Finite element analysis applied to cornea reshaping

A 2-D finite element model of the cornea is developed to simulate corneal reshaping and the resulting deformation induced by refractive surgery. In the numerical simulations, linear and nonlinear elastic models are applied when stiffness inhomogeneities varying with depth are considered. Multiple simulations are created that employ different geometric configurations for the removal of the corneal tissue. Side-by-side comparisons of the different constitutive laws are also performed. To facilitate the comparison, the material property constants are identified from the same experimental data, which are obtained from mechanical tests on corneal strips and membrane inflation experiments. We then validate the resulting models by comparing computed refractive power changes with clinical results. Tissue deformations created by simulated corneal tissue removal using finite elements are consistent with clinically observed postsurgical results. The model developed provides a much more predictable refractive outcome when the stiffness inhomogeneities of the cornea and nonlinearities of the deformations are included in the simulations. Finite element analysis is a useful tool for modeling surgical effects on the cornea and developing a better understanding of the biomechanics of the cornea. The creation of patient-specific simulations would allow surgical outcomes to be predicted based on individualized finite element models.     

CpG-ODN下调HeLa细胞功能性Fas配体的表达

为观察CpG-ODN对宫颈癌细胞系HeLa细胞Fas配体(FasL)表达水平的影响,探讨其对由HeLa细胞Fas-FasL途径诱导的淋巴细胞凋亡作用。采用实时荧光RT-PCR方法检测HeLa细胞、正常宫颈上皮细胞中FasL和Jurkat T淋巴细胞中Fas的表达水平,应用HeLa细胞与Jurkat细胞共培养的方法体外研究HeLa细胞FasL诱导T淋巴细胞凋亡作用。结果显示:①HeLa细胞、正常宫颈上皮细胞中FasL表达阳性,其表达水平分别是(0.99±0.05)、(0.68±0.03),差别具有统计学意义(P=0.0007);Jurkat细胞Fas表达呈阳性;②HeLa细胞与Jurkat细胞共培养后Jurkat细胞的凋亡率为(38.23%±4.98%),应用抗体NOK-2中和HeLa细胞的FasL后,Jurkat细胞凋亡率减少为(3.54%±1.61%),两者相比,差别有显著性意义(P=0.0001);③HeLa细胞用CpG-ODN处理前后FasL的表达水平分别是(0.99±0.05)、(0.79±0.04),差别有统计学意义(P=0.005);CpG-ODN预处理的HeLa细胞与Jurkat细胞共培养后Jurkat细胞凋亡率为(6.41%±2.81%),而没有用CpG-ODN预处理的HeLa细胞与Jurkat细胞共培养Jurkat细胞凋亡率为(29.23±6.85)%,二者的差别有统计学意义(t=13.39,P=0.006)。HeLa细胞可能通过表达FasL主动诱导T淋巴细胞凋亡从而在肿瘤的免疫逃逸中发挥作用,CpG-ODN可通过下调FasL的表达而减少肿瘤细胞主动诱导的T淋巴细胞凋亡。     

Heterodimerization of TLR2 with TLR1 or TLR6 expands the ligand spectrum but does not lead to differential signaling

TLR are primary triggers of the innate immune system by recognizing various microorganisms through conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns. TLR2 is the receptor for a functional recognition of bacterial lipopeptides (LP) and is up-regulated during various disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and sepsis. This receptor is unique in its ability to form heteromers with TLR1 or TLR6 to mediate intracellular signaling. According to the fatty acid pattern as well as the assembling of the polypeptide tail, LP can signal through TLR2 in a TLR1- or TLR6-dependent manner. There are also di- and triacylated LP, which stimulate TLR1-deficient cells and TLR6-deficient cells. In this study, we investigated whether heterodimerization evolutionarily developed to broaden the ligand spectrum or to induce different immune responses. We analyzed the signal transduction pathways activated through the different TLR2 dimers using the three LP, palmitic acid (Pam)octanoic acid (Oct)(2)C-(VPGVG)(4)VPGKG, fibroblast-stimulating LP-1, and Pam(2)C-SK(4). Dominant-negative forms of signaling molecules, immunoblotting of MAPK, as well as microarray analysis indicate that all dimers use the same signaling cascade, leading to an identical pattern of gene activation. We conclude that heterodimerization of TLR2 with TLR1 or TLR6 evolutionarily developed to expand the ligand spectrum to enable the innate immune system to recognize the numerous, different structures of LP present in various pathogens. Thus, although mycoplasma and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria may activate different TLR2 dimers, the development of different signal pathways in response to different LP does not seem to be of vital significance for the innate defense system.     

TLR2胞外段特异性抗体对TLR2激动剂诱导的炎症和促过敏反应的抑制作用

目的:观察小鼠TLR2胞外段抗原肽特异性抗体对TLR2激动剂诱导的炎症和促过敏反应的影响。方法:用小鼠TLR2胞外段单表位抗原肽(T20)免疫动物制备抗体(T20抗体);体外观察T20抗体对PGN和LTA刺激RAW264.7细胞生成TNF-α和IL-6的影响,用ELISA法检测各组TNF-α和IL-6量;体内观察T20抗体对OVA致敏小鼠PGN致死性攻击的影响,记录各组直肠温度变化和死亡率。结果:获得小鼠TLR2特异性T20抗体;该抗体可抑制TLR2激动剂(PGN和LTA)对相应靶细胞的刺激作用,使其生成的TNF-α和IL-6显著降低;体内实验证实T20抗体对PGN加剧的过敏反应具有抑制作用。结论:T20抗体可特异结合小鼠TLR2,抑制TLR2激动剂诱导的炎症及TLR2激动剂加剧的过敏反应。     

TLR4 gene dosage contributes to endotoxin-induced acute respiratory inflammation

Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 is critical for endotoxin recognition and cellular responses. Using Tlr4 transgenic mice, we investigated the influence of Tlr4 gene dosage on acute respiratory response to endotoxin. Transgenic mice expressing three, six, or 30 copies of Tlr4, control, and Tlr4-deficient mice received intranasal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 ug), and the airway response was analyzed by plethysmography, lung histology, cell recruitment, cytokine and chemokine secretion and protein leakage into the bronchoalveolar space. We demonstrate that overexpression of Tlr4 augmented a LPS-induced bronchoconstrictive effect, as well as tumor necrosis factor and CXC chemokine ligand 1 (keratinocyte-derived chemokine) production. Neutrophil recruitment, microvascular and alveolar epithelial injury with protein leak in the airways, and damage of the lung microarchitecture were Tlr4 gene dose-dependently increased. Therefore, the TLR4 expression level determines the extent of acute pulmonary response to inhaled endotoxin, and TLR4 may thus be a valuable target for immunointervention in acute lung inflammation as a result of endotoxins.     

TLR9-/- and TLR9+/+ mice display similar immune responses to a DNA vaccine

Plasmid DNA continues to attract interest as a potential vaccine-delivery vehicle. However, the mechanisms whereby immune responses are elicited by plasmids are not fully understood. Although there have been suggestions regarding the importance of CpG motifs in plasmid immunogenicity, the molecular mechanisms by which CpG motifs enhance immune responses to DNA vaccines are not well understood. As Toll-like receptor 9-deficient (TLR9-/-) mice fail to respond to the adjuvant effects of CpG oligonucleotides, we used these mice to determine the effect of CpG motifs in plasmids used for DNA immunization. In the study described below, we report that DNA immunization was as effective in eliciting antigen-specific antibody and at stimulating antigen-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-secreting cells in TLR9-/- mice as in TLR9+/+ mice. This study illustrates that DNA vaccines elicit immune responses by multiple mechanisms and demonstrates that TLR9 is not essential for the induction of immune responses following DNA immunization.     

Spatiotemporal expression of endogenous TLR4 ligands leads to inflammation and bone erosion in mouse collagen‐induced arthritis

Increased expression of endogenous Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands (e.g., Tenascin‐C, S100A8/A9, citrullinated fibrinogen (cFb) immune complexes) has been observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, their roles in RA pathogenesis are not well understood. Here, we investigated the expression kinetics and role of endogenous TLR4 ligands in the murine model of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Tenascin‐C was upregulated in blood early in CIA, and correlated positively with the clinical score at day 56. Levels of S100A8/A9 increased starting from day 28, peaking at day 42, and correlated positively with joint inflammation. Levels of anti‐cFb antibodies increased during the late phase of CIA and correlated positively with both joint inflammation and cartilage damage. Blockade of TLR4 activation at the time of the first TLR4 ligand upregulation prevented clinical and histological signs of arthritis. A TLR4‐dependent role was also observed for Tenascin‐C and cFb immune complexes in osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Taken together, our data suggests that the pathogenic contribution of TLR4 in promoting joint inflammation and bone erosion during CIA occurs via various TLR4 ligands arising at different stages of disease. The data also suggests that Blockade of TLR4 with monoclonal antibodies is a promising strategy in RA treatment.     

TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 are differentially modulated in liver lethally injured from BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice during Trypanosoma cruzi acute infection

Toll-like receptor (TLR) family is crucial for microbial elimination and homeostasis, and has an important immunoregulatory role. In this study, we comparatively analyze innate immune response and tissular injury elicited in BALB/c and C57BL/6 (B6) mice during acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The liver was the most affected tissue with numerous cellular infiltrates, apoptotic cells and necrotic areas. The apoptotic rate, evaluated by Hoescht stain, was highest in liver of B6. Infection increased transaminase activities in both mouse strains, although they were highest in B6. BALB/c showed sixfold higher parasitemias than B6 but the latter presented higher mortality (80%) than BALB/c (40%). To gain insight into the molecular basis, we investigated the TLRs commitment in liver. We found that, TLR2 and TLR4 were up-regulated in BALB/c while they were down-regulated in B6. However, TLR9 showed a diminution in BALB/c and an increase in B6 at the end of infection. Moreover, an intensified pro-inflammatory cytokine profile was observed in B6 and F4/80+ and Gr1+ leukocytes were the predominant cells in liver from both mouse strains. Thus, altered TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 signalling and exacerbate inflammatory cytokine profile could be responsible of the fatal hepatic damage observed in infected B6.     

TLR7 and TLR9 trigger distinct neuroinflammatory responses in the CNS

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7 and 9 recognize nucleic acid determinants from viruses and bacteria and elicit the production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. TLR7 and TLR9 are similar regarding localization and signal transduction mechanisms. However, stimulation of these receptors has differing effects in modulating viral pathogenesis and in direct toxicity in the central nervous system (CNS). In the present study, we examined the potential of the TLR7 agonist imiquimod and the TLR9 agonist cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) to induce neuroinflammation after intracerebroventricular inoculation. CpG-ODN induced a more robust inflammatory response than did imiquimod after inoculation into the CNS, with higher levels of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The increase in cytokines and chemokines correlated with breakdown of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and recruitment of peripheral cells to the CNS in CpG-ODN-inoculated mice. In contrast, TLR7 agonists induced a strong interferon β response in the CNS but only low levels of other cytokines. The difference in response to these agonists was not due to differences in distribution or longevity of the agonists but rather was correlated with cytokine production by choroid plexus cells. These results indicate that despite the high similarity of TLR7 and TLR9 in binding nucleic acids and inducing similar downstream signaling, the neuroinflammation response induced by these receptors differs dramatically due, at least in part, to activation of cells in the choroid plexus.     

Toll样受体-9的研究进展

Toll样受体-9(Toll-like receptor 9,TLR9)是哺乳动物TLRs家族中一员,作为细胞表面的天然模式识别受体,主要参与免疫刺激序列(CpG序列)激活免疫细胞的信号传导,从而在天然抗感染免疫及联系天然免疫和获得性免疫中发挥重要作用。通过对TLR9-CpG作用通路的研究,将促进天然免疫机制研究的进一步深入,有利于解决诸如:CpG佐剂、DNA疫苗、CpG抗感染、抑制肿瘤、预防过敏反应等实际应用过程中存在的问题。     

小鼠角膜的发生与细胞凋亡

目的 通过观察小鼠角膜的发生过程,探讨角膜细胞的增殖与凋亡对角膜结构修复与塑形的作用。方法 各日龄共计120只小鼠,用HE染色或4’,6-二脒基-2-苯基吲哚（DAPI）染色对小鼠角膜的一般结构进行观察;用5′-溴脱氧尿嘧啶核苷（BrdU）技术标记角膜增殖细胞和免疫荧光法标记干细胞和凋亡细胞。结果 胚胎发育及出生后早期,角膜以实质层的发育为主。出生14d（P14）左右,角膜上皮细胞层开始增殖分化为两层细胞,同时内皮细胞也开始分化。至P30时,我们可以辨别出角膜的6层结构。BrdU阳性细胞主要存在实质层中的成纤维细胞,出生以后也可见于角膜上皮细胞层和内皮细胞层。随着角膜发育,P10左右,其他层的BrdU阳性细胞都消失,仅存在于角膜上皮细胞层。增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）阳性细胞在发育早期散在分布于角膜的各层,P14以后PCNA阳性细胞均匀的分布于角膜上皮细胞的基底层,并维持在稳定状态。在角膜发育早期,在各层可见许多细胞凋亡。结论 角膜的发育与其感光功能形成的过程相一致,角膜干细胞的增殖与其修复有关;有大量的凋亡细胞参与角膜结构的塑形。     

TLR9 cooperates with TLR4 to increase IL-12 release by murine dendritic cells

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are expressed on the surface or intracellularly by dendritic cells (DC) and recognize specifically different pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Increasing evidence suggests that TLR expressed by DC can cooperate to synergize their functions. Here, we describe the cooperation of TLR9 and TLR4 triggering of murine bone marrow derived DC by CpG oligonucleotides and LPS, respectively. The simultaneous DC stimulation of LPS and CpG showed additive effects on the production of IL-12 but not on other cytokines, such as TNF, IL-6 or IL-10. CpG pretreatment before LPS induced five times more IL-12p40 and IL-12p70 production by DC, whereas LPS pretreatment before CpG showed no effect. The optimal time interval between CpG and LPS treatment was 4h and the synergistic effects were dependent on myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) but independent from the DNA backbone and did not mediate by nucleosome remodeling. The stimulatory effect could be further enhanced by addition of IFN-gamma but not anti-CD40 antibodies. These data show, that TLR4 and TLR9 can cooperate to increase selectively IL-12 production by DC.     

TLR4 regulates insulin-resistant proteins to increase apoptosis in the mouse retina

Objective and design

Work in multiple organs has suggested that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may play a role in insulin resistance. Additional studies have shown a negative role for TLR4 on retinal health. We have previously reported that β-adrenergic receptors can regulate both TLR4 signal transduction, as well as insulin signaling in the retina and in retinal endothelial cells. Thus, we hypothesized that TLR4 would regulate retinal insulin signaling.

Materials and methods

We used endothelial cell-specific TLR4 knockout mice, as well as TLR4-overexpressing mice for these studies.

Methods

Western blotting and ELISA analyses were done for investigations of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) serine 307, and Akt phosphorylation, as well as cleaved caspase 3 levels in the mouse retina.

Results

We found that loss of TLR4 led to increased insulin receptor and Akt phosphorylation, as well as decreased IRS-1^Ser307 levels. In support of these results, TLR4 overexpression decreased insulin signaling and the cleavage of caspase 3.

Conclusions

Therefore, these results suggest that TLR4 plays a key role in insulin signaling in the retina. Reduction of TLR4 levels may be protective to the retina.

     

TLR9 turns the tide on Treg cells

In this issue of Immunity, Hall et al. (2008) demonstrate that commensal bacterial DNA can suppress Treg cell conversion via TLR9-mediated activation of lamina propria dendritic cells and thus potentially disrupt intestinal homeostasis.