In vitro study of dendritic cell derived exosomes transporting hepatitis D antigen induced specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of dendritic cell derived exosomes (Dexs) loading ubiquitinated (Ub) hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) on activating specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).Methods:Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs were co-cultured with dendritic cells (DC) which were from the femora of C57BL/6 mice for 48 h, then flow cytometry was used to detect the maturity of DC (CD86, CD80 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Ⅱ). The spleen-derived T lymphocytes from C57BL/6 mice were added in vitro to activate DC and co-cultivated for 72 h. The T cells were divided into Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs), Blank-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL DC derived exosomes without plasmid transfection), Con-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL DC derived exosomes transfected by cantrol plasmid), PBS group (add 50 μL/mL phosphate buffered saline), and Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group (add 50 μg/mL Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs, DC and T lymphocytes stimulated by exosomes, and 50 μmol/L AG490 was also added to the cell mix). Flow cytometry was used to detect CD8 + T cells secreting interferon-gamma, non-radioactive lactate dehydrogenase release test to detect the killing activity of specific CTL. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK kinase (JAK) 2, GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), T-bet, signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT4. Independent sample t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The positive rates of the surface molecules CD80, CD86, MHCⅡof DC stimulated by Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs were 83.850%±0.219%、68.910%±0.134%、84.320%±0.445%, respectively.In the Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group, the rate of CD8 + T cells secreting interferon-gamma was 6.420%±0.028%, which was higher than those of other groups, including PBS group, Blank-Dexs group, Con-Dexs group and Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group ( t=90.78, 30.32, 63.06 and 85.42, respectively, all P<0.001). The cytotoxicity of T cells in the Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group was 82.4%±3.9%, which was higher than those of other groups ( t=17.28, 9.74, 3.95 and 15.89, respectively, all P<0.050). The relative mRNA expressions of JAK2, T-bet, STAT1, STAT4 in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group were higher than those in other groups, including Con-Dexs group ( t=10.74, 32.34, 13.00 and 16.28, respectively, all P<0.001), Blank-Dexs group ( t=15.05, 21.51, 6.46 and 13.12, respectively, all P<0.050), PBS group ( t=21.83, 41.42, 7.30 and 17.50, respectively, all P<0.050), Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group ( t=35.75, 20.69, 17.02 and 17.07, respectively, all P<0.001), and the differences were all statistically significant. The protein expressions of T-bet, STAT1, STAT4 in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group increased compared with those in PBS group ( t=346.70, 57.54 and 55.81, respectively, all P<0.001), with statistical significance. In the presence of AG490, the protein expressions of T-bet, STAT1 and STAT4 decreased compared with those in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=355.40, 52.79 and 126.10, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions:Ubiquitinated HDAg transported by exosomes could effectively promote DC maturation, induce T lymphocyte differentiation, and generate specific CTL responses, which provides a new idea for the treatment of hepatitis D.

Progress in complement receptor and co-inhibitory molecule VSIG4 / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

V set and Ig domain containing 4 (VSIG4), a co-inhibitory molecule expressed by macrophages, is a B7 family-related protein. It can serve as the second signal of T cell activation and regulate the function of T cells. It has been found that VSIG4 is essential in maintaining immune tolerance. Moreover, VSIG4 can also act as a complement receptor, playing a role in recognizing pathogens, regulating the complement alternative pathway and inhibiting inflammatory response. This review summarized the expression of VSIG4 and its role in the immune system.

Cien años de vacuna BCG / One hundred years of BCG vaccine

Resumen La vacuna BCG fue administrada por primera vez en 1921, en París, a un recién nacido de madre tuberculosa. Entre 1924 y 1960, el Instituto Pasteur entregó cultivos de BCG a más de 50 labora torios de todo el mundo. En 1925, el Dr. Andrés Arena lo introdujo en Argentina, donde se comenzó a producir y aplicar la vacuna a recién nacidos por vía oral. La cepa original sufrió múltiples cambios genéticos que no parecen haber afectado su eficacia protectora, establecida aun sin que se conociera el mecanismo de acción. En Argentina, un estudio (1978-1985) demostró que la BCG previene la TB primaria en general, y en un 100% la meningitis y otras localizaciones extrapulmonares. Su efecto es independiente de las medidas de control de la TB (detección de casos y tratamiento). Además, BCG provee protección inespecífica contra diversas enfermedades infecciosas y se la usa en el tratamiento del cáncer de vejiga. En 2020 ya se habían establecido por lo menos cinco tecnologías para el desarrollo de vacunas anti-TB: vacunas celulares, de subunidades proteicas, de ácidos nucleicos, con vector adenovirus, y con virus influenza recombinante como vector. Actualmente hay más de 20 vacunas candidatas anti-TB en evaluación. La historia enseña, y la pandemia de COVID-19 ha confirmado que la vacunación es un instrumento fundamental para el control de las enfermedades infecciosas. Y hasta que haya disponible otra más eficaz, BCG seguirá figurando en el Calendario de Vacunación Nacional, para ser aplicada al recién nacido.

Abstract The BCG vaccine was given for the first time in 1921, in Paris, to a newborn of a mother with tuberculosis. Between 1924 and 1960, the Pasteur Institute delivered BCG cultures to more than 50 laboratories around the world. In 1925, Dr Andrés Arena introduced the BCG seed to Argentina, where the vaccine began to be produced and applied orally to newborns. The original strain underwent diverse genetic changes in different parts of the world, which did not seem to affect its protective efficacy. In Argentina, a study (1978-1985) showed that BCG prevents primary TB in general, and has 100% ef ficacy in meningitis and other extra-pulmonary TB locations. BCG effect is independent of TB control measures (case detection and treatment). Furthermore, BCG provides nonspecific protection from various infections and is used in the treatment of bladder cancer. By 2020, at least five technologies had already been established for the future development of anti-TB vaccines: cellular vaccines, protein subunits, nucleic acids, with adenovirus vector, and with recombinant influenza virus as a vector. There are currently more than 20 TB vaccine candidates under evaluation. History teaches, and the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed, that vaccination is a fundamental instrument for the control of infectious diseases. Until a more effective vaccine becomes available, BCG will continue to be included in the Argentine National Vaccination Calendar for application to newborns.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in dermatology

Abstract Plasmacytoid dendritic cells are part of the dendritic cells family and are a relevant link between innate and adaptive immunity. They are the most potent producers of type 1 interferon, generating antiviral response, stimulating macrophages and dendritic cells and inducing activation and migration of natural killer cells. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells also exert a role as antigen-presenting cells, promote T-lymphocyte responses, immunoregulation, plasma cells differentiation and antibody secretion. Even though plasmacytoid dendritic cells are not usually present in normal skin, their presence is detected in healing processes, viral infections, and inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. In recent years, the presence of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in several dermatological diseases has been described, enhancing their potential role in the pathogenesis of such conditions. Future studies on the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in dermatology may lead to new therapeutic targets.

Research Progress of CD4 / 中国医学科学院学报

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and aging,which can lead to cognitive and motor dysfunctions.Recent studies suggest that the development of neurodegenerative diseases is related to adaptive immunity,in which CD4

Advances in dendritic cell-based vaccine delivery / 药学学报

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most powerful and professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) known at present. They play vital roles in the initiation and regulation of immune responses in body. Therefore, DC-based vaccine delivery system has gradually become a hotspot of basic scientific research and clinical treatment. DCs can be loaded with whole-cell antigens, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins (such as neoantigens) and nanoparticles to induce specific cellular immune responses and humoral immune responses after antigen processing, presentation and targeting delivery in vivo for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including cancers and microorganism infections. Vaccine-based on this technique is called dendritic cell (DC) vaccines. Great process in DC vaccines has been achieved in recent years. Therefore, we reviewed the characteristics of DC, types of DC vaccines and their clinical research progress in this paper.

Strategies and advances in targeting adaptive immunity to cure chronic hepatitis B / 临床肝胆病杂志

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major global public health issue, and although direct-acting antiviral agents can control hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, it is difficult to achieve the cure of CHB. Host adaptive immune response plays a key role in eliminating HBV, and it is expected to achieve the functional cure of CHB by rebuilding the patient’s adaptive immunity. Great progress has been made in therapeutic vaccines, cellular immunotherapy, immune checkpoint blockade, T cell metabolic reprogramming, and strategies of neutralizing antibody targeting adaptive immunity for the treatment of hepatitis B. This article summarizes the above-mentioned therapies for hepatitis B in recent years.

Research progress on the correlation between interleukin-18 and chronic periodontitis / 口腔疾病防治

@#Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease caused by plaque as the initiating factor. Clinically, it manifests as irreversible loss of hard tissue, leading to the destruction of surrounding periodontal tissue, including the deep periodontal pocket, loss of attachment, and finally, tooth loss. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) can promote inflammation and regulate immune function and plays an important role in mediating the host immune response and inflammatory response. An increase in IL-18 in vivo can induce the production of interferon and inflammatory factors, such as interleukin, tumor necrosis factor and matrix metalloproteinase, thus mediating the dual reaction of immunity and inflammation. These inflammatory factors are involved in the occurrence and development of chronic periodontitis. Many clinical studies have shown that the levels of IL-18 in serum, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid and gingival tissue samples of patients with chronic periodontitis may be positively correlated with the severity of periodontitis; however, as a candidate gene, IL-18 is involved in the susceptibility polymorphism of periodontitis. Understanding how to quantify the level of IL-18 in clinical studies and apply it to diagnostic tools and new sites identified by new methods (genome-wide association studies and omics research) will also deepen our understanding of the pathogenesis of IL-18 in chronic periodontitis and provide new ideas for future precision medicine and the formulation of personalized programs. In this paper, the structure, biological function and association between IL-18 and periodontitis are reviewed.

Evidence-Based Immunotherapeutic Effects of Herbal Compounds on Humoral Immunity: Ancient and New Approaches / 中国结合医学杂志

The human immune system represents a dynamic multiscale system with high complexity in biology. Humoral immunity, as the main branch of adaptive immunity, is characterized by differentiated stages of the B lymphocytes, producing the final product of antibodies that has a diversity of the tuning mechanisms within genetic and epigenetic levels in confrontation with environmental exposures. Disorders because of disturbed humoral immunity are linked with dysregulation of feedback-regulated signaling and the dynamic of immune components that determine the overall response. Food products, mainly herbal components have a significant role in tailoring the immune system micro-ecosystem which can diversify the adaptive nature of humoral immunity. Herein, we review the current evidence-based approaches for the impact of medicinal herbs on humoral immunity signaling and antibody production with a focus on immunotherapeutic applications.

Comparative evaluation of memory T cells in COVID-19 patients and the predictive role of CD4+CD8+ double positive T lymphocytes as a new marker

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world, posing a serious threat to human health. T cells play a critical role in the cellular immune response against viral infections. We aimed to reveal the relationship between T cell subsets and disease severity. METHODS: 40 COVID-19 patients were randomly recruited in this cross-sectional study. All cases were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Patients were divided into two equivalent groups, one severe and one nonsevere. Clinical, laboratory and flow cytometric data were obtained from both clinical groups and compared. RESULTS: Lymphocyte subsets, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, memory CD4+ T cells, memory CD8+ T cells, naive CD4+ T cells, effector memory CD4+ T cells, central memory CD4+ T cells, and CD3+CD4+ CD25+ T cells were significantly lower in severe patients. The naive T cell/CD4 + EM T cell ratio, which is an indicator of the differentiation from naive T cells to memory cells, was relatively reduced in severe disease. Peripheral CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells were notably lower in severe presentations of the disease (median DP T cells 11.12 µL vs 1.95 µL; p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As disease severity increases in COVID-19 infection, the number of T cell subsets decreases significantly. Suppression of differentiation from naive T cells to effector memory T cells is the result of severe impairment in adaptive immune functions. Peripheral CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells were significantly reduced in severe disease presentations and may be a useful marker to predict disease severity.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: A pandemia de COVID-19 tem afetado o mundo todo, constituindo uma ameaça grave para a saúde humana. As células T desempenham um papel crítico na imunidade celular contra infecções virais. Procuramos desvendar a relação entre sub grupos de células T e a severidade da doença. MÉTODOS: Um total de 40 pacientes com COVID-19 foram aleatoriamente recrutados para o presente estudo transversal. Todos os casos foram confirmados por RT-PCR quantitativo. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos equivalentes, um grave e um não-grave. Os dados da avaliação clínica, laboratorial e da citometria de fluxo foram obtidos para ambos os grupos e comparados. RESULTADOS: Os subconjuntos de linfócitos, células T CD4+ e CD8+, células T de memória CD4+, células T de memória CD8+, células T CD4+ virgens, células T efetoras CD4+, células T de memória central CD4+ e células T CD3+ CD4+ CD25+ estavam significativamente mais baixas nos pacientes graves. A razão células T virgens/células T efetoras TCD4+, que é um indicador da diferenciação entre células T virgens e células de memória, estava relativamente reduzida em casos graves da doença. As células T duplo-positivas CD4+CD8+ periféricas estavam notavelmente mais baixas em casos graves da doença (mediana das células T DP: 11,12 µL vs. 1,95 µL; p< 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Conforme aumenta a gravidade da doença nos casos de COVID-19, o número de subconjuntos de células T diminui significativamente. A supressão da diferenciação de células T virgens para células T efetoras é o resultado do comprometimento grave das funções imunológicas adaptativas. As células T duplo-positivas CD4+CD8+ periféricas estavam notavelmente mais baixas em casos graves da doença e podem ser um marcador útil para predizer a severidade da doença.

Las hormonas femeninas en fisiología renal: Sensibilidad a la sal y regulación de la proliferación epitelial / Female hormones in renal physiology. Salt sensitivity and regulation of epithelial proliferation

Un tercio de la población mundial tiene niveles anormalmente altos de presión arterial, hipertensión, responsable de casi el 50% de las muertes por accidente cerebrovascular y enfermedad coronaria. La sensibilidad a la sal es un factor de riesgo para la morbilidad y mortalidad cardiovascular y también para otras enfermedades. En estudios previos describimos un modelo de hipertensión sal sensible (HSS) en ratas Wistar ovariectomizadas (oVx) adultas. Las ratas oVx son normotensas con ingesta normal de sal (NS, 0.24% de NaCl), pero desarrollan un perfil de HSS con una ingesta elevada de sal (HS, 1% de NaCl). En los estudios en riñón encontramos que el circuito receptor D1 de dopamina, citocromo P450 4A y Na+, K+-ATPasa está alterado por la ausencia de hormonas ováricas, lo que se asocia a menor excreción de sodio e hipertensión arterial. La ingesta HS en ratas oVx también promueve cambios en la expresión de proteínas relacionadas con el transporte de sodio en células mononucleares de sangre periférica, principalmente linfocitos periféricos. Por lo tanto, el transporte de sodio se modifica en varios niveles de la fisiología normal. En estudios recientes observamos que el estradiol aumenta la proliferación y diferenciación de células epiteliales en cultivos de corteza renal humana. Sensibilidad a la sal, inmunidad adaptativa, presión arterial y proliferación de células epiteliales en riñón son fenómenos de gran importancia biológica regulados por estradiol.

Female sex hormones participate in the regulation of blood pressure and renal epithelial proliferation, effects not related to their reproductive function. About one-third of the world's population has abnormally high levels of blood pressure, hypertension, which is responsible for almost 50% of deaths from stroke and coronary heart disease. Salt sensitivity is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and other diseases as well. We reported a model of salt sensitive hypertension in adult ovariectomized (oVx) Wistar rats. oVx rats are normotensive under normal salt intake (NS, 0.24% NaCl), but upon a high salt intake (HS, 1% NaCl) oVx rats developed a blood pressure profile of salt-sensitive hypertension. Our studies on kidney molecules related to sodium balance found that the circuit dopamine D1-like receptor, cytochrome P450 4A and Na+, K+-ATPase is altered by the absence of ovary hormones which is accompanied by a reduced ability to excrete sodium. In oVx rats HS intake also promotes changes in the expression of proteins related to sodium transport in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mainly peripheral lymphocytes. Therefore, sodium transport is modified at several levels of normal physiology. Lately, we described that estradiol increases the rate of renal epithelial cell proliferation in primary cultures developed from human renal cortex. Thus, salt sensitivity, adaptive immunity, blood pressure and renal cell proliferation are complex biological responses regulated by female sex hormones.

Inmunología de la leptospirosis / Immunology of leptospirosis

Resumen Leptospirosis es una enfermedad re-emergente de distribución mundial ocasionada por espiroquetas patogénicas del género Leptospira que afectan humanos, animales domésticos o silvestres. Las manifestaciones clínicas de la enfermedad son diversas y son el resultado de la interacción de la respuesta inmune del hospedador y las condiciones de virulencia propias de las especies patógenas. Aunque se desconocen muchos aspectos de la inmunidad en la infección por Leptospira spp, es reconocido que los hospe deros susceptibles presentan diferencias en su respuesta inmune, como la activación/evasión del sistema del complemento, la activación de sub poblaciones celulares, la producción de citoquina y el desarrollo de anti cuerpos. El estudio del perfil inmunológico en pacientes con leptospirosis ha sido documentado y contribuye en la identificación de biomarcadores asociados con severidad. Esta revisión presenta algunos de los eventos relacionados con la respuesta inmune desde el ingreso de la bacteria en la fase inicial de la infección hasta su multiplicación y generación de enfer medad en el humano.

Abstract Leptospirosis is a re-emergent disease of worldwide distribution caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the Leptospira genus that affect humans, do mestic and wild animals. The clinical manifestations of the disease are diverse and are the result of the interaction of the immune response of the host and the virulence conditions of the pathogenic species. Although many aspects of immunity in infection with Leptospira spp are unknown, it is recognized that susceptible hosts show differences in their immune res ponse, such as activation / evasion of the complement system, activation of cellular subpopulations, production of cytokines, development of anti bodies. Study of the immunological profile in patients with leptospirosis has been documented and contributes in the identification of bio-markers associated with severity. This review presents updated events related to the immune response from the entry of the bacteria in the initial phase of the infection to its multiplication and generation of human disease.

Advances in liver immunology in 2018 / 中华肝脏病杂志

The mechanism of innate and adaptive immune responses to chronic infections with hepatotropic viruses (HBV, HCV) was studied in 2018. Its mechanism elucidated the dysregulation of natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, B cells and T cells. In addition, a new target for immune regulation of HBV infection (TLR3/OX40L) was introduced. The discovery of new NK cell immune checkpoints, the involvement of mononuclear macrophages in liver failure and inflammation, sex hormone affecting intrahepatic-resistant bacterial infection through the regulation of humoral immunity, and the communication mechanism between liver and other immune organs have enriched people's understanding of liver immunology and its clinical significance.

Advances in the research of effects and regulatory mechanism of regulatory T cells in tissue injury and repair / 中华烧伤杂志

The repair strategy after organs injuries has always been a hot topic in the field of regenerative medicine. Traditional injury repair measures mainly promote tissue repair through mesenchymal stem cells and various growth factors, but these strategies have been constrained in the aspects of security and economy. Hence, there is an urgent need to find new ways to promote tissue repair and regeneration. There have been a lot of evidences showing that the immune system plays an important role in tissue regeneration and repair. In recent years, more and more studies have been done on adaptive immunity in tissue repair, especially the regulatory T cells. Some evidences indicate that regulatory T cells participate in damage tissue repair and regeneration of multiple organs and tissue. This review briefly introduces the new advances in the repair effects and regulatory mechanism of regulatory T cells in different organ injuries, in order to provide new ideas for designing advanced repair materials with good immunoregulatory functions.

The Interplay between Host Immunity and Respiratory Viral Infection in Asthma Exacerbation

Asthma is one of the most common and chronic diseases characterized by multidimensional immune responses along with poor prognosis and severity. The heterogeneous nature of asthma may be attributed to a complex interplay between risk factors (either intrinsic or extrinsic) and specific pathogens such as respiratory viruses, and even bacteria. The intrinsic risk factors are highly correlated with asthma exacerbation in host, which may be mediated via genetic polymorphisms, enhanced airway epithelial lysis, apoptosis, and exaggerated viral replication in infected cells, resulting in reduced innate immune response and concomitant reduction of interferon (types I, II, and III) synthesis. The canonical features of allergic asthma include strong Th2-related inflammation, sensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eosinophilia, enhanced levels of Th2 cytokines, goblet cell hyperplasia, airway hyper-responsiveness, and airway remodeling. However, the NSAID-resistant non-Th2 asthma shows a characteristic neutrophilic influx, Th1/Th17 or even mixed (Th17-Th2) immune response and concurrent cytokine streams. Moreover, inhaled corticosteroid-resistant asthma may be associated with multifactorial innate and adaptive responses. In this review, we will discuss the findings of various in vivo and ex vivo models to establish the critical heterogenic asthmatic etiologies, host-pathogen relationships, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, and subsequent mechanisms underlying asthma exacerbation triggered by respiratory viral infections.

Immune response mechanism of human adenovirus infection / 中华临床感染病杂志

Human adenovirus ( HAdV ) is the most widely used vector of gene drugs . Its applications range from oncolytic therapy to vaccination , besides , HAdV is one of the most important pathogen causing acute respiratory infections in infants and young children .How the human innate immune system protects against HAdV has always been the focus of its application as a vaccine carrier .In patients with immunodeficient and hematopoietic stem cell transplant , specific T cell immunotherapy is also one of the hotspots in recent years .Although some HAdV vector vaccines have entered clinical trials , the immune mechanism remains controversial .This article describes how the human innate immune system and the adaptive immune system defend against HAdV and the escape mechanism of HAdV for human immune responses ,in order to indicate directions for vaccine research and deepen clinicians 'understanding of HAdV severe infections .

Immunotherapy may improve functional cure of chronic hepatitis B / 中华临床感染病杂志

Currently, clinical antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can efficiently control HBV replication.However, it remains difficult to achieve HBsAg clearance and sustains off-therapy, that is the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B ( CHB) in most of patients.Host immune responses play critical roles in HBV clearance and HBV infection control by activating innate and adaptive immune responses, resulting in improving the functional cure rate of patients with CHB.This article reviews the recent advances in immunology studies related to functional cure of CHB.

Immunomodulatory mechanism of long non-coding RNA and its research progress in bronchial asthma / 国际儿科学杂志

Long non-coding RNA plays an important regulatory role in life activities of organisms and is widely involved in the pathological and physiological processes of organisms.Abnormal expression of long noncoding RNA also frequently occurrs in some inflammatory diseases.In these diseases,there may be excessive inflammatory damage,or an imbalance in the immune response.Bronchial asthma is a typical airway inflammatory disease,and the imbalance of immune response plays an essential role in its development.Long non-coding RNA may be involved in the regulation of the pathogenesis of asthma through the dual mechanism of innate and adaptive immunity.This review summarizes the immune-inflammatory regulation mechanism of long non-coding RNA and its preliminary research progresses in asthma.

Immunological mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection: An update / 中华男科学杂志

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), as a pathogen of gonorrhea, is strictly limited to growth on the human host. In case of gonococcal infection, the body may recruit such inflammatory cells as neutrophils to resist the invasion of NG or initiate its adaptive immune response by antigen presentation to eliminate the pathogen. However, a series of immune escape mechanisms of NG make it difficult to clear up the infection. In the innate immune system, NG can not only secrete thermonuclease to degrade neutrophile granulocytes, inhibit respiratory burst to resist killing by neutrophils, activate NLRP3 to prompt the pyronecrosis of inflammatory cells, but also regulate the differentiation of macrophages to reduce the inflammatory response, combine with factor H to evade complement-mediated killing. NG infection can hardly give rise to effective adaptive immune response and immune memory, but can promote TGF-β production to inhibit Th1/Th2-mediated adaptive immune response, bind to CEACAM1 on the B cell surface to promote apoptosis in B cells, and combine with CEACAM1 on the T cell surface to inhibit helper T cell proliferation, which makes it difficult for B cells to produce high-affinity specific antibodies. With the increasing drug-resistance of NG, immunological studies may play a significant role in the development of novel therapies and effective vaccines against the infection.

Interferon-α modulates HBV specific T-cell response to inhibit viral gene expression in chronic HBV infection mouse model / 中国感染与化疗杂志

Objective To explore the antiviral effect and mechanism of interferon-α (IFN-α) in chronic HBV infection mouse model by hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Methods Chronic HBV infection mouse model was constructed with C57BL/6j mice by hydrodynamic tail vein injection of pAAV-HBV1.2 plasmid. Serum IFN-α was determined by ELISA after injection of IFNα- expressing plasmid (i.e., plasmid pKCMvint.IFN-α-2a) or control plasmid pKCMvint. HBsAg and HBeAg levels were assayed on Abbot ARCHITECT i2000SR. Total lymphocytes in liver or spleen were counted and the frequency and function of CD8+T cells and HBV-specific CD8+T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Serum IFN-α expression level was significantly higher in the animals injected with pKCMvint.IFN-α-2a plasmid than in control group (P＜0.01). Serum HBsAg decreased quickly 12 days after injection and significantly lower than control group. Serum HBeAg was undetectable after IFN-α expression. Interestingly, the frequency of CD8+T cells in the liver of animals injected with pKCMvint.IFN-α-2a plasmid was significant higher than control group (P＜0.05), while total liver lymphocytes and HBV-specific CD8+T cells had a similar trend. Consistently, the HBV-specific CD8+T cells in IFN-α-expressing animals showed higher level of producing IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2 than control group. IFN-γ production was significantly different between IFN-α- expressing group and control group (P＜0.05). Conclusions IFN-α can increase the frequency and function of liver CD8+T cells to inhibit HBV gene expression in chronic HBV infection mouse model.