黄芪对哮喘大鼠模型支气管肺泡灌洗液白细胞介素-4、-12表达的影响

目的研究哮喘大鼠模型支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）白细胞介素-4（IL-4）和IL—12水平变化及黄芪对其影响。方法雄性SD大鼠30只随机分为正常对照组、哮喘组和黄芪组（AM组）。以卵蛋白（OVA）致敏激发法制备大鼠哮喘模型．对PALF进行嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS）计数和分类计数；应用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附试验法测定BALF中IL-4、-12水平。结果1．哮喘组BALF细胞总数、EOS绝对值和EOS占细胞总数百分比（EOS％）均高于对照组（P均〈0．01），AM组上述指标均低于哮喘组（P均〈0．01）；2．BALF中IL-4水平哮喘组显著高于对照组（P〈0．01），AM组显著低于哮喘组（P〈0．01）；3．IL-12水平哮喘组显著低于对照组（P〈0．01），AM组最著高于哮喘组（P〈0．01）。结论IL-4高表达、IL-12低表达参与哮喘的病理生理过程；黄芪下调IL-4、上调IL-12表达水平，可能为其抑制哮喘呼吸道炎症的重要作用机制之一。     

大剂量地塞米松治疗重型流行性乙型脑炎对脑脊液肿瘤坏死因子-α、白细胞介素-6、8的影响

目的研究流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)患儿急性期,大剂量地塞米松对脑脊液TNF-αI、L-6、8,体温及GCS评分影响。方法16例重度乙脑患儿随机分为地塞米松组10例,地塞米松针0.5~1.0 mg/(kg.d),分2次;对照组6例,未应用地塞米松。入科后即进行GCS评分,测体温、心率、白细胞计数、CRP,同时检测脑脊液TNF-αI、L-6、8水平,2、3 d后复查脑脊液TNF-αI、L-6、8,复测体温,GCS评分。结果入科时两组GCS评分、体温、白细胞计数,CRP、脑脊液TNF-α、IL-6、8相似(P均>0.05),23、d后地塞米松组脑脊液TNF-αI、L-6I、L-8、体温显著低于对照组,而GCS评分显著高于对照组。结论乙脑患儿急性期静脉应用大剂量地塞米松能抑制颅内炎症反应水平,阻止病情恶化。     

口服米索前列醇联合宫腔吸引管在剖宫产术后无痛人流的应用

分析口服米索前列醇联合宫腔吸引管治疗剖宫产术后无痛人流的临床效果及机制。120例患者随机分为对照组(n=60)和观察组(n=60)。对照组患者接受宫腔吸引管处理,观察组患者口服米索前列醇(0.6 mg)后接受宫腔吸引管。结果显示观察组患者的手术时间和苏醒时间明显缩短(P<0.05),术中出血量和异丙酚用量明显减少(P<0.05);观察组患者的宫颈扩张效果总有效率明显升高(P<0.05)而不良反应发生率明显降低(P<0.05);两组患者治疗后血清中白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和IL-2水平明显升高,且对照组患者的上述白细胞介素水平升高更显著(P<0.05)而雌激素促黄体生成素(Luteotropic hormone,LH)、促卵泡激素(Follicle stimulating horman,FSH)和雌二醇(Estradiol,E2)水平无明显变化(P>0.05)。实验表明口服米索前列醇联合宫腔吸引管治疗剖宫产术后无痛人流临床效果明显,且不引起白细胞介素和雌激素水平的剧烈变化。     

Increased proportions of B cells with spontaneous production of interleukin‐10 in HIV‐infected individuals are normalized during combination antiretroviral therapy: a longitudinal study

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10)‐producing B cells (B10 cells) may inhibit HIV‐specific T cells and are elevated in untreated HIV infection. We aimed to determine the effect of combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) on the proportion of B10 cells. Furthermore, we compared B10‐cell proportions in HIV‐infected progressors and viremic controllers. This was a prospective study including HIV‐infected progressors, viremic controllers and healthy controls. Progressors initiating cART were followed for 6 months. Purified B cells were stimulated with CpG, alone or in combination with HIV gp120, and the proportion of B10 cells was measured by flow cytometry. Without stimulation, the B10‐cell proportion was higher in progressors than in healthy controls, while viremic controllers and healthy controls had comparable proportions. Moreover, the proportion of CD24^hiCD38^hi transitional B cells was higher in progressors than in healthy controls. After initiation of cART, the proportion of B10 cells and transitional B cells decreased. In conclusion, progressors had elevated B10‐cell proportions, while viremic controllers displayed normal proportions. After initiation of cART, the B10‐cell proportion decreased. This could limit B10‐cell‐mediated suppression of specific CD8⁺ T‐cell responses.     

Local and systemic tolerability of a 2′O-methoxyethyl antisense oligonucleotide targeting interleukin-4 receptor-α delivery by inhalation in mouse and monkey

Abstract

Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) bind and facilitate degradation of RNA and inhibit protein expression in pathways not easily targeted with small molecules or antibodies. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 potentiate signaling through the shared IL-4 receptor-α (IL-4Rα) subunit of their receptors. ASO targeting of IL-4Rα mRNA in a mouse model of asthma led to attenuation of airway hyperactivity, demonstrating potential benefit in asthma patients. This study focused on tolerability of inhaled IL-4Rα-targeting ASOs. Toxicity studies were performed with mouse- (ISIS 23189) and human-specific (ISIS 369645) sequences administered by inhalation. Four week (monkey) or 13 week (mouse) repeat doses at levels of up to 15?mg/kg/exposure (exp) and 50?mg/kg/exp, respectively, demonstrated dose-dependent effects limited to increases in macrophage size and number in lung and tracheobronchial lymph nodes. The changes were largely non-specific, reflecting adaptive responses that occur during active exposure and deposition of ASO and other material in the lung. Reversibility was observed at a rate consistent with the kinetics of tissue clearance of ASO. Systemic bioavailability was minimal, and no systemic toxicity was observed at exposure levels appreciably above pharmacological doses and doses proposed for clinical trials.     

Melatonin mediates protective effects on inflammatory response induced by interleukin‐1 beta in human mesenchymal stem cells

Joint diseases like osteoarthritis usually are accompanied with inflammatory processes, in which pro‐inflammatory cytokines mediate the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and compromise survival of subchondral osteoblasts. Melatonin is capable of manipulating bone formation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The aim of this work was to investigate the anti‐inflammatory effect of melatonin on MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in the absence or presence of interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), which was used to induce inflammation. Our data showed that melatonin improved cell viability and reduced ROS generation in MSCs in a dose‐dependent manner. When exposed to 10 ng/mL IL‐1β, various concentrations of melatonin resulted in significant reduction of ROS by 34.9% averagely. Luzindole as a melatonin receptor antagonist reversed the anti‐oxidant effect of melatonin in MSCs with co‐exposure to IL‐1β. Real‐time RT‐PCR data suggested that melatonin treatment up‐regulated the expression of CuZnSOD and MnSOD, while down‐regulated the expression of Bax. To investigate the effect of melatonin on osteogenesis, MSCs were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium supplemented with IL‐1β, melatonin, or luzindole. After exposed to IL‐1β for 21 days, 1 μm melatonin treatment significantly increased the levels of type I collagen, ALP, and osteocalcin, and 100 μm melatonin treatment yielded the highest level of osteopontin. Our study demonstrated that melatonin maintained MSC survival and promoted osteogenic differentiation in inflammatory environment induced by IL‐1β, suggesting melatonin treatment could be a promising method for bone regenerative engineering in future studies.     

Pollen shells and soluble factors play non-redundant roles in the development of allergic conjunctivitis in mice

PurposeWe aimed to clarify the role of particulate allergen exposure to the conjunctiva in the development of allergic conjunctivitis.MethodsWe administered ragweed pollen suspension, pollen extract, pollen shell, particulate air pollutants, and their combinations to the mouse conjunctiva five days a week without prior sensitization. Clinical signs were scored. Histological changes, cellular infiltrations, mRNA expressions, lymph node cell recall responses, and serum immunoglobulin levels were assessed. Immune cell-depleting antibodies and ST2 knockout mice were used to investigate the cellular and molecular requirements.ResultsPollen suspension, but not the extract or shell alone, induced robust eosinophilic conjunctivitis, accompanied by a proliferative response of epithelial cells. A combination of pollen extract and shell completely restored eosinophil accumulation. In addition, eosinophilic conjunctivitis was induced by a mixture of particulate air pollutants and pollen extract. Mechanistically, eosinophil accumulation was ameliorated by deficiency of the IL-33 receptor ST2 and abolished by depleting CD4⁺ T cells. Pollen shells, but not the extract, induced IL-33 release from conjunctival epithelial cells in vivo.ConclusionsOur results indicate the non-redundant roles for the allergens’ particulate properties and soluble factors in the development of allergic conjunctivitis.     

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.     

Physical activity as a proxy to ameliorate inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease at high cardiovascular risk

While the beneficial impact of physical activity has been ascertained in a variety of pathological scenarios, including diabetes and low-grade systemic inflammation, its potential remains still putative for periodontal health. Periodontal disease has been associated with inflammatory systemic alterations, which share a common denominator with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Physical exercise, along with nutritional counseling, is a cornerstone in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes, also able to reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease and cardiovascular risk. In addition, considering the higher incidence of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls, the fascinating research question would be whether physical activity could relieve the inflammatory pressure exerted by the combination of these two diseases. This multi-disciplinary viewpoint discusses available literature in order to argument the hypothesis of a “three–way relationship” linking diabetes, periodontitis, and physical activity.