Imaging Features of Pulmonary Immune-related Adverse Events

Pulmonary immune-related adverse events represent rare but potentially severe side effects of immunotherapies. Diagnosis is often challenging, as symptoms and imaging features are not specific and may mimic other lung diseases, thus potentially delaying appropriate patient management. In this setting, an accurate imaging evaluation is essential for a prompt detection and correct management of these drug-induced lung diseases. The purpose of this article is to review the different types of pulmonary immune-related adverse events, describe their imaging characteristics on both high-resolution computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography and stress their underlying diagnostic challenge by presenting the mimickers.     

The effects of grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy on clinical and immunological parameters in children with allergic rhinitis

Allergoid immunotherapy is a new form of allergen immunotherapy allowing safe administration of high allergen doses. There is limited information on the effects of allergoid immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis. To investigate the immunological and clinical effects of allergoid immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen allergy. Children with allergic rhinitis were assigned to allergoid immunotherapy (n = 27) or control (n = 26, no immunotherapy) groups. Children in the immunotherapy group received seven injections of grass pollen allergoid immunotherapy before grass pollen season and continued to receive maintenance immunotherapy for 27 months. All patients were offered a pharmacotherapy regimen to be used on demand during the pollen seasons. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between the immunotherapy and control groups. The rhinoconjunctivitis symptom-medication score and asthma symptom score were lower in the immunotherapy group after 1 yr of maintenance immunotherapy (p < 0.01 for both). Skin test reactivity and nasal reactivity as determined by nasal provocation testing for grass pollen were significantly decreased after 1 yr of immunotherapy (p < 0.001 for both). The seasonal increase in bronchial reactivity and nasal lavage eosinophil cationic protein levels were prevented after the first year of immunotherapy (p < 0.05 for both). The seasonal increase in immunoglobulin (Ig)E decreased (p < 0.05) and grass-specific IgG, IgG(1) and IgG(4) increased significantly already at the end of the seven-injection build-up therapy (p < 0.001, for all). Interleukin (IL)-4 levels in the culture supernatants showed a steady decline from baseline at first and second year of immunotherapy (p < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the control group. Allergoid immunotherapy is an effective method in the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in children and prevents the seasonal increase in bronchial hyper-reactivity. Changes in specific IgE and IgG levels and decreased IL-4 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants may account for the observed clinical effects.     

Influence of SNPs in cytokine-related genes on the severity of food allergy and atopic eczema in children

Although many single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) studies have reported an association of atopy, allergic diseases and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, almost all of these studies sought risk factors for the onset of these allergic diseases. Furthermore, many studies have analyzed a single gene and hardly any have analyzed environmental factors. In these analyses, the results could be masked and the effects of other genes and environmental factors may be decreased. Here, we described the correlation between four genes [interleukin (IL)-4 (C-590T), IL-4 receptor (A1652G), FCER1B (G6842A) and STAT6 (G2964A)] in connection with IgE production; the role of IL-10 (C-627A) as a regulatory cytokine of allergy; and the severity of food allergy (FA) and atopic eczema (AE) in 220 Japanese allergic children. In addition to these SNPs, environmental factors, i.e., patient's attitude, indoor environment, and so on, were also investigated in this study. Our study was retrospective, and the correlation was analyzed by our defined clinical scores divided into three terms: worst symptoms, recent symptoms and general amelioration at the most recent examination during the disease course. Our results indicated that IL-10 AA, the genotype with lower IL-10 production, is associated with higher IgE levels in the serum (p < 0.0001, estimate; 0.912). Marginal liver abnormalities were observed in the subject group with both FA and AE (p < 0.1191, estimate; 0.1490). Our defined clinical scores enabled evaluation of various aspects of disease severity. Based on the scores, while no single SNP selected in this study determined severity, the combination of the SNP with laboratory data and environmental factors appeared to determine severity.     

Isolated Donor Specific Alloantibody-Mediated Rejection after ABO Compatible Liver Transplantation

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after liver transplantation is recognized in ABO incompatible and xeno-transplantation, but its role after ABO compatible liver transplantation is controversial. We report a case of ABO compatible liver transplantation that demonstrated clinical, serological and histological signs of AMR without evidence of concurrent acute cellular rejection. AMR with persistently high titers of circulating donor specific antibodies resulted in graft injury with initial centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis, fibroedematous portal expansion mimicking biliary tract outflow obstruction, ultimately resulting in extensive bridging fibrosis. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated persistent, diffuse linear C4d deposits along sinusoids and central veins. Despite intense therapeutic intervention including plasmapheresis, IVIG and rituximab, AMR led to graft failure. We present evidence that an antibody-mediated alloresponse to an ABO compatible liver graft can cause significant graft injury independent of acute cellular rejection. AMR shows distinct histologic changes including a characteristic staining profile for C4d.     

血小板第4因子对放射损伤小鼠骨髓基质细胞周期的影响

目的探讨血小板第4因子（platelet factor 4,PF4）对5.0 Gy γ射线全身照射小鼠的骨髓基质细胞（bone marrow stromal cells,BMSCs）的保护作用,进一步探讨PF4对造血的辐射防护机制.方法30只雄性小鼠随机分为3组：①放射组,②PF4保护组,③对照组.小鼠照射前分别于26和20 h腹腔内注射PF4,每次剂量50 μg/kg.于照射后3 d取骨髓细胞体外培养,分别计数培养后3、7和14 d的骨髓基质细胞集落（CFU-F）;在培养后10 d流式细胞仪检测细胞周期.结果3组中,照射组3 d的CFU-F数量与PF4保护组差异无统计学意义,7和14 d的CFU-F数量PF4保护组较照射组明显增加.流式细胞仪检测结果表明3组中照射组G0＋G1期细胞明显高于其余两组,S,G2＋M期细胞明显低于其余两组.结论PF4对照射小鼠的骨髓基质细胞有保护作用,促进造血重建.     

腺病毒介导MDA-7/IL-24选择性杀伤肝癌 细胞HepG2的研究

目的 ：观察MDA-7/IL-24基因对肝癌的选择性杀伤作用，为肝癌的基因治疗提供理论基础。 方法 ：将携带人MDA-7/IL-24基因的腺病毒Ad.mda-7感染人正常肝细胞L02和肝癌细胞HepG2;用RT-PCR法观察MDA-7/IL-24基因的表达;ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清液中MDA-7/IL-24蛋白的浓度;4甲基偶氮唑蓝染色法（MTT）及Hoechst染色观察MDA-7/IL-24对肝癌细胞的生长抑制和杀伤作用;Annexin-V和PI双染后流式细胞仪检测2种细胞的凋亡;用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期。 结果 ：复制缺陷型腺病毒能介导外源基因MDA-7/IL-24在肝癌细胞株HepG2和正常细胞L02中的高效表达;细胞培养上清液中有MDA-7/IL-24蛋白的表达; MDA-7/IL-24能明显抑制肝癌细胞生长并可促进肝癌细胞的凋亡;MDA-7/IL-24阻滞肝癌细胞于G2/M期，能选择性杀伤肝癌细胞而对正常的肝细胞无阻滞作用和毒性作用。结论 ：复制缺陷型重组腺病毒载体Ad.mda-7能介导MDA-7/IL-24基因在人肝癌细胞中高效表达，促使细胞增殖阻滞及诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡，选择性地杀伤肝癌细胞HepG2，而对正常肝细胞L02无任何毒性作用。     

IL-1Ra和IL-10真核表达质粒载体的构建及其表达检测

目的:构建人IL-1Ra和人IL-10真核表达质粒载体并检测其表达。方法:用双酶切方法切取PCDI-IL-1Ra和PCDI-IL-10质粒中包含人IL-1Ra和人IL-10 CDS全长序列的cD-NA片段,并分别连接到真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1上,然后用壳聚糖转染上述质粒到原代软骨细胞,RT-PCR检测其mRNA水平的表达。结果:成功将人IL-1Ra和IL-10 CDS全长序列的cDNA片段克隆到真核表达载体,mRNA水平检测到目的基因的表达明显提高。结论:真核表达质粒可以用于外源基因的原代软骨细胞导入和表达,为进一步的基因治疗研究提供依据。     

HLA markers in familial Lichen Sclerosus

Background: Lichen sclerosus (LS) has been identified with increased frequency in families,often associated with HLA markers, mainly DQ7. A genetic co‐etiology seems likely in this setting. Moreover, there is an association of LS with autoimmune disorders, such as the presence of anti‐thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (anti‐TPO), a hallmark of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Patients and Methods: In 3 families affected by LS, we verified their HLA markers, and identified previously undiagnosed cases of LS and autoimmune disorders. 30 individuals were examined with history, skin biopsy, HLA class I and II typing by PCR‐SSP, and measurement of anti‐TPO, free thyroxine and thyroidstimulating hormones (TSH) levels. Results: There were 8 cases of LS, 50 % of them anti‐TPO+. Autoimmune disorders were found in 40 % (total) and in 87.5 % of those affected. Most common HLA markers were B*15, B*57, CW*03, CW*07, CW*18, DRB1*04, DRB1*07, DRB4*. The three latter have been previously associated with LS. Conclusion: New cases of LS and autoimmune disorders can be detected in first degree relatives of patients with LS. The presence of anti‐TPO antibodies strongly suggests autoimmune thyroiditis. There is intra‐familial association between the haplotype HLA‐B*15 ‐DRB1*04 ‐DRB4* and anti‐TPO,emphasizing their link with thyroiditis. New familial approaches might help to make clear the pathogenesis of LS and its association with autoimmune diseases.     

血管内皮生长因子及炎性因子在油酸性犬急性呼吸窘迫综合征中的变化

目的探讨油酸性急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）beagle犬血浆及肺泡灌洗液血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）、白细胞介素-8（IL-8）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF—α）水平的改变。方法12只英国纯种beagle犬，静脉注射油酸0．15mL／kg，在注射油酸前、后1h，出现ARDS的典型表现时，抽血测VEGF、sICAM-1、IL-8、TNF—α，并对此时相作肺泡灌洗液VEGF、sICAM—1、IL-8、TNF-α的测定。结果beagle犬静脉注射油酸后1h血浆TNF—α升高（P〈0．05），血浆反肺泡灌洗液IL8、sICAM-1和VEGF在1h较油酸前没有明显变化（P〉0．05），beagle犬油酸型ARDS模型建立后血浆及肺泡灌洗液VECF、sICAM-1、IL-8、TNF—α均显著高于建模前（P〈0．05）。结论VEGF、sICAM-1、IL-8、TNF～α在beagle犬油酸型ARDS发生发展过程中可能均起重要作用，其水平的高低可能与ARDS严重程度及预后有关。     

负载膀胱癌冻融抗原对树突状细胞分泌IL-12的影响

目的 探讨负载膀胱癌冻融抗原对树突状细胞（DCs）分泌IL-12的影响。方法 反复冻融法获得膀胱癌细胞株BIU-87细胞抗原；联合应用重组人的GM-CSF、IL-4和TNF-α体外诱导健康志愿者DCs并负载膀胱癌肿瘤抗原；用ELISA法检测第3、6和9天培养细胞的上清液，评价DCs分泌IL-12 p70的能力。结果 联合应用重组人的GM-CSF、IL-4和TNF-α可在体外诱导出DCs；经ELISA方法检测，不同时期的DCs分泌IL-12的量不同，而且负载抗原DCs较未负载抗原DCs有更强的分泌能力（P〈0．05）。结论 IL-12 p70的分泌量受DCs的成熟状态及某些刺激信号的影响，膀胱癌冻融抗原是其刺激信号之一。