Regulatory T cells: the future of autoimmune disease treatment

ABSTRACT

Introduction: CD4 + T regulatory cells (Tregs) have been described as the most potent immunosuppressive cells in the human body. They have been found to control autoimmunity, and clinical attempts have been made to apply them to treat autoimmune diseases. Some specific pathways utilized by Tregs in the regulation of immune response or Tregs directly as cellular products are tested in the clinic.

Areas covered: Here, we present recent advances in the research on the biology and clinical applications of Tregs in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Expert opinion: Regulatory T cells seem to be a promising tool for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The development of both cell-based therapies and modern pharmacotherapies which affect Tregs may strongly improve the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Growing knowledge about Treg biology together with the latest biotechnology tools may give an opportunity for personalized therapies in these conditions.     

ROS清除剂在细菌抗生素耐受中的作用研究进展

活性氧簇(ROS)是生物在有氧环境中进行能量代谢时产生的一类分子的总称，ROS不仅在动物、植物以及细菌的生理过程中发挥着重要的作用，也在研究抗生素杀菌和细菌耐药性的产生上有着重要的功能，添加ROS清除剂有助于我们更好的研究ROS在细菌对抗菌剂耐受中的作用。本文主要通过对常见的ROS清除剂过氧化氢酶、硫脲、联吡啶、DMSO、褪黑素和其他较为常见的清除剂等化合物在抗生素杀菌过程中的作用机制、ROS清除剂添加对细菌耐受性的影响及其他生理作用进行综述，旨在对这些常见的ROS清除剂的不同功能和缺点进行一个更广泛和深入的了解，以便我们在选用相关ROS清除剂时对其作用机理有较为清楚的了解从而选取合适的ROS清除剂。     

Familiarity or Not: Children’s Choice of Interviewer in a Study of Substitute Care

This article is based on a study of children's experiences of being in care in which children were given the opportunity to choose either their own social worker or an outside researcher to interview them for the purposes of the research. We examine here how the children (N?=?15) describe their choice of interviewer and also explore how the social workers (N?=?8) experience their role as research interviewers. The findings highlight that there is no single reason for children to choose either a social worker or a researcher to be the interviewer. Familiarity, in particular, can either be a motivation or an obstacle. The dual positions of children as research interviewees and as clients as well as the dual positions of social workers both supported and hindered the interviews. Social workers reported new insights into their knowledge about children’s views as a result of the research interview experience. It is argued that the choice of the interviewer may be an option for some children to have their voice heard in research. Ethical balancing and critical dialogue are also suggested as having a role.