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Objective:To investigate the difference of lymphocyte subsets between elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis and non-elderly patients and its clinical significance.Methods:A total of 124 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January, 2017 to December, 2019 were enrolled.The patients were divided into elderly group(≥60 years old, 34 cases)and non-elderly group(<60 years old, 90 cases). Rheumatoid arthritis activity(DAS-28)scoring was performed for each patient.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were extracted by Ficoll density centrifugation.Lymphocytes were labeled and detected by 18-color flowcytometry with more than 30 fluorescent antibodies.Results:DAS-28 scoring showed that the disease activity score of the elderly group(4.56±1.89)was higher than that of the non-elderly group(3.37±1.49)( t=3.633, P<0.001). Flow cytometry showed that MAIL%T(mucus-associated lymphoid tissue T cell subset)( Z=-2.798, P=0.005), Tn%CD8 T cells(initial CD8 T cells)( Z=-2.179, P=0.029), VD2% T(Vδ2+ T, γδT cell subtype)( Z=-2.806, P=0.005), PD1-CD28-%Th( Z=-2.050, P=0.040)and IGM+ D-%B( Z=-2.376, P=0.017)were lower in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group.While, CD45+ CD27+ %CD8 T cells( Z=-3.069, P=0.002), abT%T cell(αβT cells)( Z=-2.103, P=0.035), CD27-CD28+ %T cells( Z=-2.341, P=0.019), ASC%PBMC( Z=-2.341, P=0.019)and ASC%CD19+ ( Z=-2.000, P=0.046)subgroup expression were higher in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group. Conclusions:The disease activity of elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher than that of younger patients.The expressions of abT%T and CD4% abT in effector T cells of elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis are higher than those of younger patients, while the expression of VD2% T is lower.The expression level of CD45RA+ CD27+ %CD8 T with cytotoxic effect is higher; However, the expression level of Tn%CD8 T in naive cells is lower.
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In recent years, the prevalence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome, increased significantly. Fatigue is common in metabolic diseases and may lead to functional disability. This complicated feeling imposes a huge influence on patients with metabolic diseases physically and psychologically, which seriously affects the quality of life and brings serious burden to the social economy. There were an increasing number of researches on fatigue and metabolic diseases. This article reviews the evidences of the linkages between fatigue and metabolic diseases.
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Objective To investigate the effects of artesunate (ART) on interstitial pneumonia and sialadenitis in MRL/lpr mice.Methods A total of 18 MRL/lpr mice were randomly allocated to a hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) group,a ART group and a control group.At the age of 18 weeks,the mice in the HCQ group and ART group were given HCQ 150 mg/kg daily and ART 50 mg/kg daily for 12 weeks,respectively.The histopathological changes of pneumonitis and submaxillaritis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.The levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the serum and urine were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results At the age of 30 weeks,the index of peribronchiolar lesion (1.62 ± 0.19,1.52 ± 0.30 vs.1.95 ± 0.34;all P＜0.05),the index of perivascular lesion (1.23 ± 0.18,1.28 ± 0.12 vs.1.57 ± 0.33;all P＜0.05),the alveolar lesions index (1.35 ± 0.16,1.05 ± 0.15 vs.1.72 ± 0.34;all P＜0.05) and the submaxillaritis index (1.48 ± 0.22,1.43 ± 0.15 vs.1.84 ± 0.34;all P＜0.05) in the HCQ group and the ART group were significantly decreased than those in the control group.The MCP-1 levels in the serum (1 103.02 ± 185.56 pg/ml,1 072.37 ± 242.43 pg/ml vs.1 490.67 ± 329.43 pg/ml;all P＜0.05) and urine (189.16 ± 70.85 pg/ml,198.79 ± 113.47 pg/ml vs.446.79 ± 192.31 pg/ml;all P＜0.05) in the HCQ group and the ART group were significantly lower than those in the control group.Conclusion ART can decrease the MCP-1 level,and ameliorate interstitial pneumonitis and sialadenitis in MRL/lpr mice.
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Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs)transplantation on B-cell activating factor(BAFF)expression and B cell activation of MRL/Ipr mice.Methods Eighteen female MRL/Ipr mice were divided into the treatment group and the control group.Five female BAL B/C mice were used as negative controls.At the age of 18 weeks,the treatment group was transplanted with 1×10~6 murine BM-MSCs through vena caudalis,the control group was treated with 0.5ml sodium chloride.Enzyme linked immunoserbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the level of the BAFF,IFN-γ,IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum.The percentage and numbers of Marginal zone,T1 and T2 B cells in spleen were detected by flow cytometry.Results①Eight weeks after transplantation,the level of BAFF [(32±14)ng/ml]in serum of the treatment group decreased significantly than the control group[(47±13)ng/ml](P＜0.05)as well as the level of serum IL- 10,IFN-γ and IL-2 levels[(19±7)vs(40±13)pg/ml](P＜0.01)[(25±20)pg/ml vs(38±25)pg/ml][(73±10)pg/ml vs(80±15)pg/ml].② Eight weeks after trans-plantation,the mice in the treatment group had lower percentages of marginal zone B cells[(15±4)% vs (21±5)%],and the numbers of marginal zone B cells were significantly decreased in the treatment group as compared with the control group[(9±6)×10~6 vs(19±10)×10~6,P＜0.05].③ Eight weeks after transplantation,the mice in the treatment group had lower percentages of T1 and T2 B cells[(3.4±2.1)% vs(7.3±4.0)%][(2.6+1.4)%vs(4.8±2.7)%],and the numbers of T1[(2.7±1.7)×10~6 vs(5.1±2.0)×10~6,P＜0.05]and T2 B cells[(2.0±1.2)×10~6 vs(3.7±1.7)×10~6,P＜0.05]were both significantly decreased in the treatment group as compared with the control group.Conclusion BM-MSCs transplantation decreases the expression of BAFF in association with the diminished production of the pathogenic cytokines IFN-γ and IL-10.Inhibition of BAFF also results in decreased numbers of T1 and T2 B cells and MZ B cells.
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Objective To investigate the expression of slit diaphragm proteins of glomerular podocyte,such as NEPH1 and Nephrin in type Ⅴ lupus nephritis (V-LN). Methods Twenty-five patients with V-LN and 18 patients with idiopathic membranous nephritis (IMN) were enrolled into the study, and 5 normal renal samples were the normal control group. Twenty-four hours urine protein excretion, serum albumin, creatinine, triglyceride, total cholesterol, serum C3, C4, urine C3 and NAG were tested respectively.Glomerular lesions were measured by light microscopy. The expressions of NEPH1 and Nephrin were determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining. The statistical treatment was used t-test. Results Compared to the IMN group, the 24 hours urine protein excretion and the concentrations of serum albumin, creatinine, urine C3 were not significantly different while the triglyceride, total cholestorel, serum C3, C4 were significantly decrease in the V-LN group (P<0.05). Urine NAG was increased in the V-LN group (P<0.01). By indirect immuno-fluorescent histochemitry examination, the glomerular expressions of NEPH1 and Nephrin were significantly decreased in both V-LN and IMN. Compared with the IMN group, the decrease of NEPH1 and Nephrin expression was more remarkable in the V-LN group. Conclusion The expression changes of NEPH1 and Nephrin may play an important pathogenic role in proteinuria of Ⅴ lupus nephritis. Renal tubular epithelial cell damage may play a role in proteinuria of V-LN.
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Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the MRL/lpr mice. Methods MRL/lpr mice were divided into HCQ, the artesunate (ART) and proteinuria was detected with Coomassi Brilliant blue method. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the anti-doubM-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) antibody. Renal tissue sections were dyed By PAS methods. The percentage of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes were detected by flow 2.0) mg groups were decreased than in the control group (4.8±3.2) mg (P<0.05). And it was also lower in the HCQ (2.8±1.1) mg and ART (2.4±1.9) mg group than in the control group (6.4±1.9) mg (P<0.01) at 30 in the control group (37.1±1.0) g (P<0.01), while serum creatinine decreased significantly (7.8±4.0) μmol/L than in the control group (12.5±2.3) μmol/L (P<0.05), and the serum anti ds-DNA antibodies levels (3047±renal damage in the HCQ group and in the ART group was Both significantly improved than that in the entages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in spleen when compared with the control group (1.5±0.5)% (P<0.05). The mice in the HCQ group (0.68±0.33)% and in the ART group (0.97±0.28)% had higher percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in lymph nodes as compared with control group (2.15±0.72)%(P<0.01). Conclusion HCQ is effective in treating MRL/lpr lupus mice. It can improve the pathologic lesions of lupus nephritis, reduce proteinuria and antibody production. Both HCQ and ART can up-regulate the percentage of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in spleen of MRL/lpr mice.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) transplantation in the treatment of the MRL/lpr mice. Methods Twenty four 18-week-old MRL/lpr female mice were divided into 3 groups:group 1 (G1) were transplanted with 1×106 UC- MSCs through caudal vein, group 2 (G2) were transplanted with 1×106 UC- MSCs three times and group 3 (G3) were treated with 0.5 ml normal saline as controls. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of serum anti-dsDNA antibodies. Twenty-four hours proteinuria and body weight were assessed every two weeks. The histopathology changes of the kidneys and lungs were observed. Results ① At the 25th weeks, the 24 hours proteinuria in group G1 (2.3±1.9) mg and G2 (1.8±1.4) mg was decreased than that in the control group (3.8±2.1) mg (P<0.05), and at the 27th weeks, that of groups G1 (2.5±1.5) mg and G2 (1.9±1.2) mg was also significantly decreased than in the control group (5.4±2.4) mg (P<0.01); ② From the 24th week, the body weight of groups G1 and G2 increased significantly than that of the control group (P< 0.05). At week 29, serum creatinine decreased significantly in both groups G1 (7.2±3.2) μmol/L and G2 (6.2±2.8) μmol/L than in the control group (12.5±2.3 ) μmol/L (P<0.05); ③One week after transplantation, the levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies in group G1 (46±11)×102 U/ml and G2(49×43)×102 U/ml were bothsignificantly decreased than those of the control groups (99±42)×102 U/ml (P<0.05) and the difference between group G2 (36±15)×102 U/ml and the controls (68±32)×102 U/ml was statistically significant; ④The nephron crescent formation in group G1 (0.12±0.07) and G2 (0.08±0.02) was significantly lower that of the control group (0.20±0.06) (P<0.05) and that of group G2 was significantly less that of froup G1 (P<0.05); ⑤ The interstitial pneumonitis was singnificantly milder in group G1 than group G2. Conclusions UC- MSCs is very effective in treating MRL/lpr mice. It is safe and free of rejection reactions.
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Objective To investigate the in vivo or in vitro immune regulatory effects of allogeneic bone-marrow mesenchymal stem ceils (MSC) and human umbilical cord MSC on CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in the spleen of MRL/Ipr mice. Methods Human MSC were isolated and expanded from bone marrow cells of healthy donors and infused into five SLE patients. The percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were prepared by centrifugation on a Ficoll Hypaque density gradient. The MSC and PBMC from unrelated donors (MSC:PBMC =1:1,1:10,1:50) were added into 24-well plates. After 72h of co-culture, the percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells were detected by flow cytome- try. Twenty four 18-week-old MRL/Ipr female mice were divided into 3 groups and were injected with umbilical cord MSC (1×106 cells for one time, 1×106 cells for three times and 0.5 ml sodium chloride as control respectively). The percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in spleen and lymphoid nodes were detected by flow cytometry. Results The percentages of blood CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells at one week (4.8± 1.6)% and at three months (6.0±2.6)% post MSC transplantation for patients with SLE were both higher than that before transplantation (2.1±1.2)% (n=5,P<0.05). The co-culture of normal bone marrow MSC with PBMC from SLE patients resulted in a statistically significant increase of CD+ Foxp3+ T cells percentage in PBMC on a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). The percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells of PBMC from SLE patients co-cultured with lupus MSC were lower than that of normal MSC (P<0.05). The cultured supematant of normal MSC also upregulated the percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells of PBMC from SLE patients (P<0.05). The MRL/lpr mice that had been injected umbilical cord MSC for one time and three times had higher percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+T cells in the spleen but lower in the lymphoid nodes as compared with controls (P<0.01), but without statistical significant difference. Conclusion Allogeneic or heterogeneie MSC transplantation upregulates the percentages of CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells in SLE patients or in MRL/Ipr mice. Upregnlation of Treg population may be one of the mechanisms of MSC transplantation that is effective for SLE treatment.
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Objective To explore ultrastructure and cytoskeleton characteristics of bone marrow-deftved mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 2 SLE patients and 2 healthy controls.Their ultrastrnctures were examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM).The expression pattern of actin and vinculin was assessed by laser confocal microscopy (LCM).Results MSCs in patients with SLE presented with signs of ageing and lots of autophagosome could be found in most of the cells.F-actin was aggregated and condensed at the:border of cytoplasm.Vinculin was arranged disorderly and condensed in the cytoplasm.Conclusion The change of uhrastructure and cytoskeleton patterns of bone marrow derived mesenchymal cells of SLE patients may play an important role in the abnormal proliferation of these cells in vitro.
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Objective To investigate the expressions and correlation between Survivin and PTEN proteins in astrocytoma.Methods The expressions of Survivin and PTEN proteins were examined by immunohistrochemistry in astrocytoma specimens from 65 patients with astrocytoma.Results The positive expression rate of Survivin in astrocytoma grade Ⅱ was significantly lower than that in grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ(all P