Modulatory effect of lipopolysaccharide on immune-related gene expression and serum protein fractionation in grey mullet, Mugil cephalus
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH
Authors: Abdel-Mageid, Afaf D.; Zaki, Abeer Gamal; El Senosi, Yakout A.; Fahmy, Hanan A.; El Asely, Amel M.; Abo-Al-Ela, Haitham G.; El-Kassas, Seham
Abstract
Immunity occupies the top priority in aquaculture. Great efforts have been made to study fish immunity, but little is known about the immunity of grey mullet, Mugil cephalus despite of its importance. We evaluated the effect of different doses (0, 1, 10 and 100 mu g/kg body weight) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of non-specific immune response genes (interleukin (il) 1 beta, il8, il10 and tumour necrosis factor alpha (tnf alpha)) in the liver, as well as its effect on the fractionation of serum protein in juvenile grey mullet along different times and concentrations. Analysis revealed that LPS initially caused an upregulation in the studied cytokines. After that, transcripts levels were switched sequentially between downregulation and upregulation, ending with an upregulation at 1 week post injection in il8, il10 and tnf alpha. Regarding il1 beta, its initial upregulation was followed by gradual decreases, which reached a marked downregulation at 1 week post injection. Protein fractionation exhibited many changes among doses and time. Nine fractions were discernable in protein electrophoresis of serum in all doses. The most pronounced changes were detected in fractions 7-9 (generally refer to gamma globulins or immunoglobulins) using densitometric analysis. In addition, LPS suggested to modulate the levels of serum transferrin. It is known that LPS is a component of the cell wall of Gram negative bacteria, and this study sheds light on the molecular fitness mechanisms against bacterial infection, which could help in developing a strategy to improve resistance to bacterial diseases, or possibly to enhance immune response in grey mullet.
IL-6 and IL-8 as Prognostic Factors in Peritoneal Fluid of Ovarian Cancer
IMMUNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
Authors: Silva Rodrigues, Isac Souza; Martins-Filho, Agrimaldo; Micheli, Douglas Cobo; de Lima, Cid Almeida; Tavares-Murta, Beatriz Martins; Candido Murta, Eddie Fernando; Nomelini, Rosekeila Simoes
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to analyze the dosage of a cytokine panel (IL2, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL10, and TNF-alpha) in the peritoneal fluid and relate the dosage of these cytokines to prognostic para- meters and survival in ovarian cancer. Peritoneal fluid was collected intraopera- tively from 29 patients with primary malignant ovarian neoplasia. Cytokine panel dosing was performed with ELISA. Comparisons of cytokines with prognostic factors were performed using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. ROC curves were used to determine the cutoff value of NLR, PLR, and IL6. Univariate and multivariate analysis of disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) were performed (Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression). The differences were considered significant when the value of p < .05. Higher levels of IL-6 were related to a neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >3.18 (p = .04), a platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) >219.23 (p = .0051), CA-125 levels >35 U/mL (p = .0019), stage IIIC (p = .0203), and DFS <= 24 months (p = .0267). For IL-8, higher levels were related to PLR > 219.23 (p = .0426), and CA-125 >35 U/mL (p = .0292). In the univariate analysis, IL-6 levels >= 87.23 in peritoneal fluid had a relationship with shorter DFS at significance threshold (p = .05), and with a shorter OS (p = .039). Multivariate survival analysis proved that IL-6 level in the peritoneal fluid was an independent predictor of OS. Therefore, IL-6 and IL-8 in peritoneal lavage were related to poor prognostic factors. These cytokines may represent new biomarkers for ovarian cancer therapies.