Flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane, increases production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1-beta and interleukin 6, in human immune cells.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is an environmental contaminant due to its use as a flame retardant in a variety of applications ranging from building insulation, furniture upholstery, and housing for appliances and electronics. HBCD is found in wildlife, human breastmilk, and serum. Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are pro-inflammatory cytokines, whose dysregulation is associated with chronic inflammation and the pathologies that result, such as tumor growth, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

Interleukin 1β and interleukin 6 production in human immune cells is stimulated by the antibacterial compound Triclosan.

Triclosan (TCS) is an antimicrobial compound widely used in personal hygiene products such as mouthwash and toothpaste; and has been found in human blood, breast milk, and urine. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 beta (IL-1β) are pro-inflammatory cytokines regulating cell growth, tissue repair, and immune function; increased levels of each have been associated with many diseases, including cancer. Previous studies showed that TCS at concentrations between 0.

Organotin and organochlorine toxicants activate key translational regulatory proteins in human immune cells.

Environmental contaminant exposures occur due to the widespread use of synthetic chemicals. Tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) are each used in a variety of applications, including antifouling paints and stabilizers in certain plastics. Each of these compounds has been found in human blood, as well as other tissues, and they have been shown to stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human immune cells, Inflammatory cytokines mediate response to injury or infection.

Longitudinal Education and Career Outcomes of a Cancer Research Training Program for Underrepresented Students: The Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership.

This study examined longitudinal education and career outcomes of the Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership, the longest-running National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive Partnerships in Advancing Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) program site in the United States. Degree completion rates were calculated and progression along the entire postsecondary "pipeline" was quantified for 204 participants recruited between 2011 and 2020. For participants who had entered the workforce, career outcomes were also analyzed.

Toll-like receptors in the mechanism of tributyltin-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6.

Tributyltin (TBT) is an environmental contaminant due to its use in a variety of applications as a biocide, including in marine anti-fouling paints. It has been detected in a number of human tissues including blood. Previous studies have shown that exposure to TBT increases the cellular production (secretion plus intracellular levels) of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) and this increase requires MAPK activation.

The Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University Cancer Partnership (MVTCP): History and Highlights of 20 Years of Accomplishments.

Cancer health disparities among populations are the result of a combination of socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral, and biological factors, which affect cancer incidence, prevalence, mortality, survivorship, financial burden, and screening rates. The long-standing Meharry Medical College (MMC), Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Tennessee State University (TSU) Cancer Partnership has built an exceptional cancer research and training environment to support the efforts of diverse investigators in addressing disparities. Over the past 20 years, collaborative partnership efforts across multiple disciplines have supported research into the determinants of cancer health disparities at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center (VICC) along with enhancing research infrastructure and training at MMC and TSU, two institutions that serve predominantly underserved populations and underrepresented students.

High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Effects of Adipocyte-Specific CXCR2 Conditional Knockout in the Peritoneal Tumor Microenvironment of Ovarian Cancer.

Obesity contributes to ovarian cancer (OC) progression via tumorigenic chemokines. Adipocytes and OC cells highly express CXCR2, and its ligands CXCL1/8, respectively, indicating that the CXCL1/8-CXCR2 axis is a molecular link between obesity and OC. Here, we investigated how the adipocyte-specific CXCR2 conditional knockout (cKO) affected the peritoneal tumor microenvironment of OC in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model.

Evaluation of triclosan exposures on secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from human immune cells.

Triclosan (TCS) is widely used in personal hygiene products, such as mouthwash and toothpaste, and is found in human tissues. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interferon gamma (IFNγ) are pro-inflammatory cytokines and inappropriately elevated levels of each have been associated with pathologies including rheumatoid arthritis and certain cancers. Here we examine effects of TCS on the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines from human immune cell preparations.

Dibutyltin alters immune cell production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) 1β and IL-6: role of mitogen-activated protein kinases and changes in mRNA.

Dibutyltin (DBT) is used to stabilize plastics and as a deworming agent in some poultry. It is found in human blood (levels as high as 0.3 μM).

The organochlorine pesticides pentachlorophenol and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane increase secretion and production of interleukin 6 by human immune cells.

The environmental contaminants pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 4, 4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are detected in some human blood samples at levels as high as 5 μM (PCP) and 260 nM (DDT). Several cancers are associated with exposures to these contaminants. IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that when dysregulated stimulates inflammatory diseases and tumor progression.

Exposures to the environmental contaminants pentachlorophenol and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane increase production of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1β, in human immune cells.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are organochlorine environmental contaminants found in human blood at very significant levels (as high as 5 μm for PCP and 260 nm for DDT). Cancers of the blood (lymphoma and myeloma) and kidney as well as others have been associated with exposure to these contaminants. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine and is involved in stimulating cell proliferation.

Obesity-Induced Peritoneal Dissemination of Ovarian Cancer and Dominant Recruitment of Macrophages in Ascites.

One-fifth of cancer deaths are associated with obesity. Because the molecular mechanisms by which obesity affects the progression of ovarian cancer (OC) are poorly understood, we investigated if obesity could promote the progression of OC cells using the postmenopausal mouse model and peritoneal dissemination of mouse ID8 OC cells. Compared to lean mice, obese mice had earlier OC occurrence, greater metastasis throughout the peritoneal cavity, a trend toward shorter survival, and higher circulating glucose and proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1 levels.

Chemokine Network and Overall Survival in Wild-Type and Mutant Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest mortality rate among gynecological malignancies. Because chemokine network is involved in OC progression, we evaluated associations between chemokine expression and survival in tumor suppressor protein p53 () wild-type (WT) and mutant (m) OC datasets. was highly mutated in OC compared to other cancer types.

Synthesis of interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6 in human lymphocytes is stimulated by tributyltin.

Tributyltin (TBT) is a widespread environmental contaminant that is present in human blood and other tissues. It has been shown to disrupt the immune function of human natural killer (NK) cells and to alter the secretion of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune cells. Secretion of both interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) from human lymphocytes can be increased dependent upon the level of TBT exposure.

Polysaccharide-mediated synthesis of melanins from serotonin and other 5-hydroxy indoles.

Aim: As a continuation of our research on the melanin formation from catecholamines, we studied the polysaccharide-mediated oxidation of serotonin and other 5-hydroxy indoles into melanin-like materials. As for the catecholamines, we observed that many polysaccharides promote the oxidation of such compounds, particularly in the presence of Cu.

Methodology: The reactions were monitored using reverse phase-HPLC and size-exclusion chromatography techniques.

Tributyltin stimulates synthesis of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human lymphocytes.

Tributyltin (TBT) is found in human blood and other tissues and thus is of considerable concern as to its effects on human health. Previous studies have demonstrated that TBT has detrimental effects on immune function. Recently, we found that exposures to TBT caused increased secretion of two important proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ).

CXCR2 is a negative regulator of p21 in p53-dependent and independent manner via Akt-mediated Mdm2 in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) has the highest rate of mortality among gynecological malignancy. Chemokine receptor CXCR2 in OC is associated with poor outcomes. However, the mechanisms by which CXCR2 regulates OC proliferation remain poorly understood.

Flame retardants, hexabromocyclododecane (HCBD) and tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA), alter secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are flame retardants, used in a variety of applications, which contaminate the environment and are found in human blood. HBCD and TBBPA have been shown to alter the tumor killing function of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes and the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). The current study examined the effects of HBCD and TBBPA on secretion of the critical pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells.

Butyltin compounds alter secretion of interleukin 6 from human immune cells.

Butyltins (BTs), tributyltin (TBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) are organotin compounds that have been used in a variety of industrial applications; as a result, these compounds have been found in human blood. Interleukin (IL)-6 is a proinflammatory mediator that is produced by T lymphocytes and monocytes. It is responsible for immune response regulation as well as tissue repair and cellular growth.

Effects of pentachlorophenol and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane on secretion of interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are pesticides that have been widely used and significantly contaminate the environment. Both are found in human blood and have been shown to alter the lytic and binding function of human natural killer (NK) cells. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are pro-inflammatory cytokines, which regulate immune responsiveness to pathogens and tumors.

Tributyltin exposure alters cytokine levels in mouse serum.

Tributyltin (TBT), a toxic environmental contaminant, has been widely utilized for various industrial, agricultural and household purposes. Its usage has led to a global contamination and its bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms and terrestrial mammals. Previous studies suggest that TBT has debilitating effects on the overall immune function of animals, rendering them more vulnerable to diseases.

Exposures to the environmental toxicants pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) modify secretion of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) from human immune cells.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are environmental contaminants found in human blood. Previous studies have shown that PCP and DDT inhibit the lytic function of highly purified human natural killer (NK) lymphocytes and decrease the expression of several surface proteins on NK cells. Interleukin-1 βeta (IL-1β) is a cytokine produced by lymphocytes and monocytes, and anything that elevates its levels inappropriately can lead to chronic inflammation, which among other consequences can increase tumor development and invasiveness.

Tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane alter secretion of IL-1β from human immune cells.

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), flame retardant compounds used in epoxy resin circuit boards and upholstery, contaminate the environment and are found in human serum. Lymphocytes and monocytes are immune cells that, among other functions, secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, an important regulator of immune responsiveness and tissue growth and repair. Thus, if its levels are dysregulated, loss of proper immune function and increased invasiveness of tumors could ensue.

High salt induces anti-inflammatory MΦ2-like phenotype in peripheral macrophages.

Macrophages play a critical role in inflammation and antigen-presentation. Abnormal macrophage function has been attributed in autoimmune diseases and cancer progression. Recent evidence suggests that high salt tissue micro-environment causes changes in macrophage activation.

Dibutyltin-induced alterations of interleukin 1beta secretion from human immune cells.

Dibutyltin (DBT) is used to stabilize polyvinyl chloride plastics (including pipes that distribute drinking water) and as a de-worming agent in poultry. DBT is found in human blood, and DBT exposures alter the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma from lymphocytes. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine that regulates cellular growth, tissue restoration and immune response regulation.