Alternatively activated macrophages; a double-edged sword in allergic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages are heterogenous phagocytic cells with an important role in the innate immunity. They are, also, significant contributors in the adaptive immune system. Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the lung during allergic asthma, which is the most common chronic respiratory disease of both adults and children. Macrophages activated by Th1 cells are known as M1 macrophages while those activated by IL-4 and IL-13 are called alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) or M2 cells. AAM are subdivided into four distinct subtypes (M2a, M2b, M2c and M2d), depending on the nature of inducing agent and the expressed markers. BODY: IL-4 is the major effector cytokine in both alternative activation of macrophages and pathogenesis of asthma. Thus, the role of M2a macrophages in asthma is a major concern. However, this is controversial. Therefore, further studies are required to improve our knowledge about the role of IL-4-induced macrophages in allergic asthma, through precisive elucidation of the roles of specific M2a proteins in the pathogenesis of asthma. In the current review, we try to illustrate the different functions of M2a macrophages (protective and pathogenic roles) in the pathogenesis of asthma, including explanation of how different M2a proteins and markers act during the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. These include surface markers, enzymes, secreted proteins, chemokines, cytokines, signal transduction proteins and transcription factors. CONCLUSIONS: AAM is considered a double-edged sword in allergic asthma. Finally, we recommend further studies that focus on increased selective expression or suppression of protective and pathogenic M2a markers.

The immunological investigation and analysis on infection with HBV in kunming,China / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution and to analyze the immunological mechanism of HBV-infected serum-type in Kunming City,China.Methods We studied all the 98462 tests of the "HbsAg,anti-HBs,HbeAg,anti-Hbe,anti-HBc" in our lab since 2000,from which we selected 426 samples that contain all kinds of serum-types of the HBV infection and 50 health samples as a control group.The HBV-DNA levels of the 426 samples were detected by real-time quantitative PCR,and the activity of ALT and AST were also detected at the same time.Results Among the 98462 samples,we found 12 kinds of HBV-infected serum-types in all,4 of which were recently found and infrequent in Kunming City(the proportions were lower than the others,P

Control and Thinking of LIS System Management / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To introduce management of control and thinking from LIS System for providing some advice on the realization of clinical laboratory informatization. Methods Combined with our practical work, the general requirements, the overall structure, the design principles, the charging and the data security management of current information systems were analyzed. Results Under this model, LIS system was stable and secure, the laboratory workflow was also reasonable and the charging system is well in order. Conclusion The reasonable design and an overall co -ordination are required by the clinical laboratory information system, which will be better for our laboratory work and contribute much to the automation of laboratory information administration.