Morphological changes in the endocrine pancreas of mice after treatment with streptozotocin combined with cyclophosphamide and neurotropin.

The effect of neurotropin (NSP) in combination with streptozotocin (STZ) and cyclophosphamide (CY) on blood glucose and pancreatic histopathology on day 7 and day 14 after the initiation of the treatment was studied in C57Bl/6 male mice. STZ (40 mg/kg) and NSP (1 mg/kg) were applied intraperitoneally on five consecutive days and CY (150 mg/kg)--twice on day 1 and day 3. In single B cells dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum was found. On day 7 in proximity to some endocrine cells in the mice treated with STZ, STZ + CY + NSP and STZ + CY macrophages were observed. On day 14 lymphocytic infiltration of the islets was demonstrated only in the groups of mice injected with STZ, STZ + CY while in the group treated with the combination STZ + CY + NSP no infiltration was seen. All experimental groups showed no biochemical evidence for hyperglycemia probably due to the mild destruction of a small number of B cells. The results indicate that NSP might possess a restorative action on insulitis induced by multiple low dose streptozotocin administration in mice.     

丙戊酸钠对LPS诱导的急性呼吸窘迫综合征小鼠的治疗作用

为了探讨丙戊酸钠(valproic acid,VPA)对急性呼吸窘迫综合征(acute respiratory distress syndrome,ARDS)小鼠治疗作用及分子机制,本研究将30只雌性C57BL/6小鼠分为空白组、LPS组、LPS+VPA组,LPS+VPA组小鼠造模前腹腔预注射VPA,以LPS气管内注射诱导ARDS小鼠模型,6 h后检测各组小鼠肺水肿(湿重/干重),检测各组小鼠血液SOD和MDA水平;通过ELISA检测各组小鼠肺泡灌洗液中TNFα和IL-1β水平,Western blotting检测各组小鼠NF-κB p65和p-H2A.X蛋白表达水平。研究结果表明:与空白组相比,LPS组小鼠肺水肿显著升高,与LPS组比较,LPS+VPA组和阳性组小鼠肺水肿显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01)。ELISA结果显示,与空白组比较,LPS组小鼠肺组织TNFα和IL-1β含量显著升高,与LPS组比较,LPS+VPA组小鼠肺组织TNFα和IL-1β含量显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01)。与空白组比较,LPS组小鼠血液SOD活性显著降低,MDA含量显著升高,与LPS组比较,LPS+VPA组和阳性组小鼠血液SOD活性显著升高,MDA含量显著降低。Western blotting结果显示,与空白组比较,LPS组小鼠肺NF-κB p65和p-H2A.X蛋白表达显著升高,与LPS组比较,LPS+VPA组和阳性组小鼠肺NF-κB p65和p-H2A.X蛋白表达显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(p<0.01)。本研究初步表明:VPA能够抑制NF-κB通路,抑制小鼠氧化应激和炎症反应,保护ARDS小鼠肺组织。     

Pulmonary fibrosis induced by H5N1 viral infection in mice

Background

Inflammatory process results in lung injury that may lead to pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Here, we described PF in mice infected with H5N1 virus.

Methods

Eight-week-old BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with 1 × 10¹ MID₅₀ of A/Chicken/Hebei/108/2002(H5N1) viruses. Lung injury/fibrosis was evaluated by observation of hydroxyproline concentrations, lung indexes, and histopathology on days 7, 14, and 30 postinoculation.

Results

H5N1-inoculated mice presented two stages of pulmonary disease over a 30-d period after infection. At acute stage, infected-mice showed typical diffuse pneumonia with inflammatory cellular infiltration, alveolar and interstitial edema and hemorrhage on day 7 postinoculation. At restoration stage, most infected-mice developed PF of different severities on day 30 postinoculation, and 18% of the survived mice underwent severe interstitial and intra-alveolar fibrosis with thickened alveolar walls, collapsed alveoli and large fibrotic areas. The dramatically elevated hydroxyproline levels in H5N1-infected mice showed deposition of collagen in lungs, and confirmed fibrosis of lungs. The dry lung-to-body weight ratio was significantly increased in infected group, which might be associated with the formation of PF in H5N1-infected mice.

Conclusion

Our findings show that H5N1-infected mice develop the typical PF during restoration period, which will contribute to the investigation of fibrogenesis and potential therapeutic intervention in human H5N1 disease.     

Absence of host tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 attenuates manifestations of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome

The interaction of TNF-alpha with TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) activates several signal transduction pathways that lead to apoptosis or NF-kappa B-dependent inflammation and immunity. We hypothesized that host TNFR1 expression contributes to noninfectious lung injury and inflammation commonly observed after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), termed idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS). C57BL/6 TNFR1-sufficient (TNFR1(+/+)) and -deficient (TNFR1(-/-)) mice were total body irradiated with or without cyclophosphamide conditioning and were given bone marrow plus IPS-inducing donor spleen T cells from B10.BR wild-type mice. TNFR1(-/-) recipient mice exhibited improved early post-BMT survival associated with decreased permeability edema. In addition, the low lung compliance measured in anesthetized, ventilated TNFR1(+/+) mice on day 7 after BMT was restored to baseline during TNFR1 deficiency. Importantly, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory cells from TNFR1(-/-) vs. TNFR1(+/+) mice generated less nitric oxide (.NO) and nitrating species and exhibited suppressed programmed cell death as assessed using flow cytometry. However, cellular infiltration and levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were generally higher in BALF collected on day 7 after BMT from TNFR1(-/-) compared with TNFR1(+/+) recipient mice. Our results support a major role of host TNFR1 in regulation of .NO production and lung dysfunction after allogeneic BMT.     

NLRP3炎症小体对克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠肺脏病理损伤的调节作用

摘要 目的：探讨含NLR家族PYRIN域蛋白3（NLR family pyrin domain containing 3,NLRP3）炎症小体对克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠肺脏病理损伤的调节作用。方法：56只C57BL/6小鼠随机平分为两组-模型组与对照组,模型组小鼠通过气管注射肺炎克雷伯杆菌建立克雷伯杆菌肺炎模型,对照组小鼠注射等体积的生理盐水,记录与观察肺脏病理损伤情况。结果：模型组建模第7 d与第14 d的肺泡灌洗液髓过氧化酶（Myeloperoxidase,MPO）活性都高于对照组（P<0.05）。模型组建模第7 d与第14 d的肺脏、脾脏、肝脏系数与肺脏病理评分、NLRP3蛋白相对表达水平都高于对照组（P<0.05）。在模型组中,建模第14 d的NLRP3蛋白相对表达水平与肺脏病理评分、肺脏系数、脾脏系数、肝脏系数、肺泡灌洗液MPO活性都存在正相关性（P<0.05）。结论：克雷伯杆菌肺炎小鼠NLRP3炎症小体呈现高表达状况,可介导小鼠肺脏病理损伤,促进MPO活性增加,加重多脏器损伤。     

异基因造血干细胞移植后激素耐药胃肠道急性移植物抗宿主病的临床分析

目的探讨异基因造血干细胞移植后激素耐药胃肠道急性移植物抗宿主病(aGVHD)的影响因素。方法回顾性分析西安交通大学第一附属医院2012年1月至2019年12月期间行异基因造血干细胞移植,术后发生胃肠道aGVHD 20例患者的临床资料。按照一线糖皮质激素治疗后的反应分为激素敏感组(13例)和激素耐药组(7例)。单因素Logistics回归分析患者性别、年龄、诊断、移植前微小残留病灶、移植类型、供者年龄、供受者关系、供受者ABO血型、输注单个核细胞数、CD34+细胞数、CD3+细胞数、中性粒细胞及血小板植入时间、CMV及EB病毒感染、胃肠道aGVHD发生的时间等与激素耐药胃肠道aGVHD的关系。观察激素耐药患者治疗后的转归,采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析激素耐药及敏感患者的预后差异。结果20例胃肠道aGVHD患者中7例存在激素耐药。胃肠道GVHD发生时间<1个月,激素耐药的风险增加(OR=13.500,95﹪CI=1.197~152.211,P=0.035),患者性别、年龄、诊断、移植前MRD、移植类型、供者年龄、供受者关系、供受者ABO血型、输注的单个核细胞、CD34+细胞、CD3+细胞、中性粒细胞和血小板植入时间、CMV和EB病毒感染均不影响激素耐药(P>0.05)。7例激素耐药胃肠道aGVHD患者均接受二线CD25单克隆抗体治疗,治疗后5例有效,2例无效死亡。与激素敏感组比较,激素耐药组患者1年总生存率(64﹪比52﹪)降低及无进展生存率(28﹪比32﹪)升高,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论异基因造血干细胞移植后胃肠道aGVHD激素耐药可能与其发生时间相关,发生时间越早,越容易出现激素耐药。     

Morphologic analysis of enteric lesions in conventional and streptomycin-treated inbred C3H/HeN mice infected with Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae.

Oral administration of streptomycin is known to enhance the susceptibility of mice to enteric pathogens by altering the indigenous flora. We examined the effect of oral streptomycin treatment on the susceptibility of inbred C3H/HeN mice to infection with Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae. A total of 56 mice were randomly divided into four groups (A-D) of 14 each. From days 0 to 7, mice in groups A and B received streptomycin in their drinking water and mice in groups C and D served as controls. On day 7, mice in groups A and C were inoculated intragastrically with S. hyodysenteriae serotype 4, strain A1, and groups B and D served as uninoculated controls and received sterile trypticase soy broth. Clinical signs were monitored daily and body weights were recorded weekly. Mice were euthanized and necropsied for bacteriologic and histopathologic examinations on day 7 (2/group) and on days 14, 21, 28, and 35 (3/group) of the experiment. Soft fecal pellets were noticed in infected groups (A and C), but no significant differences in body weights were observed between groups (P greater than 0.05). Macroscopic changes were noted only in infected groups (A and C) beginning on day 21 of the experiment and consisted of catarrhal typhlitis, cecal emptiness, and atrophy. Histologically, the cecum and colon of mice in groups A and C had goblet cell hyperplasia, which preceded crypt epithelial cell hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltrates, and focal necrosis of mucosal epithelium. S. hyodysenteriae was reisolated from 10 of 12 mice in each infected group (A and C) from day 14 (7th day postinoculation) through day 35 (28th day postinoculation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The ex vivo toll-like receptor 7 tolerance induction in donor lymphocytes prevents murine acute graft-versus-host disease

Background aims

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, mediated by alloreactive donor T cells. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a family of conserved pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), represent key players in donors' T-cell activation during aGVHD; however, a regulatory, tolerogenic role for certain TLRs has been recognized in a different context. We investigated whether the ex vivo–induced TLR-2,-4,-7 tolerance in donor cells could prevent alloreactivity in a mismatched transplantation model.

百草枯致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达

目的 使用免疫组织化学的方法观察百草枯(paraquat,PQ)致小鼠肺间质纤维化过程中Smad3蛋白的表达.方法 58只雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分组.实验组48只,通过腹腔注射10 mg/kg PQ建立小鼠肺间质纤维化模型,对照组10只,腹腔注射等量生理盐水.小鼠在实验组染毒后第2、5、7、14天和对照组第7天时分别被安乐死,留取肺组织标本.标本进一步进行HE染色和Smad3蛋白的免疫组化研究.结果 光镜观察小鼠染毒后第2～5天肺组织出现水肿、出血、炎症细胞浸润等改变,第7天有少量胶原沉积及斑片状的纤维化表现,第14天表现更加明显.免疫组化观察染毒小鼠肺组织Smad3蛋白表达,第2～7天肺中巨噬细胞和部分Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞的细胞核中见到阳性表达.Smad3阳性表达和巨噬细胞数量呈正相关.第14天,在成纤维细胞灶增生的成纤维细胞核中,也可见到Smad3弱阳性表达.结论 在PQ致肺间质纤维化过程中,Smad3蛋白异常表达并对肺纤维化的发生发展具有重要的作用.     

miR-135b-5p抑制脓毒症引起的小鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)的作用及机制*

目的: 探究miR-135b-5p在小鼠脓毒症(sepsis)引起的急性肺损伤(ALI)模型中的表达水平及其对小鼠肺部炎症反应和细胞焦亡的影响。方法: 将C57BL/6小鼠随机分为6组,每组8只,通过盲肠结扎穿刺法(CLP)手术构建CLP诱导的脓毒症小鼠模型:腹腔注射0.1 mg/kg的巴比妥麻醉,腹部纵向切开暴露盲肠,结扎盲肠并用注射器针头进行穿孔,挤出部分肠道内容物后缝合伤口。假手术组(Sham组)开腹后不做任何处理缝合伤口,无CLP手术处理。治疗组分为CLP+NC mimic组,CLP+miR-135b-5p mimic组,CLP+NC mimic+empty vector组,CLP+消皮素D (GSDMD)组,CLP+miR-135b-5p mimic+GSDMD组。治疗组小鼠在CLP手术前一周皮下注射200 μl溶解于生理盐水的NC mimic(200 nmol/L),miR-135b-5p mimic(200 nmol/L),empty vector(100 nmol/L),GSDMD vector(100 nmol/L),每天注射1次,连续一周。术后24 h采用二氧化碳窒息法实施安乐死。采用qRT-PCR检测小鼠肺组织样本中miR-135b-5p和GSDMD mRNA的表达水平;苏木精-伊红(HE)染色检测小鼠肺组织形态和损伤状态;采用5 ml生理盐水冲洗小鼠右肺3次,每次持续约3~5 min,收集肺泡灌洗液(BALF),酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测小鼠肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中GSDMD、白介素1β(IL-1β)和白介素18(IL-18)的表达水平;蛋白免疫印迹法检测小鼠肺组织内含NLR家族PYRIN域蛋白3(NLRP3),半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶1(caspase 1)以及切割后的N-端GSDMD端蛋白结构域(cleaved-GSDMD-N)的表达水平。双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统验证miR-135b-5p与GSDMD的靶向结合关系。结果: 与对照组相比,CLP组小鼠肺组织中有大量的炎症细胞浸润,肺泡损伤,细胞间质水肿及肺泡塌陷等病理特征,小鼠肺组织内细胞焦亡相关蛋白(NLRP3,caspase-1和GSDMD)的表达水平明显增加(P<0.01),但miR-135b-5p的表达水平明显下调(P<0.01);与CLP组相比,超表达miR-135b-5p能够明显抑制CLP诱导的小鼠肺组织内细胞焦亡(P<0.01),靶向抑制GSDMD的表达水平(P<0.01);超表达GSDMD能够逆转超表达miR-135b-5p对肺组织细胞焦亡的抑制作用(P<0.01),超表达miR-135b-5p能够通过靶向GSDMD抑制小鼠BALF中IL-1β及IL-18的表达水平(P<0.01)。结论: miR-135b-5p靶向下调GSDMD抑制细胞焦亡,改善脓毒症引起的ALI,为脓毒症诱导的ALI治疗提供了潜在的治疗靶点和理论依据。     

Recombinant human VEGF treatment transiently increases lung edema but enhances lung structure after neonatal hyperoxia

Recent studies suggest that VEGF may worsen pulmonary edema during acute lung injury (ALI), but, paradoxically, impaired VEGF signaling contributes to decreased lung growth during recovery from ALI due to neonatal hyperoxia. To examine the diverse roles of VEGF in the pathogenesis of and recovery from hyperoxia-induced ALI, we hypothesized that exogenous recombinant human VEGF (rhVEGF) treatment during early neonatal hyperoxic lung injury may increase pulmonary edema but would improve late lung structure during recovery. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were placed in a hyperoxia chamber (inspired O(2) fraction 0.9) for postnatal days 2-14. Pups were randomized to daily intramuscular injections of rhVEGF(165) (20 microg/kg) or saline (controls). On postnatal day 14, rats were placed in room air for a 7-day recovery period. At postnatal days 3, 14, and 21, rats were killed for studies, which included body weight and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio, morphometric analysis [including radial alveolar counts (RAC), mean linear intercepts (MLI), and vessel density], and lung endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein content by Western blot analysis. Compared with room air controls, hyperoxia increased pulmonary edema by histology and wet-to-dry lung weight ratios at postnatal day 3, which resolved by day 14. Although treatment with rhVEGF did not increase edema in control rats, rhVEGF increased wet-to-dry weight ratios in hyperoxia-exposed rats at postnatal days 3 and 14 (P < 0.01). Compared with room air controls, hyperoxia decreased RAC and increased MLI at postnatal days 14 and 21. Treatment with VEGF resulted in increased RAC by 181% and decreased MLI by 55% on postnatal day 14 in the hyperoxia group (P < 0.01). On postnatal day 21, RAC was increased by 176% and MLI was decreased by 58% in the hyperoxia group treated with VEGF. rhVEGF treatment during hyperoxia increased eNOS protein on postnatal day 3 by threefold (P < 0.05). We conclude that rhVEGF treatment during hyperoxia-induced ALI transiently increases pulmonary edema but improves lung structure during late recovery. We speculate that VEGF has diverse roles in hyperoxia-induced neonatal lung injury, contributing to lung edema during the acute stage of ALI but promoting repair of the lung during recovery.     

Adoptive Transfer of Treg Cells Combined with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Facilitates Repopulation of Endogenous Treg Cells in a Murine Acute GVHD Model

Therapeutic effects of combined cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and regulatory T cells (Treg cells) have recently been studied in acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) models. However, the underlying, seemingly synergistic mechanism behind combined cell therapy has not been determined. We investigated the origin of Foxp3⁺ Treg cells and interleukin 17 (IL-17⁺) cells in recipients following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) to identify the immunological effects of combined cell therapy. Treg cells were generated from eGFP-expressing C57BL/6 mice (Treg^egfp cells) to distinguish the transferred Treg cells; recipients were then examined at different time points after BMT. Systemic infusion of MSCs and Treg cells improved survival and GVHD scores, effectively downregulating pro-inflammatory Th×and Th17 cells. These therapeutic effects of combined cell therapy resulted in an increased Foxp3⁺ Treg cell population. Compared to single cell therapy, adoptively transferred Treg^egfp cells only showed prolonged survival in the combined cell therapy group on day 21 after allogeneic BMT. In addition, Foxp3⁺ Treg cells, generated endogenously from recipients, significantly increased. Significantly higher levels of Treg^egfp cells were also detected in aGVHD target organs in the combined cell therapy group compared to the Treg cells group. Thus, our data indicate that MSCs may induce the long-term survival of transferred Treg cells, particularly in aGVHD target organs, and may increase the repopulation of endogenous Treg cells in recipients after BMT. Together, these results support the potential of combined cell therapy using MSCs and Treg cells for preventing aGVHD.     

Suppression of bleomycin-induced nitric oxide production in mice by taurine and niacin.

The effects of taurine (T) and niacin (N) on the influx of inflammatory cells and nitric oxide (NO) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and iNOS protein in lungs were evaluated in the bleomycin (BL)-mouse model of lung fibrosis. Mice were placed into four groups: saline-instilled (SA) with a control diet (CD) (SA + CD); saline-instilled with TN (1% taurine in water + 2.5% (w/w) niacin in diet) (SA + TN); BL-instilled with CD (BL + CD); and BL-instilled with TN treatment (BL + TN). There was no difference in differential cell counts in BALF between the SA + CD and SA + TN control groups. Intratracheal instillation (IT) of BL (0.1 U/mouse) in mice stimulated an early influx of neutrophils followed by an increase in lymphocytes and macrophages in the BL + CD group. Taurine and niacin treatment significantly reduced the numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages in the BL + TN group and caused significant reductions in BL-induced increases in the lung hydroxyproline content at 14 and 21 days in the BL + TN group. The mice in the SA + CD and SA + TN control groups had low levels of NO in BALF, whereas mice in the BL + CD group as compared to the SA + CD control group had elevated levels of NO from day 3 through day 21. Taurine and niacin treatment caused significant reductions in BL-induced increases in NO levels in BALF from mice in the BL + TN group at 7, 14, and 21 days as compared to the corresponding BL + CD group. The increases in NO levels in BALF from the BL + CD group were associated with elevated levels of iNOS gene expression and protein in the lungs. RT-PCR analysis of total RNA isolated from the lungs indicated that taurine and niacin treatment suppressed the BL-induced increases in iNOS message and iNOS protein. The ability of taurine and niacin to suppress the BL-induced increased production of NO secondary to decreases in iNOS mRNA and protein appears to be one of the mechanisms for their anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.     

Angiogenesis gene expression in murine endothelial cells during post-pneumonectomy lung growth

Background

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attenuate hyperoxic neonatal lung injury primarily through anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesized that intratracheal transplantation of human UCB-derived MSCs could attenuate Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice by suppressing the inflammatory response.

Methods

Eight-week-old male ICR mice were randomized to control or ALI groups. ALI was induced by intratracheal E. coli instillation. Three-hours after E. coli instillation, MSCs, fibroblasts or phosphate-buffered saline were intratracheally administered randomly and survival was analyzed for 7 days post-injury. Lung histology including injury scores, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 as well as the wet-dry lung ratio and bacterial counts from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were evaluated at 1, 3, and 7 days post-injury. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in the lung were also profiled using protein macroarrays at day 3 post-injury which showed peak inflammation.

Results

MSC transplantation increased survival and attenuated lung injuries in ALI mice, as evidenced by decreased injury scores on day 3 post-injury and reduced lung inflammation including increased MPO activity and protein levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MIP-2 on day 3 and 7 post-injury. Inflammatory cytokine profiles in the lungs at day 3 post-injury were attenuated by MSC transplantation. MSCs also reduced the elevated lung water content at day 3 post-injury and bacterial counts in blood and BAL on day 7 post-injury.

Conclusions

Intratracheal transplantation of UCB-derived MSCs attenuates E. coli-induced ALI primarily by down-modulating the inflammatory process and enhancing bacterial clearance.     

大鼠异基因骨髓移植急性移植物抗宿主病模型的建立

目的建立较稳定的异基因骨髓移植急性移植物抗宿主病动物模型,为异基因骨髓移植后的急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）的相关研究提供实验参照。方法以雄性SD大鼠为供鼠,雌性Wistar大鼠为受鼠,受体大鼠随机分成A、B、C、D、E 5组,移植当天所有受鼠均接受8.5 GY的全身照射（TBI）,于照射后4～6 h内,A组回输等量培养液,B组经尾静脉输注供鼠骨髓细胞（2×10^8个/kg）,C、D、E组分别回输供鼠骨髓细胞（2×10^8个/kg）＋不同比例的脾细胞。观察各组大鼠生存期、外周白细胞计数、及有无aGVHD的临床及病理表现。结果A组大鼠于15d内全部死亡,外周血白细胞计数明显减低,骨髓病理示造血组织减少,提示死于造血衰竭。B、C、D、E组大鼠外周血白细胞计数均有明显恢复,B组大鼠8只存活超过50 d,C、D、E组大鼠均于50 d观察期内死亡,并有aGVHD的临床表现及病理表现,但C组大鼠aGVHD的程度较轻且时间不集中,其中D、E组大鼠可于相对集中的时间内观察到典型aGVHD临床及病理。结论TBI预处理的方式是可行的,单纯输入异基因骨髓细胞不能引起明显的aGVHD,骨髓细胞与脾细胞1∶1及1∶1.5混合组均可作为异基因骨髓移植后理想的aGVHD动物模型。     

辛伐他汀对大鼠肺纤维化及其内皮间质变过程的影响*

目的: 观察辛伐他汀对大鼠肺纤维化及其内皮间质变(EnMT )过程中VE-钙粘素(VE-cad)、波形蛋白(VIM)、α-平滑肌蛋白(α-SMA)表达的影响。方法: 健康雄性SD大鼠60只,随机分为对照组(A组)、造模组(B组)、辛伐他汀5 mg治疗组(C组)、辛伐他汀10 mg治疗组(D组),每组各15只。博来霉素(BLM)按5 mg/kg剂量一次性气管内灌注复制博莱霉素致大鼠肺纤维化模型,从造模第1日起C、D 组每天分别胃内灌注辛伐他汀混悬液5 mg /(kg·d)及辛伐他汀混悬液10 mg /(kg·d),A组和B 组每天胃内灌注等体积生理盐水10 ml /(kg·d)。于造模第7、14和28 日随机处死各组大鼠5只。Masson染色观察大鼠肺组织形态变化;碱性水解法检测肺组织中羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量;免疫组化法测定各组大鼠肺组织血管新生微血管密度(MVD);免疫组化和逆转录-聚合酶链反应法测定各组肺组织中VE-Cad、VIM及α-SMA蛋白和mRNA的表达水平。结果: ①与A组相比,B、C、D组各时间点肺组织HYP和MVD水平、VIM、α-SMA的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均明显升高(P均＜0.05),且以28 d达最高;而相应时间点VE-Cad 的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均明显降低(P均＜0.05),且以28 d达最低。②与B组相比,C、D组HYP和MVD水平、VIM、α-SMA的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均有降低(P均＜0.05),以D组28 d下降最明显;而相应时间点VE-Cad 的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均有升高(P均＜0.05),以D组28 d升高最明显。结论: 辛伐他汀可减轻大鼠肺纤维化,其机制可能与增强VE-cad表达,降低VIM及α-SMA表达,减少EnMT 发生有关。     

Simultaneous absence of surfactant proteins A and D increases lung inflammation and injury after allogeneic HSCT in mice

The relative contributions of the hydrophilic surfactant proteins (SP)-A and -D to early inflammatory responses associated with lung dysfunction after experimental allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were investigated. We hypothesized that the absence of SP-A and SP-D would exaggerate allogeneic T cell-dependent inflammation and exacerbate lung injury. Wild-type, SP-D-deficient (SP-D(-/-)), and SP-A and -D double knockout (SP-A/D(-/-)) C57BL/6 mice were lethally conditioned with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation and given allogeneic bone marrow plus donor spleen T cells, simulating clinical HSCT regimens. On day 7, after HSCT, permeability edema progressively increased in SP-D(-/-) and SP-A/D(-/-) mice. Allogeneic T cell-dependent inflammatory responses were also increased in SP-D(-/-) and SP-A/D(-/-) mice, but the altered mediators of inflammation were not identical. Compared with wild-type, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of nitrite plus nitrate, GM-CSF, and MCP-1, but not TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, were higher in SP-D-deficient mice before and after HSCT. In SP-A/D(-/-) mice, day 7 post-HSCT BALF levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, in addition to nitrite plus nitrate and MCP-1, were higher compared with mice lacking SP-D alone. After HSCT, both SP-A and SP-D exhibited anti-inflammatory lung-protective functions that were not completely redundant in vivo.     

Monitoring the level of complement components during autologous blood stem cell transplantation in patients with malignant lymphomas

The aim of this study was to determine the complement functions, the serum levels of the complement components C3 and C4, and circulating immune complexes during autologous blood stem cell transplantation. Seventeen lymphoma patients receiving transplants between 1997 and 2001 were involved in this study. High-dose chemotherapy with or without total body irradiation was used for conditioning. The transplantation resulted in complete remission without complications in 14 patients. Early relapse developed in one case and two nonrelapsed patients suffered from serious toxic infection early posttransplant. Normal values of CH50, C3, C4, and immune complexes in sera of patients were detected on day –7, before the conditioning (day of transplantation was determined as day 0). After the conditioning, on day –2, the levels of the CH50, C3, and C4 decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all patients compared with the starting values. The CH50, C3, and C4 levels exceeded the starting values in the noninfected patients from day +7. In two patients suffering from toxic infection, significantly elevated complement levels were documented early posttransplant. In the relapsed patient a significant decrease of the complement parameters was documented posttransplant accompanied by a significant elevation in the immune complex level. The results show alteration in the complement parameters during transplantation, but in the complication-free cases this remained within the normal ranges. However, an unusual elevation seemed to be the sign of infection, and the significant decrease seemed to indicate a relapse.     

Intratracheal transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuates Escherichia coli-induced acute lung injury in mice

Background

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) attenuate hyperoxic neonatal lung injury primarily through anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesized that intratracheal transplantation of human UCB-derived MSCs could attenuate Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice by suppressing the inflammatory response.

Methods

Eight-week-old male ICR mice were randomized to control or ALI groups. ALI was induced by intratracheal E. coli instillation. Three-hours after E. coli instillation, MSCs, fibroblasts or phosphate-buffered saline were intratracheally administered randomly and survival was analyzed for 7 days post-injury. Lung histology including injury scores, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 as well as the wet-dry lung ratio and bacterial counts from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were evaluated at 1, 3, and 7 days post-injury. Levels of inflammatory cytokines in the lung were also profiled using protein macroarrays at day 3 post-injury which showed peak inflammation.

Results

MSC transplantation increased survival and attenuated lung injuries in ALI mice, as evidenced by decreased injury scores on day 3 post-injury and reduced lung inflammation including increased MPO activity and protein levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MIP-2 on day 3 and 7 post-injury. Inflammatory cytokine profiles in the lungs at day 3 post-injury were attenuated by MSC transplantation. MSCs also reduced the elevated lung water content at day 3 post-injury and bacterial counts in blood and BAL on day 7 post-injury.

Conclusions

Intratracheal transplantation of UCB-derived MSCs attenuates E. coli-induced ALI primarily by down-modulating the inflammatory process and enhancing bacterial clearance.     

Effects of environmental temperature on thymus and spleen weights and lymphocytes in mice

Thymus and spleen weights and lymphocytes in the blood were examined in mice transferred from 22 degrees C to 12 degrees C or 32 degrees C environments. After the exposure to either environment, organ weights tended to decrease. In mice exposed to 12 degrees C, the number of WBCs and mononuclear cells and the ratio and the number of T cells decreased on day 1 and/or 3 after the exposure. The number of B cells also declined on day 3, but the ratio of B cells increased on days 3 and 7. In mice exposed to 32 degrees C, the number of WBCs and mononuclear cells and the number of T cells decreased on day 1 and increased on day 7 and/or 14. The ratio of T cells declined on days 1, 3 and 7, while that of B cells increased on day 3, and the number of B cells increased on day 7. These results show that wide variations in environmental temperature affect the weights of organs and the number of cells which act on immune responses in mice.