Changes in immune regulation in response to examination stress in atopic and healthy individuals

BACKGROUND: Stress can aggravate the allergic inflammation, but determinants of disturbed immune regulation are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine systemic immunological, local inflammatory and functional airway responses to stress in healthy and atopic individuals. METHODS: Forty-one undergraduate students, 22 with allergy of whom 16 had asthma, and 19 healthy controls, were studied in a low-stress period and in association with a large exam. Subjects completed questionnaires on stress and health behaviours, underwent lung function tests, bronchial methacholine challenge, measurements of exhaled nitric oxide and urine cortisol. Blood cells were phenotyped, and cytokines from mononuclear blood cells were analysed. RESULTS: Perceived stress and anxiety increased in both groups during the exam period while cortisol increased only in the atopy group. Cytokine production decreased broadly in response to stress in both groups, which was paralleled by an increase in the proportion of regulatory T cells (CD4(+)CD45RO(+)CD25(bright)). Interestingly, atopic individuals, but not controls, reacted with a decreased T-helper type 1/T-helper type 2 (Th1/Th2) ratio and a decrease in natural killer (NK) cell numbers in response to stress. In control subjects only, exhaled nitric oxide decreased and forced expiratory volume in one second increased during stress. CONCLUSION: Atopic and non-atopic subjects shared some immune changes in response to stress, such as a dramatic decline in cytokines and an increase in the number of regulatory T cells in peripheral blood. However, other stress-induced immune changes were unique to atopic individuals, such as a skewed Th1/Th2 ratio and reduced NK cell numbers, indicating that some pathogenic mechanisms in atopics may be more strongly affected by stress than others.     

Contrast behavior and relaxation effects of conventional and hyperecho-turbo spin echo sequences at 1.5 and 3 T.

To overcome specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations of spin-echo-based MR imaging techniques, especially at (ultra) high fields, rapid acquisition relaxation enhancement/TSE (turbo spin echo)/fast spin echo sequences in combination with constant or variable low flip angles such as hyperechoes and TRAPS (hyperTSE) have been introduced. Due to the multiple spin echo and stimulated echo pathways involved in the signal formation, the contrast behavior of such sequences depends on both T2 and T1 relaxation times. In this work, constant and various variable flip angle sequences were analyzed in a volunteer study. It is demonstrated that a single effective echo time parameter TE(eff) can be calculated that accurately describes the overall T2 weighted image contrast. TE(eff) can be determined by means of the extended phase graph concept and is practically independent of field strength. Using the described formalism, the contrast of any TSE sequence can be predicted. HyperTSE sequences are demonstrated to show a robust and well-defined T2 contrast allowing clinical routine MRI to be performed with SAR reductions of typically at least 70%.     

Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a rational design of hypoallergen candidates for immunotherapy by using structural information and knowledge of B and T cell epitopes of an allergen. METHODS: The three-dimensional structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was systematically altered by duplication of selected T cell epitopes and disruption of disulphide bonds. Seven Fel d 1 derivatives were generated and screened for allergenic reactivity in comparison with recombinant Fel d 1 in competition-ELISA. The allergenicity was further evaluated in basophil activation experiments and T cell reactivity was assessed in a lymphoproliferation assay. RESULTS: Three out of seven Fel d 1 derivatives, with two duplicated T cell epitopes and one or two disulphide bonds disrupted, were carefully evaluated. The three derivatives displayed a strong reduction in allergenicity with 400-900 times lower IgE-binding capacity than recombinant Fel d 1. In addition, they induced a lower degree of basophil activation and similar or stronger T cell proliferation than recombinant Fel d 1. CONCLUSION: By a rational approach, we have constructed three Fel d 1 hypoallergens with reduced IgE-binding capacities and retained T cell reactivities. This strategy may be applied to any well-characterized allergen to improve immunotherapy for allergic patients.     

Multi-parameter prediction of HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Objective To predict the HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods By using 3 epitope prediction databases which including MHC binder ( BIMAS and SYFPEITHI databases) and proteasome cutting site ( PAProC databases), the epitopes of PCNA were predicted by analyzing several parameters and methods. Results After comprehensive analysis,we have obtained two possible HLA-A0201 restricted CTL epitopes SMSAD-VPLV (228-236, score 447 633. 595 ) and LINEACWDI ( 22-28, score 127 966.779);two HLA-A24 re-stricted CTL epitopos DYEMKLMDL ( 113-121, score 563 994.9 ) and EFARICRDL ( 143-151, score 40 540.7);two HLA-A1101 restricted CTL epitopes LTSMSKILK (72-80, score 1334. 2680 ) and DVPLV-VEYK (232-240,score 736.9236). Conclusion The multi-parameter epitope prediction method is feasi-ble for cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope prediction.     

缬沙坦加参麦注射液治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床观察

目的观察缬沙坦（Valsartan）加参麦注射液（Shenmai Injection,SI）对充血性心力衰竭（CHF）心肌损害的疗效。方法采用随机分组的方法,分别用常规治疗（31例）和缬沙坦、SI加常规治疗（31例）,并对CHF的各项实验室指标[血浆肌钙蛋白T（cTnT）、心肌酶谱]进行观察。结果在CHF进程中,cTnT浓度随着心功能恶化呈进行性增高。应用缬沙坦加SI治疗2周后,患者左室收缩功能得到明显改善,未发现严重不良反应。结论血浆cTnT可作为CHF患者预后判断的一项重要生化指标。缬沙坦加SI是治疗CHF安全有效的药物。     

95例SARS患者T细胞及其亚群动态变化的观察

对 95例SARS患者的T淋巴细胞亚群动态变化进行分析。其中 85例痊愈 ,1 0例死亡。 85例痊愈患者 ,病程第 7天平均CD4 + ( 3 2 5± 1 90 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 3 1 9± 3 1 5 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .2 5± 0 .71 ,与我国正常人相比〔平均CD4 + ( 72 7± 2 5 5 )个 /μL、CD8+ ( 5 3 9± 1 3 4)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .49〕 ,T淋巴细胞亚群明显下降 (P =0 .0 0 1 )。病程第1 4天左右免疫功能逐渐恢复 ,平均CD4 + ( 5 61± 5 2 2 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 3 70± 2 71 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .68± 1 .1 1。 2 1d后免疫功能基本恢复正常 ,平均CD4 + ( 675± 448)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 4 67± 2 41 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .48± 0 .68。 1 0例死亡患者的T细胞亚群在入院后逐渐出现下降趋势 ,病程第 7天CD4 + ( 2 48± 82 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 2 3 3± 1 1 5 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .2 1± 0 .40 ,第 1 4天T淋巴细胞继续下降 ,平均CD4 + ( 1 81± 1 2 8)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 1 73± 1 0 9)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .1 7± 0 .45 ,2 1d后CD4 + 细胞继续下降 ,平均CD4 + ( 1 2 5± 46)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 94± 3 8)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .44±0 .5 9。结果提示 :SARS患者早期可能存在异常的免疫反应 ,这种异常免疫反应可能是导?     

多器官功能障碍小鼠高迁移率族蛋白1释放对单个核细胞免疫相关指标的影响

目的 分析多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)小鼠血清高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)含量的变化与外周血中单个核细胞免疫相关指标变化的关系,观察MODS发生、发展中HMGB1释放的规律及其对细胞免疫功能的影响.方法 腹腔注射酵母多糖复制小鼠MODS模型,用Westernblot法检测病程不同阶段血清HMGB1含量、流式细胞术测定外周血单核细胞表面组织相容性复合体-Ⅱ类分子(MHC-Ⅱ类分子,IAb)的表达量及T淋巴细胞亚群的比值(CD4+/CD8+).结果 在酵母多糖所致小鼠MODS模型中,当血清HMGB1含量升高时,外周血单核细胞IAb表达量及CD4+/CD8+比值下降;当血清HMGB1含量回复接近正常时,单核细胞IAb表达量及CIM4+/CD8+比值也趋于恢复正常.结论 在MODS的发生、发展过程中,HMGB1可能通过影响血中单个核细胞MHC-Ⅱ类分子(IAb)表达及T淋巴细胞的活性参与免疫调节过程,导致免疫失衡或免疫抑制.     

Recovery of Functional Memory T Cells in Lung Transplant Recipients Following Induction Therapy with Alemtuzumab

Profound T-cell depletion with the monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab facilitates reduced maintenance immunosuppression in abdominal and lung transplantation. While the phenotype of the post-depletional T cells has been characterized, little is known about their function. In the present study, global and CMV-specific T-cell function was assessed longitudinally in 23 lung transplant (LTx) recipients using T-cell assays (ImmuKnow and T Cell Memory, Cylex, Columbia, MD) during the first year posttransplant after induction therapy. Recovery of mitogen responses were seen at 2 weeks posttransplantation (65%PHA; 58% Con A), despite the low number of circulating T cells (<2%). These responses declined at 4-5 months (24%PHA; 54% Con A) and were partially reconstituted by 9 months (46% PHA; 73% Con A). CMV-specific responses recovered in 80% of R+ patients as early as 2 weeks posttransplant (n = 5) and 72% of patients had a memory response by 3 months (n = 11). In contrast, only 2 of 5 patients who did not exhibit memory responses pre-transplant (R-) developed transient CMV-specific T-cell responses. Our results show that profound depletion of T cells induced by alemtuzumab spares the functional subset of CMV-specific memory T cells. Conversely, CMV R- patients predepletion may require a prolonged period of prophylaxis.     

正常人外周血淋巴细胞 IL—2受体免疫放射测定

采用~(125)I 标记小鼠抗人IL—2受体(P55)的抗Tac(CD_(25))单克隆抗体,成功地建立了人IL—2受体的免疫放射分析法,动态观察了人外周血淋巴细胞经PHA 刺激24、48和72h 后IL—2受体表达的时间曲线,通过Scatchard 作图分析表明~(125)I—抗Tac 单克隆抗体与PHA 活化的上述三个时间点的T 淋巴细胞的最大结合容量(B_(max))分别为43000位点/细胞、54000位点/细胞和61000位点/细胞。本研究为临床IL—2受体检测提供一种简便的免疫放射测定法。