Taurine inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages by promoting mitophagy / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of taurine regulating the polarization of M2 macrophages by mitophagy. Methods THP-1 cells were divided into four groups: M0 group (THP-1 cells were treated by 100 nmol/L phorbol myristate ester for 48 hours to polarize into M0), M2 group (THP-1 cells were induced to polarize into M2 macrophages by 20 ng/mL interferon-4 (IL-4) for 48 hours), M2 combined with taurine groups (added with 40 or 80 mmol/L taurine on the basis of M2 macrophages). The mRNA expression of mannose receptor C type 1(MRC-1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 22(CCL22) and dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (CD209) in M2 macrophages were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Mitochondrial and lysosome probes were used to detect the number of mitochondria and lysosomes by multifunction microplate reader and confocal laser scanning microscope. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 MMP assay kit. The expression of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with M0 group, the expression of MRC-1, CCL22, CD209 and PINK1, the number of mitochondria and the level of MMP in M2 group were significantly increased, whereas the number of lysosomes and LC3II/LC3I ratio were decreased. Compared with M2 group, the expressions of MRC-1, CCL22 and CD209, the number of mitochondria and the level of MMP in M2 combined with taurine group dropped significantly while the number of lysosomes was found increased, and the protein expression of PINK1 and LC3II/LC3I ratio were also increased. Conclusions The polarization of M2 macrophages is regulated by taurine to prevent excessive polarization via reducing the level of MMP, improving the level of mitophagy, reducing the number of mitochondria, and inhibiting the mRNA expression of polarization markers in M2 macrophages.

Pregnancy associated Sj(o)gren's syndrome characterized by hyperglobulinemia: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

The diagnosis,treatment and pregnancy outcome of a case of pregnancy associated Sj(o)gren's syndrome characterized by hyperglobulinemia were reported here.The patient who had a history of repeated purpura and anemia was admitted at 26+4 weeks of gestation with premature rupture of membranes.Multiple prenatal examinations showed elevated globulin without any other symptoms such as dry mouth,dry eyes,etc.No relevant tests was offered to confirm the diagnosis before or during pregnancy.After admission,she was diagnosed as Sj(o)gren's syndrome through immunoelectrophoresis and autoimmune antibody test,and hydroxychloroquine was administered.The patient gave birth to a 870 g newborn baby at 27 weeks of gestation.The premature infant was transferred to the Neonatology Department and later discharged after 2.5 months of treatment.A 3-month postpartum follow-up revealed that the patient still suffered from hyperglobulinemia,abnormal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and rheumatoid factor level,therefore she continued oral hydroxychloroquine treatment and was regularly followed up.Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of Sj(o)gren's syndrome in gravidas with hyperglobulinemia.

Analysis of the ammonia level in air and heavy metals in drinking water in a cynomolgus monkey feedlot / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective The ammonia level in air and heavy metals in drinking water were explored in a cynomolgus monkey feedlot. Methods Air ammonia from different communities and feeding patterns of cynomolgus monkeys were collected at three time-points per day and determined by Nessler's reagent spectrophotometry. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was applied to detect the level of heavy metals in drinking water from 5 different sampling sites in the feedlot,incluing the outlet of underground water,the water tank,both monkey cages equipped with PVC or iron pipes and sewage lagoon,respectively. Results Air ammonia levels in quarantine inspection flock cages(0.59 ± 0.03 mg/m3)were significantly higher than in the cages of both reproductive flock(0.34 ± 0.03 mg/m3)and sale flock(0.27 ± 0.04 mg/m3). The ammonia level in air in different feeding patterns ranks as following:cage rearing of quarantine inspection flock(0.59 ± 0.03 mg/m3)>cage rearing of reproductive flock(0.48 ± 0.02 mg/m3)>captive bleeding of sale flock(0.30 ± 0.02 mg/m3)>cage rearing of sale flock(0.25 ± 0.01 mg/m3)> captive bleeding of reproductive flock(0.22 ± 0.02 mg/m3). The air ammonia concentrations of both former flocks were statistically higher than the latter three flocks. The highest air ammonia level among different flocks and feeding patterns occurred in the morning, before waste discharge clean-up. The iron concentration in drinking water in the cages equipped with iron pipes was higher than Chinese drinking water standard. Conclusions The air ammonia level was lower than the Chinese air quality standard. The iron concentration in drinking water in the cages equipped with iron pipes was higher than the Chinese drinking water standard.

PROTECTION OF TAURINE AGAINST APOPTOSIS OF CORTEX NEURONS INDUCED BY MANGANESE IN VITRO / 营养学报

Objective To study the protection of taurine(TAU) against apoptosis of neurons induced by manganese(Mn) in vitro. Method Cortex neurons were separated from Wistar neonatal rats and cultured in vitro.The assays began when neurons grew under the best conditions. Cells were randomly divided into 7 groups: control group,Mn-added groups (Mn 0.2,0.6 and 1.0 mmol/L respectively),TAU-intervened groups (1.5mmol/L TAU with Mn). All treatments lasted 24h. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to observe the morphology of apoptosic neurons. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to quantitate neuron apoptosic rates. Results (1) Typical morphologic charateristic was found in Mn-added groups. TAU intervention could protect against the effect of 1.5mmol/l Mn on neurons. (2) FCM indicated that TAU can protect against neurons apoptosis induced by Mn. Conclusion Taurine can protect neurons from apoptosis induced by Mn in vitro.