Role of T-cell receptor V beta 8.3 peptide vaccine in the prevention of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>T-cell receptor (TCR) plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that immunization of animals with TCR peptide derived from the pathogenic cells could prevent autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaccination with a synthetic peptide from the hypervariable region of TCR V(beta) 8.3, an experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)-associated gene, was able to prevent the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EAU was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with IRBP R16 peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The clinical and histological appearances were scored. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation were detected. Cytokine levels of aqueous humour, supernatants of cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene expression of TCR V(beta) 8.3 on CD(4)(+) T cells was examined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After vaccination, the intraocular inflammation was significantly mitigated, antigen specific DTH and lymphocyte proliferation responses were suppressed, interleukin (IL)-2 in aqueous humour, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-2 produced by the spleen and draining lymph node cells were significantly decreased, whereas the production of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased. The response of draining lymph node cells to TCR V(beta) 8.3 peptide was enhanced after vaccination. Inoculation with CFA alone did not affect the severity of EAU and the above parameters. The suppression of EAU was much stronger in the group of four fold inoculations than the group of two fold inoculations. The expression of TCR V(beta) 8.3 gene was significantly reduced in the group of fourfold inoculations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vaccination with the synthetic TCR V(beta) 8.3 peptide could remarkably inhibit the development of EAU.</p>

Human peripheral blood CD56+ natural killer cell subsets and their phenotypic and biological properties / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the phenotypic and biological properties of CD56(+) natural killer cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surface markers and intracellular cytotoxic molecules were stained with multi-color-labeled monoclonal antibodies and analyzed at the single cell level the relation between NK subsets and biological characteristics by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NK cells in PBMCs could be divided into two major populations, CD56(bright) and CD56(dim), based upon the expression of CD56 molecules. Both CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) expressed CD95 (Fas) with CD95(bright) and CD95(dim) subsets. CD56(dim) subsets had higher percentage of CD8, granzyme B and perforin expression compared to those of CD56(bright) subsets. In CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) subpopulations, CD95(bright) and CD8(+) subsets had higher percentage of granzyme B and perforin expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD56(+) NK cells in PBMCs are composed of distinct subpopulations, CD56(dim) and CD56(dim) CD8(+) NK subsets have higher percentage of granzyme B and perforin and may play an important role in the killing of target cells.</p>