Interferon-c and interleukin-4 detected in serum and saliva from patients with oral lichen planus

Our previous salivary study had demonstrated an apparent T helper 2 （Th2）-predominance in saliva of oral lichen planus （OLP） patients and suggested a potential of salivary interleukin-4 （IL-4） as a biomarker for monitoring disease severity. To further determine the consistency of Th1/Th2 bias of OLP, this study investigated the expression profile of interferon-γ （IFN-γ） and IL-4 in serum and the relationship of the serum levels of these cytokines with their saliva partners. Sixty ethnic Chinese patients with OLP （40 of the erythematous/ulcerative form and 20 of the reticular form） were recruited for this study, with 40 age-sex-matched healthy volunteers as control group. IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in serum and paired saliva samples were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. OLP patient showed a low-level IFN-γ but high-level IL-4 expression profile in both serum and saliva, with a lower IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. Serum IL-4 level in the erythematous/ulcerative group was significantly higher than that in the reticular group. Serum levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were significantly and positively correlated with their saliva partners. These results provided more evidence for Th2 cytokine- predominant immune imbalance in OLP, as well as the potential of IL-4 as the biomarker for monitoring severity of OLP.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Oral Lichen Planus in an Ethnic Chinese Cohort of 232 Patients

Aim Oral lichen planush （OLP） is a chronic inflammatory disease, and has been reported to have a correlation with hepatitis Cvirus （HCV） infection in some regional investigations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of HCV in patients with oral lichen planus in an ethnic Chinese cohort. Methodology The antibody of HCV infection was detected by using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, the clinical characteristics of whole the cohort have also been studied, such as the gender, age, clinical type, habits and social factors. Results Of all 232 patients, the antibody of HCV infection was detected positive in 4 patients （1.72%） using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was lower than that in control group of 2.5%, but not significant （P=0.309）. The positive rate of HCV antibody in the erosive type ones （4.2%） was higher than that in the reticular type ones （1.0%）, but this difference was proved to be not significant （P=0.389）. The clinical characteristics of whole cohort, such as the gender, age, clinical type, habits and social factors, showed the outcome obtained in the present study were similar to thao of our previous study. Conclusion HCV may play no etiological role in oral lichen planus in ethnic Chinese OLP patients.

Histone methyltransferases and demethylases:regulators in balancing osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） are characterized by their self-renewing capacity and differentiation potential into multiple tissues. Thus, management of the differentiation capacities of MSCs is important for MSC-based regenerative medicine, such as craniofacial bone regeneration, and in new treatments for metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. In recent years, histone modification has been a growing topic in the field of MSC lineage specification, in which the Su（var）3-9, enhancer-of-zeste, trithorax （SET） domain-containing family and the Jumonji C （JmjC） domain-containing family represent the major histone lysine methyltransferases （KMTs） and histone lysine demethylases （KDMs）, respectively. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms by which SET domain-containine KMTs and JmiC domain-containinlz KDMs balance the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of MSCs.

The mucosal immune system in the oral cavity——an orchestra of T cell diversity

The mucosal immune system defends against a vast array of pathogens, yet it exhibits limited responses to commensal microorganisms under healthy conditions. The oral-pharyngeal cavity, the gateway for both the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, is composed of complex anatomical structures and is constantly challenged by antigens from air and food. The mucosal immune system of the oral-pharyngeal cavity must prevent pathogen entry while maintaining immune homeostasis, which is achieved via a range of mechanisms that are similar or different to those utilized by the gastrointestinal immune system. In this review, we summarize the features of the mucosal immune system,focusing on T cell subsets and their functions. We also discuss our current understanding of the oral-pharyngeal mucosal immune system.

Expression of p53, p21^(CIP1/WAF1) and eIF4E in the adjacent tissues of oral squamous cell carcinoma:establishing the molecular boundary and a cancer progression model

The present study evaluated the expression of key molecules and the status of DNA in both oral squamous cell carcinoma（OSCC） and adjacent tissues to establish a molecular surgical boundary and provide a cancer progression model. Biopsy samples from 50 OSCC patients were divided into T（cancer）, P1（0–0.5 cm）, P2（0.5–1 cm）, P3（1–1.5 cm） and P4（1.5–2 cm） groups based on the distances from the visible boundary of the primary focus. Twenty samples of normal mucosa were used as controls. We used immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry to evaluate p53, p21CIP1/WAF1, e IF4 E and Ki-67 expression and to determine DNA status, respectively. Sub-mucosal invasion was present in the P1 and P2 groups as determined by haematoxylin and eosin staining.Mutant p53 expression decreased gradually from cancerous to normal mucosae, whereas p21CIP1/WAF1 expression displayed an opposite trend. e IF4 E expression decreased from cancerous to normal mucosae. Ki-67 expression, the heteroploidy ratio, S-phase fraction and proliferative index decreased gradually with the distance from the tumour centre. Based on these results, we suggest that the resection boundary in OSCC surgery should be beyond 2 cm from the tumour. Additionally, the adjacent tissues of the primary focus could be used as a model for assessing cancer progression.

Functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets with unique three-inone properties for efficient and tunable antibacterial applications

Developing antibiotics-independent antibacterial agents is of great importance since antibiotic therapy faces great challenges from drug resistance.Graphene oxide(GO)is a promising agent due to its natural antibacterial mechanisms,such as sharp edgemediated cutting effect.However,the antibacterial activity of GO is limited by its negative charge and low photothermal effect.Herein,the amino-functionalized GO nanosheets(AGO)with unique three-in-one properties were synthesized.Three essential properties(positive charge,strong photothermal effect,and natural cutting effect)were integrated into AGO.The positive charge(30 mV)rendered AGO a strong interaction force with model pathogen Streptococcus mutans(330 nN).The natural cutting effect of 100 ng·mL^(-1)AGO caused 27%loss of bacterial viability after incubation for 30 min.Most importantly,upon the near-infrared irradiation for just 5 min,the three-in-one properties of AGO caused 98%viability loss.In conclusion,the short irradiation period and the tunable antibacterial activity confer the three-in-one AGO a great potential for clinical use.