ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the phagocytosis of Treponema pallidum (Tp) by macrophages and the polarization direction of macrophages after Tp stimulation. Methods:Human THP-1 monocyte-derived M0 macrophages were stimulated with the Tp Nichols strain, and the phagocytosis of Tp by macrophages and changes in the intracellular structure of macrophages were observed by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence staining. After 12-hour stimulation by Tp, Tp was removed, the M0 macrophages continued to be cultured for 24, 48, 72 hours and 6 days. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were performed to determine the expression of the M1 macrophage marker CD86 and M2 macrophage marker CD163, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect levels of M1-type cytokines interleukin (IL) -12 p70, interferon (IFN) -γ, chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) , IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α and IL-1β, as well as the M2-type cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF) -β1 in the culture supernatant of macrophages. Dunnett- t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:As transmission electron microscopy showed, after the stimulation by Tp, the macrophages extended pseudopodia and engulfed Tp, leading to swelling and obviously irregular hyperplasia of endoplasmic reticulum as well as enlargement of mitochondria. Moreover, after additional culture for 24, 48, 72 hours and 6 days, CD86 was highly expressed, but CD163 was lowly expressed in the Tp-treated macrophages; at 24 hours, the supernatant levels of IL-12 p70, IFN-γ, CXCL10, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly higher in the Tp-treated group than in the control group (all P<0.001) , but there was no significant difference in the TGF-β1 supernatant level between the 2 groups ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:After engulfment of Tp, the structures of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria in THP-1-derived macrophages markedly changed. Tp could induce the polarization of M0 macrophages into M1 macrophages, and phenotypic switch from M1 to M2 macrophage polarization was not observed within 6 days after Tp stimulation.
ABSTRACT
Objective Many studies have suggested that cardiovascular risk factors seem to be more common in psoriasis patients than in general population.In this study we aimed to investigate the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk in psoriasis patients by Framingham cardiovascular risk assessment in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and normal people using Framingham score.Methods We conducted a prospective study including 90 outpatients with psoriasis vulgaris and 137 controls without psoriasis from October 2015 to October 2016 in our hospital.All psoriasis patients were diagnosed clinically and histopathologically.The severity of psoriasis was assessed according to the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score.Along with a thorough medical history and physical examination, serum lipid profile, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose tests were carried out.The 10-year Framingham risk score (FRS) for general cardiovascular disease included indexes concerning age, gender, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and smoking history.Results We found the 10-year FRS was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis vulgaris than in controls (P0.05).No significance was found in the 10-year FRS of patients with mild and severe psoriasis (P>0.05).FRS was significantly higher in male patients and in patients above 50 years old (P<0.05).Conclusion Psoriasis patients, especially the older male patients, tend to have high risks of cardiovascular disease.Therefore, risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases should be conducted in psoriasis patients, and complications should be actively prevented and treated.