基于生物标志物探索系统性红斑狼疮中医药治疗机制的研究进展

系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）是一种多器官受累的自身免疫性疾病,目前基于糖皮质激素和免疫抑制剂的治疗,仍然存在很多局限性和个体差异。近年来,越来越多的研究表明,联合中医药治疗SLE具有疗效好,不良反应低和安全性高等优点。但是,中医药治疗SLE的确切调节机制和作用环节尚不明确,本文从代谢组学、免疫细胞、淋巴细胞因子和细胞凋亡等,对中医药治疗SLE机制的研究进行综述,为利用现代化方法探索祖国传统医学治疗SLE的机制研究提供思路。     

肿瘤坏死因子-α拮抗剂对类风湿关节炎和强直性脊柱炎患者血清白细胞介素-17和外周血 Th17细胞比例的影响

目的初步探讨外周血 Th17细胞亚群的比例以及 IL-17的表达水平在 RA 和 AS 患者接受 TNF-α拮抗剂治疗前后的改变及其意义。方法选择 RA 患者27例和 AS 患者22例,2种疾病中各有14例患者接受 TNF-α拮抗剂治疗40周。对照组24名来源于健康献血者。采用流式细胞术检测外周血 CD4+T 细胞中 Th17细胞亚群的比例,ELISA 检测外周血 IL-17表达水平。符合正态分布数据采用2个独立样本 t 检验,不符合正态分布则采用 Wilcoxon 秩和检验,患者治疗前后的比较采用配对 t 检验。结果治疗前,RA 和 AS 患者外周血 CD4+ T 细胞中 Th17细胞亚群的比例显著高于健康对照组[RA 1.03%（0.66%,1.78%）与健康对照0.50%（0.43%,0.67%）,Z=-3.236,P<0.01;AS（1.16±0.09）%与健康对照（0.59±0.06）%,t=5.226,P<0.01]。同样,IL-17的表达水平在2组疾病中也显著升高[RA（32.3±2.5） pg/ml,健康对照（14.3±2.5） pg/ml,t=5.070,P<0.01;AS 28.98（23.84,36.14） pg/ml,健康对照11.84（5.33,22.12） pg/ml,Z=-4.103,P<0.01]。 TNF-α拮抗剂治疗后,2组疾病 CD4+T 细胞中 Th17细胞亚群比例无明显变化[RA 驻（0.1045±0.2126）%;AS 驻（0.0025±0.1838）%],但 IL-17表达水平则明显下降[RA 驻（-13.5±5.0） pg/ml;AS 驻（-16.0±1.9） pg/ml]。结论 Th17细胞及其分泌的细胞因子 IL-17在 RA 和 AS 的发病机制中起重要作用,TNF-α拮抗剂对 AS 和 RA 患者 Th17细胞亚群炎症细胞因子的分泌功能有明显的抑制作用,但40周的治疗仍不能降低 Th17细胞比例,这可能是 TNF-α拮抗剂短期治疗后疾病复发的原因之一。     

The purine salvage enzyme hypoxanthine guanine xanthine phosphoribosyl transferase is a major target antigen for cell-mediated immunity to malaria

Although there is good evidence that immunity to the blood stages of malaria parasites can be mediated by different effector components of the adaptive immune system, target antigens for a principal component, effector CD4(+) T cells, have never been defined. We generated CD4(+) T cell lines to fractions of native antigens from the blood stages of the rodent parasite, Plasmodium yoelii, and identified fraction-specific T cells that had a Th1 phenotype (producing IL-2, IFN-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, but not IL-4, after antigenic stimulation). These T cells could inhibit parasite growth in recipient severe combined immunodeficient mice. N-terminal sequencing of the fraction showed identity with hypoxanthine guanine xanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGXPRT). Recombinant HGXPRT from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, activated the T cells in vitro, and immunization of normal mice with recombinant HGXPRT reduced parasite growth rates in all mice after challenge.     

Nature and specificity of the required protective immune response that develops postchallenge in mice vaccinated with the 19-kilodalton fragment of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1

Immunity induced by the 19-kDa fragment of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1(19)) is dependent on high titers of specific antibodies present at the time of challenge and a continuing active immune response postinfection. However, the specificity of the active immune response postinfection has not been defined. In particular, it is not known whether anti-MSP1(19) antibodies that arise following infection alone are sufficient for protection. We developed systems to investigate whether an MSP1(19)-specific antibody response alone both prechallenge and postchallenge is sufficient for protection. We were able to exclude antibodies with other specificities, as well as any contribution of MSP1(19)-specific CD4(+) T cells acting independent of antibody, and we concluded that an immune response focused solely on MSP1(19)-specific antibodies is sufficient for protection. The data imply that the ability of natural infection to boost an MSP1(19)-specific antibody response should greatly improve vaccine efficacy.     

Current controversies in spondyloarthritis: SPARTAN

The Spondyloarthritis Research and Therapy Network (SPARTAN), founded in 2003 to promote research, education, and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related forms of spondyloarthritis (SpA), held its 7th Annual Research and Education Meeting in July 2009 in Houston, Texas. Current controversies in SpA discussed during the meeting included an update on the epidemiology of AS, axial SpA, and inflammatory back pain; the adequacy of the mSASS to assess radiographic involvement; the helpfulness of magnetic resonance imaging in assessing disease progression; the reliability of metrology in assessing damage; and whether biologic agents alter the course of AS. Presentations also were made on psoriasis in the SCID mouse model; the challenges and opportunities of SpA in China; a discussion of the special needs in managing SpA in Ibero-America, and the SPARK Survey in Europe and North America.     

ERAP1结构与功能研究进展

内质网氨基肽酶1（endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase1,ERAPl）是氨基肽酶M1家族中的一个多功能的酶,在血压调节、血管发生、细胞因子受体的胞外区脱落,以及对递呈至I型主要组织相容性抗原复合物（major histocompatibility complexclassI,MHCI）的抗原肽的加工中发挥作用。ERAP1等位基因变异体与多种人类疾病相关,包括自身免疫性强直性脊柱炎（ankylosing spondylitis,As）、糖尿病、子宫颈癌以及高血压等。