构建靶向血管内皮生长因子受体2可调控活性的嵌合抗原受体T细胞及其体外功能验证

目的构建靶向血管内皮生长因子受体2(VEGFR2)可调控活性的小分子门控嵌合抗原受体T(smgCAR-T)细胞系统并在体外验证其抗肿瘤和可调节活性。方法采用基因全长合成和磷酸钙转染法构建smgCAR-T及其阳性(CAR+-T)和阴性(CAR--T)对照细胞。同时构建表达VEGFR2的小鼠结直肠癌细胞(MCA38VEGFR2+)。验证并筛选构建成功的细胞后再体外验证CAR-T细胞靶向结合能力。在不同的效靶比下检测白细胞介素-2和肿瘤坏死因子-γ的浓度来评估CAR-T细胞的体外分泌功能,用乳酸脱氢酶浓度评估CAR-T细胞的体外抗肿瘤活性。组间的比较采用t检验或单因素方差分析。结果基因测序和流式细胞术证实CAR-T细胞和靶细胞构建成功。与对照组比较,CAR+-T细胞+MCA38VEGFR2+组具有最强的靶细胞杀伤能力。在smgCAR-T细胞+MCA38VEGFR2+组中,随着C16-(S)-3-甲基吲哚雷帕霉素(Rapalog)滴度升高靶细胞杀伤率逐渐升高;当Rapalog为40 nmol/L时杀伤率达到最大值,为(66.25±13.20)%。分别向smgCAR-T细胞+MCA38VEGFR2+细胞组(A和B组)加入40 nmol/L的Rapalog后,在24 h时可观察到两组杀伤率出现同步升高[(44.25±6.24)%比(49.25±5.56)%,t=1.197,P>0.05],差异无统计学意义。在置换培养基后,再次添加了Rapalog的A组中观察到靶细胞杀伤率升高明显;而未再次添加Rapalog的B组中靶细胞杀伤率升高缓慢;此时,A和B组杀伤率差异有统计学意义[(89.00±3.16)%比(56.50±6.61)%,t=8.873,P<0.01]。结论构建的smgCAR-T细胞在体外展现出一定的抗肿瘤活性,且其活性受小分子化合物Rapalog的可逆调控。     

Gene annotation of nuclear receptor superfamily genes in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus and the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on lipid metabolism

The hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone is fundamental for regulating moulting and metamorphosis in immature insects, and it plays a role in physiological regulation in adult insects. This hormone acts by binding and activating a receptor, the ecdysone receptor, which is part of the nuclear receptor gene superfamily. Here, we analyse the genome of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to annotate the nuclear receptor superfamily genes. The R. prolixus genome displays a possible duplication of the HNF4 gene. All the analysed insect organs express most nuclear receptor genes as shown by RT-PCR. The quantitative PCR analysis showed that the RpEcR and RpUSP genes are highly expressed in the testis, while the RpHNF4-1 and RpHNF4-2 genes are more active in the fat body and ovaries and in the anterior midgut, respectively. Feeding does not induce detectable changes in the expression of these genes in the fat body. However, the expression of the RpHNF4-2 gene is always higher than that of RpHNF4-1. Treating adult females with 20-hydroxyecdysone increased the amount of triacylglycerol stored in the fat bodies by increasing their lipogenic capacity. These results indicate that 20-hydroxyecdysone acts on the lipid metabolism of adult insects, although the underlying mechanism is not clear.     

Physical activity as a proxy to ameliorate inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease at high cardiovascular risk

While the beneficial impact of physical activity has been ascertained in a variety of pathological scenarios, including diabetes and low-grade systemic inflammation, its potential remains still putative for periodontal health. Periodontal disease has been associated with inflammatory systemic alterations, which share a common denominator with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Physical exercise, along with nutritional counseling, is a cornerstone in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes, also able to reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease and cardiovascular risk. In addition, considering the higher incidence of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls, the fascinating research question would be whether physical activity could relieve the inflammatory pressure exerted by the combination of these two diseases. This multi-disciplinary viewpoint discusses available literature in order to argument the hypothesis of a “three–way relationship” linking diabetes, periodontitis, and physical activity.     

小切口白内障囊外摘除手术治疗硬核白内障的临床效果

目的探讨小切口白内障囊外摘除手术治疗硬核白内障的临床效果。方法选择我院2019年5月至2020年5月收治的78例硬核白内障患者为研究对象,根据随机摸球法将其分成参照组(超声乳化白内障摘除术治疗)和研究组(小切口白内障囊外摘除术治疗),各39例。比较两组的治疗效果。结果术后1周、1个月、3个月,两组视力0.5~1.0的患者占比均高于术前(P<0.05)。术后1周、1个月、3个月,研究组的眼压、散光度均低于参照组(P<0.05)。术后,两组的角膜内皮细胞密度、六角形细胞比例均低于术前(P<0.05)。研究组的并发症总发生率低于参照组(P<0.05)。结论小切口白内障囊外摘除手术治疗硬核白内障的效果显著,可改善患者视力、眼压及散光度,促使瞳孔区角膜内皮细胞密度及六角形细胞比例下降,降低术后并发症发生率。     

多发性骨髓瘤免疫治疗进展

嵌合抗原受体T细胞(CAR-T)和新型靶向治疗等生物免疫疗法的临床应用开辟了多发性骨髓瘤(MM)治疗的新领域。靶向B细胞成熟抗原(BCMA)、同种异体CAR-T、抗体偶联药物(ADC)及靶向BCMA的双特异性抗体在多项临床研究中获得了令人瞩目的疗效及较好的安全性。文章结合第62届美国血液学会(ASH)年会的相关报道对MM免疫治疗进展进行介绍。     

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are molecules that increase the endogenous immune response against tumors. They have revolutionized the field of oncology. Since their initial approval for the treatment of advanced melanoma, their use has expanded to the treatment of several other advanced cancers. Unfortunately, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been associated with the emergence of a new subset of autoimmune-like toxicities, known as immune-related adverse events. These toxicities differ depending on the agent, malignancy, and individual susceptibilities. Although the skin and colon are most commonly involved, any organ may be affected, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Most of these toxicities are diagnosed by excluding other secondary infectious or inflammatory causes. Corticosteroids are commonly used for treatment of moderate and severe immune-related adverse events, although additional immunosuppressive therapy may occasionally be required. The occurrence of immune-related toxicities may require discontinuation of immunotherapy, depending on the specific toxicity and its severity. In this article, we provide a focused review to familiarize practicing clinicians with this important topic given that the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors continues to increase.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.