氧化苦参碱调控CTLA-4和PD-1缓解小鼠类风湿关节炎的作用

目的 观察氧化苦参碱(oxymatrine,OMT)通过免疫负调控机制对小鼠胶原诱导性关节炎(collagen-induced arthritis,CIA)的缓解作用。方法 将DBA/1J小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、OMT组和地塞米松组,每组9只。采用胶原和佐剂等体积混合背部皮下多点注射诱导DBA/1J小鼠,构建CIA小鼠模型。OMT组和地塞米松组分别用氧化苦参碱和地塞米松进行腹腔注射,正常组注射同等剂量的生理盐水。采用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测脾淋巴细胞叉头样转录因子P3(forkhead box protein3,Foxp3)、细胞毒性T淋巴细胞相关蛋白-4(cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4,CTLA-4)和程序性死亡受体-1(programmed cell death protein-1,PD-1)的mRNA表达水平。采用苏木精-伊红染色法(hematoxylin-eosin staining,HE)观察关节滑膜组织的异位生发中心。采用免疫组织化学法和Western blot检测Foxp3及CTLA-4和PD-1的表达。结果 OMT可缓解CIA小鼠关节肿胀度并降低其关节评分,增加脾淋巴细胞和关节组织Foxp3及CTLA-4的表达,降低PD-1的表达(P均<0.05),并减少炎性细胞大面积浸润。结论 OMT可能经增加调节性(Foxp3+)T细胞CTLA-4的表达但降低PD-1的表达而缓解RA。

Forkhead box protein 3 mRNA expression in the peripheral blood of kidney-transplant recipients with acute rejection

Background Regulatory T cells （Tregs） are immunologically and clinically interesting not least because of the important role they play in allograft rejection. Likewise, expression of the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 （FOXP3）, detected in transplant biopsies, is also of intere.（;t because of its role in the development of regulatory T cells. In this study, we investigated the relationship between FoxP3 mRNA expression and acute organ rejection in kidney-transplant recipients. Methods In this prospective study, FoxP3 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood samples from 10 recipients of living relative-donor kidney transplants were measured before transplantation as well as at the 14th and 90th days post-transplantation. In addition, 46 first-time kidney-transplant recipients participated in a cross-sectional study, with 28 patients classified as having acute organ rejection; whilst the remaining 18 patients had functionally stable allografts. FoxP3 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood samples were compared between these two different groups. Results Before transplantation mean FoxP3 mRNA levels vs. GADPH mRNA levels （Ig（FoxP3 mRNA/GADPH mRNA）） in the 10 recipients were 1.11±0.67. The mean FoxP3 mRNA expression levels measured at 14th and 90th days post-transplantation were significantly higher than before transplantation （1.69±0.38, P=0.03; 1.44±0.21, P=0.04, respectively）. Additionally, the mean FoxP3 mRNA levels vs. GADPH mRNA expression levels （Ig（FoxP3 mRNA/GADPH mRNA）） were significantly higher in recipients suffering acute rejection compared with those with stable allografts （1.77±0.61 and 1.43±0.27, respectively, P=0.03）. Conclusions After kidney transplantntion, FoxP3 mRNA levels were found to increase in the peripheral blood of all recipients. Considerably higher FoxP3 rnRNA levels were observed in recipients suffering acute rejection. These results suggest that FoxP3 mRNA levels in peripheral blood samples can be used as a diagnostic tool for identifying acute rejection.

Early-onset refractory diarrhea due to immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome associated with a novel mutation in the FOXP3 gene: A case report

BACKGROUND Immune dysregulation,polyendocrinopthy,enteropathy,X-linked(IPEX)syndrome is a rare X-linked recessive disease caused by mutations in the forkhead box protein 3(FOXP3)gene,which is a master transcriptional regulator for the development and function of CD4+CD25+regulatory T(Treg)cells.The dysfunction of these cells leads to multiple system autoimmune diseases.We present a case of IPEX due to a mutation not reported in the literature before.CASE SUMMARY We report a male patient with IPEX syndrome who presented with refractory diarrhea and malabsorption leading to failure to thrive,as well as with hypothyroidism and nephrotic syndrome.Laboratory investigation showed increased total IgE and Treg cells,decreased free triiodothyronine(FT3)and free thyroxine(FT4),and proteinuria.Multiple dietary and supportive treatments were introduced but did not improve the diarrhea during his hospital stay.Ultimately,whole exome sequencing revealed that the patient was hemizygous for the exon 5,c.542G>A(p.Ser181Asn)mutation of the FOXP3 gene,which has not been previously reported.The patient remains on prednisone and euthyrox while awaiting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the time of the compilation of this case report.CONCLUSION We report a novel FOXP3 gene mutation involved in IPEX.A high level of suspicion should be maintained in an early-onset refractory diarrhea patient.

Expression of E2A in Mid-secretory Endometrium of Women Suffering from Recurrent Miscarriage

E2A is involved in promoting forkhead box P3（FOXP3） and retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t（RORγt） gene transcription, which are pivotal transcription factors of T regulatory cells and Th17 cells, respectively. Little is known about the involvement of E2 A in pregnancy process. This study aimed to investigate the expression of E2 A, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4（CTLA-4）, and Foxp3 in luteal phase endometrium of women suffering recurrent miscarriage（RM）（n=21） and control group（n=11） by immunohistochemistry, with the Vectra？ automated quantitative pathology imaging system for analysis. The percentage of E2 A＋ cells and CTLA-4＋ cells was significantly higher in the endometrium of women with RM than in the controls. There was positive correlation between E2 A and CTLA-4（r=0.523, P=0.002）, E2 A and FOXP3（r=0.380, P=0.032）, and FOXP3 and CTLA-4（r=0.625, P=0.000） in the mid-secretory phase of endometrium for all subjects. It was concluded that the abnormal expression of endometrial E2 A existed in mid-secretory endometrium of women with RM, and there was a positive correlation between E2 A and FOXP3, and E2 A and CTLA-4, suggesting the possible regulation role of E2 A involved in regulating endometrium receptivity.

Fangji Fuling Decoction Alleviates Sepsis by Blocking MAPK14/FOXO3A Signaling Pathway

Objective:To examine the therapeutic effect of Fangji Fuling Decoction(FFD) on sepsis through network pharmacological analysis combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods:A sepsis mouse model was constructed through intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide(LPS).RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by 250 ng/m L LPS to establish an in vitro cell model.Network pharmacology analysis identified the key molecular pathway associated with FFD in sepsis.Through ectopic expression and depletion experiments,the effect of FFD on multiple organ damage in septic mice,as well as on cell proliferation and apoptosis in relation to the mitogen-activated protein kinase 14/Forkhead Box O 3A(MAPK14/FOXO3A) signaling pathway,was analyzed.Results:FFD reduced organ damage and inflammation in LPS-induced septic mice and suppressed LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation in vitro(P<0.05).Network pharmacology analysis showed that FFD could regulate the MAPK14/FOXO signaling pathway during sepsis.As confirmed by in vitro cell experiments,FFD inhibited the MAPK14 signaling pathway or FOXO3A expression to relieve LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation(P<0.05).Furthermore,FFD inhibited the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway to inhibit LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis in the lung tissue of septic mice(P<0.05).Conclusion:FFD could ameliorate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice by inhibiting the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway.

Expansion of GARP-Expressing CD4^(+)CD25^(-)FoxP3^(+)T Cells and SATB1Association with Activation and Coagulation in Immune Compromised HIV-1-Infected Individuals in South Africa

Although antiretroviral treatment lowers the burden of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-related disease,it does not always result in immunological recovery.This manifests as persistent chronic inflammation,immune activation or exhaustion that can promote the onset of co-morbidities.As the exact function of regulatory T(Treg)cells in HIV remains unclear,this cross-sectional study investigated three expression markers(Forkhead box protein P3[FOXP3],glycoprotein A repetitions predominant[GARP],special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1[SATB1])and compared their expansion between CD4^(+)CD25^(-)and CD4^(+)CD25^(++)T cells.Age-matched study subjects were recruited(Western Cape,South Africa)and sub-divided:HIV-negative subjects(n=12),HIV-positive na(i|")ve treated(n=22),HIV-positive treated based on CD4 count cells/μL(CD4>500 and CD4<500)(n=34)and HIV-treated based on viral load(VL)copies/mL(VL<1000 and VL>1000)(n=34).Markers of immune activation(CD38)and coagulation(CD142)on T cells(CD8)were assessed by flow cytometry together with FOXP3,GARP and SATB1 expression on CD4^(+)CD25^(-)and CD4^(+)CD25^(++)T cells.Plasma levels of interleukin-10(IL-10;anti-inflammatory marker),IL-6(inflammatory marker)and D-dimer(coagulation marker)were assessed.This study revealed three major findings in immuno-compromised patients with virological failure(CD4<500;VL>1000):(1)the expansion of the unconventional Treg cell subset(CD4^(+)CD25^(-)FOXP3^(+))is linked with disease progression markers;(2)increased GARP expression in the CD4^(+)CD25^(-)and CD4^(+)CD25^(++)subsets;and(3)the identification of a strong link between CD4^(+)CD25^(-)SATB1+cells and markers of immune activation(CD8^(+)CD38^(+))and coagulation(CD8^(+)CD142^(+)and D-dimer).