Biomedical subjects

Silvia Schnyder-Candrian

Publications and source records attributed to Silvia Schnyder-Candrian.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Interleukin-17 is a negative regulator of established allergic asthma.

T helper (Th)17 cells producing interleukin (IL)-17 play a role in autoimmune and allergic inflammation. Here, we show that IL-23 induces IL-17 in the lung and IL-17 is required during antigen sensitization to develop allergic asthma, as shown in IL-17R-deficient mice. Since IL-17 expression increased further upon antigen challenge, we addressed its function in the effector phase. Most strikingly, neutralization of IL-17 augmented the allergic response in sensitized mice. Conversely, exogenous IL-17 reduced pulmonary eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperreactivity, demonstrating a novel regulatory role of IL-17. Mechanistically, IL-17 down modulated eosinophil-chemokine eotaxin (CCL11) and thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17 (TARC) in lungs in vivo and ex vivo upon antigen restimulation. In vitro, IL-17 reduced TARC production in dendritic cells (DCs)-the major source of TARC-and antigen uptake by DCs and IL-5 and IL-13 production in regional lymph nodes. Furthermore, IL-17 is regulated in an IL-4-dependent manner since mice deficient for IL-4Ralpha signaling showed a marked increase in IL-17 concentration with inhibited eosinophil recruitment. Therefore, endogenous IL-17 is controlled by IL-4 and has a dual role. Although it is essential during antigen sensitization to establish allergic asthma, in sensitized mice IL-17 attenuates the allergic response by inhibiting DCs and chemokine synthesis.

Allergens↗

PubMed2006

Nonredundant roles of TIRAP and MyD88 in airway response to endotoxin, independent of TRIF, IL-1 and IL-18 pathways.

Inhaled endotoxins induce an acute inflammatory response in the airways mediated through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). However, the relative roles of the TLR4 adaptor proteins TIRAP and TRIF and of the MyD88-dependent IL-1 and IL-18 receptor pathways in this response are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that endotoxin-induced acute bronchoconstriction, vascular damage resulting in protein leak, Th1 cytokine and chemokine secretion and neutrophil recruitment in the airways are abrogated in mice deficient for either TIRAP or MyD88, but not in TRIF deficient mice. The contribution of other TLR-independent, MyD88-dependent signaling pathways was investigated in IL-1R1, IL-18R and caspase-1 (ICE)-deficient mice, which displayed normal airway responses to endotoxin. In conclusion, the TLR4-mediated, bronchoconstriction and acute inflammatory lung pathology to inhaled endotoxin critically depend on the expression of both adaptor proteins, TIRAP and MyD88, suggesting cooperative roles, while TRIF, IL-1R1, IL-18R signaling pathways are dispensable.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

PubMed2006

TLR4 gene dosage contributes to endotoxin-induced acute respiratory inflammation.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 is critical for endotoxin recognition and cellular responses. Using Tlr4 transgenic mice, we investigated the influence of Tlr4 gene dosage on acute respiratory response to endotoxin. Transgenic mice expressing three, six, or 30 copies of Tlr4, control, and Tlr4-deficient mice received intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 ug), and the airway response was analyzed by plethysmography, lung histology, cell recruitment, cytokine and chemokine secretion and protein leakage into the bronchoalveolar space. We demonstrate that overexpression of Tlr4 augmented a LPS-induced bronchoconstrictive effect, as well as tumor necrosis factor and CXC chemokine ligand 1 (keratinocyte-derived chemokine) production. Neutrophil recruitment, microvascular and alveolar epithelial injury with protein leak in the airways, and damage of the lung microarchitecture were Tlr4 gene dose-dependently increased. Therefore, the TLR4 expression level determines the extent of acute pulmonary response to inhaled endotoxin, and TLR4 may thus be a valuable target for immunointervention in acute lung inflammation as a result of endotoxins.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2006

Hepatic steatosis in the absence of tumor necrosis factor in mice.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has pleiotropic effects including on hepatic metabolism. Here we investigated the effect of high cholesterol diet (1.25%) in TNF deficient mice. TNFalpha/beta deficient mice developed hepatomegaly and extensive steatosis in the absence of steatohepatitis as compared to wild type mice. Saturated and unsaturated, prominently mono- but also poly-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA, PUFA) prevailed in steatotic livers. Down-regulation of the cholesterol scavenger receptor B1 and reduced insulin induced phosphorylation of protein kinase B in cholesterol fed TNFalpha/beta deficient mice likely contributed to the development of hepatic steatosis, which was accompanied by increased body weight and bone length. Steatosis was only present in TNFalpha/beta double deficient mice, however not in single TNF deficient mice suggesting a redundant role of TNFalpha and TNFbeta. In conclusion, high cholesterol diet causes an abnormal metabolic phenotype in the simultaneous absence of both TNFalpha and beta signals. The presence of either TNFalpha or beta alone is sufficient to reconstitute the control of lipid homeostasis.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Both hemopoietic and resident cells are required for MyD88-dependent pulmonary inflammatory response to inhaled endotoxin.

Inhaled endotoxin induces an inflammatory response that contributes to the development and severity of asthma and other forms of airway disease. Here, we show that inhaled endotoxin-induced acute bronchoconstriction, TNF, IL-12p40, and KC production, protein leak, and neutrophil recruitment in the lung are abrogated in mice deficient for the adaptor molecule MyD88. Bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and protein leak are normal in Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-beta-deficient mice. MyD88 is involved in TLR, but also in IL-1R-associated kinase 1-mediated IL-1R and -18R signaling. We exclude a role for IL-1 and IL-18 pathways in this response, as IL-1R1 and caspase-1 (ICE)-deficient mice develop lung inflammation while TLR4-deficient mice are unresponsive to inhaled LPS. Significantly, using bone marrow chimera, we demonstrate that both hemopoietic and resident cells are necessary for a full MyD88-dependent response to inhaled endotoxin; bronchoconstriction depends on resident cells while cytokine secretion is mediated by hemopoietic cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2005

IL-17 reduces TNF-induced Rantes and VCAM-1 expression.

Functional diversity of the memory T-cell-derived cytokine IL-17 was explored at the receptor level. IL-17 inhibited TNF-induced chemokine Rantes expression in human synovial fibroblasts and mouse lung fibroblasts. This inhibitory activity of IL-17 (IC50=0.2 ng/ml) was 6-fold more potent than its stimulatory activity on TNF-alpha-induced IL-6 secretion (ED50=1.2 ng/ml), measured in the same cells. IL-17 also inhibited the TNF-mediated expression of adhesion molecule VCAM-1, and the NF-kappaB binding to the VCAM-1 promoter-specific site, along with the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaB-beta. Neutralization of the human IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) by M202 antibody competitively reverses the IL-17-induced IL-6 upregulation. However, M202 only partially affected the inhibitions by IL-17. Yet, IL-17R was essential for the Rantes inhibition, as assessed in lung-derived fibroblasts from IL-17R gene deficient mice. Therefore, inhibitory and stimulatory functions of IL-17 involve receptor IL-17R but show distinct dose-responses and in turn different sensitivities to an IL-17R antagonizing antibody.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Dual effects of p38 MAPK on TNF-dependent bronchoconstriction and TNF-independent neutrophil recruitment in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The administration of endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria induces manifestations reminding of acute respiratory distress syndrome. p38 MAPKs have been implicated in this pathology. In this study, we show that the specific p38 alpha,beta MAPK inhibitor, compound 37, prevents LPS-induced bronchoconstriction and neutrophil recruitment into the lungs and bronchoalveolar space in a dose-dependent manner in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, TNF induction and TNF signals were blocked. In TNF-deficient mice, bronchoconstriction, but not neutrophil sequestration, in the lung was abrogated after LPS administration. Therefore, TNF inhibition does not explain all of the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitor. The p38 alpha,beta MAPK inhibitor also prevented LPS-induced neutrophilia in TNF-deficient mice. In conclusion, LPS provokes acute bronchoconstriction that is TNF dependent and p38 MAPK mediated, whereas the neutrophil recruitment is independent of TNF but depends on LPS/TLR4-induced signals mediated by p38 MAPK.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Endogenous leukemia inhibitory factor attenuates endotoxin response.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is induced in inflammation and likely plays a regulatory role. Using LIF-deficient mice (LIF-/-), we report here that endogenous LIF has a protective role in endotoxic shock and host defence. LIF-/- mice have heightened sensitivity to LPS in a LPS/D-galactosamine (D-Gal) sensitization model compared to wild-type mice (LIF+/+), enhanced thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, with increased hepatic necrosis, neutrophil sequestration in the lung and accelerated mortality. These findings correlated with 10-fold higher tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels and reduced IL-10 production in LIF-/- mice in response to LPS. Therefore, endogenous LIF attenuates the endotoxic shock response, enhances the expression of basal acute phase proteins and IL-10 production, which downregulates TNFalpha synthesis and release and thereby confers partial protection to endotoxemia.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2004

Immunoglobulin E and eosinophil-dependent protective immunity to larval Onchocerca volvulus in mice immunized with irradiated larvae.

Mice immunized with irradiated Onchocerca volvulus third-stage larvae developed protective immunity. Eosinophil levels were elevated in the parasite microenvironment at the time of larval killing, and measurements of total serum antibody levels revealed an increase in the immunoglobulin E (IgE) level in immunized mice. The goal of the present study was to identify the role of granulocytes and antibodies in the protective immune response to the larval stages of O. volvulus in mice immunized with irradiated larvae. Immunity did not develop in mice if granulocytes, including both neutrophils and eosinophils, were eliminated, nor did it develop if only eosinophils were eliminated. Moreover, larvae were killed in naïve interleukin-5 transgenic mice, and the killing coincided with an increase in the number of eosinophils and the eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) level in the animals. To determine if EPO was required for protective immunity, mice that were genetically deficient in EPO were immunized, and there were no differences in the rates of parasite recovery in EPO-deficient mice and wild-type mice. Two mouse strains were used to study B-cell function; micro MT mice lacked all mature B cells, and Xid mice had deficiencies in the B-1 cell population. Immunity did not develop in the micro MT mice but did develop in the Xid mice. Finally, protective immunity was abolished in mice treated to eliminate IgE from the blood. We therefore concluded that IgE and eosinophils are required for adaptive protective immunity to larval O. volvulus in mice.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Phytochemical inhibition of interleukin-4-activated Stat6 and expression of VCAM-1.

Cellular functions induced by cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-4 signaling through signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)6 typify a Th2-type immune response. We investigated the inhibitor effect of the NFkappaB blocker parthenolide in the late-phase, Th2-type immune response. Parthenolide blocked by 90.6 +/- 7.4% the IL-4-induced expression of the endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, a hallmark of extravasation of very late antigen-4-positive leukocytes. The noncytotoxic concentrations of 10 microM parthenolide left a section of the IL-4 receptor signal transduction intact. Parthenolide did not interfere with the immediate IL-4-induced phosphorylation of endothelial Stat6 on its tyrosine residue Y641 and with tyrosine phosphorylation of the adapter molecule, Jak2-both processes are obligatory for dimerization and nuclear translocation of Stat6. But parthenolide inhibited the Stat6 DNA-binding activity in IL-4-stimulated endothelial cells and inhibited the IL-4-driven activation of a luciferase reporter gene under the control of Stat6-responsive elements (IC(50) 5.11 +/- 0.67 microM). Together, these data suggest an anti-chronic disease profile for the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Rapid effects of glucose on the insulin signaling of endothelial NO generation and epithelial Na transport.

Insulin resistance is associated with deficits in glucose metabolism. We tested whether the vascular and renal responses to insulin might contribute to insulin resistance. Generation of endothelial-derived vasodilator nitric oxide (NO), estimated after a 2-h period of insulin stimulation, was inhibited in the presence of high glucose. Immunoprecipitations indicated that insulin-induced endothelial signal transduction was mediated through an immediate complex formation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, which caused serine phosphorylation of a protein complex that was comprised of Akt kinase and endothelial NO synthase. The enzymatic complexes did not form when the endothelial insulin stimulation occurred in the presence of high glucose concentrations. By contrast, neither epithelial signal transduction nor sodium transport in renal epithelial cells was affected by high glucose. Hence, glucose does not appear to modulate either the epithelial IRS cascade or renal sodium retention. Dysfunction of the endothelial IRS cascade and NO generation, which suppresses efficient delivery of nutrients, may further exacerbate the metabolic syndrome of insulin resistance.

Biological Transport↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mono- or dual-phosphorylation of akt kinase is regulated by distinct receptors that involve the common insulin receptor substrate.

We have previously shown that the interleukin (IL)-4 signal transduction involves the Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS) in human colorectal carcinoma cells LS513. In the present study it was tested whether IL-4 counters Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-1 through competition at the IRS signal transduction pathway and, thus, induces a molecular "insulin resistance" or whether IL-4 invokes an alternative signal transduction. The activated receptors of IL-4 and IGF-I both docked to IRS-1 and IRS-2 and invoked IRS complex formation with phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, as assessed by immunoprecipitation and detection of the precipitated compounds by immunoblot analysis. Both, IL-4 and IGF-1, signaling pathways induced phosphorylation of Akt kinase in a PI 3-kinase-dependent manner, as assessed by addition of the PI 3-kinase inhibitor Ly294002. Interleukin-4 stimulation induced mono-phosphorylation at serine residue S473 of Akt kinase but failed to activate the kinase. Insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulation invoked dual-phosphorylation at S473 and T308 of Akt kinase and subsequent activation of the kinase. When LS513 cells were treated with IL-4 to induce mono-phosphorylation of Akt, dual- phosphorylation and activation of Akt kinase in response to IGF-1 were still intact. Interleukin-4 yet reduced cell growth by at least 50% both, in the absence and presence of growth factor IGF-1. In the LS513 cells, IL-4 stimulated phosphorylation of Jak2, an adapter molecule at the IL-4 receptor, and phosphorylation of transcription factor Stat6 both, in the absence and presence of IGF-1. We found a similar IL-4 signal transduction and growth suppression in multiple human cell cultures, including primary cells. Our findings indicate that the molecular mechanism underlying growth suppression by IL-4 may depend on gene-expression but not on "insulin/growth factor resistance" at IRS.

Cell Division↗