Publications by authors named "Myrvik Q"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in alveolar macrophages responds to heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis BCG, focusing on its role in down-regulating inflammation.
  • After exposure to the bacteria, alveolar macrophages primarily express inactive, NE-dissociated COX-2 and do not release prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which suggests a suppression of inflammatory response despite the presence of COX-2.
  • In contrast to peritoneal macrophages, which clear the bacteria quickly, alveolar macrophages retain the COX-2 enzyme and bacteria for an extended period, indicating sustained mycobacterial presence and altered inflammatory signaling.
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  • Macrophages activate rapidly when they ingest chitin microparticles, triggering MAPK pathways and releasing Th1 cytokines, excluding IL-10.
  • The study found that depleting membrane cholesterol using methyl-beta-cytodextrin (MBCD) didn’t affect chitin’s binding or phagocytosis but increased MAPK phosphorylation and production of TNF-alpha and COX-2.
  • In contrast, responses to other bacterial components like CpG-ODN and HK-BCG were less affected by MBCD, highlighting that cholesterol in membrane structures significantly impacts macrophage activation by chitin.
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Over 25 years ago, it was observed that peritoneal macrophages (Mphi) isolated from mice given heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (HK-BCG) i.p. did not release PGE(2).

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  • Human intelectin-1 (hITLN-1) is a lectin that binds to galactofuranosyl residues found in microbial cell walls, differing significantly in structure and saccharide-binding specificity from mouse intelectin-1 (mITLN-1).
  • Despite having high amino acid identity, hITLN-1 forms a trimer and is glycosylated, while mITLN-1 exists as an unglycosylated monomer.
  • Binding studies indicate that hITLN-1 and mITLN-1 target different saccharides, showcasing their distinct biochemical properties despite their shared recognition of galactofuranosyl residues.
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Article Synopsis
  • Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in macrophages plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses against intracellular bacteria, specifically affecting the microbiocidal functions of these immune cells.
  • Administration of heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis (HK-BCG) leads to two phases of COX-2 expression: an initial rapid response characterized by a catalytically inactive form and a later phase with an active form associated with the nuclear envelope.
  • The study highlights that during the early phase, macrophages effectively clear HK-BCG, while in the later phase, the COX-2 association with the nuclear envelope correlates with reduced bacterial uptake and increased PGE(2) production, which downregulates macroph
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Although immunocompetent hosts develop protective type 1 helper T cell (Th1) responses in mycobacterial infections, seroepidemiologic studies show that patients with atherosclerosis commonly express high antibody titers against mycobacterial heat shock protein (HSP) 65 and may develop a nonprotective type 2 helper T cell (Th2) response and advanced disease. These studies were undertaken to define mycobacterial dose requirements and kinetics for development of antibodies to HSP65, the Th1 to Th2 shift of immune response, and calcified atherosclerotic lesion development in the apo E-/- mouse. Fourteen-week apo E-/- female mice were treated intraperitoneally (ip) with heat-killed M.

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Previous studies have shown that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release by splenic F4/80(+) cyclooxygenase (COX)-2(+) macrophages (MØ) isolated from mice, treated with mycobacterial components, plays a major role in the regulation of immune responses. However, splenic MØ, isolated from untreated mice and treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma, express COX-1 and COX-2 within 1 day but release only minimal amounts of PGE(2) following elicitation with calcium ionophore A23187. For further characterization of in vivo requirements for development of PGE(2)-releasing MØ (PGE(2)-MØ), C57Bl/6 [wild-type (WT)], and interleukin (IL)-10-deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice were treated intraperitoneally with heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (HK-BCG).

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Article Synopsis
  • A Th1 adjuvant should stimulate Th1 cytokines (like IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-alpha) while avoiding the Th2 cytokine IL-10, which can suppress Th1 responses.
  • The study observed that RAW 264.7 macrophage-like cells processed chitin particles and showed significant activation of MAPK pathways, leading to high TNF-alpha and COX-2 production along with PGE(2) release.
  • Unlike other bacterial components that also triggered IL-10 release, chitin particles specifically did not induce IL-10, suggesting they could serve as a unique Th1 adjuvant by promoting a stronger Th1 response without the suppression typically caused by IL-10.
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Article Synopsis
  • Hosts exposed to low doses of mycobacteria develop Th1 immunity, while higher doses trigger a shift to Th2 immunity due to the influence of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
  • The study observed that macrophages in the spleen release PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner when treated with heat-killed Mycobacterium bovis BCG, influencing cytokine production and immune response markers.
  • Mice given higher doses showed increased Th2-related antibodies and cytokines, suggesting that PGE2 and PGHS-2 are key mediators in the transition from Th1 to Th2 responses in the immune system.
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Different populations of mononuclear phagocytes (MO) show considerable diversity of cellular function including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) biosynthesis. Certain bacterial components enhance PGE2 biosynthesis differentially in selected populations of MO. Interleukin (IL)-10 is proposed to inhibit modulation of PGE2 biosynthesis by down-regulating prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) expression.

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Treatment of mice with heat-killed (HK) Mycobacterium bovis BCG or 1- to 10-microm chitin particles (nonantigenic N-acetyl-D-glucosamine polymers) is known to induce innate immune responses, including gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production, which plays a Th1 adjuvant role. However, HK BCG further induces prostaglandin E2-releasing spleen macrophages (Mphi) (PGE2-Mphi), which potentially inhibit Th1 adjuvant activities. We found that chitin particles did not induce PGE2-Mphi formation.

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Previous studies showed that local macrophages phagocytose nonantigenic chitin particles (1-10 micrometer polymers of N-acetyl-d -glucosamine) through mannose receptors and produce IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-alpha. These cytokines lead to the production of IFN-gamma by NK cells. To determine whether chitin could down-regulate Th2 responses, chitin was given orally (8 mg/day for 3 days before and 13 days during ragweed allergen immunization) in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the role of IL-10 in modulating innate immunity by examining how chitin particles affect immune responses in IL-10-deficient mice.
  • Chitin treatment resulted in increased superoxide anion release from macrophages in knockout mice compared to wild-type, highlighting the involvement of NK cells and IFN-gamma in immune priming.
  • The research found that exogenous IL-10 inhibits IFN-gamma production and related cytokines from macrophages, suggesting a complex interplay between IL-10 and other immune signals in both KO and WT mouse models.
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Previous studies showed that mouse spleen cells produced IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma when stimulated with phagocytosable-size chitin particles (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine polymers). To dissect the mechanisms of the cytokine production in this study, spleen cells from BALB/c mice were cultured with 1 to 10 microm chitin particles, heat-killed Corynebacterium parvum vaccine, zymosan, and mannan (a mannose polymer)-coated latex beads (1 microm) at 1, 10, or 100 microg/ml. We found that these particles induced IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chitin particles administered intravenously significantly enhance the oxidative burst in alveolar macrophages of C57BL/6 mice, suggesting a robust immune activation, particularly within three days post-injection.
  • Blocking IFN-gamma production and using anti-NK1.1 antibodies reduces macrophage priming, indicating that NK1.1+ CD4- cells play a key role in mediating this response by producing IFN-gamma.
  • Findings also imply that IFN-gamma has both an activating effect on macrophages and an autocrine-like role that boosts their responsiveness to other particulate stimuli like chitosan and latex beads.
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The effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), titanium alloy, and silicone discs on the capacity of rabbit alveolar macrophages (AM) to kill RP12 strain of Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP12) was studied in vitro. When freshly harvested AM were preincubated with PMMA discs for 3 h and subsequently assayed for RP12 killing, there was no change in the RP12 killing capacity of AM. However, when AM were incubated with PMMA discs for 6 or 18 h at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2, the RP12 killing capacity of AM was reduced to 15% and 4%, respectively.

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A simple technique was developed to prepare phagocytosable-size particles from the silicone gel used in breast implants. Sonication of silicone gel (1 g) in 5 ml of 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) containing 1% (wt/vol) polyoxypropylene-polyethylene block surfactant (F-68 or F-108) produced silicone gel particles ranging from 1-50 microns in diameter.

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  • The study examined how certain strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci adhere to different biomaterials and the potential of extracellular slime from Staphylococcus epidermidis RP12 to inhibit this adherence.
  • S. epidermidis RP12 showed a strong adherence to PMMA discs compared to S. hominis SP2 and S. hyicus SE-360, while its adherence to other materials like titanium and Teflon was lower.
  • The extracellular slime significantly reduced adherence on PMMA by using a specific component (> 10 kD mol wt fraction) that competitively inhibited the bacteria, while smaller fractions (< 10 kD) surprisingly increased adherence.
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Biomaterial implants, traumatized tissues and bone are susceptible to immediate and delayed infections because microbes preferentially adhere to "inert biomaterials" or to damaged tissue surfaces. This type of infection is resistant to antibiotic therapy and most often requires removal of the prosthesis or infected tissue. This article discusses glycocalyx, biofilm, microbes, and resistant infection in prosthesis or infected tissue.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examined how Staphylococcus epidermidis (RP12) attaches to various titanium-aluminium-vanadium metal surfaces, including pure metals and alloys.
  • Results showed that S. epidermidis had the highest adhesion to pure vanadium surfaces and preferred vanadium-rich areas on mixed alloys.
  • The findings indicate that the composition of the surface oxides plays a significant role in how bacteria interact with these metal systems.
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A novel system for priming adult rabbit alveolar macrophages (AMs) in vivo for markedly enhanced oxidative responses is described. When adult rabbits were injected intravenously (i.v.

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Biomaterials are being used with increasing frequency for tissue substitution. Complex devices such as total joint replacement and the total artificial heart represent combinations of polymers and metal alloys for system and organ replacement. The major barrier to the extended use of these devices is bacterial adhesion to biomaterials, which causes biomaterial-centered infection, and the lack of successful tissue integration or compatibility with biomaterial surfaces.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated how PMMA beads affect the oxidative responses and antibacterial functions of rabbit alveolar macrophages.
  • The introduction of PMMA beads triggered an oxidative burst within minutes, whereas Teflon beads did not produce the same response.
  • PMMA beads enhanced the macrophages' ability to kill Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria, but their effect on reducing oxidative responses did not impact the macrophages’ overall killing capacity.
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  • The study examined how different phospholipids in pulmonary surfactant affect the activation of rabbit alveolar macrophages (AMs) in response to stimuli that trigger oxidative reactions.
  • Natural surfactant was found to inhibit the priming of AMs by the macrophage-activating factor (MAF), while artificial surfactant had mixed effects, inhibiting responses to certain stimuli but enhancing others.
  • Specific phospholipids (like DOPC and DPPG) showed varying effects on AM priming, indicating that each phospholipid modulates macrophage responses differently, which isn’t fully explained by the overall action of complete pulmonary surfactant.
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  • Tobramycin sulfate powder was combined with PMMA bone cement to create antibiotic-containing discs for testing.
  • In vitro tests showed that these tobramycin-impregnated discs reduced bacterial adhesion by 1 log compared to control discs with no antibiotic.
  • The findings indicate that tobramycin-impregnated PMMA may not effectively prevent bacterial colonization, suggesting PMMA might not be a good option for drug delivery in infected tissues.
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