Study of the expressions of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in C57BL/6 mice astroglial cells

Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type. They may promote or inhibit CNS inflammation depending on which cytokines are secreted. Astrocytes also have immune roles. IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 activate a heterodimer receptor composed of the IL-20R1 alpha-chain and the IL-20R2 beta-chain. It has long been considered that signaling by these receptor complexes affects immunological reactions, however the biological functions of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in the brain remain unclear. As the first step to address the role of these cytokine receptors in the brain, in this study we have researched the expressions of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in C57BL/6 mice astrocytes. We examined expressions of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 proteins in mice astroglial cells and in the 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line in response to MOG, LPS and GM-CSF by flow cytometry. The effect of LPS on mRNA expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 was investigated by RT-PCR. We provide, for the first time, evidence that astrocytes expressed IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA not only in response to LPS stimulation but also in unstimulated astrocytes. We did not observe the expressions of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 proteins in mice astroglial cells and the 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line. IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA are constitutively expressed in astrocytes. Because the majority of neuropathological processes involve astrocytes and inflammatory cytokines, the results of this study, which are reported for the first time, have important implications for future research

Detection of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA inC57BL/6 Mice Astroglial Cells and Brain Cortex Following LPS Stimulation

Astrocytes, which comprise 90% of overall brain mass, are involved in brain immunity. These cells represent the non-professional class of CNS-resident APCs and may promote or inhibit CNS inflammation depending on the cytokines they secrete. IL-10 family of cytokines and their receptors, IL-20R1 and IL-20R2, may have a role in shifting astrocytes to a neuroprotective or neurodegenerative function. To address the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 cytokine receptors in astrocytes and brain cortex of C57BL/6 mice. We investigated the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 in C57BL/6 mice astroglial cells and brain cortex in response to lipopolysaccharide [LPS], using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RTPCR] method. Astrocytes were able to express IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA not only in response to LPS stimulation but also in the absence of LPS. Furthermore, we found the expression of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 mRNA in the cortex of adult C57BL/6 mice. IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 are constitutively express in the brain. Since most neuropathological processes involve astrocytes and inflammatory cytokines, these findings have important implications for future therapeutic strategies

Strong Immune Responses Induced by a DNA vaccine containing HPV16 truncated E7 C-terminal linked to HSP70 gene

Vaccines capable of controlling tumor virus based infections are found difficult to develop due to the consistence latent infection in the host. DNA vaccines are attractive tools for the development of HPV vaccines and inducing antigen-specific immunity owing to the stability, simplicity of delivery, safety and cost effectiveness. However, there is a need to increase their potency by procedures such as using HSP70 gene as an adjuvant. To evaluate a DNA vaccine containing HPV16 truncated E7 C-terminal cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes linked to HSP70 gene [HSP70-tE7] in an animal model. Mice were immunized with the plasmid DNA after pre-treatment with cardiotoxin. The splenocytes of immunized mice were then tested for CTL activity by detecting the apoptosis and necrosis in target cells, cytokine production by ELISA, CD4 and CD8 frequencies by flow cytometry, and lymphocyte stimulation by MTT assay. The recombinant expression vector was able to elicit immune responses close to that of full length E7 complete gene. Although the use of a small part of a target antigen can induce immune responses equivalent to the full length antigen, it fails to elicit statistically significant stronger immune responses when fused with HSP70 compared to the complete E7 gene alone. The potent immunogenicity of HPV16 E7 was preserved in the HSP70-tE7 vaccine and may represent a target of choice for the therapeutic vaccination strategies. However, to improve the immunogenicity polytope DNA vaccines which elicit multiple effector and memory CTL responses should be considered in future studies of DNA-based cancer vaccines

Corneal topographic changes in healthy siblings of patients with keratoconus / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To describe the involvement in relatives of kera-toconus (KCN) patients with corneal topography map. METHODS: A total of 300 eyes of 150 siblings of 75 KCN patients referred to corneal clinic were studied and experienced complete slit-lamp, refraction examinations and topographic cornea maps provided by videophoto-keratography. ANOVA, Fisher exact and Chi-square tests were performed to compare the results.RESULTS: From 150 siblings, 56% were female and 44% were male with average age of 21 (range of 15-39) years old. KCN and suspect KCN diagnosed in 12.3% and 6.6% respectively. The central keratometry (CK) was 46.50±4.51 dioptr(D) in KCN and 45.66±1.52 (D) in suspect KCN. Inferior-superior value (I-S) was 3.51±2.50(D) in KCN and 1.56±1.22 (D) in suspect KCN. In KCN condition the oval pattern was 67.6% (n=25) and round pattern detected was 32.4% (n=12). In suspect KCN these patterns detected were 90% and 10% respectively. Refractive errors in KCN were -7.50 to +1.25D(-1.25±1.83), in suspect KCN 0.45 to -4.2D(-0.68±0.76) and in healthy group 2.75 to -7.5D(-0.6±1.12). Astigmatism was mild in 22.7%, moderate astigmatism in 18.3% in KCN and suspect KCN.CONCLUSION: Increase KCN condition in healthy siblings of KCN patients shows require of screening to early diagnose and cautious treatment of contact lens in these individuals.

Theophylline for prevention of kidney dysfunction in neonates with severe asphyxia

Recent studies have suggested theophylline for prevention of kidney dysfunction in asphyxia. This study was designed to determine whether theophylline could prevent or ameliorate kidney dysfunction in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia. We assigned 36 severely asphyxiated term infants [Apgar score

Urinary calcium/creatinin ratio with different dosages of vitamin D3 prophylaxis in infants

The requirement of vitamin D for breast-fed term infants remains an area of controversy. Different dosage is needed according to environmental factors such as sunlight exposure. Reception of more than 400 I.U. of vitamin D daily produces hypercalcemia. A random urine calcium/creatinin ratio [UCa/Cr] is a screening test for detection of hypercalciuria. Setting adequate values of vitamin D3 prophylaxis by random UCa/Cr in infant population of Yazd city in Iran, is the aim of present study. A total of 90 healthy, full term newborns of both genders were enrolled in the study. They were divided equally into three receiving vitamin D3 prophylaxis groups as follow: [I] 200 IU/daily, [II] 400 IU/daily and [III] 50000 IU two times in fifteen and sixty days after birth. A random urine specimen from each subject was analyzed for calcium, creatinin and serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D at the end of three months of life. From all 90 studied infants, 25 [83.3%] infants with 200 IU/daily vitamin D3, 23 [76.7%] infants with 400 IU/daily vitamin D3 and 28 [93.3%] who received 50000 IU two times [76 infants, 84.4%] had hypercalciuria and 14 [15.6%] infants remained with low values of Ca/Cr ratios. According to high prevalence of hypercalciuria in this survey, it is recommended to evaluate the vitamin D level in infants and use proper amount of supplemented vitamin D. It seems that 200 IU/daily could be used in infants in our area

Corneal topography and hyperopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate Orbscan II corneal topography in hyperopic cases.METHODS: A retrospective, observational, consecutive, clinical case series in two hundred and ninety five eyes of hyperopic patients who undergo a LASIK evaluation. The information that was reviewed included age and sex of the patients and the Orbscan II corneal topographic maps. Refractive powers and the following test indices produced by Orbscan II were analyzed: keratometry, corneal diameter, pupil diameter and anterior chamber depth. RESULTS: The total mean corneal thickness was 546.3±35.5μm.It was found ; 547.3±38.4μm in 17-29 years old, 553.4±38.3μm in 30-44 years old and 546.2±29.3μm in older than 45 years old .The mean corneal thickness was found 551.5±35.9μm in female, and 542.6±34.7μm in male. The total mean depth of anterior chamber was 2.57±0.40mm and in 17-29 years old patients was 2.82±0.39mm. In 30-44 years old patients was 2.49±0.39mm and in patients older than 45 years old was 2.37±0.40mm. The mean depth of anterior chamber was 2.53±0.40mm in female and 2.60±0.40mm in male. A reverse significant relation between corneal thickness and keratometry were found. Refractive error severity had a reverse correlation with depth of anterior chamber and a correlation with keratometry (P=0.061,r=0.108).Corneal thickness had a reverse correlation with keratometry (P=0.005,r=0.160), and correlation with pupil diameter (P=0.013, r=0.144).CONCLUSION: This study provides a description and analysis of Orbscan II findings in hyperopic patients. These show mean corneal thickness 546.3±35.5μm and anterior chamber depth 2.57±0.40mm in hyperopic patients.

CTL responses to a DNA vaccine encoding E7 gene of human papillomavirus type 16 from an Iranian isolate

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent tumor in developing countries and the second most frequent cancer among female population worldwide. Specific human papillomaviruses and, most notably, HPV types 16 and 18 are recognized as being causally associated with cervical carcinomas. The early HPV type 16 genes, E6 and E7, directly participate in the in vitro transformation of primary human keratinocytes and represent an excellent target for immune therapy of HPV related disease. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the efficacy of a DNA vaccine containing human papillomaviruse type 16 E7 gene [Iranian isolate] in induction of CTL responses in an animal model. In this study, the expression vector containing HPV type 16 E7 gene was constructed and chosen as a model antigen in the development of a therapeutic DNA vaccine in an animal model. CTL responses, cytokine assay, lymphocyte stimulation test, CD4 and CD8 staining and flowcytometry were done for evaluating of the immune responses. Our findings indicate that the target DNA vaccine can induce an E7-specific CTL response, which is important in the lysis of infected tumor cells, compared to negative control [p < 0.005] after in vivo immunization in the mouse system. The developed vaccine may be promising as an anti-cancer vaccine

Ocular motor nerve palsy in head injury patients / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To determine ocular motor nerve palsy in patients with head trauma.METHODS: There were three hundred admitted cases of head trauma in neurosurgery department of Shahid Rahnemon Hospital from March 2006 to September 2006. Data were collected with ophthalmic examinations, filled in questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS software statistically including Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.RESULTS: A total of 300 patients were reviewed, 242 (81.1%) men and 58 (18.9%) women. Their age ranged from 1 to 87 years (mean of 46 years). Accident and fall were the most common causes of head trauma, occurring in 247 (82.3%) patients and most of patients had Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 13-15(82.3%). The most cerebral lesion was subdural and subarachnoid hematoma. Isolated trochlear and abducens nerve palsy (28.6%), isolated oculomotor nerve and combined nerve palsies (combination of 3rd and 4th cranial nerves, 14.3%) were the most affected nerves.CONCLUSION: Although the cranial nerve palsy is rare with minor head trauma, according to their observation in emergency room, neuroophtalmic examination is advised.