Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P80098 (monocyte chemoattractant protein)
 1,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The lipopeptide FSL-1 [S-(2,3-bispalmitoyloxypropyl)-Cys-Gly-Asp-Pro-Lys-His-Pro-Lys-Ser-Phe, Pam(2)CGDPKHPKSF] synthesized on the basis of the N-terminal structure of a Mycoplasma salivarium lipoprotein capable of activating normal human gingival fibroblasts to induce the cell surface expression of ICAM-1 revealed an activity to induce production of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-8. FSL-1 also activated macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor alpha as the Mycoplasma fermentans-derived lipopeptide MALP-2 (Pam(2)CGNNDESNISFKEK), a potent macrophage-activating lipopeptide, did. The level of the activity of FSL-1 was higher than that of MALP-2. This result suggests that the difference in the amino acid sequence of the peptide portion affects the activity because the framework structure other than the amino acid sequence of the former is the same as that of the latter. To determine minimal structural requirements for the activity of FSL-1, the diacylglyceryl Cys and the peptide portions were examined for this activity. Both portions did not reveal the activity. A single amino acid substitution from Phe to Arg and a fatty acid substitution from palmitic acid to stearic acid drastically reduced the activity. Similar results were obtained in measuring the NF-kappaB reporter activity of FSL-1 to human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with Toll-like receptor 2 and 6, together with a NF-kappaB-dependent luciferase reporter plasmid. These results suggest that both the diacylglyceryl and the peptide portions of FSL-1 are indispensable for the expression of biological activities and for the recognition by Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 and that the recognition of FSL-1 by Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 appears to be hydrophobic.
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PMID:Relationship between structures and biological activities of mycoplasmal diacylated lipopeptides and their recognition by toll-like receptors 2 and 6. 1497 73

During the last 10 years, various adipocytokines have been described which influence insulin sensitivity profoundly and might, therefore, potentially link obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was characterized as a novel adipose-secreted factor upregulated in obesity and insulin resistance that impairs insulin signaling in fat cells in vitro and can be found in atherosclerotic lesions. To clarify expression and regulation of this adipocytokine, MCP-1 mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction during differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and after treatment with various hormones known to induce insulin resistance. Interestingly, MCP-1 synthesis was significantly downregulated between 43% and 68% during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, 10 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor alpha, 100 nM insulin, 500 ng/ml growth hormone (GH), and 30 ng/ml interleukin (IL)-6-induced MCP-1 mRNA by up to 124-, 23-, 8-, and 2.5-fold, respectively, in a time-dependent fashion with significant stimulation seen at concentrations as low as 0.5 ng/ml GH and 30 ng/ml IL-6. In contrast, the glucocorticoid dexamethasone potently downregulated MCP-1 with significant suppression detectable at concentrations as low as 3 nM and as early as 2h after effector addition. Studies using pharmacological inhibitors suggested that the positive effects of GH and IL-6 on MCP-1 synthesis are at least in part mediated by janus kinase 2 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Taken together, our results show a differential regulation of MCP-1 mRNA by insulin resistance-inducing hormones and support the view that this adipocytokine might be an interesting novel candidate linking insulin resistance, obesity, and atherosclerosis. This adipocytokine could thus be a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of impaired insulin sensitivity.
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PMID:Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression is stimulated by growth hormone and interleukin-6 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 1506 99

Calcium oxalate (CaOx), calcium phosphate (CaP), and uric acid or urate are the most common crystals seen in the kidneys. Most of the crystals evoke an inflammatory response leading to fibrosis, loss of nephrons, and eventually to chronic renal failure. Of the three, CaOx monohydrate is the most reactive, whereas some forms of CaP do not evoke any discernible response. Reactive oxygen species are produced during the interactions between the crystals and renal cells and are responsible for the various cellular responses. CaOx crystals generally form in the renal tubules. Exposure of renal epithelial cells to CaOx crystals results in the increased synthesis of osteopontin, bikunin, heparan sulfate, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and prostaglandin (PG) E2, which are known to participate in inflammatory processes and in extracellular matrix production. CaOx crystal deposition in rat kidneys also activates the renin-angiotensin system. Both Ox and CaOx crystals selectively activate p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in exposed tubular cells. CaP crystals can form in the tubular lumen, tubular cells, or tubular basement membrane. Renal epithelial cells exposed to brushite crystals produce MCP-1. Basic CaP and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate induce mitogenesis in fibroblasts, stimulate production of PGE2, and up-regulate the synthesis of metalloproteinases (MMP) while down-regulating the production of inhibitors of MMPs through activation of p42/44 MAPK. Deposition of urate crystals in the kidneys becomes associated with renal tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and development of inflammatory infiltrate. Renal epithelial cells exposed to uric acid crystals synthesize MCP-1 as well as PGE2. Monocytes or neutrophils exposed to urate crystals produce tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and IL-8. Expression of IL-8 is mediated through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK-1)/ERK-2 and nuclear transcription factors activated protein 1 and nuclear factor kappabeta. Urate crystals also stimulate the macrophages to produce MMPs.
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PMID:Crystal-induced inflammation of the kidneys: results from human studies, animal models, and tissue-culture studies. 1523 23

DNA arrays are useful tools for simultaneously studying the expressions of a large number of genes. Herein, we describe the construction and the optimization of conditions for a low-density DNA macroarray specific for the porcine immune system. This specific DNA macroarray contains 63 gene products, including 20 cytokines, 11 chemokines, and 12 immunologically relevant receptors. It was constructed by designing gene-specific oligonucleotide primers from porcine sequences available in the EMBL or TIGR expressed sequence tag data bank and using primers from conserved regions of aligned sequences from other species for sequences unavailable for swine. Amplicons produced by reverse transcription-PCR were cloned, sequenced, and spotted onto nylon filters. A trial DNA array was first produced to optimize the intensity, specificity, and variability of signals from amplicons amplified with either gene-specific or universal primers. The DNA macroarray was then validated by comparing the gene expression profile of nonstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to that of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin (PMA-Iono)-stimulated PBMCs from three different animals over a 48-h time period. As already described for more conventional techniques, we showed that certain genes, such as those for CD40, gamma interferon, interleukin 2 (IL-2), the IL-2 receptor, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, were upregulated in PMA-Iono-stimulated PBMCs. A detailed analysis also indicated a downregulation of several genes which are expressed mainly by macrophages (IL-1, IL-8, AMCF-1, natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein, neutrophil chemotactic protein, DAP-12, and monocyte chemoattractant protein) in samples stimulated for 24 h with PMA-Iono compared to their levels of expression in control samples. These results indicate that the DNA macroarray that we constructed can be a useful tool for simultaneously monitoring the mRNA expression of immunologically relevant genes in different porcine samples.
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PMID:Development of a macroarray to specifically analyze immunological gene expression in swine. 1524 43

The development of a nosocomial pneumonia is facilitated by alterations in host innate pulmonary antibacterial defenses following surgical trauma, which can result in decreased pulmonary bacterial clearance and increased morbidity and mortality. In a murine model of postoperative nosocomial infection, surgical stress (laparotomy) decreased Escherichia coli clearance from the lungs of animals that underwent surgery. Consistent with previous studies, (i) pulmonary levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha at 6 h and of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) at 24 h post-bacterial infection (PBI) were decreased in animals that underwent laparotomy 24 h prior to E. coli infection (LAP/E. coli) compared to animals that received E. coli only; (ii) KC and macrophage inhibitory protein 2 were elevated at 6 h PBI in LAP/E. coli animals compared to E. coli-only animals; however, at 24 h PBI, levels were higher in the E. coli-only group; (iii) at 24 h PBI, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 was lower in the LAP/E. coli group compared to the E. coli-only group; (iv) IL-10 levels were unaffected at all time points evaluated; and (v) the total number of neutrophils present in the lungs of LAP/E. coli animals at 6 h PBI was decreased in comparison to that in E. coli-only animals, resulting in decreased bacterial clearance and increased mortality in LAP/E. coli animals by 24 h PBI. Similar changes in cytokine profiles, pulmonary bacterial clearance, and mortality were consistent with reported findings in patients following surgical trauma. This model, therefore, provides a clinically relevant system in which the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to the development of nosocomial pneumonia can be further explored.
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PMID:Bacterial clearance and cytokine profiles in a murine model of postsurgical nosocomial pneumonia. 1524 50

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major etiologic agent of acute lower respiratory infections. We evaluated the antimicrobial and immunologic effects of cethromycin (ABT-773), a ketolide antibiotic, for the treatment of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in a mouse model. Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally once with 10(6) CFU of M. pneumoniae on day 0. Treatment was started 24 h after inoculation. Groups of mice were treated subcutaneously with cethromycin at 25 mg/kg of body weight or with placebo daily until sacrifice. Five to ten mice per group were evaluated at days 1, 4, 7, and 10 after inoculation. Outcome variables included bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for M. pneumoniae quantitative culture and cytokine and chemokine concentration determinations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha], gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta], IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha [MIP-1alpha]), histopathologic score of the lungs (HPS), and pulmonary function tests (PFT) using whole-body, unrestrained plethysmography at the baseline and post-methacholine exposure as indicators of airway obstruction (AO) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), respectively. The cethromycin-treated mice had a greater reduction in M. pneumoniae culture titers than placebo-treated mice, reaching statistical significance on days 7 and 10 (P < 0.05). HPS was significantly reduced in cethromycin-treated mice compared with placebo-treated mice on days 4, 7, and 10 (P < 0.05). Cytokine concentrations in BAL samples were reduced in mice that received cethromycin, and the differences were statistically significant for 7 of the 10 cytokines measured (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-12, MCP-1, and MIP-1alpha) on day 4 (P < 0.05). PFT values were improved in the cethromycin-treated mice, with AO and AHR significantly reduced on day 4 (P < 0.05). In this mouse model, treatment with cethromycin significantly reduced M. pneumoniae culture titers in BAL samples, cytokine and chemokine concentrations in BAL samples, histologic inflammation in the lungs, and disease severity as defined by AO and AHR.
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PMID:Impact of cethromycin (ABT-773) therapy on microbiological, histologic, immunologic, and respiratory indices in a murine model of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lower respiratory infection. 1527 98

Stimulation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to the production of cytokines that elicit massive liver apoptosis. We investigated the in vivo role of stress-responsive transcription factors (SRTFs) in this process focusing on the precipitating events that are sensitive to a cell-permeant peptide inhibitor of SRTF nuclear import (cSN50). In the absence of cSN50, mice challenged with LPS displayed very early bursts of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (1 h), interleukin 6 (2 h), interleukin 1 beta (2 h), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (2 h). Activation of both initiator caspases 8 and 9 and effector caspase 3 was noted 4 h later when full-blown DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation were first observed (6 h). At this time an increase of pro-apoptotic Bax gene expression was observed. It was preceded by a decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 and BclX(L) gene transcripts. Massive apoptosis was accompanied by microvascular injury manifested by hemorrhagic necrosis and a precipitous drop in blood platelets observed at 6 h. An increase in fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products and a rise in plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 occurred between 4 and 6 h. Inhibition of SRTFs nuclear import with the cSN50 peptide abrogated all these changes and increased survival from 7 to 71%. Thus, the nuclear import of SRTFs induced by LPS is a prerequisite for activation of the genetic program that governs cytokines/chemokines production, liver apoptosis, microvascular injury, and death. These results should facilitate the rational design of drugs that protect the liver from inflammation-driven apoptosis.
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PMID:Nuclear import of proinflammatory transcription factors is required for massive liver apoptosis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. 1534 13

Although the existence of anti-inflammatory alternatively activated macrophages (aamphi) has been accepted widely based on in vitro studies, their in vivo location, phenotype, and function still are debated. Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by a genetic deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase and is characterized by accumulation of glycosphingolipids in so-called Gaucher cells (GCs). By using immunohistochemical analysis, we investigated whether this results in an aamphi phenotype. GCs are macrophage-like cells, expressing acid phosphatase, CD68, CD14, and HLA class II, but not CD11b, CD40, or dendritic cell markers. GCs show infrequent immunoreactivity for mannose receptor GCs did not express proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, but did express the aamphi markers CD163, CCL18, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, CD36 and signal receptor protein alpha, involved in lipid uptake, also were observed on GCs. Thus, GCs represent a distinctive population of myeloid cells that resemble aamphi but differ from previously described in vitro aamphi.
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PMID:Gaucher cells demonstrate a distinct macrophage phenotype and resemble alternatively activated macrophages. 1536 65

The innate immune response, through the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and antiviral factors, plays an important role in protecting the host from pathogens. Several components of the innate response, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interferon-inducible protein 10, and RANTES, are upregulated in the brain following neurovirulent retrovirus infection in humans and in animal models. However, it remains unclear whether this immune response is protective, pathogenic, or both. In the present study, by using TNF-alpha(-/-) mice we analyzed the contribution of TNF-alpha to neurological disease induced by four neurovirulent murine retroviruses, with three of these viruses encoding portions of the same neurovirulent envelope protein. Surprisingly, only one retrovirus (EC) required TNF-alpha for disease induction, and this virus induced less TNF-alpha expression in the brain than did the other retroviruses. Analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein and F4/80 in EC-infected TNF-alpha(-/-) mice showed normal activation of astrocytes but not of microglia. Thus, TNF-alpha-mediated microglial activation may be important in the pathogenic process initiated by EC infection. In contrast, TNF-alpha was not required for pathogenesis of the closely related BE virus and the BE virus induced disease in TNF-alpha(-/-) mice by a different mechanism that did not require microglial activation. These results provide new insights into the multifactorial mechanisms involved in retrovirus-induced neurodegeneration and may also have analogies to other types of neurodegeneration.
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PMID:Separate sequences in a murine retroviral envelope protein mediate neuropathogenesis by complementary mechanisms with differing requirements for tumor necrosis factor alpha. 1554 62

To characterize the roles of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its components in the disease processes, we investigated the cytokine profile induced by live P. gingivalis, its lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and its major fimbrial protein, fimbrillin (FimA). Using cytokine antibody arrays, we found that P. gingivalis LPS and FimA induced a similar profile of cytokine expression when exposed to mouse peritoneal macrophages but that this profile differed significantly in response to live P. gingivalis. In vitro, mouse peritoneal macrophages were stimulated to produce interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and lymphotactin by live P. gingivalis, but not by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA, while RANTES, gamma interferon, IL-17, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor were induced by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA, but not by live P. gingivalis. In vivo, IL-6 mRNA was strongly induced only by live P. gingivalis while monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 mRNA was strongly induced only by P. gingivalis LPS and FimA in mouse calvarial scalp, further confirming the differences of cytokine profile induced in vitro. Cytokine antibody arrays using toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)- and TLR4-deficient macrophages revealed that most of the cytokines induced by P. gingivalis LPS or FimA signal through TLR2, while most of cytokines induced by live P. gingivalis signal through both TLR2 and TLR4. Interestingly, the activation of TLR2 by live P. gingivalis inhibited the release of RANTES, VCAM-1, and IL-1alpha from mouse peritoneal macrophages. A tumor necrosis factor alpha enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay further confirmed that P. gingivalis LPS and FimA activate mouse peritoneal macrophages via TLR2. These results indicate that host immune cells sense live P. gingivalis and its components differently, which translates into the expression of different inflammatory cytokine profiles.
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PMID:Cytokine profiling of macrophages exposed to Porphyromonas gingivalis, its lipopolysaccharide, or its FimA protein. 1566 35


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