急性痛风性关节炎大鼠模型的建立及模型维持时间观察

目的建立急性痛风性关节炎(acute gouty arthritis,AGA)大鼠模型并观察其维持时间。方法采用25 mg/m L尿酸钠(monosodium urate,MSU)晶体混悬液踝关节腔注射复制大鼠AGA模型,多个时间点动态观察8 d,以大鼠受试踝关节局部皮温、肿胀度、步态、关节液炎性细胞及其滑膜组织病理形态学改变等指标判断是否成模及其维持时间。结果造模后3 h,生理盐水组和模型组均可见踝关节肿胀,皮温升高,步态异常,关节液炎性细胞数增多,滑膜组织增生、毛细血管充血、滑膜细胞排列紊乱等炎症表现,两组以上指标与空白组比较差异均有显著性(P0.01);造模后4 h,生理盐水组以上炎症表现明显减轻,较3 h时差异有显著性(P0.01),而模型组较3h时加重(P0.01),并且与生理盐水组比较差异有显著性(P0.01);造模后24 h,生理盐水组各项指标恢复正常,而模型组炎症继续加重;造模后48~72 h,模型组肿胀、皮温、步态异常等局部炎症达到高峰;造模后96~168h,模型组踝关节局部炎症逐渐减轻,但各项指标与空白组比较差异仍有显著性(P0.01);造模后192 h,模型组肿胀、皮温、步态异常等外在炎症表现恢复正常,而炎性细胞数及滑膜病理变化与空白组比较差异仍均有显著性(P0.01)。结论采用MSU晶体混悬液踝关节腔注射可在造模后4 h成功制备并鉴定出AGA大鼠模型,且至少能维持到造模后168 h。     

分离自1例慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者的Aspergillus lentulus在蜡螟模型上的毒力初探

目的建立Aspergillus lentulus(A.lentulus或A.L)感染动物模型,借动物模型初步探究A.lentulus的毒力。方法将125只蜡螟随机分成5组,以Aspergillus lentulus临床株、Aspergillus lentulus标准株作为实验组,烟曲霉、白念珠菌为对照组,PBS为空白对照组。实验组及对照组菌株分别制成10~6 CFU/mL孢子悬液,感染各组蜡螟。记录72 h内蜡螟的生存情况并制作生存曲线,24 h后提取蜡螟肠道组织,HE染色组织切片观察肠道组织损伤情况,用组织匀浆法,测定蜡螟肠道内真菌载量及真菌逆培养阳性率,用真菌荧光染色法观察肠道培养真菌镜下形态。结果 A.lentulus临床株和A.lentulus标准株的蜡螟存活数与对照组之间差异有统计学意义(P0.05);结果显示A.lentulus临床株和A.lentulus标准株肠壁结构大致正常,局部可见水肿少量菌丝、孢子及炎症细胞浸润,对照组肠道结构破坏严重,可见菌丝、孢子及大量炎症细胞浸润;不同菌种感染蜡螟幼虫各组肠道载菌量及真菌逆培养阳性率比较,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);真菌荧光显微镜观察,A.lentulus临床株和标准株菌丝多、孢子少,白念珠菌和烟曲霉组孢子多。结论与烟曲霉和白念珠菌相比,A.lentulus菌株对蜡螟毒力和肠道损伤能力较弱且致死率低。     

淋巴结组织术中快速冷冻切片的优化

目的优化淋巴结组织术中快速冷冻切片的条件,以期提高淋巴结组织冷冻切片的时效性,改善冷冻切片的质量。方法收集厦门大学附属第一医院病理科2018年1月至2019年7月接收的120例术中淋巴结组织标本。根据组织取材大小不同分为3组,每组随机抽取一定数量的冷冻头,从组织冷冻前是否运用"吸水吸油法"、小淋巴结组织的摆放方式及冷冻切片机样本头的温度设置3个方面分别进行对比实验,比较不同条件对淋巴结组织的冷冻制片时间及切片质量(无皱褶、无裂隙、无冰晶3个指标)的影响。结果冷冻前先将淋巴结组织进行"吸水吸油"操作、将多枚小淋巴结组织并列排列、设置冷冻切片机样本头温度为-20℃的条件下淋巴结组织冷冻切片制片时间最短,无皱褶、无裂隙、无冰晶3个指标得分最高,切片质量最佳。结论优化淋巴结组织"吸水吸油"操作、小淋巴结组织的摆放方式、冷冻切片机样本头的温度设置等条件,可以显著缩短淋巴结组织冷冻制片时间,提高切片质量,值得推荐。     

通光散汤对小鼠哮喘模型气道高反应性和气道炎症的影响

目的观察通光散对小鼠哮喘模型气道反应和气道炎症的影响。方法35只6周龄BALB／c小鼠随机分为哮喘模型组、正常对照组和药物实验组。模型组和药物组以鸡卵白蛋白（OVA）致敏、激发;药物组在最后一次致敏后每天灌胃给予通光散汤0．72mL（相当于0．04g生药）;对照组以等体积的Ns代替OVA致敏、激发。末次激发48h后处理小鼠：无创法测定小鼠的气道高反应性,观察气道阻力变化;支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）行细胞学分类;观察肺组织的病理变化。结果①药物组小鼠气道阻力的变化与模型组相比明显下降,差异显著（P＜0．05）;②药物组BALF白细胞总数和Eos（％）与模型组相比明显降低（P＜0．05）。③模型组小鼠肺脏组织支气管、血管黏膜下和周围肺组织有明显的炎症细胞浸润,大量炎症细胞向支气管和血管迁移,上皮细胞部分有脱落,部分可见黏液栓,血管壁明显水肿;治疗组小鼠肺组织炎性细胞浸润和管腔黏液分泌情况较模型组明显减轻,气道粘液的分泌量得到明显的控制。结论通光散汤对小鼠哮喘模型气道高反应性和气道炎症有显著抑制作用。     

食管鳞状细胞癌中SOX2和Slug的表达及与肿瘤出芽之间的关系

目的探讨食管鳞状细胞癌中SOX2、Slug的表达与临床病理参数的关系及两者表达与肿瘤出芽的关系。方法应用免疫组织化学染色方法检测89例食管鳞状细胞癌及癌旁组织中SOX2、Slug的表达及计算食管鳞状细胞癌病例HE切片中肿瘤出芽的数量。分析SOX2、Slug的表达在ESCC侵袭和转移中的临床病理学意义。结果食管鳞状细胞癌中SOX2、Slug的表达率分别为53.93%和68.53%,明显高于癌旁组织SOX2和Slug表达率(31.46%和31.46%);癌组织中肿瘤出芽率为39.32%。SOX2高表达与食管鳞状细胞癌的浸润深度、淋巴结转移及高临床分期有关,Slug高表达与食管鳞状细胞癌的分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移及高临床分期有关。肿瘤出芽发生率与食管鳞状细胞癌的分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴结转移及高临床分期有关。Spearman相关性分析表明,食管鳞状细胞癌组织中SOX2表达与Slug表达呈显著正相关,Slug表达与肿瘤出芽明显呈正相关。结论SOX2的高表达可能通过上调Slug的表达从而促进肿瘤的出芽,在食管鳞状细胞癌的侵袭及转移过程中发挥重要作用。     

卡介苗对哮喘小鼠肺组织中PPAR-γ表达的影响及意义

目的：探讨卡介苗对哮喘小鼠肺组织中PPAR-γ表达的影响及其意义。方法：30只健康雄性昆明种小鼠随机化原则分成正常对照组（A组）、哮喘模型组（B组）和卡介苗干预组（C组）,每组10只。卵蛋白致敏法复制哮喘模型,B组小鼠于实验的第1、8、15天分别给予卵蛋白与氢氧化铝混合腹腔注射。第22天开始给予卵蛋白溶液以压缩雾化器为动力雾化吸入激发哮喘,每日一次,每次30min。连续激发7天;C组小鼠每周一次皮内注射0.025mgBCG,连续3次,距首次皮内注射4周后按B组方法致敏和激发;A组予以等量生理盐水代替致敏液及雾化液进行腹腔注射与雾化吸入。检测细支气管炎症细胞浸润及肺组织病理,RT-PCR和western blotting方法检测肺组织PPAR-γ的表达情况。结果：哮喘组出现了明显气道炎症细胞浸润,上皮脱落、炎性细胞渗出、结构紊乱、PPAR-γ表达下降。卡介苗干预组炎症细胞数下降,炎症反应减轻,PPAR-γ表达明显增加,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论：卡介苗可通过上调表达PPAR-γ,减少炎症细胞的浸润,抑制炎症反应,从而可能防止气道重塑,该研究为卡介苗提供新的临床应用领域。     

卡介苗对哮喘小鼠肺组织中PPAR-γ表达的影响及意义

目的:探讨卡介苗对哮喘小鼠肺组织中PPAR-γ表达的影响及其意义。方法:30只健康雄性昆明种小鼠随机化原则分成正常对照组(A组)、哮喘模型组(B组)和卡介苗干预组(C组),每组10只。卵蛋白致敏法复制哮喘模型,B组小鼠于实验的第1、8、15天分别给予卵蛋白与氢氧化铝混合腹腔注射。第22天开始给予卵蛋白溶液以压缩雾化器为动力雾化吸入激发哮喘,每日一次,每次30min。连续激发7天;C组小鼠每周一次皮内注射0.025mgBCG,连续3次,距首次皮内注射4周后按B组方法致敏和激发;A组予以等量生理盐水代替致敏液及雾化液进行腹腔注射与雾化吸入。检测细支气管炎症细胞浸润及肺组织病理,RT-PCR和western blotting方法检测肺组织PPAR-γ的表达情况。结果:哮喘组出现了明显气道炎症细胞浸润,上皮脱落、炎性细胞渗出、结构紊乱、PPAR-γ表达下降。卡介苗干预组炎症细胞数下降,炎症反应减轻,PPAR-γ表达明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:卡介苗可通过上调表达PPAR-γ,减少炎症细胞的浸润,抑制炎症反应,从而可能防止气道重塑,该研究为卡介苗提供新的临床应用领域。     

乳腺恶性肿瘤标本固定方法比较

目的 通过对比3种乳腺根治术标本的取材方式和固定时间,摸索制备高质量乳腺根治术标本切片的最佳固定方法。方法 随机收集上午、下午接收乳腺根治术标本50例,上午每例标本各取一块肿物、腺体组织和淋巴结组织,固定9 h后放入脱水机;下午每例肿物、腺体和淋巴结各取2块,1块固定4 h后放入脱水机,另1块固定28 h后放入脱水机。各组织常规脱水、石蜡包埋、切片后,进行HE染色、E-cadherin酶标法免疫组织化学检测和Her-2荧光原位杂交染色。比较3种固定方法的制片质量,探讨乳腺根治术标本最佳固定方法。结果 固定4 h即开始脱水的肿物和腺体组织的切片不完整发生率显著高于固定9 h和28 h;固定4h和9h的淋巴结切片不完整发生率高于固定28 h;固定4 h、9 h、28 h肿物、腺体HE染色质量无明显差异,但固定9 h与28 h的肿物、腺体E-Cadherin酶标法免疫组织化学正常率高于固定4 h,固定28h淋巴结染色质量高于固定4 h与9 h;固定4 h肿物Her-2荧光原位杂交成功率低于固定9 h与28 h。结论 乳腺根治术标本的肿物与腺体固定9 h后即可放入脱水机,淋巴结则需延长固定时间...     

川芎白芷对过敏性皮炎模型的血流变及炎性因子表达影响的实验研究

摘要 目的：从皮下血流变和炎性因子表达的角度，研究川芎白芷对过敏性皮炎组织的干预作用。方法：将60只雄性纯白豚鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、白芷组、川芎组、川芎白芷合用组和阳性药组。除正常组外，其余各实验组均使用2.4-二硝基氯苯法建立变应性接触性皮下炎症模型。建模成功后每组按设计分别在致炎各处涂抹各组药物，末次给药4 h后使用激光多普勒血流成像系统检测各组豚鼠患侧耳血流变化，取各实验组豚鼠耳组织，制备HE染色的病理切片，并使用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测耳组织中炎症指标因子IL-1β、TNF-α、LTB4、LTD4、PGE2和PGD2的水平。结果：与正常组比，致敏模型组的耳枝干与末端血管血流急剧增加，各给药组与模型组比较耳血管血流变明显降低，其中川芎白芷合用对炎症组织枝干血管血流影响最显著；模型的相关炎性因子水平均显著升高，各给药组炎症因子指标显著下降，LTB4、LTD4、PGD2、PGE2水平下降。川芎组与白芷组相比，抑制白细胞三烯指标LTB4、LTD4的作用更显著，白芷在IL-1β、IL-8作用较明显，川芎白芷合用组的作用优于川芎和白芷单用组。结论：川芎白芷对急性皮下炎症模型有治疗作用，可抑制组织中炎症反应，减少前列腺素类及白三烯类物质的释放，改善炎症引起的血流变反应。川芎白芷对皮下急性炎症的作用机制有差别，在抑制白细胞三烯类和白介素类炎症介质过程中有协同配伍效果。     

Hepal-6 RNA脉冲BMDCs瘤苗抗小鼠HCC免疫效应的研究

目的观察Hepal-6RNA脉冲BMDCs瘤苗能否激发有效的机体抗肿瘤免疫反应。方法用Hepal-6RNA脉冲骨髓分离培养5d的BMDCs,瘤苗的抗肿瘤效应通过C57BL/6J小鼠肝细胞癌(HCC)模型验证,即C57BL/6J小鼠皮下接种Hepal-6细胞8d后,成瘤小鼠分为2组:对照组(注射无血清RPMI-1640)和实验组(足垫部注射Hepal-6RNA脉冲BMDCs瘤苗),30d后处死小鼠并取淋巴结、脾和瘤体冰冻切片,进行CD4、CD8、CD25和Foxp3免疫组织化学染色。结果免疫组织化学检测显示,淋巴结、脾、肿瘤内有大量CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD25+T细胞和Foxp3+Tregs细胞浸润。与对照组小鼠比较,足垫部注射Hepal-6RNA脉冲BMDCs瘤苗的实验组小鼠淋巴结、脾、瘤内CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞浸润显著增加,CD25+T细胞和Foxp3+Tregs浸润明显减少。结论 Hepal-6RNA脉冲BMDCs瘤苗能下调小鼠HCC瘤内CD25+T细胞和Foxp3+Tregs浸润,促进CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞的增殖和活化,增强D4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞归巢至淋巴结和脾,具有抗瘤免疫效应。     

Involvement of the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and its endogenous ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol in oxazolone-induced contact dermatitis in mice

The possible involvement of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), in contact dermatitis in mouse ear was investigated. We found that the level of 2-AG was markedly elevated in the ear following a challenge with oxazolone in sensitized mice. Of note, the swelling following the challenge was suppressed by either the administration of SR144528, a CB2 receptor antagonist, immediately after sensitization, or the administration of SR144528 upon the challenge. The effect of AM251, a CB1 receptor antagonist, was marginal in either case. It seems apparent, therefore, that the CB2 receptor and its endogenous ligand 2-AG are closely involved in both the sensitization phase and the elicitation phase of oxazolone-induced contact dermatitis. In line with this, we found that Langerhans cells (MHC class II(+)) contain a substantial amount of CB2 receptor mRNA, whereas keratinocytes (MHC class II(-)) do not. We also obtained evidence that the expression of mRNAs for proinflammatory cytokines following a challenge with oxazolone was markedly suppressed by treatment with SR144528. We next examined whether the CB2 receptor and 2-AG participate in chronic contact dermatitis accompanied by the infiltration of tissues by eosinophils. The amount of 2-AG in mouse ear dramatically increased following repeated challenge with oxazolone. Importantly, treatment with SR144528 attenuated both the recruitment of eosinophils and ear swelling in chronic contact dermatitis induced by repeated challenge with oxazolone. These results strongly suggest that the CB2 receptor and 2-AG play important stimulative roles in the sensitization, elicitation, and exacerbation of allergic inflammation.     

两种变应性接触性皮炎动物模型的建立及比较

目的比较两种动物作为变应性接触性皮炎（allergic contact dermatitis,ACD）模型各自的优势,为实际应用中恰当选择动物模型提供依据。方法利用二硝基氯苯（dinitrochlorobenzene,DNCB）作为致敏剂,以腹部致敏、背部激发的方法分别建立豚鼠（连续激发4次）和小鼠（1次激发）两种ACD动物模型,并以丙酮作为对照。激发后0～96h,对激发部位进行动态分级。激发后96h,H-E染色观察激发部位皮肤病理变化,并计算脾指数和胸腺指数。结果动态评分结果显示：豚鼠激发后72h红斑程度最强,临床分级以3级为主,并于72～96h保持不变;小鼠激发后24h红斑程度最强,临床分级以4级为主,48h后红斑程度减轻。病理结果显示：两种模型激发部位皮肤内均有大量炎症细胞浸润。脾指数和胸腺指数计算结果显示：两种动物模型的脾指数和胸腺指数均较对照组明显增加（P〈0．05）。结论通过上述方法分别成功建立了豚鼠和小鼠ACD动物模型。豚鼠红斑程度较弱,且出现较晚,持续时间较长;小鼠红斑程度较强,出现较早,持续时间较短。     

Comparative study on picryl chloride (PCL)-induced contact dermatitis in female IQI/Jic and BALB/c mice.

Ear skin responses to picryl chloride (PCL)-induced contact dermatitis were compared in detail between IQI/Jic mice developed in Japan and BALB/c mice often used for the investigation of contact dermatitis. PCL was applied to the left ear of each mouse 4 (1st), 11 (2nd), 18 (3rd) and 25 days (4th) after sensitization of the abdominal skin with PCL. Time course examinations were carried out on the ear swelling responses, total IgE levels, skin histology and immunohistochemistry for infiltrated cells after the 1st and 4th application. In IQI mice, the peak time of the ear swelling responses tended to shift from 24 h to 9 h with marked elevation of total IgE levels and marked increase of mast cells showing degranulation after the 4th application when CD8(+) cells as well as CD4(+) cells also prominently increased. In BALB/c mice, except for the total IgE levels and the number of mast cells, the degrees of ear swelling responses, histological changes and increase of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were much less severe. Female IQI mice are considered to be a useful mouse strain for further investigations on the role of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the pathogenesis of contact dermatitis.     

Novel Basophil- or Eosinophil-Depleted Mouse Models for Functional Analyses of Allergic Inflammation

Basophils and eosinophils play important roles in various host defense mechanisms but also act as harmful effectors in allergic disorders. We generated novel basophil- and eosinophil-depletion mouse models by introducing the human diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor gene under the control of the mouse CD203c and the eosinophil peroxidase promoter, respectively, to study the critical roles of these cells in the immunological response. These mice exhibited selective depletion of the target cells upon DT administration. In the basophil-depletion model, DT administration attenuated a drop in body temperature in IgG-mediated systemic anaphylaxis in a dose-dependent manner and almost completely abolished the development of ear swelling in IgE-mediated chronic allergic inflammation (IgE-CAI), a typical skin swelling reaction with massive eosinophil infiltration. In contrast, in the eosinophil-depletion model, DT administration ameliorated the ear swelling in IgE-CAI whether DT was administered before, simultaneously, or after, antigen challenge, with significantly lower numbers of eosinophils infiltrating into the swelling site. These results confirm that basophils and eosinophils act as the initiator and the effector, respectively, in IgE-CAI. In addition, antibody array analysis suggested that eotaxin-2 is a principal chemokine that attracts proinflammatory cells, leading to chronic allergic inflammation. Thus, the two mouse models established in this study are potentially useful and powerful tools for studying the in vivo roles of basophils and eosinophils. The combination of basophil- and eosinophil-depletion mouse models provides a new approach to understanding the complicated mechanism of allergic inflammation in conditions such as atopic dermatitis and asthma.     

Modulation of cutaneous inflammation by angiotensin-converting enzyme

Cutaneous neurogenic inflammation is a complex biological response of the host immune system to noxious stimuli. Present evidence suggests that zinc metalloproteases may play an important role in the regulation of neurogenic inflammation by controlling the local availability of neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP), that are capable of initiating or amplifying cutaneous inflammation after release from sensory nerves. To address the hypothesis that the dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is capable of modulating skin inflammation, we have analyzed murine allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) using wild-type C57BL/6J (ACE(+/+)) or genetically engineered mice with a heterozygous deletion of somatic ACE (ACE(+/-)). In 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene-sensitized ACE(+/-) mice, ACD was significantly augmented in comparison to ACE(+/+) controls as determined by the degree of ear swelling after exposure to hapten. Likewise, systemic treatment of ACE(+/+) mice with the ACE inhibitor captopril before sensitization or elicitation of ACD significantly augmented the ACD response. In contrast, local damage and neuropeptide depletion of sensory nerves following capsaicin, injection of a bradykinin B(2), or a SP receptor antagonist before sensitization significantly inhibited the augmented effector phase of ACD in mice with functionally absent ACE. However, in contrast to ACD, the response to the irritant croton oil was not significantly altered in ACE(+/-) compared with ACE(+/+) mice. Thus, ACE by degrading bradykinin and SP significantly controls cutaneous inflammatory responses to allergens but not to irritants, which may explain the frequently observed exacerbation of inflammatory skin disease in patients under medication with ACE inhibitors.     

Contact hypersensitivity reactions to dinitrofluorobenzene mediated by monoclonal IgE anti-DNP antibodies

Several studies have suggested a possible role for IgE antibodies in the pathogenesis of cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions that reach maximum intensity 24 to 48 hr after antigen challenge. The recent availability of murine monoclonal IgE anti-hapten antibodies has made possible the direct examination of the range of cutaneous inflammatory reactions that can be mediated by such antibodies. We have examined the effects of passively sensitizing BALB/c mice with monoclonal IgE anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibody 48 hr before antigen challenge. Inflammatory responses were assessed by measuring ear swelling in mice challenged on the ears with the reactive hapten 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Compared with unsensitized controls, the ears of mice passively sensitized with IgE anti-DNP displayed a biphasic pattern of ear swelling after DNFB challenge. An early, transient response (present within 15 to 30 min of challenge and returning to control levels within 4 to 9 hr) was followed by a second, more persistent increase in ear swelling that peaked 24 to 48 hr after challenge. This biphasic pattern of ear swelling seen in IgE-sensitized mice was temporally indistinguishable from that observed in mice conventionally sensitized for allergic contact dermatitis reactions by epicutaneous application of DNFB 5 days before DNFB ear challenge. Antigen specificity of the IgE-mediated contact hypersensitivity reactions was demonstrated by the failure of mice passively sensitized with IgE anti-DNP to display early or delayed ear swelling greater than unsensitized controls when challenged with either of two noncross-reacting haptens, fluorescein isothiocyanate or oxazolone. Mice passively sensitized with a monoclonal IgA anti-DNP antibody (MOPC 315) 48 hr before DNFB challenge failed to display early or delayed ear swelling greater than unsensitized controls. Heat inactivation of the IgE anti-DNP ascitic fluid at 56 degrees C for 30 min completely abolished its capacity to passively sensitize mice for contact hypersensitivity reactions after DNFB challenge. These results document the existence of an antigen-specific, IgE-mediated, delayed-in-time cutaneous hypersensitivity response that can be elicited by epicutaneous challenge (contract) with a reactive hapten.     

Induction of eosinophil apoptosis by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor AT7519 promotes the resolution of eosinophil-dominant allergic inflammation

Background

Eosinophils not only defend the body against parasitic infection but are also involved in pathological inflammatory allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and contact dermatitis. Clearance of apoptotic eosinophils by macrophages is a key process responsible for driving the resolution of eosinophilic inflammation and can be defective in allergic diseases. However, enhanced resolution of eosinophilic inflammation by deliberate induction of eosinophil apoptosis using pharmacological agents has not been previously demonstrated. Here we investigated the effect of a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor drug, AT7519, on human and mouse eosinophil apoptosis and examined whether it could enhance the resolution of a murine model of eosinophil-dominant inflammation in vivo.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Eosinophils from blood of healthy donors were treated with AT7519 and apoptosis assessed morphologically and by flow-cytometric detection of annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. AT7519 induced eosinophil apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner. Therapeutic administration of AT7519 in eosinophil-dominant allergic inflammation was investigated using an established ovalbumin-sensitised mouse model of allergic pleurisy. Following ovalbumin challenge AT7519 was administered systemically at the peak of pleural inflammation and inflammatory cell infiltrate, apoptosis and evidence of macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic eosinophils assessed at appropriate time points. Administration of AT7519 dramatically enhanced the resolution of allergic pleurisy via direct induction of eosinophil apoptosis without detriment to macrophage clearance of these cells. This enhanced resolution of inflammation was shown to be caspase-dependent as the effects of AT7519 were reduced by treatment with a broad spectrum caspase inhibitor (z-vad-fmk).

Conclusions

Our data show that AT7519 induces human eosinophil apoptosis and enhances the resolution of a murine model of allergic pleurisy by inducing caspase-dependent eosinophil apoptosis and enhancing macrophage ingestion of apoptotic eosinophils. These findings demonstrate the utility of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as AT7519 as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of eosinophil dominant allergic disorders.     

The role of suppressor cells in the induction of murine photoallergic contact dermatitis and in its suppression by prior UVB irradiation

Induction in mice of marked photoallergic contact dermatitis (PCD) to 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCSA) with UVA (320 to 400 nm) radiation requires pretreatment with cyclophosphamide (CY). Attempts to induce photoallergic contact dermatitis without CY result in only a small degree of sensitivity, accompanied by significant net splenic suppressor cell activity. These suppressor cells are antigen specific, inhibit the induction but not the elicitation of photoallergic contact dermatitis to TCSA, and are T lymphocytes. Exposure of mice to UVB (280 to 320 nm) radiation at a site distant from that of sensitization, before CY administration and sensitization, inhibits the development of photoallergic contact dermatitis. This is analogous to the suppression of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) observed in mice after exposure to UVB radiation; such suppression is accompanied by the formation of antigen-specific splenic suppressor cells. However, in contrast to the findings with allergic contact dermatitis, splenic suppressor cells are not detected in mice that are treated with UVB radiation before CY administration and sensitization to TCSA. This is presumably because CY prevents their formation. This provides evidence that UVB-irradiated mice have a second form of anergy that is not mediated by suppressor cells.     

Involvement of cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the IgE-mediated triphasic cutaneous reaction in mice

Involvement of cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the IgE-mediated cutaneous reaction was investigated. Epicutaneous challenge with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene caused a triphasic swelling in the ear of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice passively sensitized with anti-dinitrophenol IgE. Peak responses of the ear swelling appeared at 1 h, 24 h, and 8 days after the challenge in both strains of mice. In contrast, cannabinoid CB2 receptor-deficient mice failed to exhibit the obvious triphasic ear swelling observed in wild-type mice. Oral administration of cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist/inverse agonists [N-(benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)-7-methoxy-2-oxo-8-pentyloxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide] (JTE-907) and {N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2,2,1]heptan-2yl]5-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)pyrazole-3-carboxamide} (SR144528) at doses of 0.1-10 mg/kg significantly and dose-dependently suppressed all three phases of ear swelling in BALB/c mice. Interestingly, epicutaneous treatment with an ether-linked analogue of endogenous cannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, caused an ear swelling that could be detected at 1 h, 24 h, and 8 days after treatment of both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. These results suggest that cannabinoid CB2 receptors are involved in induction of the triphasic cutaneous reaction mediated by IgE, and that cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist/inverse agonists may serve as anti-allergic agents in the treatment of allergic dermatitis.     

Orally supplemented Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L‐92 inhibits passive and active cutaneous anaphylaxis as well as 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene and mite fecal antigen induced atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in mice

Oral supplementation of lactic acid bacteria is a potential approach to the prevention and manipulation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Our previous report showed that heat‐killed Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L‐92 (L‐92) possessed anti‐allergic properties, although its physiological function in atopic dermatitis has largely remained undefined. To evaluate the anti‐allergic efficacy of L‐92, we used four experimental animal models with the major features of atopic dermatitis and compared the results to those of clinically active drugs. ICR mice were passively sensitized by anti‐dinitrophenyl mouse monoclonal IgE for passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and BALB/c mice were actively sensitized by ovalbumin for active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA). Allergic reaction was induced by repeated exposure to 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene (DNFB) and mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) fecal allergen, in BALB/c and NC/Nga mice, respectively. Orally administrated L‐92 significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase in both PCA and ACA, and the elevation of ovalbumin‐specific IgE titer in ACA. Moreover, repeated applications of DNFB and mite fecal antigen onto the BALB/c and NC/Nga mouse ear, respectively, caused clinical symptoms similar to atopic dermatitis such as ear swelling, scratching behavior and elevation of total serum IgE levels that were also moderately suppressed by L‐92. In addition, L‐92 treated mice exhibited lower levels of mast cells, eosinophil infiltration and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. Our results, therefore, suggest that oral administration of L‐92 might be useful for alleviating allergic symptoms.