[Dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 cytokines in lung tissue of experimental silicotic rat].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Th1 / Th2 cytokines in lung tissue of experimental silicotic rat. METHODS: 84 healthy SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into silica exposure group and control group. Silica suspension at 1 m L( 100 mg / m L) was administrated once by injection of non-exposure bronchus while equal amount of saline was instilled to the rats in control group, rats were sacrificed at 1~(st) day, 1~(st), 2~(th), 3~(th), 6~(th), 9~(th) and 12 ~(th) week after instillation. Cytokines in lung tissue were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with healthy control, the levels of TNF-α was increased at each point in silica exposure group( P < 0. 05). The IFN-γ in silica exposure group was increased in 1~(st) day, 1~(st) and 2~(th) week( P < 0. 05). There was no significant difference about IL-18 between silica exposure group and control group. The IL-4 in silica exposure group was decreased in 1~(st)week, and increased in 9thweek and 12~(th) week( P < 0. 05). The IL-10 in silica exposure group increased in 6~(th) and 9~(th) week( P < 0. 05). The ratio of Th1 / Th2 of silica exposure group was increased in 1~(st)day, 1~(st)and 2~(th) week( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The expression of Th1 cytokines are kept at a high level, Th2 cytokines decrease firstly and increase subsequently. Differential expressions of cytokines play an important role in development of silicosis.

[The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor antibody in serum of coal workers with pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of serum VEGF-Ab in pneumoconiosis of coal workers. METHODS: Four groups of participants were recruited for this study, including 230 with early stage (less serious than stage one) changes in relation to pneumoconiosis, 328 with confirmed coal worker pneumoconiosis, 309 workers exposed to coal dust, and 393 healthy people. All participants completed a questionnaire, and have their peripheral venous blood sample taken. Serum VEGF-Ab was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls and those with early stage changes, the participants with pneumoconiosis and those exposed to coal dust had higher levels of serum VEGF-Ab (P < 0.05). The level of serum VEGF-Ab increased with the progression of stages of pneumoconiosis but without statistical significance (P > 0.05). In those with early stage pneumoconiosis, higher levels of serum VEGF-Ab were found in their 20 yr. - and 40 yr. - compared with those in their 60 yr. - (P < 0.05). By contrast, in those with confirmed pneumoconiosis and the healthy controls, lower levels of serum VEGF-Ab were found in their 20 yr. - and 40 yr. - compared with those in their 60 yr. - (P < 0.05). In those with early stage or first-stage pneumoconiosis, longer than 25 years work experience was associated with higher levels of serum VEGF-Ahb (P < 0.05). In those with confirmed pneumoconiosis, coal mining workers had a higher level of serum VEGF-Ab than their colleagues involving in assistance tasks (P < 0.05). In those exposed to coal dust, tunnelling workers had a higher level of serum VEGF-Ab than their coal mining colleagues (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF-Ab is associated with the occurrence and development of coal worker pneumoconiosis. The level of serum VEGF-Ab increases with age and length of exposure to dust.

Increased expression and function of P-glycoprotein in peripheral blood CD56+ cells is associated with the chemoresistance of non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Chemoresistance is common among non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the human multi-drug-resistant MDR1 gene, and multidrug-resistance protein 1 (MRP1) might be major contributors. The aim of the present study was to develop an effective method to investigate the expression and function of P-gp in the peripheral CD56+ cells in order to clarify their correlation with the chemoresistance in NSCLC. METHODS: Using microbead technology and a RT-qPCR methodology, we evaluated the expression levels of P-gp and MRP1 in the purified CD56+ cells in the chemoresistance and chemo-naive NSCLC patients compared with that in the healthy volunteers. Flow cytometric analysis was used to investigate the changes of P-gp function in the CD56+ cells between the three cohorts. RESULTS: The MDR1 gene expression was elevated markedly (twofold-tenfold), and P-gp function was increased in the chemoresistance cohort compared with the chemo-naive and the healthy cohorts; whereas there was only about two times averagely elevated for the MRP1 gene expression. No statistical significance (p > 0.05) was seen with respect to the expression of MDR1 and MRP1, the function of P-gp between the chemo-naive and the healthy cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: P-gp in peripheral CD56+ cells demonstrated possible clinical relevance as predictive biomarkers for the identification of chemoresistance in NSCLC, while MRP1 may not play a significant role in the drug resistance in NSCLC. The potential applications for this finding are provided evidence to screen the potential P-gp reversors and to diagnose and manage the chemoresistance in NSCLC patients.