新型人工智能辅助结肠镜诊断复合模型对结肠常见病变诊断价值的临床研究

目的 研究新型人工智能辅助结肠镜诊断复合模型对常见结肠病变的诊断价值。方法 前瞻性地收集大量高质量结肠镜内镜下检测的完整视频，作为分析验证数据，以模拟临床实时使用人工智能辅助结肠镜诊断复合模型行结肠镜检查的环境，评价该复合模型在结肠常见病变中的诊断效能。结果 将模型测试结果与病理结果对比，该模型对病变整体诊断的准确度、特异度、灵敏度分别为95.5%、90.6%和96.8%。在不同病变类型中，对腺瘤性息肉诊断的准确度、敏感度、特异度分别为95.9%、90.4%和98.4%;非腺瘤性息肉诊断的准确度、敏感度和特异度分别为97.9%、90.5%、99.4%;对结直肠癌的准确度、敏感度、特异度分别为94.0%、94.4%、92.6%;对结肠憩室诊断的准确度、敏感度、特异度分别为97.2%、91.8%、98.7%;对溃疡性结肠炎的准确度、敏感度和特异度分别为93.7%、87.7%和94.5%;对结直肠黏膜下肿物诊断的准确性相对较低为91.8%,敏感度和特异度分别为84.0%、93.4%。结论 本团队研发的新型人工智能辅助结肠镜诊断复合模型可准确快速识别包括腺瘤性息肉、非腺瘤性息肉、结直肠癌、结肠...     

共聚焦显微镜对感染性角膜炎病原学的诊断价值

目的评价共聚焦显微镜(CM)对细菌、真菌、单纯疱疹病毒、棘阿米巴4种感染性角膜炎的病原体的鉴别诊断能力。方法选择该院2015-01～2018-09临床确诊为4种感染性角膜炎患者,采取盲法利用CM进行病原学的鉴别诊断,并统计其诊断效能。结果纳入临床确诊的感染性角膜炎共151例,其中细菌性角膜炎43例,真菌性角膜炎56例,单疱病毒性角膜炎49例,棘阿米巴性角膜炎3例。CM对细菌性角膜炎、真菌性角膜炎、单纯疱疹病毒性角膜炎、棘阿米巴性角膜炎病原学诊断的灵敏度依次为76. 74%、91. 07%、77. 56%、100. 00%,特异度依次为85. 19%、97. 89%、92. 16%、100. 00%,Kappa值依次为0. 59、0. 90、0. 71、1. 00。结论 CM对感染性角膜炎的病原体有较好的鉴别诊断能力。     

四种方法检测结核分枝杆菌耐药性结果的比较及方法评价

目的：比较噬菌体生物扩增法（PhaB）及分枝杆菌快速侦测系统（BacT—ALERT）测定结核杆菌（MTB）药物敏感度结果，研究其临床应用价值。方法：应用PhaB、BacT-ALERT检测200株MTB对异烟肼（INH）、链霉素（SM）、乙胺丁醇（EMB）和利福平（RFP）的耐药性，并以传统的耐药性测定方法作为金标准，评价其敏感度、特异度和准确度。结果：以绝对浓度法结果为判断标准：PhaB检测INH的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为95．2％、88．3％和89．0％，检测SM的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为95．1％、97．5％和98．0％，检测EMB的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为100．0％、94、4％和94．5％，检测RFP的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为95．7％、97．4％和97．0％；BacT—ALERT检测INH的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为100．0％、97．2％和97．5％，检测SM的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为92．7％、94．3％和94．0％，检测EMB的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为100．0％、99．4％和99．5％，检测RFP敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为87．0％、93．5％和92．5％。以比例法结果为判断标准：PhaB检测INH的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为58．3％、99．4％和94．5％，检测SM的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为88．1％、96．8％和95．0％，检测EMB的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为100．0％、94．4％和94．5％，检测RFP敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为88．0％、96．7％和94．5％。BacT—ALERT检测INH的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为83．3％、97．7％和95．5％，检测SM的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为88．1％、94．9％和93．5％，检测EMB的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为100．0％、98．8％和99．0％，检测RFP敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为78．0％、96．0％和91．5％。结论：PhaB法和BacT—ALERT法检测MTB耐药性均具有较高的敏感度、特异度和准确度，可作为MTB耐药性的快速检测方法。     

T细胞酶联免疫斑点试验在肺外结核病诊断中的应用分析

目的探讨结核杆菌感染T细胞酶联免疫斑点试验(T-SPOT.TB)检测在肺外结核病诊断中的应用价值。方法选取2015年本院收治的364例疑似肺外结核病病人作为研究对象,所有病人均接受结核杆菌培养与血T-SPOT.TB检测,以临床确诊结果作为对照,分析病人T-SPOT.TB检测结果与结核杆菌培养阳性结果两者间的符合率,评价其敏感度、特异度和准确度。结果 T-SPOT.TB的肺外结核病敏感度为82.7%、特异度94.7%、准确度87.6%,与结核杆菌培养的敏感度为44.4%、特异度100.0%、准确度67.3%比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);T-SPOT.TB检测肺外结核病结果与临床诊断结果一致性为Kappa=0.75,结核菌培养与临床诊断结果一致性为Kappa=0.57。结论 T-SPOT.TB是敏感度和特异度较高的快速检测结核杆菌感染的方法。     

SpyGlassTMDS在70岁以上胆管疾病患者中的诊疗价值及安全性分析

目的 探讨SpyGlass^TMDS在70岁以上胆管疾病患者中的诊疗价值及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2018年1月至2022年4月在北京中医药大学东方医院使用SpyGlass^TMDS诊治的178例患者临床资料，根据年龄分为≥70岁组和<70岁组，观察诊治疾病的有效性，比较两组术中诊断的疾病谱、术中操作、术后并发症的差异性。结果 在不明原因胆道狭窄判断良恶性方面：≥70岁组内镜下直视敏感度为93.5%,特异度83.3%,准确度89.8%;活检诊断敏感度94.7%,特异度100%,准确度95.7%。<70岁组中内镜下直视下敏感度89.3%,特异度78.6%,准确度83.9%。活检诊断敏感度82.4%,特异度100%,准确度89.3%。整体内镜下直视敏感度91.5%,特异度80.4%,准确度86.7%;整体活检诊断敏感度88.9%,特异度100%,准确度92.2%。在治疗困难性胆总管结石方面：取石成功率为97.6%。安全性分析方面：≥70岁组高血压、冠心病检出率高于<70岁组(P<0.05)。≥70岁组留置支架概率(44.0%)...     

甲状腺影像报告与数据系统诊断多发性甲状腺结节的价值

目的评价甲状腺影像报告与数据系统(TI-RADS)分类法和综合赋分法对甲状腺结节良恶性质判断的临床价值。方法分析经手术切除或穿刺活检证实的55例患者的90个甲状腺结节的病例及资料,对所有的结节行彩色超声检查并根据TI-RADS进行分类,计算TI-RADS分类诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的敏感度、特异度、准确度。将TI-RADS分类中对于甲状腺结节描述的6个敏感指标(形态、边界、回声、微钙化、血流、颈部淋巴结)分别进行赋分,计算其综合赋分值,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线确定该综合赋分法的诊断界值并评价该方法的诊断效能。结果 55例共计90个甲状腺结节经TI-RADS分类诊断66个为良性结节,24个为恶性结节,与病理结果比对后,其诊断的敏感度、准确度及特异度分别为83.3%、85.5%、81.8%。根据ROC曲线确定的综合赋分法曲线下面积为0.951,诊断准确性较高;综合赋分法诊断临界值为8.5分,≥8.5分判定结节为恶性,<8.5分判定结节为良性,诊断的敏感度、准确度及特异度分别为91.6%、91.1%、90.9%。结论综合赋分法的诊断准确度及敏感度高于TIRADS分类,有助于甲状腺恶性结节的鉴别和筛查。     

基于文本知识库的肝损伤药物不良反应大数据智能识别研究

目的 本研究基于药物不良反应(ADR)文本知识库的探索性构建,尝试建立肝损伤相关ADR的大数据智能识别方法。方法 以“药物性肝损伤”“药源性肝损伤”“肝功能异常”等为关键词,检索时间为2012年1月1日—2016年12月31日,检索并随机抽取药品不良反应监测系统数据库中5%(4152份)肝损伤相关ADR病例报告。结合医师临床再评价,分为“否定病例”“疑似病例”“确定病例”。在此基础上,进行关键要素的识别(不良反应名称、生化指标、临床症状),采用关键要素与临床再评价的相关性分析,以及ROC曲线确定评分阈值等构建肝损伤相关ADR智能识别方法,并采用交叉验证的方法评价该智能识别方法的效能。结果 肝损伤相关ADR评价识别公式为：总分(M)=症状分数+指标分数+不良反应名称分数,“否定病例”与“疑似病例”“确定病例”在M=5分区分度最好(AUC=0.97),敏感度为99.57%,特异度为84.61%;“确定病例”与“疑似病例”“否定病例”在M=12分区分度最好(AUC=0.938),敏感度为87.93%,特异度为85.98%。结论 该方法将为肝损伤相关ADR大数据智能识别评价提供参考和依据,有望...     

人工智能影像系统预测肺结节良恶性及浸润性的临床初探

目的 评估人工智能辅助诊断系统对肺结节定性诊断的准确性及预测肺腺癌浸润程度的临床应用价值。方法 回顾性分析本院2021年1月至2022年1月经手术病理证实的肺结节患者。将肺结节分为恶性肿瘤组和良性病变组，其中肺腺癌又分为浸润性腺癌组和非浸润性腺癌组。将各组肺结节影像资料导入人工智能辅助诊断系统，记录量化参数、恶性概率及预测病理亚型，并采用受试者工作特征曲线评估人工智能诊断系统鉴别良恶性肺结节的效能及预测肺腺癌侵袭程度的临床价值。结果 人工智能诊断与病理结果的一致性检验的Kappa值为0.676(P<0.001)。人工智能组鉴别良恶性肺结节的ROC曲线下面积为0.91,敏感度94.3%,特异度70.2%;医师阅片组的ROC曲线下面积为0.767,敏感度80.5%,特异度63.3%。两组患者临床资料比较，年龄、性别、恶性概率、CT平均值和CT最大值差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。人工智能自动预测肺腺癌侵袭程度的ROC曲线下面积为0.808,敏感度71.0%,特异度89.7%。结论 人工智能系统对肺结节定性诊断与肺结节病理结果的一致性好，对早期肺癌诊断具有重要意义，并且能自动预...     

感染性角膜炎共焦显微镜镜下特征与临床特点

分析62例(62眼)外伤感染性角膜炎的共焦显微镜镜下显微特征及临床特点.24例细菌性角膜炎中,16例角膜上皮层或浅基质层伴有1～2 μm高反光点.38例真菌性角膜炎中,14例角膜上皮层及浅基质层检查到长50～200 μm,直径2～5 μm的树枝状真菌菌丝;11例(28.9%)显示浅、中基质层的杂乱分布的直、长线状菌丝,长150～300 μm,直径3～7 μm;3例在浸润的周边部可观察到直径12～15 um的高亮度圆形、椭圆形实心球体真菌孢子.27例(71.1%)真菌性角膜炎有明确的植物外伤史,9例(37.5%)细菌性角膜炎有角膜接触镜配戴史.裂隙灯显微镜检查:32例(84.2%)真菌性角膜炎可见菌丝苔被,28例(74.4%)可见不规则或羽毛状边缘.真菌性角膜炎菌种鉴定为镰孢菌属18例(47.5%).共焦显微镜可显示典型的真菌菌丝及真菌孢子,在真菌性和细菌性角膜炎的鉴别诊断中具有重要价值.     

冠状动脉易损斑块的CT定量纹理分析

目的:比较冠状动脉易损斑块(vlunerable plaque,VP)与稳定斑块(stable plaque,SP)的纹理特征差异,探讨CT定量纹理分析在鉴别VP及SP中的诊断效能。方法:回顾性分析42例经血管内超声证实为VP或SP患者的冠状动脉CTA图像,利用MaZda分析软件提取粥样斑块的灰度直方图、灰度共生矩阵参数特征,绘制受试者工作特征曲线,并计算曲线下面积,确定参数的最佳诊断临界值,计算各参数的敏感度、特异度及约登指数。结果:42例冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块中,VP组25例,SP组17例。两组间平均值(Mean)、方差(Variance)、角二阶矩(ASM)、对比度(CON)及熵(ENT)均差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。ROC曲线分析显示,Variance、ASM、CON、ENT的AUC值分别为0.975、0.993、0.935、0.890;ASM的临界值为0.553 58,敏感度、特异度分别为95%、100%,约登指数为0.95;Variance的临界值为0.963 85,敏感度、特异度分别为75%、100%,约登指数为0.75;CON临界值为157.45,敏感度、特异度分别为90%、100%,约登指数为0.95;ENT临界值为1.492 25,敏感度、特异度分别为85%、95%,约登指数为0.80。结论:CT定量纹理分析法对VP及SP具有良好的鉴别诊断能力。     

Immunosuppression affects the severity of experimental Fusarium solani keratitis

We have established a mouse model of corneal fusariosis that permits the evaluation of fungal infection and pathogenesis. Corneas of immunocompetent and cyclophosphamide-treated adult BALB/c mice were topically inoculated with Fusarium solani after corneal scarification. Eyes were scored for corneal involvement daily for 8 days and at 2 weeks after infection. Eyes were enucleated at various time points for quantitative fungal recovery and histopathological examination. An inoculum-dose response was observed in cyclophosphamide-treated mice, and fungi were recovered from the infected eyes by quantitative microbial culturing. Treatment with cyclophosphamide increased disease severity and delayed fungal clearance. Fungal hyphae, inflammatory cells, and stromal edema were histologically evident within corneal tissue and correlated with disease severity. Although the mouse cornea resists fungal infections, F. solani keratitis could be induced in immunosuppressed mice after surface scarification, which resulted in infection and clinical disease that could be evaluated both in vivo and in vitro.     

兔眼真菌性角膜炎模型的病理学观察

目的观察兔眼真菌性角膜炎(FK)动物模型的病理学改变。方法新西兰白兔15只(30只眼),随机分为模型组、生理盐水组和正常对照组,每组10只兔眼。采用角膜基质注射法建立茄病镰刀菌性角膜炎模型,接种后2 d角膜刮片行真菌培养;接种后1、2、6、8、14、20 d和30 d,对兔眼溃疡评分;接种后3、8、15、30 d于裂隙灯下观察兔眼病理变化并拍照;接种后30 d处死家兔,取角膜,HE染色,光镜下观察组织病理学改变,PAS染色观察角膜基质层间的真菌菌丝,电镜观察角膜超微结构改变。结果模型组角膜刮片真菌培养均可见典型真菌菌落生长;与正常对照组相比,模型组在接种1、2、6、8、14、20 d和30 d后,角膜溃疡评分均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。模型组接种3、8、15、30 d后,分别可见角膜溃疡、穿孔、前房积脓、新生血管、角膜白斑等并发症。HE染色、PAS染色、电镜观察均显示模型组角膜感染样改变。生理盐水组和正常对照组未见明显病理改变。结论角膜基质注射法可以成功建立兔眼的真菌性角膜炎模型,出现典型的形态学改变。     

Use of in-vivo confocal microscopy to assess the association of dendritiform cells with progressive trachomatous conjunctival scarring

Background

Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. In-vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) provides high-resolution images of the ocular surface. We have previously reported a grading system for the quantitative assessment of these images in scarring trachoma. We found that the presence of trachomatous scarring was strongly associated with the presence of dendritiform cells (DFCs). The present study assessed whether there is an association between DFCs and clinical progression in scarring.

Infectious keratitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Infectious keratitis is a medical emergency. Improper management can lead to marked loss of vision. This review identifies recent trends in the study of infectious keratitis. RECENT FINDINGS: A multicountry outbreak of Fusarium keratitis emphasizes that contact lens wear is a major risk factor for infectious keratitis. Acanthamoeba and fungal keratitis are the most expensive forms of infectious keratitis to treat. Noninvasive methods and molecular techniques have improved diagnosis of infectious keratitis. Fortified topical antibiotics and fluoroquinolones are still the mainstay of bacterial keratitis therapy. Voriconazole and new routes of administration of conventional antifungals appear promising for fungal keratitis. Antivirals and amelioration of host inflammatory response are promising for viral keratitis; the host response is also crucial in pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. Trauma-induced bacterial and fungal keratitis and contact lens-associated keratitis are preventable entities. SUMMARY: Improved modalities of diagnosis and treatment have improved the outcome of infectious keratitis, but therapy of acanthamoebal, fungal and P. aeruginosa keratitis is still a challenge. Effective strategies must neutralize potential risk factors and counter host response overactivity without impairing killing of infecting microorganisms. Trauma-induced bacterial and fungal keratitis can be prevented.     

固相杂交技术检测真菌性角膜病常见致病菌的初步研究

目的探讨快速、准确检测真菌性角膜病常见致病菌的方法。方法将临床上常见的角膜致病真菌6属12种经氨基化修饰的特异性寡核苷酸探针固定在醛基化的载玻片上。用一对荧光标记通用引物对上述真菌的DNA基因片断进行扩增，将带有荧光标记的扩增产物与载玻片上排列的探针进行杂交，置于荧光显微镜下观察其显色情况。结果12种真菌都产生了530～630bp的PCR扩增产物，在相同的条件下对其进行杂交检测,得到了具有各自特征的杂交后荧光显色图谱，通过荧光信号可直接对不同菌种进行区分判断。结论采用固相杂交技术能够在3～4h完成对临床上常见的12种角膜致病真菌的菌种检测。     

Depletion and Decreased Function of Antigen-Presenting Dendritic Cells Caused by Lymphocytapheresis in Ulcerative colitis

PURPOSE: The therapeutic efficacy of lymphocytapheresis in autoimmune diseases is presumed to be caused by depletion of activated lymphocytes. However, nothing is known about the inducer of activated lymphocytes, the antigen-presenting dendritic cells, during lymphocytapheresis. BASIC PROCEDURES: Six sessions of lymphocytapheresis were done in five patients with ulcerative colitis. Dendritic cells were enriched from the buffy coat of depleted lymphocytes and also from the peripheral blood. The phenotype and function of dendritic cells were studied by dual-color flow cytometry and in allogenic mixed leukocyte reaction, respectively. The serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 6, 8, 10, and 12 and tumor necrosis factor- and ) were measured before and after lymphocytapheresis in all cases. MAIN FINDINGS: Lymphocytapheresis was safe and caused clinical, endoscopic or histologic improvements in all patients with ulcerative colitis. Many CD83-positive mature dendritic cells were found in the buffy coats after each session of lymphocytapheresis. The function of dendritic cells, the frequencies of CD83-positive dendritic cells and the levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were down regulated in all patients with ulcerative colitis after lymphocytapheresis compared with their levels before lymphocytapheresis. CONCLUSIONS: Depletion and down regulation of the function of dendritic cells and diminished levels of inflammatory cytokines caused by lymphocytapheresis may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of lymphocytapheresis.     

Confocal endomicroscopy for phenotypic diagnosis of gastric cancer

Background and Aim: Relationships between mucin phenotype and malignant potential in gastric cancers have attracted attention. We attempted to assess the possibility of obtaining phenotypic diagnoses by confocal endomicroscopy. Methods: Confocal images of target lesions were obtained in 29 of 40 patients with gastric cancer. Appearances of the brush border, goblet cells, and gastric foveolar epithelium were investigated with immunohistochemical staining using CD10, MUC2, and human gastric mucin to evaluate phenotypic expression in gastric carcinomas. Confocal images were compared with immunohistochemical findings for goblet cells and brush borders. Results: Both the endoscopists and the pathologist obtained high accuracy rates for differential diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity for goblet cells were 85.7% and 92.3% (Endoscopist A), and 85.7% and 88.5% (Endoscopist B). The κ‐value for correspondence between two endoscopists for the diagnosis of goblet cells in confocal images was 0.73. Sensitivity and specificity for the brush border were 93.8% and 91.7% (Endoscopist A), and 81.3% and 91.7% (Endoscopist B). The κ‐value for correspondence between two endoscopists for diagnosis of the brush border in confocal images was 0.79. Intestinal phenotypic gastric cancers show a brush border, goblet cells, or both. Sensitivity and specificity for the intestinal phenotype in confocal endomicroscopy were 90.9% and 77.8% (Endoscopist A), and 86.4% and 83.3% (Endoscopist B). Conclusion: The confocal endomicroscopic diagnosis of the mucin phenotype in gastric cancers was limited to intestinal and mixed phenotypes, but may be useful for the diagnosis of mucin phenotype and differential diagnosis.     

Characterization of antigen-presenting dendritic cells in the peripheral blood and colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE: Increased lymphocyte activation and production of inflammatory cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Because antigen-presenting dendritic cells play a cardinal role in the activation and survival of activated lymphocytes, the aim of the present study was to characterize dendritic cells in ulcerative colitis. DESIGN: This study was designed to compare the phenotypes and functions of peripheral blood dendritic cells among healthy normal volunteers and patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Activated dendritic cells were also localized at the colonic mucosa. METHODS: Peripheral blood dendritic cells were generated from 15 patients with ulcerative colitis, 10 patients with Crohn's disease and 15 healthy control volunteers. The stimulatory capacities of dendritic cells were analysed in an allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Nitric oxide was detected by the Griess method. Single- and dual-colour flow cytometry was employed to study the levels of maturation of dendritic cells. Activated dendritic cells were localized immunohistochemically in the colonic mucosa. RESULTS: In comparison to normal controls, peripheral blood dendritic cells from patients with ulcerative colitis showed significantly increased stimulatory capacities (P < 0.05) and produced significantly higher levels of nitric oxide (P < 0.05). The numbers of activated dendritic cells were also significantly higher in ulcerative colitis (P < 0.05). Mature and activated dendritic cells expressing the CD83 antigen were detected at the inflamed colonic mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Activated and mature dendritic cells may have a role in the induction of an exacerbated immune response in ulcerative colitis. This study provides the scientific and logical basis for blocking the maturation and activation of dendritic cells in ulcerative colitis as a new therapeutic intervention.     

Endothelial cell-derived microparticles induce plasmacytoid dendritic cell maturation: potential implications in inflammatory diseases

Background

Increased circulating endothelial microparticles, resulting from vascular endothelium dysfunction, and plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation are both encountered in common inflammatory disorders. The aim of our study was to determine whether interactions between endothelial microparticles and plasmacytoid dendritic cells could contribute to such pathologies.

Design and Methods

Microparticles generated from endothelial cell lines, platelets or activated T cells were incubated with human plasmacytoid dendritic cells sorted from healthy donor blood or with monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Dendritic cell maturation was evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine secretion as well as naive T-cell activation and polarization. Labeled microparticles were also used to study cellular interactions.

Results

Endothelial microparticles induced plasmacytoid dendritic cell maturation. In contrast, conventional dendritic cells were resistant to endothelial microparticle-induced maturation. In addition to upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules, endothelial microparticle-matured plasmacytoid dendritic cells secreted inflammatory cytokines (interleukins 6 and 8, but no interferon-α) and also induced allogeneic naive CD4⁺ T cells to proliferate and to produce type 1 cytokines such as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Endothelial microparticle endocytosis by plasmacytoid dendritic cells appeared to be required for plasmacytoid dendritic cell maturation. Importantly, the ability of endothelial microparticles to induce plasmacytoid dendritic cells to mature was specific as microparticles derived from activated T cells or platelets (the major source of circulating microparticules in healthy subjects) did not induce such plasmacytoid dendritic cell maturation.

Conclusions

Our data show that endothelial microparticles specifically induce plasmacytoid dendritic cell maturation and production of inflammatory cytokines. This novel activation pathway may be implicated in various inflammatory disorders and endothelial microparticles could be an important immunmodulatory therapeutic target.