Role of lentivirus-mediated overexpression of SOCS3 in proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts-like synoviocytes in Lewis rats with adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of lentivirus-mediated overexpression of the SOCS3 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 20 Lewis rats were randomly assigned into experimental and normal groups. Rats in the experimental group were modeled with adjuvant arthritisand the normal group was given no treatment. After culture for 28 days, rats in the experimental group were sacrificed, and the third-generation FLSs were collected and randomly allocated into SOCS3 group, control group, and blank group. MTT assay was used for detecting cell viability, flow cytometry was used for analysis ofcell apoptosis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine levels of inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-2, interferon [IFN-γ] and tumor necrosis factor [TNF-α]). MTT assay showed that the optical density of the SOCS3 group was significantly higher than that of the control and blank groups. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis rate of FLSs in the SOCS3 group was significantly lower than that in the control and blank groups. The results of ELISA assay showed that the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the SOCS3 group were higher than those in the control and blank groups. Our study demonstrates that over-expression of SOCS3 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of FLSs in RA.

[Diagnosis and treatment of cervical Castleman disease presenting as a neck mass].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological features, diagnosis and treatment of Castleman disease (CD). METHODS: Clinical features and related information on diagnosis and treatment of eight cases of CD were retrospectively analyzed. The size of involved lymph nodes ranged from (2 cm x 2 cm x 3 cm) - (4 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm). The lymph nodes were found in level I (1 case), level II (3 cases), level III (3 cases) and level IV (1 case). CT examination in eight patients showed the lesions manifested as ellipse soft masses. Dynamic contrast CT scan in four patients showed ring-enhanced area around the masses. Blood routine examination in eight patients were generally normal, with six patients had mild anemia. RESULTS: Based on the clinical classification, all lesions in this group were localized CD. Histopathology indicated that all lesions were of hyaline-vascular type. After surgery, there was no recurrence during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with localized CD mainly have lymphadenectasis in a single location. The CT scan can give some evidence. Surgery should be given first priority.