Serum IgA against type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor is a novel marker in diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Antibodies against type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) are involved in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), but the clinical value of them in SS patients has been controversial. The aims of this study were to: (1) establish an improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgA antibodies against M3R; (2) evaluate the value of IgA antibodies against the second extracellular loop of M3R205-220 (c2M3RP) in diagnosis of SS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To increase the ELISA sensitivity, c2M3RP was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the glutaraldehyde method and a 96-well microplate was treated by ultraviolet rays before coated. Concentrations of anti-c2M3RP, anti-SSA, and anti-SSB were measured in the sera of 240 individuals: 91 patients with primary SS and 149 controls (16 secondary SS, 27 systemic lupus erythematosus, 40 rheumatoid arthritis and 66 healthy controls). Diagnostic properties of anti-c2M3RP were determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of serum IgA anti-c2M3RP antibodies in patients with pSS (46%, 42/91) was significantly higher than that in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (19%, 5/27), in rheumatoid arthritis (15%, 6/40) and in healthy controls (5%, 3/66). However, there was no significant difference between the two SS groups (P = 0.727). The diagnostic performance of IgA anti-M3RP antibodies was similar to anti-SSA assay, but had 22% higher sensitivity than anti-SSB. By analyzing of IgA anti-c2M3RP antibodies, combination of anti-SSA and anti-SSB resulted in increased sensitivity, whereas their specificity was not significantly changed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The improved anti-c2M3RP ELISA is a novel, sensitive, and specific serological test for the diagnosis of SS. The combined application of anti-c2M3RP, anti-SSA and anti-SSB tests can improve the laboratory diagnosis of SS. The IgA anti-c2M3RP antibodies may serve as a novel diagnostic marker for SS.</p>

Effects of oxymatrine on serum levels of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in HBsAg transgenic mice / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of oxymatrine on serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in HBsAg transgenic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HBsAg transgenic mice were divided into oxymatrine group and control group. Each mouse was injected with either oxymatrine 200 mg/kg 0.2 ml or 0.9% NaCl 0.2 ml intraperitoneally once a day for 30 days. Serum IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4, IL-10 were quantitated before and after different treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference on the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 before and after treatment in control group. While in oxymatrine group, the levels of IFN-gamma before and after treatment were (3.108+/-3.172) pg/ml and (11.059+/-6.971) pg/ml; those of IL-4 were (29.045+/-13.235) pg/ml and (13.024+/-9.002) pg/ml (both P less than 0.001). After treatment, the levels of IL-2 in control and oxymatrine group were (1.070+/-0.447) pg/ml and (5.537+/-2.887) pg/ml (P less than 0.000 1); and those of IL-10 were (97.226+/-73.306) pg/ml and (33.607+/-23.154) pg/ml (P less than 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>After injection of oxymatrine to HBsAg transgenic mice, the serum concentration of Th1 cytokines increased while the Th2 cytokines decreased. This can help us understand more better on the mechanisms of anti-HBV effect of oxymatrine.</p>