YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、Th17细胞及其相关细胞因子IL-17与皮肌炎患者疾病活动度和临床指标的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨人软骨糖蛋白-39（YKL-40）、趋化因子配体-27（CCL27）、趋化因子配体-10（CXCL10）、辅助性T细胞17（Th17）及其相关细胞因子白细胞介素-17（IL-17）与皮肌炎患者疾病活动度和临床指标的相关性。方法：选择2020年2月至2022年2月河北北方学院附属第一医院皮肤科收治的80例皮肌炎患者为皮肌炎组,另选取同期40名健康体检人员作为对照组,检测对比两组血清YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平及外周血Th17细胞比例。皮肌炎患者根据病情分为活动期组和缓解期组,比较两组YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平、Th17细胞比例、皮肌炎相关临床指标及肌炎疾病活动性评估视觉模拟量表（MYOACT）评分,采用Pearson相关系数分析YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平、Th17细胞比例与MYOACT评分、皮肌炎相关临床指标的相关性。结果：皮肌炎组的YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平及Th17细胞比例均高于对照组（P＜0.05）。活动期组的YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平及Th17细胞比例均高于缓解期组（P＜0.05）。活动期组的MYOACT评分及红细胞沉降率（ESR）、铁蛋白（Fer）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肌酸激酶（CK）水平均高于缓解期组（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,皮肌炎患者的YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平、Th17细胞比例与MYOACT评分、ESR、Fer、LDH、CK水平均呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：血清YKL-40、CCL27、CXCL10、IL-17水平及外周血Th17细胞比例与皮肌炎病情严重程度有一定相关性,可作为皮肌炎病情的辅助评估指标。     

慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE2、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探究慢性牙周炎患者血清降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）、前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）、CC趋化因子配体20（CCL20）与牙周临床指标和辅助性T淋巴细胞17/调节性T淋巴细胞（Th17/Treg）失衡的相关性。方法：选取2020年5月-2022年5月海南省妇女儿童医学中心收治的91例慢性牙周炎患者,根据其严重程度分为轻度组（39例）、中度组（36例）、重度组（16例）,比较三组血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20、牙周临床指标[出血指数（BI）、探诊深度（PD）、附着丧失（AL）、菌斑指数（PLI）]、外周血Th17细胞比例、Treg细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值,采用Pearson相关分析血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性。结果：与轻度组比较,中度组、重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）;与中度组比较,重度组血清CGRP、Treg细胞比例显著降低（P＜0.05）,血清PGE₂、CCL20、BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值显著增高（P＜0.05）。相关性结果提示,血清PGE₂、CCL20水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈负相关（P＜0.05）;血清CGRP水平与BI、PD、PLI、AL、Th17细胞比例、Th17/Treg比值呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞比例呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平与疾病严重程度、牙周临床指标及Th17/Treg失衡显著相关,血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20可能通过影响Th17/Treg平衡参与慢性牙周炎的发生和发展。     

慢性牙周炎患者血清CGRP、PGE2、CCL20与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨慢性牙周炎（CP）患者血清降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）、前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）、C-C基序趋化因子配体20（CCL20）与牙周临床指标和辅助性T细胞17/调节性T细胞（Th17/Treg）失衡的相关性。方法：选取2018年3月～2022年1月本院收治的92例CP患者,根据病情严重程度分为轻度组28例、中度组33例、重度组31例。检查患者牙周临床指标,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平,流式细胞术检测外周血Th17、Treg百分比并计算Th17/Treg。比较3组血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平和牙周临床指标及外周血Th17、Treg、Th17/Treg,采用Pearson相关系数分析CP患者血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平与牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg的相关性。结果：轻度组、中度组、重度组血清CGRP水平和外周血Treg比例依次降低,血清PGE₂、CCL20水平和探诊深度（PD）、出血指数（BI）、附着丧失（AL）、菌斑指数（PLI）及外周血Th17比例、Th17/Treg依次升高（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关系数显示,CP患者血清CGRP水平与PD、BI、AL、PLI、Th17/Treg呈负相关,PGE₂、CCL20水平与PD、BI、AL、PLI、Th17/Treg呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：血清CGRP、PGE₂、CCL20水平与CP患者牙周临床指标和Th17/Treg失衡密切相关,可能是CP发生发展的关键因子。     

多发性骨髓瘤患者骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Th17和血清IL-6、IL-10与临床分期以及治疗效果的关系分析

摘要 目的：探讨多发性骨髓瘤（MM）患者骨髓单个核细胞调节性T细胞（Treg）、辅助性T细胞（Th17）和血清白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-10（IL-10）与临床分期以及治疗效果的关系。方法：选择2016年3月至2020年12月河北医科大学第一医院收治的MM患者60例为研究对象,检测并对比不同Durie-Salmon分期患者的骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Th17、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10水平;患者入院后均给予常规治疗,根据疗效分为有效组和无效组,比较两组治疗前后骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Th17、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10水平;分析Treg、Th17、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10与MM患者Durie-Salmon分期、治疗效果的相关性。结果：MM患者骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10水平III期组高于II期组,II期组高于I期组（P＜0.05）。有效组治疗后骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Treg/Th17水平及血清IL-6、IL-10水平较治疗前明显降低（P＜0.05）;治疗后,骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10水平无效组高于有效组（P＜0.05）。骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Treg/Th17及血清IL-6、IL-10水平与MM患者Durie-Salmon分期呈正相关,与治疗效果呈负相关（P＜0.05）;骨髓单个核细胞Th17水平与MM患者的Durie-Salmon分期、治疗效果无明显的相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：骨髓单个核细胞Treg、Treg/Th17水平及血清IL-6、IL-10水平与MM患者肿瘤临床分期、治疗效果密切相关,检测其水平可对MM的临床治疗及预后起到一定评估作用。     

牙周-正畸联合治疗对侵袭性牙周炎患者牙周功能和龈沟液TSLP、IL-33的影响及其预后的影响因素研究

摘要 目的：观察牙周-正畸联合治疗对侵袭性牙周炎（AgP）患者牙周功能和龈沟液胸腺基质淋巴细胞生成素（TSLP）、白介素-33（IL-33）的影响,并分析其预后的影响因素。方法：选择2017年1月至2021年6月期间我院收治的AgP患者119例,根据治疗方式的不同分为对照组（牙周基础治疗）和联合组（牙周-正畸联合治疗）,例数分别为58例和61例。对比两组患者的牙周功能[牙周袋深度（PD）、牙龈指数（GI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、临床附着丧失（AL）]和龈沟液TSLP、IL-33水平,根据PD判断联合组患者的预后情况,采用单因素、多因素Logistic回归分析预后的影响因素。结果：两组治疗后PD、GI、PLI、AL均较治疗前下降,且联合组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后龈沟液TSLP、IL-33水平均较治疗前下降,且联合组低于对照组（P<0.05）。61例采用牙周-正畸联合治疗的AgP患者,6个月后复查发现,PD＜4 mm的患者有38例（预后良好组）,PD≥4 mm患者有23例（预后不良组）。单因素分析结果显示,牙周-正畸联合治疗AgP患者的预后与患牙上下/前后分布位置、患牙最深PD值、牙槽骨高度基线值、PLI、根型态异常情况有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：患牙分布位置为下颌牙、根型态存在异常情况、患牙分布位置为前牙、患牙最深PD值偏大、PLI偏高、牙槽骨高度基线值偏高均是牙周-正畸联合治疗AgP患者不良预后的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：与单纯的牙周基础治疗相比,牙周-正畸联合治疗可有效改善AgP患者的临床症状,控制局部炎性反应。同时,患牙上下/前后分布位置、患牙最深PD值、牙槽骨高度基线值、PLI、根型态异常情况均是牙周-正畸联合治疗AgP患者预后的影响因素,需引起临床重视。     

龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平与慢性牙周炎伴2型糖尿病患者牙周临床指标、口腔龈下菌群以及Th17/Treg失衡的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平与慢性牙周炎伴2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者牙周临床指标、口腔龈下菌群以及外周血辅助性T细胞17（Th17）/调节性T细胞（Treg）失衡的相关性。方法：选择2018年1月至2022年1月安徽理工大学第一附属医院口腔科收治的86例慢性牙周炎患者,根据是否伴T2DM将患者分为慢性牙周炎伴T2DM组15例和单纯慢性牙周炎组71例,另选择65例健康体检志愿者为对照组。检测龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平,口腔龈下菌群以及外周血Th17细胞占比、Treg细胞占比、血清白细胞介素（IL）-17、转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）水平。Pearson相关分析龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平与牙周临床指标、口腔龈下菌群、外周血Th17/Treg以及血清IL-17、TGF-β的相关性。结果：慢性牙周炎伴T2DM组、单纯慢性牙周炎组龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）,且慢性牙周炎伴T2DM组高于单纯慢性牙周炎组（P＜0.05）。慢性牙周炎伴T2DM组龈沟出血指数（SBI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、探诊深度（PD）、附着丧失（AL）、牙龈卟啉单胞菌、二氧化碳噬纤维菌、中间普氏菌、变黑普氏菌数量、外周血Th17细胞占比、Th17/Treg比值、血清IL-17水平高于单纯慢性牙周炎组（P＜0.05）,外周血Treg细胞占比低于单纯慢性牙周炎组（P＜0.05）。龈沟液miR-155、miR-223表达水平与PLI、SBI、AL、PD、牙龈卟啉单胞菌、二氧化碳噬纤维菌、中间普氏菌、变黑普氏菌数量、外周血Th17细胞占比、Th17/Treg比值、血清IL-17水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与外周血Treg细胞占比呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：慢性牙周炎伴T2DM患者龈沟液中miR-155、miR-233表达均上调,且与牙周组织破坏程度、龈下菌群紊乱和Th17/Treg失衡有关。     

侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者牙周-正畸联合治疗前后血清SAA、leptin的变化及与牙周指标和辅助性T细胞亚群的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者牙周-正畸联合治疗前后血清淀粉样蛋白A（SAA）、瘦素（leptin）的变化及与牙周指标和辅助性T细胞（Th）亚群的相关性。方法：选择2020年6月-2022年8月解放军总医院京中医疗区黄寺门诊部口腔科收治的80例侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者（牙周炎组）和65例于口腔门诊检查的健康志愿者（对照组）。所有患者均接受牙周-正畸联合治疗,治疗前后分别检测血清SAA、leptin水平以及外周血中Th1、Th2、Th17细胞占比,并评估牙周指标变化。Pearson相关性分析血清SAA、leptin水平与牙周指标以及外周血中Th1、Th2、Th17细胞占比的相关性。结果：牙周炎组治疗前血清SAA、leptin水平,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比,出血指数（SBI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、附着丧失（AL）、牙周探诊深度（PD）高于对照组（P＜0.05）,外周血Th2细胞占比低于对照组（P＜0.05）。牙周炎组治疗后血清SAA、leptin水平,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比,PLI、SBI、AL、PD较治疗前降低（P＜0.05）,外周血Th2细胞占比较治疗前增高（P＜0.05）。牙周炎组血清SAA、leptin与PLI、SBI、AL、PD,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比呈正相关,与外周血Th2细胞占比呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者血清SAA、leptin水平增高,经牙周-正畸联合治疗后下降,高水平SAA、leptin与牙周组织破坏程度以及Th亚群紊乱有关,检测血清SAA、leptin水平可评估侵袭性牙周炎牙周组织破坏程度以及细胞免疫状态。     

龈沟液Chemerin、APN、25(OH)D3与伴2型糖尿病的慢性牙周炎患者牙周指标和Th17/Treg失衡的关系

摘要 目的：探讨龈沟液趋化素（Chemerin）、脂联素（APN）、25-羟维生素D3 [25(OH)D3]与伴2型糖尿病（T2DM）的慢性牙周炎（CP）患者牙周指标和Th17/Treg失衡的关系。方法：选择2021年1月至2022年1月我院口腔科门诊接诊的125例伴T2DM的CP患者,根据CP病情严重程度分为轻度组（42例）、中度组（53例）和重度组（30例）。检测龈沟液中Chemerin、APN、25(OH)D₃水平以及外周血中Th17细胞占比、Treg细胞占比,计算Th17/Treg比值,记录出血指数（SBI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、附着丧失（AL）、牙周袋探诊深度（PD）。分析龈沟液中Chemerin、APN、25(OH)D₃与牙周指标、外周血Th17/Treg的相关性。结果：重度组龈沟液 Chemerin水平和外周血中Th17细胞占比、Th17/Treg比值、PLI、SBI、AL、PD高于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）,龈沟液APN、25(OH)D₃水平,外周血Treg细胞占比低于中度组和轻度组（P＜0.05）。龈沟液 Chemerin与PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血Th17细胞占比、Th17/Treg比值呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞占比呈负相关（P＜0.05）;龈沟液APN、25(OH)D₃与PLI、SBI、AL、PD、外周血中Th17细胞占比、Th17/Treg比值呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与Treg细胞占比呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：伴T2DM 的CP患者龈沟液中Chemerin水平增高,APN、25(OH)D₃水平降低,且与牙周指标和Th17/Treg失衡有关。     

牙龈卟啉单胞菌感染对慢性牙周炎患者牙周指标、NLRP-3炎性小体通路和Th17/Treg细胞平衡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨牙龈卟啉单胞菌（PG）感染对慢性牙周炎（CP）患者牙周指标、Nod样受体蛋白-3（NLRP-3）炎性小体通路和辅助性T细胞17（Th17）/调节性T细胞（Treg）平衡的影响。方法：选择2018年6月至2021年11月在本院进行拔牙治疗的慢性牙周炎患者106例为CP组,根据是否感染PG分为感染组和未感染组;另选择因阻生齿、错位牙在本院进行治疗的牙周健康患者63例为对照组。记录所有对象的探诊深度（PD）、菌斑指数（PLI）、出血指数（BI）、附着丧失（AL）,采用聚合酶链式反应（PCR）技术检测PG感染率,采用RT-PCR技术检测牙周膜组织中NLRP-3 mRNA,接头蛋白凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC） mRNA、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶-1（Caspase-1） mRNA的表达量,采用FACSCalibur流式细胞仪检测外周血Th17、Terg 水平并计算Th17/Treg,比较两组各检测指标水平。结果：对照组PG感染阳性率为17.46%,低于CP组的79.25%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组PD、PLI、BI、AL水平均高于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组NLRP-3 mRNA、ASC mRNA、Caspase-1 mRNA表达量均高于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。感染组外周血Th17细胞、Th17/Treg水平高于非感染组,Treg水平低于非感染组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：CP患者多数存在PG感染,PG感染对患者的牙周健康、炎症及免疫有明显的影响。     

血清CCL17、CXCR4与重度子痫前期患者Th17细胞的相关性分析及对母婴结局的影响

摘要 目的：探讨血清C-C基序趋化因子配体17（CCL17）、CXC趋化因子受体4（CXCR4）与重度子痫前期（SPE）患者辅助性T细胞（Th）17细胞的相关性分析及对母婴结局的影响。方法：选择2018年3月至2021年3月苏州大学附属第二医院妇产科收治的169例SPE患者（SPE组）和77例健康孕产妇（对照组）。检测血清CCL 17、CXCR4水平和外周血Th17细胞及其细胞因子。Pearson分析血清CCL 17、CXCR4水平与外周血Th17细胞及其细胞因子的关系,多因素Logistic回归分析SPE母婴结局不良的相关因素。结果：SPE组血清CCL17、CXCR4水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）,外周血Th17细胞占比、血清白细胞介素（IL）-17水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。血清CCL17、CXCR4水平与外周血Th17细胞占比、血清IL-17水平呈负相关（P＜0.05）。母婴结局不良53例,母婴结局良好116例,母婴结局不良组血清CCL 17、CXCR4水平低于母婴结局良好组（P＜0.05）。高Th17细胞占比、年龄大、低水平CCL17、CXCR4是SPE患者母婴结局不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：SPE患者血清CCL17、CXCR4水平降低,且与外周血Th17细胞占比增加,血清IL-17水平增高有关,低水平CCL17、CXCR4是SPE患者母婴结局不良的危险因素。     

Calbindin D28k, parvalbumin, and calretinin immunoreactivity in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of the gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica

The vertebrate main and accessory olfactory bulbs (MOB and AOB) are the first synaptic sites in the olfactory pathways. The MOB is a cortical structure phylogenetically well conserved in its laminar structure and overall synaptic organization, while the AOB has significant species variation in size. In order to better understand signal processing in the two olfactory systems and the species differences, immunocytochemical staining and analysis were done of the neuronal expression patterns of the calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28k (CB), parvalbumin (PV), and calretinin (CR) in the MOB and AOB in a marsupial species, the gray short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica. In the MOB, antibody to CB labeled periglomerular cells, superficial short axon cells / Van Gehuchten cells; antibody to PV labeled Van Gehuchten cells; and antibody to CR immunostained periglomerular cells, superficial short axon cells / Van Gehuchten cells, and granule cells. In the AOB, CB immunoreactivity was detected in periglomerular cells and a subpopulation of granule cells; antibody to PV labeled the superficial short axon cells / Van Gehuchten cells and granule cells; and antibody to CR labeled a small number of periglomerular cells, superficial short axon cells / Van Gehuchten cells, and granule cells. These results showed that the patterns of CB, PV, and CR expression differ in the opossum main and accessory olfactory bulbs and differ from that in other animal species. These varying patterns of neuronal immunostaining may be related to the different functions of the main and accessory olfactory bulbs and to the differing signal processing features.     

Conventional, regulatory, and unconventional T cells in the immunologic response to Helicobacter pylori

Infection by the gastroduodenal pathogen Helicobacter pylori elicits a complex immunologic response in the mucosa involving neutrophils, plasma cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes, of which T cells are the principal orchestrators of immunity. While so-called classical T cells (e.g. T-helper cells) that are activated by peptide fragments presented on antigen-presenting cells have received much attention in H. pylori infection, there exists a diverse array of other T cell populations that are potentially important for the outcome of the ensuing immune response, some of which have not been extensively studied in H. pylori infection. Pathogen-specific regulatory T cells that control and prevent the development of immunopathology associated with H. pylori infection have been investigated, but these cells can also benefit the bacterium in helping to prolong the chronicity of the infection by suppressing protective immune responses. An overlooked T cell population, the more recently described Th17 cells, may play a role in H. pylori-induced inflammation, due to triggering responses that ultimately lead to the recruitment of polymorphs, including neutrophils. The so-called innate or unconventional T cells, that include two conserved T cell subsets expressing invariant antigen-specific receptors, the CD1d-restricted natural killer T cells which are activated by glycolipids, and the mucosal-associated invariant T cells which play a role in defense against orally acquired pathogens in the intestinal mucosa, have only begun to receive attention. A greater knowledge of the range of T cell responses induced by H. pylori is required for a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of this bacterium and its ability to perpetuate chronic infection, and could reveal new strategies for therapeutic exploitation.     

Inhibin alpha-iCre mice: Cre deleter lines for the gonads, pituitary, and adrenal

To expand our knowledge of reproductive function, Cre lines to conditionally knockout essential genes in the mouse gonads were generated. Three transgenic lines of inhibin-alpha-iCre mice were designed by fusing the mouse inhibin-alpha promoter with a codon-improved Cre recombinase (iCre). alpha-iCre-line-3 expressed high levels of Cre in Sertoli and Leydig cells of the testis and low levels in other tissues, making line 3 an appropriate deleter line for genes expressed in somatic cells of the testis. In contrast, alpha-iCre-line-1 expressed high levels of Cre in granulosa and theca cells of the ovary and very low levels in other tissues, making line 1 a suitable deleter line for genes expressed in somatic cells of the ovary. A third line, alpha-iCre-line-2, had low levels of Cre in the gonads but high levels in anterior pituitary and adrenal medulla. These lines could be useful to understand reproduction and other processes by establishing conditional knockout mouse models.     

Comparative immunocytochemical demonstration of ACTH-, LH and FSH-containing cells in the pituitary of neonatal,immature and adult rats

Summary By means of immunocytochemistry, the development of ACTH-, LH- and FSH cells was examined in the anterior pituitary of 5-day-old neonatal, 15-day-old immature and adult rats. ACTH-positive cells are angular and the periphery of these cells is strongly reactive with anti-ACTH serum. In contrast, LH- and FSH-immunopositive cells are ovoid elements, ranging in cell size and intensity of staining. Angular cells, in which only the cell periphery reacted with anti-LH serum, were observed in neonatal and immature rats; however, these cells were not stained with either anti-FSH serum or anti-ACTH serum. Observation of serial semithin sections revealed that ACTH-immunopositive cells do not react with either anti-LH or anti-FSH serum. Finally, it was observed that ACTH cells and LH cells are both functionally differentiated already in 5-day-old neonatal rats.     

Stemness of T cells and the hematopoietic stem cells: Fate,memory, niche,cytokines

Stem cells are able to generate both cells that differentiate and cells that remain undifferentiated but potentially have the same developmental program. The prolonged duration of the protective immune memory for infectious diseases such as polio, small pox, and measles, suggested that memory T cells may have stem cell properties. Understanding the molecular basis for the life-long persistence of memory T cells may be useful to project targeted therapies for immune deficiencies and infectious diseases and to formulate vaccines. In the last decade evidence from different laboratories shows that memory T cells may share self-renewal pathways with bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. In stem cells the intrinsic self-renewal activity, which depends on gene expression, is known to be modulated by extrinsic signals from the environment that may be tissue specific. These extrinsic signals for stemness of memory T cells include cytokines such as IL-7 and IL-15 and there are other cytokine signals for maintaining the cytokine signature (TH1, TH2, etc.) of memory T cells. Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways that might be common to bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells and memory T lymphocytes are discussed and related to self-renewal functions.     

Histological, histochemical, enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural investigations of the testis of Padogobius martensi between annual breeding seasons

From July to March, the testis of the spring‐spawning freshwater goby Padogobius martensi is characterized by spermatogonial proliferation. A close correlation exists among type of proliferating spermatogonia, gonado‐somatic (I_G) profiles and morphological and functional variations of the Leydig cells. The I_G reach their minimal levels by the end of summer and increase progressively but modestly during autumn and winter. Declining I_G levels are associated with proliferation of primary spermatogonia only, whereas increasing I_G levels are associated with predominant proliferation of secondary spermatogonia. Minimal I_G levels are reached when the germinal epithelium is formed by a continuum of primary spermatogonia and associated Sertoli cells. The proliferation of secondary spermatogonia begins only at this time. Spermatogenesis in autumn occurs when spermatogonial cysts contain at the most 16 cells and it rarely results in the maturation of several cysts so that the amount of sperm cells produced is either negligible or scarce. A number of degenerating cells are usually present within the spermatogonial and meiotic cysts. Leydig cells are the unique cells that display features of steroidogenic cells: mitochondria with tubular cristae, extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER), 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and sudanophilia. Light and dark Leydig cell varieties are always present. During regression, Leydig cells undergo a marked decrease in SER amount, mitochondrial sizes and number of mitochondrial cristae. In parallel, the 3β‐HSD and G6PD activities and sudanophilia decrease progressively until they become undetectable by the end of regression. In autumn, mitochondria increase in size, reaching sizes similar to those observed at the end of the spawning season in the light cells, but not in the dark cells. The SER, on the contrary, undergoes a modest and irregular increase only in a part of the Leydig cells, mostly of the light type. In parallel, the 3β‐HSD and G6PD activities increase until they become moderately intense by the end of autumn. At the end of winter, the SER is extensive and regularly dilated in both Leydig cell types, whereas mitochondria still have sizes similar to those observed in December. The 3β‐HSD and G6PD activities are strong and sudanophilia is again detectable. Sertoli cells undergo changes in shape and position in relation to the proliferation of primary spermatogonia and the development of cysts. A junction modulation occurs in association with these changes. Sertoli cells also undergo changes indicative of a decrease in activity immediately after spawning (loss of mitochondrial cristae and clarification of the mitochondrial matrix) and of an increase in activity by the end of the regressing phase (darkening of the mitochondrial matrix and increase in mitochondrial cristae, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and free ribosomes). In addition, they are involved in the phagocytosis of degenerating germ cells at all stages of their development. Macrophages are found in the testis interstitium only, where they are usually adjacent to Leydig cells, myoid cells and blood capillaries and do not participate in the phagocytosis of degenerating germ cells. Myoid cells do not undergo ultrastructural changes except for an increase in the amount of heterochromatin by the end of spawning. The meaning of the autumnal spermatogenic wave and the relationships between the development of the germinal epithelium and the changes of the Leydig and Sertoli cells are discussed.     

Correlation between cell density,membrane fluidity,and the availability of transferrin receptors in friend erythroleukemic cells

Undifferentiated Friend erythroleukemic cells (FL cells) acquire membrane microviscosity ( ), in accord with the culture cell density. At low cell density poise, whereas at confluency it increases to poise. Concomitantly, the total number of available transferrin receptors per cell decreases by about 80% upon increase in cell density. Modulation of membrane microviscosity, by artificial alteration of the membrane cholesterol level, mediates similar modulations of the availability of the transferrin receptors. The correlation between the availability of the transferrin receptors and the membrane lipid fluidity may take part in the overt decrease in iron uptake by erythroid cells along the erythropoiesis pathway.     

Natural killer,natural killer T,helper and cytotoxic T cells in the decidua from recurrent spontaneous abortion with normal and abnormal chromosome karyotypes

Problem

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is associated with immune imbalance at the maternal–fetal interface. Decidual immune cells and cytokines expressed at this interface regulate the response of the maternal immune system to the fetus. However, the populations and cytokine expression levels of these lymphocytes in miscarriage with normal and abnormal chromosome karyotypes remain unclear.