Moxibustion regulates T-regulatory/T-helper 17 cell balance by modulating the microRNA-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 axis in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory(Treg)and T-helper 17(Th17)cells,while the role of microRNAs(miRs)in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified.This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)axis in the RA mouse model.Methods A mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)was established in male DBA/1J mice.Twenty-two days after CIA induction,the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times.Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia.The expression levels of cytokines interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The cluster of differentiation 4(CD4+)splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting.The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected,and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.Results It was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,IFN-γand IL-17,while upregulated the expression level of IL-10.The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment.The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment.Furthermore,SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221,which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.Conclusion Moxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.

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.

Active Cell Balancing Control Strategy for Parallelly Connected LiFePO_(4) Batteries

While several recent studies have focused on elimi-nating the imbalance of energy stored in series-connected battery cells,very little attention has been given to balancing the energy stored in parallel-connected battery cells.As such,this paper aims at presenting a new balancing approach for parallel LiFePO_(4) battery cells.In this regard,a Backpropagation Neural Network(BPNN)based technique is employed to develop a Battery Management System(BMS)that can assess the charging status of all cells and control its operations through a DC/DC Buck-Boost converter.Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in balancing the energy stored in parallel-connected battery cells in which the state of charge(SoC)estimation error is found to be only 1.15%.

Experimental study on the anti-inflammatory effect of Mongolian medicine Sendeng Decoction on mice with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic papulosquamous skin disease occurring worldwide caused by varieties of factors.The recipe of Mongolian medicine Sendeng Decoction was recorded in“The Pleasure of the Viewer”compiled by Jigwood Danjinzhamusu.Mongolian medicine clinical experience proved that Sendeng Decoction had good antipyretic,analgesic,anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatism effect.However,the mechanism of this drug in psoriasis is still unclear.In this study,imiquimod cream(IMQ)was used to construct psoriasis model in 8-week-old male BALB/c mice,and Sendeng Decoction was used to treat the mice with psoriasis.The results showed that PASI score and spleen index decreased after Sendeng Decoction treatment.Meanwhile,HE staining showed that the pathological structure was improved,flow cytometry results showed that the proportion of Treg cells increased and Th17 cells decreased,and results of Western blot showed that the level of p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK,p-STAT3 and p-JAK1 decreased observably.More importantly,the above results were most significant in Sendeng's M group,which was similar to MTX group.Our results indicated that Mongolian medicine Sendeng Decoction can effectively relieve the symptoms of psoriasis mice induced by IMQ,mainly by regulating the ratio of Th17/Treg cells through the JAK/STAT and p38 MAPK pathways to reduce the inflammatory state in mice,thereby improving the symptoms of dermatitis.