EV71相关手足口病患儿T细胞及细胞因子检测及意义

目的:探讨EV71相关手足口病患儿外周血T细胞及细胞因子的水平及其意义.方法:将90例EV71感染手足口病患儿分为脑炎并发肺水肿组8例,单纯脑炎组30例,无并发症组52例.采用间接免疫荧光法检测外周血CD4+T及CD8+T细胞百分比,用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA法检测血清IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α及IFN-γ含量.结果:并发症组CD4+及CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群的百分比相对无并发症组的降低,差异有统计学意义(F=9.304,P＜0.05;X2=26.075,P＜0.05),并发症组血清1L-10、IFN-γ和IL-6含量较无并发症组增高,差异有统计学意义(F=4.232,P＜0.05;X2=16.975,P＜0.05;X2=15.562,P＜0.05),并发症组TNF-α含量和无并发症组差异无统计学意义.结论:外周血T细胞及细胞因子均参与了EV71相关手足口病重症并发症的发生过程,在手足口病的临床诊疗中可予以参考,早期鉴别出现重症并发症的病例,及时给与相应的治疗措施,降低手足口病的病死率和致残率.     

TLR3和TLR4基因多态性与EV71感染手足口病严重性及易感性的关系研究

手足口病(Hand-foot-and-mouth disease,HFMD)是5岁以下婴幼儿常见的病毒性肠道传染病,该病主要由人肠道病毒71型(Enterovirus 71,EV71)型及柯萨奇A组16型(Coxsackievirus A16,CV-A16)引起,但关于TLR3、TLR4基因多态性与EV71感染手足口病的报道较少。为探讨EV71感染手足口病患儿TLR3和TLR4基因多态性与EV71感染手足口病严重性及易感性的关系,本研究选择2016年8月至2017年8月就诊于安徽医科大学第一附属医院的EV71感染手足口病患儿166例,其中重症组76例,轻症组90例,并选择同期来院体检的健康者120例作为对照组。收集患者入院时的年龄、性别、发热天数等基线资料,采集血液检测白细胞计数(White blood cell count,WBC)、丙氨酸转氨酶(Alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(Glutamate transaminase,AST)、酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血清C反应蛋白(C reactive protein,CRP)、干扰素-γ(Interferon-γ,IFN-γ)水平;分离外周血单个核细胞提取DNA,琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测DNA情况;聚合酶链反应(Polymerase chain reaction,PCR)扩增TLR3c.1377C/T和TLR4-896A/G,限制性内切酶Tap I(TthHB8 I)、Nco I分别酶切TLR3、TLR4 PCR扩增产物,凝胶成像系统记录实验结果,对扩增产物进行测序,分析其基因多态性结果。结果显示,对照组与EV71感染组TLR3c.1377C/T位点的基因型分布与C、T等位基因频率均无显著统计学意义(P0.05);EV71感染组中重症组TT基因型较轻症组显著升高(P0.05);重症组T等位基因频率显著高于轻症组(P0.05),C等位基因频率显著低于轻症组(P0.05);EV71感染组中,TLR3c.1377C/T位点不同基因型患儿在年龄、性别及ALT、AST、CKMB水平上无显著差异(P0.05);TLR3c.1377C/T位点TT型患儿的发热时间及WBC、CRP水平显著高于CT和CC型,CT型患儿的发热时间及WBC、CRP水平显著高于CC型(P0.05);CC型患儿的IFN-γ水平显著高于CT和TT型(P0.05);TLR4-896A/G基因电泳条带为140bp的特异性扩增产物,为野生型Asp/Asp基因型,对照组和EV71感染组均未出现A→G的突变。本研究得出结论,TLR3c.1377C/T位点有CC、TT、CT三个基因型,且携带T等位基因EV71感染手足口病患儿进展为重症的风险较高;TLR4-896A/G基因无突变,与EV71感染手足口病患儿疾病严重性和易感性无关。     

蛋氨酸脑啡肽单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ对小鼠CD4+T细胞作用的研究

通过体内外MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ对C57BL/6小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量以及细胞因子产生量的变化,来阐明MENK对CD4+T细胞的免疫效应.应用流式细胞术、酶联免疫吸附试验、RT-PCR方法检测C57 BL/6小鼠体内外单独应用MENK,或联合IL-2、IFN-γ后,CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA的表达量及上清中细胞因子含量.MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ,在体内能显著增加小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量及细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ含量;体外MENK单独应用可以显著增加小鼠CD4+T细胞数量,CD4+T细胞mRNA表达量及细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ含量;而体外MENK联合IL-2或IFN-γ与MENK单独作用时相比无明显差异.MENK单独或联合IL-2、IFN-γ,在体内能上调CD4+T细胞的免疫效应.     

肠道病毒71型感染小鼠心肌损害与CXCL12/CXCR4通路激活的关系

重症手足口病患儿中心肌损害常见,肠道病毒71型(Enterovirus 71,EV71)是引起手足口病的主要病原体之一,EV71感染小鼠可以出现心肌炎的病理改变,但EV71引起心肌损害的机制尚不明确。为了阐明EV71引起心肌损害的机制,本实验观察了EV71感染小鼠心肌损害与CXC趋化因子配体12(CXC chemokine ligand 12,CXCL12)/CXC趋化因子受体4(CXC chemokine receptor 4,CXCR4)通路激活的关系。BALB/c乳鼠随机分为对照组、EV71组、EV71+AMD3100组、AMD3100组,对照组、AMD3100组给予生理盐水腹腔注射,EV71组、EV71+AMD3100组给予EV71病毒液腹腔注射;而后EV71+AMD3100组、AMD3100组给予CXCR4抑制剂AMD3100腹腔注射、连续7d。比较四组间血清中CXCL12、磷酸肌酸激酶同工酶(CreatineKinase-MB,CK-MB)、乳酸脱氢酶(Lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)含量、心肌病理改变及细胞凋亡率、心肌中CXCR4、含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶-3(caspase-3)表达及肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α)、白介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)含量的差异。与对照组比较,EV71组血清中CXCL12、CK-MB、LDH的含量明显增加,心肌出现了典型的心肌炎病理改变且细胞凋亡率、CXCR4及caspase-3表达水平、TNF-α及IL-6含量明显增加;与EV71组比较,EV71+AMD3100组血清中CXCL12、CK-MB、LDH的含量明显降低,心肌的病理改变改善且细胞凋亡率、CXCR4及caspase-3表达水平、TNF-α及IL-6含量明显降低。以上结果表明EV71感染小鼠心肌中CXCL12/CXCR4通路过度激活,该通路的激活介导了心肌细胞凋亡及炎症反应。本研究创新点为阐明了CXCL12/CXCR4通路在EV71病毒感染引起心肌损害中的作用,CXCL12/CXCR4通路激活能够激活EV71感染小鼠心肌的炎症反应及细胞凋亡,这为今后研究手足口病发病过程中心肌损害的机制提供了依据。     

阴道微生态与宫颈HPV感染患者炎性因子和T细胞亚群的相关性分析CSCD

目的分析阴道微生态与宫颈感染人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)患者炎性因子、 T细胞亚群的相关性。方法 选取120例宫颈感染HPV患者作为观察组,另选取95例同期体检健康女性作为对照组,观察2组阴道菌群情况、T细胞亚群水平(CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+)、IFN-γ和IL-4等炎性因子水平。观察组根据患者阴道微生态情况又分为阴道微生态失衡组和阴道微生态正常组,比较两组T细胞亚群和炎性因子水平;ROC曲线评估T细胞亚群和炎性因子预测阴道微生态失调的价值;采用Spearman相关性分析分析阴道菌群失调与HPV感染患者T细胞亚群变化和炎性因子水平的关系。结果 观察组阴道微生态失衡率明显46.7%高于对照组6.3%(P<0.05);观察组CD4+T细胞、CD4+/CD8+、IFN-γ水平均较对照组低,CD8+T细胞、IL-4水平均较对照组高(P<0.05);阴道微生态失衡者CD4+T细胞、CD4+/CD8+和IFN-γ水平低于阴道微生态正常者,而CD8+T细胞、IL-4水平高于阴道微生态正常者(P<0.05);血清IFN-γ、IL-4、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD4+/CD8+联合预测HPV感染患者阴道微生态失衡的AUC为0.972,灵敏度、特异度分别为85.7%、98.4%;Spearman相关性分析显示,HPV感染患者血清IFN-γ、IL-4、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、CD4+/CD8+水平与阴道菌群失调呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论 HPV感染患者阴道微生态失衡,出现免疫功能紊乱和炎症反应,血清T细胞亚群和炎性因子与患者阴道微生态失衡有相关性,在一定程度上能预测HPV感染患者阴道微生态失衡的发生。     

sTim-3与CD4~+ T细胞亚群细胞因子在肺结核中的表达

[目的]分析sTim-3与CD4~+ T细胞亚群细胞因子在维吾尔族肺结核患者中的表达及相关性。[方法]收集肺结核患者45例和健康对照40例外周血,ELISA方法检测研究对象血清中sTim-3、IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-17A和IL-22的含量,Pearson法分析肺结核患者血清中sTim-3与上述细胞因子间的相关性。[结果]肺结核患者、痰涂片阳性和阴性组血清sTim-3、IL-4、IL-17A和IL-22含量均高于对照组,IFN-γ含量均低于对照组(P 0. 05); sTim-3与IFN-γ负相关(r=-0. 473,P=0. 001),与IL-4正相关(r=0. 326,P=0. 029),与IL-17A、IL-22间均无相关性(P 0. 05)。[结论]肺结核患者体内sTim-3、IL-4、IL-17A和IL-22高表达,IFN-γ低表达,sTim-3与IFN-γ、IL-4具有相关性,sTim-3可能通过影响CD4~+ T细胞亚群细胞因子的分泌参与维吾尔族肺结核的发病。     

轮状病毒感染性腹泻患儿血清中CD4+T细胞相关细胞因子水平及意义

通过检测轮状病毒感染性腹泻儿童感染早期血清中的CD4+T细胞相关细胞因子IL-17、IL-6、IFN-γ、IL-4和TGF-β水平,探讨CD4+T细胞相关细胞因子在儿童轮状病毒感染性腹泻疾病中的作用.采用ELISA法定量检测了56例轮状病毒感染性腹泻儿童和30例正常对照儿童血清中的上述细胞因子水平.实验结果显示,轮状病...     

再障患者血清IL-2、TNF-α、IFN-γ和外周血T淋巴细胞亚群变化研究

目的:研究再生障碍性贫血(AA)患者患病过程中血清IL-2、IL-8、TNF-α、IFN-γ和外周血T淋巴细胞亚群变化与疾病严重程度相关性。方法:选取我院经酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)筛选的AA患者40例,其中急性患者(AAA)20例,慢性患者(CAA)20例,随机抽取20例健康人,对比监测60例目标病例的血清IL-2、IL-8、TNF-α、IFN-γ和外周血T淋巴细胞亚群变化。结果:AA组患者中AAA的各项细胞因子CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+检测结果较CAA患者波动较大。AA患者的血清IL-2、IL-8、TNF-α、IFN-γ含量明显高于健康人员平均值。AA患者的CD4+、CD4+/CD8+低于含量明显低于健康人员平均值,CD3+变化差异无统计学意义,AA组CD8+显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义,P<0.05。结论:再障患者发病过程中同时存在细胞免疫功能障碍和体液免疫机制异常两种情况,且变化规律与疾病轻重缓急程度正相关。     

手足口病脑炎患儿脑脊液中细胞因子水平的比较

目的探讨不同病原体(CV-A6、CV-A16、EV-A71)所致手足口病脑炎患儿脑脊液中IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ水平及意义。方法采用随机抽样的方法选取2018年3—5月在医院感染科收治的HFMD患儿,其中EV-A71组90例,CV-A6组77例,CV-A16组65例,选择同期高热惊厥患儿20例作为对照(高热惊厥组)。患儿入院后1～2 d行腰椎穿刺术,收集脑脊液2 mL,用流式细胞检测术分别检测细胞因子IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ水平。结果 EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IL-6水平均明显高于高热惊厥组(t分别为6.224、7.579、6.667,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=18.631,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IL-10水平均高于高热惊厥组,差异具有统计学意义(t分别为5.387、3.227、3.084,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=17.480,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组TNF-α水平与高热惊厥组差异均无统计学意义(t=-1.071、1.498、0.400,P>0.05),组间差异有统计学意义(F=6.069,P<0.05)。EV-A71组、CV-A6组、CV-A16组IFN-γ水平均高于高热惊厥组,差异具有统计学意义(t分别为4.718、7.303、8.919,P!0.05),且组间差异有统计学意义(F=16.566,P<0.05)。结论 EV-A71、CV-A6、CV-A16所致重症HFMD患儿脑脊液中IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ均升高,表明在这3种不同病原体所致HFMD患儿脑炎中,IL-6、IL-10、IFN-γ均起到重要作用。其中,IL-6、IFN-γ明显升高,可作为疾病严重程度的评价指标。     

手足口病合并脑炎患儿外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清VCAM-1及CRP的表达水平及其检测价值分析

摘要 目的：探讨与分析手足口病（HFMD）合并脑炎患儿外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清VCAM-1及CRP的表达水平及其检测价值。方法：2017年4月到2020年10月选择在本院诊治的手足口病合并脑炎患儿42例作为合并组,同期选择手足口病不合并脑炎患儿68例作为对照组,检测两组外周血T淋巴细胞亚群、血清血管细胞粘附分子-1（VCAM-）及C-反应蛋白（CRP）表达水平,并判断检测价值与进行相关性分析。结果：合并组的CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例都明显少于对照组（P<0.05）。合并组的血清VCAM-1及CRP含量明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。在80例患儿中,Spearsman分析显示CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例和血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都与手足口病合并脑炎的发生存在相关性（P<0.05）。二分类Logistic回归分析显示CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例和血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都为导致手足口病合并脑炎发生的重要因素（P<0.05）。结论：手足口病合并脑炎患儿多伴随有外周血T淋巴细胞亚群异常与血清VCAM-1、CRP的高表达,CD4⁺、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞相对比例、血清VCAM-1、CRP含量都为导致手足口病合并脑炎发生的重要因素。     

Robust antigen specific th17 T cell response to group A Streptococcus is dependent on IL-6 and intranasal route of infection

Group A streptococcus (GAS, Streptococcus pyogenes) is the cause of a variety of clinical conditions, ranging from pharyngitis to autoimmune disease. Peptide-major histocompatibility complex class II (pMHCII) tetramers have recently emerged as a highly sensitive means to quantify pMHCII-specific CD4+ helper T cells and evaluate their contribution to both protective immunity and autoimmune complications induced by specific bacterial pathogens. In lieu of identifying an immunodominant peptide expressed by GAS, a surrogate peptide (2W) was fused to the highly expressed M1 protein on the surface of GAS to allow in-depth analysis of the CD4+ helper T cell response in C57BL/6 mice that express the I-A(b) MHCII molecule. Following intranasal inoculation with GAS-2W, antigen-experienced 2W:I-A(b)-specific CD4+ T cells were identified in the nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) that produced IL-17A or IL-17A and IFN-γ if infection was recurrent. The dominant Th17 response was also dependent on the intranasal route of inoculation; intravenous or subcutaneous inoculations produced primarily IFN-γ+ 2W:I-A(b+) CD4+ T cells. The acquisition of IL-17A production by 2W:I-A(b)-specific T cells and the capacity of mice to survive infection depended on the innate cytokine IL-6. IL-6-deficient mice that survived infection became long-term carriers despite the presence of abundant IFN-γ-producing 2W:I-A(b)-specific CD4+ T cells. Our results suggest that an imbalance between IL-17- and IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells could contribute to GAS carriage in humans.     

平喘固本合剂对昆系小鼠急性哮喘模型气道炎症作用影响

目的:探讨平喘固本合剂对昆系小鼠急性哮喘模型气道炎症作用影响及相关机制。方法:昆明系小鼠40只,随机分为对照组(A),哮喘模型组(B),喘固本合剂治疗组(C),布地奈德雾化治疗组(D)及平喘固本合剂联合布地奈德雾化治疗组(E)。用鸡卵蛋白(OVA)致敏建立昆系小鼠哮喘急性气道炎症模型,并给与药物治疗10天。对各组支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中各种细胞进行分类并计数,观察肺组织的病理变化,同时应用ELISA法测定灌洗液中炎症相关因子的水平变化。结果:与B组比较,C组、D组、E组BALF中细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞数、巨噬细胞数及IL-4、IL-4/IFN-γ明显降低(P<0.05),IFN-γ明显升高(P<0.05)。对于IL-4、IL-4/IFN-γ水平的比较C组与D组无明显统计学差异,E组与两者具有明显统计学意义(P<0.05)。HE染色显示C组、D组、E组较单纯模型组炎症细胞浸润,平滑肌肥厚及黏膜肺组织水肿等炎症表现明显减轻。结论:平喘固本合剂对哮喘昆系小鼠气道炎症有明显的抑制作用,其作用机制可能与抑制IL-4的表达、炎性细胞聚积及促进IFN-γ的表达有关,并且可能与糖皮质激素有一定协同作用。     

妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症患者外周血中维生素D受体 与Th1/Th2 型细胞因子的变化

目的:研究妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症患者外周血中维生素D受体的表达与Th1/Th2型细胞因子干扰素-γ/白细胞介素-4(IFN-γ/IL-4)的变化关系,探讨ICP发病机制。方法:选取ICP患者31例(ICP组),孕周相匹配的正常孕妇31例(正常对照组)。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA法),检测两组孕妇血清中Th1型细胞因子(IFN-γ)和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)的水平;采用实时荧光定量逆转录-多聚酶链反应(qRT-PCR),检测两组孕妇外周血单个核细胞维生素D受体(VDR)mRNA的表达水平,采用3-磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶(GAPDH)为内参,根据相对定量公式:2-△△CT分析VDR mRNA的表达水平。结果:(1)ICP组外周血清中IFN-γ的浓度[(230.93±36.04)pg/ml]明显高于正常对照组[(138.37±25.08)pg/ml],差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。ICP组血清中IL-4浓度[(9.99±3.19)pg/ml]和正常对照组[(8.58±2.43)pg/ml]比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。ICP组IFN-γ/IL-4比值(24.56±6.91)高于正常对照组(17.13±4.84),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)ICP组外周血单个核细胞维生素D受体mRNA的表达明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),正常对照组VDR的表达定义为1.0,ICP组的表达量为0.4。(3)ICP组外周血中VDR的表达水平与IFN-γ浓度呈明显负相关(r=-0.833,P<0.01),与IL-4浓度无明显相关(r=-0.109,P>0.05),与IFN-γ/IL-4比值呈负相关,但相关性不强(r=-0.356,P=0.049<0.05)。结论:ICP患者外周血Th1/Th2型细胞因子平衡由Th2向Th1偏移,可能与ICP孕妇外周血单个核细胞VDR的表达减少有关。     

长效干扰素对CHB患者CD4^＋T细胞ICOS表达及血清IFN-γ、IL-4水平的影响

目的探讨长效干扰素对慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血CD4^＋T细胞上ICOS表达及血清IFN-γ、IL-4水平的影响。方法慢性乙型肝炎患者52例,其中聚乙二醇干扰素α2a治疗28例,常规治疗24例,另征集健康志愿者20例为正常对照组。采集治疗前及治疗后24、48周的患者外周血,以FCM检测ICOS^＋CD4^＋T细胞在PBMC中的频数变化;以ELISA检测治疗前后患者血清中IFN-γ、IL-4的水平变化;以Realtime—PCR检测患者HBV—DNA载量变化。结果慢性乙肝患者CD4^＋T细胞ICOS表达水平明显高于正常对照者（P〈0．001）,干扰素治疗者48周时ICOS表达水平低于常规治疗者,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。经干扰素治疗后,患者Th1细胞因子IFN-γ水平升高,与常规治疗者相比有差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）;而Th2细胞因子IL-4水平逐渐降低,与常规治疗者相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．001）。干扰素治疗者ICOS、HBV-DNA载量变化值同IFN-γ水平的变化值呈负相关（P〈0．001）,而与IL4水平的变化值则为正相关（P〈0．001）。结论慢性乙肝患者存在着细胞免疫紊乱,干扰素治疗可以在一定程度纠正患者体内的Th2偏移,降低CD4^＋T细胞上ICOS的表达,促进IFN-γ表达,发挥抗病毒作用。     

The Clinical Correlation of Regulatory T Cells and Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate in Enterovirus 71 Infection

Background

Brainstem encephalitis (BE) and pulmonary edema (PE) are notable complications of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection.

Objective

This study investigated the immunoregulatory characterizations of EV71 neurological complications by disease severity and milrinone treatment.

Study Design

Patients <18 years with virologically confirmed EV71 infections were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: the hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) or BE group, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation or PE group. Cytokine and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, and the regulatory T cell (Tregs) profiles of the patients were determined.

Results

Patients with ANS dysregulation or PE exhibited significantly low frequency of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ and CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ T cells compared with patients with HFMD or BE. The expression frequency of CD4⁻CD8⁻ was also significantly decreased in patients with ANS dysregulation or PE. Among patients with ANS dysregulation or PE, the expression frequency of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺ increased markedly after milrinone treatment, and was associated with reduction of plasma levels IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Plasma concentrations of cAMP were significantly decreased in patients with ANS dysregulation or PE compared with patients with HFMD or BE; however, cAMP levels increased after milrinone treatment.

Conclusions

These findings suggested decreased different regulatory T populations and cAMP expression correlate with increased EV71 disease severity. Improved outcome after milrinone treatment may associate with increased regulatory T populations, cAMP expression and modulation of cytokines levels.     

Extracellular purine metabolism and signaling of CD73-derived adenosine in murine Treg and Teff cells

CD73-derived adenosine acts as potent inhibitor of inflammation, and regulatory T cells (Treg) have been shown to express CD73 as a novel marker. This study explored the role of endogenously formed adenosine in modulating NF-κB activity and cytokine/chemokine release from murine Treg and effector T cells (Teff) including key enzymes/purinergic receptors of extracellular ATP catabolism. Stimulating murine splenocytes and CD4(+) T cells with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 significantly upregulated activated NF-κB in CD73(-/-) T cells (wild type: 4.36 ± 0.21; CD73(-/-): 6.58 ± 0.75; n = 4; P = 0.029). This was associated with an augmented release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. Similar changes were observed with the CD73 inhibitor APCP (50 μM) on NF-κB and IFN-γ in wild-type CD4(+) T-cells. Treatment of stimulated CD4(+) T-cells with adenosine (25 μM) potently reduced IFN-γ release which is mediated by adenosine A2a receptors (A2aR). AMP (50 μM) also reduced cytokine release which was not inhibited by APCP. In Teff, A2aR activation (CGS21680) potently inhibited the release of IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), CCL3, and CCL4. However, in Treg, CGS21680 did not alter cytokine/chemokine release. In summary, CD73-derived adenosine tonically inhibits active NF-κB in CD4(+) T-cells, thereby modulating the release of a broad spectrum of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Downregulation of P2X7 and upregulation of CD73 in Treg after antigenic stimulation may be an important mechanism to maintain the ability of Treg to generate immunosuppressive adenosine.     

人外周血Th细胞和Tc细胞内IFN-γ及IL-4表达水平与白塞病的关系

目的检测BD患者外周血Th细胞和Tc细胞内INF-γ和IL-4的表达水平,探索BD患者体内的免疫状况。方法采用流式细胞术检测BD活动期患者(n=22),BD稳定期(n=6)以及健康体检者(n=22)外周血T细胞亚群INF-γ和IL-4的表达水平。结果 BD患者活动期外周血细胞Th细胞和Tc细胞经过刺激后胞内合成IFN-γ的水平明显高于正常人水平(Th细胞:22.45%±7.33%vs.16.32±4.96%,P<0.05;Tc细胞:36.74%±13.19%vs.28.67%±11.56%,P<0.05),稳定期患者Th细胞和Tc细胞体外合成IFN-γ的能力与正常人相比无明显差异;稳定期患者Th细胞和Tc细胞胞内合成IL-4的能力相对于正常人均无明显差异:(稳定期Th细胞:3.01%±1.38%vs.2.87%±1.46%,Tc细胞:1.14%±0.28%vs.1.07%±0.32%,P>0.05)。而活动期患者Th细胞和Tc细胞胞内合成IL-4的能力相对于正常人均存在明显差异:(Th细胞:3.54%±1.62%vs.2.87%±1.46%,Tc细胞:1.82%±0.43%vs.1.07%±0.32%,P<0.05);导致Th细胞和Tc细胞有偏向Th1及Tc1的趋势(Th细胞IFN-γ/IL-4:6.34±3.24 vs.5.69±4.72,p>0.05;Tc细胞IFN-γ/IL-4:20.19±13.65 vs.26.79±14.52,P>0.05)。结论 BD患者外周血INF-γ和IL-4的表达水平明显升高,并与疾病活动期存在一定程度相关,可能对白塞病患者的诊断具有重要的临床意义。     

Functional modulation of the pathway between dendritic cells (DCs) and CD4+T cells by the neuropeptide: methionine enkephalin (MENK)

MENK, the endogenous neuropeptide, is suggested to be involved in the regulatory loop between the immune and neuroendocrine systems, with modulation of various functions of cells related to both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Our present research findings show that MENK serves as an immune modulator to the pathway between DCs and CD4+T cells. We studied changes of DCs in key surface molecules, the activity of acid phosphatases (ACPs), the production of IL-12, and the effects on murine CD4+T cell expansion and their cytokine production by MENK alone, and in combination with interkeukin-2 (IL-2) or interferon-γ (IFN-γ). In fact, we found that MENK could markedly induce the maturation of DCs through the addition of surface molecules such as MHC class II, CD86, and CD40 on murine DCs, the production of IL-12, and the down-regulation of ACP inside DCs, (which occurs when phagocytosis of DCs is decreased, and antigen presentation increased with maturation). We also found that MENK alone or in combination with IL-2 or IFN-γ, could markedly up-regulate both CD4+T cell expansion and the CD4 molecule expression in vivo and in vitro and that MENK alone, or MENK + IL-2, could enhance the production of interferon-γ from CD4+T cells. Moreover, MENK alone, or MENK + IFN-γ, could enhance the production of IL-2 from CD4+T cells. It is therefore concluded that MENK can exert positive modulation to the pathway between dendtritic cells and CD4+T cells.     

The Characteristics of Th1/Th2 Cytokine Receptors on Monocytes in Untreated Patients of Long Term Nonprogressor or Chronic HIV Infection

Monocytes/macrophages play crucial roles in immunity to microorganisms and are one of the important targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The phenotypes and function of monocytes in HIV-infected patients were poorly determined. We herein detected the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine receptors on monocyte subsets in the untreated HIV-infected patients of either long term nonprogressor (LTNP) or chronic infection (CHI). CD14+CD16- monocytes were significantly increased and CD14+CD16+ monocytes were reduced in patients of LTNP or CHI compared with healthy control. IL-6R expression on CD14+CD16- monocytes were decreased in patients of LTNP or CHI, whereas IL-4R and IL-10R expression on both CD14+CD16- and CD14+CD16+ monocyte subsets were increased in patients with LTNP or CHI, as determined by flow cytometry and real time PCR assays. The decreased IL-6R expression and enhanced IL-4R and IL-10R expression were also observed on CD4+ T cells of these patients, indicating that these changes in monocytes are not cell-specific. CD14+CD16- monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced less TNF-α and IL-1β but identical levels of IL-6, and IL-12 as the control after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation. However, in the presence of IL-4 or IL10, CD14+CD16- monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced more TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 or Il-1β after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation than the healthy control, supporting the impaired IL-4R and IL-10R signal pathways in patients with LTNP and CHI. Therefore, our present study offered the basic information for the Th1/Th2 cytokine receptor expression and function on monocyte subsets in untreated HIV-infected individuals.