ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the variation of peripheral blood Th17 cells and Foxp3+CD4+CD25+regulatory T (Treg)cells in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS),and to interpret the role of the ratio imbalance of peripheral blood Th17/Treg cells in the pathogenesis of AS.Methods The percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells and Foxp3 +CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in AS patients and healthy subjects were determined by flow cytometry (FCM).The concentrations of IL-2,IL-10,TGF-β,IL-6,IL-17 and IL-23 in the serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between these cytokines and traditional parameters was analyzed.T test,ANOVA,SNK-q and Speannan's analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results Compared with healthy controls,the percentage of Th17 cells in AS patients increased significantly (P＜0.05); Compared with the inactive AS patients,the percentage of Th17 cells in active AS patients increased significantly [(2.10±0.82)％,(2.89±1.77)％,P＜0.05)]; the percentage of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in active AS patients was markedly lower than healthy controls (P＜0.05).Compared with healthy controls and inactive AS patients,the specific value of Th17/Treg in active AS patients increased significantly(P＜0.05).The concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 was found significantly higher in patients with AS than that in healthy controls (t=2.203,P=0.032 and t=2.088,P=0.041).The concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 was found significantly higher in patients with active AS than that in inactive AS (t=2.808,P=0.008 and t=2.242,P=0.020).The correlation analysis revealed that these cytokines and traditional parameters was not relevant except IL-17/BASDAI (r=0.32,P=0.044).Conclusion The increased ratio of Th17 cells and decreased ratio of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ Treg cells may play a critical role in AS progression.Manipulating the balance of Th17/Treg would provide a new approach for the treatment of AS.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the PCR-based evaluation of prednisolone-induced relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection and the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin.Methods A total of 36 of female ICR mice,about 20 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups:contrast group (C),prednisolone group (P),infection group(I),infection plus prednisolone group (IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA).The infection group (I),infection plus prednisolone group(IP),infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were challenged at week 0 with 10 cysts of Toxoplasma gondii Prugniaud strain per injection intraperitoneally.The prcdnisolone group (P),infection plus prednisolone group (IP) infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA)were injectied with prednisolone 1 mg into hind medial subcutaneous every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The infection plus azithromycin group(IA),infection plus prednisolone and azithromycin group (IPA) were injectied with azithromycin 250 mg/kg intraperitoneally every day from the 6th week to 7th week.The serum samples were collected and DNAs extracted at week 0,1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 for amplification of Toxoplasma gondii of specific B1 gene by PCR.All the mice were sacrificed 7 weeks after the challenge to calculate the number of cysts in brain tissues.Results Compared with the primer of AF146527 gene,the primer of B1 gene was more sensitive and specific.The method of PCR could amplify the productions of specific B1 gene Toxoplasma gondii 5 weeks before the challenge,while it could not amplified 5 weeks after the challenge.All the mice of the IP group were dead 2 weeks after the injection of prednisolone (week 7),and the only two mice of the IPA group were dead at the same time (P <0.05),respectively.Compared with the I group,IA group and IPZ group,the number of cysts in brain tissues of the IP group significantly increased (P <0.01).Conclusions B1 as target gene is more suitable for diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection by PCR.Prednisolone could induce the relapse of asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii infection of mice and the mice are finally dead.Azithromycin is effective but it can not completely cure the Toxoplasma gondii infection.