Transcatheter arterial embolization of abnormal neovessels in a swine model of knee arthritis

BackgroundIn recent years, transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) using imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) has attracted attention as a treatment for relieving osteoarthritis (OA) pain. However, IPM/CS is not approved by Japanese medical insurance for use as an embolic material. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new embolic materials for TAE to relieve OA pain. The purpose of this study was to develop a swine model of knee arthritis and embolize abnormal neovessels (ANs) using two different embolic materials. We compared the embolic effects and tissue damage in knees.MethodsKnee arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of papain into 12 knees in six female swine. The swine were divided into two groups of three swine each (six knees per group) for embolization of ANs in the knees with either IPM/CS or soluble gelatin sponge particles (SGSs). Three days after embolization, we compared the embolic effects using angiography and the tissue damage histopathologically.ResultsANs were observed in all 12 knees at 42 days after papain injection. The ANs disappeared and the patent arteries were recanalized 3 days after TAE in all 12 knees. Histopathological evaluation revealed synovitis changes, such as synovial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration, in all 12 knees. There was no evidence of skin or muscle necrosis in either group. The appearance of ANs, recanalization of the parent arteries, and histopathological outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionSGSs were as safe as IPM/CS for TAE of ANs in this swine model of knee arthritis.     

HLA-B27 modulates intracellular survival of Salmonella enteritidis in human monocytic cells

Human major histocompatibility complex class I allele HLA-B27 is associated with a group of diseases called spondyloarthropathies. In reactive arthritis (ReA), the disease is triggered by certain infections, e.g. gastroenteritis caused by Salmonella. The host/microbe interaction is abnormal in susceptible individuals leading to inefficient elimination of arthritis-triggering bacteria, fragments of them, or both, after the initial infection. Using transfected human monocytic U937 cell lines, we demonstrate that the expression of the HLA-B27 antigen does not influence the uptake of S. enteritidis into U937 cells in vitro. Interestingly, HLA-B27 remarkably impairs the elimination of S. enteritidis within the HLA-B27 transfected U937 cells. The impaired elimination of ReA-triggering microbes by HLA-B27⁺ monocytes may offer an explanation for the persistence of ReA-triggering microbes in susceptible HLA-B27⁺ individuals. This modulation of the host/microbe interaction by HLA-B27 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of ReA.     

Apoptin基因/壳聚糖纳米粒的制备及其对U937细胞凋亡的诱导作用

目的以羧甲基壳聚糖为基质材料,制备apoptin基因缓释微球,探讨其对U937细胞凋亡的作用。方法采用复凝聚法制备apoptin/壳聚糖微球,分别用光镜观察微球形态、内切酶研究其稳定性、DNA电泳阻滞分析apoptin/壳聚糖最佳比例、PCR测定apoptin基因作为复制摸板能力、用MTT法检测其抗肿瘤活性。结果壳聚糖与apoptin基因可形成稳定的微球,其直径在200～300之间,成球性较好,apoptin/壳聚糖微球P/N最佳质量比为5.5:1。微球能够有效防止DNA酶的降解作用,apoptin/微球载体中的基因仍具有DNA复制摸板功能,并能有效地转染U937细胞,转染48h可诱导U937细胞发生凋亡,从而抑制瘤细胞生长。结论apoptin基因与羧甲基壳聚糖可形成稳定的缓释微球,并能有效地转染肿瘤细胞,诱导肿瘤细胞发生凋亡。     

甘露聚糖结合凝集素诱导人白血病细胞系U937细胞凋亡

目的研究甘露聚糖结合凝集素（MBL）对白血病细胞系U937凋亡的影响。方法不同浓度MBL处理U937细胞后,应用CCK-8法分析细胞增殖情况,Hoechst33258染色观察细胞核及染色质,AnnexinV/PI双染流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡率,real-timePCR和免疫印迹分析凋亡相关基因及蛋白表达。结果 30～50μg/mlMBL培养72h,U937细胞增殖明显受抑,出现不同程度核固缩、核碎裂;随MBL浓度升高或作用时间延长,凋亡细胞数逐渐增多;Fas、Caspase-3mRNA、Fas和FasL蛋白表达量升高,Caspase-3和多腺苷二磷酸多聚酶（PARP）蛋白被剪切激活或失活。结论 MBL可诱导白血病细胞U937细胞凋亡,其机制与上调Fas表达、剪切Caspase-3和PAPR有关。     

U2AF2 variant in a patient with developmental delay,dysmorphic features,and epilepsy

Variants in the RNA binding protein (RBP) U2AF2 are hypothesized to cause a novel neurodevelopmental disorder. Here, we report a patient with a de novo missense variant in U2AF2, the second case report of the same variant, and third case report overall. The patient in this report has a history of global developmental delay, dysmorphic features, and epilepsy. This presentation is consistent with the previous case report with the same U2AF2 variant and with a recent case report of another U2AF2 variant, strengthening the evidence that variants in U2AF2 are the cause of a novel neurodevelopmental disorder.     

尾加压素Ⅱ促进大鼠心肌胶原蛋白表达及乳鼠心肌成纤维细胞的增殖

目的探讨尾加压素Ⅱ(UⅡ)对大鼠心肌纤维化的影响。方法腹主动脉缩窄术建立慢性压力超负荷大鼠心力衰竭模型,大鼠分为假手术组、造模4、8和12周组。利用Western blot分析心肌组织中UⅡ、G蛋白偶联受体(GPR14)、胶原Ⅰ(col-Ⅰ)、Ⅲ(col-Ⅲ)及蛋白激酶A(PKA)的表达。体外培养乳鼠成纤维细胞,分为对照组、UⅡ处理组、UⅡ+KT5720处理组及UII+SB-611812组。镜下观察及CKK-8法检测细胞增殖。结果模型组大鼠心肌组织中UⅡ、GPR14、col-Ⅰ、col-Ⅲ蛋白及PKA的表达显著增加,且呈时间依赖性。UⅡ促进乳鼠成纤维细胞(CFs)的增殖(P0.05),而KT5720、SB-611812可抑制UⅡ对乳鼠成纤维细胞的促增殖作用。结论 UⅡ及其受体系统促进大鼠心肌纤维化的发生发展。     

Assessment of intracellular cytokines and regulatory cells in patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiencies — Novel tool for diagnostics and patient follow-up

Serum and intracytoplasmic cytokines are mandatory in host defense against microbes, but also play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by initiating and perpetuating various cellular and humoral autoimmune processes.     

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN E PRODUCTION BY JIN-DEUK-CHAL (SIEGESBECKIA ORIENTALIS)

Elevated levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) E are associated with immediate-type allergic reactions. Jin-deuk-chal is the whole plant of Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO) sL. Immunization of mice with small amounts of protein antigens on alum results in several fold increases in total plasma IgE, much of it specific for the immunizing antigen. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Siegesbeckia orientalis (SO) on IgE production. SO inhibited the plasma levels of IgE induced by antigens. The effects of SO on the interleukin (IL)-4-dependent IgE response by mouse whole spleen cells were studied. IL-4 dependent IgE production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole spleen cells was inhibited by SO. In addition, using U266B1 human IgE-bearing B cells, we found that SO inhibited the production of IgE activated by LPS plus IL-4. These results suggest that SO have antiallergic activity by inhibition of IgE production from B cells.