On the Impairment of Stress-Induced Changes in Triglyceride Levels via a Sub-Toxic Dose of Unmethylated Cytidine Phosphate Guanosine Oligodinucleotide (a Toll-Like Receptor 9 Ligand)

Changes in lipid metabolism have been implicated in protection against infectious diseases. In the first experiment of this study, we measured clinical lipid parameters in a murine model where the unmethylated cytidine phosphate guanosine (CpG) oligodinucleotide (ODN1826), a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist was administered in combination with D-galactosamine (GalN) that caused relatively liver-specific inflammation and toxicity. In the control mice group injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (acute psychological stress model associated with blood sampling), the serum triglyceride (TG) levels showed a rapid decrease followed by a rebound at 24 h as we have recently reported. However, such a TG rebound was impaired in the CpG/GalN- and solely CpG-treated groups of mice despite an absence of liver injury based on serum alanine aminotransferase levels in the latter group. Thus, the stress-associated serum TG rebound was abrogated by the injection of a sub-hepatotoxic CpG dose. In the second experiment, we simply measured the hepatic CD36 and SACRB1 (the gene for scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1)) transcripts after the i.p. administration of PBS, CpG or CpG/GalN. There was a remarkable elevation of hepatic CD36 transcript expression in both the CpG- and CpG/GalN-treated mice at 8 h post-CpG injection whereas the increase in the PBS-treated mice was slower than the former two groups, suggesting that hepatic CD36 transcript expression is more pronounced in the combined stress models than under psychological stress alone. The individual mice data showed that the increase in CD36 expression was accompanied by a reduction in SCARB1 mRNA, showing reciprocal regulation between these two genes. Together with our previously reported findings, these data suggest that, in a murine model combining psychological stress with TLR-triggered hepatic inflammation, the psychological stress facilitates liver uptake of plasma TG (and its components fatty acids), but the subsequent re-esterification and/or release of TG-rich lipoproteins from the liver is impaired due to the concomitant TLR-signaling. We hypothesize that lipid metabolism during acute stress shifts toward an elevated hepatic uptake of lipids due to concomitant TLR signaling, facilitating the clearance of bacterial lipids by the liver.

Toll-like Receptor9在大鼠胰腺表达及与大鼠急性胰腺炎相关性的研究

目的 (1)建立急性胰腺炎大鼠模型,定性检测Toll-like Receptor 9(TLR 9)在大鼠胰腺的表达、分布情况;(2)定量测定TLR 9在大鼠急性胰腺炎不同时间点的表达变化情况;(3)结合TLR 9在大鼠胰腺的组织分布、表达情况及在雨蛙素诱导性胰腺炎(cerulein-induced pancreatitis,CIP)早期24 h的表达改变,探讨TLR9与CIP发生发展的相关性.方法(1)采用Wistar大鼠,并随机分配进入实验组或对照组;通过皮下注射雨蛙素建立急性胰腺炎模型;(2)采用免疫组化方法检测TLR 9在正常大鼠胰腺及CIP时大鼠胰腺的表达TLR 9在大鼠胰腺的组织分布情况;(3)提取总RNA,采用实时荧光定量逆转录-多聚酶链反应(Quantitative-Real-Time;QRT-PCR)法测定TLR9基因的表达.(4)分析TLR9的分布特征及可能的意义(5)统计分析TLR 9 mRNA的表达情况与CIP发生、发展的关系.结果 (1)TLR 9主要分布于胰管上皮、血管内皮和胰岛;(2)外分泌腺泡细胞没有明显的表达;(3)QRT-PCR结果显示TLR9 mRNA在正常大鼠胰腺组织呈现低水平表达;(4)CIP早期TLR9 mRNA表达出现快速上调并在1 h时达到最高值;TLR 9 mRNA表达在CIP前4 h内维持于高水平;其后下降缓慢,至到CIP的第24小时也未降至正常,保持相对较高的表达水平.结论 (1)TLR 9在大鼠胰腺有表达,且表达具有一定的组织特异性;(2)TLR9在CIP胰腺组织中的表达明显升高,提示TLR 9在胰腺炎早期炎症反应的发生、发展中具有重要作用,与之存在相关性.

Epithelial toll-like receptor 9 signaling in colorectal inflammation and cancer: Clinico-pathogenic aspects

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize specific motifs which are frequently present in bacteria, fungi, prokaryotes and viruses. Amongst TLRs, TLR9 can be activated by such bacterial or viral DNA fragments, immunoglobulin-DNA complexes or synthetic oligonucleotides, which all contain unmethylated cytosineguanine nucleotide sequences (CpGs). Emerging data indicate that TLR9 signaling has a role in, and may influence, colorectal carcinogenesis and colonic inflammation. CpGs are classified into three groups according to their influence on both the antigen-specific humoraland cellular immunity, and the production of type 1 interferons and proinflammatory cytokines. TLR9 activation via CpGs may serve as a new therapeutic target for several cancerous and various inflammatory conditions. Due to its probable anti-cancer effects, the application possibilities of TLR9-signaling modulation may be extremely diverse even in colorectal tumors. In this review we aimed to summarize the current knowledge about TLR-signaling in the pathogenesis and therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Due to the species-specific differences in TLR9 expression, however, one must be careful in translating the animal model data into the human system, because of the differences between CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide-responsive cells. TLR9 agonist DNA-based immunomodulatory sequences could also represent a promising therapeutic alternative in systemic inflammatory conditions and chronic colonic inflammations as their side effects are not significant.

Toll-like receptor 9 polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori influence gene expression and risk of gastric carcinogenesis in the Brazilian population

BACKGROUND Toll-like receptors(TLRs)are the first line of host defense,and are involved in Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)recognition and activation of both inflammatory and carcinogenic processes.The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in genes that activate the immune response may modulate the risk of precancerous lesions and gastric cancer(GC).Among them,Toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)polymorphisms have emerged with a risk factor of infectious diseases and cancer,however the studies are still inconclusive.AIM To evaluate whether TLR9 rs5743836 and rs187084 SNPs contribute to the risk of gastric carcinogenesis,and its influence on mRNA expression.METHODS A case-control study was conducted to evaluate two TLR9 SNPs(TLR9-1237 TCrs5743836 and TLR9-1486 CT-rs187084)in chronic gastritis(CG)and GC patients.A total of 609 DNA samples of peripheral blood[248 CG,161 GC,and 200 samples from healthy individuals(C)]were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.All samples were tested for the H.pylori infection using Hpx1 and Hpx2 primers.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction by TaqMan?assay was used to quantify TLR9 mRNA from fresh gastric tissues(48 GC,26 CG,and 14 C).RESULTS For TLR9-1237,the TC+CC or CC genotypes were associated with a higher risk of GC than C[recessive model odds ratio(OR)=5.01,95%confidence interval(CI):2.52-9.94,P<0.0001],and the CG(recessive model OR=4.63;95%CI:2.44-8.79,P<0.0001)groups.For TLR9-1486,an association between the CT+TT genotypes and increased risk of both GC(dominant model OR=2.72,95%CI:1.57-4.72,P<0.0001)and CG(dominant model OR=1.79,95%CI:1.15-2.79,P=0.0094)was observed when compared to the C group.Moreover,the presence of TLR9-1237 TC/CC+TLR9-1486 CC genotypes potentiate the risk for this neoplasm(OR=18.57;95%CI:5.06-68.15,P<0.0001).The TLR9 mRNA level was significantly higher in the GC group(RQ=9.24,P<0.0001)in relation to the CG group(RQ=1.55,P=0.0010)and normal mucosa(RQ=1.0).When the samples were grouped according to the polymorphic genotypes and the presence of H.pylori infection,an influence of TLR9-1237 TC+CC polymorphic genotypes(P=0.0083)and H.pylori infection(P<0.0001)was observed on the upregulation of mRNA expression.CONCLUSION Our findings show that TLR9 rs5743836 and rs187084 polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk of carcinogenesis gastric,and that TLR9 mRNA levels can be modulated by TLR9-1237 TC+CC variant genotypes and H.pylori infection.

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.

Toll-like receptor 9 gene mutations and polymorphisms in Japanese ulcerative colitis patients

Abnormal innate immune responses toward luminal bacteria play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.It has been demonstrated that bacteria having CpG DNA ameliorate experimental colitis in mice,and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling mediates the anti-inflammatory effects in mouse colonic inflammation.A gene variation in NOD2/CARD15 has been reported in Crohn's disease (CD) patients in Western countries,but this variation has not been identified in Japanese CD patients.Therefore,we hypothesized that TLR9 is a key factor in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC),and we investigated gene mutations and polymorphisms of TLR9 in Japanese UC patients.Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TLR9 were identified in healthy controls,and were assessed in 48 UC patients and 47 healthy controls.Control subjects were matched for age,sex and date of blood sampling from among a subgroup of participants.We found that TLR9-1486CC,1174GG and 2848AA increase the risk of UC [odds ratio (OR) 2.64,95% confidence interval (95% CI):1.73-6.53,P=0.042],and TLR9-1486TT,1174AA and 2848GG decrease the risk of UC (OR 0.30,95% CI:0.10-0.94,P=0.039),although there were no correlations between SNPs and disease phenotype or TLR9 mRNA expression.These findings suggest that TLR9 polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to UC.

Effects of Klebsiella pneumoniae on Toll-Like Receptor-Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Signaling Pathways and Gene Expression and Promotes HLA-B27 Misfolding

Klebsiella has been considered as initiator of AS （ankylosing spondylitis） for nearly four decades. This study aimed to demonstrate that Klebsiella triggers ERS （endoplasmic reticulum stress） and HLA-B27 heavy chain misfolding. CA46 cells or splenocytes obtained from wild-type, MyD88/ or TLR9/ mice were stimulated with KP （Klebsiella pneumoniae） or its components including CPS （capsule polysaccharide）, LPS （lipopolysaccharide）, and KP gDNA （genomic deoxyribonucleic acid） respectively for 24 h and 48 h. The activation of ERS-related signaling was detected by Western blotting or RT-PCR, and the level of misfolded HLA-B27 was determined by non-reducing protein gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. The protein expression of BiP/Grp78 and calreticulin, the alternative splicing of XBP-1 mRNA （messenger ribonucleic acid）, and the activation of caspase-12 and p38 were increased in a dose-dependent manner in HLA-B27-expressing CA46 cells after treatment with decapsulated KP. We also demonstrate that the EP, S-inducing effects occur via the TLR （Toll-like receptor）/MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. Significantly, HLA-B27 misfolding was also detected in decapsulated KP-treated B27-expressing cells. These results suggest that the non-antigen-specific induction of ERS and B27 misfoiding through TLR/MyD88 signaling might promote KP antigen-initiated autoreactive responses via the presentation of misfolded B27, and that small-molecules targeting TLRs might have potential as novel therapeutic agents for AS.

Molecular hydrogen regulates the expression of miR-9,miR-21 and miR-199 in LPS-activated retinal microglia cells

·AIM: To explore the potential mechanism of molecular hydrogen in the regulation of miRNA expression and signal-modulating activities. ·METHODS: Retinal microglia cells were activated by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and then treated with hydrogen -saturated medium or normal medium without hydrogen. qRT -PCR was used to detect the expression difference in miR-9, miR-21 and miR-199 between these two groups. Moreover, the expression of LPS -induced signaling proteins, including Myd88, IKK -β, NF -kB, and PDCD4, were detected by Western blotting. ·RESULTS: The results demonstrated a marked downregulation of miR -9 and miR -21 and up -regulation of miR-199 by hydrogen treatment; the expression of Myd88 and IKK-β was decreased after hydrogen treatment, whereas PDCD4 was increased, and there was no significant change in NF-kB expression. · CONCLUSION: The results in the present study indicate that miR -9, miR -199 and miR -21 play an important role in the anti -inflammatory regulation of LPS -activated microglia cells by molecular hydrogen, which will help to explain the protective mechanism of molecular hydrogen against inflammatory injury.·

Effects of CPG ODN on biological behavior of PANC-1 and expression of TLR9 in pancreatic cancer

AIM:To determine the expression of toll-like receptor 9(TLR9) in pancreatic tumor and the effects of cytosine phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides 2216(CPG ODN2216) on biological behavior of pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC-1 and explore their clinical significance.METHODS:The immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the expression of TLR9 protein in pancreatic cancer tissues,and immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the TLR9 protein expression in pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC-1.To assess the effects of CPG ODN2216 on the invasive property of Panc-1 cells,in vitro cell adhesion,wound-healing scrape,and invasion and cell colony formation were evaluated.RESULTS:TLR9 was highly expressed in pancreaticcancer tissues and PANC-1 cells.The percentage of positive cells expressing TLR9 protein in human pancreatic tissues,paracancerous tissues and normal tissues were 73.3%,33.3% and 20.0%,respectively,and the protein expression level of TLR9 was gradually descending(P < 0.05).In vitro tests in wound-healing scrape,cell adhesion,colony formation and matrigel invasion showed that the adhesion and motility of PANC-1 cells in CPG ODN 2216 treatment group were signif icantly lower than in the control group(P < 0.05).The cell growth assay showed that the proliferative ability of PANC-1 cells in treatment group was significantly decreased and CPG ODN2216 had an inhibitive effect in the growth of Panc-1 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:The gene of TLR9 is correlated with the invasive and metastatic potential of human pancreatic carcinoma,and CPG ODN2216 induces the inhibition of migration and invasion of Panc-1 cells.

Mindin is upregulated during colitis and may activate NF-κB in a TLR-9 mediated manner

AIM:To investigate the regulation of mindin expression and the signaling pathway involved during inflammation.METHODS:C57BL/6 mice were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 6 d to induce acute colitis,and then the colon was harvested for histological analysis or for RNA isolation.mRNA expression of mindin and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 was analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and mindin expression construct was conf irmed by Western blotting.Mouse macrophage and intestinal epithelial lineage cells were stimulated with different cytokines and toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands,before pNF-κB-luciferase activity was assessed using the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS:mRNA expression of mindin was upregulated 4.7 ± 1.1 fold compared with the baseline during DSS-induced intestinal inflammation in the mice.Stimulation with CpG-ODN (a known TLR-9 ligand) induced 4.2 ± 0.3 fold upregulation of mindin expression in RAW 264.7 cells.Full-length of mindin was cloned from cDNA of mouse mesenteric lymph node,then the pCMV-Mindin-Flag expression vector was established and the protein expression level was confi rmed.Transfection of the mindin construct and stimulation with CpG-ODN signifi cantly increased the NF-κB-luciferase activity by 2.5 ± 0.3 and 4.5 ± 0.5 fold in RAW264.7 and CMT93 cells,respectively (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:Mindin expression is upregulated during intestinal inflammation and may induce NF-κB promoter activation in a TLR-9 mediated manner.

TLR9 Expression and Its Role in Chemosensitivity to DDP in Human Cervical Cancer Cells in vitro

Inflammation and infection play an important role in the pathogenesis of many cancers.Toll-like receptors（TLRs） are a class of pattern recognition receptors that recognize conserved components of microbes and trigger the immune response against invading microorganisms.Toll-like receptor 9（TLR9） recognizes non-methylated cytosine-phosphateguanosine（CpG） DNA sequences which are the surrogate for viral DNA.TLR9 may react to tumor development and progression during chronic inflammation that involves the tumor microenvironment.In order to study the role of TLR9 in cervical cancer,we analyzed the TLR9 expression in different types of HPV infection cervical cancer cells.Then we detected if CpG sequences influenced the TLR9 expression and the sensitivity to cisplatin（DDP） of these cervical cancer cells in vitro.The expression of TLR9 mRNA and protein in SiHa,Hela and C33A cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Real-time PCR was used to examine the TLR9 expression changes induced by CpG.Chemosensitivity of the cervical cancer cells to cisplatin（DDP） was measured by MTT.It was observed that the expression of TLR9 mRNA and protein was increased gradually in SiHa（HPV16＋）,Hela（HPV18＋） and C33A（HPV-） cells.Low doses of CpG increased the TLR9 expression only in C33A（HPV-） cells,but not in SiHa（HPV16＋） and Hela（HPV18＋） cells.Furthermore,low dose of CpG significantly increased the sensitivity of C33A（HPV-） cells,but not that of SiHa（HPV16＋） and Hela（HPV18＋） cells.These results indicated that TLR9 may serve as a protective agent in HPV negative cervical cancer cells.It was concluded that TLR9 could improve the sensitivity to DDP in HPV negative cervical cancer cells and might represent a potential therapeutic option in clinical practice.

Toll-like receptor 9 is correlated to disease activity in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus population

Methods mRNA level of TLR9 and interferon （IFN） regulatory factor 5 （IRF5） in peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs） were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. IFN-a expression was measured in the serum of the SLE patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Results TLR9 expression was significantly higher in SLE patients than that in health controls （P=0.011）. SLE patients with positive anti-dsDNA antibody had significantly higher expression of TLR9 than that with negative anti-dsDNA antibody （P=0.001）. TLR9 expression was positively correlated with fever （P=0.017）, alopecia （P=0.046）, safety of estrogens in lupus erythematosus national assessment SLE disease activity index （SELENA-SLEDAI） score （rs=0.385, P=0.003）, and the level of IRF5 （rs=0.35, P=0.027） and IFN-a （rs=0.627, P=0.001） in SLE patients. Conclusion TLR9 is associated with SLE disease activity and might be involved in the IFN-a pathway of SLE.

Neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to myofibroblast differentiation and scar hyperplasia through the Toll-like receptor 9/nuclear factor Kappa-B/interleukin-6 pathway

Background:Inflammation is an important factor in pathological scarring.The role of neutrophils,one of the most important inflammatory cells,in scar hyperplasia remains unclear.The purpose of this article is to study the correlation between neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)and scar hyperplasia and identify a new target for inhibiting scar hyperplasia.Methods:Neutrophils were isolated from human peripheral blood by magnetic-bead sorting.NETs in plasma and scars were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISAs),immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Immunohistochemistry was used to assess neutrophil(CD66B)infiltration in hypertrophic scars.To observe the entry of NETs into fibroblasts we used immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.Results:We found that peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with hypertrophic scars were more likely to form NETs(p<0.05).Hypertrophic scars showed greater infiltration with neutrophils and NETs(p<0.05).NETs activate fibroblasts in vitro to promote their differentiation and migration.Inhibition of NETs with cytochalasin in wounds reduced the hyperplasia of scars in mice.We induced neutrophils to generate NETs with different stimuli in vitro and detected the proteins carried by NETs.We did not find an increase in the expression of common scarring factors[interleukin(IL)-17 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β),p>0.05].However,inhibiting the production of NETs or degrading DNA reduced the differentiation of fibroblasts intomyofibroblasts.In vitro,NETs were found to be mediated by Toll-like receptor 9(TLR-9)in fibroblasts and further phosphorylated nuclear factor Kappa-B(NF-κB).We found that IL-6,which is downstream of NF-κB,was increased in fibroblasts.Additionally,IL-6 uses autocrine and paracrine signaling to promote differentiation and secretion.Conclusions:Our experiments found that NETs activate fibroblasts through the TLR-9/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway,thereby providing a new target for regulating hypertrophic scars.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles drive the potency of Toll-like receptor 9 agonist for amplified innate and adaptive immune response

The potency of Toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)agonist to drive innate immune response was limited due to immune suppression or tolerance during TLR9 signaling activation in immune cells.Herein we addressed this problem by introducing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles(HANPs)to CpG ODN(CpG),a TLR9 agonist.The study revealed that HANPs concentration and durationdependently reprogramed the immune response by enhancing the secretion of immunostimulatory cytokines(tumor necrosis factorα(TNFα)or IL-6)while reducing the production of immunosuppressive cytokine(IL-10)in macrophages in response to CpG.Next,the enhanced immune response benefited from increased intracellular Ca2+in macrophage by the addition of HANPs.Further,we found exposure to HANPs impacted the mitochondrial function of macrophages in support of the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate(ATP),the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD),and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the presence or absence of CpG.In vaccinated mice model,only one vaccination with a mixture of CpG,HANPs,and OVA,a model antigen,allowed the development of a long-lasting balanced humoral immunity in mice without any histopathological change in the local injection site.Therefore,this study revealed that HANPs could modulate the intracellular calcium level,mitochondrial function,and immune response in immune cells,and suggested a potential combination adjuvant of HANPs and TLR9 agonist for vaccine development.

Role of moxibustion in inflammatory responses during treatment of rat ulcerative colitis

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of moxibustion in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats from morphological, immunological and molecular biological perspectives. METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a blank control group (normal rats, n = 6) and a model replication (MR) group (UC rats, n = 26). A UC model was established by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid/dextran sulfate sodium enema. Rats in the MR group were further randomly assigned to a 9-min moxibustion (9M) group (9 moxa-cone, n = 6), 6-min moxibustion (6M) group (6 moxa-cone, n = 6), 3-min moxibustion (3M) group (3 moxa-cone, n = 6), and a waiting list control (WLC) group (no moxibustion treatment, n = 6). Rats in the moxibustion treatment group were treated in 14 sessions over 28 d. Disease activity, local tissue morphology, serum level of interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-10, and expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)9 as well as nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B p65 in colonic tissue were determined by disease activity index (DAI), hematoxylin and eosin staining, electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: DAI was lowest in the 9M group and highest in the WLC group. The differences in DAI between the moxibustion treatment (3M, 6M, 9M) and no treatment groups were significant for all one-to-one comparisons (0.60 +/- 0.54 vs 1.20 +/- 0.44, 0.60 +/- 0.54 vs 1.80 +/- 0.45, 0.60 +/- 0.54 vs 3.0 +/- 0.45, respectively, P < 0.05). Light and electron microscopy showed that the neatness of the glandular arrangement in colonic mucosal epithelia gradually increased in the WLC, 3M, 6M to 9M groups. IL-8 level successively decreased while IL-10 level increased from the WLC to 3M, 6M and 9M groups. The differences among these groups were significant for all comparisons (105.46 +/- 8.75 vs 76.61 +/- 3.58, 105.46 +/- 8.75 vs 69.78 +/- 1.87, 105.46 +/- 8.75 vs 67.41 +/- 1.84, respectively, P < 0.01 for IL-8; and 30.83 +/- 1.29 vs 75.64 +/- 1.90, 30.83 +/- 1.29 vs 80.90 +/- 3.16, 30.83 +/- 1.29 vs 83.46 +/- 2.37, respectively, P < 0.01 for IL-10), except comparison of 6M vs 9M. Expression of TLR9 and NF-kappa B p65 decreased in order: highest in the WLC group and lowest in the 9M group. In addition, the differences among the WLC, 3M, 6M and 9M groups were significant for all comparisons (0.492 +/- 0.026 vs 0.380 +/- 0.022, 0.492 +/- 0.026 vs 0.355 +/- 0.005, 0.492 +/- 0.026 vs 0.327 +/- 0.015, respectively, P < 0.05 for TLR9; and 0.436 +/- 0.041 vs 0.326 +/- 0.022, 0.436 +/- 0.041 vs 0.293 +/- 0.006, 0.436 +/- 0.041 vs 0.265 +/- 0.017, respectively, P < 0.05 for NF-kappa B p65). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion repairs damaged colonic mucosa, suppresses serum IL-8, activates serum IL-10 level, and decreases expression of TLR-9 and NF-kappa B p65 in UC rats. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

DNA传感器及其免疫信号传导通路的研究新进展

DNA于哺乳动物细胞质中的存在是一个危险信号,提示机体内微生物感染的存在。近五年来的研究显示,细胞质DNA的传导机制是免疫系统产生免疫应答的分子基础。迄今为止已报道多种DNA传感器,其中STING是一个关键的衔接蛋白,参与大部分DNA信号传导途径。最近,c GAS-c GAMP第二信使通路、IFI16及其他传感器的发现为解析胞质DNA识别的分子机制提供了新见解。这些重要的发现有助于了解宿主防御系统,提高疫苗免疫原性,为感染性疾病的预防与治疗提供新思路。

三氧化二砷对系统性红斑狼疮患者Toll样受体9及干扰素调节因子5 mRNA表达的影响

目的 了解三氧化二砷（AS2O3）对SLE患者PBMCs Toll样受体9（TLR9）及干扰素调节因子5（IRF5） mRNA表达的影响.方法 分离15例SLE患者和15名健康人外周血PBMCs,分别与不同浓度AS2O3及环磷酰胺进行体外培养12h和24h,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测TLR9和IRF5 mRNA表达.采用t检验或方差分析进行组间差异比较.结果 与健康对照组[12 h（1.05±0.35）、24 h（0.97±0.19）]相比,SLE组体外培养[12 h（1.38±0.26）和24 h（1.28±0.35）]后TLR9 mRNA的相对表达水平显著升高,差异有统计学意义（t=2.37,P=0.03;t=2.44,P=0.02）;与对照组[12 h（0.62±0.23）、24h（0.60±0.39）]相比,SLE组体外培养[12 h（0.95±0.27）和24 h（0.91±0.35）]后IRF5 mRNA的相对表达水平显著升高,差异有统计学意义（t=3.07,P=0.01;t=3.45,P＜0.01）.AS2O3可以下调SLE患者PBMCs中TLR9 mRNA表达,其效应随药物浓度和作用时间的增加而增加[0.2 mg/L AS2O3组12 h （0.430±0.110）和24h（0.290±0.050）,0.4 mg/LAS2O3组12 h （0.170±0.038）和24 h（0.090±0.017）,0.8 mg/L AS2O3组12 h （0.023±0.011）和24 h（0.003±0.001）],与环磷酰胺[12 h（0.814±0.081）和24 h（0.755±0.139）]相比较,AS2O3对SLE患者的作用更明显,差异有统计学意义（F=165.32,P＜0.01;F=99.20,P＜0.01）;环磷酰胺与AS2O3均对PBMCs中IRF5 mRNA表达无影响,各组间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 SLE患者外周血PBMCs的TLR9和IRF5mRNA表达异常,AS2O3可明显抑制SLE患者TLR9 mRNA表达,可能是其治疗SLE的机制之一.

羊种布氏杆菌基因外重复回文序列经Toll样受体9诱导IFN-α表达的研究

目的 筛选具有活化Toll样受体9（TLR9）活性的羊种布氏杆菌DNA中基因外重复回文序列（REPs）,检测其经TLR9诱导的干扰素-α（IFN-α）表达,为羊种布氏杆菌病的防治提供新思路.方法 针对羊种布氏杆菌Brucella melitensis NI基因组序列,利用生物信息学技术识别其REPs后,合成序列.将合成的天然骨架脱氧寡核苷酸（ODNs）转染小鼠单核巨噬细胞株RAW264.7,酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）检测IFN-α的分泌水平.采用TLR9-siRNA沉默RAW264.7中的TLR9,将上述诱导IFN-α分泌增加的阳性ODN序列转染RAW264.7,ELISA方法检测IFN-α的分泌变化.结果 筛选获得2 200个羊种布氏杆菌基因组REPs,选择二级茎环结构较好的12条ODNs序列进行合成,ELISA结果显示,ODNs M2、M3、M4、M5、M6、M7、M9、M12介导IFN-α分泌量分别为（26.944±1.868）、（46.461±2.562）、（34.980±2.055）、（43.016±2.162）、（62.533±4.031）、（67.125±5.069）、（18.908±1.633）、（39.572±2.465）pg/ml,显著高于阴性对照组的（12.594±1.338）pg/ml,差异有统计学意义（t=10.817、20.295、15.812、20.724、20.365、18.016、5.180、16.660,均P＜0.05）,且阳性ODN M6所介导的IFN-α分泌可以被TLR9-siRNA显著抑制.结论 羊种布氏杆菌基因组REPs可经TLR9信号通路引起炎性因子IFN-α分泌增加,参与介导羊种布氏杆菌早期感染后的固有免疫应答.

Coexpression of TLR9 and VEGF-C is associated with lymphatic metastasis in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer(PCa)is one of the most frequent cancers in men,and its biomolecular targets have been extensively studied.This study aimed to analyze the expression of toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)and vascular endothelial growth factor C(VEGF-C)and the clinical value of the coexpression of TLR9 and VEGF-C in PCa.We retrospectively evaluated 55 patients with clinically localized,intermediate-risk,or high-risk PCa who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy(LRP)and extended pelvic lymph node dissection(ePLND)without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy at a single institution from June 2013 to December 2016.In all 55 patients,the median number of lymph nodes(LNs)resected was 23(range:18-31),and a total of 1269 LNs were removed,of which 78 LNs were positive.Seventeen patients had positive LNs,with a positive rate of 30.9%.In addition,the immunohistochemical results in the above patients revealed that high TLR9 expression was correlated with higher Gleason score(GS)(P=0.049),increased LN metastasis(P=0.004),and more perineural invasion(PNI)(P=0.033).Moreover,VEGF-C expression was associated with GS(P=0.040),pathological stage(pT stage)(P=0.022),LN metastasis(P=0.003),and PNI(P=0.001).Furthermore,a significant positive correlation between TLR9 and VEGF-C was found(P<0.001),and the TLR9/VEGF-C phenotype was associated with LN metastasis(P=0.047).Collectively,we propose that TLR9 stimulation may promote LN metastasis in PCa cells through the upregulation of VEGF-C expression,thereby affecting the prognosis of PCa patients.Therefore,these markers may serve as valuable targets for the treatment of PCa.