CD80 Expression Correlates with IL-6 Production in THP-1-Like Macrophages Costimulated with LPS and Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract (Transferon®)
Authors: Rommel Chacón-Salinas
Sonia M Pérez-Tapia
Gregorio Carballo-Uicab
Lenin Pavón
Emilio Medina-Rivero
Hugo Valencia-Martínez
Gabriela Mellado-Sánchez
Marco A Velasco-Velázquez
Sergio Estrada-Parra
Luis Vallejo-Castillo
Alexis P Jiménez-Uribe
Journal: Journal of immunology research (2019)
Discipline: IMMUNOLOGY
Keywords: Transferon®; low molecular weight peptides; macrophages; phenotype; function
Affiliations: Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioprocesos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico., Departamento de Farmacología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV) del IPN, Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico., Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico., Laboratorio de Psicoinmunología, Dirección de Investigaciones en Neurociencias del Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente, Ciudad de México 14370, Mexico., Departamento de Farmacología y Unidad Periférica de Investigación en Biomedicina Traslacional (CMN 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico.

Abstract:  Transferon® is a complex drug based on a mixture of low molecular weight peptides. This biotherapeutic is employed as a coadjuvant in clinical trials of several diseases, including viral infections and allergies. Given that macrophages play key roles in pathogen recognition, phagocytosis, processing, and antigen presentation, we evaluated the effect of Transferon® on phenotype and function of macrophage-like cells derived from THP-1 monocytes. We determined the surface expression of CD80 and CD86 by flow cytometry and IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels by ELISA. Transferon® alone did not alter the steady state of PMA-differentiated macrophage-like THP-1 cells. On the contrary, simultaneous stimulation of cells with Transferon® and LPS elicited a significant increase in CD80 (P ≤ 0.001) and CD86 (P ≤ 0.001) expression, as well as in IL-6 production (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the LPS control. CD80 expression and IL-6 production exhibited a positive correlation (r = 0.6, P ≤ 0.05) in cells exposed to Transferon® and LPS. Our results suggest that the administration of Transferon® induces the expression of costimulatory molecules and the secretion of cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. Further studies are necessary to determine the implication of these findings in the therapeutic properties of Transferon®. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
  Figure 1. The effect of Icariin on APL cells. ... (C) z-VAD-FMK significantly rescued icariin-induced apoptosis, as determined by flow cytometry. ![file] Many unfriendly things could be said about this Figure, but I want to concentrate on the fact that two panels (for different conditions) show identical cell measurements... apart from a small patch of copy-pasted cells in one of them. ![file] , 
 Retracted [19 November 2020] ----------------------------------------------- The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article [1]. After publication concerns were raised about anomalies in some of the data presented in Fig. 1. The authors were unable to provide raw data. The Editor-in-Chief therefore no longer has confidence in the integrity of the data in this article. Author Zhi Wang agreed to retraction but has not stated if they agree to this retraction notice. The remaining authors could not be contacted by the journal. Reference - Zhang H, Li P, Li J, et al. Icariin induces apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia by targeting PIM1. Pharmacol Rep. 2017;69:1270u201381. https: doi.org 10.1016 j.pharep.2017.06.005 , 
 http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202201 t20220127_179206.html Google Translated Date: January 27, 2022 14:44 Source: Ministry of Science and Technology u3000u300013. The paper  Icariin induces apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia by targeting PIM1 by Wang Zhi as the corresponding author and Zhang Hong as the first author of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. After investigation, the paper was found to be fraudulent and improperly signed. Wang Zhi and Zhang Hong will be dealt with as follows: demerit for 1 year, cancellation of application or application for science and technology projects (special projects, funds, etc.), science and technology awards, and qualifications for science and technology talent titles for 5 years, cancellation as nomination or recommender, nomination or recommendation Persons, review experts, etc. have been qualified for 5 years, recorded in the file of scientific research integrity and dishonesty, given a lecture on scientific research integrity, canceled the participation in this year s evaluation, and the annual evaluation shall not be determined as qualified or above. u3000u3000(Notification link: https: kjc.qdu.edu.cn info 1023 3178.htm) ,