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1.
J Physiol Pharmacol ; 74(5)2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38085513

ABSTRACT

Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) play critical roles in many aspects of cancer progression. There have been several advances in cancer immunotherapy in recent years. A major challenge, however, has been addressed to the role of TDEs in tumor cell immune escape through their influence on the antitumor immunity of natural killer (NK) cells, a key type of immune cell. In this review, we present our overview of the effects of different TDEs on NK cell activation and NK cell toxicity. Studies on mechanism suggest that TDEs mainly affect the immune response of NK cells by inhibiting activated receptors on the surface of NK cells and downregulating the NK recognition ligand MICA/B on the tumor cell surface. In addition, a summary was documented on how to restore the cytotoxicity of NK cells and improve the drug's ability to recognize tumor cells, and a detailed explanation was also provided on the mechanism of action of the drug.


Subject(s)
Exosomes , Exosomes/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation
2.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 27(14): 6736-6743, 2023 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37522685

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effect of probiotics supplementation on the gut microbiota in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy is controversial. Therefore, this review aimed to illustrate changes in the gut microbiota after standard eradication therapy with probiotics supplements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase database was performed up to February 1st, 2022, with English language restriction. The extracted outcomes were analyzed, including gut microbiota, adverse effects, and eradication rate. RESULTS: 13 studies reported data on 777 participants who were finally eligible for this systematic review. All of them are randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of H. pylori eradication with probiotics supplementation therapy on gut microbiota. Probiotics supplementation seems to play a positive role in restoring the gut microbiota during H. pylori eradication therapy. However, the changes in the gut microbiota are still controversial. The included studies had significant heterogeneity in the study population, diagnostic methods of H. pylori infection, and detection techniques of the gut microbiota and probiotics species. CONCLUSIONS: The results provided a basis for the rational selection of probiotics in the H. pylori eradication process. Probiotic supplementation might keep the balance of gut microbiota and reduce the gastrointestinal adverse effects of antibiotics, but whether it could improve the eradication rate or not is a debatable point. Therefore, more research is needed to provide evidence.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Helicobacter Infections , Helicobacter pylori , Probiotics , Humans , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Probiotics/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination
3.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 56(2): 103-107, 2022 Feb 06.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34954956

ABSTRACT

Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza viruses. Older people, infants and people with underlying medical conditions could have a higher risk of severe influenza symptoms and complications. The co-infection of Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19) with influenza viruses could lead to the complication of prevention, diagnosis, control, treatment, and recovery of COVID-19. Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine overlapped in target populations, vaccination time, and inoculation units. Although there was insufficient evidence on the immunogenicity and safety of co-administration of influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, World Health Organization and some countries recommended co-administration of inactivated influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. This review summarized domestic and international vaccination policies and research progress, and put forward corresponding suggestions in order to provide scientific support for the formulation of vaccination strategy on seasonal influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Influenza Vaccines , Influenza, Human , Aged , COVID-19 Vaccines , China , Humans , Infant , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Seasons , Vaccination
4.
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci ; 24(5): 2505-2517, 2020 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32196601

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hypoxia is an important feature of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Growing evidence demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) could participate in cancer progression and hypoxia regulation. However, the exact roles and underlying mechanism of lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in NPC under hypoxia are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of XIST, microRNA-381-3p (miR-381-3p) and NIMA related kinase 5 (NEK5) were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The glucose consumption and lactate production were measured using the glucose assay kit and lactate assay kit, respectively. Western blot assay was used to determine the protein levels of hexokinase II (HK2) and NEK5. Transwell assay was employed to evaluate cell migration and invasion. The interaction between miR-381-3p and XIST or NEK5 was predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The mice xenograft model was established to investigate the roles of XIST in NPC progression in vivo. RESULTS: XIST and NEK5 were highly expressed while miR-381-3p was lowly expressed in NPC (tissues and cells) and hypoxia-induced NPC cells. Deficiency of XIST or NEK5 suppressed hypoxia-induced glycolysis and metastasis in NPC cells. Moreover, miR-381-3p could directly bind to XIST and its inhibition reversed the inhibitory effects of XIST knockdown on glycolysis and metastasis under hypoxia. NEK5 was a direct target of miR-381-3p and its interference attenuated the promotive effects of miR-381-3p downregulation on glycolysis and metastasis under hypoxic conditions. Besides, interference of XIST decreased tumor growth by upregulating miR-381-3p and downregulating NEK5. CONCLUSIONS: XIST knockdown inhibited glycolysis and metastasis in hypoxia-induced NPC cells through regulating miR-381-3p/NEK5 axis, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of NPC.


Subject(s)
MicroRNAs/metabolism , NIMA-Related Kinases/metabolism , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/metabolism , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/metabolism , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Female , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , MicroRNAs/genetics , NIMA-Related Kinases/genetics , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/pathology , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms, Experimental/metabolism , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics
5.
Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 54(2): 112-117, 2019 Feb 09.
Article in Chinese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30695913

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and outcome of computer assisted distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of extensive alveolar cleft. Methods: Four patients [1 male and 3 females, aged (15.5±3.7) years] received treatment in the Department of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University from June 2016 to April 2018 were involved in this study. All the patients with extensive alveolar cleft [cleft width (7.64±1.29) mm] were performed orthodontic treatment to expand the dental arch and interdental space between the first molar and premolars. Three-dimensional (3D) model of the maxilla and the osteotomy guider were printed according to the CT data. The fix wings of the distractor were pre-shaped according to the 3D model. The osteotomy was performed at the interdental space and horizontal plate of palate to dissociate the alveolar bone segment. The distractor was fixed on the predetermined position. Distraction (0.4-0.8 mm/day) was performed in 7 days later and stopped when the incision connected with the canine. The distractor was removed after six months. Results: The distraction period was (10.8±2.5) d in four cases. The cleft was completely closed with interdental bone anchored distraction in four cases. The imaging examination in six months showed good new bone structure in the distraction zone and bone connection of the cleft. Conclusions: Computer assisted distraction osteogenesis was effective and feasible to close the extensive alveolar cleft and provide sufficient new bone tissue.


Subject(s)
Cleft Palate , Computer-Aided Design , Osteogenesis, Distraction , Adolescent , Adult , Child , China , Cleft Palate/therapy , Dental Arch , Female , Humans , Male , Maxilla , Young Adult
6.
Oncogenesis ; 6(2): e297, 2017 Feb 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28194033

ABSTRACT

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a critical role in cancer initiation and progression, and thus may mediate oncogenic or tumor suppressing effects, as well as be a new class of cancer therapeutic targets. We performed high-throughput sequencing of RNA (RNA-seq) to investigate the expression level of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes in 30 esophageal samples, comprised of 15 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) samples and their 15 paired non-tumor tissues. We further developed an integrative bioinformatics method, denoted URW-LPE, to identify key functional lncRNAs that regulate expression of downstream protein-coding genes in ESCC. A number of known onco-lncRNA and many putative novel ones were effectively identified by URW-LPE. Importantly, we identified lncRNA625 as a novel regulator of ESCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. ESCC patients with high lncRNA625 expression had significantly shorter survival time than those with low expression. LncRNA625 also showed specific prognostic value for patients with metastatic ESCC. Finally, we identified E1A-binding protein p300 (EP300) as a downstream executor of lncRNA625-induced transcriptional responses. These findings establish a catalog of novel cancer-associated functional lncRNAs, which will promote our understanding of lncRNA-mediated regulation in this malignancy.

7.
Genet Mol Res ; 15(2)2016 Jun 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27323154

ABSTRACT

Despite extensive research, the prognosis of high-grade glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has improved only slightly because of the limited response to standard treatments. Recent advances (discoveries of molecular biomarkers) provide new opportunities for the treatment of GBM. The aim of the present study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers of high-grade GBM. First, we combined 3 microarray expression datasets to screen them for genes differentially expressed in patients with high-grade GBM relative to healthy subjects. Next, the target network was constructed via the empirical Bayesian coexpression approach, and centrality analysis and a molecular complex detection (MCODE) algorithm were performed to explore hub genes and functional modules. Finally, a validation test was conducted to verify the bioinformatic results. A total of 277 differentially expressed genes were identified according to the criteria P < 0.05 and |log2(fold change)| ≥ 1.5. These genes were most significantly enriched in the cell cycle pathway. Centrality analysis uncovered 9 hub genes; among them, TFDP1 showed the highest degree of connectivity (43) and is a known participant in the cell cycle pathway; this finding pointed to the important role of TFDP1 in the progression of high-grade GBM. Experimental validation mostly supported the bioinformatic results. According to our study results, the gene TFDP1 and the cell cycle pathway are strongly associated with high-grade GBM; this result may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of GBM.


Subject(s)
Cell Cycle/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics , Glioblastoma/genetics , Transcription Factor DP1/biosynthesis , Adult , Algorithms , Computational Biology , Female , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Gene Regulatory Networks/genetics , Glioblastoma/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Grading , Prognosis , Signal Transduction/genetics , Transcription Factor DP1/genetics
8.
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 47(1): 24-34, 01/2014. graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-697676

ABSTRACT

Fanconi anemia complementation group F protein (FANCF) is a key factor, which maintains the function of FA/BRCA, a DNA damage response pathway. However, the functional role of FANCF in breast cancer has not been elucidated. We performed a specific FANCF-shRNA knockdown of endogenous FANCF in vitro. Cell viability was measured with a CCK-8 assay. DNA damage was assessed with an alkaline comet assay. Apoptosis, cell cycle, and drug accumulation were measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of protein were determined by Western blot using specific antibodies. Based on these results, we used cell migration and invasion assays to demonstrate a crucial role for FANCF in those processes. FANCF shRNA effectively inhibited expression of FANCF. We found that proliferation of FANCF knockdown breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435S) was significantly inhibited, with cell cycle arrest in the S phase, induction of apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation. Inhibition of FANCF also resulted in decreased cell migration and invasion. In addition, FANCF knockdown enhanced sensitivity to doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. These results suggest that FANCF may be a potential target for molecular, therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Humans , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Movement/genetics , Cell Proliferation/genetics , /genetics , Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group F Protein/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Drug Resistance , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Gene Knockdown Techniques , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering
9.
Braz J Med Biol Res ; 47(1): 24-34, 2014 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24345874

ABSTRACT

Fanconi anemia complementation group F protein (FANCF) is a key factor, which maintains the function of FA/BRCA, a DNA damage response pathway. However, the functional role of FANCF in breast cancer has not been elucidated. We performed a specific FANCF-shRNA knockdown of endogenous FANCF in vitro. Cell viability was measured with a CCK-8 assay. DNA damage was assessed with an alkaline comet assay. Apoptosis, cell cycle, and drug accumulation were measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of protein were determined by Western blot using specific antibodies. Based on these results, we used cell migration and invasion assays to demonstrate a crucial role for FANCF in those processes. FANCF shRNA effectively inhibited expression of FANCF. We found that proliferation of FANCF knockdown breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435S) was significantly inhibited, with cell cycle arrest in the S phase, induction of apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation. Inhibition of FANCF also resulted in decreased cell migration and invasion. In addition, FANCF knockdown enhanced sensitivity to doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. These results suggest that FANCF may be a potential target for molecular, therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Movement/genetics , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/genetics , Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group F Protein/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Drug Resistance , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Humans , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering
10.
J Viral Hepat ; 20 Suppl 1: 46-51, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23458524

ABSTRACT

Telbivudine (LdT) has demonstrated potent antiviral activity in nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB), but data on its efficacy in NA-experienced patients are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LdT in hepatitis B e antigen-positive CHB patients with poor response to initial adefovir dipivoxil (ADV). Forty-two CHB patients with HBV DNA > 4 log10  copies/mL after 12 months of ADV monotherapy were enroled in the study and thereafter treated with LdT 600 mg daily for 18 months. Telbivudine led to a rapid decrease in viral load, and viral replication was persistently suppressed with a reduction of 2.26 log10  copies/mL 18 months after LdT treatment. The rates corresponding to virological and biochemical response at the end of observation were 97.6% (41/42) and 65.8% (25/38), respectively. HBeAg loss was found in 30.8% (12/39) of patients, while HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion was found in 17.9% (7/39). Only one patient was detected to have LdT-associated mutation, and no severe adverse events were reported. Optimization therapy with LdT monotherapy may be a good choice for CHB patients with poor response to ADV, and switching to LdT may be the most cost-effective rescue therapeutic strategy for patients with poor response to initial ADV monotherapy.


Subject(s)
Adenine/analogs & derivatives , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Drug Resistance, Viral , Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood , Hepatitis B virus/drug effects , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Organophosphonates/therapeutic use , Thymidine/analogs & derivatives , Adenine/administration & dosage , Adenine/pharmacology , Adenine/therapeutic use , Adult , Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , China , DNA, Viral/blood , Female , Hepatitis B, Chronic/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation , Organophosphonates/administration & dosage , Organophosphonates/pharmacology , Telbivudine , Thymidine/administration & dosage , Thymidine/pharmacology , Thymidine/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Viral Load/drug effects , Virus Replication/drug effects
11.
J Int Med Res ; 40(5): 1812-21, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23206462

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). METHODS: VEGF, soluble VEGF receptor (sVEGFR)-2, angiopoietin (Ang)-1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ levels were measured in serum samples from 68 patients with HFRS. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUEVCs) were infected by Hantaan virus (HTNV) and/or stimulated with recombinant VEGF; dextran permeability of the cells was determined. Claudin-1 and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin levels were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Serum VEGF, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels were significantly elevated, whereas sVEGFR2 and Ang-1 levels were reduced, during the acute phase of HFRS. In vitro cell permeability was unaffected by HTNV infection or VEGF stimulation alone, but the combination of HTNV infection and VEGF treatment significantly increased the permeability of endothelial cell monolayers in a time-dependent manner. Claudin-1 and VE-cadherin were downregulated at both the mRNA and protein level by combined HTNV infection and VEGF stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated VEGF induced by HTNV infection may play an important role in the vascular hyperpermeability that is characteristic of HFRS.


Subject(s)
Hantaan virus/physiology , Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome/blood , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antigens, CD/genetics , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Cadherins/genetics , Cadherins/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Cells, Cultured , Child , Claudin-1/genetics , Claudin-1/metabolism , Cytokines/blood , Female , Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome/virology , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/virology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Permeability , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/physiology , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/blood , Young Adult
12.
Tissue Antigens ; 80(5): 437-43, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22937756

ABSTRACT

Although the role of CD14 in recognizing Mycobacterium tuberculosis is well-understood, the possible role of polymorphisms in susceptibility to develop tuberculosis remains unclear. This study evaluates whether there is an association of polymorphisms within the promoter of the CD14 gene with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. In a case-control study, we genotyped the eight known single nucleotide polymorphisms SNPs within the promoter of the CD14 gene of 698 Han Chinese subjects. Statistically significant differences between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls were found for G-1619A, T-1359G, A-1145G, and C-159T. The haplotype-GGGT, composed of these four SNPs, exhibited a significant association with the disease. Furthermore, expression levels of soluble CD14 were significantly higher in tuberculosis patients with the GGGT haplotype than with other haplotypes, while IgE expression levels were significantly reduced. Our results suggest that these four SNPs within the promoter of the CD14 gene are associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis.


Subject(s)
Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Asian People , Case-Control Studies , Female , Gene Expression , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Haplotypes , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/genetics , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Lipopolysaccharide Receptors/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/physiology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/microbiology
13.
J Int Med Res ; 40(2): 648-56, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22613426

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Prospective case-control study, undertaken to investigate serum cytokine and chemokine concentrations during all clinical phases and in different clinical types of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). METHODS: Serum was collected at various disease phases from patients with HFRS (n = 35) and healthy control subjects (n = 10). Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-8, interferon inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (also known as 'regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted' [RANTES]) were quantified using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-8, IP-10 and RANTES (but not IL-4) were significantly higher in patients compared with controls. Highest concentrations were generally found during the febrile, hypotensive and oliguric disease phases, as well as in clinically severe and critical cases. CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines increased in line with disease severity in HFRS patients.


Subject(s)
Chemokines/blood , Cytokines/blood , Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Inflammation , Male , Prospective Studies , Young Adult
14.
Scand J Immunol ; 75(3): 273-81, 2012 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22050574

ABSTRACT

Studies have revealed that tumour-associated myeloid cells (TAMC) are one of the major sources of IL-10 in tumour-bearing mice. However, the significance of TAMC-derived IL-10 in tumour immunity is poorly understood. Here, we show that IL-10 blockade or IL-10 deficiency reduces the capacity of TAMC in suppressing the proliferation of P1A-specific CD8 T cells. In the spleen, IL-10-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice bearing large tumour burdens have similar TAMC populations. The tumours from IL-10-deficient mice, however, have reduced numbers of TAMC compared with tumours from their WT counterparts. IL-10⁻/⁻ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice also had reduced numbers of TAMC compared with tumours from IL-10⁺/⁺ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice; therefore, the reduction in TAMC in IL-10-deficient tumours was not because of adaptive immune response in tumours. Adoptively transferred tumour antigen-specific CD8 T cells expanded more efficiently within tumours in IL-10⁻/⁻ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice than in tumours from IL-10⁺/⁺ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte adoptive transfer therapy prevented tumour evasion in IL-10⁻/⁻ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice more efficiently than in IL-10⁺/⁺ RAG-2⁻/⁻ mice. Thus, IL-10 enhances the accumulation of myeloid cells in tumours, and TAMC-derived IL-10 suppresses the activation and expansion of tumour antigen-specific T cells.


Subject(s)
Interleukin-10/immunology , Myeloid Cells/immunology , Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology , Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , Animals , CD11b Antigen/immunology , DNA, Neoplasm/chemistry , DNA, Neoplasm/genetics , Flow Cytometry , Interleukin-10/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Myeloid Cells/pathology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/pathology
15.
J Int Med Res ; 38(6): 2117-25, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21227017

ABSTRACT

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound elastography for evaluating liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in 74 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, treated with telbivudine (22 with chronic HBV infection, 32 with compensated cirrhosis and 20 with decompensated cirrhosis). Each patient underwent ultrasound elastography measurements and serum liver marker assays before and after 6 months' treatment with 600 mg telbivudine, orally, once daily. In the 22 patients with chronic HBV infection, LSM values measured by ultrasound elastography decreased significantly following the treatment period compared with baseline. The LSM values were significantly higher in the 20 patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in the 32 patients with compensated cirrhosis after treatment. Significant decreases in serum hepatic fibrosis indices occurred in all patients following treatment. The correlation between fibrosis index, hyaluronic acid level and LSM was statistically significant in all patients, whereas the correlation between alanine aminotransferase and LSM was not. The findings suggest that liver stiffness in patients with HBV can be measured simply with ultrasound elastography and that it is reduced within 6 months by treatment with telbivudine. The main adverse events noted during the study period were that creatine kinase levels were increased in seven patients and that seven patients had influenza-like symptoms.


Subject(s)
Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Hepatitis B virus/physiology , Hepatitis B/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Alanine Transaminase/blood , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Asian People , China , Demography , Elasticity/drug effects , Female , Hepatitis B/blood , Hepatitis B/complications , Hepatitis B/drug therapy , Hepatitis B virus/drug effects , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/blood , Liver Cirrhosis/complications , Liver Cirrhosis/diagnostic imaging , Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy , Liver Cirrhosis/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Nucleosides/adverse effects , Nucleosides/pharmacology , Nucleosides/therapeutic use , Prospective Studies , Pyrimidinones/adverse effects , Pyrimidinones/pharmacology , Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use , Telbivudine , Thymidine/analogs & derivatives , Young Adult
16.
J Int Med Res ; 36(4): 721-7, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18652768

ABSTRACT

We examined whether human fetal mesenchymal stem cells (FMSCs) derived from fetal bone marrow were able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. The surface phenotype of FMSCs was characterized by flow cytometry. To induce hepatic differentiation of FMSCs, we added hepatocyte growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and oncostatin M into the cell culture medium. After 21 days of hepatocyte induction, FMSCs expressed the hepatocyte-specific markers, alpha-fetoprotein and cytokeratin 18, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining. Differentiated FMSCs also demonstrated in vitro functions characteristic of liver cells, including albumin production, urea secretion and glycogen storage. In conclusion, fetal bone marrow-derived FMSCs are able to differentiate into functional hepatocytelike cells and may serve as a source of cells for liver disease therapy.


Subject(s)
Bone Marrow Cells/physiology , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Fetal Stem Cells/physiology , Hepatocytes/physiology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/physiology , Albumins/metabolism , Bone Marrow Cells/cytology , Cell Lineage , Cells, Cultured , Female , Fetal Stem Cells/cytology , Flow Cytometry , Hepatocytes/cytology , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Pregnancy , Urea/metabolism
17.
Scand J Immunol ; 67(1): 37-46, 2008 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18052963

ABSTRACT

The homeostasis of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) depends on the cytokine interleukin (IL)-2. As IL-21 shares sequence homology with IL-2 and the IL-21 receptors contain a gamma-chain common to IL-2, we hypothesized that IL-21 could also affect the homeostasis of Tregs. We tested this hypothesis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of relapsing-remitting human multiple sclerosis. We show that blockade of IL-21 in SJL/J mice before and after the induction of EAE enhances the influx of inflammatory cells into the central nervous system (CNS). The blockade of IL-21 leads to proliferation of proteolipid peptide (PLP(139-151))-autoreactive CD4+ T cells, which are capable to cause severe EAE in adoptively transferred recipient mice. Conversely, Tregs from mice where IL-21 was blocked, lose their capacity to prevent EAE induced PLP(139-151)-reactive T cells. Notably, direct effects of IL-21 on Tregs are confirmed by studies of blockade of IL-21 in mice expressing a green fluorescent protein 'knocked' into a Foxp3 allele, in which a reduction of the number of Tregs and a downregulation of their frequency and expression of Foxp3 are observed. These data suggest a role of the IL-21/IL-21R axis in the homeostasis of Tregs in CNS autoimmunity.


Subject(s)
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology , Homeostasis/immunology , Interleukins/physiology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism , Female , Homeostasis/genetics , Humans , Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments/physiology , Interleukins/antagonists & inhibitors , Interleukins/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Mutant Strains , Molecular Sequence Data , Receptors, Interleukin-21/biosynthesis , Receptors, Interleukin-21/genetics , Signal Transduction/genetics , Signal Transduction/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
18.
Clin Immunol ; 125(1): 34-42, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17632037

ABSTRACT

CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are potent immunosuppressors that are pivotal in the maintenance of self-tolerance. The involvement of Tregs in therapies for immune-mediated diseases has been proposed, but direct supporting evidence is still lacking. While investigating mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits of glatiramer acetate (GA) in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), i.e., experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we recently demonstrated that GA can protect mice deficient in the Th(2) cytokines IL-4, IL-10 and IL-4/IL-10 from acquiring EAE, suggesting that mechanisms other than Th(2) cells may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of GA. Here we demonstrate that GA treatment boosts the expression of Foxp3 on Tregs during EAE. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of purified Tregs from GA-treated EAE mice is more effective in preventing EAE development than Tregs from untreated EAE controls. Thus, our current data provide evidence that Tregs may be the major contributor to GA's therapeutic action in EAE and, possibly, MS. Further mechanistic studies to reveal the molecular events linking GA with Tregs may optimize GA treatment and lead to the development of new, even more effective therapies that utilize this mechanism of action.


Subject(s)
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/drug therapy , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Peptides/therapeutic use , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Adoptive Transfer , Animals , Flow Cytometry , Forkhead Transcription Factors/drug effects , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Glatiramer Acetate , Mice
19.
J Asian Nat Prod Res ; 9(3-5): 307-9, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17566926

ABSTRACT

A new compound, named gentianopfluorenone (1), along with three known compounds,1-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (2), 1-O-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl]-7,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (3), and apigenin (4), were isolated from the whole herb of Gentianopsis paludosa. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidence, the structure of 1 was elucidated as 4,4a,6-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-fluoren-2,9-dione. Compounds 2-4 were isolated from the plant for the first time.


Subject(s)
Apigenin/isolation & purification , Gentianaceae/chemistry , Polycyclic Compounds/isolation & purification , Xanthones/isolation & purification , Apigenin/chemistry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Polycyclic Compounds/chemistry , Xanthones/chemistry
20.
Scand J Immunol ; 64(2): 117-24, 2006 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16867156

ABSTRACT

CD62L (l-selectin, mel 14) regulates naïve T cell homing into lymph nodes and the migration of leucocytes to sites of inflammation. The requirement of CD62L in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis, has been demonstrated previously. However, it remains controversial as to whether CD62L is required for the induction or the effector phase of EAE. It is also unclear whether other non-T effector cells need CD62L to enter the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma and exert their damaging effects on myelin. We report that mice with a targeted mutation of CD62L are resistant to Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide-induced EAE. CD62L-deficient mice had no peptide-specific T cell responses in the draining lymph nodes and had lower levels of peptide-specific T cell responses in spleens at a later time point. Adoptive transfer studies showed that CD62L-deficient mice were fully susceptible to adoptive transfer EAE induced by either wildtype or CD62L-deficient T cells. Moreover, CD62L-deficient, F4/80(+) macrophages can be efficiently recruited into the CNS parenchyma. These data suggest that CD62L is required for the induction of encephalitogenic T cells during EAE development, but is not required by T and non-T effector cells to attack the CNS parenchyma.


Subject(s)
Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/immunology , L-Selectin/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Adoptive Transfer , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Central Nervous System/immunology , Central Nervous System/pathology , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/pathology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Glycoproteins/immunology , Histocytochemistry , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mutation , Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein , Peptide Fragments/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/cytology
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