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BACKGROUND: We found microRNA (miR)-1246 to be significantly differentially expressed between severe active alopecia areata (AA) patients and healthy individuals. OBJECTIVE: To explore the role and mechanism of miR-1246 in severe AA. METHODS: Expression of miR-1246, dual-specific tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1c (NFATc1) in peripheral CD4+ T cells and in scalp tissues of patients were detected using RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry assays. Peripheral CD4+ T cells from the AA patients were transfected with lentiviral vectors overexpressing miR-1246. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to measure mRNA or protein expression of retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma (ROR-γt), interleukin (IL)-17, DYRK1A, NFATc1, and phosphorylated NFATc1. Flow cytometry was used to assay the CD4+IL-17+ cells proportion. ELISA was used to measure cytokine levels. RESULTS: miR-1246 levels decreased and DYRK1A and NFATc1 mRNA levels significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells and scalp tissues of severe active AA samples. NFATc1 protein expression was also significantly increased in the peripheral CD4+ T cells but not in the scalp tissues. NFATc1 positive cells were mainly distributed among infiltrating inflammatory cells around hair follicles. In peripheral CD4+ T cells of severe active AA, overexpression of miR-1246 resulted in significant downregulation of DYRK1A, NFATc1, ROR-γt, and IL-17 mRNA and phosphorylated NFATc1 protein, as well as a decrease in the CD4+IL-17+ cells proportion and the IL-17F level. CONCLUSION: miR-1246 can inhibit NFAT signaling and Th17 cell activation, which may be beneficial in the severe AA treatment.
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Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) may have a biphasic effect on melanin synthesis and melanosome transfer. High H2O2 concentrations are involved in impaired melanosome transfer in vitiligo. However, low H2O2 concentration promotes the beneficial proliferation and migration of melanocytes. The aim of this study was to explore low H2O2 and its mechanism in melanosome transfer, protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) expression and calcium balance. Melanosomes were fluorescein-labeled for clear visualization of their transfer. The expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) in keratinocytes was determined by western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate the effects of H2O2 on calcium levels in keratinocytes. Fluorescence microscopy showed the upregulation of melanosome transfer into keratinocytes following 0.3 mM H2O2 treatment in the co-cultures rather than in the untreated control groups, which was associated with higher expression of PAR-2 protein and increased calcium concentration. The addition of a PAR-2 antagonist inhibited the positive activity of H2O2 and calcium flow in keratinocytes. When calcium flow was blocked by a calcium chelator, the addition of H2O2 did not increase the PAR-2 expression level in keratinocytes, therefore, inhibiting dendrite formation and melanosome transfer. Low H2O2 concentration promotes melanosome transfer with increased PAR-2 expression level and calcium concentration in keratinocytes. In addition, the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocytes is more beneficial to enhance calcium levels in keratinocytes which mediate melanin transfer. Moreover, low H2O2 concentration promotes dendrite formation, in which extracellular calcium and Par-2 were involved.
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Cálcio/metabolismo , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/farmacologia , Queratinócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Melanócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Oxidantes/farmacologia , Receptor PAR-2/metabolismo , Western Blotting , Células Cultivadas , Técnicas de Cocultura , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Citometria de Fluxo , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrogênio/administração & dosagem , Queratinócitos/metabolismo , Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Melanossomas/efeitos dos fármacos , Melanossomas/metabolismo , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Oxidantes/administração & dosagem , Cultura Primária de Células , Receptor PAR-2/antagonistas & inibidores , Regulação para Cima , Vitiligo/metabolismoRESUMO
There is mounting evidence that T helper (Th)17 cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) play parts in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Hence, levels of these T-cell subsets in patients with alopecia areata (AA) merit investigation. Our goal was to assess Th17 and Treg levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and scalp lesions of patients with AA, correlating the findings with clinical characteristics. PBMC of 177 patients with AA (test group) and 42 healthy controls and scalp tissues of 33 patients and 15 healthy controls were collected. Levels of Th17 and Treg subsets were then determined via flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining, correlating results in test subjects with clinical features of AA. Th17 levels were significantly higher in patients, whereas Treg levels were lower by comparison. Furthermore, Th17 levels in patients with disease of short duration or in the active phase were significantly higher, relative to their respective counterparts. Th17 levels also negatively correlated with disease duration. While Treg levels were higher in severe AA than in mild AA. Results of lesions were parallel to findings of PBMC. Our data indicates an imbalance in the immune state of patients with AA.
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Alopecia em Áreas/imunologia , Couro Cabeludo/imunologia , Adulto , Alopecia em Áreas/sangue , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead/metabolismo , Humanos , Linfócitos/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Linfócitos T Reguladores , Células Th17 , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Objective To study NPHS2 and CD2AP gene mutation with primary steroid-resistant nephroticsyndrome (SRNS) children in Guangdong province,and to investigate the relationship between NPHS2,CD2AP genemutation and SRNS,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of SRNS in children.Methods Twenty-six SRNS children and 20 cases of the healthy children as controls were chosen randomly in Guangdong province.Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes of these patients and the healthy children.Mutational analysis was performed in 8 exons of NPHS2 gene and 18 exons of CD2AP gene after sequencing directly.The results were compared with United States National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) gene database,the detected gene mutation.Results The variation analysis revealed 3 polymorphisms (288C > T,954T > C,1038A > G) in 14 cases out of 26 patients and 4 cases of the healthy children studied,which had been reported before,but there was no significant difference in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of these polymorphisms between the patients and the controls (all P > 0.05).One CD2AP heterozygous mutation (1917 + 20 C > G) was detected in intron in 2 cases of SRNS children.Conclusions NPHS2 gene variation may not be the main mechanism of SRNS in Guangdong province.CD2APgene mutation may increase the possibility of SRNS and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in children.CD2AP mutation in intron may involve in the pathogenesis of SRNS.