Biomedical subjects

Joseph Schwager

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph Schwager.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Analysis with respect to instrumental variables for the exploration of microarray data structures.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating the importance of the different sources of variations is essential in microarray data experiments. Complex experimental designs generally include various factors structuring the data which should be taken into account. The objective of these experiments is the exploration of some given factors while controlling other factors. RESULTS: We present here a family of methods, the analyses with respect to instrumental variables, which can be easily applied to the particular case of microarray data. An illustrative example of analysis with instrumental variables is given in the case of microarray data investigating the effect of beverage intake on peripheral blood gene expression. This approach is compared to an ANOVA-based gene-by-gene statistical method. CONCLUSION: Instrumental variables analyses provide a simple way to control several sources of variation in a multivariate analysis of microarray data. Due to their flexibility, these methods can be associated with a large range of ordination techniques combined with one or several qualitative and/or quantitative descriptive variables.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Plant phenolics inhibit neutrophil elastase.

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease, which is present in its active form in inflamed tissue as well as in psoriatic lesions. In extension of our research on natural compounds as inhibitors of HNE or of its release, several phenolics of different size were tested. The ellagitannins agrimoniin and pedunculagin were the most potent direct HNE inhibitors (IC (50) = 0.9 and 2.8 microM, respectively). Ligand docking calculations provided evidence that inhibition may occur in an unspecific manner. Agrimoniin also showed anti-proliferative effects in the ATP assay (IC (50) = 3.2 microM), suggesting that this type of tannin could have beneficial effects in the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis. Tests with other phenolics combined with ligand docking experiments revealed that, besides the presence of ORTHO-dihydroxy groups, a specific lipophilic shape is necessary for an inhibitory activity. The phenolic genistein deserves special interest as an inhibitor of elastase release because its effect was remarkably potent (IC (50) = 0.6 microM).

Catechin↗

PubMed2005

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate impairs chemokine production in human colon epithelial cell lines.

A major component in green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is reported to interfere with different steps of a number of inflammatory pathways. After oral administration, EGCG is retained in the gastrointestinal tract, where it is thought to exert preventive functions against inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. In this study, the human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines HT29 and T84 were used to investigate the effect of EGCG on intestinal inflammation. HT29 and T84 cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha to induce the inflammatory condition and to trigger the inflammatory cascade in vitro and treated with EGCG to study its effect on inflammatory processes. The secretion of the chemokines interleukin (IL)-8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3alpha, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gene expression level was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Treatment of TNF-alpha-stimulated HT29 cells with EGCG dose-dependently inhibited the synthesis of IL-8, MIP-3alpha, and PGE2. Treatment with EGCG also inhibited the production of IL-8 and MIP-3alpha in TNF-alpha-stimulated T84 cells. Gene expression analysis in both HT29 and T84 cells revealed that EGCG down-regulates genes involved in inflammatory pathways. This study shows that EGCG acts broadly on the production of chemokines and PGE2 in the chemokine and eicosanoid pathways of colon epithelial cells. Therefore, EGCG might prove useful for the prevention and/or attenuation of colonic disorders.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2005

Effects of resveratrol, piceatannol, tri-acetoxystilbene, and genistein on the inflammatory response of human peripheral blood leukocytes.

Inflammatory processes are involved in the etiology of diseases. We analyzed the effect of resveratrol, piceatannol, synthetic tri-acetoxystilbene (TAS), and genistein (Bonistein(TM)) on the production of inflammatory mediators including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukins, and chemokines, which participate in the progression of inflammation. In order to induce inflammatory responses, human peripheral blood mononuclear and/or polymorphonuclear leukocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN(gamma)) and the production of PGE2, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and TNF-alpha was determined. In response to the stimuli, genes were substantially activated within < 2 h (e. g., TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha), or at a later stage, (e. g., COX-2, IL-6, IL-8). Unlike genistein, resveratrol and related compounds dose-dependently reduced PGE2 production. Genistein, piceatannol, and TAS diminished secretion of TNF-alpha, and IL-8. TAS reduced mRNA levels of COX-2, TNF-alpha, IL-8, IL-6, and IL-1alpha, while resveratrol impaired early expression of IL-8 and TNF-alpha. Piceatannol out-performed resveratrol, yet without matching TAS. Genistein downregulated TNF-alpha and IL-8 expression. These substances altered the LPS/IFNgamma-induced gene expression in mononuclear cells rather than in polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Immunoblot analyses corroborated the distinct activity pattern of resveratrol and genistein. In conclusion, resveratrol and their derivatives attenuated the inflammatory response of PBLs at several levels, whereas genistein acts on cytokines and pro-inflammatory interleukins.

Cell Survival↗