Elena Westphal^1,*, Mona Herzberg^2,*, Ingo Neumann^1,**, Li Beibei¹, Claudia Pilowski¹, Chen Li¹, Karl Werdan¹, Harald Loppnow^1,2

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.1, pp. 19-28, 2006

Abstract Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), may be involved in the local inflammation occurring in the vessel wall. Vascular smooth muscle cells express the unprocessed IL-1β precursor molecule. Invading leukocytes, such as monocytes or polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) may activate the IL-1β precursor during atherogenesis. Thus, we investigated the capacity of PMN to process IL-1β and IL-18 precursors. Processing was analyzed using Western blot and bioassay for IL-1-activity was performed. As few as 80 to 400 PMN/mL detectably processed preIL-1β. PMN also cleaved the caspase-1 substrate preIL-18. The preIL-1β and… More >

Jean-Philippe Bastard¹, Mustapha Maachi¹, Claire Lagathu¹, Min Ji Kim¹, Martine Caron¹, Hubert Vidal², Jacqueline Capeau¹, Bruno Feve³

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.1, pp. 4-12, 2006

Abstract It now appears that, in most obese patients, obesity is associated with a low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue (WAT) resulting from chronic activation of the innate immune system and which can subsequently lead to insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance and even diabetes. WAT is the physiological site of energy storage as lipids. In addition, it has been more recently recognized as an active participant in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. In obesity, WAT is characterized by an increased production and secretion of a wide range of inflammatory molecules including TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which… More >

Diana Boraschi¹, Charles A. Dinarello²

European Cytokine Network, Vol.17, No.4, pp. 224-252, 2006, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2006.0047

Abstract IL-18 is among the cytokines responsible for immune-mediated pathologies and is probably one of the factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Identification of the causes of uncontrolled IL-18 production and activity in autoimmunity would allow for novel therapeutic targets to effectively block autoimmune activation and inhibit concomitant tissue damage. IL-18 is produced mainly by monocytes/macrophages in response to stimuli of viral/bacterial origin, its production being therefore one of the effects of innate immunity initiated by host-pathogen interaction. In this review, we summarise the evidence supporting both the effector and the pathogenic role More >

Robin W. Freeburn, Lynne Armstrong, Ann B. Millar

European Cytokine Network, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 5-16, 2005

Abstract Regulation of the pulmonary host defence mechanism is crucial for protection of the lung without pathological consequences. This is exemplified in the normal lung by the induction of both the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, its receptors and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We have evaluated this mechanism in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Alveolar macrophages (AM) were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from 21 subjects with IPF and 12 healthy volunteers. Constitutive and LPS-stimulated AM production of TNF-α, TNF soluble receptors CD120a and CD120b, and IL-10 at the protein and mRNA level were… More >

John T. Parissis, Stamatis Adamopoulos¹, Koula Venetsanou, George Kostakis, Antonios Rigas, Spilios M. Karas, Dimitrios Kremastinos¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 139-144, 2004

Abstract No in vivo data exist about the relationship of circulating granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and soluble adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) to the severity of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the pathophysiological events of post-infarction left ventricular dysfunction. We investigated the kinetics of these inflammatory mediators in the plasma of patients with AMI, and correlated the findings with the clinical severity of the disease during the first week of hospitalization as well as the degree of left ventricular dysfunction one month after the AMI.
Plasma levels of inflammatory markers were determined in… More >

Marilena Lucarelli¹, Antonietta M. Gatti², Graziana Savarino¹, Paola Quattroni¹, Lucia Martinelli¹, Emanuela Monari², Diana Boraschi¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 339-346, 2004

Abstract Nano-sized particles of ceramic and metallic materials are generated by high-tech industrial activities, and can be generated from worn-out replacement and prosthetic implants. The interaction with the human body of such nanoparticles has been investigated, with a particular emphasis on innate defence mechanisms. Human macrophages (PMA-differentiated myelomonocytic U-937 cells) were exposed in vitro to non-toxic concentrations of TiO₂, SiO₂, ZrO₂, or Co nanoparticles, and their inflammatory response (expression of TLR receptors and co-receptors, and cytokine production) was examined. Expression of TLR receptors was generally unaffected by exposure to the different nanoparticles, except for some notable cases. Exposure… More >

Sukhraj Kaur, Harsimrat Kaur, Prati Pal Singh

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 327-338, 2004

Abstract Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs)-induced increased hematopoietic activity is known to occur in various microbial diseases; however, not much is known during tuberculosis (TB). We investigated the CSF-inducing capability of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv component. Swiss mice intravenously injected with purified 30-kDa secretory protein of M. tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb30; 0.1-10 mg/kg) showed enhanced levels of serum CSFs; maximum response (142 ± 16 colonies) occurred at 1 mg/kg. In vitro, Mtb30 (1-50 lg/mL) induced mouse peritoneal macrophages (PMs) to elaborate CSFs in the conditioned medium (CM); 25 lg/mL appeared optimal (97 ± 11 colonies). Both in vivo and in vitro,… More >