Balance of Treg/Th17 in synovium of collagen-induced arthritis rats and impact of TNF-α blockage therapy

AIM: To investigate the balance of Treg/Th17 in synovium of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and the impact of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) blockage therapy. METHODS: Rat CIA model was established by bovine II collagen injection. The pathological score was evaluated by HE staining and toluidine blue staining. The TNF-α level in plasma was measured by ELISA. The expression of Treg/Th17 in synovium was detected by double staining immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The plasma level of TNF-α in CIA group was significantly higher than that in control group and TNFR-Fc treatment group (P<0.01), whereas no significant difference was found between TNFR-Fc treatment group and control group (P>0.05). No significant difference between CIA group and control group in the ratio of CD4⁺Foxp3⁺Treg cells/CD4⁺ cells in synovium (23.12%±4.93% vs 24.66%±5.82%, P>0.05) was observed, whereas the ratio in TNFR-Fc treatment group was significantly increased(33.07%±5.14%). The ratio of CD4⁺RORγt⁺Th17 cells/CD4⁺ cells in CIA group was significantly higher than that in control group and TNFR-Fc treatment group (9.74%±2.23% vs 1.00%±0.59%, 5.63%±1.76%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Differentiation disturbance of Treg/Th17 exists in the synovium of CIA rats. TNFR-Fc may restore the balance of Treg/Th17 by inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation and inducing the production or accumulation of Treg.     

Relationship between Th17 cells infiltrated in lungs and pulmonary vascular reconstruction under hypobarric hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt(RORγt) mRNA and interleukin-17(IL-17) protein in the lung tissue under hypobaric hypoxia, and the relationship between Th17 cells and hypoxic pulmonary vascular reconstruction. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice(n=50) were randomly divided into control group and 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypobaric hypoxia groups. The mice in hypobaric hypoxia groups were housed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(simulated altitude of 6 000 m) for 3 d, 7 d, 14 d or 28 d. The mice in control group were housed in normal pressure and oxygen environment. The hemodynamic data were recorded by cardiac catheterization. The hypertrophy of right ventricle was evaluated by the ratio of weight of the right ventricle to the weight of the left ventricle plus interventri-cular septum, and the right ventricular weight over body weight. The spleen was collected and the proportions of the Th17(CD4⁺IL-17⁺RORγt⁺) cells were detected by flow cytometry. The serum levels of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 and the change of IL-17 in the lung tissue were measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the spleen and lung tissues was measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mouse right ventricular systolic pressure, the hypertrophy index of right ventricle and the serum IL-17 level were significantly elevated in hypoxia groups, which was consistent with the results of flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of RORγt in the lung tissue was also significantly increased in 7 d, 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. The expression of IL-17 in the lung tissue was significantly increased in 14 d and 28 d hypoxia groups. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia promotes differentiation of Th0 cells to Th17 cells in the spleen. The Th17 cells infiltrated in the lung tissue under hypobarric hypoxia are involved in pulmonary vascular reconstruction.     

Role of 17-AAG in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of HCT-15 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of 17-AAG on apoptosis and cell cycle of HCT-15 cells and to clarify the related mechanisms. METHODS: MTT method was employed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of 17-AAG with Aifferent time and different doses on the proliferation of HCT-15 cells. The cells were stained with Annexin V-FITC/propidiumiodide and measured by flow cytometry. The expression of STAT3, cyclin D1, Cyt C, caspase 9 and caspase 3 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment with 17-AAG at concentration of 1.25~20 mg/L for 24 h and 48 h significantly inhibited the activity of HCT-15 cells at both time-and concentration-dependent manners. Treatment with 17-AAG at concentrations of 0.425, 0.85 and 1.7 mg/L for 48 h significantly induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of HCT-15 cells. The exposure of 17-AAG at concentrations of 0.425, 0.85 and 1.7 mg/L for 48 h to the HCT-15 cells significantly down-regulated the expression of STAT3 and cyclin D1 at mRNA and protein levels, but up-regulated Cyt C, caspase 9 and caspase 3 mRNA and protein in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: 17-AAG inhibits the cell activity, induces apoptosis and G₁ arrest by down-regulating the expression of cyclin D1, and promoting the mitochondria apoptosis through STAT3 pathway.     

Adipose-derived stem cells mediate immunosuppression of Th17 in multiple sclerosis

AIM: To investigate how human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) regulates the differentiation of Th17 cells in multiple sclerosis. METHODS: hASCs were isolated from the adipose tissues. Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) kit was used to isolate CD4⁺ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) which were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. The percentage of CD4⁺ T cells was detected by flow cytometry. The activated CD4⁺ T cells were co-cultured with hASCs for about 4 d at different ratios of hASCs to CD4⁺ T cells (1:4 and 1:10) in a Th17 polarised condition. Another group adding anti-leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) antibody was set up. Th17 cell proportion of the CD4⁺ T cells was determined by flow cytometry. The level of LIF in the supernatant of co-cultured system was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R), interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R), LIF and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The result of flow cytometry suggested there were mainly hASCs, and the percentage of CD4⁺ T cells in the PBMCs were above 90% after MACS. The Th17 cell proportion decreased in 1:4 and 1:10 co-cultured groups in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of IL-6R, IL-23R and RORγt was downregulated and the expression of LIFR and LIF was up-regulated. When the anti-LIF was added into the co-cultured system, the ratio of Th17 cells increased and reached to the control level. The protein level of LIF obviously increased after co-cultured. After anti-LIF added, the mRNA expression of RORγt and IL-6R was up-regulated. CONCLUSION: hASCs inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells from multiple sclerosis patients through the competitive inhibition of LIF/IL-6 by secreting LIF.     

Change of intestinal flora and its relationship with IL-23/IL-17 axis in patients with ulcerative colitis

AIM:To investigate the change of intestinal flora distribution and its relationship with interleukin-23 (IL-23)/IL-17 axis in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. METHODS:The fresh fecal samples from 20 patients with active UC and 20 healthy controls were collected. The distribution of the flora was analyzed by direct smear and traditional bacterial culture. The changes of bacteria were detected by real-time PCR. The hemoglobin, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation, and C-reactive protein levels were tested routinely. Both normal and damaged mucosal tissues of UC patients were examined and obtained by colonoscopy, and further assessed by Mayo scoring, Baron grading and HE staining. The expression of IL-17 and IL-23 was observed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS:(1) The degree of flora imbalance in active UC patients was higher than that in the healthy controls (P<0.05). (2) The results of aerobic culture showed that the number of Escherichia coli in the UC patients was significantly lower than that in the normal controls (P<0.01), while Enterococcus was increased obviously (P<0.01). The results of anaerobic culture revealed that the numbers of Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacilli in the UC patients were significantly decreased (P<0.01). (3) Quantitative analysis of target bacteria showed that the relative quantification of Escherichia coli, Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacilli in the UC patients was significantly lower than that in the normal subjects, and the number of Enterococcus was significantly increased (P<0.01). (4) Compared with control group, no significant change of hemoglobin in the UC patients was ovserved, albumin was significantly decreased (P<0.05), but erythrocyte sedimentation and C-reactive protein levels were elevated obviously (P<0.01). (5) The Mayo score, Baron grade, and histopathological score were all increased (P<0.01). (6) High IL-17 and IL-23 expression levels were detected in the UC patients (P<0.01). (7) Correlation analysis showed that the average absorbance values of IL-17 and IL-23 expression were positively correlated with Baron grade (r=0.717, P=0.02; r=0.849, P=0.016) and pathological score (r=0.660, P=0.03; r=0.675, P=0.032). Meanwhile, the average absorbance value of IL-23 expression was negatively correlated with the number of Escherichia coli (r=-0.699, P=0.025), and positively correlated with Enterococcus (r=0.872, P=0.010). Furthermore, the average absorbance value of IL-17 expression was positively correlated with Enterococcus (r=0.764, P=0.046), and both of them were not correlated with other bacteria. CONCLUSION:Obvious flora imbalance exists in active UC patients, changed intestinal microflora is closely related with the degree of inflammation. IL-23/IL-17 axis, as a key factor in the development of UC, may be related to the changes of intestinal microflora. The interaction between intestinal microflora and IL-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC.     

Breast cancer stem cells cultured without insulin and effect of estrogen induction

AIM:To determine whether suspension culture medium without insulin can be used to feed breast cancer tumorsphere, or not. METHODS:MCF7 cells were used to build tumorsphere. The morphological changes, CD44+ CD24- expression, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) expression and multiple division ability were measured to identify the breast cancer stem cells and to detect the function of 17β-estradiol (E2β) in tumorsphere of MCF7 cells. RESULTS:The tumorshere, each containing 30 to 60 cells, was obtained by the method of insulin-removal suspension culture. These cells were cytokeratin 18 and CD10 proteins positive, and the number of CD44+ CD24- cells and ALDH1 protein expression were significantly higher than the adherent cultured cells (P<0.05). Using 10-10 mol/L E2β to treat the tumorshere for 7 d, the tumor cell number and volume were significantly increased. Using 10-10 mol/L E2β to treat the tumorshere for 24 h, the CD44+ CD24-cells and ALDH1 protein expression were significantly higher than those in non-treatment group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Suspension culture medium without insulin can be used to feed breast cancer tumorsphere. These tumorsphere could be used as a model to determine the function of E2β in breast cancer stem cell research.     

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.     

Oocyte development and serum profiles of vitellogenin and steroid hormone levels in captive female Pacific herring Clupea pallasii during their first maturational cycle

ABSTRACT:   The present study investigates the relationship between oocyte development and serum steroid hormone levels in captive Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii , during the first reproductive cycle. The process of oocyte development in Pacific herring belongs to the group-synchronous type. Maturity of the ovary was divided into six periods based on histological observation (i.e. immature (April to September), onset of vitellogenesis (August to October), progress of vitellogenesis (October to December), completion of vitellogenesis (December to March), maturation and spawning (March to April) and spent (late April)). The pattern of seasonal change in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) well reflected the ovarian maturity. Serum vitellogenin levels showed good correlation with change in GSI, which increased from September to a peak (4.2 ± 0.3 mg/mL) in March. Serum estradiol-17β (E2) levels elevated from September and reached a peak (15.8 ± 4.2 ng/mL) in December, and remained comparatively high until March, suggesting that the active vitellogenin synthesis during vitellogenesis is controlled by the high E2 level. 17,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one showed a single sharp peak (2.4 ± 0.28 ng/mL) in early April of the second year, suggesting it was a maturation-inducing steroid in this species.     

规模种植大户机插连作晚稻测土配方施肥技术探讨

以连作晚稻为研究对象,选取规模种植大户典型的高产田和低产田为试验点,通过土壤理化性质化验,制定肥料运筹方案,开展了配方施肥与常规施肥对比试验,探讨配方施肥技术在机插连作晚稻上的应用效果。结果表明,不同类型的连作晚稻机插田,通过测土配方施肥,调整氮肥总量,利用尿素等速效肥代替复合肥作追肥,增施穗肥,可以达到节本、增产、增效的目的,在生产上有应用价值。     

gga- miR-17-5p在鸡骨骼肌和脂肪沉积相关组织及细胞中的表达差异及其关键靶基因的筛选

为探究gga-miR-17-5p在鸡脂肪沉积和肌肉发育中的作用,本研究以矮小品系S3（DW）和隐性白羽鸡（RR）为试验素材,分析gga-miR-17-5p在不同时期腿肌、肝脏、腹脂组织及细胞中的表达差异,并通过KEGG及蛋白互作分析筛选关键靶基因。结果表明：1）gga-miR-17-5p在腹脂、肝脏和腿肌组织中均可表达。在腹脂中,gga-miR-17-5p在0周表达有品种差异（P<0.05）,且2个品种在0周时显著高于其他周龄（P<0.05）;在肝脏中,gga-miR-17-5p在16周有品种差异（P<0.05）,S3系在16周显著高于其他周龄（P<0.05）,隐性白羽肉鸡在16周显著高于0周和8周（P<0.05）;在腿肌中,gga-miR-17-5p在0周有品种差异（P<0.05）,S3系在0周和2周显著于其它周龄（P<0.05）,隐性白羽肉鸡在0周显著高于其他周龄（P<0.05）。2）在脂肪细胞中,gga-miR-17-5p在肌内脂肪细胞诱导分化6 d后的表达显著高于增殖期和分化1 d（P<0.05）;腹脂细胞分化1 d的表达最低,显著低于增殖期、分化4 d和分化6 d（P<0.05）。3）在成肌细胞中,gga-miR-17-5p的表达量随分化时间的延长而升高,且分化6 d的表达显著高于增殖期（P<0.05）。4）KEGG及蛋白互作分析表明,PTEN、MAPK3、PIK3R1、BECN1和PLCB4是gga-miR-17-5p重要的靶基因。RT-qPCR结果表明,PTEN和PIK3R1在成肌细胞增殖期的表达显著高于分化期（P<0.05）。综上,gga-miR-17-5p的表达存在显著的品种和组织差异性,miR-17-5p很可能通过PTEN、MAPK3、PIK3R1、BECN1和PLCB4来影响肌肉发育和脂肪沉积,其中PTEN和PIK3R1尤为关键。本研究为深入研究gga-miR-17-5p的功能和机制提供了坚实的理论基础和数据支撑。