Decreased surface receptors, function, and suboptimal osteoclasts-induced cell expansion in natural killer (NK) cells of elderly subjectsKaur, Jewett
Aging (Albany NY) (2025) 17
Abstract: Natural killer (NK) cells are known for their cytotoxic and cytokine secretion capabilities. The balance of activating and inhibitory receptors on their surface regulates NK cell function and survival. However, it is not fully understood how aging may modulate the levels of NK cell surface receptors ultimately affecting their interaction with other immune cells, especially with those known to activate and expand NK cells. Here, we report decreased levels of NK cells' surface receptors, cytotoxic function, and cytokine secretion in aged donors (75-85 years) as compared to younger donors (21-25 years). We used our previously established methodology to expand and supercharge NK cells from young and older individuals using osteoclasts (OCs) and probiotic bacteria. Significantly lower levels of NK cell expansion and functional activation were seen in NK cells from 75-85-year-old donors when compared to younger donors' NK cells. Surface receptors of OCs were also found to be decreased in 75-85-year-old donors compared to younger donors. In addition, OCs from 75-85-year-old donors induced lower levels of cell expansion and functional activation of NK cells when compared to OCs from younger donors. These findings illustrate defects in both peripheral blood-derived primary NK cells and OCs in older individuals; however, suppression appears to be more in NK cells when compared to OCs.
Seleno-chitooligosaccharide-induced modulation of intestinal barrier function: Role of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction proteins, and gut microbiota in miceHe, Jin, Chen
et alJ Appl Biomed (2025) 23 (1), 45-55
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the function of Seleno-chitooligosaccharide (SOA) on the intestinal barrier through regulation of inflammatory cytokines, tight junction protein, and gut microbiota in mice. The results of ELISA assay demonstrated that SOA significantly increased the levels of IL-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ in serum and ileum. Meanwhile, SOA increased the levels of IL-4 in the ileum (p < 0.05). In addition, Diamine Oxidase (DAO) concentration was decreased in ileum by SOA treatments (p < 0.05). The administration of SOA significantly upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and Occludin in the ileum (p < 0.05). By 16S rDNA sequencing, reduced ratio of Bacillota/Bacteroidota was observed in SOA treated mice. Within the phylum of Bacteroidota, SOA increased the relative abundance of Deferribacterota, uncultured Bacteroidales bacterium, and Bacteroides. Within the phylum of Bacillota, increased relative abundance of Erysipelatoclostridium and Lachnoclostridium, and reduced relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 were observed with SOA supplement. In summary, SOA has the potential to modulate the function of intestinal barrier function and prevent intestinal diseases.
Patterns of Different Cervical Cytokine Expression in High-Risk Human Papillomavirus-Infected Patients With Cervical Cancer and Its Precancerous LesionsSaha, Sultana, Rahmat
et alClin Med Insights Oncol (2025) 19, 11795549251316767
Abstract: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Bangladesh and is primarily caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Several risk factors, including immunological, genetic, environmental, and viral factors, may contribute to the development of cervical cancer. Moreover, a disruption in an otherwise delicate balance between immune response and cytokine production may lead to diseased states. Henceforth, this study aimed to determine and compare selected cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), GM-CSF, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and MCP-1 among HR-HPV-infected patients with cervical cancer, precancer individuals, and healthy participants to test the propensity of these cytokines to serve as predictive biomarkers for the detection of cervical cancer during its early stages.A cross-sectional study was conducted on female patients visiting two referral hospitals in Bangladesh from September to November 2022. Among them, 80 women were enrolled in the study as patients with cervical cancer and precancerous lesions along with HPV DNA-negative healthy individuals. The selected cytokines in the cervical swab were estimated by flow cytometry.Cervical cancer and precancer were primarily detected in patients aged above 40 years (73.3% and 46.7% of the patients in the respective groups). Other significant risk factors, including poor educational, socioeconomic status and nutritional conditions, age of first coitus, multiparity, and tobacco and betel nut consumption, were found significant for the development of cervical cancer and precancer (P < .05). The levels of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-8, and MCP-1 were substantially elevated in patients with cancer than in patients with precancer and healthy individuals (P < .001). Moreover, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-8 were also significantly increased in patients with precancer than in healthy individuals (P < .05).Thus, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-8, and MCP-1 can be used as potential biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in HPV-induced cervical cancer and precancer.© The Author(s) 2025.
The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Brazilian Green Propolis and Artepillin C on Cytokine Secretion by Stage IV Glioma Cells Under Hypoxic and Normoxic ConditionsKłósek, Kurek-Górecka, Balwierz
et alPharmaceuticals (Basel) (2025) 18 (3)
Abstract: Background: The majority of gliomas are astrocytic in nature. Gliomas have the lowest survival rate among all tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by high aggressiveness and poor response to treatment. The tumor microenvironment is a source of cytokines such as IL-6, IFN-γ, VEGF, and PDGF-BB, secreted mainly by tumor and immune cells. These cytokines play a significant role in angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis formation. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Brazilian green propolis, derived from Baccharis dracunculifolia DC and rich in artepillin C, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemopreventive, and anticancer activities. Additionally, it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, demonstrating neuroprotective effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of selected cytokines produced by astrocytes of the CCF-STTG1 cell line, isolated from the brain of a patient with stage IV glioma (astrocytoma). Methods: The cytotoxicity of the EEP-B was evaluated using the MTT assay. Astrocytes were stimulated with LPS at a final concentration of 200 ng/mL and/or IFN-α at 100 U/mL, followed by incubation with EEP-B (25-50 µg/mL) and artepillin C (25-50 µg/mL) under 2-h hypoxia and normoxia conditions. Cytokine concentrations were measured using the xMAP Luminex Multiplex Immunoassay and the Multiplex Bead-Based Cytokine kit. Results: The absence of cytotoxic effects of EEP-B and artepillin C on human astrocytes of the CCF-STTG1 lineage was demonstrated. Stimulation with LPS, IFN-α, and their combination (LPS + IFN-α) significantly increased the secretion of the tested cytokines compared to the control cell line. The most pronounced and statistically significant reduction in cytokine levels, particularly IL-6 and VEGF, was observed following EEP-B treatment at both tested concentrations under both hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Conclusions: Brazilian green propolis may serve as a potential immunomodulator in combination therapies for gliomas of varying malignancy grades.
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