The number of FOXP3+regulatory T cells (Tregs) decreased and transformed into RORγt+FOXP3+Tregs in lung tissues of mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To explore the phenotypic conversion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the lungs of mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-affected mice. Methods A total of 20 newborn C57BL/6 mice were divided into air group and hyperoxia group, with 10 mice in each group. The BPD model was established by exposing the newborn mice to hyperoxia. Lung tissues from five mice in each group were collected on postnatal days 7 and 14, respectively. Histopathological changes of the lung tissues was detected by HE staining. The expression level of surfactant protein C (SP-C) in the lung tissues was examined by Western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the proportion of FOXP3+ Tregs and RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs in CD4+ lymphocytes. The concentrations of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-6 in lung homogenate were measured by using ELISA. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between FOXP3+Treg and the expression of SP-C and the correlation between RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs and the content of IL-17A and IL-6. Results The hyperoxia group exhibited significantly decreased levels of SP-C and radical alveolar counts in comparison to the control group. The proportion of FOXP3+Tregs was reduced and that of RORγt+FOXP3+Tregs was increased. IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased. SP-C was positively correlated with the expression level of RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs. RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs and IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were also positively correlated. Conclusion The number of FOXP3+ Tregs in lung tissue of BPD mice is decreased and converted to RORγt+ FOXP3+ Tregs, which may be involved in hyperoxy-induced lung injury.

Effect of different orthodontic forces on the expression of T helper cell 17 cell-related cytokines in the pressure side of periodontal tissue in rats / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to explore the changes in the expression of the characteristic transcription factor retinoid related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and the cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) of T helper cell 17 (Th17) in the pressure side of the periodontal tissue of rats under different orthodontic forces. Their effects on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the quantity of osteoclast (OC) were also explored. The role of Th17 cell in alveolar bone remodeling under different forces was preliminarily investigated.@*METHODS@#A total of 108 rats were chosen and randomly divided into three groups. Mesial forces of 0, 50, and 100 g were loaded on the maxillary first molar in the three groups. The rats were executed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days. The expression of RORγt mRNA was quantified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression of IL-17 protein was quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of RORγt and OPG proteins were quantified, and the quantity of OC was counted via immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#The expression levels of RORγt and IL-17 and the quantity of OC increased first and then decreased in the 50 and 100 g groups, and the peak values of the two groups were on days 5 and 7, respectively. The expression levels in the 50 g group basically recovered to normal level on day 14, while that in the 100 g group remained at a high level. The expression levels in the 50 g group were higher than those in the 0 g group and lower than those in the 100 g group. The expression of OPG in the 50 g group decreased first, then increased, and finally decreased. It basically recovered to normal level on day 14. The expression of OPG in the 100 g group decreased first and then increased. It remained at a high level on day 14. The expression in the 50 g group was significantly higher than that in the 0 g group on day 7, while the expression in the 100 g group was significantly higher than that in the 0 g group on day 14.@*CONCLUSIONS@#RORγt, IL-17, and OPG were expressed regularly over time under different orthodontic forces, indicating that Th17 participated in the process of bone resorption on the pressure side of periodontal tissue by secreting IL-17.

Circadian effects of ionizing radiation on reproductive function and clock genes expression in male mouse

BACKGROUND@#Exposure to the ionizing radiation (IR) encountered outside the magnetic field of the Earth poses a persistent threat to the reproductive functions of astronauts. The potential effects of space IR on the circadian rhythms of male reproductive functions have not been well characterized so far.@*METHODS@#Here, we investigated the circadian effects of IR exposure (3 Gy X-rays) on reproductive functional markers in mouse testicular tissue and epididymis at regular intervals over a 24-h day. For each animal, epididymis was tested for sperm motility, and the testis tissue was used for daily sperm production (DSP), testosterone levels, and activities of testicular enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and acid phosphatase (ACP)), and the clock genes mRNA expression such as Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ.@*RESULTS@#Mice exposed to IR exhibited a disruption in circadian rhythms of reproductive markers, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, increased daily sperm production (DSP), and reduced activities of testis enzymes such as G6PDH, SDH, LDH, and ACP. Moreover, IR exposure also decreased mRNA expression of five clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ) in testis, with alteration in the rhythm parameters.@*CONCLUSION@#These findings suggested potential health effects of IR exposure on reproductive functions of male astronauts, in terms of both the daily overall level as well as the circadian rhythmicity.

Efficacy and safety of metformin for Behcet's disease and its effect on Treg/Th17 balance: a single-blinded, before-after study / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#Behcet's disease (BD) is an autoimmune disorder that causes most commonly mouth and genital ulcerations and erythema nodules of the skin and currently has limited options of therapeutic medicines. Metformin is recently reported to suppress immune reaction, and we hypothesized that metformin could be an option for treatment of BD.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with BD were enrolled in this perspective single-blinded, before-after study. We recorded the changes in the mucocutaneous activity index for BD (MAIBD), relapse frequency, C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) after metformin treatment to assess the changes in the disease activity. We also analyzed the changes in the protein and mRNA expression levels of Foxp3, interleukin-35 (IL-35), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Ror-γt, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) in these patients using ELISA and qRT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Of the 30 patients enrolled, 26 completed the trial. After the treatment, favorable responses were achieved in 88.46% (23/26) of the patients, and partial remission was obtained in 11.54% (4/26) of them. During the treatment, 8 patients complained of gastrointestinal side effects, for which 4 chose to withdraw from the study in the first week. Our results showed that metformin treatment decreased MAIBD and relapse frequency in the patients, and significantly lowered the clinical inflammatory indexes including CRP and ESR. The results of ELISA and qRT-PCR revealed that metformin treatment obviously increased Foxp3 and TGF-β expressions at both the protein and mRNA levels and significantly decreased the levels of ROR-γt, IL-17 and TNF- as well as IL-35 level in these patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Metformin treatment relieves the clinical symptoms, reduces the inflammatory reaction indexes and regulates the Treg/Th17 axis in patients with BD, suggesting the potential of metformin as a candidate medicine for treatment of BD.

The potential role of Th17 lymphocytes in patients with psoriasis

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, characterized by increased keratinocyte proliferation due to abnormal differentiation of basal keratinocytes. The etiology of the disease is unclear, and according to the survey results, it is hypothesized that a combination of genetic and environmental factors prompts an abnormal immune response in patients with psoriasis. CD4+ Th cells play a multifaceted role in both immune defense and pathogenesis of certain diseases such as psoriasis. Nonetheless, the exact contribution of different subpopulations of Th cells in psoriasis is still not clear. Objective: The aim of present study was to determine the mRNA expression level of RORC as potential inducer of Th17 cell differentiation and expression pattern of Th17-signature cytokines (IL-17A and IL-22). Methods: Twenty patients with psoriasis and twenty-one healthy subjects were included in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated and expression of three genes were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Plasma levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were also evaluated by ELISA. Results: RORC, IL-17A and IL-22 gene expression was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis compared with healthy controls (P<0.05). In addition, a marked increase in plasma IL-17A and IL-22 levels was observed in patient group compared to controls (P<0.001). Study limitations: small number of patients. Conclusion: These data suggest that Th17 response may contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Effects of Jinwu Jiangu recipe on IL-17/STAT3 signals in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to investigate the effects of Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract on the IL-17/STAT3 signals in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts(RASF). The primary RASFs were cultured by tissue piece method ， and divided into blank control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe low dose group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe middle dose group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe high dose group， and tripterygium glycosides control group. They were then treated with corresponding serum free medium， different doses of Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract(0.06， 0.6， 6.0 g·L⁻¹)， and tripterygium glycosides(0.03 g·L⁻¹) respectively for 24 hours. The gene expression levels of RORα， RORγt， and STAT3 mRNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)， and the protein activity of IL-17R and pSTAT3 were measured by Western blot assay. The results showed that as compared with blank control group， the expression levels of RORα， RORγt， IL-17R and STAT3 mRNA in RASF were significantly declined(<0.01). As compared with tripterygium glycosides control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract middle dose group and high dose group can down-regulate the expression levels of RORα， RORγt， IL-17R and STAT3 mRNA(<0.05)， and the effect was more obvious in high dose group(<0.01). As compared with blank control group， the protein expression levels of IL-17R and pSTAT3 in each treatment group were obviously decreased(<0.01). As compared with tripterygium glycosides control group， Jinwu Jiangu recipe high dose group had more obvious effect in down-regulating the protein expression of pSTAT3(<0.01). Therefore， Miao medicine Jinwu Jiangu recipe total extract can down-regulate the expressions of RORα， RORγt， and STAT3 mRNA， and inhibit the protein activity of IL-17R and pSTAT3 in RASF.

SIRT1 deficiency in CD4+T cells induces acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To study the relationship between acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and the SIRT1 expression in peripheral blood CD4+T cells from patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).
 Methods: We collected 40 patients who underwent allo-HSCT from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donors. SIRT1 expression level in CD4+T cells was measured by real-time PCR and Western blot. Acetylation and phosphorylation of STAT3 in CD4+T cells were detected by Western blot. The binding level between SIRT1 and STAT3 in CD4+T cells was analyzed by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot. Over-expression of SIRT1 in aGVHD CD4+T cells, as well as STAT3 acetylation and phosphorylation were measured by Western blot. The mRNA levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F related to Th17 were detected by real-time PCR.
 Results: SIRT1 expression was significantly down-regulated, while STAT3 expression, acetylation and phosphorylation levels were significantly up-regulated in patients with aGVHD compared with patients without aGVHD. The STAT3 acetylation was positively correlated with STAT3 phosphorylation (r=0.69, P<0.01). Less SIRT1-STAT3 complexes were found in CD4+T cells from patients with aGVHD compared with patients without aGVHD. After SIRT1 over-expression in aGVHD CD4+T cells, the STAT3 acetylation and phosphorylation, and the expression of RORγt, IL-17A, and IL-17F related to Th17 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: SIRT1 deficiency in CD4+T cells plays a crucial role in up-regulation of STAT3 acetylation and phosphorylation, the increase of Th17 related gene expression, and induction of aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Protective Effect of Norcantharidin on Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10): normal group, CIA model group(model group), NCTD low-dose group [1.35 mg/(kg•d)], NCTD middle-dose group [2.7 mg/(kg•d)], NCTD high-dose group [5.4 mg/(kg•d)] and methotrexate (MTX) group [1.8 mg/(kg/w)]. Anesthetized rats were sacrificed by luxation of cervical vertebra after 4 weeks of administration. The arthritis scores were evaluated twice a week. The pathological changes in the ankle joints of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The serum levels of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-17 and transform growth factor (TGF) β were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptorγt (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in peripheral blood lymphocytes were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MTX and high-dose NCTD not only decreased the arthritis scores but also alleviated the pathological changes in CIA rats' ankle joints compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). All doses of NCTD significantly inhibited the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in CIA rats (P<0.05). Only middle- and high-dose of NCTD prominently decreased serum IL-1β and TGF-β levels of CIA rats (P<0.05). However, NCTD has no effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in CIA rats. The Foxp3 mRNA expression in all NCTD groups were increased significantly than in the model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of RORγt in NCTD high-dose group was decreased apparently in comparison with the model group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NCTD showed therapeutic effect on CIA rats by inhibition of cytokines and regulation of Th17/Treg cells.</p>

Effect of Shirexiao waist hot-compress on the expressions of Th17/Treg-specific factors in the mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis with damp heat syndrome / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of waist hot-compress with the Shirexiao (SRX) pad on the expressions of Th17/Treg-specific factors in the prostatic tissue of the mouse model of experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) with damp heat syndrome, and explore its possible action mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Twenty healthy male mice were included as normal controls and another 100 chosen for establishing the model of EAP with damp heat syndrome by subcutaneous injection of purified prostate protein solution from the Wistar rat and Freund's complete adjuvant using the TCM method. The model mice were randomly divided into five groups: model control, matrix, and low-, medium- and high-dose SRX. After chemical removal of the hair at lumbar vertebrae 1－3, the animals of the low-, medium- and high-dose SRX groups were treated with the SRX pad heated to 45℃ and externally applied to the non-hair area, qd, bid, and tid, respectively, 10 minutes each time, those of the matrix group with the vaseline pad, and those of the normal and model control groups with the saline pad. After 4 weeks of continuous treatment, all the mice were sacrificed for determination of the protein and mRNA expressions of RORγt and Foxp3 in the prostate tissue by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#The symptoms, signs and pathological changes of the EAP model mice were similar to the manifestations of chronic prostatitis. After intervention, the protein and mRNA expressions of Foxp3 were significantly down-regulated while those of RORγt markedly up-regulated in the EAP model group as compared with the normal control (P 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Shirexiao waist hot-compress therapy plays a positive role in the treatment of autoimmune prostatitis with damp heat syndrome by reducing the expression of RORγt, inhibiting the differentiation of Th17 and thus checking the differentiation imbalance of Th17/Treg.

Effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on airway inflammation and Th17/Treg balance in asthmatic mice / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the airway inflammation and its regulatory effect on Th17/Treg imbalance in asthmatic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 BALB/c mice were equally and randomly divided into three groups: control, asthma, and VIP. An acute asthmatic mouse model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OVA). The control group received normal saline instead of OVA. Before the challenge with OVA, the VIP group was administered VIP (20 μg/mL) by aerosol inhalation for 30 minutes. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the lung tissue were collected from mice. The pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of Th17/Treg-related cytokines in BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The histopathological results showed that the VIP group had milder symptoms of airway inflammation than the asthma group. The level of IL-17 in BALF in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the control group and the VIP group (P<0.01), but the level of IL-17 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the VIP group (P<0.01). The level of IL-10 in BALF in the asthma group was significantly lower than that in the control group and the VIP group (P<0.01, but the level of IL-10 in the VIP group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The asthma group showed significantly higher expression levels of RORγt mRNA and protein in the lung tissue and significantly lower expression levels of Foxp3 mRNA and protein than the control group (P<0.01). The VIP group had significantly lower expression levels of RORγt mRNA and protein in the lung tissue and significantly higher expression levels of Foxp3 mRNA and protein than the asthma group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The Th17/Treg imbalance may be closely related to the airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. VIP can improve airway inflammation by regulating the Th17/Treg imbalance in asthmatic mice.</p>

Effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii supernatant on Th17 cell and IL-17A in dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis mice / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the protective and therapeutic effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (Fp) supernatant on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and the underlying mechanisms.
@*METHODS@#Forty male mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a treatment group and a prevention group (n=10 in each group). The colorectal histopathologic damage score (HDS) were calculated; the proportion of helper T cell (Th17) in mononuclear cells (MNC) in spleen, the levels of IL-17A and IL-6 in plasma were detected; the mRNA levels of transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-6 in colon mucosa tissues were also determined.
@*RESULTS@#Compared with the model group, the colon HDS in the treatment group and the prevention group were significantly decreased (both P0.05). The proportion of Th17 cells in spleen in the treatment group and the prevention group was also remarkably lower than that in the model group (both P0.05).
@*CONCLUSION@#Fp supernatant has protective and therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis in mice induced by DSS, which might be mediated by decrease of Th17 and IL-17A levels in the plasma and the colon mucosa tissues. Fp supernatant also can decrease mice colitis by reducing IL-6 levels.

Effect of Retinoic Acid in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

PURPOSE: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) modulates immune responses by affecting T cells. Several studies have revealed that allergic inflammation of the lower airways is negatively associated with the vitamin A concentration. However, the role of ATRA in allergic inflammation of the upper airways is unclear. We investigated the effects of ATRA in an allergic rhinitis mouse model. METHODS: BALB/c mice except control groups (CON group) were sensitized with and challenged intra-nasally with Dermatophagoides farina (AR group). The ATRA groups were administered ATRA intraperitoneally. The steroid groups were administered steroid intranasally (ST group). Allergic symptoms and the average eosinophil number were counted. Cytokines and transcription factors were measured by Real-Time PCR and Western blotting. Der f-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) was measured. Flow cytometry results of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells were analyzed. RESULTS: The symptom scores were lower in the ATRA group than in the AR group and higher than in the CON group. The levels of IgE were lower in the ATRA group than in the AR group and higher than in the CON and ST groups. The levels of Foxp3, TGF-beta, and IL-10 mRNA, as well as the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells, were higher in the ATRA group than in theAR group. In the ATRA group the levels of IFN-gamma mRNA were higher, and the levels of GATA-3 and IL-4 mRNA, and ROR-gammat were lower. In Western blotting analyses, the expression patterns of all factors, except Foxp3, showed similar to those of mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: ATRA has anti-allergic effects in an allergic rhinitis model, and its underlying mechanisms mainly include the induction of regulatory T cells and the inhibition of Th2 responses.

Expression of BATF, a member of the activator protein-1 family, in renal tissues of MRL/lpr mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of BATF, a member of the activator protein-1 family, in the renal tissues of mice with lupus nephritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The renal tissues from 24-week-old female MRL/lpr mice and age- and sex-matched C57BL/6 mice were examined for BATF protein expressions using Western blotting and for expressions of BATF, RORγt and IL-17A mRNA using quantitative real-time PCR. The results of laboratory examinations were analyzed in relation with the histopathology of the mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The urinary protein and ds-DNA levels were significantly higher in MRL/lpr mice than in the control mice (P<0.05). Compared to normal control mice, MRL/lpr mice showed obvious glomerular fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltrating with significantly increased BATF protein and mRNA expressions (P<0.05) and RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expressions in the renal tissues (P<0.05). In MRL/lpr mice, the expression of BATF mRNA was positively correlated with the RORγt and IL-17A mRNA expressions in the renal tissues.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The renal expressions of BATF protein and mRNA is increased in MRL/lpr mice. BATF may participate in the immunopathogenesis of lupus nephritis by enhancing Thl7 cell response.</p>

mRNA Expressions of T-bet, GATA-3, ROR γt and Foxp3 in peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in different stages / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was to investigate the mRNA expression of T-bet, GATA-3, ROR γt and Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in different stages and explore their potential role in the pathogenesis and clinical diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 46 newly diagnosed and untreated patients with CLL was chosen as patient group, including 16 patients in the stage of Binet A, 15 in the stage of Binet B, and 15 in the stage of Binet C; 20 healthy persons were selected as controls. The quantitative fluorescence PCR was adopted to detect the mRNA expression of T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt and Foxp3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The expression of T-bet mRNA in patient group was lower than that in normal controls (P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of GATA-3 mRNA, ROR γt, Foxp3 in CLL patients group were higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05), and the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 and RORγt/Foxp3 in CLL in patient group were lower than that in normal controls(P < 0.05); (2) The later the stage, the higher the mRNA expression of GATA-3 and Foxp3. The mRNA expression of GATA-3 in stage Binet B and stage Binet C of CLL patients were higher than that in stage Binet A (P < 0.05),and the mRNA expression of Foxp3 in stage Binet C was higher than that in stage of Binet A and Binet B (P < 0.05); the later the stage, the lower the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 and RORγt/Foxp3. The ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 in stage of Binet A CLL patients was higher than that in stage Binet C (P < 0.05) and the ratio of RORγt/Foxp3 in stage of Binet A and stage of Binet B were higher than that in stage Binet C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study found in the level of transcription factors in CLL patients that with the process of disease, the balance shifts from Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg to Th17 and Treg, and Treg cell may play a critical immunosuppressive role in the development of CLL.</p>

Th17 and Treg cell levels in patients with sarcoidosis and their relation to disease activation / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the Th17 cell and Treg cell levels in patients with sarcoidosis, and their relation to disease activation and glucocorticoids treatment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three sarcoidosis patients admitted in Yinzhou People's Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013 and 25 healthy subjects (controls) were included in this study. The blood samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected in all patients before and after glucocorticoids treatment. The serum angiotensin converting enzyme (SACE) levels were detected. The percentages of Th17 cells and Treg cells in peripheral blood and BALF were determined by flow cytometry, the concentrations of cytokines in serum and supernatants of BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of ROR-γt and Foxp3 mRNA transcripts in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR. The potential correlation between the percentages of Th17 or Treg cells and SACE levels was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with healthy controls, significantly higher frequencies of Th17 cells (4.34%±0.89% vs 1.60% ± 0.42%), lower frequencies of Treg cells (1.28% ± 0.37% vs 3.39% ± 0.50%) in peripheral blood were observed. Higher level of ROR-γt mRNA (21.31 ± 3.55 vs 3.63 ± 1.00) and lower level of Foxp3 mRNA (1.60 ± 0.24 vs 3.12 ± 0.76) in peripheral blood were detected in sarcoidosis patients in active stage (before glucocorticoids treatment) (all P<0.01). After the treatment of glucocorticoids, these index in peripheral blood were significantly improved (Th17 cells 2.16% ± 0.68%，Treg cells 2.21% ± 0.42%, ROR-γt mRNA 10.15 ± 1.93, Foxp3 mRNA 2.44 ± 0.38) ( all P<0.05). The changing trends of Th17 and Treg cell cytokines levels in serum were consistent with two type cells. Meanwhile, the changing trends of above index in BALF of patients treated by glucocorticoids were consistent with those in sarcoidosis patients in active stage. The increased ratios of Th17 cells to Treg cells were positively correlated with the level of serum SACE (r= 0.781).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The imbalance of Th17 cells and Treg cells in peripheral blood and airway may be involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, which was associated with the activity of disease, and the treatment of glucocorticoids may achieve a therapeutic effect by correcting the immune imbalance.</p>

Effects of Thalidomide on Peripheral Blood Th17 Cells of Patients with Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the change of T help cell 17 (Th17) in the peripheral blood of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) before and after treatment with thalidomide.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 35 MM patients treated with thalidomide and 35 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The percentage of Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the plasm IL-17 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentage of Th17 cells, the mRNA expression of RORγt and the plasm IL-17 levels in patients with MM were statistically higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.05). The percentage of Th17 cells was not correlate with the sex, age, disease type, globulin, immune globulin, light chain, M-protein and the proportion of plasmocytes (P > 0.05), but correlated with ISS stage, the level of β2-microglobulin and the plasm IL-17 levels (P < 0.05). The percentage of Th17 cells, the mRNA expression of RORγt and the plasm IL-17 levels in patients with response to thalidomide were statistically lower than those in patients before treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Th17 cells increase in the peripheral blood of patients with MM, the Th17 cells may participate in the occurrence of MM. Thalidomide may exert anti-MM through down-regulating Th17 cells.</p>

Role of Imbalance between Th17 Cells and Treg Cells in the Pathogenesis of Children with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of Th17 cells, CD4⁺ CD25⁺ regulatory Treg cells (Treg) and its transcription factor RORγt and FoxP3 in the pathogenesis of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) so as to provide a new strategy for treatment of children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura by regulating the balance of Th17 and Treg cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura in acute phase admitted in our hospital from February 2012 to March 2013 were enrolled in this study, forty healthy children were simultaneously used as controls. The expression of RORγt mRNA and FoxP3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by real-time PCR using SYBR Green I. The levels of IL-17A, TGF-β1, IL-2 and IL-6 in serum were measured by ABC-ELISA. The ratio of Th17 cells to Treg cells in peripheral blood T lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of Th17 cells (2.75 ± 0.60%) and RORγt mRNA (1.11 ± 0.51) in HSP group were significantly higher than levels of Th17 cells (1.41 ± 0.29%) and RORγt mRNA (0.65 ± 0.24) (P < 0.01) in control group, but the levels of Treg cells (4.56 ± 1.26%) and FoxP3 mRNA (1.15 ± 0.45) in HSP group were lower than those of Treg cells (7.85 ± 1.97%) and FoxP3 mRNA (2.32 ± 1.1) (P < 0.01) in the control group. The relative levels of serum IL-17A, IL-6, TGF-β1 (40.40 ± 11.81 pg/ml, 75.38 ± 27.19 pg/ml, 309.41 ± 81.03 pg/ml) in the HSP group were significantly higher than those in the control group [IL-17A (20.32 ± 10.70 pg/ml), IL-6 (25.16 ± 8.31 pg/ml), TGF-β1 (236.34 ± 66.01 pg/ml)] (P < 0.01), but the level of serum IL-2 (25.60 ± 13.19 pg/ml) in the HSP group was lower than that (34.42 ± 11.69 pg/ml) in the control group (P < 0.01). The further detection demonstrated that in the children with acute HSP, the expression of Th17 cells positively correlated with RORγt mRNA, IL-17A and IL-6 with the correlation coefficients of 0.887, 0.938 and 0.934 (P < 0.01), respectively. The positive correlation was also shown between the Treg cells and FoxP3 mRNA, IL-2 with the correlation coefficients of 0.834 and 0.932 (P < 0.01), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There are higher expression levels of Th17 cells, RORγt mRNA and IL-17A, and lower expression levels of Treg cells, FoxP3 mRNA of children with HSP in acute phase, which shows that Th17/Treg imbalance exists in children with HSP in acute phase. The levels of serum IL-6, TGF-β1 increase and the serum IL-2 decrease in children with HSP in acute phase, moreover, there are the positive correlations between the levels of Th17 cells and expression of IL-6, as well as the level of Treg cells and expression of IL-2 in children with HSP in acute phase.</p>

Role of Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in Graves' ophthalmopathy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Foxp3⁺ Treg/CD4⁺ IL-17A(+)Th17 cells and the related cytokines in Graves' ophthalmopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on clinical activity scores (CAS), we divided patients with untreated Graves' ophthal- mopathy into active group (AGO group with CAS ≥ 3 (15 cases) and non-active group (NGO group) with CAS<3 (15 cases), with another 15 patients with untreated Graves' disease free of eye symptoms (GD group) and 15 normal subjects as controls. Peripheral venous blood Treg/Th17 cell ratio was determined using flow cytometry. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of Treg-specific transcription factor Foxp3 and Th17-specific transcription factor RORγt. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of Th17 cell-related cytokines (IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-6) and Treg-related cytokines (TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-35).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal subjects, the patients in GD, NGO, AGO groups all showed significantly increased Th17 cell count (P<0.05), which was the highest in AGO group. RT-PCR results revealed significantly increased RORγt in GD, NGO, and AGO groups, also the highest in AGO group. Serum IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-6 levels all showed significant increments in GD, NGO, and AGO groups (P<0.05), especially in AGO group. Among the Treg-related cytokines, TGF-β and IL-35 levels decreased (P<0.05) but IL-10 increased significantly (P<0.05) in GD, NGO, AGO groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased immunosuppressive capacity of Treg cells can be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Th17 cells may also participate in the occurrence and progression of Graves' ophthalmopathy and can serve along with related cytokines as novel indicators of the disease activity. Impaired Treg/Th17 balance may importantly contribute to the occurrence of Graves' ophthalmopathy.</p>

Expressive changes of CD4(+)T cell subset transcription factors in patients with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia and their clinical significances / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to compare the expressions of specific transcription factors of CD4(+) T cell subset ( T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt and FoxP3 mRNA) in peripheral blood of patients with aplastic anemia(AA), myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS), and acute myeloid leukemia(AML), and investigate their immune status and pathogenesis, so as to provide experimental basis for the choice of clinical treatment. The expression of T-box (T-bet), GATA-3, ROR-γt and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMNC were examined by RT-PCR in 42 cases of MDS, including 22 refractory anemia(MDS-RA) and 20 refractory anemia with excess blasts (MDS-RAEB), in 23 cases of AA, 17 cases of AML patients and 16 healthy volunteers respectively. The results indicated that, compared with normal control group, expressions of T-bet and RORγt mRNA in AA patient group were significantly higher (P < 0.01), expression levels of GATA3 Foxp3 mRNA were lower (both P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in expression of T-bet and GATA3 mRNA between MDS group and normal control group, but the expression levels of Foxp3 and RORγt mRNA were higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.05); T-bet and RORγt in MDS-RA group were higher than those in the normal controls(P < 0.01), and GATA3 expression significantly reduced (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference in expression of Foxp3 between MDS-RA and the controls. Expression levels of T-bet and RORγt mRNA in patients with MDS-RAEB and AML were lower than those in normal controls (P < 0.05), but the expression levels of GATA3 and Foxp3 mRNA were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.01). It is concluded that the transcription factor expressions are different in PBMNC of patients among these three diseases. Immune-mediated excessive apoptosis may play an important role in pathogenesis, bone marrow failure in patients with AA and MDS-RA, and abnormal clones of immature cells may be one of main reasons for bone marrow failure in AML and late stage of MDS.

Advance of researches on relation of Th17 cells with immuno-associatied hematologic diseases / 中国实验血液学杂志

Th17 cells are a newly discovered subsets of T cells. It can specifically secrete IL-17. The RORγt and STAT3 are specific transcription factors of Th17 cells. In recent researches, it has been found that Th17 cells and their proportion increased in a variety of autoimmune diseases. This article briefly reviews Th17 cells and its relationship with the occurrence and severity of several immune-related blood diseases, including aplastic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombo-cytopenia and immune-related pancytopenia.