Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors for hypertension

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily, which is composed of four members encoded by distinct genes(α, β, γ, and δ). The genes undergo transactivation or transrepression under specific mechanisms that lead to the induction or repression of target gene expression. As is the case with other nuclear receptors, all four PPAR isoforms contain five or six structural regions in four functional domains; namely, A/B, C, D, and E/F. PPARs have many functions, particularly functions involving control of vascular tone, inflammation, and energy homeostasis, and are, therefore, important targets for hypertension, obesity, obesity-induced inflammation, and metabolic syndrome in general. Hence, PPARs also represent drug targets, and PPARα and PPARγ agonists are used clinically in the treatment of dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, respectively. Because of their pleiotropic effects, they have been identified as active in a number of diseases and are targets for the development of a broad range of therapies for a variety of diseases. It is likely that the range of PPARγ agonist therapeutic actions will result in novel approaches to lifestyle and other diseases. The combination of PPARs with reagents or with other cardiovascular drugs, such as diuretics and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers, should be studied.This article provides a review of PPAR isoform characteristics, a discussion of progress in our understanding of the biological actions of PPARs, and a summary of PPAR agonist development for patient management. We also include a summary of the experimental and clinical evidence obtained from animal studies and clinical trials conducted to evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of PPAR agonists in the treatment of lifestyle-related diseases.

New insights into sodium transport regulation in the distal nephron:Role of G-protein coupled receptors

The renal handling of Na^+ balance is a major determinant of the blood pressure(BP) level. The inability of the kidney to excrete the daily load of Na+ represents the primary cause of chronic hypertension. Among the different segments that constitute the nephron, those present in the distal part(i.e., the cortical thick ascending limb, the distal convoluted tubule, the connecting and collecting tubules) play a central role in the fine-tuning of renal Na^+ excretion and are the target of many different regulatory processes that modulate Na^+ retention more or less efficiently. G-protein coupled receptors(GPCRs) are crucially involved in this regulation and could represent efficient pharmacological targets to control BP levels. In this review, we describe both classical and novel GPCR-dependent regulatory systems that have been shown to modulate renal Na^+ absorption in the distal nephron. In addition to the multiplicity of the GPCR that regulate Na^+ excretion, this review also highlights the complexity of these different pathways, and the connections between them.

Insulin receptors in the kidneys in health and disease

Insulin is an important hormone that affects various metabolic processes,including kidney function.Impairment in insulin's action leads to insulin resistance in the target tissue.Besides defects in post-receptor insulin signaling,impairment at the receptor level could significantly affect insulin sensitivity of the target tissue.The kidney is a known target of insulin;however,whether the kidney develops "insulin resistance" is debatable.Regulation of the insulin receptor(IR) expression and its function is very well studied in major metabolic tissues like liver,skeletal muscles,and adipose tissue.The physiological relevance of IRs in the kidney has recently begun to be clarified.The credit goes to studies that showed a wide distribution of IR throughout the nephron segments and their reduced expression in the insulin resistance state.Moreover,altered renal and systemic metabolism observed in mice with targeted deletion of the IR from various epithelial cells of the kidney has strengthened this proposition.In this review,we recapitulate the crucial findings from literature that have expanded our knowledge regarding the significance of the renal IR in normal-and insulin-resistance states.

Role of P2X_7 receptors in the development of diabetic retinopathy

The P2X7 receptor is one of the members of the family of purinoceptors which are ligand-gated membrane ion channels activated by extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate. A unique feature of the P2X7 receptor is that its activation can result in the formation of large plasma membrane pores that allow not only the flux of ions but also of hydrophilic molecules of up to 900 Da. Recent studies indicate that P2X7-mediated signaling can trigger apoptotic cell death after ischemia and during the course of certain neurodegenerative disorders. Expression of the P2X7 receptor has been demonstrated in most types of cells in the retina. This purinoceptor mediates the contraction of pericytes and regulates the spatial and temporal dynamics of the vasomotor response through cell-to-cell electrotonic transmission within the microvascular networks. Of potential clinical significance, investigators have found that diabetes markedly boosts the vulnerability of retinal microvessels to the lethal effect of P2X7 receptor activation. This purinergic vasotoxicity may result in reduced retinal blood flow and disrupted vascular function in the diabetic retina. With recent reports indicating an association between P2X7 receptor activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in the retina, this receptor may also exacerbate the development of diabetic retinopathy by a mechanism involving inflammation.

The interplay between non-esterified fatty acids and bovine peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: results of an in vitro hybrid approach

Background: In dairy cows circulating non-esterified fatty acids(NEFA) increase early post-partum while liver and other tissues undergo adaptation to greater lipid metabolism, mainly regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPAR). PPAR are activated by fatty acids(FA), but it remains to be demonstrated that circulating NEFA or dietary FA activate bovine PPAR. We hypothesized that circulating NEFA and dietary FA activate PPAR in dairy cows.Methods: The dose-response activation of PPAR by NEFA or dietary FA was assessed using HP300 e digital dispenser and luciferase reporter in several bovine cell types. Cells were treated with blood plasma isolated from Jersey cows before and after parturition, NEFA isolated from the blood plasma, FA released from lipoproteins using milk lipoprotein lipase(LPL), and palmitic acid(C16:0). Effect on each PPAR isotype was assessed using specific synthetic inhibitors.Results: NEFA isolated from blood serum activate PPAR linearly up to ~ 4-fold at 400 μmol/L in MAC-T cells but had cytotoxic effect. Addition of albumin to the culture media decreases cytotoxic effects of NEFA but also PPAR activation by ~ 2-fold. Treating cells with serum from peripartum cows reveals that much of the PPAR activation can be explained by the amount of NEFA in the serum(R~2 = 0.91) and that the response to serum NEFA follows a quadratic tendency, with peak activation around 1.4 mmol/L. Analysis of PPAR activation by serum in MAC-T, BFH-12 and BPAEC cells revealed that most of the activation is explained by the activity of PPARδ and PPARγ, but not PPARα. Palmitic acid activated PPAR when added in culture media or blood serum but the activation was limited to PPARδ and PPARα and the response was nil in serum from post-partum cows. The addition of LPL to the serum increased > 1.5-fold PPAR activation.Conclusion: Our results support dose-dependent activation of PPAR by circulating NEFA in bovine, specifically δand γ isotypes. Data also support the possibility of increasing PPAR activation by dietary FA;however, this nutrigenomics approach maybe only effective in pre-partum but not post-partum cows.

Comparative studies of D_2 receptors and brain perfusion inhemi-parkinsonism rats

The relationship between dopamine D2 receptors and brain perfusion in hemi-parkinsonism rats was studied. Hemi-parkinsonism rats were made by stereotaxic 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OH-DA) lesions in substantia nigra(SN) and ventral tegmental area(VTA), apomorphine (Apo) which could induced the successful model rat rotates toward the intact side was used to select the rats, 125I-IBZM ex-vivo autoradiography analysis and 99mTc-HM-PAO regional cerebral biodistribution were used to evaluate D2 receptors and cerebral blood flow. The HPLC-ECD were used to measure striatum DA and its metabolites content. The lesioned side striatum DA and its metabolites HVA DOPAC reduced significantly than that of the intact side and seudo-operated group, striatum/cerebellum 125I-IBZM uptake ratio was 8.04+-0.71 in lesioned side of hemi-parkinsonism rats, significantly increased compared with the intact side and the seudo-operated group(p <0.05), 30.11+-4.53% enhancement as compared to the intact side, and also show good correlation with 30 min Apo induced rotation numbers (r=0.98), the regional cerebral blood flow study didn’t show significant difference between bilateral brain cortex area(p >0.05). These results indicated that in the 6- OH-DA lesioned side DA content decreased significantly and an up-regulation of striatum D2 receptor binding sites was induced in hemi-parkinsonism rats, which showed good correlation with rotation behavior induced by Apo. Comparing with cerebral blood flow, D2 receptor reflected by IBZM seems to be more specific and earlier to detect the cerebral functional impairment in experimental bend-parkinsonism.

Effect of endothelin and endothelin A receptors on regional cerebral blood flow after traumatic brain injury in rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effect of endothelin and endothelin A receptors (ETAR) on regional cerebral blood flow after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: The changes of endothelin 1 (ET 1) content with radioimmunoassay, mRNA expression and the location of ETAR with in situ hybridization, and the function and effect of antagonist BQ123 on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) through intracisternal application were dynamically observed on 130 adult rabbits after TBI. Results: ET 1 increased significantly in regional brain tissues, and the expression of ETAR mRNA increased apparently and predominantly distributed in the cerebromicrovascular endothelium after trauma. The rCBF declined significantly, but by using selective ETAR antagonist BQ123 to treat the rabbits, the decrease of rCBF could be apparently prevented. Conclusions: It demonstrates that ET 1 may primarily contribute to the rCBF decrease after TBI, while providing that the role of ET 1 is mediated through ETAR.

NLRP3 inhibitor dopamine receptors agonist as a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of overactive immune responses in COVID-19

Patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)have high serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines.The"cytokine storm"has become one of the major causes of death for critically ill patients infected by COVID-19.Glucocorticoids,plasma from convalescent patients,blood purification,and tocilizumab are currently recommended for use when the body’s inflammatory response is overactivated.However,there are limitations in terms of medicinal effects,equipment reserves,and treatment expense.These challenges prompted us to assess classical agents with good safety and mature production technology.A recent study showed that nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-,leucine-rich repeat(LRR)-,and pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasomes drive COVID-19 pathology.We speculate that suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome-derived cytokine production may be beneficial in COVID-19-infected patients.Dopamine receptors are present in almost all immune cells and can modulate their activation,proliferation,and cytokine production of immune cells.Previous studies have shown that dopamine receptor agonists can control systemic inflammation through inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome.This suggests that dopamine receptor agonists may be a new strategy for the treatment of overactive immune responses in COVID-19 patients.This is worthy of further investigation in clinical practice.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists as a possible intervention to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes:A new horizon

Type 1 diabetes(T1D)is a chronic autoimmune condition that destroys insulinproducing beta cells in the pancreas,leading to insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia.The management of T1D primarily focuses on exogenous insulin replacement to control blood glucose levels.However,this approach does not address the underlying autoimmune process or prevent the progressive loss of beta cells.Recent research has explored the potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists(GLP-1RAs)as a novel intervention to modify the disease course and delay the onset of T1D.GLP-1RAs are medications initially developed for treating type 2 diabetes.They exert their effects by enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion,suppressing glucagon secretion,and slowing gastric emptying.Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs may also benefit the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with T1D.This article aims to highlight the potential of GLP-1RAs as an intervention to delay the onset of T1D,possibly through their potential immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and preservation of beta-cells.This article aims to explore the potential of shifting the paradigm of T1D management from reactive insulin replacement to proactive disease modification,which should open new avenues for preventing and treating T1D,improving the quality of life and long-term outcomes for individuals at risk of T1D.

Relationship between interleukin-1 type I and 2 receptor gene polymorphisms and the expression level of membrane-bound receptors

The biological activity of the multifunctional cytokine interleukin-1 （IL-1） is mediated by its receptors. The aim of this study was to determine if an association exists between single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in the IL-1 type I and 2 receptor genes （ILIR1 and ILIR2） and the expression level of membrane-bound ILIRs on subpopulations of mononuclear cells or serum levels of soluble IL-1 receptors. It was observed that healthy individuals with the genotype TT in SNP rs2234650.C〉T had a lower percentage of intact CD14＋ monocytes expressing ILIR1 on their surface. The SNP rs4141134-T〉C in ILIR2 has also been associated with the percentage of intact CD3＋ T cells expressing ILIR2. Furthermore, individuals carrying the CC allele of SNP rs4141134.T〉C and the TT allele of SNP rs2071008-T〉G in ILIR2 had a lower density of ILIR2s on the surface of CD14＋ monocytes in lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-stimulated PBMC cultures. In summary, this study demonstrated that IL-1 receptor gene polymorphisms could be one of the factors influencing the expression of membrane-bound IL-1 receptors （ILIR） on immunocompetent cells.

Study of a Quantitative Fluorescence Method for Interleukin 2 Receptor of Mononuclear Cell in Normal Human Peripheral Blood

A quantitative method using fluorescence spectro-photometer to detect theinterleukin 2 reocptor （IL 2R） on the surface of mononuclear cells in normal humanperipheral blood is described. For expression of IL 2R, the optimum conoentration of PHA andCon A were 100 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml respectively. The PHA induced effect on mononuclear cellswas better than Con A induced one. The peak value of IL 2R cxpression was at the 24th h afterstimulation The optimum dilution of the first antibody （anti-Tac） was 1: 50, while the dilution ofthe second antibody（fluorescein conjugated rabbit anti-mousc IgG） was 1: 32 Their optimumincubation period was 20 and 10 min repectively. The concentration of fluorcscein-conjugatedantibody per 1×106 mononuclear cells from the same normal human peripheral blood was5.22±0.45×10-10 mol, and the coefficient of variation was 8. 6%. The concentration offluorescein-conjugated antibody per 1×106PBMC from five healthy individuals was 4. 8±0. 97×10-10 mol Therefore this assay system is stable and quite reproducible.

Synergistic effect of interleukin-10-receptor variants in a case of early-onset ulcerative colitis

AIM: To investigated the molecular cause of very early-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) in an 18-mo-old affected child.

Soluble Interleukin 2 Receptor-Alpha (sIL-2Rα) in the Peripheral Blood of Dogs—Comparison of Malignant Neoplasia with Other Diseases

Background: Cytokines are mediators of diseases. Expression levels in the blood could be of clinical relevance. Objective: sIL-2Rα is used as a marker for different malignancies in human medicine. The aim of this study was to show if sIL-2Rα is detectable and if there is any correlation to different diseases in dogs. Methods: For this purposes sIL-2Rα concentrations in the blood were measured in healthy dogs, in dogs with different non-neoplastic diseases and benign tumors and in dogs with malignant tumors. Serum levels of sIL-2Rα were measured by using a human specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Measurement of sIL-2Rα was successful in most of the samples. Dogs with diseases have significantly increased serum levels of sIL-2Rα compared to healthy controls. sIL-2Rα serum levels are higher in patients with non-neoplastic diseases and benign tumors than in those with malignant neoplasia. There is a strong correlation between sIL-2Rα and leukocyte count. Conclusion: Measurements of sIL-2Rα in serum may be helpful in detecting stages and grades of inflammation in the progression of disease. sIL-2Rα could actually not be used as an indicator for malignant diseases in dogs like in humans. The strong correlation between sIL-2Rα and the leukocyte count indicates the inflammatory response to the disease. This could be helpful in giving a prognosis in some cases, because the inflammatory reaction is of prognostic relevance in different diseases including malignant and non-malignant neoplasia. Although the results of our research studies were very promising, further studies should be performed with a canine ELISA.

Analysis of fibronectin, fibronectin receptor and interleukin 1 in patients with cirrhosis treated by Yanggan Jieyu decoction

AIM To investigate the adjusting effects of the Yanggan Jieyu (YGJY, nourishing the liver and alleviate mental depression) decoction on the plasma concentration of fibronectin (FN), fibronectin receptor (FNR), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) and the activity of interleukin 1 (IL 1) in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Thirty four cases of cirrhosis (in decompensation) were divided into YGJY decotion treated group and control group treated by routine method. FN, FNR and TNF α were measured with ELESA and expressed as mg/L (FN, FNR) and ng/L (TNF α), and IL 1 was measured by mice thymocyte proliferation using β scintillation counter and expressed as cpm. RESULTS In YGJY decoction treated group, before treatment, FN was 247 9±97 2, FNR 5 6±2 7, TNF α 83 9±7 1 and IL 1 was 2760 8±813 6, and after treatment. FN was 298 3±93 2 ( P <0 01), FNR 4 3±2 3 ( P <0 05, TNF α 93 6±12 0 ( P <0 05) and IL 1 was 1922 3±847 0 ( P <0 05). The FN and TNF α plasma level after treatment increased remarkably, while FNR and IL 1 decreased obviously. In the control group before treatment, FN was 248 8±101 9, FNR 5 5±1 9, TNF α 126 1±48 1 and IL 1 was 2540 6±603 2, and after treatment was 241 6±77 1 ( P >0 05), FNR 5 4±1 2 ( P >0 05), TNF α 100 6±15 5 ( P >0 05) and IL 1 was 2360 6±860 0 ( P >0 05), the plasma levels of FN, TNF α, FNR and IL 1 did not change signifiantly. CONCLUSION YGJY decoction could prevent the process of the hepatic fibrosis by readjusting the plasma levels of FN, FNR, TNF α and IL 1 mediating acivities in cirrhosis, which is of clinical significance.

Expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4^＋ T cells in CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model, selectively induced by IL-4 and IL-10, regulates the embryo resorption rate

Background Chemokines and their receptors have been a research focus in transplantation immunology. Chemokines and their receptors play a role in lymphocyte recruitment and differentiation process. This study aimed to observe whether IL-4 and IL-10 may regulate the expression of chemokine receptors CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4^＋ T cells in CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model and to explore the role of CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3 in immune tolerance in pregnancy. Methods The mouse model of spontaneous abortion （CBA/J×DBA/2） and the normal pregnant mouse model （CBA/J×BALB/c） were used. CBA/J×DBA/2 mice were injected with IL-4 （CBA/J×DBA/2-IL-4）, IL-4 and IL-10 （CBA/J×DBA/2-IL-4＋IL-10）, or normal saline （CBA/J×DBA/2-NS） as a control. The expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4^＋ T cells from mouse peripheral blood was measured by the double-labelled FCM method, and the embryo resorption rate was also examined. Results The embryo resorption rate in the CBA/J×DBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly higher than that in the CBA/J×BALB/c group （17.9% vs 3.7%, P 〈0.01）. The embryo resorption rate in the CBA/J×DBA/2 group immunized with IL-4 or IL-4 together with IL-10 was significantly decreased, compared with that in the control and NS groups respectively. CCR3 expression on CD4^＋ T cells in the CBA/J×DBA/2 group without any treatment was significantly lower than that in the CBA/J×BALB/c group （0.3738±0.3575 vs 1.2190±0.2772, P 〈0.01）; both CCR5 （3.0900±1.5603 vs 1.2390±0.6361, P〈0.01） and CXCR3 （2.4715±0.9074 vs 0.9200±0.5585, P 〈0.01） expressions on CD4^＋ T cells of the CBA/J×DBA/2 group without any treatment were significantly higher than those of the CBA/J×BALB/c group. Significant up-regulation of CCR3 and down-regulation of CXCR3 were found in the CBA/J×DBA/2 group treated with IL-4 （CCR3： 2.0360±0.6944, CXCR3： 1.3510±0.5263, P〈0.01） or IL-4 and IL-10 （CCR3： 1.8160±1.0947, CXCR3：1.0940±0.7168, P〈0.01）. Because of the CCR5, IL-4 and IL-10 （1.9400±0.8504 vs 3.0900±1.5603, P 〈0.05）, but IL-4 alone （2.5310±1.3595 vs 3.0900±1.5603, P 〉0.05） treatment significantly decreased the expression of CCR5 in CBA/J×DBA/2. Conclusions The abnormal expression of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 on CD4^＋ T cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous abortion. The pregnancy immune tolerance may be induced through selective induction of CCR3, CCR5 and CXCR3 expressions by IL-4 together with IL-10.

Up-regulation of P2X7 Receptors Contributes to Spinal Microglial Activation and the Development of Pain Induced by BmK-I

Previous work has demonstrated that the sensitization of spinal neurons and microglia is important in the development of pain behaviors induced by BmK I,a Na^+ channel activator and a major peptide component of the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch(BmK).We found that the expression of P2X7 receptors(P2X7Rs)was up-regulated in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn after BmK I injection in rats.P2X7R was selectively localized in microglia but not astrocytes or neurons.Similarly,interleukin 1β(IL-1β)was selectively up-regulated in microglia in the spinal dorsal horn after BmK I injection.Intrathecal injection of P2X7R antagonists largely reduced BmK I-induced spontaneous and evoked pain behaviors,and the up-regulation of P2X7R and IL-1β in the spinal cord.These data suggested that the up-regulation of P2X7Rs mediates microglial activation in the spinal dorsal horn,and therefore contributes to the development of BmK I-induced pain.

Expression of Toll-like Receptor 9 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Different Hepatitis B and C Viral Loads

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of toll-like receptors （TLR） 9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） of patients with chronic hepatitis B and C with different virus copies. The study group included 90 patients （60 with chronic hepatitis B, and 30 with chronic hepatitis C）, and 20 healthy people served as control group. The protein and mRNA levels of TLR9 were detected by using flow cytometry and real-time PCR. The serum viral copies of HBV and HCV were measured in all patients, and the correlation between HBV-DNA copies or HCV-RNA copies and the TLR9 expression was analyzed. Our results demonstrated that HBV or HCV infection led to a decreased expression of TLR9 mRNA and protein compared to the control group （P〈0.05）. The TLR9 protein and mRNA levels were negatively correlated with serum viral copies of HBV and HCV （r=-0.632, r=-0.909, P〈0.01）. It was concluded that TLR9 mRNA and protein are down-regulated in PBMC of HBV-infected or HCV-infected patients, and they are negatively correlated with serum viral copies and play an important role in detecting viral replication of HBV and HCV.

Interleukin and interleukin receptor gene polymorphisms in inflammatory bowel diseases susceptibility

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn&#x02019;s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), represents a group of chronic inflammatory disorders caused by dysregulated immune responses in genetically predisposed individuals. Genetic markers are associated with disease phenotype and long-term evolution, but their value in everyday clinical practice is limited at the moment. IBD has a clear immunological background and interleukins play key role in the process. Almost 130 original papers were revised including meta-analysis. It is clear these data are very important for understanding the base of the disease, especially in terms of clinical utility and validity, but text often do not available for the doctors use these in the clinical practice nowadays. We conducted a systematic review of the current literature on interleukin and interleukin receptor gene polymorphisms associated with IBD, performing an electronic search of PubMed Database from publications of the last 10 years, and used the following medical subject heading terms and/or text words: IBD, CD, UC, interleukins and polymorphisms.

Replication of interleukin 23 receptor and autophagy-related 16-like 1 association in adult-and pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease in Italy

AIM: To investigate gene variants in a large Italian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort, and to analyze the correlation of sub-phenotypes (including age at diagnosis) and epistatic interaction with other IBD genes. METHODS: Total of 763 patients with Crohn's disease (CD, 189 diagnosed at age < 19 years), 843 with ulcerative colitis (UC, 179 diagnosed <19 years), 749 healthy controls, and 546 healthy parents (273 trios) were included in the study. The rs2241880 [autophagy-related 16-like 1 (ATG16L1)], rs11209026 and rs7517847 [interleukin 23 receptor (IL23R)], rs2066844, rs2066845, rs2066847 (CARD15), rs1050152 (OCTN1), and rs2631367 (OCTN2) gene variants were genotyped. RESULTS: The frequency of G allele of ATG16L1 SNP (Ala197Thr) was increased in patients with CD compared with controls (59% vs 54% respectively) (OR = 1.25, CI = 1.08-1.45, P = 0.003), but not in UC (55%). The frequency of A and G (minor) alleles of Arg381Gln, rs11209026 and rs7517847 variants of IL23R were reduced significantly in CD (4%, OR = 0.62, CI = 0.45-0.87, P = 0.005; 28%, OR = 0.64, CI = 0.55-0.75, P < 0.01), compared with controls (6% and 38%, respectively). The A allele (but not G) was also reduced signifi cantly in UC (4%, OR = 0.69, CI = 0.5-0.94, P = 0.019). No association was demonstrated with sub-phenotypes and interaction with CARD15 , and OCTN1/2 genes, although both gene variants were associated with pediatric-onset disease. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms the association of IL23R polymorphisms with IBD, and ATG16L1 with CD, in both adult- and pediatric-onset subsets in our study population.

Innate immune responses regulate morphogenesis and degeneration:roles of Toll-like receptors and Sarm1 in neurons

The central nervous system is recognized as an immunoprivileged site because peripheral immune cells do not typically enter it. Microglial cells are thought to be the main immune cells in brain. However, recent reports have indicated that neurons express the key players of innate immunity, including Toll-like receptors （TLRs） and their adaptor proteins （Sarml, Myd88, and Trif）, and may produce cytokines in response to pathogen infection. In the absence of an immune challenge, neuronal TLRs can detect intrinsic danger signals and modulate neuronal morphology and function. In this article, we review the recent findings on the involvement of TLRs and Sarml in controlling neuronal morphogenesis and neurodegeneration. Abnormal behaviors in TLR- and Sarml-deficient mice are also discussed.