PTPRH Alleviates Airway Obstruction and Th2 Inflammation in Asthma as a Protective Factor.

PURPOSE: PTPRH inhibits EGFR activity directly in cancer patients and activated EGFR induces goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion in asthma. However, the function of PTPRH in asthma remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to access the association of PTPRH with asthma and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined the PTPRH level in asthma patients (n = 108) and healthy controls (n = 35), and analyzed the correlations between PTPRH and asthma-related indicators. Human bronchial epithelial cell (HBECs) transfected with PTPRH and asthma mouse model were set up to investigate the function of PTPRH. RESULTS: The expression of PTPRH was significantly increased and correlated with pulmonary function parameters, including airway obstruction, and T-helper2 (Th2) associated markers in asthma patients. PTPRH increased in the house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthmatic mice, while Th2 airway inflammation and Muc5ac suppressed when treated with PTPRH. Accordingly, PTPRH expression was markedly increased in IL-13-stimulated HBECs but PTPRH over-expression suppressed MUC5AC. Moreover, HBECs transfected with over-expressed PTPRH inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK1/2 and AKT, while induced against PTPRH in HBECs dephosphorylated of EGFR, ERK1/2 and AKT. CONCLUSION: PTPRH reduces MUC5AC secretion to alleviate airway obstruction in asthma via potential phosphorylating of EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT signaling pathway, which may provide possible therapeutic implications for asthma.

Sex differences in group 2 innate lymphoid cell-dominant allergic airway inflammation.

There were gender differences in the prevalence and severity of allergic diseases. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were recently reported to play a critical role in allergic diseases. We investigated the sex-dependent differences in ILC2-dominant allergic airway inflammation model using T\B cell-deficient mice, and determined the gender differences of ILC2 levels in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Female mice exhibited higher levels of inflammatory infiltration and large production of IL-5 and IL-13, especially for ILC2 levels compared to male mice with the induction of IL-33. However, no significant differences were found for the levels of circulating ILC2s between the genders of patients. The treatment of testosterone significantly decreased the intracellular type 2 cytokines in ILC2s and the proliferation of pure ILC2s in response to epithelial cytokines. Our study suggested the sex differences and the involvement of androgen on ILC2s in allergic diseases.

Paramyxoviruses respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and human metapneumovirus infection in pediatric hospitalized patients and climate correlation in a subtropical region of southern China: a 7-year survey.

To investigate the features of paramyxovirus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), and human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection and determine the effect of meteorological conditions in Guangzhou, a subtropical region of southern China. We collected 11,398 respiratory samples from hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory illness between July 2009 and June 2016 in Guangzhou. The samples were tested simultaneously for 18 respiratory pathogens using real-time PCR. Local meteorological data were also collected for correlation analysis. Of 11,398 patients tested, 5606 (49.2%) patients tested positive for one or more pathogens; RSV, PIV, and HMPV were the first, sixth, and ninth most frequently detected pathogens, in 1690 (14.8%), 502 (4.4%), and 321 (2.8%) patients, respectively. A total 17.9% (4605/5606) of patients with positive results had coinfection with other pathogens. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of RSV, PIV, and HMPV among all age groups (p < 0.001). RSV and HMPV had similar seasonal patterns, with two prevalence peaks every year. PIV appeared alternatively with RSV and HMPV. Multiple linear regression models were established for RSV, PIV, and HMPV prevalence and meteorological factors (p < 0.05). RSV and PIV incidence was negatively correlated with monthly mean relative humidity; RSV and HMPV incidence was negatively correlated with sunshine duration; PIV incidence was positively correlated with mean temperature. We described the features of paramyxovirus infection in a subtropical region of China and highlighted the correlation with meteorological factors. These findings will assist public health authorities and clinicians in improving strategies for controlling paramyxovirus infection.

Epidemiology of HBoV1 infection and relationship with meteorological conditions in hospitalized pediatric patients with acute respiratory illness: a 7-year study in a subtropical region.

BACKGROUND: Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is an important cause of acute respiratory illness (ARI), yet the epidemiology and effect of meteorological conditions on infection is not fully understood. To investigate the distribution of HBoV1 and determine the effect of meteorological conditions, hospitalized pediatric patients were studied in a subtropical region of China. METHODS: Samples from 11,399 hospitalized pediatric patients (≤14 years old), with ARI were tested for HBoV1 and other common respiratory pathogens using real-time PCR, between July 2009 and June 2016. In addition, local meteorological data were collected. RESULTS: Of the 11,399 patients tested, 5606 (49.2%) were positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Two hundred forty-eight of 11,399 (2.2%) were positive for HBoV1 infection. Co-infection was common in HBoV1-positive patients (45.2%, 112/248). A significant difference in the prevalence of HBoV1 was found in patients in different age groups (p < 0.001), and the peak prevalence was found in patients aged 7-12 months (4.7%, 56/1203). Two HBoV1 prevalence peaks were found in summer (between June and September) and winter (between November and December). The prevalence of HBoV1 was significantly positively correlated with mean temperature and negatively correlated with mean relative humidity, and the mean temperature in the preceding month had better explanatory power than the current monthly temperature. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a better understanding of the characteristics of HBoV1 infection in children in subtropical regions. Data from this study provide useful information for the future control and prevention of HBoV1 infections.

Determinants for asthma control, quality of life and use of complementary and alternative medicine in asthmatic pediatric patients in four cities.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a significant chronic health problem worldwide. Management aims at disease control by reducing functional impairment and exacerbations and improving quality of life (QoL). We report a multi-center study to survey asthma control and QoL in four cities in the Pearl River Delta. METHODS: The conjoint survey involved ten Hong Kong pediatric hospitals/units, two Shenzhen hospitals, two Macau hospitals, and two Guangzhou hospitals on asthma control (using Asthma Control Test) and QoL (Pediatric Allergic Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire, PADQLQ). Acceptability of a treatment is graded as very good/good/fair/poor. RESULTS: Good asthma control was only reported in 80% subjects in Hong Kong, but higher in sister cities (85-94%, P < 0.001). Allergic rhinitis, "incense burning", and "smoker in family" were prevalent among the four cities. Logistic regression showed better control of asthma was associated with better PADQLQ (B = - 0.029, P < 0.001), better acceptability of bronchodilator (B = - 1.488, P = 0.025), negatively with "smoker in family" (B = - 0.83, P = 0.015) and various PADQLQ domains. Conversely, worse PADQLQ was associated with allergic rhinitis severity (B = 4.77, P < 0.001), poor control of asthma (B = 7.56, P < 0.001), increased frequency of traditional Chinese medicine use (B = 1.7, P < 0.05), increased frequency of bronchodilator usage (B = 1.05, P < 0.05), "smoker in family" (B = 4.05, P < 0.05), and incense burning at home (B = 3.9, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are some clinical and cultural differences among the four southern Chinese cities within the Guangdong province. This study identifies potentially modifiable environmental and treatment factors associated with poor asthma control and QoL for health-care interventions. Having a smoker in the family is independently associated with poor asthma control and QoL.

Increased Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells Are Correlated with Eosinophilic Granulocytes in Patients with Allergic Airway Inflammation.

The T helper 2 (Th2)-type response was considered the hypostasis of allergic airway diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, more recent studies have suggested that allergic airway inflammation also depends on innate immunity and is closely related to group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). This study evaluated the ILC2 levels of asthma subjects, patients with asthma and AR, and healthy individuals, regarding how to investigate the relationship between clinical data and ILC2 levels. It was found that asthma patients and asthma with AR patients had higher ILC2 levels compared to healthy subjects. ILC2s were positively correlated with the percentage of eosinophils in patients with asthma and AR, but not with pulmonary function. ILC2 levels were higher in mild asthma subjects than in patients with severe asthma. This study provides a new interpretation of the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation and may provide a new direction for the diagnosis and assessment of allergic airway diseases.

Activation of M1 macrophages plays a critical role in the initiation of acute lung injury.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of M1 macrophages in acute lung injury (ALI). To address this, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated wild-type and CD11b-DTR mice, and examined their M1 macrophage levels, and the extent of their inflammation and pulmonary injuries. In addition, we evaluated pulmonary function by measuring the expressions of SP-A and SP-B in infiltrated M1 macrophages. Finally, we co-cultured the mouse type II-like alveolar epithelial cells (AT-II) and mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMECs) with M1 macrophages in the presence of TNF-α or H2O2 and assessed them for viability and apoptosis. After LPS treatment, we observed that the number of pulmonary M1/M2 macrophages and the serum levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) significantly increased. Furthermore, the increase in cytokines was accompanied with the initiation of lung injury indicated by the decreased levels of SP-A and SP-B. In macrophage-depleted CD11b-DTR mice, ALI was attenuated, serum levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α and ROS were reduced, and lung levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) were decreased. After administering TNF-α and H2O2, the proapoptotic effect of M1 macrophages on AT-II or PMECs significantly increased, the cell viabilities significantly decreased, and apoptosis significantly increased. Our results suggest that M1 macrophages are recruited to the lungs where they significantly contribute to an increase in TNF-α and ROS production, thus initiating ALI.

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of human coronaviruses OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1: a study of hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection in Guangzhou, China.

Human coronaviruses (HCoV) OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1 are common respiratory viruses which cause various respiratory diseases, including pneumonia. There is a paucity of evidence on the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of these four HCoV strains worldwide. We collected 11,399 throat swabs from hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection from July 2009 to June 2016 in Guangzhou, China. These were tested for four strains of HCoV infection using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HCoV-positive patients were then tested for 11 other respiratory pathogens. 4.3% (489/11399) of patients were positive for HCoV, of which 3.0% were positive for OC43 (346/11399), 0.6% for 229E (65/11399), 0.5% for NL63 (60/11399), and 0.3% for HKU1 (38/11399). Patients aged 7-12 months had the highest prevalence of HCoV and OC43 when compared with other age groups (p < 0.001). The peak seasons of infection varied depending on the HCoV strain. Patients infected with a single strain of HCoV infection were less likely to present fever (≥ 38 °C) (p = 0.014) and more likely to present pulmonary rales (p = 0.043) than those co-infected with more than one HCoV strain or other respiratory pathogens. There were also significant differences in the prevalence of certain symptoms, including coughing (p = 0.032), pneumonia (p = 0.026), and abnormal pulmonary rales (p = 0.002) according to the strain of HCoV detected. This retrospective study of the prevalence of four HCoV strains and clinical signs among a large population of pediatric patients in a subtropical region of China provides further insight into the epidemiology and clinical features of HCoV.

Methylprednisolone pulse therapy rescued life-threatening pulmonary hemorrhage due to idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is an extremely rare cause of massive pulmonary hemorrhage in children. During the acute phase, death due to massive alveolar hemorrhage and subsequent severe respiratory failure. We report two cases of IPH children who developed hypoxemic respiratory failure and massive pulmonary hemorrhage. One case of a 10-year-old boy was treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy (10mg/kg/d) for the first three days and followed by systemic steroid therapy, he successfully decannulated 10days later and discharged with a favorable quality of life. Another case of a 4year-old female child with Down's syndrome diagnosed as IPH for over one year and treated with oral corticosteroids for maintenance therapy. She sudden suffered severe hypoxemia with rapid falls in the hemoglobin level. We applied methylprednisolone pulse therapy (10mg/kg/d) for three days and other supportive therapies, the girl survived through complicated with oxygen dependence. We suggest that methylprednisolone pulse therapy provides a chance of recovery and survival for patients with IPH at the acute phase, even if accompanied by severe pulmonary hemorrhage.

Corticosteroid in Combination with Leflunomide and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis.

Background: This study evaluated the efficiency of corticosteroid, leflunomide and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the treatment of pediatric idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH). Methods: Ten patients were included in the study. The diagnosis of IPH was based on clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations and pulmonary hemosiderosis. Induction therapy consisted of methylprednisolone pulse therapy, followed by prednisone plus leflunomide. Maintenance therapy consisted of low-dose prednisone, leflunomide and administration of MSCs. Results: All the patients achieved complete response after treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs. The median follow-up was 23 months (range: 4-34 months). Moreover, administration of MSCs induced an increase in the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells but a decrease in the percentage of Th17 cells. Conclusion: Treatment with corticosteroid, leflunomide and MSCs for pediatric IPH was safe and effective.

Clinical outcomes and hospital length of stay in 2,756 elderly patients with hip fractures: a comparison of surgical and non-surgical management.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients who received surgical treatment with those who received non-surgical treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 2,756 elderly patients with hip fractures who were admitted over a six-year period. The patients' biodata, complications, ambulatory status at discharge and length of hospital stay were obtained from the institution's hip fracture registry. RESULTS: Among the 2,756 hip fracture patients, 2,029 (73.6%) underwent surgical intervention, while 727 (26.4%) opted for non-surgical intervention. The complication rate among the patients who underwent surgical intervention was 6.6%, while that among the patients who underwent non-surgical intervention was 12.5% (p < 0.01). The mean length of hospital stay for the surgical and non-surgical hip fracture patients was 15.7 days and 22.4 days, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Surgical management of hip fractures among the elderly is associated with a lower complication rate, as well as a reduced length of hospital stay.

[Effect of dexamethasone on the expression of aquaporin-5 in the lungs of mice with acute allergic asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of lung aquaporin 5 (AQP5) in mice with acute allergic asthma and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) treatment on AQP5 expression, and investigate the role of AOP5 in asthma pathogenesis. METHODS: Mouse models of acute allergic asthma were randomly divided into acute asthma group, normal control group and DEX treatment group. The total number of white blood cells, the subpopulations, and the levels of IL-5 and IFN-gamma were detected in the bronchoalveolar larvage fluid (BALF). The lung tissue AQP5 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and AQP5 distribution by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: In asthma group, the total white blood cells, eosinophils and IL-5 levels were all significantly higher (P<0.01) and IFN-gamma levels lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). After DEX treatment, the levels underwent a significant reverse change (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01, and P<0.01, respectively). AQP5 mRNA expression in the asthma group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), and was significantly lowered with DEX treatment (P<0.01). Extensive inflammatory changes, mucus hypersecrection, several edema and inflammatory cell infitration around the blood vessels were observed in the lung tissue of the mice in the asthma group. The morphological changes of the treatment group were significantly ameliorated. AQP5 protein was detected in the type I alveolar epithelial cells, the airway columnar epithelial cells and the apical membranes of the submucosal gland acinar cells in the control group. Stronger AQP5 protein expression was found in the asthma group. CONCLUSION: AQP5 is over-expressed in mice with acute asthma which is possibly associated with mucus hypersecrection. DEX can inhibit AQP5 expression and ameliorate allergic airway inflammation, edema and mucus hypersecrection.

[Expression of transcription factors T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA and its effect on Tc1/Tc2 balance in asthmatic children].

OBJECTIVE: In contrast to CD(4)(+) helper T-lymphocytes (T(H)), little is known about the transcriptional regulation of CD(8)(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (Tc) and its role in the pathogenesis of asthma is unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expression on profiles of type 1 and type 2 cytotoxic T lymphocytes in asthmatic children. METHOD: Totally 38 asthmatic children, including acute attack group composed of 20 cases (age 3 - 13 years, mean 6.2 +/- 2.9), remission group with 18 cases (age 3 - 12 years, mean 6.1 +/- 2.5) and 20 healthy control children (age 3 - 12, 6.9 +/- 2.7) were recruited in this study from Sep. 2005 to Mar. 2006. The mRNA expression of T-bet and GATA-3 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells were detected by using semi-quantitative PCR and Tc1, Tc2 cell numbers by flow cytometry analysis system. RESULT: T-bet mRNA in asthmatic children was lower than that in control group and lower in attack stage than in remission stage (0.14 +/- 0.04, 0.21 +/- 0.03, 0.28 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05). In contrast, GATA-3 mRNA was higher in asthmatic children than in control group and higher in attack stage than in remission stage (0.49 +/- 0.09, 0.44 +/- 0.08, 0.37 +/- 0.04, P < 0.05). It was shown that Tc1 percentage was lower in asthmatic children than those of control group and lower in attack stage than those of remission stage (6.6 +/- 2.4, 14.2 +/- 4.3, 31.2 +/- 3.8, P < 0.05). Tc2 percentage in asthmatic children was higher than that of control group and higher in attack stage than that of remission stage (10.0 +/- 4.2, 5.4 +/- 2.2, 3.5 +/- 1.1, P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that T-bet mRNA was positively correlated with Tc1 percentage (r = 0.704) and negatively correlated with Tc2 percentage (r = -0.629). GATA3 mRNA was negatively correlated with Tc1 percentage (r = -0.612) and positively correlated with Tc2 percentage (r = 0.673). The T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio was positively correlated with Tc1 percentage (r = 0.731) and Tc1/Tc2 (r = 0.773), while negatively correlated with Tc2 percentage (r = -0.642). CONCLUSION: The imbalance of T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA expression is closely correlated with skewed Tc2 dominance in asthmatic children.

[Effect of T-bet on biological functions of mouse macrophage Raw264.7].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: T-bet (T box expressed in T cells), a Th1-specific T box transcription factor, controls many kinds of immune cells, such as Th1, NK, CD8+, dendritic cells, and B cells. This study was to explore potential effects of T-bet gene on biological functions of mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells in vitro. METHODS: The eukaryotic expression vector carrying mouse T-bet (pcDNA3.0-mT-bet) was constructed and identified by consequence analysis, double restrictive endonucleases digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The gene expression in Raw264.7 cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. PBS, pcDNA3.0, and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet were transiently transfected into Raw264.7 cells respectively; cell cycle, MHC I/II expression levels, phagocytic activity of FITC-dextran, nitric oxide (NO) secretion level, and the cytotoxicity of Raw264.7 cells to mouse leukemia cell line L1210 were evaluated 48 hours after transfection. RESULTS: Eukaryotic expression vector which could express T-bet protein in Raw264.7 cells was successfully constructed. There was no difference in cell cycle between pcDNA3.0 group and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group. There was significant difference in MHC I expression level between pcDNA3.0 group (20.8+/-0.7) and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group (24.8+/-0.6, P<0.05), but not in MHC II expression level; there was also difference in mean fluorescence intensity of phagocytized dextran between pcDNA3.0 group (28.2+/-0.4) and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group (32.8+/-0.8, P<0.05); there was also significant difference in NO secretion level between pcDNA3 group (0 pmol) and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group [(1.7+/-0.6) pmol, P<0.05] without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation; meanwhile, significant difference was also observed between pcDNA3.0 group [(10.5 +/-1.3) pmol] and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group [(15.6+/-1.6) pmol, P<0.05] under the stimulation of LPS (10 microg/ml) for 20 h; there was also difference in cytotoxicity of Raw264.7 cells to L1210 cells in vitro between pcDNA3 group [(35.6+/-2.1)%] and pcDNA3.0-mT-bet group [(51.9+/-3.5)%, P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: T-bet up-regulates MHC I expression and NO secretion level in Raw264.7 cells, increases their cytotoxicity to L1210 cells, but has no influences on the cell cycle and MHC II expression.

[The effect of gamma interferon gene transfer on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of airway gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) plasmid gene transfer on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. METHODS: Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: a control group (group A), an asthmatic group (group B), a plasmid group (group C) and an IFN-gamma plasmid group (group D), 10 mice in each group. Except group A, other groups were sensitized with 0.1 ml 0.1% ovalbumin (OVA) by a combination of intraperitoneal injection and repeated 50 microl 1% OVA intranasal challenges to establish the mouse asthma model. In group A, normal saline of the equal volume was given instead of 0.1% OVA 0.1 ml and 1% OVA 50 microl. Group C was intranasally administered 50 microl mixture of plasmid pcDNA3.1(-) and Lipofectamine 2000, while 50 microl mixture of IFN-gamma plasmid and Lipofectamine 2000 was administered for the mice of group D. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell count and differential were studied. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IFN-gamma in BALF were determined. Pathologic changes in lung tissues were observed. RESULTS: The differences were significant (P < 0.05) when the numbers of inflammation cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BALF of group B [(0.102 +/- 0.020) x 10(9)/L, (0.0193 +/- 0.0047) x 10(9)/L, (0.0107 +/- 0.0039) x 10(9)/L, (0.0255 +/- 0.0042) x 10(9)/L, respectively] were compared with those of group A [(0.082 +/- 0.012) x 10(9)/L, (0.0041 +/- 0.0009) x 10(9)/L, (0.0051 +/- 0.0016) x 10(9)/L, (0.0201 +/- 0.0019) x 10(9)/L, respectively]. The numbers of inflammation cells, eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BALF of group D [(0.086 +/- 0.016) x 10(9)/L, (0.0116 +/- 0.0031) x 10(9)/L, (0.0062 +/- 0.0018) x 10(9)/L, (0.0182 +/- 0.0041) x 10(9)/L, respectively] were also significantly different (P < 0.05) as compared with those of group B. The IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels in BALF of group B [(39.2 +/- 5.1) pg/ml, (83.7 +/- 4.7) pg/ml, (15.7 +/- 2.7) pg/ml, respectively] were significantly different (P < 0.05) as compared with those of group A [(13.3 +/- 1.9) pg/ml, (12.1 +/- 2.3) pg/ml, (31.8 +/- 7.9) pg/ml, respectively]. The IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma levels of group D [(16.4 +/- 3.2) pg/ml, (26.3 +/- 3.4) pg/ml, (65.4 +/- 10.4) pg/ml] were also different (P < 0.05) from those of group B. Lung inflammation was examined in HE stained sections. There was no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airways of group A. However, there were a great number of inflammatory cells in the interstitial and peribronchovascular regions of group B and group C. Group D exhibited reduced epithelial damage and less infiltration of mononuclear cells and polymorphs in the interstitial and peribronchovascular regions, as compared with group B or group C. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that transtracheal IFN-gamma gene transfer is effective in modulating the imbalance of Th1/Th2 in BALF and inhibiting airway inflammation of asthmatic mice. The result provides experimental data for developing a novel therapeutic approach to asthma.

Adenoviral expression of a truncated S1 subunit of SARS-CoV spike protein results in specific humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV in rats.

The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been identified as SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), but the prophylactic treatment of SARS-CoV is still under investigation. We constructed a recombinant adenovirus containing a truncated N-terminal fragment of the SARS-CoV Spike (S) gene (from--45 to 1469, designated Ad-S(N)), which encoded a truncated S protein (490 amino-acid residues, a part of 672 amino-acid S1 subunit), and investigated whether this construct could induce effective immunity against SARS-CoV in Wistar rats. Rats were immunized either subcutaneously or intranasally with Ad-S(N) once a week for three consecutive weeks. Our results showed that all of the immunized animals generated humoral immunity against the SARS-CoV spike protein, and the sera of immunized rats showed strong capable of protecting from SARS-CoV infection in vitro. Histopathological examination did not find evident side effects in the immunized animals. These results indicate that an adenoviral-based vaccine carrying an N-terminal fragment of the Spike gene is able to elicit strong SARS-CoV-specific humoral immune responses in rats, and may be useful for the development of a protective vaccine against SARS-CoV infection.

Th2 predominance and CD8+ memory T cell depletion in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

UNLABELLED: The immune spectrum of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is poorly understood. To define the dynamics of the immune spectrum in SARS, serum levels of cytokines, chemokines, immunoglobulins, complement and specific antibodies against SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and phenotypes of peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry in 95 SARS-infected patients. Results showed that interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) were continuously up-regulated during the entirety of SARS. Regulated on activation normally T cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) levels were decreased, while monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was elevated in acute patients. Immunoglobulins and complement were elevated during the first month of SARS. Both serum-positive rates and titers of specific IgM and IgG antibodies responding to SARS-CoV peaked at days 41-60 from the onset of SARS. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes decreased significantly in acute-phase. CD3+CD8+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes were decreased by 36.78% in the convalescent patients. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV seemed to elicit effective humoral immunity but inhibited cellular immunity, especially CD8+ memory T lymphocytes over time. Prolonged overproduction of IL-10 and TGF-beta may play an important role in the disease.