Galectin-9 suppresses Th17 cell development in an IL-2-dependent but Tim-3-independent manner

Galectin-9 (Gal-9) ameliorates autoimmune reactions by suppressing Th17 cells while augmenting Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). However, the exact mechanism of Gal-9-mediated immune modulation has been elusive. In a MOG-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis model using Gal-9^−/− mice, we observed exacerbated inflammation and an increase in IL-17-producing Th17 cells balanced by a decrease in Foxp3+ Tregs. During in vitro Th17 skewing using TGF-β1 and IL-6, exogenous Gal-9 suppressed Th17 cell development and expanded Foxp3⁺ Tregs from naïve CD4 T cells in an IL-2-dependent manner. Although Gal-9 induced cell death in Tim3-expressing differentiated Th17 cells, Gal-9 suppressed Th17 development in a Tim-3-independent. Benzyl-α-GalNAc (an O-glycan biosynthesis inhibitor), but not swainsonine (a complex-type N-glycan biosynthesis inhibitor) abrogated Gal-9-mediated inhibition of Th17 development indicating that there is a linkage between Gal-9 and an unidentified glycoprotein(s) with O-linked β-galactosides that suppress Th17 development.     

力学载荷对破骨细胞凋亡的影响及其调节机制

破骨细胞是参与骨代谢的基本功能细胞之一.破骨细胞在骨重建过程中主要承担旧骨组织的破坏和吸收,因此,破骨细胞凋亡的微小变化都可能会改变骨重建的进程.调节破骨细胞凋亡的因素有很多,如雌激素、二磷酸盐等生物化学因素,但力学载荷对于破骨细胞生物学活性影响的研究相对较少.综述了力学载荷对破骨细胞生物学活性的影响以及细胞凋亡与破骨细胞凋亡的调节.     

卡介苗刺激后CD8~+T细胞活化、增殖及其调节

目的:探讨卡介苗(BCG)刺激后,结核菌素试验阳性(PPD+)正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)中CD8+T细胞的活化、增殖、细胞因子产生及调节性T细胞(Treg)对其调节作用。方法:体外用BCG刺激PPD+正常人PBMCs,检测CD8+T细胞的细胞因子产生、活化和增殖。纯化后获得调节性T细胞(Treg)和CD25-细胞,检测Treg对CD8+T细胞增殖的调节作用。结果:BCG诱导CD8+T细胞表达CD69和CD25等活化分子。在低剂量IL-2存在的条件下,BCG诱导CD8+T细胞发生增殖,且增殖的CD8+T细胞大部分表达Granzyme-B。体外BCG短期刺激PBMCs后,CD8+T细胞几乎不产生IFN-γ、IL-2和TNF-α。此外,调节性T细胞抑制CD8+T细胞增殖。结论:BCG诱导CD8+T细胞活化、增殖和表达颗粒酶,Treg抑制CD8+T细胞增殖。     

HOXA10基因在子宫内膜的周期性表达及性激素、肝素结合生长因子对其表达的调节

目的通过研究HOXA10基因在正常子宫内膜腺上皮细胞和间质细胞的周期性表达规律,及雌激素、孕激素、肝素结合生长因子(HB-EGF)对HOXA10基因表达的调节,探讨HOXA10基因在胚胎种植中的意义。方法取子宫内膜40例,分离出子宫内膜腺上皮细胞及间质细胞分别培养,然后用RT-PCR检测HOXA10基因的表达规律。体外培养子宫内膜间质细胞,按实验目的分别加入雌激素、孕激素、雌孕激素联合、雌孕激素RU486联合、HB-EGF刺激48h后,采用RT-PCR测定各组细胞中HOXA10基因的表达。结果 1.HOXA10基因在子宫内膜腺上皮细胞和间质细胞中的表达规律相似,均具有周期性表达,且在分泌中期(着床期)的表达水平最高。2.雌、孕激素及HB-EGF均能促进HOXA10基因的表达。结论 HOXA10基因在分泌中期表达水平最高,且受雌、孕激素、HB-EGF等的调节。     

The relationship between monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 expression in skeletal muscle and endurance performance in athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle monocarboxylate transporters 1 and 4 (MCT1 and MCT4) expression, skeletal muscle oxidative capacity and endurance performance in trained cyclists. Ten well-trained cyclists (mean ± SD; age 24.4 ± 2.8 years, body mass 73.2 ± 8.3 kg, VO_2max 58 ± 7 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) completed three endurance performance tasks [incremental exercise test to exhaustion, 2 and 10 min time trial (TT)]. In addition, a muscle biopsy sample from the vastus lateralis muscle was analysed for MCT1 and MCT4 expression levels together with the activity of citrate synthase (CS) and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HAD). There was a tendency for VO_2max and peak power output obtained in the incremental exercise test to be correlated with MCT1 (r = −0.71 to −0.74; P < 0.06), but not MCT4. The average power output (P _average) in the 2 min TT was significantly correlated with MCT4 (r = −0.74; P < 0.05) and HAD (r = −0.92; P < 0.01). The P _average in the 10 min TT was only correlated with CS activity (r = 0.68; P < 0.05). These results indicate the relationship between MCT1 and MCT4 as well as cycle TT performance may be influenced by the length and intensity of the task.     

Role of a heterologous retroviral transport element in the development of genetic complementation assay for mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) replication

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a type B retrovirus that is unique from other retroviruses in having multiple “tissue specific” and “hormone inducible” promoters. This unique feature has lead to the increasing interest in studying the biology of MMTV replication with the ultimate goal of developing MMTV based vectors for potentially targeted human gene therapy. In this report, we describe, for the first time, the establishment of an in vivo genetic complementation assay to study various aspects of MMTV replication. In the assay described here, the function of MMTV Rem/RmRE regulatory pathway has been successfully substituted by a heterologous retroviral constitutive transport element (CTE) from Mason Pfizer Monkey Virus (MPMV) for mature MMTV particle production. Our results revealed that in the absence of MPMV CTE or Rem/RmRE, RNA transcribed from MMTV Gag-Pol expression plasmids were efficiently transported to the cytoplasm. However, the presence of CTE was indispensable for Gag-Pol protein expression. In addition, we report the development of MMTV based vectors in which the packageable RNA was transcribed either from MMTV LTR or from a chimeric LTR, which could successfully be packaged and propagated by particles produced from MMTV Gag-Pol expression plasmids containing a heterologous transport element. The role of MPMV CTE in the transport of MMTV transfer vector RNA was not found to be significant. Development of such an assay should not only shed light on how MMTV regulates its gene expression, but also should provide additional molecular tools for delineating the packaging determinants for MMTV, which is imperative for the development of novel vectors for targeted and inducible gene therapy.     

Thick ascending limb: the Na+:K+:2Cl− co-transporter, NKCC2, and the calcium-sensing receptor, CaSR

The thick ascending limb of Henle’s loop is a nephron segment that is vital to the formation of dilute and concentrated urine. This ability is accomplished by a consortium of functionally coupled proteins consisting of the apical Na⁺:K⁺:2Cl⁻ co-transporter, the K⁺ channel, and basolateral Cl⁻ channel that mediate electroneutral salt absorption. In thick ascending limbs, salt absorption is importantly regulated by the calcium-sensing receptor. Genetic or pharmacological disruption impairing the function of any of these proteins results in Bartter syndrome. The thick ascending limb is also an important site of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ absorption. Calcium-sensing receptor activation inhibits cellular Ca²⁺ absorption induced by parathyroid hormone, as well as passive paracellular Ca²⁺ transport. The present review discusses these functions and their genetic and molecular regulation.

流体剪切力调节血管内皮细胞自噬的研究进展

细胞自噬作为细胞的一种防御和应激调控机制,参与维持细胞的代谢平衡。在血管内皮细胞中,自噬是影响内皮细胞功能的一个重要因素。流体剪切力也是影响血管内皮细胞形态和功能的重要因素之一。而血管内皮细胞生理功能的维持在整个心血管系统的正常运转中起着重要的作用。我们主要对血管内皮细胞的功能,细胞自噬和流体剪切力对血管内皮细胞功能的调节作用,以及流体剪切力对血管内皮细胞自噬的调节作用等方面进行综述。     

Varied biologic functions of c-reactive protein

Our investigations of human C-reactive protein (CRP) and CRP transgenic mice have produced novel data that firmly establish this protein as an important host defense molecule. For example, we have learned that depending on the disease model, the beneficial effect of CRP can be direct, depend on the protein's ability to engage complement and Fcγreceptors, or rely on its ability to bridge innate and adaptive immunity. In addition, the degree of protection correlates with acute phase expression, but more important, also with the amount of CRP expressed constitutively. Furthermore, differences in baseline levels of CRP among healthy individuals and among patients can be attributed to a CRP gene polymorphism. In this article, we discuss these and other observations we have made during the last 5 yr and summarize our ongoing studies and future plans related to CRP biology.