Distribution of Interleukin-22–secreting Immune Cells in Conjunctival Associated Lymphoid Tissue

PURPOSE: Interleukin (IL)-22 is a cytokine involved in epithelial cell regeneration. Currently, no research studies have analyzed the distribution of the three distinct IL-22–secreting cell populations in human or mouse conjunctiva. This study investigated the distribution of the three main populations of IL-22–secreting immune cells, αβ Th cells, γδ T cells, or innate cells (innate lymphoid cells [ILCs] or natural killer cells), in conjunctival associated lymphoid tissues (CALTs) in human and mouse models. METHODS: We collected discarded cadaveric bulbar conjunctival tissue specimens after preservation of the corneo-limbal tissue for keratoplasty from four enucleated eyes of the domestic donor. The bulbar conjunctiva tissue, including the cornea from normal (n = 27) or abraded (n = 4) B6 mice, were excised and pooled in RPMI 1640 media. After the lymphoid cells were gated in forward and side scattering, the αβ Th cells, γδ T cells, or innate lymphoid cells were positively or negatively gated using anti-CD3, anti-γδ TCR, and anti–IL-22 antibodies, with a FACSCanto flow cytometer. RESULTS: In normal human conjunctiva, the percentage and number of cells were highest in αβ Th cells, followed by γδ T cells and CD3–γδ TCR – IL-22+ innate cells (presumed ILCs, pILCs) (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.012). In normal mice keratoconjunctiva, the percentage and total number were highest in γδ T cells, followed by αβ Th cells and pILCs (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.0004); in corneal abraded mice, the population of αβ Th cells and pILCs tended to increase. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that three distinctive populations of IL-22–secreting immune cells are present in CALTs of both humans and mice, and the proportions of IL-22+αβ Th cells, γδ T cells, and pILCs in CALTs in humans might be differently distributed from those in normal mice.

Transcriptional Analysis of Nod-Like Receptors in a Mouse Model of Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the transcription pattern of Nod-like receptors (NLRs), the intracellular sensors, to detect danger signals in murine eyes with experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). METHODS: EAU was induced in B6 (C57BL/6) mice by subcutaneous injection of human interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein and intraperitoneal injection of pertussis toxin. At 1, 2, and 3 weeks post-immunization, the eyeballs were extracted and subjected to histological and molecular assays using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, Leucine rich Repeat and Pyrin domain 1 (NLRP1), NLRP3, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1), and NOD2 transcripts were increased at 2 weeks and gradually reduced thereafter. Notably, NLRP3 showed the highest expression in the eyes with EAU. Similarly, the transcript level of pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta, increased and reached a peak at 2 weeks post-immunization. The retinal structure was severely damaged by inflammation at 3 weeks post-immunization. CONCLUSIONS: Among NLRs, NLRP3 may induce inflammation in eyes after EAU immunization.

The Influencing Factors on the Ego Integrity of Elderly Living Alone / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to determine the extent of ego integrity and to confirm the association between the sense of ego integrity and integrated loneliness, social support, and social activities. METHODS: For this study, 146 elderly people participated. The data was analyzed with SPSS/WIN 21.0, using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: In regards to differences between ego integrity according to general characteristics of subjects, there was a statistically significant difference in education (F=4.13, p=.007). In elderly living alone, ego integrity was significantly positive correlated with social support and social activities, but negative correlated with loneliness. These variables explained 43.2% of the sense of ego integrity. CONCLUSION: The study suggested that nursing programs and social activity programs designed to aid the elderly living alone must focus on reducing loneliness, as well as increasing social support and social activities, while taking education into consideration. Also, these programs should strive to build social support systems.

Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Affect Immunologic Profiling of Interleukin-17-secreting Cells in a Chemical Burn Mouse Model

PURPOSE: This study investigated interleukin (IL)-17-secreting cell involvement in sterile inflammation, and evaluated the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on IL-17-secreting cell immunologic profiling. METHODS: Twenty mice were sacrificed at time points of 6 hours, 1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks (each group, n = 5) after the cornea was chemically injured with 0.5N NaOH; IL-17 changes in the cornea were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Further, IL-17 secreting cells were assessed in the cervical lymph nodes by a flow cytometer. Rat MSCs were applied intraperitoneally in a burn model (n = 10), IL-17-secreting T helper 17 (Th17) cell and non-Th17 cell changes were checked using a flow cytometer in both cornea and cervical lymph nodes at 1week, and compared with those in the positive control (n = 10). RESULTS: IL-17 was highest in the cornea at 1 week, while, in the cervical lymph nodes, IL-17-secreting cells showed early increase at 6 hours, and maintained the increase through 1 day to 1 week, and levels returned to the basal level at 3 weeks. Specifically, the non-Th17 cells secreted IL-17 earlier than the Th17 cells. When the MSCs were applied, IL-17 secretion was reduced in CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-), CD3(+)CD4(+)CD8(-), and CD3(+) CD4(-)CD8(+) cells of the cervical lymph nodes by 53.7%, 43.8%, and 50.8%, respectively. However, in the cornea, IL-17 secretion of CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) cells was completely blocked. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that both IL-17-secreting non-Th17 and Th17 cells were involved in the chemical burn model, and MSCs appeared to mainly modulate non-Th17 cells and also partially suppress the Th17 cells.

Development of monoclonal antibodies against the abnormal prion protein isoform (PrPres) associated with chronic wasting disease (CWD)

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for the abnormal prion protein isoform (PrPres) are indispensable for diagnosing chronic wasting disease (CWD). In this study, eight mAbs were developed by immunizing PrP knockout mice with recombinant elk PrP and an immunogenic PrP peptide. The reactivity of the mAbs to recombinant PrP and the PrP peptide was measured, and their isotypes were subsequently determined. Among them, four mAbs (B85-05, B85-08, B85-12, and B77-75) were shown by Western blotting to recognize proteinase K-treated brain homogenate derived from an elk suffering from CWD.

The Ketogenic Diet Suppresses the Cathepsin E Expression Induced by Kainic Acid in the Rat Brain

PURPOSE: The ketogenic diet has long been used to treat epilepsy, but its mechanism is not yet clearly understood. To explore the potential mechanism, we analyzed the changes in gene expression induced by the ketogenic diet in the rat kainic acid (KA) epilepsy model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: KA-administered rats were fed the ketogenic diet or a normal diet for 4 weeks, and microarray analysis was performed with their brain tissues. The effects of the ketogenic diet on cathepsin E messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression were analyzed in KA-administered and normal saline-administered groups with semi-quantitative and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Brain tissues were dissected into 8 regions to compare differential effects of the ketogenic diet on cathepsin E mRNA expression. Immunohistochemistry with an anti-cathepsin E antibody was performed on slides of hippocampus obtained from whole brain paraffin blocks. RESULTS: The microarray data and subsequent RT-PCR experiments showed that KA increased the mRNA expression of cathepsin E, known to be related to neuronal cell death, in most brain areas except the brain stem, and these increases of cathepsin E mRNA expression were suppressed by the ketogenic diet. The expression of cathepsin E mRNA in the control group, however, was not significantly affected by the ketogenic diet. The change in cathepsin E mRNA expression was greatest in the hippocampus. The protein level of cathepsin E in the hippocampus of KA-administered rat was elevated in immunohistochemistry and the ketogenic diet suppressed this increase. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that KA administration increased cathepsin E expression in the rat brain and its increase was suppressed by the ketogenic diet.

Identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the prion protein gene in sika deer (Cervus nippon laiouanus)

Polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) havebeen detected in several cervid species. In order toconfirm the genetic variations, this study examined theDNA sequences of the PRNP obtained from 33 captivesika deer (Cervus nippon laiouanus) in Korea. A total ofthree single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at codons100, 136 and 226 in the PRNP of the sika deer wereidentified. The polymorphic site located at codon 100 hasnot been reported. The SNPs detected at codons 100 and226 induced amino acid substitutions. The SNP at codon136 was a silent mutation that does not induce any aminoacid change. The genotype and allele frequencies weredetermined for each of the SNPs.

Fatigue and Quality of Life in Clinical Nurses / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify correlations between fatigue and quality of life in clinical nurses. METHOD: A sample of 294 nurses working in 3 general hospitals answered a questionnaire containing Yoshitake's fatigue scale and WHOQOL-BREF. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients. The SPSS/WIN 11.0 version program was used. RESULTS: The score for level of fatigue was 2.11 (52.7%) and quality of life, 2.89 (57.8%). The level of fatigue was highest in the physical domain followed by psychical and nervous-sensual domain in that order. There were statistically significant differences in scores of fatigue depending on the nurse's age, marital status, career, position, health status and present illness. Quality of life had the highest score in the social domain followed by physical, overall, psychological, and environmental domain in that order. There were statistically significant differences in scores on quality of life depending on nurse's age, marital status, career, position, health status and present illness. CONCLUSION: The relationship between fatigue and quality of life revealed a significant negative correlation. Based on this study, nursing administrators need to reduce the level of nurse fatigue by providing various programs, which improve quality of life.