The expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 on T lymphocytes that infiltrate in nasal polyps

AIM:To investigate the expression of Th1-typed cytokine IFN-γ and Th2-typed cytokine IL-4 on T lymphocytes that infiltrate in nasal polyps for searching the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. METHODS:Nasal polyps tissue samples and peripheral blood were obtained from 21 patients. Normal human inferior turbinate mucosa and peripheral blood were obtained as well. Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 of T lymphocytes. RESULTS: Th cytokines were rarely detected in inferior turbinate from normal human. Nasal polyps tissue consisted of abundant T lymphocytes. The expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ increased in peripheral blood from patients compared with normal human (P<0.05). The expression of IL-4 increased but the expression of IFN-γ decreased in nasal polyps compared with that of peripheral blood from the same patient (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION:There were generous of T lymphocytes infiltrating in nasal polyps. There was abnormal immune status in the local nasal mucosa from the patients, and the predomination of Th cytokine secretion changed compared with peripheral blood from the same patients, which resulted in the change of microenvironment of nasal mucosa and possibly close related to the formation of nasal polyps.     

Effect of activation of stimulator cells on expression of CD69 by responder T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction

AIM: To study the influence of status of stimulator cells on activation of responder T cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), so as to provide some basis for clinical transplantation. METHODS: Stimulator cells were pretreated differently before mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) to change their functional status, fluorescence conjugated antibodies and flow cytometry were used to detect expression of CD69 by responder T cells at several different time points.RESULTS:The expression percentages of CD69 by responder T cells in MLCa group(stimulator cells were pre-activated)were significantly higher than those in MLC group(stimulator cells were not pre-activated)at 24,48and 72 hours of culture,respectively(5.21%±0.24%vs 1.98%±0.33%,29.81%±0.85%vs 20.65%±1.00%and 39.61%±1.62%vs 13.49%±0.60%,P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that with pre-activated stimulator cells, expression of CD69 by responder T cells could be significantly elevated in MLR.     

Functional expression of B7H1 on pancreatic carcinoma panc-1 cells

AIM: To observe the effect of B7H1 expression in pancreatic carcinoma cells on the proliferation and activation of co-cultured T lymphocytes. METHODS: B7H1 expression in panc-1 cells before and after interferon-γ(IFN-γ) treatment or B7H1-siRNA transfection was evaluated by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. The influence of B7H1 expression on co-cultured PHA-activated T lymphocytes was determined by the methods of MTT and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: B7H1 was highly expressed in panc-1 cells and up-regulated after IFN-γ stimulation. Such up-regulation led to the significant inhibition of T cell proliferation and secretion of cytokines such as IFN-γ and interleukin-2(IL-2). However, IL-10 production was enhanced. In contrast, knockdown of B7H1 expression in panc-1 cells by RNA interference resulted in increased T cell proliferation as well as IFN-γ and IL-2 production. Meanwhile, the IL-10 secretion decreased. CONCLUSION: B7H1-expressing panc-1 cells suppress T cell function by inhibiting T cell proliferation and production of Th1 cytokines. Suppression of B7H1 expression through siRNA restores T cell immune functions, indicating a potential strategy for immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer.     

The characteristics of TCRVα24+ NKT cells in response to in vitro stimulation

AIM: To investigate the amount and patterns of expressing CD69, IL-4 and IFN-γ on TCRVα24⁺ NKT cells, and compare with that of CD3⁺ T cells from human peripheral blood in response to in vitro stimulation. METHODS: The whole blood was stained with three-color immunofluorescence directly or after cultured with PDB+ionomycin (Ion) for 6 h, then the mononuclear cells were separated by lysing red blood cells. The expression rates of CD69, IL-4 and IFN-γ on TCRVα24⁺ NKT cells and CD3⁺ T cells were estimated by flow cytometer. RESULTS: As a proportion of mature T cells, the ratio of TCRVα24⁺ NKT cells to CD3⁺ T cells was about (1.34±0.42)%. The expression rates of CD69 on TCRVα24⁺ NKT cells and CD3⁺T cells in response to PDB+Ion for 6 h were (96.71±1.33)% and (98.60±0.47)%, respectively, while the ratio were (11.47±2.86)% and (1.07±0.45)% in the unstimulated group, and there were significant difference between them. The expression rates of IL-4 and IFN-γ on TCRVα24⁺ NKT cells stimulated with PDB+Ion for 6 h were (48.62±2.44)% and (46.65±8.91)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of unstimulated group [(31.57±3.31)%, (13.45±6.29)%] and that of stimulated CD3⁺ T cells, though the expression rates on stimulated CD3⁺ T cells were significantly higher than that of unstimulated CD3⁺ T cells. CONCLUSION: There is small amount of NKT cells in adult human peripheral blood. The expression rates of IFN-γ and IL-4 on these lymphocytes are higher than CD3⁺ T cells, suggesting that NKT cells are important immunomodulatory cells in special microvironments.     

Effects of recombinant viral chemokine vMIP-II on cellular immunity stimulated by LPS

AIM: To investigate the produce of intracellular cytokine following short-term in vitro stimulation with vMIP and LPS, and discuss the effect of vMIP to cellular immunity. METHODS: The methods of Cross-linking of radioactivity, ELISA and four-colors flow cytometer were used to test the level of the secretion of chemokine IL-12 and intracellular cytokine IFN-γ and IL-4. RESULTS: After treated the PBMCs with vMIP-II, the levels of secretion of IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-4 were reduced in the present of LPS by competitively combining chemokine receptor; vMIP promoted CD4⁺T cell to secrete IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-4. CONCLUSION: vMIP-II can protect systemic response of immunity and reduce extremely inflammation by down-regulating proinflammation.     

Effects of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β on apoptosis of human airway smooth muscle cellsin vitro

AIM:To clarify if interferon-γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)can induce apoptosis of human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) in vitro.METHODS:Human ASMCs were isolated and cultured in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Passage 4-6 cell was used in the experiment. IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1β, were used separately or together in the treatment of human ASMCs. The effects of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-1β on the growth of the cells was detected by MTT method at the hour 0,24,48 and 72. Light microscopy and electron microscopy were used to examine the morphological change. DNA fragmentation was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. SP immunohistological staing method was performed to detect the change of expressions of p 53, bcl- 2 and bax gene. The apoptosis cell percentage were detected by in situ end labeling technique (TUNEL)of fragmental DNA. RESULTS:(1)IFN-γ or IFN-γ together with TNF-α and IL-1β decreased the number of viable cells in a time dependent manner. (2) Light and electron microscopic examination showed cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, nuclear contraction, chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation in human ASMCs. (3) Agarose gel electrophoresis showed a characteristic"ladder"of DNA bands representing integer multiples of the internucleosomal fragments (about 180-200 bp) in cytokine cotreated human ASMCs. (4)The expression of p 53 and bax gene in cytokine cotreated group was significantly higher than in control group, but the expression of bcl-2 gene was lower than in control group. (5)Stimultaneous treatment with IFN-γ(4×10⁵ U/L),TNF-α(4×10⁵ U/L)and /or IL-1β (10×10⁴ U/L) induced apoptosis of human ASMCs. Apoptotic index of human ASMCs in cytokine co-treated group was significantly higher than in control group (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Stimultaneous treatment with IFN-γ,TNF-α and /or IL-1β induced apoptosis of human ASMCs. These immune cytokines may play an important role in airway remodeling of asthma and of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Modulatory function of high-dose hepatitis B surface antigen vaccine to cellular immune responses in mice

AIM:To observe the effects of high-dose hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) vaccine on cellular immune response in BALB/C mice.METHODS:The mice were immunilized separately with low-dose and high-dose HBsAg vaccine by intramuscular injection two times. The specific proliferative activities of T lymphocytes were measured by -[H³]TdR incorporation assay. IL-2 as well as IFN-γ levels in the culture supernatant of T cells and anti-HBs IgG2a lever in sera were detected by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.RESULTS:After first vaccination with high-dose HBsAg, the proliferative activities of T cells in the experimental group were significantly stronger, both levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ were markedly higher than that in the control group and the percentage of mice to produce serum anti-HBs IgG2a was significantly higher compared to that of mice immunilized by low-dose HBsAg. All data in experimental groups were further increased after second dose of vaccine.CONCLUSION:Vaccination of mice with high-dose HBsAg can induce cellular immune responses tended to Th1(T helper 1 subset) response.     

Induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vitro by dendritic cells pulsed with different glioma antigens

AIM: The goal of this study was to compare different methods for tumor antigen preparation, to observe the induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in rats by dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with different tumor antigens. METHODS: The precursors of dendritic cells were isolated from bone marrow of rats, stimulated in vitro with recombinent rat granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rrGM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (rrIL-4). Then rat DCs were pulsed with C6 tumor cell antigens prepared with different methods: freeze-thaw, boiling or total protein extracted from ultrasonic crushed tumor cell. Subsequently primed DCs were cocultured with T lymphocytes isolated from spleen to induce CTL. Lymphocyte chemoattractant factor from DCs and cytokine IFN-γ release were determined by ELISA, the cytotoxicity of CTL was assayed by JAM test. RESULTS: DCs pulsed with boiled tumor cell in vitro induced an enhanced ability of T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity.CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that DCs primed with boiled tumor cell may represent a method for inducing immune responses against the entire repertoire of tumor antigens of malignancies.     

A preliminary study of the mechanisms of immune tolerance to experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis

AIM: To explore the mechanism of immune tolerance to experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) in nasally tolerized rats and Wistar rats. METHOD: [³H]thymidine incorporation and solid-phase ELISPOT assay were used. RESULTS: The stimulative index of lymphocyte proliferation responses to acetylcholine receptor (AChR) in popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes (PILN) of EAMG rats was higher than that of nasally tolerized rats on week 3, 5 and 7 post immunization (PI) with AChR plus complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and was higher than that of Wistar rats on week 7 PI (P＜0.05). The values of AChR-reactive interferon(IFN)-γ-secreting cells in PILN of EAMG rats was higher than that of nasally tolerized rats and Wistar rats on week 5 and 7 PI (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: When EAMG occured the lymphocyte immune response to AChR enhanced and secreting IFN-γ by Th l like cells increased. When tolerance to EAMG happened the lymphocyte immune response to AChR reduced and Thl like cells of secreting IFN-γ were suppressed.     

Influences of protein kinase C inhibitors on the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ by human T-lymphocytes

AIM:To investigate the influences of protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitors on the expression of interleukin-2(IL-2) and interferon-γ(IFN-γ) byin vitro activated T-lymphocytes. METHODS:Double fluorescent staining together with flow cytometry was adopted to detect intracellular cytokines and to analyze the effects of H7 and gossypol on IL-2 and IFN-γ expression levels of T-lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol ester (PDB)+ionomycin(I) in the presence of monensin.RESULTS:The expression rates of IL-2 and IFN-γ of CD3⁺ T cells stimulated with PDB+I for 4 h were 16.64±2.04 and 25.81±3.53(x±s), respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control (1.06±0.22 and 3.12±0.77)(P＜0.05). Gossypol was able to inhibit the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ significantly, with the expression rates of 2.08±0.12 and 9.01±1.90, respectively. At the presence of 50 μmol/L H7, the rates of IL-2⁺ and IFN-γ⁺ CD3⁺ T cells were 0.43±0.06 and 2.40±0.27, respectively. The effect of H7 was stronger than that of gossypol. CONCLUSION:PKC plays an important role in the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ of CD3⁺T cells and its inhibitors H7 and gossypol exert significant inhibitory effect on the expression of these two cytokines. It is suggested that H7 and gossypol may have modulatory effect on T-cell-dependent specific immune responses by inhibiting PKC activity.     

Valproic acid exerts differential effects on cytokine synthesis in human peripheral lymphocytes

AIM: Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor and is believed to have anti-tumor activity. The present study aims to investigate the effect of VPA on the, apoptosis and cytokine synthesis of human peripheral lymphocytes.METHODS: The activation and cytokine synthesis in lymphocytes in whole blood stimulated with phorbol dibutyrate (PDB) and ionomycin were evaluated with flow cytometry after fluorescent staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was examined using 3, 3-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide staining.RESULTS: VPA at low doses (1 and 5 mmol/L) promoted CD69 expression in activated lymphocytes, whereas it turned to inhibit the expression of CD69 at a high dose (25 mmol/L). Meanwhile, VPA at low doses increased the mitochondrial membrane potential, while a high dose of VPA decreased it in activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis was enhanced by low doses of VPA but inhibited by a high dose. However, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) synthesis were dose-dependently enhanced by VPA as compared with those of PDB plus ionomycin-treated cells.CONCLUSION: VPA exerts biphasic effect on the further activation and apoptosis of human peripheral lymphocytes stimulated with mitogens and exhibits differential activity on the synthesis of several important cytokines in human lymphocytes.     

Effect of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on T helper cell 17 and expression of related cytokines in penetrating keratoplasty in mice

AIM: To evaluate the effects of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on T helper cell 17 (Th17 cells) and its related cytokines in a mouse model of corneal allograft transplantation. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were transplanted with corneal grafts from BALB/c mice and treated intraperitoneally with 1.0 μg 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or soybean oil every other day after operation. The transparency of the corneal grafts was evaluated for potential rejection signs by slit lamp biomicroscopy and histopathology. The expression levels of IL-17, RORγt and IFN-γ in the spleen were measured by real-time PCR. Moreover, the protein expression of RORγt and IL-17 in the peripheral blood was analyzed by Western blotting. IL-17 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 significantly inhibited the rejection of the corneal allograft and reduced the numbers of inflammatory infiltrates in the corneal graft. In the spleen, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment reduced the expression levels of IL-17, RORγt and IFN-γ. In the peripheral blood, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment downregulated the expression levels of RORγt, IL-17 and IFN-γ. CONCLUSION: The effects of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on suppressing corneal transplantation-induced allograft rejection in mice are closely associated with its modulation on IL-17 and related cytokine RORγt.     

Effect of microRNA-7 knockdown on ConA-induced acute liver injury in mice

AIM: To study the effect of microRNA-7 (miR-7) knockdown (KD) on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice.METHODS: Wild type (WT) mice and miR-7KD mice were received ConA (30 mg/kg) to induced acute liver injury model by intraperitoneal injection, and the morphological changes, liver weight and weight index were measured 48 h later. The pathological changes of the liver tissues were observed by HE staining. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), IL-4 and IFN-γ were detected by ELISA. The proportional changes of CD4⁺ T cells and the relative levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: The color of the liver tissue became lighter, and the weight and weight index were changed significantly in miR-7KD mice compared with control group (P<0.05). HE staining showed that the inflammatory cell infiltration was increased in the liver of miR-7KD mice. Moreover, the level of serum ALT was significantly increased (P<0.05). The serum level of IFN-γ elevated significantly (P<0.01), while the IL-4 levels decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the serum of miR-7KD mice. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4⁺ T cells and relative IFN-γ cells increased obviously (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: miR-7 knockdown promotes the pathogenesis of the ConA-induced acute liver injury in mice.     

Effect of mesenchymal stem cells on secreting function of T lymphocytes from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in vitro

AIM: To analyze the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on secreting cytokines by T lymphocytes from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in vitro.METHODS: Human bone marrow-derived MSCs were isolated by Ficoll Hypaque and cultured for proliferating to passage cells. Allogeneic T lymphocytes of ITP were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll Hypaque and nylon cotton column. Then the stromal feeder layers of different numbers (2×103, 1×104, 5×104 per well) of MSCs treated with mitomycin were co-cultured with above-mentioned T lymphocytes. The supernatant were respectively collected on day 2, 4 and 6 after co-culture, then the levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 secreted by T lymphocytes were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) dynamically.RESULTS: The levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ secreted by T cells from ITP were higher than those from normal control (P<0.05, respectively). Inversely, IL-4 and IL-10 were lower than those in normal control (P<0.05, respectively). After co-cultured with T lymphocytes, MSCs significantly inhibited the cytokine levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ secreted by T lymphocytes from ITP or health adults (P<0.05, respectively) in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05, respectively), and the effect was more obvious when co-cultured for 4 days or 6 days than that for 2 days (P<0.05, respectively). However, MSCs significantly promoted the releases of IL-4 and IL-10 by T lymphocytes from ITP patients (P<0.05, respectively) in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05, respectively), and the effect on IL-10 was in a time dependent way (P<0.05), while the effect on IL-4 had no obvious difference among 2 d, 4 d and 6 d(P>0.05). As for health control group, when cell numbers exceeded above 1×104, MSCs obviously promoted IL-4 and IL-10 levels secreted by T lymphocytes (P<0.05) in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05), and both of the effects were more noticeable when co-cultured for 4 d or 6 d than that for 2 d(P<0.05, respectively).CONCLUSION: MSCs regulate the balance between Th1 and Th2 reaction and partly correct ITP Th1 polarization in vitro.     

Immunomodulatory effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with interleukin-17 receptor-like molecule overexpression on spleen lymphocytes from mice with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis

AIM: To investigate the immunomodulatory effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with interleukin-17 receptor-like molecule overexpression (IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs) on the spleen lymphocytes from the mice with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis for providing optimal seed cells to treat inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human umbilical cord. The IL-17RLM gene was transferred into mesenchymal stem cells by lentivirus vector to establish IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs. The experimental colitis mice were induced by TNBS enema, and the spleen lymphocyte suspension was isolated. The lymphocytes were co-cultured with different concentrations of IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs and hUCMSCs under the stimulation of concanavalin A (ConA) for 72 h. The proliferation of lymphocytes was detected by the methods of CCK8 assay and CFSE labeling with lymphocytes+ConA as positive control. The changes of lymphocyte subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg) were examined by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Both hUCMSCs and IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs inhibited T-cell proliferation in vitro co-culture system (P < 0.05). When the ratios of MSCs to lymphocytes ranged from 1:1 to 1:10, the inhibitory rates were in a dose-dependent manner. IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs showed higher inhibitory rate than hUCMSCs within the effective concentration range (P < 0.05). Both hUCMSCs and IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs reduced the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cell subsets and increased Treg cell population of spleen lymphocytes from TNBS-induced colitis mice, and IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs showed a stronger inhibitory effect on Th17 cell subset (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IL-17RLM-hUCMSCs remarkably inhibit the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes from TNBS-induced colitis mice in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, they regulate immune balance of T cells and have stronger inhibitory effect on Th17 subset.     

Effects of chronic Clonorchis sinensis infestation on inflammatory reaction of macrophages

AIM：To evaluate the immune state in rats with chronic Clonorchis sinesis (Cs) infestation by investigating the effects of Cs on macrophage polarization and inflammatory reactions. METHODS：Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Chronic Cs infestation model was reproduced by intragastric perfusion with Cs eggs. Twenty rats were randomly divided into normal group (n=10) and Cs infestation group (n=10). The serum levels of interleukin (IL-4) and IL-10, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were detected by ELISA. The macrophages were harvested by peritoneal lavage. The differentiation proportion of M1 and M2 macrophages were detected by flow cytometry. The macrophages were divided into control group, normal group and chronic Cs infestation group according to the sources of macrophages. The levels of TNF-α and IL-10 in the culture supernatants were detected by ELISA at 0, 2, 12 and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 μg/L) stimulation in vitro. RESULTS：Compared with normal group, chronic Cs infestation increased the serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10. The differentiation proportion of M1 detected by flow cytometry was 92.1% in normal group and that of M2 macrophages was 93.8% in Cs infestation group. The levels TNF-α and IL-10 in culture supernatants were increased at 2~24 h after LPS stimulation both in normal group and Cs infestation group, but the levels of TNF-α were lower in chronic Cs infestation group than that in normal group at 2 h,12 h and 24 h after LPS stimulation. The level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was higher in Cs infestation group than that in normal group at 2 h, 12 h and 24 h after LPS stimulation. CONCLUSION：Chronic Cs infestation increases the serum levels of both pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus inducing the polarization of M2 macrophages. The macrophages derived from chronic Cs-infected rats produce tolerance in the inflammatory process against LPS in vitro.     

Effect of IFN-γ inhalation on the cellular immunity of the lungs

AIM:To study the effect of IFN-γ inhalation on the anti-infection ability of the lungs in the immunocompromised host. METHODS:The immunological factors in the immunocompromised rats and the immunocompromised rats administrated IFN-γ via aerosol were investigated after 1, 3, 7 days when they were injected Candida albicans via tracheal. The Canidda albicans count of the left lung was also determined after 7 days when injecting pathogen. RESULTS:The Canidda albicans count of the left lung in IFN-γ group was significantly less than that of control group. The phagocyting and bactericidal percentages, Ia antigen expression percentages, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture supernatant of the AM, the activity of IFN-γ and TNF-α in BALF (except the TNF-α on 7 th day) in IFN-γ group were markedly higher than those in control group. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-1β pulmonary tissues in IFN-γ group was higher than that in control group. The expression of TNF-α in IFN-γ group was less than that in control group. The expression of IL-6 was no changes between two groups. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 in the blood (except IL-1β on 3 rd day), and the killing ability of the lymphocytes in blood had no difference between two groups. CONCLUSION:Administration of IFN-γ via aerosol obviously enhanced the anti-infection ability of the lungs in the immunocompromised host, but has no influence on the whole body cellular immunity.     

Effects of sterigmatocystin on IL-2 and IFN-γ secretion and expression in murine spleen cells in vitro

AIM: To explore the effects of sterigmatocystin (ST) on IL-2 and IFN-γ expression and secretion in murine spleen cells in vitro. METHODS: The secretion and expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in murine spleen cells after ST pretreatment at five different dosages(0.125 mg/L,0.25 mg/L,0.5mg/L,1 mg/L,2 mg/L) were studied with ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR method, respectively. RESULTS: Pretreatment of murine spleen cells in vitro with ST at five different dosages affected the IL-2 and IFN-γ secretion at protein level and expression at mRNA level of the treated cells. The effects varied dependently to the ST dosage. At relatively lower dosages, ST induced the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in murine spleen cells, while at relatively higher dosages, inhibitory effects were found, with the most significant inhibitory effects seen in ST 1 mg/L group. CONCLUSION:ST affected the se-cretion and expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in treated murine spleen cells.At relatively lower dosage, ST induced IL-2 and IFN-γ secretion and expression, while at relatively higher dosages，inhibitory effects appeared.     

Influence of Cordyceps sinensis on cytokine profile of dendritic cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary rat model

AIM: To investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on dendritic cells (DCs) in the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Eighteen Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, COPD group and CS group.The rats in the latter 2 groups were exposed to cigarette smoking for 8 weeks with (CS group) or without (COPD group) CS treatment. The rats in control group were maintained under normal condition. After 8 weeks,the histological changes of the right lung were observed under microscope. The DCs from the 3 groups were harvested and the supernatants of DCs were analyzed for the levels of TNF-α and IL-12 p70 by commercially available ELISA kit. The DCs were then washed and cocultured in vitro with autologous T cells purified by a nylon cotton column. The supernatants of DCs-T coculture were collected after 72 h incubation, and analyzed for the levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by ELISA. RESULTS: Analysis of the rat lung parenchyma revealed a significant decrease in the mean alveolar number, an indicator of alveolar density, in COPD group (38±16) and CS group (48±9) in comparison with control group (62±8). The mean alveolar number tended to be increased in CS group than that in COPD group, although this difference did not achieve statistical significance (P>0.05). The concentrations of TNF-α and IL-12 p70 in the culture supernatants of DCs and IFN-γ in the supernatants of DCs-T cocluture were up-regulated in CS group as compared with those in COPD group and control group (P<0.05). The level of IL-5 in the DCs-T coculture supernatants of the 3 groups did not show differences with statistical significance (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effects of CS on COPD rats may be related to modulation of Th1 and Th2 cell functions. This effect is probably mediated through IL-12 p70 produced by DCs and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ produced by autologous T cells.     

Correlation between clinical stages of HBV chronic infection and co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 in HBV-specific CTLs

AIM: To investigate the co-expression of cluster of differentiation 244 (CD244) and programmed death 1 protein (PD-1) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and its correlation with the clinical stages of HBV chronic infection. METHODS: Eighty-one CHB subjects with human leukocyte antigen-A2 (HLA-A2) positive, including 20 cases of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), 20 cases of severe chronic hepatitis B (s-CHB), 34 cases of mild and moderate chronic hepatitis B (m-CHB) and 7 cases of immune tolerant stage (IT) of chronic hepatitis B as well as 14 healthy controls (HC), were enrolled in this study. The co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 was analyzed in virus-specific CD8⁺ T-cells derived from peripheral blood using major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) pentamers targeting immunodominant epitopes of HBV core antigen (18-27). RESULTS: In the patients with chronic HBV infection, virus-specific CD8+T-cells with co-expression of CD244 and PD-1 were at increased levels than those in total CD8+ T-cells (67.48%±17.16% vs 14.01%±7.97%, P<0.01) in the peripheral blood. Among different clinical stages, increased level of CD244 expression coincided with increased expression of PD-1 in m-CHB compared with IT of CHB (73.08%±8.63% vs 53.11%±18.05%, P<0.05), which was followed by decreased co-expression level in ACLF (63.11%±13.87% vs 72.05%±16.86%, P<0.05) and restoration of the ability to secrete IFN-γ (30.95%±20.29% vs 13.63%±10.46%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CD244 and PD-1 are highly co-expressed in HBV-specific CTLs in the patients with s-CHB and m-CHB, and are decreased in ACLF following the restoration of IFN-γ secretion. The severity of CHB may be correlated with CD244 and PD-1 co-expression in HBV-specific CTLs.