Damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) activation in melanoma: investigation of the immunogenic activity of 15-deoxy, Δ12,14 prostamide J2

Metastatic melanoma is the most deadly skin neoplasm in the United States. Outcomes for this lethal disease have improved dramatically due to the use of both targeted and immunostimulatory drugs. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has emerged as another approach for initiating antitumor immunity. ICD is triggered by tumor cells that display damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These DAMP molecules recruit and activate dendritic cells (DCs) that present tumor-specific antigens to T cells which eliminate neoplastic cells. Interestingly, the expression of DAMP molecules occurs in an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-dependent manner. We have previously shown that ER stress was required for the cytotoxic activity of the endocannabinoid metabolite, 15-deoxy, Δ^12,14 prostamide J₂ (15dPMJ₂). As such, the current study investigates whether 15dPMJ₂ induces DAMP signaling in melanoma. In B16F10 cells, 15dPMJ₂ caused a significant increase in the cell surface expression of calreticulin (CRT), the release of ATP and the secretion of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), three molecules that serve as surrogate markers of ICD. 15dPMJ₂ also stimulated the cell surface expression of the DAMP molecules, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and Hsp90. In addition, the display of CRT and ATP was increased by 15dPMJ₂ to a greater extent in tumorigenic compared to non-tumorigenic melanocytes. Consistent with this finding, the activation of bone marrow-derived DCs was upregulated in co-cultures with 15dPMJ₂-treated tumor compared to non-tumor melanocytes. Moreover, 15dPMJ₂-mediated DAMP exposure and DC activation required the electrophilic cyclopentenone double bond within the structure of 15dPMJ₂ and the ER stress pathway. These results demonstrate that 15dPMJ₂ is a tumor-selective inducer of DAMP signaling in melanoma.     

Instrument-based Tests for Measuring Anterior Chamber Cells in Uveitis: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

New instrument-based techniques for anterior chamber (AC) cell counting can offer automation and objectivity above clinician assessment. This review aims to identify such instruments and its correlation with clinician estimates.     

Therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cell on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in a rat model by modulating Th17/Treg cell balance

Abstract

The autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is a disease wherein lymphocytes mediate the autoimmune damage and destruction of the thyroid gland. There are currently no effective means of treating HT, with the primary strategies of thyroid hormone therapy, surgery, or immunomodulatory therapy being associated with serious risks and side effects. There is thus a clear and urgent need to identify novel treatments for HT. In this study, we utilize female SD rats induced HT to evaluated the ability of transplanted MSCs to regulate Th17/Treg interactions in a rat Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) model system. The results showed that Rats in the HT model group exhibited increased thyroid autoantibody levels consistent with successful model development, whereas these levels were lower in rats treated with MSCs. There were also fewer thyroid lesions and less lymphoid infiltration of the thyroid in MSC-treated rats relative to HT model rats, as well as fewer Th17 cells and more Treg cells – an observation consistent with the cytokine analyses. All of these showed that MSCs can regulate Th17/Treg interactions in a rat Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) model system. It suggested that transplanted MSCs could be a potential immunotherapy strategy for the treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.     

超顺磁性氧化铁标记大鼠骨髓基质细胞经门静脉移植MRI活体示踪的研究

目的观察1．5T场强MRI联合动物专用线圈是否可以活体示踪经门静脉移植的纳米级超顺磁性氧化铁颗粒标记的骨髓基质细胞（bone marrow stromal cells BMSCs），为介人性门静脉骨髓基质细胞移植治疗终末期肝脏疾病的研究提供进一步的依据。方法供体大鼠5只，梯度密度离心分离BMSCs，纳米级超顺磁性氧化铁颗粒和脂质体转染BMSCs，体外经普鲁士蓝染色和HE染色确定细胞标记率。受体大鼠15只，分为5组，分别为对照组和纳米级超顺磁性氧化铁颗粒标记的骨髓基质细胞经门静脉移植人正常大鼠肝脏后2h、3d、7d及2周组。1．5T场强MRI联合动物专用线圈行T1W、T2W和T2＊序列扫描，观察肝脏信号改变情况，与对照组比较，并且与组织切片对照。结果纳米级超顺磁性氧化铁颗粒和脂质体转染BMSCs，细胞标记率〉95％。经门静脉移植人正常大鼠肝脏后，T2＊序列扫描显示经标记的BMSCs在肝内显示弥漫性的结节性低信号影，移植后2h到2周均可见到细胞在受体肝脏内存在，组织学切片显示信号缺失部位与铁颗粒标记细胞相一致。结论纳米级超顺磁性铁氧体颗粒标记的大鼠BMSCs经门静脉移植后可以通过1、5T场强行MRI活体示踪，为临床干细胞移植的应用提供可行的示踪方法。     

人间充质干细胞免疫原性研究

目的探讨人间充质干细胞(hMSCs)特性及免疫原性,为进一步研究hMSCs移植特性提供实验依据。方法免疫组化方法鉴定hMSCs表面HLA-ABC、HLA-DR、CD80、CD86分子;流式细胞术检测其含量;RT-PCR检测HLA-ABC、HLA-DRmRNA基因片断;外周血淋巴细胞杀伤试验及 CCK-8比色法规察淋巴细胞增殖反应;将表达绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的DNA复合物导入hMSCs进行大鼠脑内移植,观察hMSCs在脑内的存活情况。结果 hMSCs表面少量表达HLA-ABC分子,不表达 HLA-DR、CD80、CD86分子;有少量HLA-ABC mRNA基因片断存在,未发现HLA-DR mRNA基因片断;外周血淋巴细胞杀伤试验没有发现淋巴细胞增殖反应;大鼠脑内移植hMSCs一个月后仍可见有细胞存活。结论 hMSCs具有较弱的免疫原性。     

Psoriasis confined strictly to vitiligo areas – a Koebner‐like phenomenon?

Vitiligo and psoriasis are both common skin disorders. However, psoriasis strictly confined to pre-existing vitiligo areas is rare and suggests a causal relationship. We report here on two patients with a strict anatomical colocalization of vitiligo and psoriasis. The histopathological examinations showed typical changes for both diseases together with a dense infiltrate of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. By immunohistochemistry, intracytoplasmatic granzyme B and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected within the T-cell population, suggesting the functional activity of these cells and the creation of a local T helper 1 (Th1)-cytokine milieu. Additionally, in one patient we could identify anti-melanocytic T cells by tetramer staining and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) analysis. These skin-infiltrating lymphocytes might trigger, by the local production of Th-1 cytokines such as TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the eruption of psoriatic plaques in patients with a genetic predisposition for psoriasis.     

不同区域晶状体上皮细胞基因表达差异分析

【目的】比较不同区域猪晶状体上皮细胞的基因表达在转录组水平上的差异。【方法】解剖显微镜下分离晶状体前囊膜，将附着于其上的上皮细胞分为中央（直径为10．56mm）和周边两部分。分别提取两个样本的总RNAs并经PCR扩增，以Cy3和Cy5分别标记扩增的中央与周边部分的cDNA。与含7548个基因的表达谱芯片杂交，经图像分析，生物信息学处理获得基因表达在转录水平差异的相关信息。【结果】中央与周边区域的猪晶状体上皮细胞在转录组水平共鉴定出952个有效表达的基因点，其中差异表达基因261个．以中央区域为参照，周边上皮细胞mRNA上调137个，下调124个。差异表达基因主要涉及的功能有：细胞周期与凋亡、细胞骨架蛋白及细胞外基质、转录、细胞信号分子等。【结论】中央与周边区域猪晶状体上皮细胞基因表达在转录组水平上差异明显。这类差异呈明显的功能聚类。