Enhanced high‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) modulates regulatory T cells (Treg)/T helper 17 (Th17) balance via toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4‐interleukin (IL)‐6 pathway in patients with chronic hepatitis B

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) proteins are substantially up‐regulated in acute and chronic hepatitis. However, the immunopathogenic role of HMGB1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has not been elucidated. In this study, using a cohort of 36 CHB patients, we demonstrated a crucial role for HMGB1 to modulate balance between regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells via the toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4‐interleukin (IL)‐6 pathway. Serum HMGB1 levels were dramatically higher in CHB patients and increased along with liver injury, inflammation and fibrosis. Notably, HMGB1 increased along with decreased Treg/Th17 cells ratios in the periphery or intrahepatic microenvironment, which provides a clue for HMGB1 to favour Th17 responses whereas inhibit Treg responses. For in vitro studies, serum pools were constructed with serum from CHB patients at an advanced stage, whereas peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) pools were constructed with cells from those at an early stage. CHB‐serum significantly enhanced retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor‐γt (RORγt), whereas they inhibited forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) expression in CHB‐PBMC, which could be reversed by blocking of HMGB1, TLR4, or IL‐6. Besides, recombinant HMGB1 (rHMGB1) dose‐dependently up‐regulated RORγt whereas down‐regulated Foxp3 expression in CHB‐PBMC, and meanwhile, rHMGB1 enhanced TLR4 and IL‐6 expression in CHB‐PBMC. Moreover, the axis of HMGB1–TLR4‐IL‐6–Treg/Th17 required noncontact interactions between CD4 and non‐CD4 cells. In addition, rHMGB1 down‐regulated anti‐inflammatory proteins on CD4⁺CD25⁺ cells whereas up‐regulated pro‐inflammatory cytokines in CD4⁺CD25⁻ cells. In summary, enriched HMGB1 in CHB patients shifts Treg/Th17 balance to Th17 dominance via the TLR4‐IL‐6 pathway, which exacerbates liver injury and inflammation.     

Isolated Schistosoma mansoni eggs prevent allergic airway inflammation

Chronic helminth infection with Schistosoma (S.) mansoni protects against allergic airway inflammation (AAI) in mice and is associated with reduced Th2 responses to inhaled allergens in humans, despite the presence of schistosome‐specific Th2 immunity. Schistosome eggs strongly induce type 2 immunity and allow to study the dynamics of Th2 versus regulatory responses in the absence of worms. Treatment with isolated S. mansoni eggs by i.p. injection prior to induction of AAI to ovalbumin (OVA)/alum led to significantly reduced AAI as assessed by less BAL and lung eosinophilia, less cellular influx into lung tissue, less OVA‐specific Th2 cytokines in lungs and lung‐draining mediastinal lymph nodes and less circulating allergen‐specific IgG1 and IgE antibodies. While OVA‐specific Th2 responses were inhibited, treatment induced a strong systemic Th2 response to the eggs. The protective effect of S. mansoni eggs was unaltered in μMT mice lacking mature (B2) B cells and unaffected by Treg cell depletion using anti‐CD25 blocking antibodies during egg treatment and allergic sensitization. Notably, prophylactic egg treatment resulted in a reduced influx of pro‐inflammatory, monocyte‐derived dendritic cells into lung tissue of allergic mice following challenge. Altogether, S. mansoni eggs can protect against the development of AAI, despite strong egg‐specific Th2 responses.     

Th17/Treg dysregulation in allergic asthmatic children is associated with elevated notch expression

Background: Notch signaling pathway is critically involved in the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells, key players in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Objective: The study is to explore whether Th17/Treg dysregulation in children with allergic asthma (AA) is associated with alteration of Notch expression. Methods: Thirty-five patients with AA and thirty-five healthy control children were selected. Flow cytometry was used to detect Th17 and Treg cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of Notch1 mRNA. The correlations among Notch1 mRNA expression, the percentage of Th17 cells, and Th17/Treg ratio were calculated. Results: Th17 and Treg cells were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, in children with AA than in healthy control (p < 0.001). mRNA level of Notch1 was elevated in children with AA comparing to healthy controls (p < 0.001). The mRNA expression of Notch1 was positively correlated with the percentage of Th17 cells (r = 0.775, p < 0.001) and Th17/Treg ratio (r = 0.698, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Children with AA showed dysregulation of Th17/Treg cells in peripheral blood. Such change is accompanied with overexpression of Notch1, indicating Th17/Treg dysregulation in children with AA is associated with elevated Notch expression.     

Characteristics of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma during treatment with inhaled corticosteroids

Objective: Eosinophilic inflammation in the respiratory tract is a hallmark of bronchial asthma. In naïve cases, the inflammatory profile is associated with disease severity and reactivity to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Sustained airway eosinophilia has been reported during ICS treatment. However, the immunological characteristics of these cases are not known and it is unclear if this situation contributes to asthma control. This study was performed to determine the answer of these questions. Methods: To compare phenotypes of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma (EA and NEA, respectively) under ICS treatment, clinical data were obtained from asthmatic subjects (n?=?22) and healthy controls (n?=?10), and the leukocyte compositions of induced sputum and peripheral blood were determined. T lymphocyte profiles in systemic blood were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: A higher frequency of emergency room visits was observed in the NEA group, which had a higher neutrophil count relative to the total inflammatory cell population in induced sputum than the EA group (59.5 versus 36.6%; p?<?0.01). The fraction of helper T (Th)17 lymphocytes as well as the ratio of Th17 to regulatory T cells (Treg) in the peripheral blood was higher in the NEA than in the EA group (0.24 versus 0.13; p?<?0.05). Conclusions: Th17 were more prevalent than Treg cells in the peripheral blood of NEA patients under ICS treatment, corresponding to neutrophil-dominant airway inflammation and a severe asthmatic phenotype. Thus, an imbalance in Th17/Treg may be associated with the pathogenesis of NEA in patients undergoing ICS treatment.     

慢性特发性血小板减少性紫癜CD_4~+T细胞亚群变化的特点

目的 测定慢性特发性血小板减少性紫癜(ITP)患者CD_4~+T细胞亚群[Th1、Th2、Th17和调节性T细胞(Treg)]和相应血浆细胞因子水平,探索其在ITP发病机制中的作用.方法 将35例成人慢性ITP患者分为疾病活动组、未缓解组、缓解组,18例体检正常者设为对照组.应用流式细胞仪检测表达细胞内因子干扰素(IFN)γ~+、白细胞介素(IL)-4~+、IL-17~+细胞及表达CD_(25)~+Foxp3~+细胞分别占CD_4~+细胞的百分率.应用ELISA检测血浆中IFNγ、IL-4、IL-17和IL-10的水平,分析活动组患者血浆细胞因子水平与血小板、骨髓巨核细胞计数间的相关性.结果 Th1、Th17细胞百分率及Th1/Th17比例在各组间比较差异均无统计学意义;Th2细胞百分率:活动组[(1.01±0.88)%]、未缓解组[(1.22±1.04)%]与对照组[(1.86±0.59)%]比较明显下降(P<0.05);Th1/Th2比例:活动组(15.04±9.67)、未缓解组(11.65±9.32)与对照组(7.02±3.01)比较明显增高(P<0.05); Treg细胞百分率:活动组[(0.89±0.58)%]、未缓解组[(1.46±1.27)%]与对照组[(5.73±0.71)%]比较明显下降(P<0.01).IFNγ、IL-17水平在各组间比较差异无统计学意义;IL-4水平:活动组[(2.25±2.05)ng/L]、未缓解组[(2.33±2.14)ng/L]与对照组[(5.54±4.00)ng/L]比较明显下降(P<0.05);IL-10水平:活动组[(5.07±4.10)ng/L]、未缓解组[(5.66±4.35)ng/L]与对照组[(14.21 ±7.31)ng/L]比较明显下降(P<0.01).上述各参数(Th2、Treg细胞百分率、IL-4、IL-10水平)在缓解组与对照组间比较差异无统计学意义.活动组患者血浆IL-10水平与血小板计数呈正相关(r=0.16,P=0.03),与骨髓巨核细胞数间无相关性(r=0.41,P=0.06).结论 慢性ITP患者疾病活动组Th1/Th2比值升高,这是由Th2细胞的百分率下降所致.Treg细胞百分率下降可能与慢性ITP发病机制有关,但Th17细胞百分率可能与慢性ITP疾病状态无关.     

A commensal bacterial product elicits and modulates migratory capacity of CD39+ CD4 T regulatory subsets in the suppression of neuroinflammation

Tolerance established by host-commensal interactions regulates host immunity at both local mucosal and systemic levels. The intestinal commensal strain Bacteroides fragilis elicits immune tolerance, at least in part, via the expression capsular polysaccharide A (PSA). How such niche-specific commensal microbial elements regulate extra-intestinal immune responses, as in the brain, remains largely unknown. We have recently shown that oral treatment with PSA suppresses neuro-inflammation elicited during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis. This protection is dependent upon the expansion of immune-regulatory CD4 T cells (Treg) expressing CD39, an ectonucleotidase. Here, we further show that CD39 modulation of purinergic signals enhances migratory phenotypes of both total CD4 T cells and Foxp3⁺ CD4 Tregs at central nervous system (CNS) lymphoid-draining sites in EAE in vivo and promotes their migration in vitro. These changes are noted during PSA treatment, which leads to heightened accumulation of CD39⁺ CD4 Tregs in the CNS. Deficiency of CD39 abrogates accumulation of Treg during EAE, and is accompanied by elevated Th1/Th17 signals in the CNS and in gut-associated lymphoid tissues. Our results demonstrate that immune-modulatory commensal bacterial products impact the migratory patterns of CD4 Treg during CNS autoimmunity via the regulation of CD39. These observations provide clues as to how intestinal commensal microbiome is able to modulate Treg functions and impact host immunity in the distal site.     

The effect of synthetic retinoid,Am80, on T helper cell development and antibody production in murine collagen-induced arthritis

Abstract

Retinoids are known to promote T helper (Th)2 and regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation, and suppress Th1 and Th17 in vitro. Am80, a synthetic retinoid, is reported to ameliorate collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). The aims of this study are to determine the effects of Am80 on CIA in detail, and on Th development and antibody (Ab) production in vivo. Murine CIA was induced by immunization with bovine type II collagen (CII) at days 1 and 22. Treatment with Am80 from day 1 to 35 significantly lowered clinical arthritis score, suppressed cellular infiltration and bone destruction in the joint, decreased interleukin (IL)-17 and increased interferon (IFN)-γ production by CII-stimulated splenocytes, and decreased proportion of Foxp3⁺ splenic CD4 T cells and serum anti-CII Ab levels. Thus, Am80 inhibited Th17 and Treg and enhanced Th1 differentiation in vivo. In contrast, Am80 applied from day 15 to 35 did not alter arthritis score, IL-17 or IFN-γ production by CII-stimulated splenocytes, but decreased the proportion of Foxp3⁺ splenic CD4 T cells and serum anti-CII Ab levels. Am80 exhibits inhibitory effects on CIA and might regulate both Th development and Ab production in vivo. Decreased Th17 by treatment with Am80 might be responsible for the attenuation of arthritis.     

参麦注射液对支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17/Treg细胞的影响

目的 探讨参麦注射液对支气管哮喘(简称哮喘)患者外周血Th17/Treg细胞的影响及其意义.方法 选取山西医科大学第一医院呼吸科急性发作期、缓解期哮喘患者各25例,选取山西医科大学第一医院体检中心肺功能正常、激发或者舒张试验阴性的健康人25例作为对照组,分别使用1640培养液及参麦注射液进行干预处理.抽取晨起空腹静脉血5 ml,运用流式细胞仪对各组外周血Th17细胞、Treg细胞分别占CD4+的比例及Th17/Trcg细胞的比值进行比较,同时检测血清中IL-10因子的水平.结果 ①各组间干预前CD4+ Th17细胞/CD4+T细胞、CD4+ Th17细胞/CD4+ Treg细胞的比值,急性发作期组(3.05±1.27、1.49±1.78)高于缓解期组(2.38±0.93、0.61±0.24)及对照组(1.19±0.39、0.30±1.14),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),缓解期高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);CD4+Treg细胞/CD4+T细胞的比值,对照组(5.20±3.26)高于缓解期组(3.99±0.90)及急性发作期组(2.76±0.93),差异有统计学意义,(P＜0.05),缓解期组高于急性发作期组,差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05).血清中IL-10因子的水平,对照组(5,28±1.31)高于缓解期组(4.46±0.83)及急性发作期组(3.90±0.64),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),缓解期组高于急性发作期组,差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05).②同一组间CD4+ Th17细胞/CD4+T细胞、CD4+Th17细胞/CD4+ Treg细胞的比值,干预前高于干预后,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).CD4+ Treg细胞/CD4+T细胞的比值,干预后高于干预前,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).血清中IL-10因子水平,干预后高于干预前,差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05).结论 哮喘患者外周血中存在Th17/Treg细胞失衡,参麦注射液可以改善哮喘患者的Th17/Treg细胞失衡.     

青蒿素对 AECOPD 患者外周血中炎症因子及 Th17/Treg 失衡的调控

目的：通过检测青蒿素干预前后慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)患者外周血中 Th17细胞,Treg 细胞占 CD4+ T 细胞的比例,炎症因子 IL-6、IL-21、转化生长因子β(TGF-β)的含量,初步探讨青蒿素对 COPD 患者外周血中炎症因子和 Th17/Treg 失衡的调控机制。方法随机收集 AECOPD 20例,将其分为1640干预组和青蒿素干预组,收集同一时期肺功能正常健康体检者20例作为对照组,抽取清晨空腹静脉血,采用流式细胞术检测所有实验对象 CD4+ Th17细胞和 Treg 细胞占 CD4+ T 细胞的比例;采用 ELISA 方法检测所有实验对象血清中炎症因子 IL-6、IL-21、TGF-β的水平。结果①CD4+ Th17细胞/CD4+ T 细胞和 Th17/CD4+ Treg 细胞的比例1640干预组高于青蒿素干预组和对照组,青蒿素干预组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。Treg 细胞/CD4+ T 细胞的比例1640干预组则低于青蒿素干预组和对照组,青蒿素干预组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。炎症因子 IL-6和 IL-21的水平1640干预组高于青蒿素干预组和对照组;青蒿素干预组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。④炎症因子 TGF-β的水平1640干预组则低于青蒿素干预组和对照组,青蒿素干预组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。⑤Th17/Treg 细胞的比值与炎症因子 IL-6(r =0.095,P <0.05),IL-21(r =0.051,P <0.05)的水平呈正相关,与 TGF-β(r =-0.002,P <0.05)的水平呈负相关;炎症因子 TGF-β的水平与炎症因子 IL-6(r =-2.075,P <0.05),IL-21(r =-2.869,P <0.05)的水平呈负相关。结论 AECOPD 患者外周血中存在 Th17/Treg 的失衡,炎症因子 IL-6、IL-21、TGF-β与 Th17/Treg 的失衡密切相关,青蒿素可能能够通过下调 IL-6和 IL-21的表达,上调 TGF-β的表达来调节其失衡。     

Increase of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disorder characterized by an inflammatory response to cigarette smoke. A disorder in immune regulation contributing to the pathogenesis of COPD has been suggested, however, little is known about the involvement of CD4 ⁺ T cells. To determine the distribution of different CD4⁺ T cell subsets in patients with COPD, current smokers without COPD (CS) and healthy subjects (HS), and its correlation with pulmonary function.

Methods

Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg, subsets, were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) of 39 patients with COPD, 14 CS and 15 HS. Correlations were assessed with Spearman’s rank test. The association between Th17 and lung function was evaluated with a multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

An increase of Th17 cells (median 9.7% range 0.8–22.5%) was observed in patients with COPD compared with CS (median 2.8% range 0.8–10.6) and HS (median 0.6% range 0.4–1%, p < 0.0001). Th1 and Tregs subsets were also increased in COPD and CS compared to HS. Inverse correlations were found between Th17 with FEV₁%p r = −0.57 and with FEV₁/FVC r = −0.60, (p < 0.0001 for both comparison). In addition, increase of Th17 predicted the presence [OR 1.76 (CI 95% 1.25–2.49, p = 0.001)] and severity of airflow limitation [OR 1.13 (CI95% 1.02–1.25, p = 0.02)].

Conclusions

The increase of Th17 response and the lost of balance between CD4⁺ T cell subsets, suggest a lack of regulation of the systemic inflammatory response that may contribute to pathogenesis in COPD patients.     

非重型再生障碍性贫血患者Th17/Treg比例及相关细胞因子白细胞介素-6、-17和转化生长因子β1水平的临床意义

目的 探讨非重型再生障碍性贫血（NSAA）患者外周血的Th17和调节性T（Treg）细胞比例异常变化及其与白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-17、转化生长因子（TGF）-β1水平的相关性.方法 根据诊断标准收集NSAA患者78例,应用流式细胞术（FCM）检测其外周血Th17和Treg细胞比例,用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）方法检测IL-6、IL-17和TGF-β1水平,选取20例健康者为对照组,并比较其差异及其相关性.结果 NSAA患者的Th17细胞比例高于对照组（P＜0.01）,Treg细胞比例低于对照组（P＜0.01）,Th17/Treg比例明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）.NSAA组IL-6水平明显高于对照组（P＜0.01）,NSAA组IL-17水平与对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,NSAA组TGF-β1水平较对照组明显降低（P＜0.05）.Treg与Th17细胞无相关,Th17与IL-17水平有相关性.结论 Th17/Treg异常与非重型再生障碍性贫血发病有关.相关细胞因子TGF-β1、IL-6与Th17与Treg细胞比例的变化有关,可能是导致NSAA发生及发展的重要因素.     

HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭患者Th17、Treg变化及其与临床相关性

目的研究Th17、Treg及Th17/Treg在乙型肝炎相关慢加急性肝衰竭(ACHBLF)患者外周血的变化,及其与病情进展及预后的相关性。方法选取33例ACHBLF患者,30例慢性乙型肝炎患者及11名健康对照。用流式细胞技术检测血清中Th17、Treg频数,分析ACHBLF患者Th17、Treg频数的变化及其与TBil、ALT、PT等指标的相关性。结果ACBLF患者的Th17(1.96±0.99)%比CHB患者(0.59±0.40)%及健康对照者(0.26±0.20)%高(P0.05);ACHBLF的Th17/Treg(0.46±0.32)比CHB患者(0.12±0.11)及健康对照者(0.07±0.06)的高(P0.05);ACHBLF患者中,死亡者的Th17比存活者高;Th17细胞频数及Th17/Treg与PT、ALT及AST呈正相关(P0.05),与总胆红素无显著相关性,Th17/Treg与AFP呈正相关(P0.05)。结论 ACHBLF患者存在不同程度的免疫功能紊乱,Th17及Th17/Treg与病情进展相关,且对患者预后有重要价值,Th17越高预后越差。     

先天性心脏病患者免疫因子Th17/Treg失衡与肺动脉高压的关系

目的:探讨患者外周血中Th17细胞、CD4+D25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞(Treg)的变化及意义。方法:75例先天性心脏病(CHD)合并肺动脉高压(PAH)患者,分为轻度肺动脉高压组(28例)、中度肺动脉高压组(32例)及重度肺动脉高压组(15例),20例健康体检者作为对照组。采用流式细胞分析法检测外周血中Th17细胞、Treg细胞占CD4+T细胞的比例,分析Th17细胞与Treg细胞的比例与肺动脉压的相关性。结果:Th17/CD4+T细胞比例、Treg/CD4+T细胞的比例和Th17/Treg细胞比值,两组间差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),随着肺mPAP的增加,Th17/CD4+T细胞比例明显升高;Treg/CD4+T细胞的比例明显下降;Th17/Treg细胞比值显著升高。mPAP与Th17/Treg比值呈显著正相关(r=0.95,P<0.05)。结论:先天性心脏病合并肺动脉高压患者外周血中存在Th17/Treg失衡,且与肺动脉高压程度呈正相关,Th17/Treg失衡可能参与了肺动脉高压的发生发展。