Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0038002 (splenomegaly)
 9,873 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides with certain sequences or structure motifs can stimulate the immune system. We administered to mice a 27-mer phosphorothioate oligonucleotide (sequence 5'-TCG TCG CTG TCT CCG CTT CTT CTT GCC-3'), which has previously been shown to cause splenomegaly and hypergamma-globulinemia on in vivo administration in mice, and studied the pattern and kinetics of cytokine production at both the splenic mRNA and serum protein levels. Following i.p. administration of 50 mg/kg of oligonucleotide, significant increases in the splenic mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-1 beta, and IL-1Ra and serum levels of IL-6, IL-12, MIP-1 beta, and MCP-1 were observed. In contrast, no significant differences in splenic mRNA levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, IL-15, IFN-gamma, or MIF or serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IFN-gamma, or GM-CSF were detected. The induction of IL-12 secretion was dependent on the sequence and dose of the oligonucleotides. One oligonucleotide (sequence 5'-GAG AAC GCT CGA CCT TCG AT-3') induced a high level of IL-12 secretion even at 5 mg/kg, whereas another oligonucleotide (sequence 5'-CTC TGC CAC CCA TCT CTC TCC TTC T-3') did not induce significant IL-12 secretion even at 50 mg/kg. IL-12 secretion induced by various doses of oligonucleotide has the same kinetics but differs in magnitude. These studies show a distinct pattern and kinetics of cytokine production following oligonucleotide administration and further demonstrate that cytokine induction is not a general property of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides but is dependent on the sequence and dose of the oligonucleotides.
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PMID:Pattern and kinetics of cytokine production following administration of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides in mice. 936 8

We studied susceptibility to experimental systemic cryptococcosis in mice previously infected with the retroviral complex LP-BM5 (responsible for murine AIDS). LP-BM5 was inoculated to C57B1/6 mice by intravenous (i.v.) injection 8 weeks before an i.v. challenge with 4 x 10(3) CFU of Cryptococcus neoformans. Uninfected and singly infected mice were used as controls. LP-BM5 infection did not result in a significant increase in fungal burdens in the lungs or brains of co-infected animals compared to mice infected with C. neoformans alone. However, mortality was enhanced in the co-infected animals. The kinetics of splenocyte subsets differed in co-infected mice and LP-BM5-infected mice; the increase in CD4+, CD8+ and Ly5+ cells was only moderate in the former. Cytokine production by concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes from co-infected mice showed a marked decrease in the Th1 response (IFN-gamma, IL-2) and an increase in the Th2 response (IL-4, IL-10). Furthermore, cryptococcosis altered the course of MAIDS, inhibiting splenomegaly. This effect was not related to a decrease in ecotropic virus titres in the spleen or to improved in vitro responsiveness of spleen cells to Con A. The marked decrease in IFN-gamma production in co-infected animals could partly explain the inhibition of LP-BM5-induced splenomegaly. This model of murine retroviral infection does not seem to be suitable for studying cryptococcosis in immunosuppressed animals, but remains valuable for investigating in vivo interactions between two pathogens.
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PMID:Cryptococcus neoformans infection in mice previously infected with LP-BM5 MuLV, the agent of murine AIDS (MAIDS). 936 2

We have recently reported that interleukin 18 (IL-18) pretreatment induces immunologically mediated antitumor effects in BALB/c mice injected i.p. with syngeneic Meth A sarcoma. In this study, mice were pretreated with IL-18 before Meth A transplantation, and immunocompetency in pretreated or untreated tumor-bearing mice (TBM) 3, 9, and 15 days after transplantation was compared with that of normal mice. On day 3, pretreated TBM mitogen-stimulated spleen cells produced significantly decreased levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma during 24-h culture. In contrast, IL-10 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor productions were significantly enhanced in pretreated TBM cultures, and natural killer (NK) cell activity was also significantly augmented. Splenomegaly was also observed in the pretreated TBM on day 3, and the proliferating cells were identified as asialo GM1+ cells by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity of pretreated TBM spleen cells after a 5-day mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell culture did not differ from that of untreated TBM and normal mice on day 3 but was significantly enhanced on days 9 and 15 compared with that observed in normal mice and untreated TBM. Concurrently, the production of IL-2 and of IL-10 recovered and decreased, respectively, and NK activity dropped to normal levels. The effects of IL-18 on cytokine production and NK activity observed on day 3 treated TBM were also reproduced in normal mice. In conclusion, IL-18 seems to enhance the generation of NK activity early after tumor transplantation and simultaneously induces an increase and a decrease in the production of IL-10 and IL-2, respectively. As NK activity subsides to normal levels and IL-10 synthesis decreases, IL-2 synthesis is restored, and cytolytic cell activity is significantly enhanced. These results provide new insight into the immunologically mediated antitumor effects of IL-18.
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PMID:Interleukin 18 induces the sequential activation of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes to protect syngeneic mice from transplantation with Meth A sarcoma. 937 69

IFN-gamma receptor knockout mice and wild-type mice were infected per os with Encephalitozoon intestinalis. Both groups developed an infection that was chronic in the mutant mice whereas it was only transient in wild-type mice. The infection of mutant mice was characterized by the continual shedding of spores in feces, splenomegaly, the enlargement of the biliary tract, and the occurrence of numerous nodules in the liver and in the small intestine wall. The humoral response was studied by ELISA, IFA, and Western blotting. ELISA titers of anti-E. intestinalis antibodies of IgG, IgM, and IgA isotypes were higher in IFN-gamma R0/0 mice than in wild-type mice and they increased in time after infection. Levels of IgG2a were inferior to those of IgG1 in mutant mice in contrast to wild-type mice. High levels of parasite specific antibodies were accompanied by an increase in type 2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) secretion in the duodenum of IFN-gamma R0/0 mice. The E. intestinalis spore wall was recognized by IgM, IgG, and IgA from all infected mice whereas the extruded polar tube only reacted with IgG and IgA from IFN-gamma R0/0 mice after 45 days of the infection. IFN-gamma R0/0 mice IgG and IgA reacting with polar tube identified also a series of proteins which could be components of this structure. On the proteins recognized by all infected mice sera, two were first recognized by IgM at day 15 and then by IgG at day 30 in wild-type (WT) mice. The persistent reactivity of all proteins in mutant mice is consistent with the chronicity of the infection in these animals; in contrast, their resorption at day 30 in WT animals corroborates the transient character of the infection in these mice. The correlation between the evolution of the proteic pattern and the development of the infection provides evidence of the validity of this murine model to study human microsporidiosis. Indeed the reported results confirm the potential value of serological methods for diagnosing E. intestinalis infection in immunocompetent and in immunocompromised human subjects, for elucidating the age pattern of the microsporidiosis and also for identifying risk groups.
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PMID:Encephalitozoon intestinalis: humoral responses in interferon-gamma receptor knockout mice infected with a microsporidium pathogenic in AIDS patients. 960 96

CSF-1 and TNF-alpha in the kidney of MRL-Fas(lpr) mice are proximal events that precede and promote autoimmune lupus nephritis, while apoptosis of renal parenchymal cells is a feature of advanced human lupus nephritis. In the MRL-Fas(lpr) kidney, infiltrating T cells that secrete IFN-gamma are a hallmark of disease. To examine the impact of IFN-gamma on renal injury in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice, we constructed a IFN-gamma R-deficient strain. In MRL-Fas(lpr) mice lacking IFN-gamma R, circulating and intrarenal CSF-1 were absent, TNF-alpha was markedly reduced, survival was extended, lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly were prevented, and the kidneys remained protected from destruction. Mesangial cells (MC) that were signaled through the IFN-gamma R induced CSF-1 and TNF-alpha in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice. We detected a large number of apoptotic renal parenchymal cells in advanced nephritis and determined that signaling via the IFN-gamma R induces apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells (TEC), but not MC. By comparison, TNF-alpha induces apoptosis in MC, but not TEC, of the MRL-Fas(lpr) strain. Thus, IFN-gamma is directly and indirectly responsible for apoptosis of TEC and MC in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice, respectively. In conclusion, IFN-gamma R signaling is essential for the initiation (CSF-1), acceleration (CSF-1 and TNF-alpha), and apoptotic destruction of renal parenchymal cells in MRL-Fas(lpr) autoimmune kidney disease.
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PMID:IFN-gamma receptor signaling is essential for the initiation, acceleration, and destruction of autoimmune kidney disease in MRL-Fas(lpr) mice. 964 61

Simultaneous administration of high dose of IL-12 into tumor-inoculated mice resulted in a marked reduction of tumor growth in parallel with the augmented generation of cytotoxic T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells and IFN-gamma-producing Th cells. We found that these IL-12-activated antitumor effector cells preferentially accumulated in peripheral lymph nodes concomitantly with lymphadenopathy. However, IL-12 rather induced disappearance of antitumor effector cells including CD4+ T, CD8+ T and NK cells from spleen in spite of inducing splenomegaly. Lymph node cells obtained from IL-12-treated B16F0-bearing mice showed a marked IFN-gamma production in response to not only IL-2, IL-12, anti CD3 mAb but also B16F0 melanoma cells. Moreover, they could lyse B16F0 melanoma cells in a long-term cytotoxicity assay. It was also confirmed that IL-12-activated IFN-gamma producing Th1 cells were accumulated in tumor local site. Thus, IL-12 appeared to have a capability of stimulating selective migration of antitumor cells into lymph nodes and tumor local sites.
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PMID:Accumulation of IL-12-activated antitumor effector cells into lymph nodes of tumor-bearing mice. 965 65

When mice were infected i.v. with either Listeria monocytogenes or Brucella abortus, bioactive IL-12 was briefly detected in serum and supernatants of spleen homogenates immediately ex vivo. Although the time scale was more prolonged for the more slowly growing B. abortus, in both instances IL-12 production ceased while bacteria still persisted in high numbers. Production of IL-12, detected in serum and spleen, was neither increased nor prolonged by injecting Abs to IL-10 or IL-4. In contrast with live organisms, heat-killed bacteria did not induce detectable IL-12 in vivo and were less efficient when added in vitro to resident peritoneal cells or spleen cells. Mice lacking the receptors for TNF (TNFR-/- mice) were severely deficient in IL-12 production, suggesting a controlling role for TNF, which we have previously shown to be triggered by live, rather than dead, bacteria. Infection in the TNFR-/- mice was exacerbated, although in the Brucella-infected mice splenomegaly, the main indicator of immunopathology, was reduced. Production of NO by macrophages was deficient, but the TNFR-/- mice were not deficient in IFN-gamma production. In addition to being poor inducers of IL-12, killed bacteria actively suppressed IL-12 production in response to live bacteria, by mechanism(s) unknown. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of the fact that only live bacteria satisfactorily induce cell-mediated immunity to infection.
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PMID:Control of IL-12 and IFN-gamma production in response to live or dead bacteria by TNF and other factors. 968 10

We have previously shown that female transgenic mice expressing IFN-gamma in the epidermis, under the control of the involucrin promoter, develop inflammatory skin disease and a form of murine lupus. To investigate the pathogenesis of this syndrome, we generated female IFN-gamma transgenic mice congenitally deficient in either alpha beta or gamma delta T cells. TCR delta-/- transgenics continued to produce antinuclear autoantibodies and to develop severe kidney lesions. In contrast, TCR beta-/- IFN-gamma transgenic mice failed to produce antinucleosome, anti-dsDNA, or antihistone autoantibodies, and kidney disease was abolished. Both alpha beta- and gamma delta-deficient transgenics continued to develop IFN-gamma-associated skin disease, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. The data show that the autoantibody-mediated pathology of murine lupus in IFN-gamma transgenic mice is completely alpha beta T cell dependent and that gamma delta T cells cannot drive autoantibody production. These results imply that production of antinuclear autoantibodies in IFN-gamma transgenic animals is Ag driven, and we identified clusters of apoptotic cells in the epidermis of the mice as a possible source of self Ags. Our findings emphasize the relevance of this murine lupus model to the human disease.
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PMID:A central role for alpha beta T cells in the pathogenesis of murine lupus. 1035 71

In this report, we examined the involvement of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 as well as nitric oxide (NO) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced experimental abortion model in BALB/c mice. Although in vivo administration of LPS in pregnant mice showed a 72% decrease of serum IL-10, no significant difference in serum TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-4 levels, compared to controls, could be detected. At the same time, a correlation of fetal abortion and maternal splenomegaly with an important increase of NO synthesis in the serum was obtained. Simultaneous administration of LPS and aminoguanidine (AG; an inhibitor to NO synthase) rescued the LPS-induced fetal abortion, reduced maternal spleen weight to physiological levels, and decreased serum NO concentration to control levels. In vitro experiments showed that LPS directly induced NO production in primary placental cells and the TPOPHO-1 trophoblast cell line by stimulating the inducible isoform of NO synthase, which ultimately could be blocked by the NO synthase inhibitors AG and L-NAME. The results indicate that LPS, despite its beneficial involvement in intracellular infections, participates in inflammatory/autoimmune damage during pregnancy, leading to embryotoxicity, which is closely linked to the NO pathway.
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PMID:Inhibition of nitric oxide production rescues LPS-induced fetal abortion in mice. 1044 53

IL-18 is a new type of inflammatory cytokine similar to but distinct from IL-12 and IL-1beta. One intriguing property of IL-18 is synergism with IL-12 in many respects. In this study we examined the in vivo synergistic effects of IL-18/IL-12 in mice and found lethal toxicity accompanying an elevated IFN-gamma level in the serum. Since treatment with IL-18 alone did not have any apparent toxicity, and treatment with IL-12 alone showed only limited toxicity in our system, the synergy between the two cytokines was all the more remarkable. The major symptoms of the toxicity were weight loss, diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, splenomegaly, fatty liver, and atrophic thymus, most of which are similarly found in endotoxin-induced septic shock. However, in contrast to septic shock, TNF-alpha was not induced. The involvement of IFN-gamma in the toxicity was further studied in detail. Treatment of athymic nude mice with anti-asialo-GM1 did not reduce the toxicity, whereas anti-IFN-gamma treatment of wild-type mice alleviated it. When IFN-gamma-deficient mice were treated with IL-18/IL-12, the majority of them showed mortality and toxicity with severe pulmonary edema. These results indicate that IL-18/IL-12 treatment induces severe adverse effects through not only IFN-gamma-dependent mechanisms but also IFN-gamma-independent processes.
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PMID:IFN-gamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms in adverse effects caused by concomitant administration of IL-18 and IL-12. 1070 27


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