Interleukin-22 Mediates Early Host Defense against Rhizomucor pusilluscan Pathogens

Background

In recent years, the fungal infectious disease zygomycosis has increased in incidence worldwide, especially among the immunodeficient population. Despite the rates of zygomycosis-related death and deformation being very high, the mechanism(s) by which the fungal pathogens cause these severe manifestations remain unknown.

Methods

Using the associated Rhizomucor variabilis species, which can selectively induce cutaneous zygomycosis in otherwise healthy individuals, we investigated the host mechanisms of infection-related responses, including cytokine and chemokine expression as well as contributions of particular T cell subsets. siRNA specifically targeting IL-22,IL-17 and IFN-γ were used to down-regulate expression of those molecules.

Results

In mouse models of infection, IL-22 was implicated in development of Rhizomucor spp.-induced skin lesions. In cultured human peripheral blood monocytes, R. pusilluscan, which is often found in immunodeficient patients, induced the production of IL-22, while R. variabilis did not. Moreover, Rhizomucor spp.-induced secretion of Il-22 from CCR6⁺CCR4⁺CCR10⁺ cells was down-regulated by knockdown of IL-22 related signaling receptors, RORC and ARH.

Conclusion

Our data strongly suggest that avoidance of IL-22 may be one mechanism by which mucor species produce morbidity and mortality in infected individuals.     

Proteomic analysis of kidney and protective effects of grape seed procyanidin B2 in db/db mice indicate MFG-E8 as a key molecule in the development of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy, as a severe microvascular complication of diabetic mellitus, has become the leading cause of end-stage renal diseases. However, no effective therapeutic strategy has been developed to prevent renal damage progression to end stage renal disease. Hence, the present study evaluated the protective effects of grape seed procyanidin B2 (GSPB2) and explored its molecular targets underlying diabetic nephropathy by a comprehensive quantitative proteomic analysis in db/db mice. Here, we found that oral administration of GSPB2 significantly attenuated the renal dysfunction and pathological changes in db/db mice. Proteome analysis by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) identified 53 down-regulated and 60 up-regulated proteins after treatment with GSPB2 in db/db mice. Western blot analysis confirmed that milk fat globule EGF-8 (MFG-E8) was significantly up-regulated in diabetic kidney. MFG-E8 silencing by transfection of MFG-E8 shRNA improved renal histological lesions by inhibiting phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1?2), Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) in kidneys of db/db mice. In contrast, over-expression of MFG-E8 by injection of recombinant MFG-E8 resulted in the opposite effects. GSPB2 treatment significantly decreased protein levels of MFG-E8, phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-Akt, and phospho-GSK-3β in the kidneys of db/db mice. These findings yield insights into the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, revealing MFG-E8 as a new therapeutic target and indicating GSPB2 as a prospective therapy by down-regulation of MFG-E8, along with ERK1/2, Akt and GSK-3β signaling pathway.     

医学真菌基因组学研究进展(上)

近年来,一系列重要医学致病真菌全基因组数据陆续被公布,使人类对这些致病菌的认识提高到全新水平.本文在回溯医学真菌基因组学和基因组测序技术发展历程、综述其发展现状及应用的基础上,再分别介绍重要医学真菌全基因组测序的进展.     

阴囊黄癣痂样石膏样小孢子菌感染1例

报道1例石膏样小孢子菌感染引起阴囊黄癣痂样皮损。患者,男,20岁,阴囊黄色痂皮3周。皮损取材真菌镜检可见分隔菌丝,培养为石膏样小孢子菌。口服伊曲康唑200mg/d,连续2周。停药时皮损消退,真菌学检查阴性。     

近平滑念珠菌的形态转换观察

目的观察近平滑念珠菌在不同培养基的形态转换现象,以及温度对其形态转换的影响。方法收集近平滑念珠菌正常人皮肤携带株及临床致病株和标准株,接种于改良Lee培养基和含桃红B的YPD培养基,观察其不同形态转换,以及温度变化对光滑(W)与皱褶(O)形态转换的影响。结果近平滑念珠菌在Lee培养基和含桃红B的YPD培养基上,均可以出现多种形态以及一定频率W-O转换现象。在观察W向O形态转换过程中发现,与25℃培养温度相比,37℃条件下光滑菌落形态占更多的比例。结论近平滑念珠菌体外培养时存在形态转换及W-O转换现象,且于37℃时更易保持光滑形态。含桃红B的YPD培养基也可以用于基本的W-O形态转换观察。     

胃癌合并糖尿病患者术后强化血糖控制的疗效分析

目的:探讨胃癌合并糖尿病患者术后强化血糖控制的临床疗效及其对预后的影响。方法:根据不同血糖控制方法,将96例胃癌合并糖尿病术后患者分为强化血糖控制组50例(血糖控制在4.4-6.1mol/L)和对照组46例(血糖控制在6.1~11.1mol/L)。监测患者术后1、3、7天的空腹血糖(FBG)、空腹胰岛素定量(FINS)、及C反应蛋白(CRP)水平,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR),比较分析两组术后恢复情况及并发症发生情况。结果:术后1、3、7天,强化血糖控制组FBG、lnHOMA-IR及CRP水平均显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后1天两组间FINS水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),而术后3、7天,二者之间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);强化血糖控制组术后发热时间、排气时间、抗生素使用时间与对照组相比明显缩短,差异有统计学意义(P>0.05);强化血糖控制组术后并发症的发生率2.0%,显著低于对照组13.0%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:强化血糖控制可改善胃癌合并糖尿病患者术后胰岛素抵抗,减轻术后的炎性反应,降低术后并发症,改善患者预后。     

Successful Treatment by Surgery of a Primary Cutaneous Mucormycosis Caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucor irregularis</Emphasis>

We report a case of primary cutaneous mucormycosis caused by Mucor irregularis. A 66-year-old man was presented to our hospital with a history of gradually enlarging plaque on the right leg for about a year. The identification of pathogen based on the fungus morphology and DNA sequencing revealed M. irregularis as the responsible fungus for skin lesion. The lesion was removed incidentally by a surgery procedure, and no recrudescence was seen during a follow-up of 24-month observation.     

氨基酸对白念珠菌形态学影响的研究

目的初步探讨单个氨基酸对白念珠菌形态学的影响。方法用0．67％的酵母氮源基础培养基和2％葡萄糖配制成SD合成培养基,37％恒温摇床培养,研究单个天然氨基酸对白念珠菌形态学的影响,并分别通过不添加碳源和厌氧条件下培养观察对精氨酸诱导的菌丝的影响。结果在含10mmol／L的L－精氨酸的SD液体培养基中,可见大量的菌丝。在含10mmol／L的L一半胱氨酸、L．苏氨酸、L－缬氨酸和L－色氨酸的sD液体培养基中,可见典型的酵母细胞,未见菌丝。在含10mmol／L的其他单个氨基酸的SD液体培养基中可见混合的酵母和菌丝结构。在不含氨基酸或含各种天然氨基酸的SD固体培养基上,白念珠菌的菌落均光滑。但在含10mmol／L的L-精氨酸固体培养基上,光滑的菌落周围可见小的突起,镜下可见菌丝。无氧条件下,无论有无碳源,含精氨酸的SD培养液中白念珠菌只能形成酵母细胞,生长部分受到抑制。结论精氨酸可以诱导白念珠菌菌丝形成,厌氧条件下精氨酸不能诱导白念珠菌菌丝形成。     

抗真菌药物敏感性试验方法的新进展

真菌感染,尤其是免疫低下患者机会性真菌感染发病率的不断上升使真菌病的治疗面临着严峻的挑战,各种新的抗真菌药物纷纷涌现。临床实践中,人们需要规范快速、易于应用的药敏试验来指导用药和判断预后,抗真菌药物敏感性试验在真菌感染的治疗中起着重要作用。