Resident Dendritic Cells in the Epidermis: Langerhans Cells, Merkel Cells and Melanocytes

Résumé— En plus des kératinocytes, l'épiderme contient des cellules résidentes de morphologie dendritique. Ce sont principalement la cellule de Langerhans, la cellule de Merkel et le mélanocyte. Ces cellules ont des fonctions diverses dans le tégument. Le mélanocyte assure la pigmentation cutanée et la protection contre les radiations U.V., et pourrait intervenir également dans la modulation de l'inflammation cutanée. La cellule de Langerhans intervient dans la surveillance immunologique des surfaces corporelles ecternes. La cellule de Merkel a des fonctions neuroendocrines. Cet article donne un aperçu de la structure et de la fonction de ces trois importantes populations cellulaires dans la peau. [Resident dentritic cells in the epidermis: Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and melanocytes (Cellules dentritiques résidentes de l'épiderme: cellules de Langerhans, cellules de Merkel et mélanocytes). Resumen— La epidermis contiene, además de los queratinocitos, células résidentes de morfologia dendria dendritica. Estas son principalmente las células de Langerhans, las células de Merkel y los melanocitos. Estas células tienen varias funciones en el integumento. Los melanocitos se encargan de la pigmentación y protección de la piel contra la radiación ultravioleta y tarrtbién participan en la regulación de la inflamación cutánea. Las células de Langerhans ayudan en la regulación inmunológica en la superficie externa. Las células de Merkel tienen funciones neuroendocrinas. Esta revisión da un repaso general a la estructura y función de tres importantes células de la piel. [Resident dendsuitic cells in the epidermis: Langerhans cells, Merkel cells and Melanocytes (Células résidentes en la epidermis: células de Langerhans, células de Merkel y melanocitos). Abstract— In addition to the keratinocytes, the epidermis contains resident cells of dendritic morphology. These are principally the Langerhans cell, Merkel cell and melanocyte. These cells have a number of different functions in the integument. The melanocyte is responsible for skin pigmentation and protection against UV radiation, and may also play a role in the modulation of cutaneous inflammation. The Langerhans cell aids in the immunological monitoring of the body's external surfaces. The Merkel cell has neuroendocrine functions. This review gives an overview of the structure and function of these three important cells of the skin.     

农民接触农药防护措施及对机体影响的研究

了解农民接触农药时采用的防护措施及对机体的影响,对合格对象进行流行病学问卷调查及精液检测,发现农民在配、喷农药及检修喷药器械时未能安全合理使用防护措施;受教育程度与接触农药防护态度有关;长期小剂量接触农药对不稳定细胞有损害。建议为减少或避免农药中毒,政府应加强对农民进行农药基本知识、安全合理使用的宣传教育、推广和普及;增强农民遵守安全操作规程的自我保护意识。     

Apoplastic redox metabolism: Synergistic phenolic oxidation and a novel oxidative burst

The plant apoplast is an important mediator of communication between the cell cytoplasm and its surroundings. Plant cell suspensions offer a convenient model system to gain insight into apoplastic physiology. Here, we describe a novel phenomenon that took place when two naturally occurring phenolics were added together to either soybean or tobacco cell suspensions. Acetosyringone (AS) and/or hydroxyacetophenone (HAP), phenolics found in the extracellular/apoplast of tobacco cells, were added to soybean or tobacco cell suspensions undergoing an oxidative burst. Individually, AS appeared to be utilized as a typical peroxidase substrate to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, while HAP was utilized at a much lower rate. However, when added together the rate of utilization of both phenolics increased and surprisingly resulted in the production of hydrogen peroxide. We have further characterized this novel phenomenon in suspension cells. This study demonstrates that certain phenolics in plants can cause co-oxidation which, as in animals, could alter the structure and bioactivity of surrounding phenolics.     

Antisense drug targeting with VEGF mRNA designed by computer aid and inhibitory effects on K562 cell line in vitro

AIM:The effective antisense sequences targeted VEGF mRNA with computer software would be screened and designed, and effect of them on growth K562 cells and protein expression of VEGF were studied with experiments.METHODS:Seven antisense sequences were selected and synthesized, which consisted of 18-20 deoxynucleotide acid and were modified with phosphorothioate, according to principle of low free energy of overall △G₃₇ Overall. Cell growth was assayed by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and level of VEGF protien in the media was determined by ELISA.RESULTS:Six of seven sequences were capable of inhibing growth of K562 cells and downregulating the VEGF protein expression significantly, compared with Scrambed control group. It was found that there was a close correlation between low level of overall △G₃₇ and antisense effectiveness (r=0.887,P<0.01).CONCLUSION:VEGF mRNA antisense oliogdeoxynucleotides, which were designed by computer software of RNAstructure, were able to inhibit growth of K562 and its protein expression. The VEGF mRNA may be new target attached by drugs. At same time, the computer aided design is useful methods to obtain the effective antisense.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on proliferation and apoptosis of rat mesangial cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the effect of cyclophosphamide(CTX) on proliferation and apoptosis of mesangial cells(GMC) of rat in vitro. METHODS:GMC proliferat ion was detected by MTT method,GMC apoptosis was examined by inverted microscopy for phase-contract and fluoroscopy and flow cytometry analysis.The levels of Fas and Bcl-2 were also detected by immunohistology. RESULTS:The proliferation of GMC were inhibited by CTX, methylprednisolone(MP), low molecular weight heparin(LMWH). Apoptosis of GMC was induced by CTX, the apoptosis rate of GMC was 8.2%, and the Fas level was increased. CONCLUSION:CTX could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of GMC possibly by enhancing the Fas level.     

Cell proliferation and nestin expression in cortex and SEZ of MCAO rats

AIM:To explore the effect of brain ischemia injury on cell proliferation and nestin expression in cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ).METHODS:Using a local brain ischemia model(MCAO), BrdU positive cells of cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ), also nestin positive cells, were observed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:BrdU and nestin positive cells in SEZ of MCAO rats were obviously increased. In cortex, only nestin positive cells were observed.CONCLUSION:Neural stem cells in SEZ and cortex were activated after brain ischemia, it may be related with neural recovery after brain ischemia injury.     

Role of p38MAPK in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells from severe acute pancreatitis rats

AIM:To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signaling pathway in the Kupffer cells (KCs) production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β), in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats.METHODS:Sprague-Dwaley rats were randomized into three groups:①sham operation rats, ②SAP rats, ③SAP rats given the p38 MAPK inhibitor CNI-1493(10 mg/kg, iv). The SAP model was induced by the bili-pancreatic duct infusion with 5% sterile soduim taurocholate solution. Rats from each group were killed at 12 h after sham operation or SAP and Kupffer cells (KCs) were isolated. The mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β (by quantitative real-time RT-PCR) and p38 MAPK activity (by Western blot analysis) in KCs were examined. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in plasma were determined by ELISA.RESULTS:There was a significant acvitation of p38 MAPK in KCs harvested from SAP rats than those from sham operation rats. SAP also promoted the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β in KCs and the plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. These events were significantly inhibited by treatment with CNI-1493.CONCLUSIONS:p38 MAPK activation is one important aspect of the signaling events that may mediate the KCs production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, in SAP rats. The inhibition of the p38 MAPK may be a potential target in the prevention and treatment of SAP.     

Insulin induced LPL mRNA expression in THP-1 macrophage and acceleration of transferring the macrophage to foam cell

AIM:To investigate the effect of insulin on ox-LDL transferring the THP-1 cells to foam cells and influencing the LPL mRNA expression in THP-1 cells.METHODS:THP-1 cells were incubated with 50 mg/Lox-LDL and insulin at concentrations of 10 mU/L, 100 mU/L, 1 000 mU/L and 10 000 mU/L, respectively. The expression of LPL mRNA in cells was detected by RT-PCR. Lipoprotein lipase of THP-1 cells was presented by no-specific lipase staining. THP-1 cells were stained with oil red O. Accumulation of total cholesterol (TC) in THP-1 cells was determined with oxidase assay.RESULTS:In 100 mU/L、1 000 mU/L、10 000 mU/L insulin groups, LPL mRNA expression increased 2 times, the average cell perilength was longer, the percentage of positive oil red O staining cells was significant higher, the content of cholesterol in THP-1 cells was higher than in ox-LDL control (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Insulin accelerates transferring of THP-1 cells to foam cell with exposed to ox-LDL because LPL mRNA expression increased in the cells.     

Mast cell tryptase and asthma

As an important mediator of allergic inflammation, mast cell tryptase is involved in the in duction of hypersensitivity, infiltration of inflammatory cel s and t issue remodeling in respiratory tract.The effects of tryptase inhibitors on the actions of tryptase show further the potential of tryptase in the pathogenesis of asthma and its inhibitors in the treatment of asthma.