中国癫痫患者定量3T MRI海马体积研究

背景 本研究的目的在于对中国癫痫患者各分部海马体积进行MRI定量研究。 方法 于2007年7月~2008年3月间收集46例中国癫痫患者,其中难治性癫痫（IE）21例,非难治性癫痫（NIE）25例,并入选25例正常成人作为对照。所有受试者接受了斜冠状面垂直于海马长轴的3T高分辨率MRI薄层扫描。通过图片存档和通信系统（PACS）对海马的结构进行视觉评估并对各分部海马体积进行定量研究。 结果 研究结果显示,正常对照组中,各部分海马体积没有显著的性别差异(P>0.05)。右侧海马头(HHV)和海马体体积(HBV)及整个海马体积(HCV)较左侧大(P<0.05),但双侧海马尾体积(HTV)差异无显著意义(P>0.05). 双侧/弥漫性(63.6%/21.4%)及单侧/局灶性(85.7%/20.0%)海马萎缩分别见于IE患者和NIE患者。前部海马,尤其HHV (见于26.2%的IE患者和20.0%的NIE 患者)和HBV(见于28.6%的IE患者和12.0%的NIE患者),其萎缩要较HTV(见于4.8%的IE患者和0.0%的NIE患者)显著。 结论 通过对局灶海马体积进行评估,我们可以更好地界定海马硬化的范围和分布,由于3T MRI的优越性,其能使得我们及早发现海马体积的局灶或细微结构的变化。     

Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and histopathology in the measurement of tumor and breast volume and their ratio in breast cancer patients: a prospective study

Background  Earlier studies have examined the association between the diameter of primary tumors measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology in breast cancer patients. However, the diameter does not completely describe the dimensions of the breast tumor or its volumetric proportion relative to the whole breast. The association between breast tumor volume/breast volume ratios measured by these two techniques has not been reported.

Methods  Seventy-three patients were recruited from female patients with primary breast tumors admitted to our center between January and December 2010. They were divided into two groups. Group A (n=46) underwent modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and Group B (n=27) underwent preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy before MRM. They were examined by dynamic-contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) to measure breast volumes (BVs), tumor volumes (TVs), and tumor volume/breast volume ratios (TV/BV). These measurements were compared with histopathology results after MRM, and the associations between MRI and pathology were analyzed by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis.

Results   For Group A, the correlation coefficients for BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios measured by the two techniques were 0.938, 0.921, and 0.897 (all P <0.001), respectively. For Group B, the correlation coefficients for BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios were 0.936, 0.902, and 0.869 (all P <0.01), respectively. The results suggest statistically significant correlations between these parameters measured by the two techniques for both groups.

Conclusion  For these patients, BVs, TVs, and TV/BV ratios measured by DCE-MRI significantly correlated with those determined by histopathology.

     

Proteomic analysis for detecting serum biomarkers related to smoking in humans

Background  Smoking is the leading cause of death in the world. This study focused on the difference of the serum proteomic profiling between healthy smokers and nonsmokers in order to find smoking-specific serum biomarkers.

Methods  Pattern-based proteomic profiling of 100 serum samples (from 50 Chinese male smokers and 50 matched nonsmokers) was performed through magnetic bead fractionation coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF-MS) and resulting data were statistically analyzed by Ciphergen ProteinChip software 3.0.2.

Results  We found 72 serum peaks were significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers (P <0.05). Marker peaks of mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 3159.13, 7561.03 and 9407.32 were smoking-specific.

Conclusion  The preliminary data suggested that smoking-specific serum biomarkers could be detected in humans.

     

Transitional cell carcinoma associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy: most common cancer in chronic hemodialysis patients in China

Background  The research of cancer in patients on hemodialysis (HD) in China has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological features and outcomes of cancer in Chinese HD patients.

Methods  The study subjects were 49 cancer patients (1.4%) out of 3448 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients maintained on HD at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from October 1997 to July 2011.

Results  Urinary tract cancer (74%) was the most common followed by gastrointestinal tract cancer (12%), breast cancer (6%), lung cancer (4%), thyroid cancer (2%), and hematologic cancer (2%). Thirty-three patients (67%) had urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 29 of them had aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) as underlying disease. Death occurred in eight patients out of 49, and the survival rate of HD patients with cancer was similar to those without cancer (P=0.120).

Conclusion  The urinary tract TCC is the most common cancer in HD patients with AAN in one of the centers of northern China.

     

Quantification of left ventricular mechanics using vector-velocity imaging, a novel feature tracking algorithm, applied to echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background  Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the non-invasive golden standard to measure myocardial deformity. Tissue Doppler Imaging can be used to assess myocardial deformity, however, it has the limitation of angle-dependence. Our study aimed to compare left ventricular torsion and strains measured by velocity-vector imaging (VVI) using echocardiography (echo-VVI) and MRI (MRI-VVI), and to validate them against harmonic phase tagged MRI (HARP MRI).

Methods  A total number of 34 subjects (14 normal and 20 patients) were evaluated. Apical and basal image of left ventricular short axis view were acquired for measurements of apical and basal rotation, circumferential and radial strain using both echo-VVI and MRI-VVI. An apical four-chamber view was obtained for measuring the distance between the apical and basal levels.

Results  The correlations of segmental rotations, circumferential and radial strains were high between echo-VVI and HARP MRI, while the agreement of apical rotation was poor. Left ventricular torsion showed much better correlation and agreement between echo-VVI and HARP MRI than apical rotation: the coefficient was 0.97, P <0.001. The correlation between MRI-VVI and HARP MRI in quantifying rotational parameters and strains was similar with echo-VVI and HARP MRI. Echo-VVI could discriminate normal and dysfunctional ventricles on either hypertensive or dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion  The data from this study show that (1) it is feasible to quantify left ventricular torsion and myocardial strain using echo-VVI and MRI-VVI in normal subjects, patients with left ventricular global systolic dysfunction and segment systolic dysfunction; (2) the agreement among all mechanical parameters derived from echo-VVI, MRI-VVI, and HARP MRI remained with clinically acceptable ranges.

     

Reversal of multidrug resistance in renal cell carcinoma by short hairpin RNA targeting MDR1 gene

Background  Over-expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the MDR1 gene, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is a major reason for unsuccessful chemotherapy. This study aimed to determine the effct of RNA interference (RNAi) on the reversal of MDR in human RCC.

Methods  We designed and selected one short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting MDR1 gene, which is stably expressed from integrated plasmid and transfected by lentivirus fluid in human RCC A498 cell.

Results  The MDR1-targeted RNAi resulted in decreased MDR1 gene mRNA level (P <0.001), almost abolished P-gp expression and reversed MDR to different chemotherapy drugs in the RCC A498 cell line.

Conclusion  MDR could be reversed by RNAi in human RCC A498 cell line, which may be used for clinical application in future.

     

Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy or autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with peripheral T cell lymphomas: a single centre report

Background  Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is generally characterized by poor prognosis after conventional chemotherapy. The place for high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in these patients is still not clear. In this study, we presented the outcomes of PTCL patients followed these treatments in our centre.

Methods  We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 39 patients with PTCL received the two treatments between 1999 and 2010.

Results  The 3-year overall survival (OS) of 61.9% and 3-year progression free survival (PFS) of 35.7% were observed in the 39 patient. Twenty-one patients received Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy with 3-year OS of 46.2% and 3-year PFS of 27.9%. Eighteen patients received ASCT with 3-year OS of 70.3% and 3-year PFS of 44.2%. Further analysis revealed that patients with elevated lactate dehydrogenase, at least 2 international prognostic index (IPI) points, and extranodal involvement had a poorer outcome compared with the control group.

Conclusion  These findings might suggest that Hyper-CVAD chemotherapy and ASCT could offer a durable survival benefit for patients with aggressive PTCL.

     

An Asian population-based survival analysis of patients with distal esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas

Background  Gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas include adenocarcinomas of the distal esophagus (DE) and gastric cardia (GC). It is controversial whether these tumors are the same entity and whether they have the same survival rates. Patients with DE and GC adenocarcinomas have a similar survival rate in the US; however, data are lacking in Asian countries. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to understand the implications of the tumor location in the survival of Asian patients.

Methods  A total of 209 patients with pathologically confirmed DE and GC adenocarcinomas, from 2005 to 2007, were included in the study. We identified patients with adenocarcinomas of the DE (DE group, n=91) and GC (GC group) (n=118). We performed an unadjusted survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method, and used a Cox proportional hazards regression model to adjust for potential confounding covariates.

Results  We found no significant difference between the overall survival of the DE and GC groups. The 3-year survival rates were 44.8% and 53.0%, respectively, and the 5-year survival rates were 27.9% and 30.2%, respectively (P=0.162). We found no significant difference in early staging, advanced staging, different T staging, and different N staging, between the groups. Both advanced post-operative N staging and advanced AJCC staging had a significant adverse effect on survival.

Conclusions  Patients with DE and GC adenocarcinomas have similar survival rates in the Asian population. Both post-operative N staging and AJCC staging are prognostic factors.

     

Increased expression of serum gelsolin in patients with osteosarcoma.

Background  Identification of potential serum biomarkers of osteosarcoma to aid in its early diagnosis and in the discovery of possible therapeutic targets is an area of increasing interest.

Methods  Two-dimensional difference-in-gel electrophoresis was used to assess multiple serum samples in patients with osteosarcoma. In addition, differential expression of protein biomarkers was characterized in osteosarcoma serum by using matrix-assisted desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with database interrogation. Serum samples from four individuals with osteosarcoma and four age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were compared.

Results  Fifty-eight significant protein spot features in the osteosarcoma sera were found. These spot features were excised, digested with trypsin, and analyzed with mass spectrometry. Gelsolin was down-regulated only in osteosarcoma. Furthermore, Western blotting and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed decreased levels of gelsolin in the osteosarcoma serum samples.

Conclusions  These results indicated that gelsolin might have great potential as a biomarker of osteosarcoma and as a potential target for gene therapy.

     

Gene delivery in peritoneal dialysis related peritoneal fibrosis research

Objective  To summarize the development of gene delivery vectors in peritoneal fibrosis research and discuss the feasibility and superiority of lentiviral vectors.

Data sources  The data in this article were collected from PubMed database with relevant English articles published from 1995 to 2011.

Study selection  Articles regarding the gene therapy in peritoneal fibrosis research using non-viral vectors, adenoviral vectors, retroviral vectors, and lentiviral vectors were selected. Data were mainly extracted from 60 articles, which are listed in the reference section of this review.

Results  Non-viral vector-mediated gene delivery (including naked DNA for ex vivo, oligonucleotides, ultrasound- contrast agent mediated naked gene delivery, etc.) and viral vector-mediated gene delivery (including adenovirus, helper-dependant adenovirus, and retrovirus vectors) have been successfully applied both in the mechanistic investigation and the potential prevention and treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.

Conclusions  Peritoneal fibrosis is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Recently, the wide use of the gene delivery technique made it possible to access and further research peritoneal fibrosis. The use of lentiviral vector is expected to be widely used in PD research in the future due to its advantages in gene delivery.

     

Effects of thioperamide on seizure development and memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole-kindling epilepsy in rats

Background Histamine H3 receptor antagonists have been considered as potential drugs to treat central nervous system diseases.However,whether these drugs can inhibit epileptogenesis remains unclear.Thi...     

Clinical features and imaging findings in pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis: report of two cases and a pooled analysis

Background  Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare disease and no Chinese case has been reported yet. The disease is often misdiagnosed and its clinical characteristics are incompletely described. The aim of this study was to describe two Chinese cases and to clarify the clinical and radiographic parameters of patients with PCH.

Methods  Two PCH cases were presented and other cases were searched from the English literature. All available clinical and radiographic data were collected from 62 literature reported PCH cases. A pooled analysis of total 64 cases was made.

Results  Dyspnea and hemoptysis were the most common clinical symptoms of PCH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was found in 78% of the reported cases. PCH typically showed characteristic diffuse or patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and/or multiple ill-defined centrilobular nodules in the computed tomography.

Conclusions  The diagnosis of PCH requires a high clinical suspicion. However, both clinical presentations and radiographic studies often provide clues to the diagnosis, which may prompt early lung biopsy for a definite diagnosis.

     

Reconstruction of segmental bone defects in the rabbit ulna using periosteum encapsulated mesenchymal stem cells-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffolds

Background  Repair of large bone defects remains a challenge for clinicians. The present study investigated the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or periosteum-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to promote new bone formation within rabbit ulnar segmental bone defects.

Methods  Rabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs (passage 3) were seeded onto porous PLGA scaffolds. Forty segmental bone defects, each 15 mm in length, were created in the rabbit ulna, from which periosteum was obtained. Bone defects were treated with either PLGA alone (group A), PLGA + MSCs (group B), periosteum-wrapped PLGA (group C) or periosteum-wrapped PLGA/MSCs (group D). At 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery, samples were detected by gross observation, radiological examination (X-ray and micro-CT) and histological analyses.

Results  Group D, comprising both periosteum and MSCs, showed better bone quality, higher X-ray scores and a greater amount of bone volume compared with the other three groups at each time point (P <0.05). No significant differences in radiological scores and amount of bone volume were found between groups B and C (P >0.05), both of which were significantly higher than group A (P <0.05). 

Conclusions  Implanted MSCs combined with periosteum have a synergistic effect on segmental bone regeneration and that periosteum plays a critical role in the process. Fabrication of angiogenic and osteogenic cellular constructs or tissue-engineered periosteum will have broad applications in bone tissue engineering.

     

Relationship between 6-minute walk test and pulmonary function test in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with different severities

Background  The relationship between the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. We evaluate the correlation of 6MWT and spirometric parameters in stable COPD with different severities. 6MWT data assessed included three variables: the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), 6-minute walk work (6MWORK), and pulse oxygen desaturation rate (SPO₂%).

Methods  6MWT and pulmonary function test were assessed for 150 stable COPD patients with different severities. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the variables of interest. Analysis of variance was performed to compare means. Correlation coefficients were calculated for 6MWT data with the spirometric parameters and dyspnea Borg scale. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to screen pulmonary function-related predictors of 6MWT data.

Results  The three variables of 6MWT all varied as the severities of the disease. The 6MWD and 6MWORK both correlated with some spirometric parameters (positive or negative correlation; the absolute value of r ranging from 0.34 to 0.67; P <0.05) in severe and very severe patients, and the SPO₂% correlated with the dyspnea Borg scale in four severities (r= -0.33, -0.34, -0.39, -0.53 respectively; P <0.05). The 6MWD was correlated with the 6MWORK in four severities (r=0.56, 0.57, 0.72, 0.81 respectively, P <0.05), and neither of them correlated with the SPO₂%. The percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁% predicted) and residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (RV/TLC) were predictors of the 6MWD, and the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) was the predictor of the 6MWORK.

Conclusions  6MWT correlated with the spirometric parameters in severe and very severe COPD patients. 6MWT may be used to monitor changes of pulmonary function in these patients.

     

真菌性角膜炎前房积脓的临床分析

Background  Hypopyon is common in eyes with fungal keratitis. The evaluation of the clinical features, culture results and the risk factors for hypopyon and of the possible correlation between hypopyon and the treatment outcome could be helpful for making treatment decisions.   

Methods  The medical records of 1066 inpatients (1069 eyes) with fungal keratitis seen at the Shandong Eye Institute from January 2000 to December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively for demographic features, risk factors, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and treatment outcomes. The incidence of hypopyon, the fungal culture positivity for hypopyon, risk factors for hypopyon and the effect of hypopyon on the treatment and prognosis were determined. 

Results  We identified 1069 eyes with fungal keratitis. Of the 850 fungal culture-positive eyes, the Fusarium species was the most frequent (73.6%), followed by Alternaria (10.0%) and Aspergillus (9.0%). Upon admission, 562 (52.6%) eyes with hypopyon were identified. The hypopyon of 66 eyes was evaluated via fungal culturing, and 31 eyes (47.0%) were positive. A total of 194 eyes had ocular hypertension, and 172 (88.7%) of these eyes had hypopyon (P <0.001). Risk factors for incident hypopyon included long duration of symptoms (P <0.001), large lesion size (P <0.001) and infection caused by the Fusarium and Aspergillus species (P <0.001). The positivity of fungal culture for hypopyon was associated with duration of symptoms and lesion size. Surgical intervention was more common in cases with hypopyon (P <0.001). Hypopyon was a risk factor for the recurrence of fungal keratitis after corneal transplantation (P=0.002).

Conclusions  Hypopyon is common in patients with severe fungal keratitis and can cause ocular hypertension. About half of the hypopyon cases were positive based on fungal culture. Long duration of symptoms, large lesion size and infection with the Fusarium and Aspergillus species were risk factors for hypopyon. The presence of hypopyon increases the likelihood of surgical intervention.

     

Long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser treatment for onychomycosis

Background  Recent research shows that lasers can inhibit fungal growth and that Nd:YAG 1064-nm lasers can penetrate as deep as the lower nail plate. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a long-pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser on 154 nails of 33 patients with clinically and mycologically proven onychomycosis.

Methods  Thirty-three patients with 154 nails affected by onychomycosis were randomly assigned to two groups, with the 154 nails divided into three sub-groups (II degree, III degree, and IV degree) according to the Scoring Clinical Index of Onychomycosis. The 15 patients (78 nails) in group 1 were given eight sessions with a one-week interval, and the 18 patients (76 nails) in group 2 were given four sessions with a one-week interval.

Results  In group 1, the effective rates at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks were 63%, 62%, and 51%, respectively, and the effective rates in group 2 were 68%, 67%, and 53% respectively. The treatment effect was not significantly different between any sub-group pair (P >0.05).

Conclusions  Long pulse Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser was effective for onychomycosis. It is a simple and effective method without significant complications or side effects and is expected to become an alternative or replacement therapy for onychomycosis.

     

Perioperative and late outcomes of laparoscopic fundoplication for neurologically impaired children with gastro-esophageal

Background  Persistent gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) due to various pathological factors often results in overt clinical symptoms and signs, which is termed as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Affected children usually present with failure to thrive, recurrent pneumonia or apnea. Many neurologically impaired children have symptoms related to GERD. Although laparoscopic fundoplication has been established to be an effective treatment modality for children with GERD, data on its role and long-term efficacy for neurologically impaired patients remain sparse. The aim of this study was to review the results of such patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication.

Methods  A retrospective review was performed from 1998 to 2009. All children with neurological impairment who had laparoscopic fundoplication were included.

Results  Fifty-nine GERD patients (male=32, female=27; mean age 6 years) were identified. All subjects showed symptoms of frequent emesis; 32 of them had history of hematemesis (54.2%); 54 had feeding difficulty; 35 (59.3%) had associated respiratory symptoms, including recurrent pneumonia. Gastrostomy was performed concurrently in 39 cases. There was no conversion to open procedure nor was there intra-operative complications and operative mortality. Emesis or hematemesis was controlled adequately in all. However, respiratory symptoms were not controlled in 10 patients (16.9%), and five of them required further respiratory assistance including nasal airway tube and tracheostomy. Clinical recurrence of GERD was not observed in any subject. Twelve patients died during follow-up (range from 3 months to 9 years) due to severe respiratory complications, cardiac arrest, and brain tumor.

Conclusions  Laparoscopic fundoplication is an excellent procedure for controlling clinically significant symptoms in neurological impaired patients with GERD. Further studies are required to assess the improvement of the quality of life in such patients.

     

创伤骨科患者创伤严重程度和血浆D二聚体水平的相关分析

Background  The correlation between the plasma D-dimer level and deep vein thrombosis has not been conclusive in various studies. The aim of this research was to study the relationship between plasma D-dimer levels and the severity of orthopedic trauma by retrospective examination of orthopedic trauma cases.

Methods  Clinically acute trauma and non-acute trauma patients were selected and their plasma D-dimer levels were measured. Plasma D-dimer levels in patients of these two groups were compared. The relationship between the plasma D-dimer level and the severity of the trauma was also studied.

Results  There were 548 cases in the acute trauma group and 501 cases in the non-acute trauma group. The levels of plasma D-dimer were significantly higher in the acute trauma group than in the non-acute trauma group (P <0.01). In the acute trauma group, the correlation between the D-dimer level and the number of fractures was a positive linear correlation (r=0.9532).

Conclusions  Elevated plasma D-dimer is common in trauma patients. The D-dimer level and the number of fractures in the trauma patients are closely correlated. D-dimer is not only an indicator for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolus, but also an indicator of the severity of trauma in acute trauma patients.

     

Effect of peritumoral injection of boanmycin hydrochloride within temperature-sensitive in situ gel using Hep-G2 hepatoma nude mice model

Background  Boanmycin hydrochloride, a new antitumor agent, has a short half-life and fast clearance speed in vivo. The aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of peritumor injection of boanmycin hydrochloride within temperature-sensitive gel in situ using Hep-G2 hepatoma nude mice model.

Methods  Nude mice with human Hep-G2 tumor in right flank were randomly divided into four groups: normal saline group, in situ gel only group, boanmycin hydrochloride in situ saline group, and boanmycin hydrochloride in situ gel group, and were treated with injection of corresponding agents into peripheral tissue of the tumor. The volume of the tumor and the body weight of the mice were regularly measured, and tumor growth curve was generated. The size, internal echo, and blood flow of the tumors were observed by color Doppler ultrasonography. Histopathologic changes of the tumor after treatment were observed under both optical and transmission electron microscopy.

Results  The tumor growth was significantly inhibited by peritumoral therapy in boanmycin hydrochloride in situ gel group with the tumor inhibitory rate of 86.76%. The blood flow of the tumor was still seen in both normal saline group and in situ gel only group on color Doppler ultrasound. Punctate calcification and dotted blood flow were seen in boanmycin hydrochloride group; however, there was massive calcification and no blood flow in the tumor in the boanmycin hydrochloride in situ gel group. Large areas of necrosis and apoptotic cells were shown by microscopic observation in boanmycin hydrochloride in situ gel group.

Conclusion  Temperature-sensitive boanmycin hydrochloride in situ gel can effectively delay the release of boanmycin hydrochloride and increase its anticancer effects for liver cancer in animal model.

     

Immature CD4+ dendritic cells conditioned with donor kidney antigen prolong renal allograft survival in rats

Background  Allogeneic transplant rejection is currently a major problem encountered during organ transplantation. The dendritic cell (DC) is the most effective powerful known professional antigen-presenting cell, and recent studies have found that DCs can also induce immune tolerance, and avoid or reduce the degree of transplant rejection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of transfused immature CD4⁺ DCs on renal allografts in the rat model.

Methods  In this study, we induced CD4⁺ immature DCs from rat bone marrow cells by a cytokine cocktail. The immature CD4⁺ DCs were identified by morphological analysis and then the suppressive activity of these cells conditioned with donor kidney antigen was evaluated in vitro and in vivo.

Results  Immature CD4⁺ DCs conditioned with donor kidney antigen possessed immunosuppressive activity in vitro and they were able to prolong renal transplant survival in an allograft rat model in vivo.

Conclusions  Our study provides new information on efficacious renal transplantation, which might be useful for understanding the function of immature CD4⁺ DCs in modulating renal transplant rejection and improving clinical outcome in future studies.