树突状细胞C型凝集素在自然流产中的表达研究

目的通过检测早期自然流产患者子宫蜕膜组织中树突状细胞C型凝集素（DC-SIGN）的表达,探讨其在自然流产发生中的可能机制。方法采用免疫荧光染色法及实时荧光定量PCR（RT-PCR）技术检测DC-SIGN在蜕膜组织中的表达,比较两组间表达情况及分布差异。结果 1.通过免疫荧光染色技术检测显示：妊娠期子宫蜕膜组织均表达DC-SIGN,主要分布于细胞膜上,自然流产组中DC-SIGN＋DC表达明显低于对照组（46.20±2.40 vs 78.21±0.28,P〈0.01）。2.RT-PCR结果显示：自然流产组明显低于对照组,患者蜕膜组织中DC-SIGN mRNA相对表达量（0.0032370±0.00124 vs0.0076412±0.0040,P〈0.05）。结论树突状细胞（DC）在母胎免疫耐受机制中起着重要的作用,蜕膜组织DC-SIGN的表达量降低可能导致早期自然流产的发生。     

Licensed human natural killer cells aid dendritic cell maturation via TNFSF14/LIGHT

Interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs) aid DC maturation and promote T-cell responses. Here, we have analyzed the response of human NK cells to tumor cells, and we identify a pathway by which NK–DC interactions occur. Gene expression profiling of tumor-responsive NK cells identified the very rapid induction of TNF superfamily member 14 [TNFSF14; also known as homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes (LIGHT)], a cytokine implicated in the enhancement of antitumor responses. TNFSF14 protein expression was induced by three primary mechanisms of NK cell activation, namely, via the engagement of CD16, by the synergistic activity of multiple target cell-sensing NK-cell activation receptors, and by the cytokines IL-2 and IL-15. For antitumor responses, TNFSF14 was preferentially produced by the licensed NK-cell population, defined by the expression of inhibitory receptors specific for self-MHC class I molecules. In contrast, IL-2 and IL-15 treatment induced TNFSF14 production by both licensed and unlicensed NK cells, reflecting the ability of proinflammatory conditions to override the licensing mechanism. Importantly, both tumor- and cytokine-activated NK cells induced DC maturation in a TNFSF14-dependent manner. The coupling of TNFSF14 production to tumor-sensing NK-cell activation receptors links the tumor immune surveillance function of NK cells to DC maturation and adaptive immunity. Furthermore, regulation by NK cell licensing helps to safeguard against TNFSF14 production in response to healthy tissues.Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in protecting the host against viral infection and cancer. As well as having potent cytotoxic activity, NK cells are endowed with immunoregulatory activity (1, 2). For example, NK cell activation induces the production of chemokines, such as macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and IL-8, and proinflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and TNF-α. These molecules regulate the recruitment and activity of numerous immune cell types (1, 2). Importantly, NK cells can promote development of T-cell responses via NK–dendritic cell (DC) interactions that favor both DC maturation and NK-cell activation (3–5), with NK cell-derived IFN-γ skewing T-cell differentiation toward the Th1 phenotype (6, 7).Cytotoxic activity and cytokine production are coupled to signaling pathways downstream of a repertoire of activating and inhibitory receptors; signals from activating receptors (including NKG2D, DNAM-1, and 2B4, as well as the natural cytotoxicity receptors NKp30, NKp44, and NKp46) compete with signals from inhibitory receptors such as the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and CD94/NKG2A heterodimers to regulate activation. In addition, NK cells express CD16, the low-affinity receptor for IgG, conferring antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (8–10). Activation thus coordinates the killing of target cells, the induction of inflammation, and the promotion of adaptive immunity. This potent cytotoxicity and proinflammatory activity must be strictly controlled to minimize damage to healthy tissue. Functional competency of unstimulated NK cells is achieved via a process termed “licensing” or “education” (11–14). Licensing ensures that only those NK cells expressing inhibitory receptors for self-MHC class I can respond to target cells and NK cells that lack inhibitory receptors for self-MHC class I molecules are rendered hyporesponsive, preventing them from attacking healthy cells expressing normal levels of MHC class I molecules.We have analyzed the consequences of human NK cell activation by tumor cells. Our results reveal induction of the TNF superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14), also known as homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibits inducible expression, and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for HVEM, a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes (LIGHT) (15). We show that activated NK cells produce TNFSF14 in response to different stimuli, that tumor cells induce TNFSF14 production by licensed NK cells, and that TNFSF14-producing NK cells aid DC maturation during NK–DC cross-talk.     

Trichinella spiralis-secreted products modulate DC functionality and expand regulatory T cells in vitro

Helminths and their products can suppress the host immune response which may benefit parasite survival. Trichinella spiralis can establish chronic infections in a wide range of mammalian hosts including humans and mice. Here, we aim at studying the effect of T. spiralis muscle larvae excretory/secretory products (TspES) on the functionality of DC and T cell activation. We found that TspES suppress in vitro DC maturation induced by both S- and R-form lipopolysaccharide(LPS) from enterobacteria. Using different toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, we show that the suppressive effect of TspES on DC maturation is restricted to TLR4. These helminth products also interfere with the expression of several genes related to the TLR-mediated signal transduction pathways. To investigate the effect of TspES on T cell activation, we used splenocytes derived from OVA-TCR transgenic D011.10 that were incubated with OVA and TspES-pulsed DC. Results indicate that the presence of TspES resulted in the expansion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3+ T cells. These regulatory T (Treg) cells were shown to have suppressive activity and to produce TGF-β. Together these results suggest that T. spiralis secretion products can suppress DC maturation and induce the expansion of functional Treg cells in vitro.     

基于抗炎活性成分的苗药羊耳菊药材质量控制研究

目的 基于抗炎活性成分研究苗药羊耳菊药材质量控制方法。方法 建立羊耳菊有效组分中代表性、特征性化学成分作为指标成分的多指标定量指纹图谱研究。通过多指标成分定量结合指纹图谱分析评价贵州不同产地羊耳菊的质量。结果建立了35批贵州产羊耳菊的高效液相指纹图谱和多指标含量测定方法;指认了羊耳菊药材液相色谱指纹图谱17个共有峰中的8个,结果显示相似度在0.898～0.997,以8个化学成分作为指标,对其进行含量测定,结果显示绿原酸、新绿原酸、隐绿原酸、异绿原酸B、异绿原酸A、异绿原酸C、洋蓟素、木犀草苷的质量分数分别为0.353～3.765、0.056～0.495、0.086～0.526、0.306～2.526、0.861～7.353、0.729～4.268、0.052～0.424、0.148～1.102mg/g。结论 所建立的基于抗炎活性成分的指纹图谱和多指标含量测定研究方法,灵敏度高、准确度好、稳定可靠,可用于苗药羊耳菊药材的质量控制。     

Human islets and dendritic cells generate post‐translationally modified islet autoantigens

The initiation of type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires a break in peripheral tolerance. New insights into neoepitope formation indicate that post‐translational modification of islet autoantigens, for example via deamidation, may be an important component of disease initiation or exacerbation. Indeed, deamidation of islet autoantigens increases their binding affinity to the T1D highest‐risk human leucocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes HLA‐DR3/DQ2 and ‐DR4/DQ8, increasing the chance that T cells reactive to deamidated autoantigens can be activated upon T cell receptor ligation. Here we investigated human pancreatic islets and inflammatory and tolerogenic human dendritic cells (DC and tolDC) as potential sources of deamidated islet autoantigens and examined whether deamidation is altered in an inflammatory environment. Islets, DC and tolDC contained tissue transglutaminase, the key enzyme responsible for peptide deamidation, and enzyme activity increased following an inflammatory insult. Islets treated with inflammatory cytokines were found to contain deamidated insulin C‐peptide. DC, heterozygous for the T1D highest‐risk DQ2/8, pulsed with native islet autoantigens could present naturally processed deamidated neoepitopes. HLA‐DQ2 or ‐DQ8 homozygous DC did not present deamidated islet peptides. This study identifies both human islets and DC as sources of deamidated islet autoantigens and implicates inflammatory activation of tissue transglutaminase as a potential mechanism for islet and DC deamidation.     

A built-in co-carcinogenic effect due to viruses involved in latent or persistent infections

A new hypothesis for some cancers, which combines the chromosomal instability theories with a co-carcinogenic effect of viruses causing latent or persistent infection, is presented. The hypothesis incorporates the multi-step model of cancer and that pre-cancerous cells reach a state of chromosomal instability. Because of chromosomal instability, the genome of these cell lines will lead to changes from generation to generation and will face a remarkable selection pressure both from lost traits, apoptosis, and from the immune system. Viruses causing latent or persistent infections have evolved many different genes capable to evade the immune system. If these viruses are harboured in the genome of pre-cancerous cells they could provide them with "superpowers" and with genes that may assist the cells to elude the immune system. The theory explains why cancer predominantly is a disease of old age. Upon aging, the immune system becomes reduced including the ability to control and suppress the viruses that cause latent or persistent infections. The risk of cancer could thereby increase as the immune functions decrease. The theory provides new insights to the genesis of cancers.     

IFN-beta modulates the response to TLR stimulation in human DC: involvement of IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) in IL-27 gene expression

Type I IFN are cytokines which play a central role in host resistance to viral or microbial infections and are important components linking innate and adaptive immunity. We and others have previously demonstrated that the production of IFN-beta by DC following bacterial infections or TLR triggering influences, in an autocrine manner, their maturation. In this study, we investigated whether IFN-beta release modulates the phenotype of the immature DC and their response to a subsequent TLR stimulation. The induction of CD86, HLA-DR, CD38 and B7H1 and the absence of CCR7 and CD83 expression upon IFN-beta treatment suggest that IFN-beta-primed DC remain at the site of infection acquiring an activated phenotype. These results prompted us to investigate the response of IFN-beta-primed DC to TLR stimulation. While IFN-beta pretreatment increases slightly the expression of maturation markers in TLR2- or TLR4-stimulated DC, it is able to modulate selectively the secretion of inflammatory and immuno-regulating cytokines. Interestingly, IL-27p28 subunit was induced by IFN-beta alone or during LPS-induced maturation of DC in a type I IFN-dependent manner through IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) activation. Taken together, our results shed light on the capacity of IFN-beta to finely tune DC response to invading pathogens.