Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P10415 (Bcl-2)
 33,771 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previous studies have demonstrated that interleukin-24 [IL-24; originally called melanoma differentiation associated gene-7 (mda-7)] as a novel tumor suppressor gene has tumor-suppressive activity against a broad spectrum of human cancers. However, the therapeutic effect of the recombinant human IL-24 (rhIL-24) protein purified from prokaryotic cells on gastric cancer has not been reported. In this study, we purified soluble rhIL-24 using Q-Sepharose column after the denaturing and renaturing process from the protein of Escherichia coli BL21 transfected with pET-21a(+)-hIL-24 vector and treated by isopropyl-beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) for enhanced expression of transgene rhIL-24. We demonstrated that rhIL-24 was capable of inducing in vitro apoptosis of SGC7901 gastric cancer cells and activating peripheral blood mononuclear cellsto secrete cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma. We also showed that rhIL-24 was able to inhibit formation of blood capillaries on chicken embryonic allantois and in vivo tumor angiogenesis leading to suppressing SGC7901 gastric cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo possibly due to its downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and CD34. Therefore, our results indicate that rhIL-24 has potent suppressive effect on human SGC7901 gastric carcinoma cell line and warrant its further investigation for therapeutic application against gastric cancer.
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PMID:Recombinant human interleukin-24 suppresses gastric carcinoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. 1991 46

The live yellow fever vaccine (YF-17D) offers a unique opportunity to study memory CD8(+) T cell differentiation in humans following an acute viral infection. We have performed a comprehensive analysis of the virus-specific CD8(+) T cell response using overlapping peptides spanning the entire viral genome. Our results showed that the YF-17D vaccine induces a broad CD8(+) T cell response targeting several epitopes within each viral protein. We identified a dominant HLA-A2-restricted epitope in the NS4B protein and used tetramers specific for this epitope to track the CD8(+) T cell response over a 2 year period. This longitudinal analysis showed the following. 1) Memory CD8(+) T cells appear to pass through an effector phase and then gradually down-regulate expression of activation markers and effector molecules. 2) This effector phase was characterized by down-regulation of CD127, Bcl-2, CCR7, and CD45RA and was followed by a substantial contraction resulting in a pool of memory T cells that re-expressed CD127, Bcl-2, and CD45RA. 3) These memory cells were polyfunctional in terms of degranulation and production of the cytokines IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2, and MIP-1beta. 4) The YF-17D-specific memory CD8(+) T cells had a phenotype (CCR7(-)CD45RA(+)) that is typically associated with terminally differentiated cells with limited proliferative capacity (T(EMRA)). However, these cells exhibited robust proliferative potential showing that expression of CD45RA may not always associate with terminal differentiation and, in fact, may be an indicator of highly functional memory CD8(+) T cells generated after acute viral infections.
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PMID:The yellow fever virus vaccine induces a broad and polyfunctional human memory CD8+ T cell response. 1993 69

IL-15 is a pluripotent antiapoptotic cytokine that signals to cells of both the innate and adaptive immune system and is regarded as a highly promising immunomodulatory agent in cancer therapy. Sepsis is a lethal condition in which apoptosis-induced depletion of immune cells and subsequent immunosuppression are thought to contribute to morbidity and mortality. This study tested the ability of IL-15 to block apoptosis, prevent immunosuppression, and improve survival in sepsis. Mice were made septic using cecal ligation and puncture or Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. The experiments comprised a 2 x 2 full factorial design with surgical sepsis versus sham and IL-15 versus vehicle. In addition to survival studies, splenic cellularity, canonical markers of activation and proliferation, intracellular pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein expression, and markers of immune cell apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was examined both in plasma of treated mice and splenocytes that were stimulated ex vivo. IL-15 blocked sepsis-induced apoptosis of NK cells, dendritic cells, and CD8 T cells. IL-15 also decreased sepsis-induced gut epithelial apoptosis. IL-15 therapy increased the abundance of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 while decreasing proapoptotic Bim and PUMA. IL-15 increased both circulating IFN-gamma, as well as the percentage of NK cells that produced IFN-gamma. Finally, IL-15 increased survival in both cecal ligation and puncture and P. aeruginosa pneumonia. In conclusion, IL-15 prevents two immunopathologic hallmarks of sepsis, namely, apoptosis and immunosuppression, and improves survival in two different models of sepsis. IL-15 represents a potentially novel therapy of this highly lethal disorder.
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PMID:IL-15 prevents apoptosis, reverses innate and adaptive immune dysfunction, and improves survival in sepsis. 2060 9

Macrophages play a critical role in the pathophysiology of liver ischemia and reperfusion (IR) injury (IRI). However, macrophages that overexpress antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) may exert profound anti-inflammatory functions. This study explores the cytoprotective effects and mechanisms of ex vivo modified HO-1-expressing bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in well-defined mouse model of liver warm ischemia followed by reperfusion. Adoptive transfer of Ad-HO-1-transduced macrophages prevented IR-induced hepatocellular damage, as evidenced by depressed serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (sGOT) levels and preserved liver histology (Suzuki scores), compared to Ad-beta-gal controls. This beneficial effect was reversed following concomitant treatment with HO-1 siRNA. Ad-HO-1-transfected macrophages significantly decreased local neutrophil accumulation, TNF-alpha/IL-1beta, IFN-gamma/E-selectin, and IP-10/MCP-1 expression, caspase-3 activity, and the frequency of apoptotic cells, as compared with controls. Unlike in controls, Ad-HO-1-transfected macrophages markedly increased hepatic expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2/Bcl-xl and depressed caspase-3 activity. These results establish the precedent for a novel investigative tool and provide the rationale for a clinically attractive new strategy in which native macrophages can be transfected ex vivo with cytoprotective HO-1 and then infused, if needed, to prospective recipients exposed to hepatic IR-mediated local inflammation, such as during liver transplantation, resection, or trauma.
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PMID:Adoptive transfer of ex vivo HO-1 modified bone marrow-derived macrophages prevents liver ischemia and reperfusion injury. 2002 97

The interleukin (IL)-7 receptor (IL-7R) is expressed on human pre-B but not mature B-cells. We hypothesised that aberrant expression of IL-7R contributes to B-cell oncogenesis. Surface expression of IL-7R components CD127 and CD132, and intracellular Ki-67 and Bcl-2 were examined by flow cytometry on peripheral blood or bone marrow mononuclear cells (PBMC; BMMC) from patients with B-cell derived neoplasms, chronic human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection alone, or healthy volunteers. Plasma IL-7, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and BAFF were measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay or bead array. The effects of exogenous IL-7 on PBMC and BMMC were examined. CD127 expression was elevated in pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B-ALL) and in some cases of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (B-NHL). Plasma IL-7 levels were higher in pre-B-ALL, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and HIV-1 associated B-NHL (HIV-B-NHL) compared with control groups. CD127+ pre-B-ALL cells had higher expression of Ki-67, Bcl-2 and CD132 than CD127- counterparts. Unlike T-lineage cells, CD127+ pre-B-ALL cells did not down-regulate CD127 in response to exogenous IL-7. Patients with B-cell derived neoplasms had elevated circulating IL-10 and decreased BAFF. These findings support a role for the IL-7/IL-7R system in B-cell oncogenesis.
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PMID:IL-7 receptor is expressed on adult pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other B-cell derived neoplasms and correlates with expression of proliferation and survival markers. 2006 Jul 40

Sepsis is a highly lethal disorder characterized by widespread apoptosis-induced depletion of immune cells and the development of a profound immunosuppressive state. IL-7 is a potent antiapoptotic cytokine that enhances immune effector cell function and is essential for lymphocyte survival. In this study, recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) efficacy and potential mechanisms of action were tested in a murine peritonitis model. Studies at two independent laboratories showed that rhIL-7 markedly improved host survival, blocked apoptosis of CD4 and CD8 T cells, restored IFN-gamma production, and improved immune effector cell recruitment to the infected site. Importantly, rhIL-7 also prevented a hallmark of sepsis (i.e., the loss of delayed-type hypersensitivity), which is an IFN-gamma- and T cell-dependent response. Mechanistically, rhIL-7 significantly increased the expression of the leukocyte adhesion markers LFA-1 and VLA-4, consistent with its ability to improve leukocyte function and trafficking to the infectious focus. rhIL-7 also increased the expression of CD8. The potent antiapoptotic effect of rhIL-7 was due to increased Bcl-2, as well as to a dramatic decrease in sepsis-induced PUMA, a heretofore unreported effect of IL-7. If additional animal studies support its efficacy in sepsis and if current clinical trials continue to confirm its safety in diverse settings, rhIL-7 should be strongly considered for clinical trials in sepsis.
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PMID:IL-7 promotes T cell viability, trafficking, and functionality and improves survival in sepsis. 2060 9

Naringenin, a flavonoid in grapefruits and citrus fruits, has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Contact hypersensitivity (CHS) is a T cell-mediated immune reaction, and the factors released from macrophages also contribute to this response. Previous studies showed that naringenin suppressed CHS by inhibiting activation and migration of macrophages. However, little is known about naringenin's effects on T lymphocytes. Our study indicated that naringenin potently suppressed picryl chloride (PCl)-induced contact hypersensitivity by inhibiting the proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes. In vitro, both of the activated hapten-specific T cells and the T cells stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 showed growth arrest after naringenin treatment. Furthermore, naringenin reduced CD69 (the protein level) and cytokines such as IL-2, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma (the mRNA level) expressions which highly expressed by activated T cells. Meanwhile, naringenin also induced T cell apoptosis by upregulation of Bax, Bad, PARP, cleaved-caspase 3 and downregulation of phosphorylated Akt, Bcl-2. These findings suggest that, besides its anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages, naringenin also showed inhibitory effects on the activation and proliferation of T cells to alleviate symptoms of contact hypersensitivity.
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PMID:A novel regulatory mechanism of naringenin through inhibition of T lymphocyte function in contact hypersensitivity suppression. 2047 63

CD8(+) T cells play an essential role in the protection against both acute as well as chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Although the role of IL-15 has been reported to be important for the development of long-term CD8(+) T cell immunity against the pathogen, the simultaneous roles played by both IL-15 and related gamma-chain family cytokine IL-7 in the generation of this response during acute phase of infection has not been described. We demonstrate that while lack of IL-7 or IL-15 alone has minimal impact on splenic CD8(+) T cell maturation or effector function development during acute Toxoplasmosis, absence of both IL-7 and IL-15 only in the context of infection severely down-regulates the development of a potent CD8(+) T cell response. This impairment is characterized by reduction in CD44 expression, IFN-gamma production, proliferation and cytotoxicity. However, attenuated maturation and decreased effector functions in these mice are essentially downstream consequences of reduced number of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. Interestingly, the absence of both cytokines did not impair initial CD8(+) T cell generation but affected their survival and differentiation into memory phenotype IL-7Ralpha(hi) cells. Significantly lack of both cytokines severely affected expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, but minimally affected proliferation. The overarching role played by these cytokines in eliciting a potent CD8(+) T cell immunity against T. gondii infection is further evidenced by poor survival and high parasite burden in anti IL-7 treated IL-15(-/-) mice. These studies demonstrate that the two cytokines, IL-7 and IL-15, are exclusively important for the development of protective CD8(+) T cell immune response against T. gondii. To the best of our knowledge this synergism between IL-7 and IL-15 in generating an optimal CD8(+) T cell immunity against intracellular parasite or any other infectious disease model has not been previously reported.
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PMID:Absence of both IL-7 and IL-15 severely impairs the development of CD8 T cell response against Toxoplasma gondii. 2052 Jul 79

Prolactin (PRL) is not only a pituitary hormone with important role in the reproduction but it also acts as a cytokine involved in the immune response. Prolactin is produced by many immune system cells that express the prolactin receptor (PRL-R). PRL is then able to affect local microenvironment of the immune system organs and contribute to maturation as well as functioning of the immune system cells. The role of PRL in the immune reactions is stimulating; its presence significantly increases the ability of the immune cells to proliferate and produce cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-1 beta. This effect results from activation of a number of intracellular pathways (Jak2/STAT, Ras/Raf/MAPK etc.) and activation of the genes linked to apoptosis and proliferation (Bcl-XL, Bcl-2, pim, XIAP) or transcription factors (IRF-1). Interestingly, PRL itself is unable to initiate an immune reaction; it is more a factor maintaining balance within immune reactions, contra-regulatory to glucocorticoids, which effect is manifested under critical circumstances of physical or psychological stress. Intensified immunosuppression during stress, combined with a lack of prolactin, has surprisingly been identified during experiments on mice and is also found in human medicine. On the other hand, increased prolactin serum levels were described in several systemic as well as organ-specific autoimmune diseases. PRL levels elevation in these diseases might result from several factors: an increased release of prolactin from the anterior pituitary due to inflammatory cytokines or reduced production of suppressive dopamine, or, alternatively, an increased production of prolactin in immune system cells. In some of these diseases, such as celiac disease and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the PRL level correlates with the disease activity. This supports the hypothesis that PRL oversupply shifts the balance in the immune response towards higher activity of the immune system cells and initiation of the immune reaction. For example, in SLE, prolactin prolongs the life cycle of autoreactive B-lymphocytes and their ability to produce pathogenic autoantibodies. Further research into the effects of PRL and monitoring of patients with hyperprolactinaemia and autoimmune diseases will provide guidance on how to best utilize the possibly so far hidden prolactin potential. It is questionable whether pharmacotherapy could be used to decrease serum PRL levels in the treatment ofautoimmune diseases. However, the currently running studies suggest it might be possible to use PRL level detection as a marker of a disease activity.
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PMID:[A review of the effects of prolactin hormone and cytokine on the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases]. 2057 90

Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease) is a polygenic disorder with complex etiopathogenesis. Apoptosis is proposed as one of its mechanisms. Programmed cell death is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis, but when it is deregulated, it may contribute to the development of disorders. There are two apoptotic pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic. The extrinsic pathway maybe activated among others through FasL binding to its receptor Fas. The FasL induced apoptotic pathway proceeds with cascade activation of following caspases, with final effector proteins recruitment. There is also a group of inhibitory proteins of apoptosis, where the Bcl-2 protein predominates. In the course of Hashimoto's disease the following aberrations are encountered: increased Fas/FasL expression, caspases and Bid protein concentrations, decreased Bcl-2 concentration and at the same time increase of Bcl-2 within intrathyroidal lymphocytes. They favor the thyrocytes apoptosis and thyroid gland destruction. Synergistically acting proapoptotic cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF or IL-beta, are considered to be major factors of the abnormalities mentioned above. TSH, T3 and T4, TSAb and TSBAb antibodies and iodide concentration may also play a role in pro- and antiapoptotic factors expression regulation. The role of TRAIL protein in the course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis needs evaluation. The current data on the role of apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of the autoimmune thyroiditis will be presented and discussed.
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PMID:[The role of apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroiditis]. 2259 Sep 10


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