Interleukin functions

One component of the age-ielated decline in immune function is decreased production of the lymphokine that promotes the growth of T-ceUs, interleukin 2 (IL-2). Administration of recombinant-derived IL-2, both in vitro and in vivo, appears to restore certain immune functions in aged mice. Recovery of T-regulatory effects on B-ceU differentiation has been reported in human cells from elderly patients treated with IL-1 and/or IL-2 (42). Similar effects have been observed in the presence of the pentapeptide thymopentin [69558-55-0] (Arg Lys Asp Val Tyr), a weU-known IL-2 inducer. Recombinant IL-2 adrninistered to aged mice for three weeks has been shown to correct the T-ceU functional deficiency associated with antigen-specific immunoglobulin production by certain lymphoid tissue (43). 

Reconstitution of T-ceU deficiencies with thymic hormones has not been successhil even though the various hormone preparations induce prothymocyte differentiation and functions of mature T-ceUs. They do not regulate the maturation of thymocytes in the thymus. In contrast, IL-2, endotoxin, thymic epithehal cell products, but not interleukin 1, were found to promote functional maturation of immature thymocytes. Two classes of dmgs show thymomimetic actions (Table 2). Levamisole [14769-73-4], sodium salt of diethyl dithiocarbamate (imuthiol) and certain... 

Cytokine receptors are a group of structurally related receptors, which couple to the JAK-STAT pathway. Cytokine receptors function as homodimers or heterooligomers. They are divided into two main subclasses, class I, which contains receptors for a variety of hematopoietic growth factors and interleukins and class II, which contains receptors for interferons and interleukins 10, 20/24 and 22. 

Historically, many cytokines were discovered by means of their immunoregulatory properties, hence, the term interleukins. However, cytokines regulate not only functions of the specific immune system, but also many... 

Madindoline A (7) and B (ent-8) are potent inhibitors of interleukin 6. In a total synthesis [21] that also intended to determine the relative and absolute configurations of these novel antibiotics, the densely functionalized cyclopen-tene-l,3-dione ring of 7 and 8 was elaborated via RCM of diene-diol 2 (Scheme 1). 

Margulis, B.A., Sandler, S., Eizirik, D.L., Welsh, N., Welsh, M. (1991). Liposomal delivery of purified heat shock protein hsp70 in rat pancreatic islets as protection against interleukin I beta-induced impaired beta cell function. Diabetes 40, 1418-1422. 

Dong C Regulation and pro-inflammatory function of interleukin-17 family cytokines. Immunol Rev 2008 226 80-86. 

The first report of the action of a chemokine on neurons was published in 1993. The study demonstrated that IL-8 could increase the survival of cultured neurons (Araujo and Cotman, 1993). However, as can be appreciated from its name, IL-8 was not known to be a chemokine at that time and was instead classed as an interleukin. Indeed, the expression of chemokine receptors by neurons was not generally appreciated until around 1997/1998 when several reports suggested this. These reports included observations of the expression of chemokine receptors by neuronal cell lines (Hesselgesser et al. 1997), primary cultures of neurons (Meucci et al. 1998 Ohtani et al. 1998), and in brain sections from HlV-1, Alzheimer s disease, and other patients (Horuk et al. 1997 Westmoreland et al. 1998 Xia et al. 1997). Furthermore, data were obtained, suggesting functions for chemokine signaling in the development of the nervous system (Zou et al. 1998) as well as in neuronal survival and communication (Giovannelli et al. 1998 Meucci et al. 1998). 

The sterols and sterolins in rice bran are potent immunomodulators. The best response was obtained with a 100 1 sterol/sterolin mixture that demonstrated T-cell proliferation from 20% to 920% and active cell antigens after four weeks in human subjects (Bouic et al, 1996). Another in vitro experimental study with sterol/sterolins, demonstrated a significant increase in cytokinines, interleukin-2 and y-interferon between 17% and 41 % in addition to an increase in natural killer cell activity. These experiments (Bouic et al, 1996) prove that sterol/sterolins are potent immunomodulators with important implications for the treatment of immune dysfunction. Rice bran products are excellent dietary supplements for the improvement of immune function. It is probable that the effects of rice bran on diabetes, CVD and cancer all result from improved immune function. 

The production of a female-influencing secretion from the chin gland of male Plethodontid salamander (P. jordani) points to a similar extension of function by the acquisition of female olfactory sensitivity to an intercellular signal protein. Female receptivity is enhanced by a male cytokine-like compound of the interleukin-6 family, in its released form. Rollman et al. (1999) note that pheromonal activity is a previously unrecognised function for cytokines. 

BUN, blood urea nitrogen Cl, calcineurin inhibitor CSA, cyclosporine IL-2RA, interleukin 2 receptor antagonist LFTs, liver function tests MMF, mycophenolate mofetil OKT-3, muronomab-CD3 RATG, rabbit antithymocyte immunoglobulin ... 

Multiple factors play a role in the development of AOM. Viral infection of the nasopharynx impairs eustachian tube function and causes mucosal inflammation, impairing mucociliary clearance and promoting bacterial proliferation and infection. Children are predisposed to AOM because their eustachian tubes are shorter, more flaccid, and more horizontal than adults, which make them less functional for drainage and protection of the middle ear from bacterial entry. Clinical signs and symptoms of AOM are the result of host immune response and damage to cells caused by inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukins that are released from bacteria.4... 

Holmes WE, Lee J, Kuang WJ, Rice GC, Wood WI. Structure and functional expression of a human interleukin-8 receptor. Science 1991 253 1278-1280. 

Damaj BB, McColl SR, Neote K, et al. Identification of G-protein binding sites of the human interleukin-8 receptors by functional mapping of the intracellular loops. FASEB J 1996 10(12) 1426-1434. 

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) affects antigen presentation capacity but also interferes with many other functions of monocytes and macrophages (Table 2) (F8). In vitro, IL-10 is a potent inhibitor of cytokine production, including production of TNF, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8 by LPS-activated monocytes/macrophages (F8). It also inhibits tissue factor-dependent procoagulant activity induced by LPS in human... 

El4. Ertel, E., Keel,M Steckholzer, U.,Ungethum, U andTrentz, O., Interleukin-10 attenuates the release of proinflammatory cytokines but depresses splenocyte functions in murine endotox-emia. Arch. Surg. 131, 51-56 (1996). 

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