The suppression of cervical cancer ferroptosis by macrophages: The attenuation of ALOX15 in cancer cells by macrophages-derived exosomes

Induction of cancer cell ferroptosis has been proposed as a potential treatment in several cancer types. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in promoting tumor malignant progression and therapy resistance. However, the roles and mechanisms of TAMs in regulating tumor ferroptosis is still unexplored and remains enigmatic. This study shows ferroptosis inducers has shown therapeutic outcomes in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. TAMs have been found to suppress cervical cancer cells ferroptosis. Mechanistically, macrophage-derived miRNA-660-5p packaged into exosomes are transported into cancer cells. In cancer cells, miRNA-660-5p attenuates ALOX15 expression to inhibit ferroptosis. Moreover, the upregulation of miRNA-660-5p in macrophages depends on autocrine IL4/IL13-activated STAT6 pathway. Importantly, in clinical cervical cancer cases, ALOX15 is negatively associated with macrophages infiltration, which also raises the possibility that macrophages reduce ALOX15 levels in cervical cancer. Moreover, both univariate and multivariate Cox analyses show ALOX15 expression is independent prognostic factor and positively associated with good prognosis in cervical cancer. Altogether, this study reveals the potential utility of targeting TAMs in ferroptosis-based treatment and ALOX15 as prognosis indicators for cervical cancer.

Isolation and Identification of a Murine Norovirus Persistent Infection Strain in China.

Murine Norovirus (MNV) is one of the most known viruses among viruses in mice. Because of the high prevalence of MNV in frequently used laboratory animals in biomedical researches, there is a significant impact of MNV. There may be different prevalence degrees and molecular characteristics of MNV in different regions around the world. Here, we reported an MNV strain "designated HBTS-1806" isolation from commercial mice's feces that caused a detectable cytopathic effect (CPE) in RAW264.7 cells. According to electron microscopy, the virus was 50-70 nm in diameter. The complete genome of HBTS-1806 is 7383 nucleotides with a structure similar to that of MNV reference strains. According to phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the whole genome, HBTS-1806 shared nucleotide sequence identities of 90.2-95.4% with other Chinese isolates reported. Analysis of amino acid sequence on the basis of ORF1 and ORF2 suggested that the isolated strain may be derived from recombination. Although no gross lesions or histopathological changes were found from mice infected with 5 × 105 TCLD50 of MNV by oral gavage inoculation, the intestinal virus loads lasted 12 weeks, suggesting a persistent infection strain of MNV isolate in China.

Two Color Single Molecule Sequencing on GenoCare 1600 Platform to Facilitate Clinical Applications

With the rapid development of precision medicine industry, DNA sequencing becomes increasingly important as a research and diagnosis tool. For clinical applications, medical professionals require a platform which is fast, easy to use, and presents clear information relevant to definitive diagnosis. We have developed a single molecule desktop sequencing platform, GenoCare 1600. Fast library preparation (without amplification) and simple instrument operation make it friendlier for clinical use. Here we presented sequencing data of E. coli sample from GenoCare 1600 with consensus accuracy reaches 99.99%. We also demonstrated sequencing of microbial mixtures and COVID-19 samples from throat swabs. Our data show accurate quantitation of microbial, sensitive identification of SARS-CoV-2 virus and detection of variants confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Interpretation of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy in adult patients / 中国实用护理杂志

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic Jejunostomy (PEJ) are common channels for enteral nutrition input. In the past five years, there are no relevant nursing guidelines and reviews in China. In August 2018, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) issued the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy in Adults, including preoperative preparation, surgical procedure and postoperative monitoring of gastrostomy and Jejunostomy. The management of enteral nutrition tube, the use of enteral nutrition and drugs, the prevention of medication errors, the treatment of early and late complications, the education of patients and their caregivers, and the replacement of catheters are all recommended. This article interpreted the guideline in order to provide reference for clinical nursing of gastrostomy and Jejunostomy.

Interpretation of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy in adult patients / 中国实用护理杂志

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic Jejunostomy (PEJ) are common channels for enteral nutrition input. In the past five years, there are no relevant nursing guidelines and reviews in China. In August 2018, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN) issued the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy in Adults, including preoperative preparation, surgical procedure and postoperative monitoring of gastrostomy and Jejunostomy. The management of enteral nutrition tube, the use of enteral nutrition and drugs, the prevention of medication errors, the treatment of early and late complications, the education of patients and their caregivers, and the replacement of catheters are all recommended. This article interpreted the guideline in order to provide reference for clinical nursing of gastrostomy and Jejunostomy.

Diagnostic value of clinical significance of serum chemokine-4 detection in patients with systemic sclerosis complicated with interstitial lung disease / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum chemokine-4 (CXCL-4) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients complicated with SSc-interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD).Methods Sixty-two patients with SSc wbo met the new classification criteria of American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) SSc in 2013 and were treated by rheumatology department of Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital from September 2015 to July 2017 were divided into the SSc combined with ILD group (30 cases) and simple SSc group (32 cases) according to the results of HRCT test,in reference to the 2013 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) ILD diagnostic criteria.A certain number of healthy subjects were selected as healthy control group (35 cases).Serum concentrations of CXCL-4 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the difference of CXCL-4 concentration among the 3 groups were analyzed.All data were analyzed by t test,x2 test,rank-sum test and Logistic regressive analysis.Results The level of CXCL-4 in the SSc-ILD group [(133±17) ng/ml] was higher than that of the SSc group [(122±19) ng/ml] and normal control group [(115±19) ng/ml] (t=11.414,P=0.012;t=17.917,P=0.000);there was no significant difference between the SSc group and the normal control group (t=6.504,P=0.130);binary Logistic regression analysis found that the level of CXCL4 was positively correlated with ILD [P=0.019,OR=1.035,95％CI(1.006,1.066)].Conclusion Elevated levels of CXCL-4 in patients with SSc may be associated with concurrent ILD,CXCL-4 is expected to be a new serological marker for early diagnosis and evaluation of patients with SSc-ILD.It may be used as a sensitive indicator for evaluating the condition and prognosis of patients with SSc-ILD and provide a new target for clinical guidance of SSc-ILD therapy.

Inhibition of pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor attenuates inflammation induced by hyperoxia in EA.hy926 cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) using an established cell model of BPD. For this purpose, EA.hy926 cell cultures were divided into 4 groups as follows: the air group as the blank control, the hyperoxia group, the hyperoxia plus PBEF siRNA group and the hyperoxia plus scramble siRNA group. Cell viability and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using respective kits. Moreover, the protein and mRNA expression levels of PBEF, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also detected by corresponding methods. Compared with the hyperoxia group, the ROS levels in the hyperoxia plus PBEF siRNA group were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The silencing of PBEF increased cell viability compared with the hyperoxia group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of PBEF, IL-8 and TNF-α were all decreased in the hyperoxia plus PBEF siRNA group compared with the hyperoxia group (P<0.01). Our study thus demonstrates that the inhibition of PBEF attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation induced by hyperoxia in EA.hy926 cells, suggesting that PBEF may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target, which may be used for the development of novel treatment strategies for BPD.

Research progress of hepatocyte necroptosis in liver injuries / 中国药理学通报

Various pathological factors can result in the death of hepatocytes during liver injury. Persistent hepatocyte death initi-ates and aggravates chronic inflammation and fibrosis,ultimately leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, limiting hepatocyte death is an effective strategy for improving liver injury. Necroptosis is a newly characterized form of cell death,which is highly regulated by signaling pathways and has typical morphological features of necrosis. Increasing evidence indicates that necroptosis plays a key role in drug-induced or im-munological acute liver injuries,and in chronic liver injuries in-cluding alcoholic fatty liver,nonalcoholic fatty liver and liver fi-brosis. This article reviews the recent advances on the hepato-cyte necroptosis in liver injury,providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of liver disease and related therapeutic reagents.

Investigation on cognitive misunderstandings in English learning among the students with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) majors in TCM universities / 国际中医中药杂志

To investigate the current condition of cognitive misunderstandings of English learning among students with traditional Chinese medicine majors, in order to put forward strategies for English learning in TCM universities.The investigation was carried out by the method of questionnaires among the students with TCM majors. Another investigation was carried out by interviews with TCM students, English teachers and experts, TCM teachers and experts. Cognitive misunderstandings of English learning among students with TCM majors occurred, such as low participation of English extracurricular learning, wrong learning motivation, weak awareness of self-learning and international exchange and communication. There were 3 ways for solving cognitive misunderstandings, including that students could improve the correct learning attitude and self-learning awareness and practice, that English and TCM teachers and experts could give students some advice of career development and TCM internationalization, and that TCM universities could reinforce English and bilingual teacher team construction, improve educational environment.

A practical community-based response strategy to interrupt Ebola transmission in sierra Leone, 2014-2015.

BACKGROUND: The Ebola virus disease spread rapidly in West Africa in 2014, leading to the loss of thousands of lives. Community engagement was one of the key strategies to interrupt Ebola transmission, and practical community level measures needed to be explored in the field and tailored to the specific context of communities. METHODS: First, community-level education on Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention was launched for the community's social mobilizers in six districts in Sierra Leone beginning in November 2014. Then, from January to May of 2015, in three pilot communities, local trained community members were organized to engage in implementation of EVD prevention and transmission interruption measures, by involving them in alert case report, contact tracing, and social mobilization. The epidemiological indicators of transmission interruption in three study communities were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 6 016 community social mobilizers from 185 wards were trained by holding 279 workshops in the six districts, and EVD message reached an estimated 631 680 residents. In three pilot communities, 72 EVD alert cases were reported, with 70.8 % of them detected by trained local community members, and 14 EVD cases were finally identified. Contact tracing detected 64.3 % of EVD cases. The median duration of community infectivity for the cases was 1 day. The secondary attack rate was 4.2 %, and no third generation of infection was triggered. No health worker was infected, and no unsafe burial and noncompliance to EVD control measures were recorded. The community-based measures were modeled to reduce 77 EVD cases, and the EVD-free goal was achieved four months earlier in study communities than whole country of Sierra Leone. CONCLUSIONS: The community-based strategy of social mobilization and community engagement was effective in case detection and reducing the extent of Ebola transmission in a country with weak health system. The successfully practical experience to reduce the risk of Ebola transmission in the community with poor resources would potentially be helpful for the global community to fight against the EVD and the other diseases in the future.

Potential risk factors for the development of seroma following mastectomy with axillary dissection.

Seroma is a common complication following breast cancer surgery and the controllable predictive factors remain unknown. Patients who underwent mastectomy with axillary dissection between 2008 and 2011 in our hospital were retrospectively investigated. The demographics, clinical characteristics and therapeutic factors of each patient were recorded. The association of seroma incidence with each variable was evaluated by univariate logistic regression analysis. All the variables were considered independent predictors of seroma incidence. The probability of developing seroma following surgery was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 102 patients, with a mean age of 54.86±13.02 years (range, 30-89 years), were included in this study and the incidence of seroma was found to be 22.55%. The operative time (P=0.0066, coefficient = 0.0261, OR=1.03) and the use of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCA) (P=0.0002, coefficient = -1.8089, OR=0.03, ref = no) was significantly associated with the incidence of seroma postoperatively. In conclusion, the prediction of the development of seroma following mastectomy with axillary dissection is challenging. However, a longer operative time and the non-use of PCA may represent potential risk factors for this complication.

Expression and clinical significance of osteopontin in calcified breast tissue.

Osteopontin (OPN) is an integrin-binding protein, believed to be involved in a variety of physiological cellular functions. The physiology of OPN is best documented in the bone where this secreted adhesive glycoprotein appears to be involved in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. In our study, we used semi-quantitative RT-PCR of osteopontin in calcification tissue of breast to detect breast cancer metastasis. The obtained data indicate that the expression of osteopontin is related to calcification tissue of breast, and possibly with the incidence of breast cancer. The expression strength of OPN by RT-PCR detection was related to the degree of malignancy of breast lesions, suggesting a close relationship between OPN and breast calcification tissue. The results revealed that expression of OPN mRNA is related to calcification of breast cancer tissue and to the development of breast cancer. Determination of OPN mRNA expression can be expected to be a guide to clinical therapy and prediction of the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Effect of lentivirus-mediated shRNA targeting VEGFR-3 on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

It has been reported that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) is highly expressed in most tumor tissues, including gastric cancer. However, the effects of VEGFR-3 knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of gastric cancer cells and downstream signaling molecules have not yet been well established. In the present study, four short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences targeting the VEGFR-3 gene (NM_002020) were designed and cloned into a lentiviral vector, pRNAT-U6.2/Lenti, to construct four recombinant lentiviral vectors. The vectors with the two highest interfering efficiencies were selected to be co-transfected with packaging vectors in HEK293T cells to assemble lentivirus particles. Results from Western blot analysis showed that the VEGFR-3 shRNA-4 lentivirus-infected group (sh#4) had the highest efficiency of gene silencing in the MKN45 cell line compared with the parental and control group. The sh#4 group significantly slowed cell proliferation, decreased the mean percentage of S-phase cells and increased the mean percentage of G1 phase cells, promoted cell apoptosis, and also significantly inhibited cell invasion of MKN45 compared with the other two groups. Furthermore, the expression of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the sh#4 group compared to that of the other two groups. Moreover, results from qRT-PCR revealed that knockdown of VEGFR-3 with the shRNA lentiviral vector resulted in down-regulation of the downstream neural cell adhesion molecule contactin-1 (CNTN-1). In conclusion, the recombinant lentivirus particles were able to remarkably suppress VEGFR-3 expression, regulate the cell cycle, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in the MKN45 cell lines.

Re-expression of ARHI (DIRAS3) induces autophagy in breast cancer cells and enhances the inhibitory effect of paclitaxel.

BACKGROUND: ARHI is a Ras-related imprinted gene that inhibits cancer cell growth and motility. ARHI is downregulated in the majority of breast cancers, and loss of its expression is associated with its progression from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive disease. In ovarian cancer, re-expression of ARHI induces autophagy and leads to autophagic death in cell culture; however, ARHI re-expression enables ovarian cancer cells to remain dormant when they are grown in mice as xenografts. The purpose of this study is to examine whether ARHI induces autophagy in breast cancer cells and to evaluate the effects of ARHI gene re-expression in combination with paclitaxel. METHODS: Re-expression of ARHI was achieved by transfection, by treatment with trichostatin A (TSA) or by a combination of TSA and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) in breast cancer cell cultures and by liposomal delivery of ARHI in breast tumor xenografts. RESULTS: ARHI re-expression induces autophagy in breast cancer cells, and ARHI is essential for the induction of autophagy. When ARHI was re-expressed in breast cancer cells treated with paclitaxel, the growth inhibitory effect of paclitaxel was enhanced in both the cell culture and the xenografts. Although paclitaxel alone did not induce autophagy in breast cancer cells, it enhanced ARHI-induced autophagy. Conversely, ARHI re-expression promoted paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS: ARHI re-expression induces autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells and enhances the inhibitory effects of paclitaxel by promoting autophagy, apoptosis, and G2/M cell cycle arrest.

Effect of acupoint Sanyinjiao (SP6) moxibustion on the first stage of labor and uterine contractive pain in primiparae / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of acupoint Sanyinjiao (SP6) moxibustion (S-Mox) on the duration of the first labor stage and uterine contractive pain in primiparae.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty primipara women in labor were equally assigned according to their choice to three groups: women in the S-Mox group received bilateral S-Mox for 30 min, women in the non-acupoint group received moxibustion (Mox) applied on non-acupoints for 30 min, and those in the control group did not receive Mox intervention. The duration of the first labor stage was recorded and the degree of labor pain was estimated by a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after Mox.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The duration of the first stage active phase in the S-Mox group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01); the VAS score after Mox was lower in the S-Mox group, showing a statistical difference in comparison with the control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Applying S-Mox could markedly shorten the active phase of the first stage of labor and lower the VAS score of uterine contractive pain, which means alleviating the pain caused by vaginal delivery. Its mechanism is worthy of further study.</p>

Effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on delivery stage and postpartum bleeding of primipara / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on delivery stage of primipara.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases of primipara were divided into a moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group, a non-acupoint group and a blank group. When the diameter of wormb mouth opened to 2-3 cm, showing that it entered into active stage of uterine contraction, moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for primipara was applied in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group; moxibustion was applied at 1 cun towards radialis from the region where 2 cun above Kongzui (LU 6) in non-acupoint group, 30 minutes treatment was for both groups. There was no intervention in blank group. After delivery, the time of first,second and third delivery stages and postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery were compared among three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The active duration of first delivery stage in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the duration of the second delivery stage in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups (both P < 0.05) as well; the postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery in moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group was less than other two groups and the difference was statistic significant between moxibustion at Sanyinjiao group and blank group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), the active duration of first delivery stage and the duration of second delivery stage are markedly shortened, postpartum bleeding 2 hours after delivery is obviously reduced, and the safety of vaginal delivery is increased.</p>

Effect of moxibustion at sanyinjiao (SP 6) on the process of childbirth: a randomized controlled study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on normal process of childbirth and safety of mothers and infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and seventy-four cases of singleton primiparas, fetal head position were selected as the subjects and divided into three groups by single-blind randomized method: an acupoint group (n = 59), a non-acupoint group (n = 57) and a blank group (n = 58). When the cervix was dilated by 2 to 3 cm, DAJ-23 type multi-function moxibustion apparatus was used at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in acupoint group, and at non-acupoint spot (the midpoint from the radial arterial pulse throbbing place on the radial side of the transverse crease of the wrist to the radial end of biceps tendon of the elbow) in non-acupoint group, 30 min for each one. The conventional labor care was adopted in blank group. The differences were observed in the first active stage, the second stage and the third stage of the labor as well as the safety of mothers and infants among three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The durations of the first active stage of labor [(123.05 +/- 96.401) min] and the second stage [(37.407 +/- 22.390) min] in acupoint group were shorter than those [(171.40 +/- 94.339) min, (49.517 +/- 25.373) min] in non-acupoint group, as well as those [(178.79 +/- 97.231) min, (53.684 +/- 20.087) min] in blank group separately (all P < 0.05). It was discovered that the progressions of the first active stage and the second stage of labor were accelerated in acupoint group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the third stage of labor among the three groups (all P > 0.05). Bleeding amount after childbirth in acupoint group was less than those in non-acupoint group and blank group (both P < 0.05), and Apgar scores of newborns in acupoint group and non-acupoint group were higher than that in blank group (both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can shorten the process of childbirth, reduce postpartum bleeding and has no harmful impact on mothers and infants.</p>

[Impacts on nutrient export by landscape heterogeneity based on sub-watershed].

Landscape features of a watershed are important factors affecting non-point source (NPS) pollution. Sub-watershed bounds were delineated and landscape heterogeneity was analyzed based on GIS and RS in Xitiaoxi watershed which located the upper reach of Taihu Lake area. Nutrient export intensity of sub-watersheds was estimated by revised export coefficient model. Then the relationships between nutrient export and main landscape types, as well as Shannon diversity index (SHDI) in sub-watershed units were analyzed. Results show, TN and TP export intensity have obvious spatial difference, which changed from 3.01 kg/(hm2 x a) to 15.44 kg/(hm2 x a) and 0.049 kg/(hm2 x a) to 0.355 kg/(hm2 x a) respectively. The dominated landscape types including cultivated land and forest land quantitatively related with nutrient export intensity. TN and TP export intensity will decrease 0.203 1 kg/(hm2 x a) and 0.0152 kg/(hm2 x a) respectively with 10% increased of forest area, and will increase 0.5726 kg/(hm2 x a) and 0.0273 kg/(hm2 x a) with 10% increased of cultivated land area. The relationship between nutrient export intensity and SHDI exhibited second-degree polynomial, export intensity increased by SHDI increasing and to maximum when SHDI equals 1.5, then decreased with SHDI increasing. This research results will provide an important reference value for NPS management.

Study on systemic immune tolerance induction in rat islet transplantation by intravenous infusion of Sertoli cells.

BACKGROUND: Sertoli cells are usually co-transplanted with pancreatic islets to induce local immune tolerance. In this report, we used infusion with Sertoli cells in islet transplantation to induce systemic immune tolerance and studied the mechanism of the tolerance induction. METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were divided into four groups before islet transplantation: group A as control; group B with intravenous infusion of Sertoli cells; group C with Sertoli cell infusion and Fas ligand antibody treatment; and group D with Sertoli cell infusion and transforming growth factor-beta1 antibody treatment. The mean survival time (MST) and insulin expression of islet grafts were measured. The number of lymphocytes and the levels of cytokines in peripheral blood were also measured. RESULTS: Group B had the longest MST of islet allografts (41.6+/-4.20 days) followed by groups C, D, and A (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed similar results with MST. The rats in group B had the least CD4 T cells (only 15.6%+/-6.4%) compared with other groups (P<0.05). The numbers of CD8 T cells in rats of groups B (11.2%+/-4.3%) and D (14.5%+/-5.6%) were significantly lower than those of groups A and C (P<0.05). After transplantation, group B's interleukin (IL)-2 level (1.92+/-0.68 ng/mL) was found to be significantly lower than that of other groups (P<0.05). Interferon-gamma showed similar pattern of change as IL-2 (P<0.05). Groups A and D had significantly lower levels of IL-4 (4.31+/-1.97 pg/mL 4.69+/-1.33 pg/mL, respectively) than groups B and C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Infusion of Sertoli cells could effectively prolong the survival of islet grafts and reduce peripheral blood lymphocyte and cytokine levels. In this process, transforming growth factor-beta1 played a major role and Fas ligand played a smaller additional role.