肝癌小鼠外周血及脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群的变化及其意义

目的:观察小鼠原位肝癌模型外周血以及脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群与正常小鼠之间的差异变化,探讨其差异变化的意义。方法:在正常KM小鼠肝脏种植H22细胞,建立小鼠原位模型。采用流式细胞术,以健康正常小鼠为对照,检测肝癌小鼠外周血以及脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群的变化。结果:与健康正常小鼠相比,肝癌小鼠外周血CD4~+T淋巴细胞、CD4~+/CD8~+比例有显著性降低,CD8~+T淋巴细胞显著性升高;脾脏CD3~+、CD4~+T淋巴细胞有显著性降低。结论:小鼠原位肝癌模型外周血以及脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群发生异常,免疫系统紊乱,可以反映小鼠肝癌的发生、发展。     

小鼠乳腺表达抗PD-1抗体对其脾脏T细胞的影响

为从细胞水平研究小鼠乳腺表达抗PD-1抗体对转基因鼠脾脏T细胞表面抗原蛋白、细胞因子表达、脾脏CD4⁺T细胞增殖以及增殖相关通路的影响,将8周龄未经历过怀孕的和18周龄经历过哺乳的表达抗人PD-1抗体的转基因小鼠分成两组,每组以转基因阴性鼠为对照,提取脾脏淋巴细胞,检测脾脏淋巴细胞的变化。与转基因阴性小鼠相比,乳腺表达抗PD-1抗体的转基因小鼠的免疫系统中的脾脏T细胞的效应T细胞比例上升,Treg细胞比例下降,CD4⁺T细胞表达的IFN-γ、IL-17以及IL-2有不同程度的增加。IL-4、IL-10以及TGF-β都没有发生变化。与T细胞刺激相关的一些细胞表面的蛋白分子也没有引起变化。转基因阳性鼠和转基因阴性鼠中T细胞增殖没有显著性差异,转基因阳性鼠中PI3K/Akt/mTOR和Ras/MEK/ERK这两条通路上的磷酸化蛋白只有部分表达上调,整个通路没有完全上调。结果表明,转基因小鼠作为表达抗PD-1抗体这类免疫系统相关单克隆抗体的宿主是可行的。     

Human umbilical cord blood-derived stromal cells prevent graft-versus-host disease in mice following haplo-identical stem cell transplantation

Background aimsHuman umbilical cord blood-derived stromal cells (hUCBDSC) comprise a novel population of CD34⁺ cells that has been isolated in our laboratory. They have been shown previously not only to be non-immunogenic but also to exert immunosuppressive effects on xenogenic T cells in vitro. This study investigated the role of hUCBDSC in immunomodulation in an acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) mouse model after haplo-identical stem cell transplantationMethodsAcute GvHD was induced in recipient (B6 × BALB/c)F₁ mice by irradiation (750 cGy) followed by infusion of bone marrow cells and splenocytes from donor C57BL/6 mice. hUCBDSC were co-transplanted in the experimental group. The survival time, body weight and clinical and histopathologic scores were recorded after transplantation. The expression of surface markers [major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I, MHC II, CD80 and CD86] on CD11c⁺ dendritic cells (DC), and the percentage of CD4⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg), in the spleens of recipient mice were examined by flow cytometryResultsThe survival time was significantly prolonged, and the clinical and histopathologic scores were reduced in mice co-transplanted with hUCBDSC. The expression levels of the surface markers on DC were significantly lower in mice transplanted with hUCBDSC compared with those without. The proportion of CD4⁺ Treg in the spleen was also increased in mice transplanted with hUCBDSCConclusionsThese results from a GvHD mouse model are in agreement with previous in vitro findings, suggesting that hUCBDSC possess immunosuppressive properties and may act via influencing DC and CD4⁺ Treg.     

Mesenchymal stromal cell exosome–enhanced regulatory T-cell production through an antigen-presenting cell–mediated pathway

Background aims

The immunomodulatory property of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) exosomes is well documented. On the basis of our previous report that MSC exosomes increased regulatory T-cell (Treg) production in mice with allogenic skin graft but not in ungrafted mice, we hypothesize that an activated immune system is key to exosome-mediated Treg production.

戊酸雌二醇与坤宁安丸对更年期综合征女性激素水平及免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨戊酸雌二醇联合坤宁安丸对女性更年期综合征患者血清激素水平及免疫功能影响。方法:收集我院就诊或住院治疗的120例更年期综合征患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组60例。对照组患者给予戊酸雌二醇治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上给予坤宁安丸治疗。分别于治疗前后对患者血清卵泡刺激素(FSH)、雌二醇(E2)、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+水平及Kupperman评分、临床疗效进行检测并比较。结果:与治疗前相比,治疗后两组患者的FSH、CD8~+、KI评分水平均下降(P0.05),E2、CD3~+CD4~+水平均升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者的FSH、CD8~+、KI评分水平较低(P0.05),E2、CD3~+、CD4~+水平较高,临床治疗总有效率较高(P0.05)。结论:戊酸雌二醇联合坤宁安丸能够升高更年期综合征患者血清E2水平,降低FSH水平,并提高患者的免疫功能,临床疗效较好。     

齐墩果酸通过调控STAT3通路改善咪喹莫特诱导的银屑病样小鼠皮损表现

摘要 目的：观察齐墩果酸对咪喹莫特诱导的银屑病样小鼠的皮损及STAT3通路的干预作用。方法：72只BALB/c雄性小鼠,按随机数字表法随机分为空白组、模型组、甲氨蝶呤组、齐墩果酸低、中、高剂量组,每组12只,于背部备皮。除空白组外,其余各组小鼠每日于背部备皮区域涂抹5%咪喹莫特乳膏诱导银屑病样皮损;甲氨蝶呤组及齐墩果酸各浓度组每日灌胃对应药物0.2 mL/只;每日观察皮损状态并拍照记录,每日对小鼠皮损面积及严重程度（Psoriasis Area and Severity Index,PASI）进行评分;造模第4、7天取小鼠皮损区域皮肤,免疫印迹法检测皮损中STAT3信号通路中STAT3磷酸化表达情况;第7天称量小鼠体重及脾重,计算脾指数,同时取小鼠皮损区域皮肤;苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察皮损组织病理学改变,并测量表皮厚度;免疫组织化学法及免疫组织荧光法检测皮损中CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺T细胞浸润情况及Ki67表达情况;实时荧光定量PCR法检测皮损中白介素-17（Interleukin-17,IL-17）mRNA相对表达情况。结果：与空白组相比,造模后模型组小鼠背部皮肤出现红斑、鳞屑、浸润性皮损,第4天及第7天PASI评分升高（P<0.01）;第7天模型组表皮厚度明显增加,体重下降,脾指数上升,皮损中Ki67、CD3⁺、CD4+⁺、CD8⁺T细胞表达量升高,皮损中IL-17的mRNA相对表达量升高（均P<0.01）;第4及第7天,模型组小鼠皮损中p-STAT3的表达量均明显升高（P<0.05,P<0.01）;与模型组相比,第4天各治疗组在PASI评分略降低（P>0.05）,第7天各治疗组PASI评分明显降低（均P<0.01）;第7天齐墩果酸各剂量组小鼠体重略有上升（P>0.05）;甲氨蝶呤组小鼠脾指数明显下降（P<0.01）,齐墩果酸低、中剂量组小鼠脾指数略下降（P>0.05）;各治疗组小鼠表皮厚度较模型组明显下降（P<0.01或P<0.05）,小鼠皮肤中Ki-67表达量、CD4⁺、CD8⁺T细胞表达量均明显降低（均P<0.01）;甲氨蝶呤组、齐墩果酸低、中、高剂量组小鼠皮损中CD3⁺T细胞表达量均下降（P<0.05,P>0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01）,其中在齐墩果酸各剂量组中,中剂量组在脾指数下降、表皮厚度变薄、CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺T细胞减少方面均略优于低、高剂量组（P>0.05）;甲氨蝶呤组及齐墩果酸中剂量组小鼠皮损中IL-17的mRNA水平较模型组明显下降（P<0.01,P<0.05）;造模给药第4天,甲氨蝶呤组小鼠皮损中p-STAT3水平较模型组明显下降（P<0.05）,齐墩果酸中剂量组略下降（P>0.05）;造模给药第7天,两个治疗组小鼠皮损中p-STAT3水平较模型组均明显下降（均P<0.01）。结论：齐墩果酸低、中、高剂量均可以改善咪喹莫特诱导的小鼠银屑病样皮损的严重程度,减轻炎性细胞浸润,中剂量组疗效较好,其机制可能通过抑制STAT3通路中p-STAT3的表达从而降低了IL-17的含量,且药效随作用时间的延长而逐渐增加。     

Morphological Alterations in Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles in Male and Female Mice in a Fibromyalgia Model

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder, characterized by chronic widespread pain and bodily tenderness and is often accompanied by affective disturbances, however often with unknown etiology. According to recent reports, physical and psychological stress trigger FM. To develop new treatments for FM, experimental animal models for FM are needed to be development and characterized. Using a mouse model for FM including intermittent cold stress (ICS), we hypothesized that ICS leads to morphological alterations in skeletal muscles in mice.

Methods

Male and female ICS mice were kept under alternating temperature (4°C/room temperature [22°C]); mice constantly kept at room temperature served as control. After scarification, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were removed and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen–cooled isopentane or fixed for electron microscopy.

Results

In gastrocnemius/soleus muscles of male ICS mice, we found a 21.6% and 33.2% decrease of fiber cross sectional area (FCSA), which in soleus muscle concerns the loss of type IIa and IIx FCSA. This phenomenon was not seen in muscles of female ICS mice. However, this loss in male ICS mice was associated with an increase in gastrocnemius of the density of MIF⁺ (8.6%)-, MuRF⁺ (14.7%)-, Fbxo32⁺ (17.8%)-cells, a 12.1% loss of capillary contacts/muscle fiber as well as a 30.7% increase of damaged mitochondria in comparison with male control mice. Moreover, significant positive correlations exist among densities (n/mm²) of MIF⁺, MuRF⁺, Fbxo32⁺-cells in gastrocnemius/ soleus muscles of male ICS mice; these cell densities inversely correlate with FCSA especially in gastrocnemius muscle of male ICS mice.

Conclusion

The ICS-induced decrease of FCSA mainly concerns gastrocnemius muscle of male mice due to an increase of inflammatory and atrogenic cells. In soleus muscle of male ICS and soleus/gastrocnemius muscles of female ICS mice morphological alterations seem to occur not at all or delayed. The sex-specificity of findings, which is not easily reconciled with the epidemiology of FM (female predominance), implicate that gastrocnemius muscle of male ICS mice should preferentially be used for future investigations with FM. Moreover, we suggest to investigate morphological and/or molecular alterations at different time-points (up to two weeks) after ICS.     

脾全切除术与脾部分切除术治疗外伤性脾破裂的临床疗效对比

目的:比较脾全切除术和脾部分切除术治疗外伤性脾破裂的临床疗效和安全性。方法:选择我院2013年3月~2016年3月收治的84例外伤性脾破裂患者并平均分为两组,脾全切除组42例采用脾全切除术治疗,脾部分切除组42例采用脾部分切除术治疗,比较两组的手术效果、治疗前后血小板计数、血清Ig A、Ig G、Ig M、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+及CD4~+/CD8~+水平的变化以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:部分切除组术中失血量、排气时间、住院时间均短于全切除组,但部分切除组手术时间显著长于全切除组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。部分切除组血小板计数、Ig M、CD8~+水平明显低于对照组,Ig A、Ig G、CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+显著高于全切除组(P0.05)。部分切除组并发症发生率显著低于全切除组(P0.05)。结论:脾部分切除术治疗外伤性脾裂的手术效果优于脾全切除术,且对患者血小板及免疫功能的影响较小。     

A convenient preparation of 6-oligo(lactic acid)cyclomaltoheptaose as kinetically degradable derivative for controlled release of amoxicillin

6-Oligo(lactic acid)cyclomaltoheptaose (6-OLA-βCD) with an average substitution of about 7.0 lactic acid units was prepared as a new water-soluble cyclomaltoheptaose (βCD) derivative (solubility of about 70.7-fold that of βCD), based on the ring-opening polymerization of 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione (lactide). The product was characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and MS spectroscopy. The complexation of amoxicillin with 6-OLA-βCD was found to be much stronger than that with βCD at first, and then 6-OLA-βCD was shown to decompose moderately into βCD and lactic acid. 6-OLA-βCD might be greatly valuable in a controlled release system for Amoxicillin (AMX).     

Live cell imaging of highly activated natural killer cells against human hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo

Background aimsTracking administered natural killer (NK) cells in vivo is critical for developing an effective NK cell-based immunotherapy against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here the authors established a new molecular imaging using ex vivo-activated NK cells and investigated real-time biodistribution of administered NK cells during HCC progression.MethodsEx vivo-expanded NK cells from healthy donors were labeled with a near-infrared lipophilic cytoplasmic dye, and their proliferation, surface receptor expression and cytotoxicity activity were evaluated. Human HCC HepG2 cells were implanted into the livers of NOD.Cg-Prkdc^scid IL2rg^tm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) mice. The authors administered 1,1’-dioctadecyltetramethyl indotricarbocyanine iodide (DiR)-labeled NK cells intravenously to non-tumor-bearing and intrahepatic HCC tumor-bearing NSG mice. Fluorescent imaging was performed using a fluorescence-labeled organism bioimaging instrument. Single cell suspensions from the resected organs were analyzed using flow cytometry.ResultsThe fluorescent DiR dye was nontoxic and did not affect the proliferation or surface receptor expression levels of the NK cells, even at high doses. The administered DiR-labeled NK cells immediately migrated to the lungs of the non-tumor-bearing NSG mice, with increased NK cell signals evident in the liver and spleen after 4 h. NK cells migrated to the intrahepatic tumor-bearing livers of both early- and late-stage HCC mice within 1 h of injection. In early-stage intrahepatic tumor-bearing mice, the fluorescence signal increased in the liver until 48 h post-injection and decreased 7 days after NK injection. In late-stage HCC, the NK cell fluorescence signal was the highest in the liver for 7 days after NK injection and persisted for 14 days. The purity of long-term persistent CD45⁺CD56⁺CD3⁻ NK cells was highest in early- and late-stage HepG2-bearing liver compared with normal liver 2 weeks after NK injection, whereas highest purity was still observed in the lungs of non-tumor-bearing mice. In addition, Ki-67 expression was detected in migrated human NK cells in the liver and lung up to 72 h after administration. With HepG2 tumor progression, NK cells reduced the expression of NKp30 and NKG2D.ConclusionsAdministered NK cells were successfully tracked in vivo by labeling the NK cells with near-infrared DiR dye. Highly expanded, activated NK cells migrated rapidly to the tumor-bearing liver, where they persisted for 14 days after administration, with high purity of CD45⁺CD56⁺CD3⁻ NK cells. Liver biodistribution and persistence of administered NK cells showed significantly different accumulation patterns during HCC progression.     

两种免疫磁珠分离法分选小鼠骨髓粒-单核祖细胞的效率比较

摘要 目的：提取小鼠骨髓细胞（bone marrow cell, BMC）,用两种不同的免疫磁珠分离（magnetic activated cell sorting, MACS）试剂盒从小鼠BMC中分选提纯粒-单核祖细胞（granulocyte-monocyte progenitor, GMP）,比较这两种免疫磁珠的分选效率。方法：从小鼠股骨和胫骨中提取BMC,通过两种不同的MACS试剂盒,即Lineage阳性细胞清除试剂盒和CD117阳性细胞分选试剂盒,分别得到Lineage-细胞群和CD117⁺细胞群,用代表GMP细胞表面标志物的荧光抗体标记,孵育后通过流式细胞荧光分选技术得到GMP细胞,并且对比得到GMP细胞的效率。结果：每2只野生型C57BL/6J小鼠可共收集骨髓细胞（7.02±1.24）×10⁷个,细胞活力为（91.86±5.24）%。经过Lineage阳性细胞清除试剂盒得到的细胞数量为（5.71±2.86）×10⁶个;经过CD117阳性细胞分选试剂盒得到的细胞数量为（2.70±0.56）×10⁶个。Lineage磁珠分选纯化得到的GMP细胞数占总细胞数的比例为（10.90±1.37）%,CD117磁珠分选纯化得到的GMP细胞数占总细胞数的比例为（4.83±2.08）%。结论：Lineage阳性细胞清除试剂盒能更有效分选小鼠骨髓细胞中的粒-单核祖细胞。     

Increase of free Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>in the skeletal muscle of chronic fatigue syndrome patients

In a previous study we evaluated muscle blood flow and muscle metabolism in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). To better understand muscle metabolism in CFS, we re-evaluated our data to calculate free Magnesium levels in skeletal muscle. Magnesium is an essential cofactor in a number of cell processes. A total of 20 CFS patients and 11 controls were evaluated. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy from the medial gastrocnemius muscle was used to calculate free Mg²⁺ from the concentrations and chemical shifts of Pi, PCr, and beta ATP peaks. CFS patients had higher magnesium levels in their muscles relative to controls (0.47 + 0.07 vs 0.36 + 0.06 mM, P < 0.01), although there was no difference in the rate of phosphocreatine recovery in these subjects, as reported earlier. This finding was not associated with abnormal oxidative metabolism as measured by the rate of recovery of phosphocreatine after exercise. In summary, calculation of free Mg²⁺ levels from previous data showed CFS patients had higher resting free Mg²⁺ levels compared to sedentary controls.     

Panax notoginseng saponins suppress radiation-induced osteoporosis by regulating bone formation and resorption

BackgroundWhile radiation-based therapies are effective for treating numerous malignancies, such treatments can also induce osteoporosis.PurposeWe assessed the antiosteoporotic properties of total saponins extracted from the leaves of Panax notoginseng (LPNS) in a mouse model of radiation-induced osteoporosis and in vitro.Study design/methodsThe bone mineral densities, the marker of bone formation and resorption, and inflammatory factors were measured in vivo. Cell proliferation and differentiation were detected in vitro.ResultsThe results showed that bone mineral densities in irradiated mice administered LPNS were significantly increased compared to those in irradiated mice which had not received LPNS. LPNS attenuated the inflammation caused by irradiation, and significantly increased blood serum AKP activity, the mRNA levels of RUNX2 and osteoprotegerin, and the numbers of CFU-Fs formed by bone marrow cells collected from irradiated mice. In contrast, LPNS decreased the numbers of osteoclast precursor cells (CD117⁺/RANKL⁺ cells and CD71⁺/CD115⁺ cells) and the mRNA levels of TRAP and ATP6i. These results suggest that LPNS functions as a negative regulator of bone resorption. In vitro assays showed that LPNS promoted the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and mononuclear cells into osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively, but had no effect on osteoclast activation.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that LPNS has significant antiosteoporotic activity, which may warrant further investigations concerning its therapeutic effects in treating radiation-induced osteoporosis.     

Unrestricted somatic stem cells: interaction with CD34+ cells in vitro and in vivo, expression of homing genes and exclusion of tumorigenic potential

Background aimsTransplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) within the framework of hematologic oncology or inherited diseases may be associated with complications such as engraftment failure and long-term pancytopenia. HSC engraftment can be improved, for example by co-transplantation with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Recently, a new multipotent MSC line from umbilical cord blood, unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC), has been described. It was demonstrated that USSC significantly support proliferation of HSC in an in vitro feeder layer assay.MethodsA NOD/SCID mouse model was used to assess the effect of USSC on co-transplanted CD34⁺ cells and look for the fate of transplanted USSC. The migration potential of USSC was studied in a Boyden chamber migration assay and in vivo. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for CXCR4, CD44, LFA1, CD62L, VLA4, RAC2, VLA5A and RAC1 were performed. NMR1 nu/nu mice were used for a tumorigenicity test.ResultsAfter 4 weeks, homing of human cells (CD45⁺) to the bone marrow of NOD/SCID mice was significantly increased in mice co-transplanted with CD34⁺ cells and USSC (median 30.9%, range 7–50%) compared with the CD34⁺ cell-only control group (median 5.9%, range 3–10%; P = 0.004). Homing of USSC could not be shown in the bone marrow. A cell–cell contact was not required for the graft enhancing effect of USSC. An in vivo tumorigenicity assay showed no tumorigenic potential of USSC.ConclusionsThis pre-clinical study clearly shows that USSC have an enhancing effect on engraftment of human CD34⁺ cells. USSC are a safe graft adjunct.     

NLR、25-（OH）D3、IL-6、PCT与重症肺炎支原体肺炎患儿免疫功能和预后不良的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、25-羟维生素D3 [25-（OH）D3]、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、降钙素原（PCT）与重症肺炎支原体肺炎（MMP）患儿免疫功能和预后不良的关系。方法：选取2019年2月至2021年12月我院收治的106例重症MMP患儿作为重症组,同期收治的101例轻症MMP患儿（轻症组）作为对照。检测外周血中性粒细胞计数、淋巴细胞计数、T淋巴细胞亚群以及血清25-（OH）D3、IL-6、PCT水平,计算NLR。分析NLR、25-（OH）D3、IL-6、PCT与T淋巴细胞亚群的相关性。重症MMP患儿治疗后随访半年,根据重症MMP患儿的预后情况分为预后良好组（75例）和预后不良组（31例）,多因素Logistic回归分析影响重症MMP患儿预后的因素。结果：重症组NLR、IL-6、PCT水平,CD8⁺高于轻症组（P＜0.05）,25-（OH）D3水平、CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺低于轻症组（P＜0.05）。NLR、IL-6、PCT水平与CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺呈负相关（P＜0.05）,与CD8⁺呈正相关（P＜0.05）;25-（OH）D3与CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺呈正相关（P＜0.05）,与CD8⁺呈负相关（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：肺大片实变影、NLR（较高）、IL-6（较高）、PCT（较高）是重症MPP患儿预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）,25-（OH）D3（较高）是保护因素（P＜0.05）。结论：重症MMP患儿NLR、IL-6、PCT水平升高,25-（OH）D3水平降低,且与细胞免疫功能低下以及预后不良有关,检测NLR、IL-6、PCT、25-（OH）D3有助于评估重症MMP患儿的预后。     

NLRC5 potentiates anti-tumor CD8+ T cells responses by activating interferon-β in endometrial cancer

ObjectivesNLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5) could promote major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-dependent CD8⁺ T cell-mediated anticancer immunity. In this study, the immunosurveillance role and underlying mechanisms of NLRC5 in endometrial cancer (EC) were characterized.MethodsCD8⁺ T cells were separated from healthy women's peripheral blood by using magnetic beads. The effect of NLRC5 and interferon-β (IFN-β) on immunosurveillance of EC were examined through a mouse tumor model and a CD8⁺ T cell-EC cell coculture system after NLRC5 overexpression and IFN-β overexpression or depletion. The effect of NLRC5 on IFN-β expression was examined with gain- and loss-of-function experiments.ResultsNLRC5 overexpression in the EC cell and CD8⁺ T cell coculture system inhibited EC cell proliferation and migration and promoted EC cell apoptosis and CD8⁺ T cell proliferation. In vivo, NLRC5 overexpression increased the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells and inhibited EC progression. Furthermore, IFN-β overexpression in the EC cell and CD8⁺ T cell coculture system activated CD8⁺ T cell proliferation; however, genetic depletion of IFN-β exerted the opposite effects. In addition, NLRC5 could negatively regulate IFN-β expression in EC cells. Mechanistically, NLRC5 potentiated the antitumor responses of CD8⁺ T cells to EC by activating IFN-β.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings demonstrated that NLRC5 potentiates anti-tumor CD8⁺ T cells responses by activating interferon-β in EC, suggesting that genetically escalated NLRC5 and IFN-β may act as potential candidates for the clinical translation of adjuvant immunotherapies to patients with EC.     

Age-Associated Increase of CD5+ B Cells in the Liver of Autoimmune (NZB × NZW) F1 Mice

The liver has been demonstrated to be a major site for extrathymic differentiation of T cells. In this study, an identification of CD5⁺ B cells, which are responsible for the onset of autoimmune disease by virtue of autoantibody production, was performed in autoimmune (NZB × NZW) F₁ mice. An age-associated increase of CD5⁺ B cells was demonstrated in the liver of these mice. Although CD5⁺ B cells (i.e., CD5⁺IgM⁺ and CD5⁺B220⁺) constituted a minor population of hepatic mononuclear cells (MNC) (<5%) when mice were young (8 weeks), a large population of CD5⁺ B cells (10 to 30% of whole MNC) was identified in the liver of mice aged 25 to 30 weeks after the onset of disease. Such age-dependent increase of CD5⁺ B cells was not observed in any other strains including NZB, NZW, C3H/He and BALB/c mice. The phenotype of hepatic CD5⁺ B cells was the same as that of CD5⁺ B cells in the peritoneal cavity and spleen, showing dull-CD5, bright-IgM and dull-B220. High levels of CD5⁺ B cells were observed in the peritoneal cavity and liver, but not in the spleen nor in any other lymphoid organs in mice aged 30 weeks. Radioimmunoassay of autoantibodies in the 5-day culture supernatants demonstrated that hepatic MNC were unable to produce any amounts of IgM- and IgG-autoantibodies against double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA, despite the increased proportion of CD5⁺ B cells. On the other hand, peritoneal exudate cells produced only IgM-, but not IgG-, autoantibodies, whereas splenic cells were able to produce both IgM- and IgG-autoantibodies. These results suggest that the liver might support the generation of the most primitive CD5⁺ B cells in these mice and that such generation increases as a function of age, probably resulting in the onset of autoimmune disease.     

LPS administration increases CD11b<Superscript>+</Superscript> c-Fms<Superscript>+</Superscript> CD14<Superscript>+</Superscript> cell population that possesses osteoclast differentiation potential in mice

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells that originate from a monocyte/macrophage lineage, and are involved in the inflammatory bone destruction accompanied by periodontitis. Recent studies have shown that osteoclast precursors reside not only in the bone marrow, but also in the peripheral blood and spleen, though the precise characteristics of each precursor have not been analyzed. We hypothesized that the number of osteoclast precursors in those tissues may increase under pathological conditions and contribute to osteoclast formation in vivo in a mouse model. To test this hypothesis, we attempted to identify cell populations that possess osteoclast differentiation potential in the bone marrow, spleen, and blood by analyzing macrophage/monocyte-related cell surface markers such as CD11b, CD14, and colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (c-Fms). In the bone marrow, the CD11b^? cell population, but not the CD11b⁺ cell population, differentiated into osteoclasts in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. On the other hand, in the spleen and blood, CD11b⁺ cells differentiated into osteoclasts. Interestingly, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration to the mice dramatically increased the proportion of CD11b⁺ c-Fms⁺ CD14⁺ cells, which differentiated into osteoclasts, in the bone marrow and spleen. These results suggest that LPS administration increases the proportion of a distinct cell population expressing CD11b⁺, c-Fms⁺, and CD14⁺ in the bone marrow and spleen. Thus, these cell populations are considered to contribute to the increase in osteoclast number during inflammatory bone destruction such as periodontitis.