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.

All-transRetinoic Acid Regulates Th1/Th2 Balance in CD4+T cells When GATA-3 is Deficient

The essential effect of vitamin A on immune function occurs through various mechanisms including direct effect on ThloTh2 balance modulation. However, it is unclear whether or not vitamin A can regulate Thl-Th2 balance under a strong Thl-polarizing condition. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to examine the effect of vitamin A metabolite allotrans retinoic acid （ATRA） on ThloTh2 differentiation in CD4~ T cells under GATA-3 deficiency, which can induce Thl-polarizing condition. In the present study, GATA-3 deficiency T cells were induced by siRNA and checked by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. GATA-3 deficiency CD4＋ T cells and normal CD4＋ T were treated for 48 h with or without ATRA.

Activated rat hepatic stellate cells influence Th1/Th2 profile in vitro

AIM: To investigate the effects of activated rat hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) on rat Th1/Th2 profile in vitro.METHODS: Growth and survival of activated HSCs and CD4+ T lymphocytes cultured alone or together was assessed after 24 or 48 h. CD4+ T lymphocytes were then cultured with or without activated HSCs for 24 or 48 h and the proportion of Th1 [interferon(IFN)-γ+] and Th2 [interleukin(IL)-4+] cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Th1 and Th2 cell apoptosis was assessed after 24 h of co-culture using a caspase-3 staining procedure. Differentiation rates of Th1 and Th2 cells from CD4+ T lymphocytes that were positive for CD25 but did not express IFN-γ or IL-4 were also assessed after 48 h of co-culture with activated HSCs. Galectin-9 expression in HSCs was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. ELISA was performed to assess galectin-9 secretion from activated HSCs.RESULTS: Co-culture of CD4+ T lymphocytes with activated rat HSCs for 48 h significantly reduced the proportion of Th1 cells compared to culture-alone conditions(-1.73% ± 0.71%; P < 0.05), whereas the proportion of Th2 cells was not altered; the Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased(-0.44 ± 0.13; P < 0.05). In addition, the level of IFN-γ in Th1 cells wasdecreased(-65.71 ± 9.67; P < 0.01), whereas the level of IL-4 in Th2 cells was increased(82.79 ± 25.12; P < 0.05) by co-culturing, as measured by mean fluorescence intensity by flow cytometry. Apoptosis rates in Th1(12.27% ± 0.99%; P < 0.01) and Th2(1.71% ± 0.185%; P < 0.01) cells were increased 24 h after co-culturing with activated HSCs; the Th1 cell apoptosis rate was significantly higher than in Th2 cells(P < 0.01). Galectin-9 protein expression was significantly decreased in HSCs only 24 h after coculturing(P < 0.05) but not after 48 h. Co-culture for 48 h significantly increased the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells; however, the increase in the proportion of Th2 cells was significantly higher than that of Th1 cells(1.85% ± 0.48%; P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Activated rat HSCs lower the Th1/Th2 profile, inhibiting the Th1 response and enhancing the Th2 response, and this may be a novel pathway for liver fibrogenesis.

Effects of the Overall Alkaloid of a Traditional Chinese Medicine “Tongbiling” on the Cytokine Expression in Th1 and Th2 Cells of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Signaling Pathway

To investigate the effects of overall alkali of a traditional Chinese medicine “Tongbiling” (brucine and strychnine alkaloids in main) on the cytokines expression in Th1 and Th2 cells in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatism arthritis and their signal pathway, the mononuclear cells in the synovial fluid (SFMC) of patients were isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque gradient centrifugation, and the CD3 + CD69 + and CD3 + HLA-DR antigen were analyzed by flow cytometry in comparison with those of the peripheral blood. The rest of cells were cultured after resuspension with RPMI 1640 culture medium. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) and ionomycin were added successively into the culture with various concentration of overall alkali Tongbiling (TBL). After 4 h of cultivation, the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in CD3 + cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The influence of overall alkali TBL (100?mg/L) on the intracellular calcium was investigated after Fluo-3/AM labeling and stimulation with PDB and ionomycin at 1, 2, 4 and 10?min, and the influence of TBL on the expression of CD3 + CD69 + cells were determined with stimulation of PDB for 24?h in the whole blood lymphocytes culture. It was found that the percentage of T cells bearing CD69 was significantly up-regulated (77%), while that of T cells bearing HLA-DR was 44% in the synovial mononucleated cells. After PDB and ionomycin stimulation, the expression of IFN-γ in CD3 + cells were up-regulated, but there was no change on the expression of IL-4 in CD3 + cells, indicating that ratio of Th1/Th2 was significantly increased and Th cells differentiate to Th1 cells in mainly. Four concentrations of overall alkaloid of TBL (200?mg/L, 100?mg/L, 50?mg/L, 25?mg/L) could down-regulated the expression of IFN-γ in CD3 + cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio obviously, but all the concentrations of the overall alkaloids had no effect on the expression of IL-4 in CD3 + cells. 100?mg/L concentration of the overall alkaloid did not down-regulate the intracellular calcium level. Each concentration of the overall alkaloid could down-regulated the expression CD69 obviously on the PDB-activated mouse T cells. It concluded from the above observations that the overall alkaloid of TBL could relieve the inflammatory and immune damages by suppressing the expression of Th1 type cytokines and Th1 cell differentiation, regulating the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cells and inhibiting the early activation of the T lymphocytes bearing CD69. There was no remarkable influence on the intracellular calcium signaling transduction pathway. The inhibitory effected on T cells to express IFN-γ might be due to the suppression of PKC-MAPK signaling pathway. From the standpoint of traditional Chinese medicine, this might be due to the regulation of “Yin” and “Yang” imbalance of joints to modify the pathological status in rheumatoid arthritis. This study provided an experimental basis for the application of overall alkaloids of TBL in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Impact of Bisphenol A (BPA) and Free Fatty Acids (FFA) on Th2 Cytokine Secretion from INS-1 Cells

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in huge amounts for many plastic products and is a hormone (estrogen) disrupting agent. BPA as well as FFAs may be deleterious for the immune system. The aim was to identify Th2 cytokines and some of their signal transduction mechanisms in INS-1 cells, an insulin secreting cell line. Screening using a proteome profile indicated an increase of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-17 by BPA. Also FFAs (in combination with LPS) were positive. In detailed quantitative measurements, these results were confirmedly indicating a complex array of pro-and anti-inflammatory potential. The interaction of BPA with 17β-estradiol was non-additive with respect to IL-4 and IL-6 release and additive with respect to FFA interaction indicating same and different mechanisms of action, respecttively. As signal transduction PI3K (Wortmannin-sensitive) and STAT-3/6 (Tofacitinib-sensitive) are involved in various effects, INS-1 cells release several cytokines due to BPA and FFA attack which may be involved in disturbance of glucose homoeostasis and type 1 diabetes.

GATA-3 promotes Th2 responses through three different mechanisms： induction of Th2 cytokine production, selective growth of Th2 cells and inhibition of Thl cell-specific factors

Naive CD4 T cells can differentiate into at least two different types ofT helpers, Thl and Th2 cells. Th2 cells, capable of producing IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13, are involved in humoral immunity against extracellular pathogens and in the induction of asthma and other allergic diseases. In this review, we summarize recent reports regarding the transcription factors involved in Th2 differentiation and cell expansion, including StatS, Gfi- 1 and GATA-3. Stats activation is necessary and sufficient for IL-2-mediated function in Th2 differentiation. Enhanced Stats signaling induces Th2 differentiation independent of IL-4 signaling; although it does not up-regulate GATA-3 expression, it does require the presence of GATA-3 for its action. Gfi-1, induced by IL-4, promotes the expansion of GATA-3-expressing cells. Analysis of conditional Gata3 knockout mice confirmed the critical role of GATA-3 in Th2 cell differentiation （both IL-4 dependent and IL-4 independent） and in Th2 cell proliferation and also showed the importance of basal GATA-3 expression in inhibiting Thl differentiation.

Activation of natural killer T cells contributes to Th1 bias in the murine liver after 14 d of ethinylestradiol exposure

BACKGROUND As the main component of oral contraceptives(OCs),ethinylestradiol(EE)has been widely applied as a model drug to induce murine intrahepatic cholestasis.The clinical counterpart of EE-induced cholestasis includes women who are taking OCs,sex hormone replacement therapy,and susceptible pregnant women.Taking intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy(ICP)as an example,ICP consumes the medical system due to its high-risk fetal burden and the impotency of ursodeoxycholic acid in reducing adverse perinatal outcomes.AIM To explore the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of EE-induced cholestasis based on the liver immune microenvironment.METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice or invariant natural killer T(iNKT)cell deficiency(Jα18-/-mice)were administered with EE(10 mg/kg,subcutaneous)for 14 d.RESULTS Both Th1 and Th2 cytokines produced by NKT cells increased in the liver skewing toward a Th1 bias.The expression of the chemokine/chemokine receptor Cxcr6/Cxcl16,toll-like receptors,Ras/Rad,and PI3K/Bad signaling was upregulated after EE administration.EE also influenced bile acid synthase Cyp7a1,Cyp8b1,and tight junctions ZO-1 and Occludin,which might be associated with EEinduced cholestasis.iNKT cell deficiency(Jα18-/-mice)robustly alleviated cholestatic liver damage and lowered the expression of the abovementioned signaling pathways.CONCLUSION Hepatic NKT cells play a pathogenic role in EE-induced intrahepatic cholestasis.Our research improves the understanding of intrahepatic cholestasis by revealing the hepatic immune microenvironment and also provides a potential clinical treatment by regulating iNKT cells.

Influence of the invasion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by hepatitis B virus on immune response of the patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective:To exploretheinfluenceof HBVinvasionintoperipheralbloodmononuclearcells(PBMC)on theimmuneresponseof patientswithchronichepatitisB.Method s:Thecytokinelevelsintheculturesupernatantof PBMCfrom56patientswithchronichepatitisB weredeterminedby ELISA,andPCRwasemployedto amplifythe HBVDNA.Results:Thelevelsof IFN-γinpatientswithhepatitisB waslowerthanthosetof thecontrol,butthe differencewasnotstatisticallysignificant,whilethelevelsof IL-4weresignificantlyhigherthanthoseof thecontrol(P<0.01).Theserumlevelsof HBVDNAwerenegativelycorrelatedwiththatof IFN-γin culturesupernatantsof PBMC.Thirty-fivepatientspositiveof HBVDNA inthePBMCswereidentifiedfrom56patientswithhepatitisB,andtheirIFN-γlevelprovedto be significantlydifferent.Conclusions:Th2cell-mediatedimmuneresponseis predo-minantin chronichepatitisB whichis associatedwiththechronicityof HBVinfection.HBVinvasionintothe PBMCsmayaffectTh1andTh2cell-mediatedimmuneresponseof thepatientswithchronichepatitisB.

HBV慢性感染患者外周血Th_1/Th_2(Tc_1/Tc_2)细胞IFN-γ和IL-4的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨Th1 /Th2 (Tc1 /Tc2 )型细胞因子的变化在慢性HBV感染的临床分型中的意义 ,探讨Th1 /Th2 (Tc1 /Tc2 )型细胞在慢性HBV感染中的作用。方法 用PMA和Ionomycin作为刺激剂 ,采用流式细胞仪对慢性HBV感染者外周血CD3 + /CD8+ T细胞和CD3 + /CD8-T细胞内IFN γ和IL 4的表达进行检测 ,比较乙肝病毒携带者、慢性乙型肝炎、活动性肝炎后肝硬化和慢性重症肝炎各组Th1 /Th2 (Tc1 /Tc2 )型细胞因子水平的变化。结果 慢性肝炎、活动性肝炎后肝硬化、慢性重症肝炎患者的Th1 、Tc1 细胞均高于正常对照组和乙肝病毒携带者。慢性重症肝炎组Th1 、Tc1 显著高于慢性肝炎、正常对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,慢性重症肝炎组Tc1 显著高于活动性肝炎后肝硬化组 (P <0 0 5 )。活动性肝炎后肝硬化组Tc1 显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。Th1 、Tc1 细胞随着慢性乙型肝炎肝脏炎症活动的加剧而增高。而Th2 、Tc2 细胞则在各组中均无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 在慢性HBV感染中 ,Th1 和Tc1 细胞数量与肝脏炎症活动严重程度呈正相关 ,提示Th1 和Tc1

Antibody to El peptide of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 inhibits virus binding and entry to HepG2 cells in vitro

AIM： To analyze the neutralizing activity of antibodies against E1 region of hepatitis C virus （HCV）. Specific polydonal antibody was raised via immunization of New Zealand rabbits with a synthetic peptide that had been derived from the E1 region of HCV and was shown to be highly conserved among HCV published genotypes. METHODS： Hyper-immune HCV E1 antibodies were incubated over night at 4 ℃ with serum samples positive for HCV RNA, with viral loads ranging from 615 to 3.2 million IU/mL. Treated sera were incubated with HepG2 cells for 90 min. Blocking of viral binding and entry into cells by anti E1 antibody were tested by means of RTPCR and flow cytometry. RESULTS： Direct immunostaining using FITC conjugated E1 antibody followed by Flow cytometric analysis showed reduced mean fluorescence intensity in samples pre-incubated with E1 antibody compared with untreated samples. Furthermore, 13 out of 18 positive sera （72%） showed complete inhibition of infectivity as detected by RT-PCR. CONCLUSION： In house produced E1 antibody, blocks binding and entry of HCV virion infection to target cells suggesting the involvement of this epitope in virus binding and entry. Isolation of these antibodies that block virus attachment to human cells are useful as therapeutic reagents.

初发SLE病人Th1/Th2及调控因子IL-18基因研究

目的：探讨未经药物治疗初发狼疮病人Th1/Th2细胞亚群分布及其调控细胞因子、细胞因子受体基因表达的差异，试图揭示系统性红斑狼疮发病的免疫紊乱机理。方法：运用三色荧光标记法流式细胞术检测42例未经药物治疗初发狼疮病人细胞亚群分布，并以10例正常人作对照；ABI7700 real-time PCR法同时检测 38例未经药物治疗初发狼疮病人和 28例正常人IL-18及其受体mRNA表达水平的差异。结果：①初发狼疮病人Th1较正常人明显减低（P<0．05），但Th1/Th2无显著性改变。②与正常组相比，SLE组病人IL-18 mRNA及其受体表达较正常人明显降低（P<0．05）；③面部红斑组病人Th1/Th2较正常人明显降低（P<0．05）；④关节炎组SLE病人较无关节炎病人IL-18表达降低。结论SLE是一种以Th1细胞下降，Th2细胞相对占优势的免疫介导的自身免疫性疾病，源于诱导向Th1细胞分化的IL-18及其受体减少和细胞因子间失衡所致。

扩张型心肌病小鼠Th1/Th2细胞亚群及其相关细胞因子的分析

目的:探讨体液免疫在扩张型心肌病发病机制中的重要性。方法:以线粒体腺苷酸转位酶(adeninenucleotidetranslocator,ANT)合成肽免疫液免疫小鼠建立扩张型心肌病动物模型(DCM组) ,运用三色荧光标记流式细胞术检测其脾淋巴细胞中Th细胞亚群分布,ELISA法检测其血清细胞因子IFN γ、IL 4、IL 2、IL 6、TNF α的表达及其抗ANT自身抗体的产生。以不含肽的免疫液免疫小鼠为对照组。结果:DCM组小鼠Th1及Th2细胞亚群较对照组均有增多,以Th2更为显著,且Th1/Th2比值明显低于对照组(P均<0 0 1) ;IL 4、IL 6和TNF α表达明显增高,而IFN γ和IL 2却较对照组明显降低(P均<0 0 1) ;抗ANT自身抗体均为阳性,对照组为阴性。结论:ANT合成肽诱导扩张型心肌病时Th细胞均被激活,Th2细胞介导的体液免疫应答在该病发病机理中起着优势作用。

初发SLE患者Th1/Th2及其调控因子基因的研究

目的探讨未经药物治疗初发狼疮病人Th1/Th2细胞亚群分布及其调控细胞因子基因表达的差异。方法运用三色荧光标记流式细胞术检测 35例初发狼疮病人细胞亚群分布 ,并以 10例正常人作对照 ;ABI770 0real -timePCR法同时检测 38例病人和 2 8例正常人IL -10、IL -12P35、IL -12P40、IL18mPNA表达水平的差异。结果 1.初发狼疮病人Th1较正常人明显减低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但Th1/Th2无显著性改变。 2 .与正常组相比 ,SLE组病人IL -12P35、IL -12P40、IL -18mRNA及其受体表达较正常人明显降低 (P均 <0 .0 5 ) ;3.面部红斑组病人Th1/Th2、IL-12P35较正常组降低 (P均 <0 .0 5 ) ;4.RNP阳性组病人IL -12P40较正常组升高 ,IL -12P35、IL -18较正常组降低(P均 <0 .0 5 ) ;5 .有关节炎较无关节炎患者IL -18RmRNA表达升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。 结论SLE是一种以Th1细胞下降 ,Th2细胞相对占优势的自身免疫性疾病 ,源于诱导向Th1细胞分化的一系列细胞因子及其受体减少和细胞因子间失衡所致。

全血培养检测Th_1/Th_2细胞

目的 建立全血培养刺激法检测外周血单核细胞 ( PBMC) Th1/Th2 的方法。方法 无菌抽取 2 0名健康检体者静脉血 ,分别按叶氏和该法 (先加入刺激剂全血培养 5 h后分离淋巴细胞 ,其余步骤按叶氏报道的免疫组化方法操作 )检测 Th1/Th2 细胞。结果 该方法与叶氏法相比 ,Th1/Th2 阳性细胞稍高。结论 该方法结果可靠 ,简便易行 ,适合临床实验室。

Autophagy occurs within an hour of adenosine triphosphate treatment after nerve cell damage:the neuroprotective effects of adenosine triphosphate against apoptosis

After hypoxia, ischemia, or inflammatory injuries to the central nervous system, the damaged cells release a large amount of adenosine triphosphate, which may cause secondary neuronal death. Autophagy is a form of cell death that also has neuroprotective effects. Cell Counting Kit assay, monodansylcadaverine staining, flow cytometry, western blotting, and real-time PCR were used to determine the effects of exogenous adenosine triphosphate treatment at different concentrations （2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mmol/L） over time （1, 2, 3, and 6 hours） on the apoptosis and autophagy of SH-SY5Y cells. High concentrations of extracellular adenosine triphosphate induced autophagy and apoptosis of SH-SYSY cells. The enhanced autophagy first appeared, and peaked at 1 hour after treatment with adenosine triphosphate. Cell apoptosis peaked at 3 hours, and persisted through 6 hours. With prolonged exposure to the adenosine triphosphate treatment, the fraction of apoptotic cells increased. These data suggest that the SH-SY5Y neural cells initiated autophagy against apoptosis within an hour of adenosine triphosphate treatment to protect themselves against injury.

外周血Th_1/Th_2淋巴细胞类型与乙肝疫苗接种后应答关系的研究

【目的】 通过检测乙肝疫苗接种后无应答者外周血中CD4 +淋巴细胞分泌细胞因子的情况 ,探讨Th1/Th2细胞类型与乙肝疫苗接种后无应答者之间的关系。 【方法】 利用流式细胞分析方法对 30例乙肝疫苗应答者和 2 4例乙肝疫苗无应答者外周血中淋巴细胞的胞内细胞因子 (IL 4 ,IFN γ)和表面抗原 (CD4 )进行分析。 【结果】 乙肝疫苗无应答者Th1细胞数和Th1/Th2 细胞比值与乙肝疫苗应答者有明显差别 (P <0 .0 1)。

Analysis of Th1/Th2 Response Pattern for Erythrodermic Psoriasis

As one of the most serious types of psoriasis, pathogenesis of erythrodermic psoriasis（EP） is unclear so far. In this study, we aimed to detect the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine-associated transcription factors and T-lymphocyte clone in peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMCs） derived from EP patients, and gene expression level of T-bet/GATA-3 in skin lesion. The potential role of Th1/Th2 reaction pattern played in the pathogenesis of EP was also discussed. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA among 16 EP patients, 20 psoriasis vulgaris（PV） patients and 15 healthy controls. The expression levels of T-bet/GATA-3 in the skin lesion and PBMCs were examined by real-time qPCR. The ratio of Th1/Th2 was measured by flow cytometry. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 were higher in EP patients than in the healthy controls. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were 69.44±11.45 and 12.62±4.57 pg/mL, respectively, in EP patients, significantly higher than those in PV patients and healthy controls（P〈0.05）. Flow cytometry revealed the levels of both Th1 and Th2 in PBMCs from EP patients were higher than those in healthy controls, and the Th1/Th2 ratio was dramatically lower than in PV patients（P〈0.01）. The ratios of IFN-γ/IL-4 and T-bet/GATA-3 in EP patients were both less than 1.0, suggesting a reversal when compared with the other two groups. Our study indicated that the EP patients exerted a Th1/Th2 bidirectional response pattern, and the balance of Th cell subsets inclines to Th2, which might be one of the important mechanisms of EP pathogenesis.

Duchesnea Phenolic Fraction Inhibits Tumor Growth through Restoring the Th1/Th2 Balance in U14 Cervical Cancer Bearing Mice

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke has been traditionally used to treat cancer in Asian countries for centuries. In the present study, transplanted U14 cervical cancer mouse model was used to evaluate the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of Duchesnea phenolic fraction (DPF). ELISA and RIA assay were employed to measured the serum concentration of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α). Administration with 0.25 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg DPF significantly reduced the tumor weight by 34.37%, 43.89% and 56.28%, respectively, as compared to the tumor control group. Furthermore, the serum level of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α increased and IL-4 level decreased in a dose-dependent manner during DPF treatment, indicating that the antitumor activity of DPF may be associated with the decrease of TNF-α level and restoration of the balance of Th1/Th2 cell responses. These data suggested that DPF, a mixture of plant polyphenols, had potent anticancer activity which was in part accomplished by its immunomodulatory ability.

Regulatory T cells percentage in peripheral blood before and after eradication of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induces gastroduodenal diseases and vigorous humural and cellular immune abnormalities. In order to clarify the immunological changes before and after eradication of H. pylori, the percentages and ratios of the following cells in the peripheral blood of 32 H. pylori-infected patients and 25 control subjects were analyzed: CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, T helper 1 cells (Th1), T helper 2 cells (Th2), CD4+CD25+ T cells, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), CD4/CD8 ratio, and Th1/Th2 ratio. CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients before (mean ± SD, 2.9 ± 1.9) and after (mean ± SD, 2.8 ± 1.6) eradication of H. pylori than in control subjects (mean ± SD, 2.1 ± 0.9). The percentage of Th2 cells was significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients (mean ± SD, 2.6 ± 1.1) than in control subjects (mean ± SD, 1.9 ± 1.1;p < 0.02). The percentage of Th2 cells after eradication of H. pylori (mean ± SD, 2.3 ± 1.4) was lower than that before eradication. There was no significant difference between control subjects (mean ± SD, 4.1% ± 1.5%) and patients before H. pylori eradication (mean ± SD, 4.5% ± 2.4%) in the percentage of Tregs, but the percentage was significantly higher in patients after H. pylori eradication (mean ± SD, 5.2% ±2.6%) than in control subjects. The function of peripheral induced Tregs was reported to suppress the excessive immune reaction in chronic inflammation. These data suggest that Tregs may proliferate and be activated to suppress the activation of humoral immunity in H. pylori-infected patients, and these changes continue after 3 months or later of successful eradication of H. pylori.

Correlation of serum nutrient levels with immune cell differentiation and inflammatory response activation in children with pneumonia

Objective:To investigate the correlation of serum nutrient levels with immune cell differentiation and inflammatory response activation in children with pneumonia.Methods:200 children with pneumonia who were treated in our hospital between April 2015 and August 2017 were selected as the pneumonia group, and 100 healthy children who were vaccinated in this hospital during the same period were selected as the normal control group. The differences in serum levels of nutrients, Th1/Th2 cytokines, Th17/Treg cytokines and inflammatory mediators were compared between the two groups. Pearson test was used to assess the relationship between serum nutrient levels and disease severity.Results: Serum Vit A, Fe and Zn levels of pneumonia group were lower than those of control group. The differences in serum Vit D, Ca and Mg levels were not statistically significant between the two groups of children. Serum Th1 cytokines IL-2 and TNF-β contents of pneumonia group were lower than those of control group whereas Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 contents were higher than those of control group;Th17 cytokines IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22 contents were higher than those of control group whereas Treg cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β contents were lower than those of control group;inflammatory mediators CRP, PCT and MCP-1 contents were significantly higher than those of control group. Pearson test showed that serum nutrients Vit A, Fe and Zn levels in children with pneumonia were directly correlated with the degree of immune cell differentiation and inflammatory response.Conclusion: Serum Vit A, Fe, Zn and other nutrient levels abnormally decrease in children with pneumonia, and the specific level are directly correlated with the severity of the disease.