Cryo-thermal therapy inducing MI macrophage polarization created CXCL10 and IL-6-rich pro-inflammatory environment for CD4+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity

Purpose: We previously developed a novel cryo-thermal therapy to treat malignant mammary carcinoma and melanoma in a mouse model; long-term survival and CD4⁺ T cell orchestrating anti-tumor immune memory response were achieved. Moreover, cryo-thermal-induced CD4⁺ T cell differentiation into Th1 and CD4⁺CTL sub-lineages, in which M1 macrophage polarization played a direct, important role. In particular, cryo-thermal therapy triggered M1 macrophage polarization with up-regulated expression of C–X–C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6). But whether CXCL10 and IL-6 contribute to CD4⁺ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity remains unclear. In this study, the role of cryo-thermal-induced CXCL10 and IL-6 in anti-tumor immunity was determined.

Methods: The level of CXCL10 and IL-6 in spleen and serum was determined by RT-PCR and ELISA on day 14 after cryo-thermal therapy. Splenic dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages were isolated from cryo-thermal-treated mice on day 5 and 14, and the level of CXCL10 and IL-6 in macrophages and DCs was determined by ELISA. The transwell migration assay was performed to study immune cell migration. In vivo neutralization of CXCL10 or IL-6 was performed to investigate the phenotypic changes of immune cells.

Results: Cryo-thermal therapy induced M1 macrophage polarization with up-regulation of CXCL10 and IL-6 expression in spleen. CXCL10 and IL-6 promoted DCs migration and maturation, and subsequently promoted CD4⁺ T cell migration and differentiation into Th1 and CD4⁺ CTL, moreover, reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) accumulation.

Conclusions: Cryo-thermal-induced CXCL10 and IL-6 created acute inflammatory environment to initiate a systemically cascading innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity, which was more permissive for tumor eradication.     

黄芪汤加减治疗急性加重期慢性阻塞性肺疾病疗效研究

摘 要 目的:探讨黄芪汤加减治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期（AECOPD）的临床疗效。方法:采用随机数字表法将166例AECOPD患者随机分为常规组和观察组各83例。常规组采用常规西医方法治疗，观察组在常规组的基础上给予黄芪汤加减治疗。观察两组治疗前后第1秒用力呼气量（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）、FEV1占FVC的百分比（FEV1/FVC％）、动脉血氧分压（PaO2）、动脉血二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）、肿瘤坏死因子 α（TNF α）、白细胞介素 1β（IL 1β）、白细胞介素 6（IL 6）水平。结果:两组治疗后FEV1、FEV1/FVC、PaO2水平与治疗前相比较均显著升高（P＜0.05），且观察组与同期常规组相比较均显著升高（P＜0.05）；两组治疗后PaCO2、TNF α、IL 1β、IL 6水平与治疗前相比较均显著降低（P＜0.05），且观察组与同期常规组相比较均显著降低（P＜0.05）。结论:黄芪汤加减治疗AECOPD可降低患者炎症反应水平，改善动脉血气和肺功能，提高治疗效果，值得临床应用。     

芪苈强心胶囊配合保元汤加减治疗慢性心力衰竭临床研究

目的:观察芪苈强心胶囊配合保元汤加减用于慢性心力衰竭的治疗效果。方法:选取收治的慢性心力衰竭患者104例作为研究对象,运用随机数字表法将其分为观察组(52例)和对照组(52例),两组患者均接受常规治疗,对照组采用保元汤治疗,观察组同时应用芪苈强心胶囊联合保元汤治疗。观察患者治疗前及治疗后6个月的6 min步行试验的步行距离(6MWD)及纽约心脏病学会心功能分级(NYHA)、血清学指标N末端B型利尿钠肽原(NT-proBNP)、半乳糖凝集素3(Galectin-3)及白介素6(IL-6)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、心脏指数(CI)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、左室重量指数(LVMI)和室壁运动指数(WMI)、左室间隔厚度(IVST)变化情况。结果:治疗前后,两组患者比较心功能指标、Galectin-3、炎性因子指标、心室重构指标差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 观察组与对照组患者相比,6 min步行距离、CI、LVEF、升高更为显著(P<0.05); 观察组患者NYHA分级、NT-proBNP、Galectin-3、IL-6、hs-CRP、TNF-α、LVEDD、LVESD、LVMI、WMI、IVST降低更为显著(P<0.05)。结论:芪苈强心胶囊辅助保元汤加减能够有效改善慢性心力衰竭患者心脏功能,有利于患者体内炎性因子及Galectin-3水平降低,抑制心室重构进展,患者心脏舒缩功能改善效果更佳。     

穴位埋线治疗卒中后肩关节半脱位疗效及对血清TNF-α、IL-6的影响

目的观察穴位埋线治疗卒中后肩关节半脱位临床疗效及对血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)因子水平的影响,探讨抑制炎症反应的相关机制。方法将92例卒中后肩关节半脱位患者按1:1:1随机分3组,共剔除2例,最终每组30例。埋康组采用康复训练加穴位埋线;针康组采用康复训练加针刺治疗;康复组采用单纯康复治疗。分别于治疗前后采用Fugl-Meyer(FMA)上肢运动能力、视觉模拟评分(VAS)及血清TNF-α、IL-6炎性因子水平进行评价。结果治疗后3组患者Fugl-Meyer及VAS评分比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清TNF-α、IL-6炎性因子水平降低(P<0.05);3组中埋康组疗效最优;且3组治疗前后组内比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论穴位埋线能改善卒中肩关节半脱位患者上肢肩痛及运动功能,降低机体炎症性应激反应。     

CCR6通过上皮间质转化促进结直肠癌肝转移的机制研究

目的检测人趋化因子受体6(CCR6)、人趋化因子配体20(CCL20)、E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白在结直肠癌及肝转移组织中的表达,探讨CCR6参与结直肠癌肝转移的可能机制。方法选取山西医科大学第一医院及山西省肿瘤医院2009至2017年资料齐全的62例原发性结直肠癌患者(结肠癌54例、直肠癌8例)手术切除存档蜡块,其中包含同期切除结直肠癌伴肝转移病灶的标本20例。采用免疫组织化学法检测结直肠癌及肝转移组织中CCR6、CCL20、E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白的表达情况,分析CCR6、E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白的表达与患者临床病理特征之间的关系,采用logistic多因素回归分析肝转移与患者临床病理特征及CCR6、E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白表达的关系,采用Spearman相关分析CCR6与E-钙黏着蛋白和波形蛋白的相关性。结果CCR6在结直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率为66.1%(41/62);在伴有肝转移的结直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率为85.0%(17/20),在肝转移组织中的阳性表达率为70.0%(14/20)。CCL20在结直肠癌中的阳性表达率为83.9%(52/62);在伴有肝转移的结直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率为90.0%(18/20),在肝转移组织中的阳性表达率为90.0%(18/20)。E-钙黏着蛋白在结直肠癌中的阳性表达率为67.7%(42/62);在伴有肝转移的结直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率为50.0%(10/20),肝转移组织中的阳性表达率为65.0%(13/20)。波形蛋白在结直肠癌组织中阳性表达率为79.0%(49/62);在伴有肝转移的结直肠癌组织中的阳性表达率为85.0%(17/20),在肝转移组织中的阳性表达率为90.0%(18/20)。CCR6的表达与淋巴结转移(χ^2=11.142,P=0.001)、肝转移(χ^2=4.694,P=0.030)、TNM分期(χ^2=21.785,P<0.001)密切相关;E-钙黏着蛋白的表达与患者淋巴结转移(χ^2=4.694,P=0.030)、肝转移(χ^2=4.253,P=0.039)、TNM分期(χ^2=7.867,P=0.005)密切相关;波形蛋白的表达与患者淋巴结转移(χ^2=7.293,P=0.007)、TNM分期(χ^2=5.712,P=0.017)密切相关。CCR6、E-钙黏着蛋白、波形蛋白均与结直肠癌患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大小及分化程度无关(均P>0.05)。logistic多因素回归分析发现,CCR6(OR=6.812,95%CI为1.206~38.474,P=0.030)、E-钙黏着蛋白(OR=0.256,95%CI为0.069~0.945,P=0.041)是结直肠癌患者肝转移的独立影响因素。Spearman相关分析显示,在20例晚期结直肠癌患者肝转移组织中,CCR6与E-钙黏着蛋白表达(r=0.454,P=0.044)、波形蛋白表达(r=0.509,P=0.022)相关。结论CCR6可能通过上皮间质转化机制促进结直肠癌的进展和肝转移。     

MOB1A regulates glucose deprivation-induced autophagy via IL6-STAT3 pathway in gallbladder carcinoma

MOB kinase activator 1A (MOB1A) plays an important role in many diseases and cancers. Here, we observed that MOB1A was substantially overexpressed in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) tissues compared with nontumor tissues. The high expression of MOB1A was closely associated with poor survival in patients with GBC at advanced TNM stages. Furthermore, our study indicated that MOB1A promoted autophagy by activating the IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulating the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine under glucose deprivation conditions both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, these findings suggested that MOB1A is critical for the development of GBC via the MOB1A-IL6/STAT3-autophagy axis.     

基于计算机辅助药物设计的清肺排毒汤多靶点系统治疗新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)物质基础探究

目的通过对清肺排毒汤功效和新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)病机的分析,基于计算机辅助药物设计(CADD)从多靶点结构出发系统探索清肺排毒汤排毒、抑制炎症风暴、利水渗湿3个方面的物质基础和分子机制。方法 TCMSP下载清肺排毒汤成分,基于血管紧张素转化酶II(ACE2)、白细胞介素-6受体(IL-6R)和水通道蛋白(AQP)分别进行分子对接虚拟筛选并对其结合模式进行分析。对利水药白术、茯苓、猪苓、泽泻进行反向靶点预测和GO分析和KEGG通路富集分析,预测其作用机制。结果阻断病毒作用最突出的前3位中药为甘草、麻黄、枳实,抑制炎症作用最突出的前3位中药是甘草、柴胡、紫菀;清肺排毒汤4个子方中,小柴胡汤阻断病毒、抑制炎症风暴的潜在活性化合物数均排第1。槲皮素及其衍生物对ACE2和IL-6R2个靶点均具有较强结合能力,是潜在的双靶点活性化合物。ACE2的Lys353残基是化合物与ACE2结合的关键位点。白术、茯苓、猪苓、泽泻缺乏阻断病毒、抑制炎症风暴的化合物,分子对接结果显示,这4味药材中含有的东莨菪内酯、去氢齿孔酸、α-D-半乳糖、环氧泽泻烯具有与水通道蛋白4(AQP4)的潜在结合能力。结论清肺排毒汤可通过多种化合物分别与ACE2、IL-6R、AQP4结合,发挥排毒、抑制炎症风暴、利水渗湿的作用;各组成子医方配伍合理,通过多点协同、优势互补发挥防治作用;得到了中药阻断新型冠状病毒(SARS-Co V-2)成分关键的结合位点Lys353,为清肺排毒汤药效机制的多角度挖掘和单体成分的现代化开发提供线索。     

Independent 6D quality assurance of stereotactic radiotherapy repositioning on linacs

PurposeA high level of accuracy while positioning the patient is mandatory for frameless stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), as large doses in multiple fractions can be delivered near organs at risk. The objective of this study is to propose an end-to-end quality assurance method to verify that submillimetre alignment can be achieved with stereotactic conventional linacs.MethodsWe used a TrueBeam® linear accelerator equipped with a 6DOF robotic couch. The “ISO Cube” phantom was used with a homemade stand designed to generate known translational and rotational offsets. A reference CT scan was performed with straight alignment of the phantom. The procedure introduced 1.6° angular offset for the couch pitch and roll, at various gantry angles. The couch base was also moved between 0° and 270°. We compared the results with the daily machine performance check tests (MPC, Varian).ResultsThe mean isocentre size, MV and kV imager offsets were found to agree to within 0.1 mm, 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm respectively, and were in close agreement between the methods. For a total four months data collection period, the mean deviation between requested and measured 6DOF couch shifts was 0.6 mm and 0.2°. Errors on field size were smaller than 1 mm for 97.7% of the 324 data points.ConclusionResults demonstrate that the linac equipped with a 6DOF robotic positioner and CBCT imaging satisfies requirements for SRT. Our methodology, based on a modified Winston-Lutz quality control, allowed us to quantitatively assess end-to-end accuracy of a linac in order to safely deliver SRT.     

SOX6 represses tumor growth of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by HMG domain-dependent regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Sex-determining region Y box (SOXs) are expressed in various cells and control cell fate and differentiation in a multitude of physiologic processes. SOX6, a main representative of SOXs, is involved in the regulation of carcinogenesis in various human malignancies. However, the role of SOX6 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. In this study, SOX6 expression in ccRCC and its clinical significance were investigated. In vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore the tumor-related function and the underlying molecular mechanism of SOX6 in ccRCC. We confirmed that SOX6 was frequently downregulated in ccRCC tissues and cell lines. Besides, downregulation of SOX6 was significantly associated with larger tumor sizes, advanced tumor stage, higher Fuhrman grades, and its expression could act as an independent prognostic factor for ccRCC (hazards ratio = 0.590, P = .026). Gain/loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that SOX6 could remarkably inhibit tumor cell growth and foci formation in vitro and xenograft tumorigenesis in vivo, respectively. Mechanistically, SOX6 could influence cell cycle by regulating the G1/the S phase transition and had an inhibitory effect on Wnt/β-catenin signaling as well as its target genes, c-Myc and cyclin D1. Interesting, the tumor-suppressive function of SOX6 was proved to be dependent on its specific high-mobility-group (HMG) domain. In general, our findings indicated that SOX6 was a novel tumor suppressor and prognostic biomarker in ccRCC. SOX6 could inhibit tumor growth by negatively regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in an HMG domain-dependent manner in ccRCC, which might provide a novel therapeutic approach for ccRCC.