Research progress on the roles and mechanisms of γδT cells in periodontitis / 口腔疾病防治

@#Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that occurs in periodontal support tissues. Plaque microorganisms are its initiating factor, while local inflammation and alveolar bone loss resulting from periodontitis are the most common causes of tooth loss. Interleukin-17 (IL-17), which plays an important role in the immune response to periodontitis, mostly originates from T helper cell 17 (Th17) and γδT cells. In periodontitis, the role of Th17 cells has been demonstrated broadly, but the role of γδT cells was not revealed until recent years. As a highly heterogeneous group of T lymphocytes, γδT cells are considered a link between innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Studies have found that γδT cells are mostly distributed in the oral epithelium near the biofilm, where they can interact with microorganisms to produce IL-17, recruit neutrophils, macrophages, etc., and participate in the host immune response to periodontitis. They also play a role in the association between periodontitis and relevant systemic diseases. In addition, γδT cells have been proven to produce tissue repair-related factors with a protective effect against periodontitis. The possible mechanism of γδT cells in periodontitis is discussed in this review.

Expression of miR-106b-5p in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia and its correlation with T cells / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the expression level of plasma miR-106b-5p in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its correlation with the levels of T helper 17 cell (Th17) and regulatory T cell (Treg) and the Th17/Treg ratio.@*METHODS@#A total of 79 children with ITP (ITP group) and 40 healthy children (control group) were selected as subjects. According to the treatment response, the 79 children with ITP were divided into three groups: complete response (n=40), partial response (n=18), and non-response (n=21). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression level of miR-106b-5p. Flow cytometry was used to measure the frequencies of Th17 and Treg, and the Th17/Treg ratio was calculated. The correlation of the expression level of plasma miR-106b-5p with the frequencies of Th17 and Treg and the Th17/Treg ratio was analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the ITP group had significantly higher levels of miR-106b-5p, Th17, and Th17/Treg ratio (P<0.05) and a significantly lower level of Treg (P<0.05). After treatment, the ITP group had significant reductions in the levels of miR-106b-5p, Th17, and Th17/Treg ratio (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the level of Treg (P<0.05). Compared with the partial response and non-response groups, the complete response group had significantly lower levels of miR-106b-5p, Th17, and Th17/Treg ratio (P<0.05) and a significantly higher level of Treg (P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that in the children with ITP, the expression level of plasma miR-106b-5p was positively correlated with the Th17 level and the Th17/Treg ratio (r=0.730 and 0.816 respectively; P<0.001) and was negatively correlated with the Treg level (r=-0.774, P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#A higher expression level of miR-106b-5p and Th17/Treg imbalance may be observed in children with ITP. The measurement of miR-106b-5p, Th17, Treg, and Th17/Treg ratio during treatment may be useful to the evaluation of treatment outcome in children with ITP.

Moxibustion regulates T-regulatory/T-helper 17 cell balance by modulating the microRNA-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 axis in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, while the role of microRNAs (miRs) in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified. This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) axis in the RA mouse model.@*METHODS@#A mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established in male DBA/1J mice. Twenty-two days after CIA induction, the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times. Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia. The expression levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected, and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.@*RESULTS@#It was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17, while upregulated the expression level of IL-10. The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment. The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221, which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.

Clinical Efficacy of Qufeng Juanyin Decoction on Infantile Bronchial Asthma with Wind Phlegm Obstructing Lung Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Qufeng Juanyin Decoction on bronchial asthma in children （syndrome of wind phlegm blocking lung） during the stage of attack， and the regulatory effect on T helper cell 17 （Th17）/regulatory T cell （Treg） and related factors. Method:One hundred and thirty patients were randomly divided into observation group （65 cases） and control group （65 cases） by random number table. In control group， 61 cases completed the treatment， including 1 fell off or lost visit， 3 was eliminated because of breach of protocol. And in observation group， 63 patients completed the treatment， including 2 cases fell off or lost visit. Both of the groups got Budesonide suspension by atomizer， 1 mg/time， 2 times/day， and severe children were added with Terbutaline Sulfate Aerosol every morning and evening， 2 sprays/time. Patients in control group got Suhuang Zhike capsules， 2 grains/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group got Qufeng Juanyin Decoction， 1 dose/day. The course of treatment lasted for 7 days. Onset and mitigation times of asthma were recorded. And before and after treatment， pulmonary function was evaluated， and daily variation rate of peak expiratory flow （PEF）， first second expiratory flow as a percentage of expected （FEV₁%） and ratio of first second forced expiratory volume （FEV₁） and forced vital capacity （FVC） were recorded， and scores of syndrome of wind phlegm blocking lung and exhaled nitric oxide were detected. At the first week after the treatment， asthma control test in children （C-ACT） was made. Levels of Th17 cells， Treg cells， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IL-6， IL-10， IL-22 and IL-35 were also detected. And the safety was evaluated. Result:Onset and mitigation times of asthma in observation group were shorter those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The daily variation rate of PEF in observation group was lower than that in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while levels of FEV₁% and FEV₁/FVC were higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Asthma control in observation group was better than that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.106， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. FeNO and score of syndrome of wind phlegm blocking lung were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of Th17， Th17/Treg， IL-17， IL-6 and IL-22 were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas levels of proportion of Treg cells， IL-10 and IL-35 were higher than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The total effective rate in observation group was 96.83% （61/63）， which was better than 85.25% （52/61） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=5.141， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. And the total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome was 98.41% （62/63）， which was better than 86.89% （53/61） in control group （<italic>χ</italic>²=4.525， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. And there was no adverse reaction caused by Qufeng Juanyin Decoction. Conclusion:Qufeng Juanyin Decoction can shorten the course of disease， improve the lung function， regulate the expressions of Th17/Treg cells and related factors， promote the immune balance of Th17 / Treg， reduce airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness， and effectively control the attack of asthma， with a good clinical efficacy and safety on bronchial asthma in children （syndrome of wind phlegm blocking lung） during the stage of attack.

T helper 17 cell in patients with rheumatoid arthritis mediated by interleukin-38 / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-38 on T helper 17 (Th17) cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Total RNA were extracted and reverse transcribed into complementary DNA.Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to determine the gene expression of IL-38 at transcription level.Enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-38 and IL-17 in peripheral blood.The percentage of peripheral blood Th17 cells was determined by Flow cytometry.Statistical analysis was conducted with t-test and Mann-Whitney U rank test.Results ① IL-38 mRNA expression from RA patients (2.9±4.0) was significantly reduced as compared with normal controls (5.8±3.6),(Z=-1.28,P＜0.05).IL-38 protein expression from RA patients (0.44±0.03) was lower than healthy controls (0.72±0.58),(Z=-1.59,P＜0.05).② The number of Th17 cells from RA patients (11.7±3.2) increased compared with healthy controls (7.9±2.3),(Z=-1.98,P＜0.05).The counts of Th17 cells from RA patients was negatively correlated with IL-38 (r=-0.38,P＜0.05).③ The level of peripheral blood IL-17 in RA (64±52) was significantly higher than normal controls (35±8),(Z=-2.17,P＜0.05).The level of IL-17 in RA was negatively correlated with IL-38 (r=-0.31,P＜0.05).④ IL-38 caused a significant decrease in the number of Th17 cells from RA patients (5.7±1.2) compared with untreated cells (7.9±2.3),(Z=-1.57,P＜0.05).Conclusion The decrease of IL-38 level in RA patients has resulted in the excessive activation of Th17 cells,which triggers the occurrence of RA.

Changes in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the changes in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells in peripheral blood of patients with HPV infection and cervical diseases including ectopic cervical columnar epithelium (CE), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CC), and to analyze the roles of MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in the development of cervical diseases.Methods This study enrolled 120 HPV-positive patients with cervical diseases (18 cases of CE, 50 cases of CIN, 52 cases of CC), 20 HPV-negative patients with cervical diseases (10 cases of CE and 10 cases of CIN) and 20 healthy subjects from March 2011 to December 2016.Changes in MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of all patients were detected by flow cytometry.Results Percentages of MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients who were positive for HPV were significantly higher than those in HPV-negative patients (P<0.05).Besides, percentages of these cells gradually increased with the exacerbation of cervical disease (CE-CINⅠ-CINⅡ-CINⅢ-CC) (P<0.05).Patients who were infected with high-risk HPV had significantly higher percentages of MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood than those infected with low-risk HPV (P<0.05).Changes of MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of HPV-positive patients with cervical cancer were related to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and vascular invasion (P<0.05).MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of all patients were significantly reduced after treatment (P<0.05).Patients whose status changed from HPV-positive to HPV-negative following treatment also showed significantly decreased MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood as compared with those who remained HPV-positive (P<0.05).MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of HPV-positive patients with cervical diseases were positively correlated (r=0.599, 0.677, 0.648;P<0.05).Conclusion MDSC, Treg and Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with HPV infection are associated with the pathological process, severity and clinical pathological features of cervical diseases as well as therapeutic effects.Therefore, they can be used as biomarkers to detect the occurrence and development of HPV-positive cervical diseases.

Roles of CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To observe the changes in CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells(Treg) and T helper 17 cells (Th17) cells' proportions in the peripheral blood in children with Kawasaki disease(KD) before and after the treatment,and to analyze the role of Treg/Th17 cell imbalance in the pathogenesis of KD.Methods Fifty-two children with acute KD(KD group) and 34 age-matched healthy children(healthy control group) were selected at Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital from April to December of 2014.Morning peripheral vein blood was collected from 2 groups:one before the treatment by Immunoglobulin and Aspirin,and the other 3 days after defervescence treatment.Flow cytometry was used to detect proportions of Treg cells and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood.The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,IL-17,IL-23 and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β.Results Proportion of Treg cells in the acute KD group was remarkably lower than that in the healthy control group [(1.48 ± 0.21) ％ vs.(5.13-± 0.32) ％,t =28.41,P ＜ 0.05],but it was significantly increased after treatment,and there was a significant difference [(4.71 ± 0.36) ％ vs.(1.48 ± 0.21) ％,t =-23.32,P ＜ 0.05].Proportion of Th17 cells in the acute KD group was markedly higher than that in the healthy control group [(8.06 ± 0.48) ％ vs.(2.65 ± 0.50) ％,t =-23.47,P ＜ 0.05],which was significantly decreased after treatment [(3.04 ±0.35) ％ vs.(8.06 ± 0.48) ％,t =25.55,P ＜ 0.05].Compared with the healthy control group,the levels of serum IL-6,IL-17,IL-23 in the acute KD group were significantly increased before treatment,and there were significant differences [(34.53 ± 0.53) ng/L vs.(10.88 ± 0.83) ng/L,t =-72.36;(57.05 ± 0.78) ng/L vs.(14.29 ± 0.98)ng/L,t =-55.29;(45.18 ± 1.52) ng/L vs.(18.25 ± 1.08) ng/L,t =-43.27;all P ＜ 0.05],but after treatment the levels were significantly decreased [(14.94 ± 1.06) ng/L vs.(34.53 ± 0.53) ng/L,t =49.63;(27.64 ± 0.91)ng/Lvs.(57.05±0.78) ng/L,t =26.49;(24.50-±1.13) ng/L vs.(45.18-±1.52) ng/L,t =32.17;allP＜0.05].The levels of serum IL-10,TGF-β in the acute KD group significantly decreased than those of the healthy control group,and there were significant differences [(14.29-± 0.64) ng/L vs.(29.57 ± 0.87) ng/L,t =42.24;(16.88 ±-0.90) ng/L vs.(38.83 ±0.84) ng/L,t =53.51;all P ＜0.05],but after treatment the levels were significantly increased,and there were significant differences [(23.01-± 0.61) ng/L vs.(14.29-± 0.64) ng/L,t =-29.54;(33.47±-0.82) ng/Lvs.(16.88±-0.90) ng/L,t=-40.68;allP＜0.05].Conclusion Imbalance betweenTreg cells and Th17 cells may be an important cause for the immune disorder of KD,the changes in related cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of KD.

Analysis of blood Th17 cell and IL-17 from different regions of body in patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the differences and significance of blood levels of T helper 17 (Th17) cell and interleukin17 (IL-17) between peripheral and culprit vessels in patients with acute coronary syndrome.Methods A total of 76 patients recruited in 2012 were divided into three groups according to the coronary angiography and clinical manifestations:acute coronary syndrome,stable angina and control groups.The blood samples were taken from cubital vein and culprit coronary artery after coronary angiography.The percentage of Th17s among CD4+ T cells was detected by flow cytometric analysis and the IL-t7 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results There was no significant difference in the percentages of Th17 cells between peripheral blood and culprit artery blood [(3.18 ± 0.29) ％ vs.(3.17 ±0.30)％,(P =0.919)];but the perecentages of Th17 in peripheral blood were found to be significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome (3.18 ± 0.29)％ than those with stable angina (1.32 ± 0.31) ％ and those without coronary heart disease (1.28 ± 0.33) ％,(P ＜ 0.01).There was no significant difference in the level of IL-17 between peripheral blood and culprit artery blood [(81.23 ± 18.63) vs.(82.37 ±20.51) pg/mL,P =0.573];but the level of IL-17 in peripheral blood was also significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than those with stable angina and those without coronary heart disease [(81.23 ± 18.63) vs.(25.96 ± 14.58) pg/mL or (23.75 ± 13.64) pg/mL,P ＜0.01].Conclution There were no significant differences in percentage of Th17 cell among CD4 + T cells and levels of IL-17 in blood between peripheral and culprit vessels in patients with acute coronary syndrome.The percentage of Th17 among CD4 + T cells and the levels of IL-17 in blood increase in patients with acute coronary syndrome suggesting a potential role of Th17 and IL-17 in the development and instability of the atheroma.

Effect of octreotide combined with compound coenzyme on Th17/CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg imbalance in patients with purulent appendicitis / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To analyse the effect of octreotide combined with compound coenzyme on Th17/CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 + regulatory T cells imbalance in patients with purulent appendicitis.Methods 150 patients with acute suppurative appendicitis were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 75 cases in each group.Patients of two groups underwent appendicitis laparoscopic resection, then the control group were given conventional treatment and experimental group were given subcutaneous injection of octreotide on the basis of conventional treatment.Th17, CD4 +CD25 +Foxp3 +regulation T cells ( Treg) , and Th17 /Treg balance were analyzed.ResuIts Compared with control group, Th17/Treg imbalance of experimental group recovered better: the proportion of Th17, Treg, and Th17/Treg ratio decreased (P<0.05); the expression levels of related transcription factor, RORγt and Foxp3 mRNA decreased (P<0.05); serum cytokine (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and TGF beta) and C-reactive protein (CRP) content decreased (P<0.05);serum interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) content increased (P<0.05).ConcIusion Octreotide combined with compound coenzyme could correct Th17/Treg imbalance in suppurative appendicitis patients, improve the immune function of patients and affect the prognosis of patients.

Variation and significance of T helper 17 cells in peripheral blood in patients after liver transplantation / 器官移植

To study the relationship between T helper (Th) 17 cell [CD4 +interleukin (IL)-17 +T lymphocytes]in peripheral blood and acute rejection in patients after liver transplantation.Methods A total of 76 patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)for benign end-stage liver diseases in Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas-Spleen Surgery,Affiliated Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University from June 2008 to December 2012 were included in this study. According to whether the acute rejection occurred after operation,the patients were divided into rejection group (n=17)and non-rejection group (n=59). All the patients were followed up regularly by routine. The incidence of rejection and the treatment of patients were recorded. Patients in the rejection group received liver biopsy when suffered acute rejection to decide the severity. The percentage of CD4 +IL-17 +T lymphocytes to CD4 +T lymphocytes (CD4 +IL-17 +T%)in peripheral blood in all patients was measured at different time points:pre-OLT,at regular intervals (3-6 months)within 1 year after hospital discharge or before the treatment of acute rejection and after the remission (3-6 months). The CD4 +IL-17 +T% of every time point were compared between two groups.The correlations of CD4 +IL-17 +T% with the rejection activity index (RAI ), blood concentration of immunosuppressor were analyzed.Results The acute rejection occurred in 0.7-12.0 (median:2.5 ) months after OLT. The CD4 +IL-17 +T% in the rejection group increased significantly compared with that in the non-rejection group after OLT [(2.56 ±0.43)%vs. (1.79 ±0.44)%,P<0.001]. In the rejection group,the CD4 +IL-17 +T% increased significantly when acute rejection occurred compared with that when acute rejection had not occurred [(2.56 ±0.43)%vs. (1.50 ±0.25)%,P<0.001)]. The variation of CD4 +IL-17 +T%was not obvious at different time points in non-rejection group (P >0.05 ). The CD4 +IL-17 +T% was positively correlated with RAI when acute rejection occurred in the rejection group (r=0.72,P=0.001 ).The blood concentration of tacrolimus,cyclosporin in rejection and non-rejection group were not correlated with CD4 +IL-17 +T% (r=0.21,-0.13;both in P>0.05). Conclusions CD4 +IL-17 +T%in peripheral blood can be used as a monitoring index for deciding and assessing severity of acute rejection after OLT. The increase of CD4 +IL-17 +T% in peripheral blood indicates a severe acute rejection.

Roles of Th17 cells and IL-17 expression in RSV bronchiolitis / 临床儿科杂志

Objectives To study the roles of Th17 cells in peripheral blood and the serum level of IL-17 in children with acute respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. Methods A total of 28 children with RSV bronchiolitis were selected as bronchiolitis group, among whom twelve cases were assigned into severe group and sixteen cases were assigned into mild group according to the severity of illness. Twelve cases with acute asthma were selected as asthma group. Ten children without recent infection waiting for surgery were chosen as controls. The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was measured by lfow cytometry. The serum level of IL-17 was detected by ELISA. The association of severity of illness with the percentage of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17 was studied in children with acute RSV bronchiolitis. Results The serum level of IL-17 and the percentage of Th17 cells were signiifcantly higher in the severe bronchiolitis group than those in the control group and mild bronchiolitis group (P0.05). Conclusions The percentage of Th17 cells and serum level of IL-17 are increased in children with acute RSV bronchiolitis, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis. (J Clin Pediatr,2013,31(9):850-853)

Advancement of T helper17 cells in bronchiolitis / 国际儿科学杂志

Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory infection disease in children younger than two years old.The main pathogen of bronchiolitis is respiratory syncytial virus,which is also associated with the asthma.By now,it is still unknown about the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis.Recent findings provide that T helper17(Th17) cells play an important role in bronchiolitis.This review summarizes the progresses of regulation of Th17 cells development,Th17 cells function,and the relationship between Th17 cells and bronchiolitis.

Elevated Levels of T Helper 17 Cells Are Associated with Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing T helper (Th) 17 cells are considered as a new subset of cells critical to the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the distribution of Th1 and Th17 cells and their association with disease activity, and determine the Th17-related cytokine levels in the peripheral blood of RA patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 55 RA and 20 osteoarthritis (OA) patients were stimulated with mitogen, and the distributions of CD4+Interferon (INF)+IL-17- (Th1 cells) and CD4+INF-IL-17+ (Th17 cells) were examined by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were measured by ELISA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded. The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) was also assessed. RESULTS: The median percentage of Th17 cells was higher in RA patients than in OA patients (P=0.04), and in active than in inactive RA (P=0.03), whereas that of Th1 cells was similar in both groups. Similarly, the levels of IL-17, IL-21, and IL-23 were detected in a significantly higher proportion of RA patients than OA patients and the frequencies of detectable IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21 were higher in active RA than in inactive RA group. The percentage of Th17 cells positively correlated with the DAS28, ESR, and CRP levels. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines play an important role in RA pathogenesis and that the level of Th17 cells in peripheral blood is associated with disease activity in RA.

Advances on T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cells and leukemia / 国际儿科学杂志

Thelper 17 ( Th17 ) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells are resistant to each other in their functions and differentiation pathways.Th17 cells and Treg cells play different roles in the development,treatment and prognosis of leukemia.Their functions are stronger and(or) numbers are more increasing than in the healthy controls.Th17 cells mainly function to promote inflammation and improve the body's defense capability to leukemic cells.Treg cells mainly mediate immune suppression and immune tolerance,and then inhibit the body's immune response to leukemia cells,which can results in poor treatment outcomes.Both Th17 cells and Treg cells have close relationships with the development,treatment and prognosis of leukemia.We would deal with the leukemia through the intervention of naive T cell differentiation.

Expression of Th17 and Tc17 cells in the peripheral blood, skin and lung in a murine model of bleomycin-induced systemic sclerosis / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To study the expression and significance of Th17 and Tc17 cells in the peripheral blood,skin and lung in a murine model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods Thirty female BALB/c mouse were randomly divided into 3 groups,including a control group ( A group),a injected with BLM 4 week without pulmonary fibrosis(PF) group( B group) and with obviously PF group(C group).Pathological changes of skin and lung were detected.The proportion of CD4+,CD8+,CD4+IL-17+(Th17),CD8+IL-17+(Tc17) cells in the peripheral blood,skin and lung of mouse was determined by flow cytometry.The mRNA expressions of RORγt,IL-17A in skin and lung of mouse were evaluated by real-time PCR.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of IL-17 in serum.Results Dermal hydroxyproline(HYP) contents and the score of PF were significantly increased in C group [ (3.07±1.26) μg/mg,4.0±1.41 ]and B group [ (2.43±0.61) μμg/mg,1.50±0.76]as compared with A group [ (1.45±0.40) μg/mg,0.60±0.70 ],and pulmonary HYP contents was obviously increased in C group than in A and B groups,all P＜0.05.Compared with the A group,the percentage of CD4+ and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood,skin and lung of B and C groups,Tc17 cells of C group was significantly increased,and CD8+ cells was significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).The ratio of Th17/CD4+CD8+ in the peripheral blood,skin and lung of B and C groups [ ( 1.41 ±0.36)％,( 1.79±0.77)％ ],[ (2.58±1.07)％,(5.23±2.34)％ ]and [ (3.50±1.20)％,(4.02±1.32) ％ ]was significantly increased compared with A group (0.71±0.25)％,(1.15±0.59)％,(0.99±0.46)％.The ratio of Tc17/CD4+CD8+ in the lung of C groups( 1.62±0.53) ％ and in the skin of B and C groups [ (1.70±0.70) ％,( 1.63±0.63 ) ％ ]was significantly increased compared with A group [ ( 1.00±0.47 ) ％,( 1.1 1 ±0.34 ) ％ ],all P＜0.05.Compared with the A group,the mRNA levels of IL-17A,RORγt in skin of B and C groups,and in lung of C group were higher and the levels of IL-17 in serum was significantly increased,all P＜0.05.Th17 cells and the levels of IL-17 in blood were positive correlation with dermal and pulmonary inflammation,fibrosis and H YP contents,all P＜0.01.The frequency of Th17 and Tc17 cells in skin and lung respectively had a positive correlation with dermal and pulmonary inflammation,the score of fibrosis,and HYP contents of skin and lung,all P＜0.01.Conclusion Th17 and Tc17 cells were significantly increased in the peripheral blood,skin and lung of a murine model of SSc,and Th17 cells is dominated.They correlated with the inflammation and fibrosis of skin and lung,and may participate in the pathogenesis of SSc through secrete IL-17.

Increased expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and interleukin 22 in patients with allergic asthma.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and interleukin (IL)-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in allergic asthmatic patients and whether their expression may be related to the severity of the disease. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from each subject with allergic asthma (n =18), controlled asthma (n =17) and healthy controls (n =12) respectively. The PBMCs were collected for AhR mRNA detection by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The plasma was collected for IL-22 protein detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The expression of AhR mRNA in PBMCs and IL-22 protein in plasma of patients with allergic asthma were higher than those in controlled asthma cases and healthy controls. The plasma concentrations of IL-22 had negative correlation with the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%) and the percentage of FEV1 and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) and it was positively correlated with the asthma severity score (ASS) of the asthmatics. Conclusion: Our results suggested that both AhR and IL-22 might be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma in human and the level of IL-22 might have some relationship with the severity of the disease.