Rapamycin ameliorates experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by inhibiting Th1/Th2/Th17 cells and upregulating CD4+CD25+ Foxp3 regulatory T cells

· AIM: To determine the effects of rapamycin on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis(EAU) and investigate of role of rapamycin on T cell subsets in the disease.·METHODS: EAU was induced in rats using peptides1169 to 1191 of the interphotoreceptor binding protein(IRBP). Rapamycin(0.2 mg/kg/d) was administrated by intraperitoneal injection for a consecutive 7d after immunization. Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines, TGF-β1, and IL-6produced by lymphocyteswere measured by ELISA, while Th17 cells and CD4 +CD25 + regulatory T cells(Tregs)from rat spleen were detected by flow cytometry.·RESULTS: Intraperitoneal treatment immediately after immunization dramatically ameliorated the clinical course of EAU. Clinical responses were associated with reduced retinal inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue destruction. Rapamycin induced suppression of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10 release from T lymphocytes of EAU rats, in vitro.Rapamycin also significantly increased TGF-β1production but had no effect on IL-6 productionof T lymphocytes from EAU rats in vitro. Furthermore,rapamycin decreased the ratio of Th17 cells/CD4 +T cells and upregulated Tregs in EAU, as detected by flow cytometry.·CONCLUSION: Rapamycin effectively interferes with T cell mediated autoimmune uveitis by inhibiting antigen-specific T cell functions and enhancing Tregs in EAU.Rapamycin is a promising new alternative as an adjunct corticosteroid-sparing agent for treating uveitis.

Silencing of <i>ERK2</i>with Small Interference RNA Regulates the Expression of CXCL1 in Th17 Cell

Patients with steroid-resistant asthma had their monocyte-derived TH17 cells collected. The expression levels of ERK2 in the TH17 were silenced and inhibited using ERK2 specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). By screening of CXCL1 and IL-17A in the TH17 culture supernatant, the expression levels of ERK2 and CXCL1 were determined. Using targeted siRNA to inhibit ERK2, the expression of ERK2 in the TH17 was reduced. Furthermore, inhibiting ERK2 hindered CXCL1 expression and decreased CXCL1 and IL-17A production. These findings suggest that ERK2 is involved in the synthesis of CXCL1 and IL-17A, two proteins that play a key role in the pathogenesis of hormone-resistant asthma.

Th17 Cells and Tregs in HTLV-1 Infection

HTLV-1(human T-lymphotropic virus type 1)causes chronic infection ofhuman T lymphocytes.HTLV-1 infection is known to be related to multiple diseases,including neoplastic growth of HTLV-1-infected T cells(ATL)and neoplastic inflammatory conditions,such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis(HAM/TSP),Sjogren's syndrome with arthritis,polymyositis uveitis,and bronchoalveolitis.Regulatory T cells(Tregs)regulate inflammatory cells,such as Th17 cells.The purpose of this study was to evaluate Tregs and Th17 cells,as well as the expression of related transcription factors(ROR-γ1 and FOXP3)and cytokines(IL-10,TGF-β,IL-6,and IL-17A)in HTLV-1 infection.

Potential role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease

The etiopathology of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)remains elusive.Accumulating evidence suggests that the abnormality of innate and adaptive immunity responses plays an important role in intestinal inflammation.IBD including Crohn's disease(CD)and ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract,which is implicated in an inappropriate and overactive mucosal immune response to luminalflora.Traditionally,CD is regarded as a Th1-mediated inflammatory disorder while UC is regarded as a Th2-like disease.Recently,Th17 cells were identif ied as a new subset of T helper cells unrelated to Th1 or Th2 cells,and several cytokines [e.g.interleukin(IL)-21,IL-23] are involved in regulating their activation and differentiation.They not only play an important role in host defense against extracellular pathogens,but are also associated with the development of autoimmunity and inflammatory response such as IBD.The identif ication of Th17 cells helps us to explain some of the anomalies seen in the Th1/Th2 axis and has broadened our understanding of the immunopathological effects of Th17 cells in the development of IBD.

Restoring the Treg cell to Th17 cell ratio may alleviate HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

AIM: To investigate the role of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Treg) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).METHODS: We enrolled 79 patients with HBV infection into the study, 50 patients with HBV-related ACLF and 29 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), from the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College from January 2009 to June 2012. The ACLF patients were diagnosed according to the criteria recommended by The 19th Conference of the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver in 2009. Twenty healthy individuals with a similar gender and age structures to the two patient groups were also included as the normal controls (NC). Of the 50 ACLF patients, 28 were subsequently classified as non-survivors: 19 patients died from multiorgan failure, 3 underwent liver transplantation, and 6 discontinued therapy during follow-up because of financial reasons. The remaining 22 ACLF patients whose liver and anticoagulation function recovered to nearly normal levels within the next 6 mo were classified as survivors. The number of circulating Treg and Th17 cells was determined upon diagnosis and during the 8th week of follow-up through flow cytometry. RESULTS: The percentage of circulating Treg cells in the ACLF group was significantly higher than that in the CHB group (5.50% ± 1.15% vs 3.30% ± 1.13%, P < 0.01). The percentages of circulating Th17 cells in the ACLF and the CHB groups were significantly higher than that in the NC group (6.32% ± 2.22% vs 1.56% ± 0.44%, P < 0.01; 3.53% ± 1.65% vs 1.56% ± 0.44%, P < 0.01). No significant difference in Treg cell to Th17 cell ratio was observed between the ACLF group and the CHB group (0.98 ± 0.44 vs 1.12 ± 0.64, P = 0.991), whereas those in the two HBV infection groups were significantly lower than that in the NC group (1.85 ± 1.22; both P < 0.01). The percentage of Treg cells in the survivors during the 8th week of follow-up was significantly lower than that during peak ACLF severity [total bilirubin (TBIL) peak] (3.45% ± 0.97% vs 5.18% ± 1.02%, P < 0.01). The percentage of Th17 cells in survivors during the 8th week of follow-up was significantly lower than that during the peak TBIL (2.89% ±0.60% vs 5.24% ± 1.46%; P < 0.01). The Treg cell to Th17 cell ratio during the 8 th week of follow-up was significantly higher than that during the TBIL peak (1.22 ± 0.36 vs 1.10 ± 0.54; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Restoring the Treg cell to Th17 cell ratio during the follow-up phase of ACLF could maintain the immune system at a steady state, which favours good prognosis.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii supernatant ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis by regulating Th17 cell differentiation

AIM: To explore the preventive and therapeutic effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii(F. prausnitzii) supernatant on dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) induced colitis in mice.METHODS: Forty C57BL/6J male mice were randomlydivided into four groups: control group, model group, treatment group, and prevention group. Mice were weighed daily. On day 10, the colon length was measured, the colorectal histopathologic damage score(HDS) was assessed, and plasma interleukin(IL)-17 A, IL-6, and IL-4 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt(RORγt) and IL-17 A in colon inflammatory mucosa tissue were determined by immunohistochemical assay, and the expression levels of RORγt m RNA, IL-17 A m RNA, and IL-6 m RNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The proportion of Th17 in mononuclear cells in spleen was assayed by fluorescence activated cell sorter. RESULTS: When compared with the model group, the colon length(P < 0.05) and body weight(P < 0.01) in the treatment and prevention groups were significantly increased, and the colon HDS was decreased(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference between the treatment group and prevention group. After treatment with F. prausnitzii supernatant, the plasma levels of IL-17 A and IL-6(P < 0.05), the protein and m RNA expression of IL-17 A and RORγt, and the Th17 cell ratio of spleen cells(P < 0.01) were significantly decreased compared to the model group. Plasma IL-4 level in the prevention group was significantly higher than that in the model group(P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between these two groups in the expression of IL-6 in both the plasma and colon mucosa tissues.CONCLUSION: F. prausnitzii supernatant exerts protective and therapeutic effects on DSS-induced colitis in mice, probably via inhibition of Th17 differentiation and IL- 17A secretion in the plasma and colon mucosa tissues. It can also improve colitis in mice by downregulating IL-6 and prevent colitis by upregulating IL-4.

Correlation between circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer

AIM: To perform a comprehensive investigation into the potential correlation between circulating myeloidderived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer (ECA). METHODS: A total of 31 patients newly diagnosed with ECA and 26 healthy subjects were included in the current study. The frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of cytokines, arginase 1 (Arg1) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma Arg1 were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: There was an increased prevalence of MDSCs in the peripheral blood from ECA patients (15.21% ± 2.25%) when compared with healthy control (HC) (1.10% ± 0.12%, P < 0.0001). The plasma levels of Arg1 in ECA patients were significantly higher than those in HC (28.28 ± 4.10 ng/mL vs 9.57 ± 1.51 ng/ mL, P=0.0003). iNOS mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of ECA patients also showed a threefold increase compared with HC (P=0.0162). The frequencies of Th17 cells (CD4 + IL-17A + ) were significantly elevated in ECA patients versus HC (3.50% ± 0.33% vs 1.82% ± 0.19%, P=0.0001). Increased mRNA expression of IL-17 and ROR-γt was also observed in ECA patients compared with HC (P=0.0041 and P=0.0004, respectively), while the mRNA expression of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) showed significant decreases (P=0.0049 and P < 0.0001, respectively). No obvious correlations were found between the frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood from ECA patients(r=-0.1725, P=0.3534). Arg1 mRNA levels were positively correlated with levels of IL-6 (r=0.6404, P=0.0031) and TNF-α (r=0.7646, P=0.0001). Similarly, iNOS mRNA levels were also positively correlated with levels of IL-6 (r=0.6782, P=0.0007) and TNF-α (r=0.7633, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the relationship between circulating MDSCs and Th17 cells, which may lead to new immunotherapy approaches for ECA based on the associated metabolites and cytokines.

Treg/Th17 cell balance and phytohaemagglutinin activation of T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis patients

AIM To investigate T-cell activation, the percentage of peripheral T regulatory cells(Tregs), Th17 cells and the circulating cytokine profile in systemic sclerosis(SSc).METHODS We enrolled a total of 24 SSc patients and 16 healthy controls in the study and divided the patients as having diffuse cutaneous SSc(dc SSc, n = 13) or limited cutaneous SSc(lc SSc, n = 11). We performed a further subdivision of the patients regarding the stage of the disease-early, intermediate or late. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from all subjects. We performed flow cytometric analysis of the activationcapacity of T-lymphocytes upon stimulation with PHA-M and of the percentage of peripheral Tregs and Th17 cells in both patients and healthy controls. We used ELISA to quantitate serum levels of human interleukin(IL)-6, IL-10, tissue growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), and IL-17 A.RESULTS We identified a decreased percentage of CD3+CD69+ cells in PHA-stimulated samples from SSc patients in comparison with healthy controls(13.35% ± 2.90% vs 37.03% ± 2.33%, P < 0.001). However, we did not establish a correlation between the down-regulated CD3+CD69+ cells and the clinical subset, nor regarding the stage of the disease. The activated CD4+CD25+ peripheral lymphocytes were represented in decreased percentage in patients when compared to controls(6.30% ± 0.68% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.016). Regarding the forms of the disease, dc SSc patients demonstrated lower frequency of CD4+CD25+ T cells against healthy subjects(5.95% ± 0.89% vs 9.36% ± 1.08%, P = 0.025). With regard to Th17 cells, our patients demonstrated increased percentage in comparison with controls(18.13% ± 1.55% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.031). We detected up-regulated Th17 cells within the lc SSc subset against controls(20.46% ± 2.41% vs 13.73% ± 1.21%, P = 0.025), nevertheless no difference was found between dc SSc and lc SSc patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed an increased percentage of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ in dc SSc patients compared to controls(10.94% ± 1.65% vs 6.88% ± 0.91, P = 0.032). Regarding the peripheral cytokine profile, we detected raised levels of IL-6 [2.10(1.05-4.60) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001], TGF-β1(19.94 ± 3.35 ng/m L vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/m L, P = 0.02), IL-10(2.83 ± 0.44 pg/m L vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/m L, P = 0.008), and IL-17 A [6.30(2.50-15.60) pg/m L vs 0(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001] in patients when compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, we found increased circulating IL-10, TGF-β, IL-6 and IL-17 A in the lc SSc subset vs control subjects, as it follows: IL-10(3.32 ± 0.59 pg/m L vs 0.68 ± 0.51 pg/m L, P = 0.003), TGF-β1(22.82 ± 4.99 ng/m L vs 10.03 ± 2.25 ng/m L, P = 0.031), IL-6 [2.08(1.51-4.69) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001], and IL-17 A [14.50(8.55-41.65) pg/m L vs 0.00(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001]. Furthermore, circulating IL-17 A was higher in lc SSc as opposed to dc SSc subset(31.99 ± 13.29 pg/m L vs 7.14 ± 3.01 pg/m L, P = 0.008). Within the dc SSc subset, raised levels of IL-17 A and IL-6 were detected vs healthy controls: IL-17 A [2.60(0.45-9.80) pg/m L vs 0.00(0.00-0.05) pg/m L, P < 0.001], IL-6 [2.80(1.03-7.23) pg/m L vs 0.00 pg/m L, P < 0.001]. Regarding the stages of the disease, TGF-β1 serum levels were increased in early stage against late stage, independently from the SSc phenotype(30.03 ± 4.59 ng/m L vs 13.08 ± 4.50 ng/m L, P = 0.017).CONCLUSION It is likely that the altered percentage of Th17 and CD4+CD25-Fox P3+ cells along with the peripheral cytokine profile in patients with SSc may play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Higher Viral Load and Prolonged Viral Shedding Period is Associated with Impaired Th17 Cell Response in Patients with H1N1 Influenza A

Objective To explore whether age,disease severity,cytokines and lymphocytes in H1N1 influenza A patients correlate with viral load and clearance.Methods Total of 70 mild and 16 severe patients infected with H1N1 influenza A virus were enrolled in this study.Results It was found that the patients under 14 years old and severe patients displayed significantly higher viral loads and prolonged viral shedding periods compared with the patients over 14 years old and mild patients,respectively(P < 0.05).Moreover,the patients under 14 years old and severe patients displayed significantly lower Th17 cell frequency than the patients over 14 years old and mild patients(P < 0.01).The viral shedding period inversely correlated with the frequency of IL-17+IFN-γ-CD4+ T cells.Additionally,the decreased concentration of serum TGF-β correlated with the decreased frequency of IL-17+IFN-γ-CD4+ T cells.Conclusions Both younger and severe patients are associated with higher viral loads and longer viral shedding periods,which may partially be attributed to the impaired Th17 cell response.

The Expression of IL-27, Th17 Cells and Treg Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Objective: To explore the expression of IL-27, Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) as well as its associated cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Method: From March 2012 to May, the peripheral blood of 24 cases of AR patients (AR group) and 16 cases of healthy volunteers (control group) was collected, and the percentage of Th17 cells and Treg cells in the peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry (FCM);the levels of IL-27, IL-17 and IL-10 in serum was detected by ELISA. Result: The percentage of Th17 cells in AR group and the control group was 1.76% ± 0.60% and 0.59% ± 0.17%, respectively. It was higher in AR group than in control group, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: In the peripheral blood of AR patients there was a reduction of IL-27 level and imbalance of Th17/Treg cell function. IL-27 on Th17/Treg cells adjustment may play an important role on the pathogenesis of the AR.

Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Alleviates Acute Pancreatitis by Regulating Th17 Cell Differentiation: An Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Validation

Objective: To identify the core targets of Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.,(Dahuang-Danshen, DH-DS) and the mechanism underlying its therapeutic efficacy in acute pancreatitis(AP)using a network pharmacology approach and validate the findings in animal experiments. Methods: Network pharmacology analysis was used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DH-DS in AP. The reliability of the results was verified by molecular docking simulation and molecular dynamics simulation.Finally, the results of network pharmacology enrichment analysis were verified by immunohistochemistry,Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Results: Sixty-seven common targets of DH-DS in AP were identified and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3), Janus kinase 2(JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), protein c-Fos(FOS) were identified as core targets in the protein interaction(PPI) network analysis. Gene ontology analysis showed that cellular response to organic substance was the main functions of DH-DS in AP, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the main pathway included Th17 cell differentiation. Molecular docking simulation confirmed that DH-DS binds with strong affinity to MAPK3, STAT3 and FOS. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that FOS-isotanshinone Ⅱ and STAT3-dan-shexinkum d had good binding capacity. Animal experiments indicated that compared with the AP model group, DH-DS treatment effectively alleviated AP by inhibiting the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and blocking the activation of Th17 cell differentiation(P<0.01). Conclusion: DH-DS could inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and protect pancreatic tissues,which would be functioned by regulating Th17 cell differentiation-related m RNA and protein expressions.

Intricacies of TGF-βsignaling in Treg and Th17 cell biology

Balanced immunity is pivotal for health and homeostasis.CD4+helper T(Th)cells are central to the balance between immune tolerance and immune rejection.Th cells adopt distinct functions to maintain tolerance and clear pathogens.Dysregulation of Th cell function often leads to maladies,including autoimmunity,inflammatory disease,cancer,and infection.Regulatory T(Treg)and Th17 cells are critical Th cell types involved in immune tolerance,homeostasis,pathogenicity,and pathogen clearance.It is therefore critical to understand how Treg and Th17 cells are regulated in health and disease.Cytokines are instrumental in directing Treg and Th17 cell function.The evolutionarily conserved TGF-β(transforming growth factor-β)cytokine superfamily is of particular interest because it is central to the biology of both Treg cells that are predominantly immunosuppressive and Th17 cells that can be proinflammatory,pathogenic,and immune regulatory.How TGF-βsuperfamily members and their intricate signaling pathways regulate Treg and Th17 cell function is a question that has been intensely investigated for two decades.Here,we introduce the fundamental biology of TGF-βsuperfamily signaling,Treg cells,and Th17 cells and discuss in detail how the TGF-βsuperfamily contributes to Treg and Th17 cell biology through complex yet ordered and cooperative signaling networks.

芍药苷对慢性支气管炎模型大鼠Th17及Treg细胞亚群的影响

目的:探究芍药苷对慢性支气管炎(CB)大鼠Th17、Treg细胞亚群、肺功能的影响以及药理作用。方法:将SD大鼠采用复合诱导法建立CB模型,随机分成CB组(生理盐水)、低剂量芍药苷组(50 mg/kg)、中剂量芍药苷组(100 mg/kg)、高剂量芍药苷组(200 mg/kg)和核酪组(阳性对照,核酪口服液),10只;另设对照组(生理盐水)10只,造模后按照分组灌胃2 ml/100 g相应药物。给药完成后,观察大鼠一般情况并进行肺功能及血气分析;HE染色观察肺组织形态;流式细胞仪检测大鼠肺组织CD4^(+)T、CD8^(+)T、Th17(CD4^(+)IL-17^(+)T)、Treg(CD4^(+)CD25^(+)FOXP3^(+)T)细胞;ELISA法检测肺组织中IL-10、IL-22、IL-17水平。结果:CB组大鼠活动迟缓,毛色暗淡,身体卷缩,伴咳嗽、鼻腔潮湿,肺组织可见淋巴细胞浸润、支气管壁变形、黏膜阻塞等病变;芍药苷各组及核酪组上述症状及损伤不同程度缓解,高剂量组最轻。与对照组比较,CB组气道阻力、动脉血二氧化碳分压(Pa‐CO_(2))、IL-17、IL-22水平及CD4^(+)T、CD8^(+)T、Th17细胞、Th17/Treg、CD4^(+)T/CD8^(+)T均升高,动脉血氧分压(PaO_(2))、IL-10水平及Treg细胞均降低(P均<0.05);与CB组比较,低、中、高剂量芍药苷组气道阻力、PaCO_(2)、IL-17、IL-22水平及CD4^(+)T、CD8^(+)T、Th17细胞、Th17/Treg、CD4^(+)T/CD8^(+)T水平依次降低,PaO_(2)、IL-10水平及Treg细胞依次升高(P均<0.05);中剂量芍药苷组气道阻力等以上指标与核酪组相比差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论:芍药苷可调节T淋巴细胞活化,减少Th17细胞分化,增加Treg细胞分化,减轻CB大鼠炎症水平及肺损伤。

寿胎丸加减治疗复发性流产的疗效及对患者凝血功能、Th17细胞相关因子的影响

目的:探究寿胎丸加减治疗复发性流产的疗效及其对患者凝血功能、辅助T淋巴细胞17(Th17)细胞相关因子的影响。方法:对2021年3月—2022年3月石家庄市第六医院收治的120例复发性流产患者相关资料予以回顾性分析,按治疗方式将患者分为对照组与研究组,对照组57例接受黄体酮治疗,研究组63例在对照组基础上加用寿胎丸加减治疗。比较两组临床疗效,治疗前后中医证候积分、凝血功能、Th17与调节性T细胞(Treg)水平、Th17/Treg细胞相关因子,以及不良反应发生率。结果:研究组患者临床总有效率90.48%高于对照组75.44%(P<0.05);两组患者治疗后中医证候积分、凝血功能、Th17与Treg水平、Th17/Treg细胞相关因子均明显改善(P<0.01),研究组患者治疗后中医证候积分均明显低于对照组(P<0.01),研究组患者治疗后中医证候积分、凝血功能、Th17与Treg水平、Th17/Treg细胞相关因子等改善均优于对照组(P<0.01);研究组患者治疗期间不良反应发生率7.94%低于对照组12.28%,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:应用寿胎丸加减治疗复发性流产疗效显著,有助于减轻患者凝血功能障碍,纠正患者Th17细胞相关因子水平异常,临床应用效果良好。

基于正邪理论探讨Th17/Treg细胞在慢性心衰中的作用

慢性心力衰竭是多种心血管疾病的终末期阶段,心肌损伤后,免疫介导的Th17、Treg细胞在心衰的发病机制具有关键作用,通过分泌炎症因子,导致心肌纤维化、心室重塑。中医正邪理论内涵丰富,对于认识Th17/Treg细胞与心衰的发展及相互作用具有指导意义,隶属于正邪理论范畴,即Th17/Treg细胞平衡,有利于维持机体的免疫平衡,属于“正气”范畴;Th17/Treg细胞失衡可能破坏机体内环境的稳定,导致免疫异常,促进疾病的发生,属于“邪气”范畴。基于此,作者以正邪理论为切入点,从宏观、微观角度来阐述Th17/Treg细胞在慢性心力衰竭发展中的作用,提出心衰早期,正虚为主,邪实为辅;心衰中期,正虚邪实;心衰晚期,邪实为主,正虚为辅;心衰终末期,正虚为主。临床通过扶正祛邪,调整机体正邪平衡,恢复机体Th17/Treg细胞的动态平衡,以期为中医理论阐述Th17/Treg在心衰的发展作用的现代研究奠定基础,为心衰的诊治提供新的理论依据。

血清HSP60、HSP70水平与原发性免疫性血小板减少症患儿Th17/Treg细胞和预后的关系

目的分析血清热休克蛋白60(HSP60)、热休克蛋白70(HSP70)与原发性免疫性血小板减少症(ITP)患儿辅助性T细胞17/调节性T细胞(Th17/Treg)和预后的关系。方法选取2020年6月—2022年6月保山市人民医院儿科诊治的ITP患儿128例作为病例组,另选同期体检健康儿童60例作为健康对照组。检测并比较2组血清HSP60、HSP70与Th17/Treg细胞水平。Pearson法分析血清HSP60、HSP70与Th17/Treg细胞的相关性。ITP患儿出院后随访1年,根据不同预后情况分为预后良好亚组(107例)和预后不良亚组(21例)。收集ITP患儿的临床资料,采用单因素、多因素Logistic回归模型分析ITP患儿预后的影响因素,并构建风险预测列线图模型。建立受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清HSP60、HSP70与Th17/Treg细胞对ITP患儿预后的预测价值。结果病例组血清HSP60、HSP70水平及Th17/Treg细胞显著高于健康对照组(t/Z/P=20.445/<0.001、17.467/<0.001、5.823/<0.001)。Pearson相关分析显示,血清HSP60、HSP70与Th17/Treg细胞呈正相关(r/P=0.417/<0.001、0.348/<0.001)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,HSP60高、HSP70高、Th17/Treg高为ITP患儿预后不良的独立危险因素[OR(95%CI)=1.177(1.041~1.331),1.181(1.038~1.343),9.895(2.171~68.177)],初诊时PLT计数偏高则为保护因素[OR(95%CI)=0.848(0.726~0.990)]。ROC曲线分析结果显示,初诊时PLT、HSP60、HSP70、Th17/Treg水平及列线图模型的曲线AUC分别为0.793、0.730、0.787、0.840、0.975;Bootstrap法(B=1000)对列线图模型进行内部验证显示,Bias-corrected预测曲线与Ideal线基本重合,该模型预测能力较好。决策曲线显示,该模型的阈值概率范围为0.01~0.98,其净收益率>0,高于两条无效线。结论IPT患儿血清HSP60、HSP70、Th17/Treg水平均明显升高,血清HSP60、HSP70与Th17/Treg呈显著正相关。初诊时PLT、HSP60、HSP70、Th17/Treg水平是ITP患儿预后不良的影响因素,且基于HSP60、HSP70等独立危险因素构建的列线图模型对ITP患儿预后不良具有较好的预测价值。

栀子苷调节PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路在动脉粥样硬化形成过程中对Th17/Treg功能的影响

目的:观察栀子苷对载脂蛋白E缺乏(ApoE^(-/-))小鼠Th17/调节性T(Treg)细胞失衡的影响及其作用机制。方法:将50只纯合子ApoE^(-/-)雌性小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和栀子苷低剂量组、栀子苷中剂量组、栀子苷高剂量组。对照组小鼠喂养普通饲料,模型组和栀子苷组小鼠喂养高脂饲料。从第8周开始,栀子苷各剂量组每日灌胃栀子苷(25、50、100 mg/kg),连续8周。试验结束时,采用油红O染色评估主动脉及其根部动脉粥样硬化(AS)病变面积比。采用定量逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)分析主动脉组织肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-17A和IL-10 mRNA表达;采用流式细胞仪分析脾脏中Th17和Treg细胞百分比;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western Blot)检测主动脉组织磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/蛋白激酶B(AKT)/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(mTOR)信号通路相关蛋白表达。结果:油红O染色病变显示,栀子苷中剂量组、栀子苷高剂量组病变百分比低于模型组(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,模型组主动脉TNF-α、IL-6和IL-17A mRNA表达水平升高(P<0.05);栀子苷各剂量组主动脉TNF-α、IL-6和IL-17A mRNA表达水平降低(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,模型组主动脉抗炎细胞因子IL-10 mRNA表达水平降低(P<0.05);栀子苷各剂量组主动脉抗炎细胞因子IL-10 mRNA表达水平升高(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,模型组小鼠脾脏中Th17细胞百分比升高,Treg细胞百分比降低(P<0.05)。栀子苷处理恢复了AS小鼠Th17和Treg细胞的平衡。栀子苷抑制PI3K的表达及AKT和mTOR的磷酸化,MHY1485(mTOR活化剂)减弱了栀子苷对T细胞分化的影响。结论:栀子苷抗AS作用机制可能与抑制PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号引起的Treg细胞增多和Th17细胞减少有关。

Modulating the crosstalk between macrophage and Th17: potential mechanism of natural products on acute lung injury

Sepsis is a life-threatening multiple organ dysfunction syndrome caused by the imbalance of the immune response to infection,featuring complex and variable conditions,and is one of the leading causes of mortality in ICU patients.Lung injury is a common organ damage observed in sepsis patients.Macrophages and Th17 cells,as crucial components of innate and adaptive immunity,play pivotal roles in the development of sepsis-induced acute lung injury(ALI).This review summarizes the alterations and mechanisms of macrophages and Th17 cells in sepsis-induced ALI.By focusing on the“cross-talk”between macrophages and Th17 cells,this review aims to provide a solid theoretical foundation for further exploring the therapeutic targets of traditional Chinese medicine formulas in the treatment of sepsis complicated with ALI,thereby offering insights and guidance for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in managing sepsis-associated ALI.

苦参碱调节RhoA-ROCK信号通路对冠心病模型大鼠Th17/Treg细胞平衡的影响

目的探讨苦参碱(Matrine)对冠心病(coronary heart disease,CHD)大鼠辅助T细胞17(helper T cell 17,Th17)/调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)细胞平衡及Ras同源基因家族成员A(RhoA)-Rho相关的卷曲螺旋激酶(ROCK)信号通路的影响。方法建立冠心病模型,将实验大鼠分为对照组、模型组、苦参碱低剂量(50 mg·kg^(-1))组、苦参碱高剂量(200 mg·kg^(-1))组及苦参碱高剂量(200 mg·kg^(-1))+LPA组(10 mg·kg^(-1))。超声心动图进行大鼠心功能检测;酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)法进行白细胞介素17(IL-17)、转化生长因子β(TGF-β)水平检测;流式细胞术检测Th17、Treg数量及Th17/Treg比值;免疫组化进行内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)、内皮素1(ET-1)蛋白表达水平检测;Masson染色进行大鼠心肌组织的病理形态变化观察;TTC染色检测各组大鼠心肌梗死情况;TUNEL染色进行心肌组织中细胞凋亡情况检测;试剂盒检测RhoA活性;Western Blot法进行半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3(Caspase-3)、B细胞淋巴瘤因子2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)、RhoA、ROCK1、ROCK2蛋白表达水平检测。结果与对照组比较,模型组心肌组织有大量蓝色胶原纤维沉积,左室舒张末期容积(left ventricular end-diastolic volume,LVEDV)、左室收缩末期容积(left ventricular end-systolic volume,LVESV)、IL-17、Th17、Th17/Treg、ET-1、心肌梗死面积、细胞凋亡率、TUNEL阳性率、Bax、Caspase-3、RhoA活性、RhoA、ROCK1、ROCK2表达水平明显升高,左室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)、左室缩短分数(left ventricular shortening fraction,LVFS)、TGF-β、Treg、eNOS、Bcl-2表达水平明显降低(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,Matrine-L组、苦参碱高剂量组心肌组织蓝色胶原纤维逐渐减少,LVEDV、LVESV、IL-17、Th17、Th17/Treg、ET-1、心肌梗死面积、细胞凋亡率、TUNEL阳性率、Bax、Caspase-3、RhoA活性、RhoA、ROCK1、ROCK2表达水平依次明显降低,LVEF、LVFS、TGF-β、Treg、eNOS、Bcl-2表达水平依次明显升高(P<0.05)。与苦参碱高剂量组比较,苦参碱高剂量+LPA组心肌组织蓝色胶原纤维增多,LVEDV、LVESV、IL-17、Th17、Th17/Treg、ET-1、心肌梗死面积、细胞凋亡率、TUNEL阳性率、Bax、Caspase-3、RhoA活性、RhoA、ROCK1、ROCK2表达水平明显升高,LVEF、LVFS、TGF-β、Treg、eNOS、Bcl-2表达水平明显降低(P<0.05)。结论苦参碱通过抑制RhoAROCK信号通路调节Th17/Treg细胞平衡,改善冠心病大鼠心肌损伤。

中医药治疗复发性流产的疗效及调节外周血Th17、Treg细胞水平的Meta分析

目的系统评价中医药治疗复发性流产及调节外周血辅助性T细胞(T helper cell 17,Th17)和调节性T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)水平的疗效。方法计算机检索中国知网(CNKI)、万方数据库(Wanfang)、维普数据库(VIP)、中国生物医学文献数据库(SinoMed)、外文医学信息资源检索平台(FMRS)、PubMed、Cochrane Library、Embase、Web of science等数据库,筛选自建库至2023年6月公开发表的与中医药调控Th17、Treg细胞治疗复发性流产相关的随机对照试验(RCT)。由2名评价者按照Cochrane手册评价文献质量,应用RevMan 5.4软件进行Meta分析。结果纳入10项研究,共计1052例患者。Meta分析结果显示,相较于对照组,试验组患者孕后应用中药治疗可显著提高有效率[RR=1.20,95%CI(1.11,1.30),P<0.00001]和活产率[RR=1.32,95%CI(1.16,1.50),P<0.00001],减少药物不良反应[RR=0.34,95%CI(0.14,0.83),P=0.02]。中药治疗后,Th17细胞表达降低[MD=-0.71,95%CI(-1.01,-0.41),P<0.00001],Treg细胞表达升高[SMD=1.21,95%CI(0.80,1.62),P<0.00001],Th17/Treg细胞比值下降[SMD=-2.62,95%CI(-4.09,-1.14),P=0.0005]。结论中医药孕后或孕前、孕后同时治疗可明显改善复发性流产患者的临床症状,提高活产率,且安全性较高。同时,中医药可降低Th17细胞表达,上调Treg细胞表达,调节Th17/Treg细胞免疫平衡,有利于妊娠后胚胎发育。