Mechanism of action of follicular helper T cells in autoimmune hepatitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is a type of chronic hepatitis caused by the attack of hepatocytes by the autoimmune system， and with the prolongation of disease course， it may gradually progress to liver cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Although great achievements have been made in the understanding and treatment of AIH， its etiology and pathogenesis still remain unclear. T cells play a crucial role in the development and progression of AIH， and by focusing on follicular helper T cells， this article elaborates on the research advances in follicular helper T cells in AIH， in order to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of AIH.

METTL3-mediated HPV vaccine enhances the effect of anti PD-1 immunotherapy to alleviate the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) develops from epithelial keratinocytes by dysregulation of self-renewal and differentiation. Recent studies have found that the size and number of cSCC tumors gradually decrease or even disappear after HPV vaccination. However, the role of the HPV vaccine in the cSCC mechanism is poorly understood. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of the HPV vaccine in cSCC. Methods Immunofluorescence was used to study the immune infiltrating cells in the tumor tissues of patients with cSCC. The effects of the HPV vaccine on cSCC cells and tissues were studied by Cell Culture, Real-time PCR, Western Blot, Cytotoxicity Assay, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay, m6A Blotting, CCK-8 Assay, m6A Ribonucleic acid Methylation Quantification and tumor transplantation. Results The HPV vaccine enhanced the toxic effect of CD8+T cells on cSCC cells and promoted the secretion of multiple cytokines by CD8+T cells. In addition, HPV vaccines can increase tumor sensitivity to anti-PD-1 therapy by downregulating METTL3 in tumor tissue, with the combination of HPV vaccine and PD-1 monoclonal antibodies producing enhanced immune cell infiltration compared to PD-1 blockade alone. Study limitations It is important to note the limitations of this study, including the small sample size, the construction of the mouse model, and the choice of HPV vaccine and PD-1 monoclonal antibody, which may limit the generalization of our findings to a wider population. Conclusions It is hoped that this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of the HPV vaccine in the treatment of cSCC. HPV vaccine is expected to become an important approach to alleviate the development of cSCC.

Análisis de conglomerados usando la distancia Euclidiana en el comportamiento de linfocitos T CD4

Introducción: La infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y su evolución a través de cuatro décadas (crónica) ha orillado a médicos a estudiar el comportamiento de los linfocitos T CD4 con ayuda ramas como la estadística y matemáticas. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento del conteo de linfocitos T CD4 en el tiempo a través del aprendizaje no supervisado. Métodos: Estudio tipo cohorte retrospectiva, se realizó una búsqueda de cuantificaciones de linfocitos T CD4 continuas a través del periodo de estudio establecido (2018-2022) en el expediente electrónico, en la presente investigación no se tuvo contacto con los pacientes. Resultados: Existe un ascenso en los valores numéricos promedio de linfocitos T CD4 a lo largo del estudio y se empieza a estabilizar entre los grupos hacia un recuento sobre los 500 linfocitos, lo cual refleja un estado inmunológico bueno a través del tiempo. Conclusión: Identificamos estabilidad en el seguimiento temporal, lo cual puede contribuir a un patrón de memoria por lo que sugerimos un análisis fractal extenso.

Introduction: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its evolution over four decades (chronic) has led doctors to study the behavior of CD4 T lymphocytes with the help of branches such as statistics and mathematics. Objective: To describe the behavior of the CD4 T lymphocyte count over time through unsupervised learning. Methods: Retrospective cohort type study, a search for continuous CD4 T lymphocyte quantifications throughout the established study period (2018-2022) was performed in the electronic file, in the present investigation there was no contact with the patients. Results: There is an increase in the average numerical values of CD4 T lymphocytes throughout the study and it begins to stabilize between the groups towards a count of over 500 lymphocytes, which reflects a good immune status over time. Conclusion: We identified stability in temporal tracking, which may contribute to a memory pattern, so we suggest an extensive fractal analysis.

Expression of interleukin-37 in patients with diabetic kidney disease and its regulatory activity to the cytotoxic function of CD8 +T lymphocytes / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To investigate interleukin-37 (IL-37) expression in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to assess the regulation of exogenous IL-37 on CD8 + T cell function in DKD patients. Methods:A cross-section study was carried out. Twenty healthy controls, thirty-six patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM), and forty-seven DKD patients were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood was collected. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. IL-37 and soluble IL-1 receptor 8 (IL-1R8) levels in the plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-18 receptor α chain (IL-18Rα), IL-1R8 and immune checkpoint molecules levels in CD8 + T cells were measured by flow cytometry. CD8 + T cells were purified, and were stimulated with recombinant IL-37. CD8 + T cells were co-cultured with HEK293 cells in either direct contact or indirect contact manner. Levels of perforin, granzyme B, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA. The proportion of target cell death was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase level. Results:Plasma IL-37 levels in DKD patients [(63.42±23.30) ng/L] were significant lower than those in healthy controls [(143.02±50.67) ng/L] and T2DM patients [(87.88±40.62) ng/L] ( t=8.848, P<0.001; t=3.456, P<0.001). Plasma IL-37 level had good predictive values for T2DM in health individuals and for DKD in T2DM patients [the area under the curve was 0.797 (95% CI 0.676-0.917, P<0.001) and 0.691 (95% CI 0.576-0.807, P=0.003), respectively]. Plasma IL-37 level was negatively correlated with urea nitrogen ( r=-0.313, P=0.032) and creatinine ( r=-0.477, P<0.001), and positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ( r s=0.478, P<0.001) in DKD patients. IL-1R8 + CD8 + cell proportion in DKD patients (33.60%±9.47%) was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (16.29%±5.97%) and T2DM patients (17.13%±4.85%) ( t=7.545, 9.516, both P<0.001), but did not correlate with fast blood glucose, urea nitrogen, creatinine, or eGFR (all P>0.05). There were no statistical differences of IL-18Rα + CD8 + cell proportion, soluble IL-1R8 level, or immune checkpoint molecule proportion in CD8 + T cells among healthy controls, T2DM patients, and DKD patients (all P>0.05). Perforin and granzyme B secretions by CD8 + T cells were significantly elevated in DKD patients compared with healthy controls [(108.78±12.42) ng/L vs. (94.60±10.07) ng/L, t=3.096, P=0.005; (261.34±48.79) ng/L vs. (166.28±30.80) ng/L, t=3.387, P=0.002] and T2DM patients [(108.78±12.42) ng/L vs. (92.58±14.71) ng/L, t=3.263, P=0.003; (261.34±48.79) ng/L vs. (170.66±39.24) ng/L, t=2.627, P=0.014]. There were no significant differences of either IFN-γ or TNF-α secretions by CD8 + T cells among healthy controls, T2DM patients, and DKD patients (all P>0.05). In direct contact co-culture manner, CD8 + T cell-induced HEK293 cell death was down- regulated (13.03%±4.97% vs. 17.88%±5.19%, t=2.235, P=0.037). The levels of perforin [(222.02±25.79) ng/L vs. (294.30±25.58) ng/L, t=6.603, P<0.001], granzyme B [(416.27±90.24) ng/L vs. (524.71±115.53) ng/L, t=2.454, P=0.023], IFN-γ [(23.66±4.20) ng/L vs. (35.18±8.51) ng/L, t=4.026, P<0.001] and TNF-α [(1.62±0.29) μg/L vs. (2.09±0.57) μg/L, t=2.302, P=0.034] were also reduced as well. In indirect contact co-culture manner, there were no significant differences of CD8 + T cell-induced HEK293 cell death, perforin, or granzyme B levels between no stimulation and IL-37 stimulation (all P>0.05). IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in the supernatants were reduced in response to IL-37 stimulation [(23.56±6.24) ng/L vs. (32.56±9.90) ng/L, t=2.550, P=0.019; (1.41±0.31) μg/L vs. (2.10±0.44) μg/L, t=4.011, P<0.001]. Conclusion:IL-37 level is reduced in DKD patients.Exogenous IL-37 suppresses the cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells in DKD patients.

Effects of sublingual immunotherapy on Treg/Th17 cell balance and related cytokines in preschool children aged 3-6 years with allergic rhinitis / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT)on the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in preschool children aged 3-6 years with allergic rhinitis(AR).METHODS Seventy preschool children aged 3-6 years with AR were divided into the SLIT group and the medication group,and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The medication group received symptomatic treatment alone,while the SLIT group received a combined treatment of SLIT and symptomatic medication,with a 3-year follow-up period.The Treg/Th17 cell balance,serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,IL-21,as well as the total nasal symptom score(TNSS),total medication score(TMS),and visual analog scale(VAS)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.RESULTS After 3 years of treatment,both groups showed significant improvements(P<0.05)in the percentages of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg and CD4+IL-17+Th17 cells among CD4+T cells,percentages of Treg and Th17 cells,serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,IL-21,TNSS,TMS,and VAS scores.Moreover,the SLIT group exhibited significantly better outcomes compared to the medication group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION SLIT can modulate the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and improve serum levels of TGF-β,IL-10,IL-17,and IL-21.

Clinical Immunological Characteristic and Influencing Factors Analysis of HIV/AIDS Patients Infected with EBV and HCMV / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To investigate the basic information of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS)patients who infected with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)or human Cytomegalovirus(HCMV),collect the relevant clinical immunological data and analyze the influencing factors.Method A total of 1 093 HIV/AIDS patients treated in the First Hospital of Changsha from January to December 2022 and underwent EBV and HCMV screening were collected.Flow cytometry was used to detect the CD4+T lymphocytes.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was applied for HIV-RNA,EBV-DNA,and HCMV-DNA testing.Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS 27.0,and logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of HIV/AIDS patients complicated with viral infection.Results Among 1 093 HIV/AIDS patients,the positive rates of EBV-DNA and HCMV-DNA were 48.22%(527/1 093)and 19.03%(208/1 093),respectively.As the number of CD4+T lymphocytes increased,the positive rates of EBV-DNA and HCMV-DNA decreased,and the differences was statistically significant(χ2=39.50,143.0,all P<0.001).As the level of HIV-RNA increased,the positive rates of EBV-DNA and HCMV-DNA increased,and the differences were statistically significant(χ2=46.18,124.3,all P<0.001).The patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)significantly decreased the positive rates of EBV-DNA and HCMV-DNA(χ2=30.60,96.59,all P<0.001).There was a significant negative correlation between the number of CD4+T lymphocytes and the level of HIV-RNA(r=-0.49,P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that the CD4+T lymphocyte count<200/μl(OR=1.46,95%CI:1.02～2.08,P=0.037),HIV-RNA load>200 copies/ml(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.18～2.44,P=0.004)and the age>30 years old(OR=2.15,95%CI:1.44～3.19,P<0.001)were risk factors for HIV/AIDS patients infected with EBV.Without regularly receiving ART(OR=1.83,95%CI:1.10～3.02,P=0.019),HIV-RNA load>200 copies/ml(OR=2.56,95%CI:1.50～4.35,P<0.001)and the CD4+T lymphocyte count<200/μl(OR=4.61,95%CI:2.57～8.28,P<0.001)were risk factors for HCMV infection in HIV/AIDS patients.Conclusion To reduce the possibility of opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients,the surveillance of EBV and HCMV and regular ART should be strengthened,especially when the number of CD4+T lymphocytes decreases(<200/μl),the level of HIV RNA increases(>200 copies/ml)or the age>30 years old.

Correlation analysis of serum Chemerin with disease activity and Th17/Treg in patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 天津医药

Objective To explore the correlation of serum Chemerin level with disease activity and the ratio of T helper 17/regulatory T cells(Th17/Treg)in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Methods A total of 180 patients with RA who were admitted to our hospital were regarded as the observation group.According to the DAS28 score,the observation group was divided into the high activity group(60 cases),the moderate activity group(60 cases)and the low activity group(60 cases).Another 180 healthy people who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period were regarded as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum levels of Chemerin,interleukin-9(IL-9),interleukin-10(IL-10)and interleukin-17(IL-17).Flow cytometry was used to detect the Th17/Treg ratio.Spearman correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between serum Chemerin level and DAS28 score.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum Chemerin level and Th17,Treg cell percentage and Th17/Treg ratio.Results The results of this study showed that the serum level of Chemerin was higher in the observation group than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum Chemerin level was positively correlated with DAS28 score(P＜0.05).Serum Chemerin levels and DAS28 scores decreased in turn in the high,moderate and low activity groups(P＜0.05).The percentage of Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg were higher in the observation group than those in the control group,and the percentage of Treg cells was lower in the observation group than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The level of IL-10 was lower in the observation group than that in the control group,while levels of IL-17 and IL-9 were higher in the observation group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum Chemerin level was positively correlated with the percentage of Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg,and negatively correlated with the percentage of Treg cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum Chemerin level is elevated in patients with RA,which is closely related to disease activity and Th17/Treg ratio.

Foxp3+CD39+CD73+ regulatory T-cells are decreased in the peripheral blood of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis

Abstract Endometriosis's pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, with evidence pointing towards a dysregulated immune response. Regulatory T (Treg) cells, pivotal in maintaining self-tolerance, may facilitate the survival of ectopic endometrial cells within the abdominal cavity, thereby contributing to endometriosis development. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CD39+CD73+ suppressor Treg cell subsets in the peripheral blood of endometriosis patients. This research focuses on the pivotal role of regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which are essential for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. A case-control study was conducted, including 32 women diagnosed with endometriosis and 22 control subjects. The frequency of peripheral blood CD39+CD73+ suppressor Treg cells was quantified using flow cytometry. No significant differences were observed in the frequency of CD3+CD4+CD25High cells (Median [M]: 10.1; Interquartile Range [IQR]: 6.32‒18.3 vs. M: 9.72; IQR: 6.22-19.8) or CD3+CD4+CD25HighCD39+Foxp3+ cells (M: 31.1; IQR: 19.7-44.0 vs. M: 30.55; IQR: 18.5-45.5) between controls and patients. However, a significantly lower frequency of CD3+CD4+CD25HighCD39+CD73+ cells was observed in the endometriosis group compared to controls (M: 1.98; IQR: 0.0377-3.17 vs. M: 2.25; IQR: 0.50-4.08; p = 0.0483), suggesting a reduction in systemic immune tolerance among these patients. This finding highlights the potential role of CD39 and CD73 expression on Treg cells as biomarkers for assessing disease severity and progression. Furthermore, elucidating the mechanisms driving these alterations may unveil new therapeutic strategies to restore immune equilibrium and mitigate endometriosis symptoms.

Coronavirus without Spike Proteins, respectively Mechanism of Christoph's Quantum Nano-scale Irradiation-Emission or Evaporation of Coronavirus Sars-Cov-2-19 by Plasmalyses Coronavirus without Infection Spike Proteins and without Filling Hydrophile Micells of Phospholipidic Membranes of Cellular Wall

Since the Discovery of the structure (space-conformal) significance of ?-helix and the double helix of DNA, in April 1953, in the paper from 25th April 1953 by Francis Crick and James D. Watson, which were published super significant paper focused on this theme, win the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1962. In this 900 words text in the super journal Nature coauthored by Maurice Wilkins, the real discoveries of the structure of DNA were Rosalind Elsie Franklin, so-called DNA´s dark lady, who died only 37 years of Cancer of ovaria. The Really Heroes of Great Scientific Discoveries are namely these, which are in the background, like Grey Eminence, who often gave for Science all, unfortunately, health, freedom, happiness, and their fragile life. The First Analytical method of sequential replication of DNA by method PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) was invented by Nobel Prize Winner in 1993 Kary Mullis with M. Smith. The PCR analytical method contributed to the invention of discovery of genetics scissors, and molecular scalpel – the new method of gene editing with a rather unwieldy name CRISPR-Cas 9-based gene editing research at the nanoscale, can do based on DNA sequencing and switch genes off or an insertion. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 has finally been awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna. Thanks to these genetics-analytical discoveries the whole of Mankind was salvation from Biological Lethal Weapons SARS-Cov2-19 and many mutational virions escaped intentionally or randomized from Biohazard boxes in the biological laboratories or contaminated Nature (Antarctica, Siberia, Aral Sea, Wu-chan) and may be caused by the Warming Global Climate. The same significance as Mullis, Doudna, and Charpentier was the scientific work of Prof. RNDr. Antonín Holy, Dr.Sc., Dr.HC., who discovered virostatics on Cancer of Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Gardasil 9 and Cervarix, AIDS resp. HIV, Hepatitide and also Coronavirus. The newest message from the current world coronavirus situation is the project of spike protein vaccine Novavax financially and scientifically supported by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation.

Efecto de la inmunidad celular en el tratamiento de las úlceras del pie diabético con Heberprot-P® / Effect of cellular immunity in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with Heberprot-P®

Introducción: Los diabéticos muestran una disminuida función del sistema inmune. Su complicación más temida es la aparición de las úlceras del pie. El Heberprot-P® tiene efectos beneficiosos en la curación de estas úlceras. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la inmunidad celular en el tratamiento de las úlceras del pie diabético con Heberprot-P®. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, prospectivo, de serie de casos, en 30 pacientes con úlcera de pie diabético, ingresados en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular. Se administraron 75 µg de Heberprot-P®, tres veces por semana, a través de vías peri- e intralesional, durante ocho semanas. Se evaluaron las variables edad, sexo, glucemia en ayunas, creatinina, urea, ácido úrico, prueba de hipersensibilidad retardada, porcentaje de granulación, tiempo de cierre de la lesión y localización de la úlcera, antes de comenzar el tratamiento, a las 4 y 8 semanas. Resultados: Se precisó un predominio del 60 por ciento en el sexo femenino y del color de piel blanca. Los niveles de glucemia y creatinina se comportaron más elevados en los anérgicos; la urea fue similar tanto en anérgicos como en reactivos; y el ácido úrico resultó mayor en hombres reactivos y en mujeres anérgicas. Hubo mayor proporción de reactivos (63,6 por ciento), que en la cuarta semana presentaron un tejido de granulación igual o mayor al 50 por ciento; y a la octava, igual o mayor al 70 por ciento. Conclusiones: La condición en los pacientes diabéticos de ser reactivo a las pruebas de hipersensibilidad retardada con úlcera de pie diabético de tipo neuropática, tratados con Heberprot-P®, está asociada directamente con una mejor respuesta en la cicatrización de sus lesiones, mediante la formación del tejido de granulación, que favorece el cierre total o parcial de la lesión. Esto no ocurrió con los pacientes anérgicos a dicha prueba(AU)

Introduction: Diabetics show decreased immune system function. Its most feared complication is the appearance of foot ulcers. Heberprot-P® has beneficial effects in healing these ulcers. Objective: To assess the effect of cellular immunity in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with Heberprot-P®. Methods: An observational, prospective, case series study was conducted in 30 patients with diabetic foot ulcer admitted to the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery. 75 µg of Heberprot-P®, three times a week, were administered through peri- and intralesional routes, during eight weeks. The variables age, sex, fasting blood glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, delayed hypersensitivity test, percentage of granulation, time of closure of the lesion and location of the ulcer, before starting treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks were evaluated. Results: A predominance of 60 % in females and white skin color were specified. Blood glucose and creatinine levels behaved higher in the anergics; urea was similar in both anergics and reagents; and uric acid was higher in reactive men and anergic women. There was a higher proportion of reagents (63.6 por ciento), which in the fourth week presented a granulation tissue equal to or greater than 50 por ciento; and at the eighth week, it was equal to or greater than 70 por ciento. Conclusions: The condition of being reactive to delayed hypersensitivity tests in diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcer of neuropathic type, treated with Heberprot-P® is directly associated with a better response in the healing of their lesions, through the formation of granulation tissue, which favors the total or partial closure of the lesion. This did not occur with patients who were anergic to this test(AU)

Expression of Sema4D in peripheral blood T cells and serum of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and its clinical significance / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of Sema4D in peripheral blood T cells and serum of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and its correlation with clinical indicators. Methods A total of 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 68 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, and 20 healthy controls who attended The 940 th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army from October 2020 to November 2021 were enrolled. According to Child-Pugh class, the patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were divided into Child-Pugh class A group with 24 patients, Child-Pugh class B group with 24 patients, and Child-Pugh class C group with 20 patients. After peripheral blood samples were collected to isolate serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of membrane-bound Sema4D (mSema4D) + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells in PBMCs, and ELISA was used to measure the expression of soluble Sema4D (sSema4D) in serum; their correlation with viral replication and liver inflammation markers was analyzed. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for further comparison between two groups; a Spearman correlation analysis was also performed. Results There were significant differences in the expression of mSema4D + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells between the CHB group, the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, and the control group ( F =43.092 and 13.344, both P < 0.001), while there were significant differences between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The expression levels of mSema4D + CD4 + T cells and mSema4D + CD8 + T cells gradually decreased with increasing Child-Pugh class ( F =14.093 and 17.154, both P < 0.05), and there were significant differences between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The content of sSema4D was 1.54(1.42-1.71) ng/mL in the control group, 1.08(1.07-1.38) ng/mL in the CHB group, and 4.87(2.13-14.97) ng/mL in the hepatitis B cirrhosis group, with a significant difference between the three groups ( H =32.366, P < 0.001) and between any two groups ( P < 0.05). The content of sSema4D was 2.42(0.59-5.65) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class A group, 4.92(2.75-12.73) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class B group, and 14.18(4.59-18.43) ng/mL in the Child-Pugh class C group, with a significant difference between the three groups ( H =11.889, P =0.003) and between any two groups ( P < 0.05). In patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, the level of sSema4D was positively correlated with the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV DNA quantification ( r =0.294 and 0.430, both P < 0.05). Conclusion Sema4D is lowly expressed on T cell membrane and highly expressed in serum of patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, and sSema4D may be involved in the development and progression of hepatitis B cirrhosis by affecting the levels of ALT and HBV DNA.

Clinical research advances in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for primary liver cancer / 临床肝胆病杂志

Primary liver cancer (PLC) has the features of insidious onset and difficulties in early diagnosis, with limited and ineffective therapeutic options. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a genetically modified T-cell therapy that recognizes tumor-specific antigens and activates T cells to exert a tumor-killing effect. CAR T-cell therapy has made great progress in the treatment of hematological tumors and has achieved a good clinical effect in the field of solid tumors in recent years, and although CAR T-cell therapy has developed from the first to the fifth generation, there are still many challenges in the field of solid tumors. This article comprehensively reviews the mechanisms of CAR T-cell therapy for PLC and related research advances, including the main targets such as GPC3, AFP, MUC1, and NKG2D in CAR T-cell therapy for PLC, CAR T-cell therapy for PLC and oncolytic virus, and combined treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, as well as the advances in the biological, preclinical, and clinical studies on these targets and treatment modalities and the challenges and solutions for CAR T-cell therapy in the treatment of PLC, so as to provide a reference for the future clinical development of CAR T-cell therapy in liver cancer.

Expression of peripheral CD100 and its regulation to T lymphocytes function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the changes of peripheral CD100 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to assess the regulatory function of CD100 to T lymphocytes in HCC patients. Methods A prospective study was conducted. Fifty-seven HCC patients and twenty-two controls who were hospitalized in our hospital between April 2020 and July 2021 were enrolled. Anti-coagulant peripheral blood was collected. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated. Plasma soluble CD100 (sCD100) level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Membrane-bound CD100 (mCD100) expression on CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. PBMC from HCC patients were stimulated with recombinant human CD100. Cellular proliferation was measured by cell counting kit-8. Different types of T helper cells (Th cells) and cytotoxic T cells (Tc cells) were assessed by flow cytometry. Perforin and granzyme B secretion by alpha fetoprotein (AFP) specific CD8 + T lymphocytes was assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. CD8 + T lymphocytes were purified from HCC patients, and were stimulated with recombinant human CD100. Stimulated CD8 + T lymphocytes were co-cultured with HepG2 cells. AFP specific CD8 + T lymphocytes-induced HepG2 cell death was investigated. Student's t test or paired t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of abnormally distributed continuous data between two groups. Chi square test was used for comparison of categorial data between two groups. Results Plasma sCD100 level was lower in HCC group when compared with control group ((2.73±0.58)ng/mL vs(3.33±0.84)ng/mL, t =3.584, P 0.05). The percentages of CD4 + IFNγ + Th1 cells, CD4 + IL-17A + Th17 cells, CD4 + IL-22 + Th22 cells, and CD8 + IFNγ + Tc1 cells were notably increased in response to CD100 stimulation when compared with no CD100 stimulation ( t =2.608、5.663、4.113、4605, all P 0.05). Perforin and granzyme B secretion by AFP specific CD8 + T lymphocytes were significantly elevated in response to CD100 stimulation when compared with no CD100 stimulation in HLA-A02 restricted HCC patients ( P < 0.05). AFP specific CD8 + T lymphocytes-induced HepG2 cell death was also increased in response to CD100 stimulation ( t =6.794、2.308, both P < 0.05). Conclusion There was an imbalance between sCD100 and mCD100 on T lymphocytes in HCC patients. Reduced sCD100 level might be insufficient for maintenance of T lymphocytes activity, leading to the immunotolerance in HCC.

Serum levels of soluble programmed death-1 and soluble programmed death-ligand 1 in chronic hepatitis B patients with clinical cure and their clinical features / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the serum levels of soluble programmed death-1 (sPD-1) and soluble programmed death-ligand 1 (sPD-L1) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with clinical cure, the correlation between programmed death-1 (PD-1) and lymphocytes by flow cytometry, and the recovery of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immunity. Methods A total of 26 CHB patients with clinical cure, 26 treatment-naïve CHB patients, and 26 healthy controls who were diagnosed at the outpatient service of Peking University First Hospital from January to May of 2022 were enrolled, and related clinical data and peripheral blood samples were collected. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1, and flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of PD-1 in peripheral blood lymphocytes. CHB patients with clinical cure were compared with the treatment-naïve CHB patients and the healthy controls. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between three groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Pearson correlation analysis or the Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between two continuous variables. Results For the 26 CHB patients with clinical cure, the mean time of antiviral therapy was 8.33 years, with entecavir as the antiviral drug. The CHB patients with clinical cure had significantly higher levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 than the healthy controls ( P 0.05). Conclusion The serum levels of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 in treatment-naïve CHB patients are mainly associated with exhausted CD8 + T cells in peripheral blood, while there is no significant correlation between serum sPD-1/sPD-L1 and exhausted CD8 + T cells in peripheral blood in CHB patients with clinical cure.

Expression and significance of immune cells in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic pre-liver failure / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Treg), IL-17-producing CD4 + T cells (Th17), and CD8 + T cells (Tc17) in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), and to provide ideas for the early treatment of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). Methods A total of patients with pre-ACHBLF and 15 patients with ACHBLF who were hospitalized in Shijiazhuang Fifth Hospital, from August 2018 to May 2019 were enrolled as subjects, and 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 15 healthy controls (HC) who underwent physical examination were enrolled as controls. Flow cytometry was used to measure the expression levels of MDSC and Th17, Treg, and Tc17 cells in peripheral blood; a blood analyzer was used to measure routine blood parameters and calculate neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index(SIRS) to evaluate the degree of inflammation, and the correlation between the expression of immune cells and the degree of inflammation was analyzed. An analysis of variance for independent samples was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups, and the Nemenyi test was used for further comparison between two groups. A Pearson linear correlation analysis or Spearman's rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between variables. Results Compared with the CHB group, the ACHBLF and pre-ACHBLF groups had significant increases in the expression levels of Th17, Treg, and Tc17 cells, and the pre-ACHBLF group also had a significant increase in the expression level of MDSC (all P < 0.05). The correlation analysis showed that in pre-ACHBLF patients, MDSC were positively correlated with leukocyte count, neutrophil count, NLR, MLR, and SII ( r =0.775, 0.727, 0.571, 0.786, and 0.846, all P < 0.05), and Treg cells were only positively correlated with leukocyte count ( r =0.618, P =0.043); Th17/Treg ratio and Tc17 cells were negatively correlated with the number of lymphocytes ( r =-0.790 and -0.795, both P < 0.05). Conclusion Cellular immune dysfunction is observed in patients with pre-ACHBLF, and the expression of MDSC is closely associated with the degree of inflammation and should be taken seriously in the early stage.

Changes of the level and clinical significance of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subpopulations in late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the level and clinical significance of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subpopulations in late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods:This study included 260 SLE patients hospitalized in the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021: of whom 58 and 202 were late- (≥50 years) and adult-(18~49 years) onset patients. This study also included 160 subjeces as healthy controls(HCs), of whom 35 and 125 were Control Group 1 (≥50 years) and Control Group 2 (18~49 years). Peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets of these participants were assessed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of all patients and healthy controls (HCs)were recorded. The differences between the groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results:(1)The time of diagnosis of late-onset SLE was longer than that of adult-onset SLE [Median time: 5.0 (2.0, 24.0)months vs 3.0 (1.0, 7.3)months, Z=-3.13, P=0.002]. Compared with adult-onset SLE, the SLEDAI score of late-onset SLE was lower [12.0 (8.0, 15.2) vs 14.0 (10.0, 18.0), Z=-2.12, P=0.034]. Some manifestations occurred more frequently in late-onset SLE, such as weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, cerebral infarction, interstitial pneumonitis, Sj?gren′s syndrome and infection. The manifestations of skin and mucos a occurred less frequently in late-onset SLE. (2)CD4 +T cell subpopulations: ①The absolute counts of Treg, Th17, Th1 and Th2 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with late-onset SLE were significantly lower than those of HCs [Treg: 10.94 (6.14, 19.23) vs 32.65 (28.07, 41.65), Z=-6.79, P<0.001; Th17: 3.43 (0.94, 5.64) vs 6.13 (3.77, 7.82), Z=-3.24, P=0.001; Th1: 36.02 (10.80, 76.38) vs 128.70(89.82, 159.89), Z=-5.29, P<0.001; Th2:3.56 (1.56, 6.06) vs 8.25 (4.69, 12.98), Z=-4.57, P<0.001]. The ratio of Th17/Treg cells was higher than that of HCs[0.28(0.13, 0.59) vs 0.17 (0.12, 0.28), Z=-2.38, P=0.017].②The absolute counts of Treg, Th17, Th1 and Th2 cells in peripheral blood of patients with adult-onset SLE were significantly lower than those of HCs [Treg: 10.28 (5.37, 17.04) vs.30.19 (21.20, 39.75), Z=-11.28, P<0.001; Th17: 3.44 (1.84, 6.14) vs 6.48 (4.23, 10.66), Z=-6.53, P<0.001; Th1: 29.59(15.14, 56.81) vs 90.75(42.67, 162.00), Z=-7.01, P<0.001; Th2: 2.74 (1.62, 4.77) vs 8.25 (4.75, 11.99), Z=-9.91, P<0.001]. The ratio of Th17/Treg was higher than that of HCs[0.35 (0.17, 0.65) vs 0.23(0.14, 0.37), Z=-3.89, P<0.001].③The ratios of Th17/Treg in patients with late-and adult-onset SLE were higher than those of HCs. The ratio of Th17/Treg was the highest in adult-onset SLE patients. Conclusion:Patients with late-onset SLE have reduced numbers of Treg cells and the immune imbalanced of Th17/Treg. However, the immune imbalance of Th17/Treg in late-onset SLE patients is milder than that in adult-onset SLE patients, which may be related to lower disease activity.

Mechanism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte－derived exosomes inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate whether cytotoxic T lymphocyte （CTL）－derived exosomes can downregulate HBx expression and inhibit hepatic stellate cell （HSC） activation. MethodsThe supernatants of HepG2， HepGA14， and CTL cells were collected to extract exosomes， which were referred to as NC－exo， HBV－exo， and CTL－exo， respectively）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe their morphology， and Western Blot was used to measure the expression of the markers of exosomes CD63 and TSG101. NC－exo， HBV－exo， and CTL－exo labeled by BODIPY dye were mixed with HBV－exo at different ratios and were then co－cultured with HSC LX－2 （HSC－LX2）. A fluorescence microscope was used to observe whether exosomes could enter LX－2 cells， and an fluorescence microscope was used to observe cell morphological changes； quantitative real－time PCR （qPCR） was used to measure the expression of the activated biomarkers such as transforming growth factor－β1 （TGF－β1）， ɑ－smooth muscle actin （ɑ－SMA）， and collagen type I （Collagen I） in LX－2 cells. CTL－exo was added to the HepGA14 culture system； then qPCR was used to measure the mRNA expression level of HBV DNA， cccDNA， and HBx in exosomes in HepGA14 cells， and Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression level of HBx in exosomes. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe exosomes were all microcysts with a double－layer membrane structure and were circular or elliptical in shape， with the expression of the signature proteins CD63 and TSG101， and the vesicles had a diameter of 50－100 nm. The fluorescence microscope showed that exosomes could enter LX－2 cells， and HSC were enlarged with extended cell processes. The results of qPCR showed that there were significant differences in the expression levels of TGF－β1， ɑ－SMA， and Collagen I genes between the NC－exo， HBV－exo， NC－exo+HBV－exo， and Con groups （F=444.678， 417.144， and 571.508， all P<0.05）. After the intervention of HepGA14 cells with CTL－exo， qPCR results showed that compared with the control group， there were significant reductions in the expression levels of HBV DNA and cccDNA in HepGA14 cells （all P<0.05）， the relative mRNA expression level of HBx in exosomes （P<0.05）， and the protein expression level of HBx （P<0.05）. CTL－exo and HBV－exo were mixed at different ratios （2∶1， 5∶1， 10∶1） and were then used for the intervention of LX－2 cells， and qPCR results showed that the expression levels of TGF－β1， ɑ－SMA， and Collagen I genes in LX－2 cells gradually decreased with the increase in the ratio of CTL－exo between groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionCTL－exo can downregulate the protein expression of HBx in HBV－exo to inhibit HSC activation， suggesting that CTL－exo has an anti－hepatitis B liver fibrosis effect.

Effect of T-lymphocyte and subpopulation counts on the prognosis of patients with severe acute pancreatitis / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of T-lymphocyte and subpopulation counts on the prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients.Methods:The clinical data of 90 patients with SAP diagnosed at the Shanghai General Hospital between January 2019 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis group according to whether they were diagnosed for 28 d. The general information of the patients was recorded, including blood-related immunological indicators within 24 h of diagnosis, including leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, CD 3+ , CD 4+ , CD 8+ T-lymphocyte count and CD 4+ /CD 8+ T-lymphocyte ratio, IgG4 level; blood inflammation index procalcitonin, albumin level and APACHEⅡ score at admission; survival and complication status of patients at 28 d of diagnosis. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the correlation between each index and the prognosis of the patients. The subject operating characteristic curve (ROC) of patients was plotted, and area under curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the value of CD 3+ and CD 4+ T-lymphocytes in predicting the prognosis of SAP. Results:The majority of SAP patients were male (65.6%). The main cause of SAP was gallstone (56.7%), followed by hyperlipidemia (35.6%). At 28 days after diagnosis, 85(94.4%) patients survived, and 39 of them were cured and included in the good prognosis group. Forty-six cases were complicated with infection, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and local pancreatic complications, and 5 cases (5.56%) died; and a total of 51 cases were included in the poor prognosis group. Compared with the good prognosis group, the number of CD 3+ T-lymphocytes [366(268, 498) cells /μl vs 709(578, 999) cells /μl], CD 4+ T-lymphocytes [209(120, 298) cells /μl vs 486(303, 548) cells /μl] and albumin level (33.9 g/L vs 35.9 g/L) within 24 hours in the poor prognosis group were significantly lower, while the level of procalcitonin (1.02 ng/ml vs 0.43 ng/ml) and APACHEⅡ score [7(4, 10) vs 5(3, 8)] were significantly increased, and all the differences were statistically significant (all P value <0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values for CD 3+ and CD 4+ T-lymphocyte counts within 24 hours for predicting poor prognosis of SAP were 0.857 (95% CI 0.696-1.000) and 0.867 (95% CI 0.708-1.000), respectively. The cut-off values were 524 cells /μl and 301 cells /μl, the sensitivity were both 85.7%, and the specificity were 78.6% and 85.7%, respectively. Conclusions:The significant decrease of peripheral blood CD 3+ and CD 4+ T-lymphocyte count within 24 h of SAP diagnosis has a certain predictive value for the prognosis of patients with SAP.

Effects of timing of chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery on patient's immune function and quality of life / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the effects of the timing of chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery on patient's immune function and quality of life.Methods:A total of 100 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer from January 2017 to January 2019 in Jining No. 1 People's Hospital were included in this study. These patients were randomly divided into a control group and an early chemotherapy group ( n = 50/group). Patients in the control group underwent chemotherapy 4-6 weeks after surgery. Patients in the early chemotherapy group received chemotherapy 2 weeks after surgery. The chemotherapy regimens were the same in the two groups. The levels of CD 4+, CD 8+, CD 4+/CD 8+, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured before and after chemotherapy in each group. Chemotherapy-related reverse reactions and infections were recorded. The quality of life was evaluated in each group at the last follow-up. Results:Before chemotherapy, there were no significant differences in CD 4+, CD 8+, CD 4+/CD 8+, IgA, and IgG levels between the two groups (all P > 0.05). After chemotherapy, CD 4+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ levels in the early chemotherapy group were (51.76 ± 5.21)% and (2.00 ± 0.25), respectively, which were significantly higher than (48.21 ± 4.78)% and (1.70 ± 0.21) in the control group ( t = 3.55, 4.98, both P < 0.05). After chemotherapy, the CD 8+ level in the early chemotherapy group was (25.93±2.43)%, which was significantly lower than (28.29 ± 2.31)% in the control group ( t = 6.50, P < 0.05). Serum IgA and IgG levels in the early chemotherapy group were (3.24 ± 0.38) g/L and (9.27 ± 1.04) g/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (2.75 ± 0.37) g/L and (8.43 ± 0.97) g/L in the control group ( t = 6.53, 4.18, both P < 0.05). During chemotherapy, there was no significant difference in the incidence of reverse reactions between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The incidence of infections was significantly lower in the early chemotherapy group than the control group ( P < 0.05). At the last follow-up, generic quality of life inventory-74 scores in the early chemotherapy group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Early chemotherapy can markedly reduce the effects of chemotherapy on the immune function of patients after breast cancer surgery, decrease the incidence of infections, and improve quality of life.

Value of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and natural killer cell levels in prognosis evaluation of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the value of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and natural killer cell levels in prognosis evaluation of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Methods:A total of 158 patients with STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in The Second People's Hospital of Liaocheng from September 2020 to August 2021 were included in this study. The ratio of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to natural killer cells was measured immediately after admission and 48 hours after surgery. These patients were followed up for 1 month after treatment. They were divided into the adverse cardiovascular event group (occurrence group) and no adverse cardiovascular event group (non-occurrence group) according to the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events. The influential factors of the prognosis of STEMI and the correlation between the influential factors and STEMI were analyzed.Results:Among 158 patients with STEMI, 27 patients had adverse cardiovascular events, accounting for 17.09%. There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, and low-density lipoprotein levels between the occurrence and non-occurrence groups ( t = 2.82, 4.27, 2.32, all P < 0.05). At 48 hours after surgery, the levels of cytotoxic T lymphocytes [(22.75 ± 8.39)%, (29.23 ± 4.61)%] and natural killer cells [(13.73 ± 4.64)%, (20.64 ± 4.52)%] in the peripheral blood in the occurrence and non-occurrence groups were significantly decreased compared with before surgery [ t = -5.05, -83.68, -142.71, -7 084.80, all P < 0.001]. Before and 48 hours after surgery, the levels of cytotoxic T lymphocytes [(27.47 ± 3.35)%, (22.75 ± 8.39)%] and natural killer cells [(21.42 ± 4.36)%, (13.73 ± 4.64)%] in the peripheral blood in the occurrence group were significantly lower than those in the non-occurrence group ( t = 7.68, 13.10, 4.16, 5.76, all P < 0.001). Univariate analysis showed that preoperative cytotoxic T lymphocytes < 27.47%, preoperative natural killer cells < 21.42%, left ventricular ejection fraction, and low-density lipoprotein may be the risk factors that affect the prognosis of patients with STEMI ( P < 0.000, 0.012, 0.019, 0.033). Cox regression analysis showed that preoperative cytotoxic T lymphocytes < 27.47% and preoperative natural killer cells < 21.42% were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with STEMI (both P < 0.001). Conclusion:Reduced levels of baseline cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells in patients with STEMI suggest an increased risk of poor prognosis.