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The main risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is cigarette smoke (CS). It can alter many immune cells functions such as phagocytosis, efferocytosis and cytokine production. Cytokines play a role in the orchestration of inflammation in COPD. The JAK/STAT pathways are among the most important signalling components of cytokines. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of the JAK/STAT pathway with regard to cytokine release and microsphere uptake capacity (to minimize the non-specific scavenging) in human monocyte-derived-macrophages (MDMs). The MDMs were stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). CSE alone was not associated with significant changes in the cytokine, with the exception of IL-8/CXCL8 production. However, CSE disturbed cytokine production in LPS-stimulated MDMs. CSE increase CXCL-8 and CCL2 release in LPS-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages and suppressed the production of IL-6 and CXCL1 in these cells. CSE also decreased microsphere uptake capacity by MDMs. Then, CSE + LPS-stimulated MDMs were treated with two different JAK inhibitors. AG490 (specific inhibitor of JAK2) and ruxolitinib (inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK2). JAK/STAT inhibitors, particularly ruxolitinib, attenuated in cytokine production without completely inhibiting when compared with dexamethasone. On the other hand, the cells exposed to dexamethasone are nearly unable to capture the microspheres, while both JAK inhibitors do not affect the uptake capacity. In summary, our results showed the versatility of ruxolitinib which might bring a better balance disturbance of cytokine release and uptake capacity. The information regarding the distinctive effect of JAK/STAT inhibitors may be useful in the development of novel treatments for COPD.

Societal Impact Statement Colombia is a “megadiverse” country with vast natural resources. A history of recent conflict means that information is only now being collected on the natural capital of regions that were previously unexplored. Better access to data, tools, and expertise is required for evidence‐supported decisions on the conservation of these resources. The development of a bespoke cyberinfrastructure could help fulfill this need by providing access to digital resources in a collaborative cyberenvironment. We outline key priorities and develop a reference framework for building cyberinfrastructure in Colombia. This framework could be applied to other fields and countries to promote knowledge exchange, scientific innovation, and socioeconomic growth.

The present study aimed to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-Gly-Pro (CGP) in mice. Antinociceptive activity was assessed by employing different pain models, such as formalin test, acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate test, and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, in mice. The number of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) was evaluated in CGP-treated mice. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using paw oedema induced by carrageenan, compound 48/80, serotonin, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and analyzed by plethysmometry. Quantitation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the paw was carried out to analyze the presence of neutrophils in the tissue. Intraperitoneal injection of CGP produced a significant inhibition in both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced pain. The antinociceptive effect of CGP, evaluated in the acetic acid-induced writhing test, was detected for up to 6 h after treatment. Further, in the hot plate test, antinociceptive behaviour was evoked by CGP, and this response was inhibited by naloxone. Animals treated with CGP did not present changes in motor performance. In CGP-treated mice there was an increase in the number of c-Fos-positive neurons in the periaqueductal gray. In another set of experiments, CGP attenuated the hyperalgesic response induced by carrageenan. Furthermore, CGP also reduced the carrageenan-increased MPO activity in paws. In addition, CGP also reduced the paw oedema evoked by compound 48/80, serotonin, and PGE2 . Taken together, these results may support a possible therapeutic application of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-Gly-Pro toward alleviating nociception and damage caused by inflammation conditions.

Kielmeyera rugosa is a medicinal plant known in Northeastern Brazil as ‘pau-santo’, and it is used in the treatment of several tropical diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. We evaluated antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol stem extract of K.rugosa (MEKR) in mice. The mechanical hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2, and dopamine were assessed. We also investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of MEKR on carrageenan-induced pleurisy and paw edema. Ninety minutes after the treatment, the animals were submitted to an imunofluorescence for Fos protein. MEKR (100, 200, and 400mg/kg; p.o.) inhibited the development of mechanical hypernociception and edema. MEKR significantly decreased TNF-α and interleukin 1β levels in pleural lavage and suppressed the recruitment of leukocytes. MEKR (1, 10, and 100mg/mL) did not produce cytotoxicity, determined using the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay in vitro. The locomotor activity was not affected. MEKR activated significantly the bulb olfactory, piriform cortex, and periaqueductal gray of the central nervous system. Our results provide first time evidence to propose that MEKR attenuates mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammation, in part, through an activation of central nervous system areas, mainly the periaqueductal gray and piriform cortex areas. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rats turned diabetic by alloxan treatment are refractory to systemic anaphylactic shock, in a direct association with reduced intestinal haemorrhage and tissue response to antigen challenge. As diabetic rats show reduction in mast cell numbers in different body compartments, this study was undertaken to investigate the influence of alloxan diabetes on mast cell population as well as the expression of the mast cell growth factor interleukin (IL)-3 in the small intestine of rats. We also analysed the putative involvement of endogenous insulin and glucocorticoid hormones in this phenomenon. There was a significant decrease in the number of mast cells present in the small intestine (ileum segment) of diabetic rats. Likewise, the immunohistochemical analysis revealed that IL-3 labelling was markedly attenuated in diabetic rats, as compared with normal animals, a phenomenon which paralleled with a decreased mRNA expression as attested by Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique. Treatment with insulin and with the steroid receptor antagonist RU 486 restored basal mast cell numbers, normal levels of IL-3 labelling and mRNA expression for IL-3 in the ileum of diabetic rats. In conclusion, our findings show that there is a causative relationship between down-regulation of mast cell numbers and the expression of IL-3 associated with diabetic state. In addition, as both parameters were suppressed by administration of insulin and RU 486, it indicates that an imbalance between the systemic levels of insulin and glucocorticoid hormones seems to be implicated in the reduction in intestinal mast cell population and refractoriness to antigen provocation in alloxan diabetes.

Human abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a severe eosinophilic disease caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Previous studies have demonstrated that wild rodents are critically involved as definitive hosts to this nematode in nature. In this study, we have evaluated the susceptibility of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) to A. costaricensis infection. Kinetics of parasitological and pathological changes, including the number of adult worms recovered from mesenteric arteries, and of IgE, mast cell and eosinophil levels in several compartments have been assessed. The oral inoculation of third-stage larvae (L3) into adult Wistar rats led to a marked accumulation of worms in the branches of the mesenteric arteries 25 and 50 days post-inoculation. Intense bone marrow eosinophilia ranging from 7 to 50 days was accompanied by marked accumulation of eosinophils in the blood, peritoneal and bronchoalveolar spaces. Eosinophilic periarteritis, oedema and granuloma in the intestinal and lung tissues were also histologically evident. Total serum IgE and specific anti-parasite IgE peaked at 25 days post-infection, as measured by ELISA and by the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test, respectively. At that time point, there was a drastic reduction in the number of intact mast cells in the peritoneal effluent. These findings indicate that Wistar rats are permissive to A. costaricensis infection. IgE-mast cell activation and massive tissue eosinophil infiltration are marked features in the process and are likely to play a crucial role in the immune-response evoked by this parasite.

This study was undertaken to investigate the possible contribution of the blockade of eotaxin generation to the anti-eosinophilotactic effect of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitors. In some experiments, the putative synergistic interaction between PDE type 4 inhibitors and the β2-agonist salbutamol was also assessed. Sensitized guinea-pigs aerosolized with antigen (5% ovalbumin, OVA) responded with a significant increase in eotaxin and eosinophil levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at 6 h. Eosinophil recruitment was inhibited by both PDE type 4 inhibitors rolipram (5 mg kg−1, i.p.) and RP 73401 (5 mg kg−1, i.p.) treatments. In contrast, only rolipram inhibited eotaxin production. Sensitized rats intrapleurally challenged (i.pl.) with antigen (OVA, 12 μg cavity−1) showed a marked eosinophil infiltration at 24 h, preceded by eotaxin generation at 6 h. Intravenous administration of a rabbit anti-mouse eotaxin antibody (0.5 mg kg−1) significantly reduced allergen-evoked eosinophilia in this model. Local pretreatment with rolipram (40 μg cavity−1) or RP 73401 (40 μg cavity−1) 1 h before challenge reduced eosinophil accumulation evaluated in the rat pleural effluent, but only the former was active against eotaxin generation. The inhibitors of PDE type 3 (SK&F 94836) and type 5 (zaprinast) failed to alter allergen-evoked eosinophil recruitment in rats. Local injection of β2-agonist salbutamol (20 μg cavity−1) inhibited both eosinophil accumulation and eotaxin production following pleurisy. The former was better inhibited when salbutamol and rolipram were administered in combination. Treatment with rolipram and RP 73401 dose-dependently inhibited eosinophil adhesion and migration in vitro. These effects were clearly potentiated by salbutamol at concentrations that had no effect alone. Our findings indicate that although rolipram and RP 73401 are equally effective in inhibiting allergen-induced eosinophil infiltration only the former prevents eotaxin formation, indicating that PDE 4 inhibitors impair eosinophil accumulation by mechanisms independent of eotaxin production blockade. British Journal of Pharmacology (2001) 134, 283–294; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704233