YKL-40、CD4+/CD8+比值与腺病毒肺炎患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清壳多糖酶3样蛋白1（YKL-40）、外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与腺病毒肺炎（AP）患儿炎性因子和并发喘息的关系。方法：选取2019年10月～2022年10月湖北省妇幼保健院收治的97例AP患儿为AP组,根据是否并发喘息分别为喘息组和无喘息组,另选取同期50例体检健康儿童为对照组。收集AP患儿的临床资料,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清YKL-40和炎性因子[白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-8、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNFα）]水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺、CD8⁺比例并计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。采用Spearman相关性分析AP患儿血清YKL-40、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与炎性因子水平的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析AP患儿并发喘息的影响因素。结果：与对照组比较,AP组血清YKL-40、外周血CD8⁺比例升高,CD4⁺比例、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低（P＜0.05）。AP组血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。Spearman相关性分析显示,AP患儿血清YKL-40与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈正相关,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。97例AP患儿住院期间喘息发生率为50.52%（49/97）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,呼吸衰竭、小气道病变、特应性体质和血清IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α、YKL-40升高为AP患儿并发喘息的独立危险因素,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：AP患儿血清YKL-40水平升高和外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低,与炎性因子水平升高和并发喘息密切相关。     

狼疮性肾炎患者血清NETs、TWEAK、外周血CD4+T/CD8+T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系

摘要 目的：探讨狼疮性肾炎（LN）患者血清中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网（NETs）、肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡微弱诱导剂（TWEAK）、外周血分化簇（CD）4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例与疾病活动度及肾脏预后的关系。方法：选取2021年8月～2022年8月川北医学院附属医院肾内科收治的LN患者137例（LN组）,根据系统性红斑狼疮疾病活动指数（SLEDAI）-2000评分分为轻度活动组（52例）、中度活动组（45例）、重度活动组（40例）。随访1年,根据肾脏相关终点事件发生情况分为预后不良组（43例）和预后良好组（94例）,另选取同期76名体检健康志愿者（对照组）。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清NETs、TWEAK水平,流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T比例。Spearman相关性分析LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T与SLEDAI-2000评分的相关性,多因素Logistic回归分析LN患者预后不良的因素,受试者工作特征曲线分析血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T对LN患者预后不良的预测价值。结果：与对照组比较,LN组血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低（P＜0.05）。轻度活动组、中度活动组、重度活动组血清NETs、TWEAK依次升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T依次降低（P＜0.05）。LN患者SLEDAI-2000评分与血清NETs、TWEAK呈正相关,与外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T呈负相关（P＜0.05）。慢性肾脏病分期4期、SLEDAI-2000评分升高、NETs升高、TWEAK升高为LN患者预后不良的独立危险因素,估算肾小球滤过率升高、CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T升高为独立保护因素（P＜0.05）。血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T联合预测LN患者预后不良的曲线下面积为0.943,大于血清NETs、TWEAK和外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T单独预测的0.790、0.788、0.799（P＜0.05）。结论：LN患者血清NETs、TWEAK水平升高,外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T降低,与疾病活动度及肾脏预后不良密切相关,血清NETs、TWEAK联合外周血CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T预测LN患者肾脏预后的价值较高。     

CD39的临床意义及其与肝癌浸润T细胞耗竭的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探索CD39分子（编码基因ENTPD1）在原发性肝细胞肝癌（Hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC）中的表达、临床意义及其与HCC中免疫浸润和T细胞耗竭的相关性。方法：TIMER、GEPIA、Kaplan-Meier Plotter、TCGA等数据库分析CD39在肝癌中的差异性表达、与免疫浸润的关系、相关基因的表达及其与肝癌患者预后的关系。免疫荧光染色、细胞测序和流式检测验证临床HCC患者的癌及癌旁组织中CD39的差异性表达及其和CD8⁺T细胞耗竭特性的相关性。结果：（1）生物信息学分析结果显示：CD39在多种肿瘤组织中表达上调（包括HCC）（P＜0.05）；且其表达水平与HCC的临床预后等显著相关（P＜0.05）；与CD39低表达组相比，HCC中CD39高表达组患者无复发生存期（relapse-free survival, RFS）（P=0.025）和无进展生存期（progression-free survival, PFS）（P=0.026）较短；CD39与HCC肿瘤微环境中CD8⁺T、CD4⁺T、巨噬细胞等免疫细胞浸润水平均有明显正相关。（2）临床HCC样本验证：免疫荧光和流式结果显示CD39在癌组织中的表达水平高于癌旁正常组织，与耗竭相关分子LAYN、TIM3、CTLA4等共表达，且在耗竭CD8⁺T细胞中表达比例显著高于非耗竭细胞。结论：CD39在HCC肿瘤组织及浸润的CD8⁺T细胞中高表达，与HCC的RFS、PFS、免疫细胞浸润等紧密相关，且参与CD8⁺T细胞耗竭。     

消疬膏对脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者CD4+CD25highFoxP3+调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素的影响

摘要 目的：研究消疬膏对脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素的影响。方法：选择南京市中西医结合医院于2020年3月~2022年1月期间收治的颈部淋巴结核患者120例。按照随机数字表法分为对照组（60例）和研究组（60例）。对照组接受常规抗结核方案，研究组接受消疬膏联合常规抗结核方案，两组疗程均为6个月。观察两组治疗前和治疗6个月后的中医证候积分、CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞相关指标和胃肠激素的变化，记录两组治疗期间用药安全性。结果：两组治疗6个月后肿疡大小、肿疡皮色、面色、纳呆、倦怠乏力、便溏、舌质、脉象评分均下降，且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗6个月后CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞、白介素-10（IL-10）水平低于对照组，γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗6个月后胆囊收缩素（CCK）、胃泌素（GAS）水平低于对照组，胃动素（MTL）水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的不良反应总发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：消疬膏治疗脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者，可有效改善患者临床症状，可能与调节CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素水平有关。     

IL-7和胸腺基质细胞系(MTEC5)诱导胸腺CD3- CD4- CD8- 细胞分化

胸腺细胞发育是细胞因子及胸腺细胞与胸腺基质细胞相互作用的结果.观察了IL-7及小鼠胸腺基质上皮细胞系MTEC5对成年小鼠CD3^- CD4^- CD8^- 胸腺细胞发育的影响.IL-7能促进TN细胞增殖.TN细胞经在IL-7条件下培养后表达CD3-TCR分子,其中20％～40％为TCRγδ⁺,60％～80％为TCRαβ⁺,但保持CD4^- CD8^- .该细胞获得对 Con A、抗CD3mAb及抗TCRmAb进行增殖应答的能力,抗CD28mAb能促进这种增殖应答,证明表达的CD3-TCR分子功能成熟.当在该系统中加入MTEC5,部分TN细胞转变为CD3⁺TCRβ⁺CD4⁺CD8^- 和CD3⁺TCRβ⁺CD4^- CD8⁺SP细胞,表明MTEC5可诱导TN细胞分化为表现型成熟的胸腺细胞.     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶3通过抑制AICD维持T细胞自稳

为探讨组蛋白去乙酰化酶3(HDAC3)在T细胞自稳中的作用,采用LoxP-cd4cre酶系统在胸腺CD4⁺CD8⁺双阳性T细胞(DP)中敲除hdac3基因．hdac3基因敲除小鼠不影响T细胞在胸腺中的发育,但导致外周T细胞显著降低,而且,hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞主要以活化/效应/记忆表型为主．机制分析表明,hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞凋亡增加并伴随细胞增殖加速,同时,Fas 和Fas配体阳性细胞比率以及Fas配体的表达显著增加．体外TCR活化不影响正常外周T细胞的凋亡,但导致hdac3基因敲除的外周T细胞凋亡显著增加．实验结果表明,HDAC3通过抑制活化诱导的细胞凋亡维持外周T细胞自稳．     

2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者PCT、HMGB1、CD4+/CD8+比值与继发肺部感染的关系

摘要 目的：探讨2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者降钙素原（PCT）、高迁移率族蛋白1（HMGB1）、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值与继发肺部感染的关系。方法：选择2019年1月至2022年6月四川大学华西医院呼吸与危重症医学科收治的97例2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者,根据入院治疗时是否继发肺部感染分为肺部感染组（53例）及非肺部感染组（44例）。检测两组血清PCT、HMGB1水平以及外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的因素。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析PCT、HMGB1和CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的价值。结果：肺部感染组血清PCT、HMGB1水平高于非肺部感染组（P＜0.05）,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值低于非肺部感染组（P＜0.05）。糖化血红蛋白及血清PCT、HMGB1水平升高是2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的危险因素（P＜0.05）,高CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值是保护因素（P＜0.05）。PCT、HMGB1、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的曲线下面积为0.719、0.761、0.738,联合PCT、HMGB1和CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测的曲线下面积为0.878,高于各指标单独预测。结论：2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者血清PCT、HMGB1水平增高,外周血CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低,均与继发肺部感染有关,PCT、HMGB1联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值可辅助预测2型糖尿病并发肺结核患者继发肺部感染的风险。     

视频脑电图联合PEWS评分、NSE、CD4+/CD8+比值对病毒性脑炎患儿病情评估及预后预测的临床价值

摘要 目的：探讨视频脑电图（VEEG）联合儿童早期预警评分（PEWS）、神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值对病毒性脑炎患儿病情评估及预后预测的价值。方法：选择2020年3月至2022年3月南京医科大学附属儿童医院收治的152例病毒性脑炎患儿，根据病情严重程度将患儿分为重症组（67例）和轻症组（85例），另选择72例无神经系统损伤住院患儿为对照组。治疗2周后，根据儿童格拉斯哥预后量表（CGOS）将其分为预后良好组（4~5级，89例）与预后不良组（1~3级，63例）。所有研究对象均接受PEWS测评和VEEG检查，检测血清NSE水平，计算CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值。采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析影响病毒性脑炎患儿预后的因素。采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析PEWS、VEEG 及血清NSE、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测病毒性脑炎患儿预后的价值。结果：重症组PEWS、VEEG重度异常比例及血清NSE水平高于轻症组和对照组，CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值低于轻症组和对照组（P＜0.05）；轻症组PEWS、VEEG重度异常比例及血清NSE水平高于对照组，CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值低于对照组（P＜0.05）。预后不良组PEWS、VEEG重度异常比例、血清NSE水平高于预后良好组，CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值低于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，持续惊厥、高PEWS、VEEG重度异常、血清NSE水平升高是病毒性脑炎患儿预后不良的危险因素，CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值升高是保护因素（P＜0.05）。联合PEWS、VEEG 及血清NSE、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测病毒性脑炎患儿预后曲线下面积为0.859，高于各指标单独预测。结论：病毒性脑炎患儿高PEWS、VEEG重度异常、血清NSE水平升高、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值降低，与病情加重和预后不良有关，联合以上四项指标辅助预测病毒性脑炎患儿预后的价值较高。     

五灵胶囊联合富马酸丙酚替诺福韦片对慢性乙型肝炎患者氧化应激、CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞和血清MMP-1、MMP-2、TIMP-1的影响

摘要 目的：探讨五灵胶囊联合富马酸丙酚替诺福韦片对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者氧化应激、CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞和血清基质金属蛋白酶-1（MMP-1）、基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）的影响。方法：纳入苏州大学附属传染病医院2021年6月~2022年12月期间收治的CHB患者122例,采用随机数字表法分为对照组（n=61,富马酸丙酚替诺福韦片）和研究组（n=61,五灵胶囊联合富马酸丙酚替诺福韦片）。对比两组疗效、氧化应激指标、CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞、肝功能指标[总胆红素（TBIL）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）]、血清MMP-1、MMP-2、TIMP-1水平和不良反应发生情况。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后丙二醛（MDA）下降,且研究组低于对照组同时间点;超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）升高,且研究组高于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）。两组治疗后CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞下降,且研究组低于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）。两组治疗后MMP-1、MMP-2、TIMP-1下降,且研究组低于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）。两组治疗后TBIL、ALT、GGT下降,且研究组低于对照组同时间点（P<0.05）。两组不良反应总发生率组间对比未见差异（P>0.05）。结论：五灵胶囊联合富马酸丙酚替诺福韦片治疗CHB患者,可有效减轻机体氧化应激,调节CD4⁺CD25⁺调节性T细胞和血清MMP-1、MMP-2、TIMP-1水平。     

外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群与早期宫颈癌的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测价值研究

摘要 目的：分析外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群与早期宫颈癌的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法：选择我院自2017年1月至2020年12月接诊的60例接受子宫颈癌根治术及盆腔淋巴清扫术的早期宫颈癌患者作为观察组,另选同期的60例健康体检者作为对照组。比较两组外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群水平,使用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）评价外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群对淋巴结转移的预测效能。结果：观察组外周血Treg细胞、CD8⁺T细胞水平高于对照组,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均低于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组术后外周血Treg细胞、CD8⁺T细胞水平较术前降低,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均较术前升高（P＜0.05）;在60例早期宫颈癌患者中,发生淋巴结转移12例;淋巴结转移组术前外周血Treg细胞水平、CD8⁺T细胞高于非淋巴结转移组,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均低于非淋巴结转移组（P＜0.05）;经多因素Logistic回归分析,外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均是早期宫颈癌患者发生淋巴结转移的独立预测因素（P＜0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测早期宫颈癌患者发生淋巴结转移的AUC为0.910。结论：外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群水平与早期宫颈癌的病情演变有关,其中外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测淋巴结转移的效能较好,值得进一步研究应用。     

The effect of Na+-K+ ATPase inhibition by ouabain on histamine release from human cutaneous mast cells

Background: There are controversial reports on the effect of sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase) inhibition on mast cell mediator release. Some of them have indicated that ouabain (strophanthin G), a specific Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase inhibitor, inhibited the release, whereas the others have shown that ouabain had no effect or even had a stimulatory effect on the mediator secretion. Most of these studies have utilized animal-derived mast cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase inhibition on human skin mast cells. Methods: Unpurified and purified mast cells were obtained from newborn foreskins and stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187 (1 μM) for 30 min following a 1 hr incubation with various concentrations (10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁸ M) of ouabain. Histamine release was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The results indicated that ouabain had no significant effect on the non-immunologic histamine release from human skin mast cells, in vitro. Conclusions: Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase inhibition by ouabain had no significant effect on the non-immunologic histamine release from human cutaneous mast cells and suggested differences between human and animal mast cells.     

Antitumor activity of a self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide vaccine bearing B cell,CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript> and CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript> T cell epitopes

Molecularly defined synthetic vaccines capable of inducing both antibodies and cellular anti-tumor immune responses, in a manner compatible with human delivery, are limited. Few molecules achieve this target without utilizing external immuno-adjuvants. In this study, we explored a self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide (GLP) as a platform for cancer vaccines using as a model MO5, an OVA-expressing mouse B16 melanoma. A prototype B and T cell epitope-based GLP molecule was constructed by synthesizing a chimeric peptide made of a CD8⁺ T cell epitope, from ovalbumin (OVA_257–264) and an universal CD4⁺ T helper (Th) epitope (PADRE). The resulting CTL–Th peptide backbones was coupled to a carbohydrate B cell epitope based on a regioselectively addressable functionalized templates (RAFT), made of four α-GalNAc molecules at C-terminal. The N terminus of the resulting glycopeptides (GP) was then linked to a palmitic acid moiety (PAM), obviating the need for potentially toxic external immuno-adjuvants. The final prototype OVA-GLP molecule, delivered in adjuvant-free PBS, in mice induced: (1) robust RAFT-specific IgG/IgM that recognized tumor cell lines; (2) local and systemic OVA_257–264-specific IFN-γ producing CD8⁺ T cells; (3) PADRE-specific CD4⁺ T cells; (4) OVA-GLP vaccination elicited a reduction of tumor size in mice inoculated with syngeneic murine MO5 carcinoma cells and a protection from lethal carcinoma cell challenge; (5) finally, OVA-GLP immunization significantly inhibited the growth of pre-established MO5 tumors. Our results suggest self-adjuvanting glyco-lipopeptide molecules as a platform for B Cell, CD4⁺, and CD8⁺ T cell epitopes-based immunotherapeutic cancer vaccines. Both I. Bettahi and G. Dasgupta have contributed equally to this work.     

Apoptosis. Signaling pathways and cell ion and water balance

Current data on the alteration of the monovalent ion balance, pH and the membrane potential during apoptosis are summarized and considered with respect to ionic mechanisms of the apoptotic cell shrinkage. A brief survey of the main signaling pathways involved in apoptosis, such as receptor-and mitochondria-mediated pathways of the caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis is given. The data on the alteration of the distinct ion transporters and channels of the plasma membrane during apoptosis are considered.     

The sodium cycle: A novel type of bacterial energetics

The progress of bioenergetic studies on the role of Na⁺ in bacteria is reviewed. Experiments performed over the past decade on several bacterial species of quite different taxonomic positions show that Na⁺ can, under certain conditions, substitute for H⁺ as the coupling ion. Various primary Na⁺ pumps ( generators) are described, i.e., Na⁺-motive decarboxylases, NADH-quinone reductase, terminal oxidase, and ATPase. The formed is shown to be consumed by Na⁺ driven ATP-synthase, Na⁺ flagellar motor, numerous Na⁺, solute symporters, and the methanogenesis-linked reverse electron transfer system. InVibrio alginolyticus, it was found that , generated by NADH-quinone reductase, can be utilized to support all three types of membrane-linked work, i.e., chemical (ATP synthesis), osmotic (Na⁺, solute symports), and mechanical (rotation of the flagellum). InPropionigenum modestum, circulation of Na⁺ proved to be the only mechanism of energy coupling. In other species studied, the Na⁺ cycle seems to coexist with the H⁺ cycle. For instance, inV. alginolyticus the initial and terminal steps of the respiratory chain are Na⁺ - and H⁺-motive, respectively, whereas ATP hydrolysis is competent in the uphill transfer of Na⁺ as well as of H⁺. In the alkalo- and halotolerantBacillus FTU, there are H⁺ - and Na⁺-motive terminal oxidases. Sometimes, the Na⁺-translocating enzyme strongly differs from its H⁺-translocating homolog. So, the Na⁺-motive and H⁺-motive NADH-quinone reductases are composed of different subunits and prosthetic groups. The H⁺-motive and Na⁺-motive terminal oxidases differ in that the former is ofaa ₃-type and sensitive to micromolar cyanide whereas the latter is of another type and sensitive to millimolar cyanide. At the same time, both Na⁺ and H⁺ can be translocated by one and the sameP. modestum ATPase which is of the F₀F₁-type and sensitive to DCCD. The sodium cycle, i.e., a system composed of primary generator(s) and consumer(s), is already described in many species of marine aerobic and anaerobic eubacteria and archaebacteria belonging to the following genera:Vibrio, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, Alteromonas, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Propionigenum, Clostridium, Veilonella, Acidaminococcus, Streptococcus, Peptococcus, Exiguobacterium, Fusobacterium, Methanobacterium, Methanococcus, Methanosarcin, etc. Thus, the sodium world seems to occupy a rather extensive area in the biosphere.     

The efficiency of (Na + K)-ATPase in tumorigenic cells

The efficiency of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase (i.e. the amount of K⁺ pumped per ATP hydrolyzed) in intact tumorigenic cells was estimated in this study. This was accomplished by simultaneously measuring the rate of ouabain-sensitive K⁺ uptake and oxygen consumption in tumorigenic cell suspensions during the reintroduction of K⁺ to K⁺-depleted cells. The ATP turnover was then estimated by assuming 5.6–6 ATP/O₂ as the stoichiometry of NADH-linked respiration in these cells. In the three cell lines tested (hamster and chick embryo cells transformed with Rous sarcoma virus and Ehrlich ascites cells), the K⁺/ATP ratio was approximately 2, the same value as that found in normal tissues. Furthermore, only 20% of the total ATP production of these cells was used by (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase.     

The non-canonical functions of p27Kip1 in normal and tumor biology

p27^Kip1 was first discovered as a key regulator of cell proliferation. The canonical function of p27^Kip1 is inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. In addition to its initial identification as a CDK inhibitor, p27^Kip1 has also emerged as an intrinsically unstructured, multifunctional protein with numerous non-canonical, CDK-independent functions that exert influence on key processes such as cell cycle regulation, cytoskeletal dynamics and cellular plasticity, cell migration, and stem-cell proliferation and differentiation. Many of these non-canonical functions, depending on the cell-specific contexts such as oncogenic activation of signaling pathways, have the ability to turn pro-oncogenic in nature and even contribute to tumor-aggressiveness and metastasis. This review discusses the various non-canonical, CDK-independent mechanisms by which p27^Kip1 functions either as a tumor-suppressor or tumor-promoter.     

Effects of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice on antibody production

The function of T cell subsets in tumor-bearing mice was examined using an in vitro culture system of anti-(sheep red blood cell) antibody production, which is known to be dependent on T cells. The helper function of T cells of fibrosarcoma-MethA-bearing mice in antibody production decreased with the tumor stage of the mice. T cells were separated into CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells for further analysis of T cell subsets by the panning method using monoclonal antibodies. The helper function of CD4⁺ T cells in antibody production began to decrease significantly in tumor-bearing mice 1 week after the tumor transplantation. On the other hand, the suppressive function of CD8⁺ T cells was retained and had not decreased in the mice even 3 weeks after the transplantation. The same changes in function of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were also observed in Methl-bearing mice. These results suggested that this tumor-associated immunosuppression in antibody production is attributable to the decrease in helper activity of CD4⁺ T cells and the maintenance of the suppressive activity of CD8⁺ T cells.     

4-1BB costimulation enhances HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cell responses by the induction of CD11c+CD8+ T cells

Since 4-1BB plays a predominant role in CD8+ T cell responses, we investigated the effects of 4-1BB triggering on the primary and memory CD8+ T responses to HSV-1 infection. 4-1BB was detected on 10-15% of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following the infection. 4-1BB-positive T cells were in the proliferative mode and showed the enhanced expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Agonistic anti-4-1BB treatment exerted preferential expansion of CD8+ T cells and gB/H-2Kb-positive CD8+ T cells, and enhanced cytotoxicity against HSV-1 that was mainly mediated by CD11c+CD8+ T cells. CD11c+CD8+ T cells were re-expanded following re-challenge with HSV-1 at post-infection day 50, indicating that CD11c+CD8+ phenotype was maintained in memory CD8+ T cell pool. Our studies demonstrated that 4-1BB stimulation enhanced both primary and memory anti-HSV-1 CD8+ T cell responses, which was mediated by a massive expansion of antigen-specific CD11c+CD8+ T cells.