be involved in severe refractory asthma. Patients and methods: In this study, we measured the levels of 24 cytokines/chemokines in the sera of… More >

Shi-Min Yuan

European Cytokine Network, Vol.28, No.1, pp. 1-7, 2017, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0386

Abstract Pulmonary artery hypertension is a syndrome that shows similar clinical and pathophysiological features characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and resistance. There have been a series of hypotheses trying to describe the development of pulmonary artery hypertension; however, none of them perfectly explains its pathogenesis. To highlight the pathogenesis, novel vasomotorial cytokines including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α endothelin-1, urotensin II, Krüppel-like factor 4, calcitonin gene-related peptide, angiopoietins and serotonin closely related to pulmonary artery hypertension are discussed. The development of the new agents relating to these cytokines may improve the relevant treatment strategies. More >

Lihua Zhu^1,a, Liyan Zhu^2,a

European Cytokine Network, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 120-126, 2017, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2017.0400

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting nearly 1% of adults worldwide. This study aimed to investigate whether sophocarpine is a potential drug for treating RA. Methods: The cytotoxicity of sophocarpine to RA-fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) was evaluated using 3-[4,-dimethylthiazol2-y]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays kit and released lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The transcription of proinflammatory cytokines in RA-FLSs was analyzed by reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The proteins levels were further verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The alterations in the mediators of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor B… More >

Fatemeh Mohammadi¹, Ghasem Solgi², Maryam Tajik¹, Pedram Ahmadpoor³, Hasan Nikoeinejad⁴, Behzad Einollahi⁴, Banafsheh Nazari¹, Mahboob Lessan-pezeshki⁵, Aliakbar Amirzargar^1,6

European Cytokine Network, Vol.28, No.3, pp. 93-101, 2017, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2017.0397

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate T-cell immunity markers using serial post-transplantation monitoring of cytokine-producing cells during the first post-transplant months for the prediction of acute rejection and potentially chronic rejection of kidney allograft. We followed 57 kidney allograft recipients for meanly 3 years post-transplantation. Blood samples were collected pre-transplant, 2, 4 and 12 weeks post-transplant. The frequencies of IL-10-, IL-17- and IFN-γ-producing cells were determined in all time-points using ELISPOT assay. The results of ELISpot monitoring and levels of IL-23 and TGF-β were compared between recipients with acute (n = 12) or… More >

Fadi. H. Mourad^1,2, Tamim. Hamdi¹, Kassem. A. Barada^1,2, Nayef. E. Saadé¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 41-53, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0376

Abstract Introduction: Increased levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed in various segments of histologically-intact small intestine in animal models of acute and chronic colitis. Whether these cytokines are produced locally or spread from the inflamed colon is not known. In addition, the role of gut innervation in this upregulation is not fully understood. Aims: To examine whether cytokines are produced de novo in the small intestine in two rat models of colitis; and to investigate the role of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents in the synthesis of these inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Colitis was induced by rectal… More >

Carlos Erik Medina Santos¹, Carmen Nathaly López Hurtado¹, Bruno Rivas Santiago¹, Roberto Gonzalez-Amaro³, Yolanda Guadalupe Cataño Cañizales¹, Margarita de la Luz Martínez Fierro², José Antonio Enciso-Moreno¹, Mariana Haydee García Hernández¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.3, pp. 68-74, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0379

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the LL-37, HNP-1 and HBD2/3 peptides on cytokine and MMP production in human polymorphonuclear cells, mononuclear cells and chondrocytes. The levels of cytokines in supernatants from mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell cultures were measured with a cytometric bead array by flow cytometry. Likewise, the levels of metalloproteinase/MMP-1, 3, and 13 were measured in supernatants from chondrocyte cultures using an ELISA. The expression of RANKL on lymphocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry. We observed increased levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 in mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell… More >

Frédéric Bloch¹, Bénédicte Charmeteau², Michael Tovey³, Jean-Franc¸ois Meritet⁴, Corinne Desaint^5,6, Odile Launay^4,5,6, Pierre Lebon⁴

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.3, pp. 63-67, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0378

Abstract Objective: To investigate the relationship between the response to influenza vaccination and the ability to produce proinflamatory cytokines in elderly subjects. Methods: Whole blood samples from 25 elderly subjects collected before influenza vaccination were stimulated with the influenza vaccine in order to evaluate the secretion of five specific cytokines: TNFα, IFNα, IFNγ, IL2 and IL10. The results were correlated with the increased HAI antibody titres two weeks after vaccination.Results:Only 30% of elderly individuals seroconverted after vaccination. Although 50 to 70% of the cohort did not produce TNFα, IFNα, IFNγ, IL2 or IL10, all of the More >

Anwar D. Maraqa

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 97-101, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0384

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible effect of atorvastatin on renal interleukins (ILs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in type 1 diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty-two male rats from a local Wister-derived strain were included in this prospective study and were classified into four groups. Each group consisted of eight animals: Group 1, non-diabetic negative controls; Group 2, diabetic positive controls; Group 3, non-diabetic rats receiving atorvastatin for 4 weeks; and Group 4, diabetic rats receiving atorvastatin for 4 weeks. At the end of the designated period, the animals were sacrificed by cervical… More >

Hui Lu, Rong Wang, Wenbin Li, Hua Xie, Chang Wang, Ying Hao, Yuhuan Sun, Zhengping Jia

European Cytokine Network, Vol.27, No.4, pp. 90-96, 2016, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2016.0383

Abstract Extensive studies have been performed on acute mountain sickness (AMS), but biomarkers predicting AMS are lacking. Presently, the mainstay methods to identify AMS biomarkers include proteomic and genetic methods at high altitudes or in hypoxic simulated chambers. In the present study, we compared plasma cytokine profiles between AMS-susceptible individuals and AMS-resistant individuals at low altitude by cytokine array analysis. In total, 75 differentially expressed cytokines were identified between AMS-susceptible individuals and AMS-resistant individuals, most involved in inflammation. A quantifiable human custom cytokine antibody array was then used to further test results of cytokine array analysis.… More >

Hubertus Himmerich^1,2,5, Gerd D. Willmund¹, Peter Zimmermann¹, Jörg-Egbert Wolf¹, Antje H. Bühler¹, Lesca M. Holdt³, Daniel Teupser³, Kenneth C. Kirkby⁴, Ulrich Wesemann¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.26, No.3, pp. 57-60, 2015, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2015.0366

Abstract Growing evidence suggests involvement of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α system in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has investigated serum levels of TNF-α, but not to date its soluble receptors sTNF-R p55 and sTNF-R p75. We examined serum levels of TNF-α, sTNF-R p55 and sTNF-R p75 in 135 male German soldiers 70 of whom had been deployed abroad and 65 in Germany only. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were measured using the Post-traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) and the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress (TICS). Correlational analysis controlling… More >