CTLA-4 is required for the induction of high dose oral tolerance

Mucosal and systemic administrations of high dose antigens induce long- lasting peripheral T cell tolerance. We and others have shown that high dose peripheral T cell tolerance is mediated by anergy or deletion and is preceded by T cell activation. Co-stimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80)/B7-2 (CD86) and their counter-receptors CD28/CTLA-4 play pivotal roles in T cell activation and immune regulation. In the present study, we examined the roles of the B7 co-stimulation pathway in the generation of high dose peripheral T cell tolerance. We found that blocking B7:CD28/CTLA-4 interaction at the time of tolerance induction partially prevented T cell tolerance, whereas selective blockade of B7:CTLA-4 interaction completely abrogated peripheral T cell tolerance induced by either oral or i.p. antigens. These results suggest that CTLA-4-mediated feedback regulation plays a crucial role in the induction of high dose peripheral T cell tolerance.      

The kyphoscoliotic type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (type VI): differential effects on the hydroxylation of lysine in collagens I and II revealed by analysis of cross-linked telopeptides from urine

The kyphoscoliotic type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS type VIA) (OMIM 225400) is an autosomal recessive connective tissue disorder that results from mutations in the lysyl hydroxylase 1 gene (PLOD1) causing underhydroxylation of lysine residues in tissue collagens, particularly of skin. Previous studies have shown that the pool of collagen cross-linking amino acids, hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (HP) and lysyl pyridinoline (LP) excreted in urine has an abnormally low HP/LP ratio, which is diagnostic of the condition. Here we isolated cross-linked peptides containing these residues from the urine of a child with EDS VIA homozygous for a mutation that results in a stop codon and effective null expression of PLOD1 enzyme activity. Peptides that had originated from bone type I collagen and cartilage type II collagen were identified. A cross-linked N-telopeptide fraction that is derived from bone type I collagen contained only LP, no HP, which means that the helical lysines at residues 930 of alpha 1(I) and 933 of alpha 2(I) of the collagen triple-helix had not been hydroxylated. The equivalent peptide fraction from a normal child's urine gave a ratio of HP to LP of 1.5:1 typical for normal bone collagen. A second cross-linked peptide that is derived from the C-telopeptide domain of cartilage type II collagen showed both HP and LP in a 2:1 ratio, compared with 18:1 for the equivalent peptide from a normal child's urine. The results show that in EDS VIA, bone type I collagen is more markedly underhydroxylated than cartilage type II collagen, at least at those helical sites that form cross-links. The residual fraction of HP found in the urine of EDS VI patients therefore appears to be contributed in significant part by the degradation products of cartilage. Since PLOD1 is null, other PLOD genes must be responsible for the helical hydroxylation activity that results in HP. The presented approach of analyzing urinary cross-linked C-telopeptide fragments of type II collagen may allow the detection of chondrodysplasias due to genetic defects in lysyl hydroxylase isoforms active in cartilage.     

Stress analysis between implant prostheses with different moduli and surrounding bones北大核心

背景:应力遮挡效应会导致植入假体修复骨缺损手术失败,其主要原因是由于植入假体的弹性模量大于骨组织弹性模量。目的:分析植入假体弹性模量对应力分布的影响,寻求消除应力遮挡现象的方法。方法:通过CT扫描的方式获取实验犬与人体骨组织的模型,分别对其优化后进行梯度赋值,建立较为可靠的骨骼力学模型,并与植入假体组合后进行有限元仿真。首先,通过对比格犬骨骼模型和人体骨骼模型及其对应的植入假体进行有限元仿真,模拟了不同弹性模量对植入假体修复术后的应力和位移分布情况;其次,分析了较小弹性模量差仍会形成应力遮挡现象的原因,建立了骨骼模型及植入假体模型,确立了材料属性赋予方法;最后,验证了该模型及材料属性赋予方法的可行性,并通过随机选取受力点的方式,定量分析植入假体弹性模量与骨骼弹性模量之间的关系对应力遮挡形成的影响。结果与结论:通过梯度赋值法建立与骨骼力学性质更加接近的实验犬骨骼模型和人体骨骼模型,该方法重建的力学模型与真实骨骼的力学性质更为接近;通过有限元仿真力学测试证明,不同弹性模量植入假体对假体本身与周围骨骼间相对位移的影响较小;另外量化弹性模量对假体植入骨骼后对应力分布的影响,可为后续的相关研究提供帮助。     

Modulation of B-cell abnormalities in lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice by normal bone marrow-derived B-lineage cells.

(NZB x NZW)F1(NZB/WF1) mice spontaneously develop an autoimmune disease characterized by abnormality of haemopoietic stem cells. The present study examined a possible regulatory cell interaction between NZB/WF1 and normal bone marrow cells using radiation-induced chimeras. We demonstrated that the ability of NZB/WF1 bone marrow cells to transfer the typical disease with hypergammaglobulinemia including autoantibodies into lethally irradiated normal recipients was prevented by cotransfer of bone marrow from normal CBA/J mice but not from xid CBA/N mice carrying a selective defect in B-cell function. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the generation of NZB/WF1 cells was reduced in the mixed chimeras given CBA/J but not CBA/N bone marrow cells. Interestingly, radiation chimeras reconstituted with a mixture of NZB/WF1 bone marrow and CBA/J splenic B cells did not show elevation of serum immunoglobulin levels, although most of the spleen cells were dominated by NZB/WF1 cells. On the other hand, NZB/WF1 B cells maturated in vivo in the presence of CBA/J bone marrow or splenic B cells lost the hyper-responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the autoantibody production in vitro. These results suggest that radiosensitive normal B-lineage cells have the regulatory activity to ameliorate the hypergammaglobulinemia of NZB/WF1 mice by reducing the generation of NZB/WF1 B cells and/or by correcting their hyper-responsiveness, and that NZB/WF1 mice may have a defect(s) in the regulatory cell function. In addition, CBA/J splenic B cells were shown to modulate the B-cell abnormality even when injected into non-irradiated NZB/WF1 mice manifesting autoimmunity.     

Leukotriene B4 Receptor (BLT-1) Modulates Neutrophil Influx into the Peritoneum but Not the Lung and Liver during Surgically Induced Bacterial Peritonitis in Mice

Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) is a rapidly synthesized, early neutrophil chemoattractant that signals via its cell surface receptor, BLT-1, to attract and activate neutrophils during peritonitis. BLT-1-deficient (BLT-1^−/−) mice were used to determine the effects of LTB₄ on neutrophil migration and activation, bacterial levels, and survival after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male BLT-1^−/− or wild-type (WT) BALB/c mice underwent CLP. Tissues were harvested for determination of levels of bacteria, myeloperoxidase (MPO), LTB₄, macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), and neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN]) numbers at 4 and 18 h after CLP. PMN activation was determined by an assessment of phagocytosis ability and CD11b expression. Survival was also determined. BLT-1^−/− mice had decreased numbers of PMNs in the peritoneum at both 4 and 18 h after CLP but increased numbers of PMNs in the blood at 18 h compared with WT mice. Liver and lung MPO levels were significantly higher in BLT-1^−/− mice at both 4 and 18 h after CLP, with increased bacterial levels in the blood, the liver, and peritoneal fluid at 4 h. Bacterial levels remained higher in peritoneal fluid at 18 h, but blood and liver bacterial levels at 18 h were not different from levels at 4 h. PMN phagocytosis and CD11b levels were decreased in BLT-1^−/− mice. LTB₄ levels were similar between the groups before and after CLP, but MIP-2 levels were decreased both locally and systemically in BLT-1^−/− mice. Survival was significantly improved in BLT-1^−/− mice (71%) compared with WT mice (14%) at 48 h post-CLP. Thus, LTB₄ modulates neutrophil migration into the mouse peritoneum, but not the lung or liver, after CLP. Despite higher bacterial and PMN levels at remote sites, there was increased survival in BLT-1^−/− mice compared to WT mice. Decreased PMN activation may result in less remote organ dysfunction and improved survival.     

山莨菪碱对中性粒细胞糖皮质激素受体的影响

以~3H地塞米松(Dex)为特异性配基,以一点分析法测得大白鼠腹腔中性粒细胞(PMNs)的糖皮质激素受体(GCR)位点数为5270±216/个PMN(n=18,X±SE下同);体外实验,PMNs直接与山莨菪碱(654-23×10~(-5)M)温育,对GCR无明显影响,测得位点数为4896±360/个PMNs(n=20,P>0.4);体内实验表明,给大鼠肌肉注射654-2(10mg/kg)每日两次共二天,则GCR位点数降至2740±101/个PMNs(n=18,P<0.001)。此时还测得血浆皮质酮含量明显增高(P<0.01)。提示654-2对GCR的影响可能与增加皮质激素所致的“降调节”有关。     

Stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCR4 signaling modifies the capillary-like organization of human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelium in vitro.

The molecular mechanisms that regulate human blood vessel formation during early development are largely unknown. Here we used human ESCs (hESCs) as an in vitro model to explore early human vasculogenesis. We demonstrated that stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXCR4 were expressed concurrently with hESC-derived embryonic endothelial differentiation. Human ESC-derived embryonic endothelial cells underwent dose-dependent chemotaxis to SDF-1, which enhanced vascular network formation in Matrigel. Blocking of CXCR4 signaling abolished capillary-like structures induced by SDF-1. Inhibition of the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway by AMD3100, a CXCR4 antagonist, disrupted the endothelial sprouting outgrowth from human embryoid bodies, suggesting that the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays a critical role in regulating initial vessel formation, and may function as a morphogen during human embryonic vascular development.     

Specific immunoglobulin g antibody detected in umbilical blood and amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman infected by the coronavirus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Specific immunoglobulin G antibody for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus was detected in maternal blood, umbilical blood, and amniotic fluid from a pregnant SARS patient. Potential protection of fetus from infection was suggested.     

Mechanisms underlying regulation of respiratory pattern by nicotine in preBötzinger complex

Cholinergic neurotransmission plays a role in regulation of respiratory pattern. Nicotine from cigarette smoke affects respiration and is a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep-disordered breathing. The cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying this regulation are not understood. Using a medullary slice preparation from neonatal rat that contains the preB?tzinger Complex (preB?tC), the hypothesized site for respiratory rhythm generation, and generates respiratory-related rhythm in vitro, we examined the effects of nicotine on excitatory neurotransmission affecting inspiratory neurons in preB?tC and on the respiratory-related motor activity from hypoglossal nerve (XIIn). Microinjection of nicotine into preB?tC increased respiratory frequency and decreased the amplitude of inspiratory bursts, whereas when injected into XII nucleus induced a tonic activity and an increase in amplitude but not in frequency of inspiratory bursts from XIIn. Bath application of nicotine (0.2--0.5 microM, approximately the arterial blood nicotine concentration immediately after smoking a cigarette) increased respiratory frequency up to 280% of control in a concentration-dependent manner. Nicotine decreased the amplitude to 82% and increased the duration to 124% of XIIn inspiratory bursts. In voltage-clamped preB?tC inspiratory neurons (including neurons with pacemaker properties), nicotine induced a tonic inward current of -19.4 +/- 13.4 pA associated with an increase in baseline noise. Spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) present during the expiratory period increased in frequency to 176% and in amplitude to 117% of control values; the phasic inspiratory drive inward currents decreased in amplitude to 66% and in duration to 89% of control values. The effects of nicotine were blocked by mecamylamine (Meca). The inspiratory drive current and sEPSCs were completely eliminated by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) in the presence or absence of nicotine. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), low concentrations of nicotine did not induce any tonic current or any increase in baseline noise, nor affect the input resistance in inspiratory neurons. In this study, we demonstrated that nicotine increased respiratory frequency and regulated respiratory pattern by modulating the excitatory neurotransmission in preB?tC. Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) enhanced the tonic excitatory synaptic input to inspiratory neurons including pacemaker neurons and at the same time, inhibited the phasic excitatory coupling between these neurons. These mechanisms may account for the cholinergic regulation of respiratory frequency and pattern.     

股骨粗隆间骨折采用改良L形钢板内固定的生物力学原理与临床应用

作者自1994年始采用自行设计L形钢板内固定治疗不稳定股骨粗隆间骨折60例，平均随访25个月，X线片显示骨折愈合时间6～13周，平均8．9周，伤肢功能在3个月内基本恢复正常，无骨折延迟愈合及髋内翻现象。为论证改良L形钢板的优点，本文采用8具新鲜尸股骨沿着它的外侧、内侧骨皮质粘贴6个应变片，观察股骨近端应变和位移分布，以检验改良L形钢板固定粗隆间骨折的效果。在实验前后将股骨粗隆造成二部分或四部分骨折。利用实验结果给制成应变和位移图，并与鹅头打固定组相比较。在载荷加至1800N时比较两种内固定器械的生物力学性能。结果表明，在治疗不稳定粗隆间骨折中，L形钢板比鹅头钉更具有生物力学的优势。