Comparison of the value of superficial mark guided localization and hook-wire guided localization techniques for non-palpable breast microcalcifications: A retrospective clinical research.

AIM: The present study compares the effect and accuracy of the superficial mark guided localization (SGL) and hook-wire guided localization (WGL) techniques for non-palpable breast microcalcifications. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted to compare SGL and WGL techniques. These techniques were performed on 51 patients with non-palpable breast microcalcifications from January 2015 to May 2016. RESULTS: Among these 51 patients, 25 (49.01%) patients were subjected to WGL and 26 patients (50.99%) were subjected to SGL. The SGL technique had a higher rate of malignant cancer detection (WGL = 12.0% and SGL = 23.0%). Furthermore, no significant differences were found with regard to average age, the rate of a second excision and the diameter of the excised tissue. Moreover, no complications were observed in the SGL group, while four (16.0%) patients in the WGL group experienced problems. CONCLUSION: The SGL technique is as accurate as the WGL technique. Furthermore, the procedure has advantages of being less expensive and causing less complications.

Assessment of postsurgical outcomes between different implants in patients with empty nose syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of surgery and different implant materials on subjective outcomes in patients with empty nose syndrome (ENS). Methods Postsurgical outcomes were assessed in a meta-analysis of patients with ENS who underwent treatment with different implants. Results We identified 122 relevant studies, and 6 were included in the meta-analysis (4 prospective trials and 2 randomized controlled trials). A significant difference was found between the preoperative and postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) scores for different implants. With respect to implant materials, significant differences were observed between autografts/allografts (AG) and foreign material grafts (FGs). A subgroup analysis of different countries showed that more patients from China underwent surgical implant therapy than patients from other countries. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that surgery can improve the symptoms and SNOT scores of patients with ENS, AGs are more effective than FGs in patients with ENS, and that more patients from China undergo surgical implant therapy than patients from other countries.

Effects of Poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) on Microstructures, Crystallization Behavior and Properties of the Poly(ester ether) Elastomers.

To understand the role of molecular structure on the crystallization behavior of copolyester in thermoplastic poly(ether ester) elastomers (TPEEs), series of poly(butylene-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (P(BT-co-CT))-b-poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) are synthesized through molten polycondensation process. The effects of poly(cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) content on the copolymer are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatographs (GPC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical, and visible light transmittance tests. FT-IR and NMR results confirm the incorporation of PCT onto the copolymer. WAXD and DSC indicate that the crystalline structure of the copolymers changed from α-PBT lattice to trans-PCT lattice when the molar fraction of PCT (MPCT) is above 30%, while both crystallization and melting temperatures reach the minima. An increase in MPCT led to an increase in the number sequence length of PCT, the thermal stability and the visible light transmittance of the copolymer, but to a slight decrease in tensile strength and elastic modulus.

Changes in circulating follicular helper T-cells in Chinese patients with allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS: Changes of circulating Follicular helper T (cTfh) cells existed in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, and the severity of disease was associated with a more severe change of cTfh milieu. These results imply that cTfh cells may play a crucial role in the pathology of AR in Chinese patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cTfh cells in Chinese AR patients. METHODS: Fifty-two patients were studied (32 in the AR group and 20 in the control group) for this research. The cTfh cell frequency and mRNA levels of transcription factor Bcl-6, B lymphocyte induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP-1), and related cytokine IL-21 (IL-21 protein was also measured) were analyzed. Clinical severity was evaluated by total serum IgE levels, visual analog scale scores (VAS), and rhino-conjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaires (RQLQ). RESULTS: The frequency of cTfh cells were elevated in AR groups vs healthy controls (p < 0.05). Levels of IL-21 mRNA, Bcl-6 mRNA and the level of IL-21 protein were also significantly higher in the AR groups (p < 0.05), whereas BLIMP-1 mRNA was decreased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, positive correlations were identified between the frequency of cTfh cells and indicators of clinical severity (p < 0.01).

Effect of Rubber Nanoparticle Agglomeration on Properties of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates during Dynamic Vulcanization.

We previously reported that the dispersed rubber microparticles in ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are actually agglomerates of rubber nanoparticles. In this study, based on this new understanding of the microstructure of TPV, we further revealed the microstructure-properties relationship of EPDM/PP TPV during dynamic vulcanization, especially the effect of the size of rubber nanoparticle agglomerates (dn), the thicknesses of PP ligaments (IDpoly) and the rubber network on the properties of EPDM/PP TPV. We were able to simultaneously obtain a high tensile strength, elongation at break, elastic modulus, and elasticity for the EPDM/PP TPV by the achievement of a smaller dn, a thinner IDpoly and a denser rubber network. Interestingly, the effect of dn and IDpoly on the elastic modulus of EPDM/PP TPV composed of rubber nanoparticle agglomerates is different from that of EPDM/PP TPVs composed of rubber microparticles reported previously. The deformation behavior of the TPVs during stretching was studied to understand the mechanism for the achievement of good mechanical properties. Interestingly, the rubber nanoparticle agglomerates are oriented along the tensile direction during stretching. The TPV samples with smaller and more numerous rubber nanoparticle agglomerates can slow down the development of voids and cracks more effectively, thus leading to increase in tensile strength and elongation at break of the EPDM/PP TPV.

MicroRNA expression profile of mature dendritic cell in chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), which includes CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) and with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), shows imbalance of helper T cells (Th) and regulatory T cells (Treg). The balance of Th and Treg cells is orchestrated by dendritic cells (DCs). Recent studies show functions of DCs can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). This study is aimed to investigate miRNAs expression profiles of peripheral blood DCs in CRS. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of 30 patients with CRS and 7 patients with nasal septum deviation alone were collected. CD14(+) monocytes were isolated from these samples and differentiated into dendritic cells (DCs). Small RNAs were extracted from mature DCs and reversely transcribed into cDNA by Mir-XTM miRNA First-Strand synthesis method. MiRNA microarrays were used for miRNA expression analysis. Microarray results were validated by real-time PCR performed on five top list target genes. RESULTS: MiRNA microarrays showed that DCs from different types of patients have different sets of differential expressed miRNAs when comparing with Controls; they also share 31 commonly changed miRNAs among all three groups of CRS patients. Of these 31 miRNAs, 5 miRNAs were up-regulated and 25 miRNAs were down-regulated in all three types of CRS, while MiR-1290 was down-regulated in CRSsNP but up-regulated in both atopic CRSwNP and non-atopic CRSwNP. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing miRNA gene expression patterns in 3 types of CRS patients, we have been able to identify candidate miRNAs that might mediate the core pathogenesis of CRS through regulating dendritic cells. These miRNAs could serve as potential therapeutic targets for CRS.

Biomarkers for enhancing the radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck malignancy. The incidence of NPC is higher in Southern China and Southeast Asia compared with Western countries. Given its high radiosensitivity, the standard treatment for NPC is radiotherapy. However, radioresistance remains a serious obstacle to successful treatment. Radioresistance can cause local recurrence and distant metastases in some patients after treatment by radiation. Thus, special emphasis has been given to the discovery of effective radiosensitizers. This review aims to discuss the biomarkers, classified according to the main mechanisms of radiosensitization, which can enhance the sensitivity of NPC cells to ionizing radiation.

High concentration of insulin promotes apoptosis of primary cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells via its increase in extracellular HMGB1.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia is a prevalent finding in women with PCOS, which indicates that insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia may be an important player in the pathogenesis of the PCOS. However, the underlying mechanism of insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia on the pathogenesis of the PCOS remains elusive. In this study, we found an increased high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the serum from women with PCOS having insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, we discovered that high concentration of insulin, which mimics insulin resistance model, promoted apoptosis in primary cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) via its effect on the increase in extracellular HMGB1. Our data presented the first evidence that increased HMGB1 induced by insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia promoted apoptosis of ovarian GCs, which provided new molecular basis for the PCOS pathogenesis.

Association study between interleukin-12 receptor ß1/ß2 genes and allergic rhinitis in the Chinese Han population.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a key role in the protection against allergic reaction induced by allergen as well as the differentiation of T helper 1 cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), exerting its biological effects through binding to specific IL-12 receptors (IL-12Rs) termed IL-12Rß1 and IL-12Rß2. In this study, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the IL-12R gene and AR in the Chinese Han population. A total of 543 patients with AR and 749 normal controls were genotyped for IL-12Rß1/rs438421, IL-12Rß2/rs3790565, rs3790567, and rs6679356 using a PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The association study of each polymorphism of the IL-12Rß1 and IL-12Rß2 gene and AR showed that a significantly increased prevalence of the homozygous rs438421 GG genotype and G allele appeared in the AR patients compared with healthy controls. A significantly decreased prevalence of AG in rs438421 in AR patients is compared with healthy controls. Our research demonstrated an important association between polymorphisms in IL-12Rß1 and AR in the Chinese Han population. A strong association between rs438421 in a single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-12Rß1 and AR was identified.

Allergen induced Treg response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and sinuses regulated by T cells. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are involved in controlling immune responses and inhibiting the allergen-specific effector cell response. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether NP patients had defects in Treg cells after specific allergen exposure and the possible correlation between atopy and Treg cells. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), isolated from NP patients and controls, were cultured with allergen+phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or PHA stimulation for 48h. The frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. The level of Foxp3 was measured by Real-time PCR. Concentrations of Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-5 (IL-5), Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Both atopic and non-atopic NP patients had a significantly decreased frequency of Treg cells and Foxp3 level in allergen stimulated PBMCs, also significantly decreased TGF-ß level in culture supernatants. The decrease was even more striking in the atopic group. Also, there were significantly negative correlations between Treg cells and IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5. Moreover, inthe atopic group, allergen stimulation downregulated Treg cells and increased IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 levels, while upregulating Treg cells and decreasing IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 levels in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NP have a defective Treg cell response after allergen stimulation which is related to excessive Th1 and Th2 responses to specific allergens. Atopy may increase the impairment of Treg and exacerbate NP through the defective suppression of Treg on Th1 and Th2.

Management of infected carotid artery rupture.

Carotid artery rupture (CAR) is a life-threatening complication of head and neck cancer, and infection complicates its management. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with the treatment of infected CAR and to summarize the existing literature on this topic. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients treated in our department from 2000 to 2011 and re-analyzed cases reported in the literature during the same time period. We analyzed etiology, anatomic location, treatment, and rates of recurrent hemorrhage for each case. A total of 46 episodes of infected CAR occurred in the four patients in our own records and 27 patients described in the literature. Twenty-eight patients suffered from various head and neck cancers and underwent surgical resection, and 27 of them subsequently received radiotherapy or radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy (the 28th patient died before radiotherapy due to severe blood loss). The most common site of bleeding was the common carotid artery (33/46, 71.7%). Seventeen cases (17/45, 37.8%) were treated with surgical ligation, 20 (44.4%) with stent placement, and 7 (15.6%) with embolization. Surgical ligation had a lower rate of recurrent bleeding (2/17, 11.8%) than stent placement (12/20, 60.0%) when used for the treatment of infected CAR (P = 0.037, Chi squared test). Our results suggest that surgical ligation is an effective option in the management of infected CAR and may be the best choice to prevent recurrent hemorrhage. The complication rates, however, may be high when the common carotid or the internal carotid arteries are ligated.

Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

A predominant Th17 population is a marker of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in Chinese patients. As a ligand-activated transcription factor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a vital role in promoting or inhibiting specific Th cell development. However, its role in CRSwNP remains to be defined. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether AhR, which regulates Th17 cell differentiation, played a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP by evaluating AhR expression in nasal polyps and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from CRSwNP patients. Forty-eight patients (atopic, 24; non-atopic, 24) and 13 controls were studied. To explore the role of AhR in CRSwNP, we analyzed the expression of AhR, retinoid-related orphan receptor C (RORC), interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-10 and the differentiation of Th17 using mRNA or protein detection methods. Notably, the expression of AhR was reduced in CRSwNP, and the expression of AhR was lower in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group. However, there was a very low level of Th17 and its associated factors (RORC, IL-17) in the control group compared to the two CRSwNP groups. In particular, the polarization of Th17 cells in atopic CRSwNP patients was increased compared with non-atopic individuals. In addition, ITE intervention in PBMCs promoted AhR expression and attenuated Th17 responses, demonstrating that AhR was more likely to suppress Th17 cells differentiation in Chinese CRSwNP patients. This information is valuable for obtaining a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. Moreover, patients with atopic CRSwNP may exhibit reduced expression of AhR, leading to aggravation of the disproportionate distribution of Th17 cells in polyp tissues and PBMCs, thereby suggesting that atopic CRSwNP has a distinct pathogenesis from that of non-atopic CRSwNP.

Fluorescence visualization screening for EBV-LMP1-targeted DNAzymes.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a novel screening method for DNAzymes targeting the LMP1 carboxy region. STUDY DESIGN: To design a method to screen special DNAzymes toward the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated carcinoma before clinic use. SETTING: Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education-Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases in Chongqing Medical University. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four novel 10-23 DNAzymes (DZ509, DZ1037, DZ893, and DZ827) targeting the EBV-LMP1 gene were designed and evaluated by detecting enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) expression of LMP1 mRNA and the protein in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line CNE2 transfected with the pEGFP-C1-LMP1c vector. The screened specific DNAzymes were then transfected into NPC cell lines C666-1 while a mutant oligonucleotide mutDZ509 and an antisense oligonucleotide ASODN509 were designed as positive and negative controls. Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, LMP1 mRNA, and the protein were assessed using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Annexin V-fluorescence isothiocyanate (FITC), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blots. RESULTS: The inhibition rates of fluorescence expression of the DNAzymes DZ509, DZ1037, DZ893, and DZ827 were 91.25%, 65.84%, 49.02%, and 44.56%, respectively. The results were in accordance with the inhibition effects of mRNA and protein expression. The screened DZ509 could effectively knock down endogenous LMP1 expression in C666-1 cells, inhibit cell proliferation, and induce cell apoptosis compared with mutDZ509 and ASODN509. CONCLUSION: LMP1 could present a potential target for DNAzymes toward the EBV-associated carcinoma, and the EGFP expression vector could be a visible method for screening special DNAzymes before clinic use.

[Study on clinical efficacy of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in treatment of pit viper bites and peripheral blood inflammatory factors].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the treatment of patient bitten by agkistrodon halys pallas, and the changes in peripheral blood inflammatory factors (hs-PCR, IL-6, TNF-alpha). METHOD: Ninty-eight patients were divided into three groups according to their hospitalization dates: the western medicine group, in which 32 patients were treated with antivenom serum (6 000 U) for five days, once every day; the traditional Chinese medicine group, in which 32 patients were treated with anti pit viper No. 2 concentrated decoction (300 mL), twice to three times every day, for five days; and the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group, in which 35 patients were treated with the combination of Chinese and Western medicine treatment described above. Then blood samples of all of patients were obtained, and serum factors (hs-PCR, IL-6, TNF-alpha) in peripheral blood were measured by Elisa assay. Another 30 health volunteers were chosen as the normal control group. RESULT: The serum inflammatory factors were significantly higher in all patients of the three groups than that in healthy control before treatment (P < 0.01), and decreased significantly after treatment. In particular, the more remarkable reduction was found in the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group compared with the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group (P < 0.01). Symptom elimination in the three groups was superior to the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group at the first day and the third day of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Total clinical effective rate was 100% in the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group, 84. 37% in the traditional medicine group and 65.62% in the western medicine group, the clinical effective rate of the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine group was notably superior to that of the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The serum inflammatory factors increased significantly in patients bitten by agkistrodon halys pallas. Treatment with the combined traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine can significantly decrease the serum inflammatory factors, and increase clinical effect, with more obvious clinical efficacy compared with the western medicine group and the traditional medicine group.

Triple shape memory effects of cross-linked polyethylene/polypropylene blends with cocontinuous architecture.

In this paper, the triple shape memory effects (SMEs) observed in chemically cross-linked polyethylene (PE)/polypropylene (PP) blends with cocontinuous architecture are systematically investigated. The cocontinuous window of typical immiscible PE/PP blends is the volume fraction of PE (v(PE)) of ca. 30-70 vol %. This architecture can be stabilized by chemical cross-linking. Different initiators, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)-hexane (DHBP), dicumylperoxide (DCP) coupled with divinylbenzene (DVB) (DCP-DVB), and their mixture (DHBP/DCP-DVB), are used for the cross-linking. According to the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements and gel fraction calculations, DHBP produces the best cross-linking and DCP-DVB the worst, and the mixture, DHBP/DCP-DVB, is in between. The chemical cross-linking causes lower melting temperature (Tm) and smaller melting enthalpy (ΔHm). The prepared triple shape memory polymers (SMPs) by cocontinuous immiscible PE/PP blends with v(PE) of 50 vol % show pronounced triple SMEs in the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and visual observation. This new strategy of chemically cross-linked immiscible blends with cocontinuous architecture can be used to design and prepare new SMPs with triple SMEs.

Significance of the IL-6 pathway in nasal polyposis in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: The interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway is known to be important in Th17 cell differentiation and in the pathology of many inflammatory disorders. However, the significance of the IL-6 pathway in nasal polyposis (NP) in Chinese patients remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functions of the IL-6 pathway in NP in Chinese patients. METHODS: The levels of IL-6 pathway components, including IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), phosphoSTAT3 (pSTAT3), and suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3), were assessed. The Th17 milieu was examined by measuring the levels of retinoid acid-related orphan receptor C (RORc) and IL-17A. RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 pathway components, RORc, and IL-17A were significantly higher in both NP groups than in the control(p<0.05). Furthermore, significantly higher levels of pSTAT3, RORc, and IL-17A, and significantly lower levels of SOCS3 were found in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group(P<0.05). IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were not significantly different between the 2 NP groups(P>0.05). pSTAT3 exhibited significantly positive correlations with RORc and IL-17A(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of the IL-6 pathway components were significantly higher in NP patients. Moreover, p-STAT3 levels were much higher in the atopic group, and were associated with a more severe Th17 response. These results suggest that the IL-6 pathway may play a crucial role in the pathology of NP in Chinese patients, and atopy may contribute to NP by affecting the IL-6 pathway.

Transforming growth factor-ß1 promotes Treg commitment in nasal polyposis after intranasal steroid treatment.

BACKGROUND: A predominant Th17 population and impaired Treg function is the marker of nasal polyposis (NP) in Chinese patients. TGF-ß1, a multifunction cytokine, is a vital factor involved in inducing or restricting specific Th cell development. However, its role in NP has still not been well understood. METHODS: In a double-blind trial, 30 subjects were randomized into 2 groups (15 steroid-treated NP, 15 untreated NP), and 15 normal subjects were allocated as control group. We analyzed the expression of TGF-ß1, p-Smad2, p-STAT3, Smad7, SOCS3, IL-10, IL-17A, Foxp3, and RORc in the NP tissue of Chinese patients using mRNA and protein detection methods. RESULTS: TGF-ß1, p-Smad2, IL-10, SOCS3, and Foxp3 expression was higher in steroid-treated NP patients than in untreated NP patients. Conversely, expression of p-STAT3, Smad7, IL-17A, and RORc was higher in untreated NP patients than in steroid-treated NP patients, demonstrating that TGF-ß1 was more likely to contribute to Treg commitment in Chinese NP patients after intranasal steroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 may be a signature Treg cytokine, which is valuable for obtaining a clear understanding of the pathogenesis of NP. Moreover, intranasal steroid treatment attenuated the chronic inflammatory response in these patients by promoting Smad-dependent Treg functions and reducing STAT3-mediated Th17 reactions.

Reciprocal roles of STAT3 and STAT5 in nasal polyposis.

PURPOSE: Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by increased populations of Th17 cells and impairment of Treg cells function in Chinese patients. Recent studies have shown that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT5 are indispensable in the development and maintenance of Th17 and Treg cells. We investigated the roles of STAT3 and STAT5 in the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells in NP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of IL-6, IL-2, pSTAT3, pSTAT5, SOCS3, RORc, Foxp3, IL-17A, and TGF-ß1 were measured in patients with atopic NP, patients with nonatopic NP, and controls. We also evaluated the local distribution of Th17 and Treg cells by double immunofluorescence staining and the correlations between activated STAT3/STAT5 and Th17/Treg cell development were assessed. RESULTS: Increased levels of IL-6, pSTAT3, SCOS3, RORc, IL-17A, and CD4(+) RORc(+) cells, and decreased levels of IL-2, pSTAT5, Foxp3, TGF-ß1, and CD4(+) Foxp3(+) cells were detected in both NP groups compared to controls (P < .05). The differences in all expression levels (except for IL-6) were significant between atopic and nonatopic patients (P < .05). There was a positive correlation between pSTAT3/pSTAT5 levels and Th17/Treg development and a negative correlation between SOCS3 and pSTAT3 in NP (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that STAT3 and STAT5 may function through the IL-6 and IL-2 pathways to play a role in the imbalance of Th17/Treg in NP. An even more exaggerated imbalance of Th17/Treg caused by atopy may be correlated to the improper ratio of activated STAT3/STAT5.

Allergen induced Th17 response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Th17 cells have been considered to play roles in allergic airway diseases and various chronic inflammatory disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the population and function of peripheral Th17 cells in response to house dust mite extracts (HDM) allergen in NP patients, and evaluate the possible correlation between Th17 cells and atopy, to explore the role of atopy in the pathogenesis of NP. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from atopic NP patients, non-atopic NP patients, and controls were stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or HDM plus PHA. The resulting frequency of Th17 cells was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of RORc was measured by real-time PCR. Then the concentrations of IL-17A, INF-γ, IL-4 and IL-5 in the supernatants were assayed by specific ELISAs. RESULTS: The population and function of Th17 cells in allergen stimulated PBMCs were significantly higher in atopic NP patients. In addition, in atopic group, HDM+PHA stimulation induced significant increase of Th17 population and IL-17A production versus those in PHA stimulated ones. However, the frequency of Th17 cells was not correlated with Th1, Th2 cytokine productions. CONCLUSION: Th17 immunity is involved in the systemic immune responses to allergen in atopic NP and atopy may aggravate NP by stimulating the increase of Th17 population and IL-17A production. The mechanism of Th17 cells response to allergen may be regulated differently from the regulation of Th1 and Th2 immunity in NP.