Tanshinone II A inhibits dendritic cell-mediated adaptive immunity: potential role in anti-atherosclerotic activity / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Antigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) stimulate T-cell proliferation and activation during adaptive immunity. This cellular interaction plays a role in the growth of atherosclerotic plaques. Tanshinone II A (TSN) had been shown to decrease the growth of atherosclerotic lesions. We therefore investigated the ability of TSN to inhibit human monocyte-derived DCs and their T-cellstimulatory capacity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DCs derived from human monocytes cultured with recombinant human interleukin (IL)-4 and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were co-cultured with TSN and lipopolysaccharide for 48 h. Phosphate-buffered saline was used as a negative control. Activation markers and the capacity of DCs for endocytosis were measured by flow cytometry, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. DCs were co-cultured with lymphocytes to measure T-cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion by mixed lymphocyte reactions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TSN dose-dependently attenuated DC expression of costimulatory molecules (CD86), and decreased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II (human loukocyte antigen-DR) and adhesion molecules (CD54). Moreover, TSN reduced secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-1 by human DCs, and restored the capacity for endocytosis. Finally, TSN-preincubated DCs showed a reduced capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TSN inhibits DC maturation and decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, while impairing their capacity to stimulate T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. These effects may contribute to the influence of TSN on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions.</p>

Morphological characteristics of internal carotid artery atherosclerotic lesions in digital subtracted angiography / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To illustrate the morphological characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid artery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The morphological characteristics of cervicocerebral atherosclerotic lesions in digital subtracted angiography were retrospectively reviewed in 120 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 217 atherosclerotic lesions were detected. Of all the lesions, moderately and severely stenosed lesions accounted for 62.21% and mild stenosed lesions for 37.79%; long lesions were found in 18.89% and short ones in 81.11%; 37.33% of the lesions were ulcerated while 62.67% were non-ulcerated; 13.36% were angulated lesions and 86.64% non-angulated; 50.23% were eccentric lesions and 49.77% were concentric; lesions with adjacent artery dilation were found in 9.22%, and lesions without with adjacent artery dilation in 90.78%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by moderate to severe stenosis and non-ulcerated, non-angulated, eccentric lesions without adjacent artery dilation.</p>