ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the role of Th22 cells and interlukin 22(IL-22) secreted by Th22 cells in the development of breast cancer. Methods The breast cancer model was established by in situ inoculation of 4T1 breast cancer cells in mice. The experimental group (20 cases) was injected with phosphoric acid buffer (PBS) 0.1 ml containing 4105 4T1 cells into the breast fat pad of mice, while the control group (20 cases) was injected with PBS 0.1 ml into the breast fat pad of mice without cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect Th22 cells in peripheral blood and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the level of IL-22 in serum. The difference of IL-22 levels between Th22 cells and serum was compared between the two groups, and the correlation between Th22 cells and IL-22 was analyzed. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-22. The phosphorylation of STAT3 in 4T1 cells treated with IL-22 was detected by Western blot. Results Tumors grew one week after in situ inoculation, and the expression of Th22 cells and IL-22 in serum was significantly increased and positively correlated with that in control group (r＝0.569, P＜0.01 or ＜0.05). The level of IL-22 mRNA in tumor group was significantly increased compared with that in normal group:(22.28 ± 2.52) ng/L vs. (18.92 ± 1.80) ng/L (P＜0.01), and STAT3 was phosphorylated by 4T1 cells after IL-22 treatment. Conclusions Th22 cells and cytokines IL-22 secreted by them can promote the occurrence and development of breast cancer by affecting STAT3 phosphorylation.
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the frequency of Th22 cells and expression of their related cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with alopecia areata(AA), to investigate their significance, and to explore the role of T lymphocytes in the occurrence of AA. Methods A total of 38 patients with AA were enrolled from Central Hospital of Minhang District in Shanghai between January 2015 and May 2016, and served as the case group. At the same time, 38 healthy people served as the control group. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from these patients and controls. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the percentage of Th22 cells, and enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)to measure serum levels of interleukin?22(IL?22)and IL?17. Results Compared with the control group, the case group showed significantly increased percentages of Th22 cells, Th17 cells, IL?17+IL?22+CD4+T cells and IFN?γ+IL?22+CD4+ T cells(all P < 0.01), as well as serum levels of IL?22 and IL?17(both P < 0.05). A significant increase was observed in percentages of Th22 cells, Th17 cells, IL?17+IL?22+CD4+T cells and IFN?γ+IL?22+CD4+T cells, as well as serum levels of IL?22 and IL?17, in patients with severe AA compared with those with mild AA, and in patients with active AA compared with those with stable AA (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Th22 cells and their related cytokines may participate in the occurrence, development and prognosis of AA.
ABSTRACT
A new subtype of CD4+ T lymphocytes characterized by the production of interleukin 17, i.e., TH17 cells, has been recently described. This novel T cell subset is distinct from type 1 and type 2 T helper cells. The major feature of this subpopulation is to generate significant amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, therefore appearing to be critically involved in protection against infection caused by extracellular microorganisms, and in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and allergy. The dynamic balance among subsets of T cells is important for the modulation of several steps of the immune response. Disturbances in this balance may cause a shift from normal immunologic physiology to the development of immune-mediated disorders. In autoimmune diseases, the fine balance between the proportion and degree of activation of the various T lymphocyte subsets can contribute to persistent undesirable inflammatory responses and tissue replacement by fibrosis. This review highlights the importance of TH17 cells in this process by providing an update on the biology of these cells and focusing on their biology and differentiation processes in the context of immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.