Impact of immunomodulatory oligodeoxynucleotides on cytokine production in the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human whole blood model.
BACKGROUND
In studying potential immunotherapeutics for sepsis, we used a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood model to test the immunomodulating capacity of cytosine-phospho-guanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs). We hypothesized that CpG ODNs would have considerable counterinflammatory effects on LPS-induced cytokine production.


METHODS
We administered 4 micromol/L of CpG ODNs (2216, D19, 2006, K3, or 1668) or guanine-phospho-cytosine (GpC) ODNs (control D or control K) immediately after LPS (10 ng/mL) stimulation of heparinized human whole blood. Samples were incubated for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Media and LPS were used as negative and positive controls. Cell-free supernatants were obtained and evaluated for interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-12(p40), tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-alpha, IL-8, and IL-1beta by ELISA.


RESULTS
Compared to LPS alone, significantly reduced levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12(p40), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-6 were associated with both CpG and GpC ODNs administration to LPS-stimulated whole blood. IL-10 levels were concomitantly increased. However, IFN-alpha generation was CpG specific as was increased IL-8 levels. Lastly, only 2216 was associated with decreased IL-1beta levels.


CONCLUSIONS
CpG ODNs and GpC ODNs in the LPS-stimulated whole blood model demonstrate differential counterinflammatory effects, but only CpG ODNs were associated with proinflammatory cytokine production. With further examination, we may find that these observed immunomodulatory differences could potentially be exploited for therapeutic benefit.
Surgical Infectious Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
Robert L
RL
Smith
Tae W
TW
Chong
Micheal G
MG
Hughes
Traci L
TL
Hedrick
Heather L
HL
Evans
Shannon T
ST
McElearney
Alison R
AR
Saalwachter
Daniel P
DP
Raymond
Kangping
K
Du
Christine K
CK
Rudy
Timothy L
TL
Pruett
Robert G
RG
Sawyer
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10