Influence of CD14 on ligand interactions between lipopolysaccharide and its receptor complex.

The interaction of LPS (endotoxin) with the CD14-TLR4 receptor complex modulates the host innate immune response. Several studies using partial structures of LPS have suggested that TLR4 determines the ligand specificity of this complex, and that CD14 indiscriminately serves to deliver the ligand to TLR4. This conclusion has been made despite observations that the response of TLR4(+/+),CD14(-/-) macrophages to LPS is very weak.

In vitro effects of preserved and unpreserved antiglaucoma drugs on apoptotic marker expression by human trabecular cells.

Background: The mechanisms of trabecular cell loss in glaucoma patients are poorly understood. In order to determine whether drug-induced apoptosis could be one of the mechanisms by which trabecular cells die in glaucoma, we evaluated the effect of benzalkonium-preserved (BAC+) or preservative-free (BAC-) antiglaucoma medications on apoptotic marker expression by cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.

Methods: Normal and glaucomatous trabecular cell lines were treated for 15 min with antiglaucoma drugs (1/100 and 1/10 dilutions): timolol BAC+ or BAC-, betaxolol BAC+ or BAC-, latanoprost BAC+ or pure BAC.

In vitro effects of preserved or preservative-free antiglaucoma medications on human complement system.

Purpose: Antiglaucoma drugs have been associated with conjunctival and trabecular inflammatory cell infiltrates. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of antiglaucoma medications on the complement system, an early mediator of the inflammatory response.

Heparin inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding to leukocytes and LPS-induced cytokine production.

The glycosaminoglycan heparin is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties unrelated to its anticoagulant activity. However, in a generalized inflammatory response with implanted or extracorporeal devices, the beneficial effect of heparin coating and/or systemic administration is still unclear as well as the precise mechanisms of action. In the present study, we have first studied the effect of heparin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine production by human blood monocytes.

Heparin-like polymers modulate proinflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytes.

The search for heparin-like materials remains an intensive field of research. In this context, we studied the immunomodulatory properties of semisynthetic dextran derivatives and naturally occurring sulfated polysaccharides present in brown seaweed (fucans). In this study, we investigated the functional potencies of fucan and dextran derivatives by analyzing their effects on the release of proinflammatory cytokines by resting or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes and their interactions on monocyte surfaces.