Ectodermal dysplasias: Classification and organization by phenotype,genotype and molecular pathway

An international advisory group met at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland in 2017, to discuss a new classification system for the ectodermal dysplasias (EDs) that would integrate both clinical and molecular information. We propose the following, a working definition of the EDs building on previous classification systems and incorporating current approaches to diagnosis: EDs are genetic conditions affecting the development and/or homeostasis of two or more ectodermal derivatives, including hair, teeth, nails, and certain glands. Genetic variations in genes known to be associated with EDs that affect only one derivative of the ectoderm (attenuated phenotype) will be grouped as non‐syndromic traits of the causative gene (e.g., non‐syndromic hypodontia or missing teeth associated with pathogenic variants of EDA “ectodysplasin”). Information for categorization and cataloging includes the phenotypic features, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man number, mode of inheritance, genetic alteration, major developmental pathways involved (e.g., EDA, WNT “wingless‐type,” TP63 “tumor protein p63”) or the components of complex molecular structures (e.g., connexins, keratins, cadherins).     

Thymic stroma is required for the development of human T cell lineages in vitro

Development of the T cell lineage is characterized by the homingof hematopoietic precursors to thymus, followed by their acquisitionof receptors for antigen. T cell receptors are ß or heterodimers associated with CD3 (TCR-CD3). Very early T cellprecursors in humans have been characterized as CD7+45+ cellswhich lack the T cell differentiation antigens CD1, CD2, CD3,CD4, and CD8. A phenotypically equivalent early thymocyte populationalso occurs in postnatal life, and we have previously shownthat interleukin 2 (IL2) promotes the development in vitro ofboth the ß and the T cells from these early thymocytes.Here we have analyzed the requirements of the induction of theIL2 pathway in early thymocytes, and their developmental potential.We show that: (I) thymic stromal cells, which are present inthymocyte suspensions, are necessary to induce the IL2 pathwayand the development of ß or T cell lineages fromearly thymocytes in vitro; and (II) when removed from the invivo environment, early thymocytes can develop in vitro intoTCR-CD3^– cells of the natural killer (NK) lineage. Weconclude that CD7+45+, CD1–2–3–4–8–early thymocytes are multipotential progenitors that, at least,have the capacity to develop into ß or T cell andNK lineages. The analysis of the mechanisms of generation andselection of human T and NK cell diversity, not feasible inbone marrow cultures, is now possible.     

Hydrogen peroxide-induced Ca responses in CNS pericytes

Objective: The aims of the present study were to elucidate the interaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca²⁺ response in central nervous system (CNS) pericytes. Methods: The intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration was measured using fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator, fura-2, in cultured CNS pericytes. Results: Hydrogen peroxide evoked a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca²⁺, which was completely inhibited by catalase. Removal of external Ca²⁺ or addition of nicardipine (1 μM) during application of hydrogen peroxide did not affect Ca²⁺ response. Incubation of the cells in Ca²⁺ free solution did not abolish but slightly reduced Ca²⁺ response by hydrogen peroxide. Ca²⁺ response to hydrogen peroxide was not altered by the depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ by thapsigargin (1 μM). Pretreatment of the cells with tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (100 μM) or tyrphostin A47 (30 μM) significantly reduced Ca²⁺ increase by hydrogen peroxide. Conclusions: These results indicate that hydrogen peroxide evokes Ca²⁺ increase predominantly by release from intracellular Ca²⁺ store, which may be regulated by tyrosine kinases.     

Pharmacology of spinal adrenergic systems which modulate spinal nociceptive processing

Spinopetal pathways may be activated by a variety of brainstem manipulations including microinjections of morphine which are known to modulate spinal nociceptive processing. Based on the ability of these manipulations to release spinal noradrenalin; the ability to reverse the antinociceptive effects by intrathecal adrenergic antagonists and the fact that intrathecal injections of noradrenalin mimic the antinociceptive effect, it appears that the descending modulation may be mediated by descending noradrenergic systems. Examination of the spinal receptor systems with intrathecally administered agents indicates that spinal alpha, but not beta adrenergic receptor agonists produce a powerful analgesia as measured on a variety of reflex and operant measures in mouse, rat, cat, primate and man. On the basis of agonist and antagonist structure-activity relationships it appears that a significant effect can be produced in the absence of any detectable effect on motor function by the occupation of spinal alpha 2 receptors. Distinguishable alpha 1 receptors also appear "analgetically-coupled," but their effects are uniformly contaminated by signs of cutaneous hyperreflexia at doses required to produce analgesia. The ordering of potency with which intrathecal adrenergic antagonists reverse the effects of intrathecal noradrenalin is indistinguishable from that of the reversal by these intrathecal agents of the antinociceptive effects evoked by brainstem morphine. This suggests that the population of spinal receptors acted upon by exogenously administered adrenergic agonists and endogenously released noradrenaline have indistinguishable characteristics.     

Descending pathways to the spinal cord in the himé salmon (landlocked red salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka)

Distribution and morphology of the cells of origin of the descending spinal pathways and their axonal courses were studied in the himé salmon, using retrograde labelling with cobaltic lysine and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Following application of the tracers to the cut end of the spinal cord or injection of the tracers at the 10th to 15th spinal segment, neurons mainly labelled via the axons of passage were distributed in the mesencephalon and the rhombencephalon. Mesencephalic cell groups consisted of the nucleus pretectalis, the nucleus fasciculi longitudinalis medialis, and the nucleus ruber. The former two cell groups sent their axons to the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis. The axons of the nucleus ruber formed a separate loose bundle, the "tractus rubrospinalis." The rhombencephalic cell groups consisted of the rhombencephalic reticular formation, the Mauthner cells (one cell for each side), and the octavolateral area. The rhombencephalic reticular formation could be further subdivided into the nucleus reticularis superior, nucleus reticularis medius, and nucleus reticularis inferior. The axons of these cell groups joined the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and the "tractus bulbospinalis." The Mauthner cell had two main gigantic dendrites, and its giant axons formed a conspicuous fiber of Mauthner throughout the rhombencephalon down to the spinal cord. The octavolateral area could be subdivided into the nucleus vestibularis magnocellularis, nucleus tangentialis, nucleus vestibularis descendens and nucleus intermedius. The axons of the nucleus vestibularis magnocellularis and nucleus intermedius entered the fasciculus longitudinalis medialis and/or the tractus bulbospinalis. Those of the nucleus vestibularis descendens and nucleus tangentialis formed the "tractus vestibulospinalis". The descending spinal pathways of the himé salmon were compared with those of other fishes and other vertebrates. The significance of these descending spinal pathways in the control of locomotion and sexual behavior is also discussed.     

芍药汤及其加减方治疗溃疡性结肠炎的研究进展

芍药汤由黄连、黄芩、大黄、白芍、当归、木香、槟榔、肉桂,甘草构成。因其具有清热利湿、调气活血功效,后世医家皆推此方为治疗湿热泄痢之主方。现代临床应用中,除芍药汤原方,其加减方亦用于溃疡性结肠炎治疗,并可与其他方剂（痛泄要方、白头翁汤、参苓白术散等）、西药（美沙拉嗪、柳氮磺吡啶、英夫利昔单抗等）、中医针刺或艾灸等特色疗法联用。临床疗效结果显示芍药汤及其加减方能明显降低梅奥内镜（Mayo）评分、结肠黏膜病变（Baron）评分、中医证候积分等疾病评分,改善患者肠道症状效果显著且不良反应少。实验药理学研究显示芍药汤可通过抑制肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)等促炎因子表达,上调白细胞介素-10(IL-10)等抑炎因子来减轻炎症反应;可通过调节炎症信号通路,阻断连环反应,减少细胞凋亡;可通过调节免疫轴平衡、调节免疫蛋白修复异常免疫屏障;可调节肠道菌群平衡、促进肠上皮细胞再生、改善黏膜通透性,从而恢复肠道内环境平衡以达到治疗溃疡性结肠炎的效果;其药物单体黄芩苷、芍药苷、黄连素等可起到抗炎、抗菌、调节代谢等作用。该文就芍药汤治疗溃疡性结肠炎...     

枳实-白术调节PINK1/Parkin信号通路介导的线粒体自噬改善慢传输型便秘大鼠结肠动力障碍

目的：基于线粒体自噬及磷酸酶及张力蛋白同源物诱导的蛋白激酶1(PINK1)/帕金蛋白(Parkin)通路观察枳实、白术及其配伍对慢传输型便秘大鼠结肠动力障碍的改善作用,为临床精准用药提供理论参考。方法：将56只雄性SD大鼠按体质量随机分成正常组、模型组、自然恢复组、枳实组、白术组、枳实-白术组和莫沙必利组,每组各8只。除正常组外,采用洛哌丁胺连续14 d灌胃(3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)构建慢传输型便秘大鼠模型。造模成功后,除模型组继续洛哌丁胺诱导外,正常组和自然恢复组采用0.9%生理盐水灌胃,枳实组(1.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1)、白术组(2.7 g·kg^-1·d^-1)、枳实-白术组(4.05 g·kg^-1·d^-1)和莫沙必利组(1.56 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)大鼠分别给予相应的药物灌胃,连续7 d。观察药物对大鼠粪便数量、粪便含水率及小肠推进率的影响;苏木素-伊...     

杜仲及其有效成分治疗膝骨关节炎的作用机制研究现状

膝骨关节炎（KOA）是中老年常见的退行性关节疾病,发病率随着人口老龄化程度加深及肥胖人群增加而不断增加,严重影响患者健康及日常生活。目前采用的非甾体类抗炎药、软骨保护类药物、阿片类镇痛药等对症治疗手段作用有限,且药物不良反应明显。杜仲是治疗KOA常用且有效的中药之一,但其作用机制和药效物质基础尚未明确,限制了其在临床更为广泛的运用。杜仲在KOA治疗领域的有效成分主要为环烯醚萜类（京尼平苷、杜仲苷/桃叶珊瑚苷）、木脂素类（松脂醇二葡萄糖苷）、黄酮类（槲皮素、紫云英苷、黄芩素、金丝桃苷、山柰酚）、苯丙素类（绿原酸）、杜仲多糖等化合物,他们主要通过丝裂原活化蛋白激酶、核转录因子-κB、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B及等Janus激酶1/信号转导和转录激活因子3等信号通路,来调节炎性因子水平、抗氧化应激反应、保护软骨细胞、平衡细胞外基质合成与降解等,控制KOA病情进展。该文对杜仲及其有效成分在KOA治疗方面的作用机制进行了综述,以期为KOA新药研发提供理论依据。     

中药调控膝骨关节炎相关信号通路的研究进展

随着中医药对膝骨关节炎（KOA）研究的不断深入,现代学者发现诸多中药可从分子层面干预信号通路延缓膝骨关节炎的进展。文中所述中药及其活性成分在干预膝骨关节炎的机制中与信号通路有着密切关系。中药及有效成分可在不同信号通路的传导下调控相应的靶向分子水平,抑制软骨炎性因子、细胞凋亡、软骨基质降解及促进软骨细胞自噬,以达到减轻滑膜炎性水肿和延缓软骨退变的目的。现对国内外中药干预KOA的研究进行系统性总结：黄芩素等可通过阻断磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI3K/Akt）信号通路,减少软骨细胞炎性因子、凋亡及促进自噬;山茱萸新苷Ⅰ等成分降低Janus激酶2/信号转导和转录激活因子3（JAK2/STAT3）通路磷酸化活性改善滑膜炎症、延缓软骨基质退变;丹酚酸A等中药活性成分可通过抑制核转录因子-κB（NF-κB）通路磷酸化,减轻炎症与软骨基质降解;大黄素等有效成分可降低Wnt/β-连环蛋白（Wnt/β-catenin）通路活性,抑制胶原蛋白与蛋白多糖分解;肉豆蔻苷等通过阻断p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK）信号传导,抑制细胞凋亡;木通皂苷D等可增强核因子E₂相关因子2/血红素加氧酶1（Nrf2/HO-1）通路活性,抑制软骨细胞氧化应激;牛膝总皂苷等通过增强转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）/Smad信号传导,减少软骨基质降解;藏红花素通过激发河马/Yes相关蛋白（Hippo/YAP）活性抑制软骨炎症与凋亡因子增加;川芎嗪阻断Notch通路改善软骨细胞形态与异常;齐墩果酸等通过发挥雌激素信号通路,减轻软骨基质破坏与退变。以上总结旨在为今后开展KOA临床与实验研究提供借鉴。     

鹰嘴豆芽素A通过调节TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路减轻卵清蛋白诱导哮喘大鼠的气道炎症

[目的] 探讨鹰嘴豆芽素A（BCA）通过调节Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子-κB（NF-κB）/NOD样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）信号通路对卵清蛋白（OVA）诱导哮喘大鼠气道炎症的影响。[方法] 将SD大鼠分为对照（CK）组、模型（Model）组、低剂量BCA组（BCA-L组,25 mg/kg）、高剂量BCA组（BCA-H组,100 mg/kg）、地塞米松阳性对照组（Dex组,1 mg/kg）、BCA-H+LPS（TLR4激活剂）组（100 mg/kg+0.1 mg/kg）,每组12只。除CK组,其他组均通过OVA诱导构建哮喘大鼠模型。建模成功24 h后,进行给药处理,给药每日1次,持续10 d。利用动物肺功能测定仪检测大鼠吸气阻力、呼气阻力、肺通气顺应性的变化;吉姆萨（Giemsa）染色检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中细胞总数、淋巴细胞数、嗜酸性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞数;酶联免疫吸附剂测定（ELISA）检测BALF中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）水平;苏木精-伊红染色法（HE）染色检测大鼠肺组织病理变化;免疫组化检测大鼠肺组织中嗜酸性粒细胞趋化因子（Eotaxin）表达;蛋白质印迹法（Western Blot）检测大鼠肺组织中TLR4、p-NF-κB p65、NLRP3蛋白表达。[结果] 与CK组比较,Model组大鼠吸气阻力、呼气阻力、BALF中细胞总数、淋巴细胞数、嗜酸性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞数、TNF-α、IL-1β、IFN-γ水平升高,肺组织中的支气管及血管周围炎性细胞浸润明显,肺组织中Eotaxin阳性染色面积百分数、TLR4、p-NF-κB p65、NLRP3蛋白表达升高,肺通气顺应性降低（P<0.05）;与Model组比较,BCA-L组、BCA-H组、Dex组对应指标变化趋势与上述相反（P<0.05）;LPS减弱了高剂量BCA对哮喘大鼠气道炎症的改善作用。[结论] BCA可能通过抑制TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3信号通路减轻OVA诱导哮喘大鼠的气道炎症。