ABSTRACT
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a heterogeneous subset of lymphocytes, mainly T cells, present in tumor parenchyma and stroma. After being digested and isolated from tumor tissue and then cultured in vitro for activation and multiplication, it can be infused back into the patient's body to kill tumor cells. TILs have the advantages of high diversity of TCR, excellent ability to infiltrate into tumor sites, and low toxicity and are considered promising for the treatment of malignant solid tumors. At present, TIL therapy has been tested as a second-line treatment in a variety of solid tumors and has achieved preliminary results. Although there is still no clinical cohort report on the application of TILs in biliary tract cancer (BTC), recent clinical reports on multiple cancers have provided information on the efficacy of TIL therapy in a small number of BTC patients, which preliminarily confirmed the safety and efficacy of TIL therapy. However, since BTC is generally considered an immunologically repulsive tumor in which most effector T cells are sequestered at the tumor edge, the antitumor effect of TILs in BTC remains difficult to predict. Combination therapy with different anti-tumor methods and the development of new techniques to modify cells to enhance the anti-tumor ability of TILs are possible directions for breakthrough in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the levels, phenotypes and functions of regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th17 cells in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and assess the role of imbalance between Treg and Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of SSc. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 31 SSc patients and 33 healthy controls were analyzed for the expression of CD4, CD25, CD45RA, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), FoxP3, and IL-17 using flow cytometry. Treg immunosuppression capacities were measured in co-cultured experiments. The expressions of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-6 and IL-1β were measured by FlowcytoMix. The expression of FoxP3, CTLA-4, IL-17A, and RORC mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The independent samples t-test was used to compare data between the groups. Results The frequency of Treg cells was significantly elevated in SSc [(3.6 ±1.1)%] compared with controls [(2.0±0.8)%, t=6.88, P<0.01)] and the expression of CTLA-4 was lower in Treg cells of SSc (P=0.034). The expression of CTLA-4 and FoxP3 mRNA was lower in SSc compared with controls (P<0.05), the immunosuppressive capacity of Treg cells were diminished in SSc (P=0.034). Th17 cells were increased in SSc (P<0.01); the levels of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-6 and IL-1β in the serums of SSc were higher than the controls (P<0.05). In SSc, CD25+FoxP3+IL-17+cells were increased[0.075%±0.032)%vs (0.049±0.027)%, t=3.52, P=0.029], but no difference of CD25+FoxP3+IL-17- was observed when compared with control. The expression of IL-17A and RORC mRNA were increased in SSc (P<0.01, respectively). Conclusion Both Treg and Th17 cells are increased in patients of SSc. Treg increases along with the deficiency of phenotype and function. FoxP3+IL-17+co-express cells are increased, and the balance between Treg and Th17 cells is broken.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the regulation mechanism of estrogen on the free calcium of smooth muscle cells at the endometrial-myometrial interface (EMI) in uteri with adenomyosis. Methods From September 2011 to November 2012, 59 uterine myometrial specimens were obtained from 59 cases underwent hysterectomy, including 28 adenomyosis patients as adenomyosis (ADS) group and 31 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Ⅲ as control group. EMI smooth muscle cells were cultured and loaded with calcium ion fluorescent probe fluo-4/AM. After treated with trisphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist, blocker of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-adenosine triphosphate (ATP), depleted agent of the ryanodine receptor-operated Ca2+, inhibitor of L-type calcium channel, inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+exchanger, the labeled cells were stimulated with estrogen. The changes of intracellular Ca2+fluorescence intensity were detected by laser scanning microscopy. The changes of intracellular Ca2+concentration was indicated byΔF[Ca2+]i. Results (1) Under normal calcium conditions, after the stimulation of estrogen, intracellular Ca2+fluorescence intensity in ADS group and control group both increased than those without estrogen. TheΔF[Ca2+]i in ADS group was 384±26, and in the control groupΔF[Ca2+]i was 235±20. TheΔF[Ca2+]i in ADS group was higher than that in the control (P0.05). But, the ΔF[Ca2 +]i in ADS group was significantly reduced after treatment compared to before treatment, (211 ± 19 vs 384 ± 28; P=0.001). The increase in control group was almost the same with before (203±16 vs 234±22, P=0.141). (4) After treated with inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+exchanger, theΔF[Ca2+]i in ADS group was 357 ± 24 and in the controlΔF[Ca2+]i was 209±19. The increase in ADS group was significant higher than that in the control (P=0.000). Compared withΔF[Ca2+]i on the condition without treating with inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+exchanger,ΔF[Ca2+]i was 363±21 in ADS group andΔF[Ca2+]i was 237±20 in control group after treatment. When compared with before treatment, there was no significant difference in both groups (P>0.05). Conclusions The increase of intracellular Ca2+induced by estrogen at EMI smooth muscle cells in adenomyosis patients was mostly from the release of arcoplasmic reticulum, and also from the Ca2+influx controlled by L-type calcium channel. The increase of Ca2+inducing abnormal contraction of EMI muscle may have relationship with the development of adenomyosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of estrodial (E2) on intracellular free calcium in the endometrial-myometrial interface (EMI) smooth muscle cells from uteri with adenomyosis.MethodsFrom March 2011 to October 2011,16 uterus specimens were collected from patients with adenomyosis undergoing hysterectomy in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,which included 9 proliferative endometrium and 7 secretory endometrium.EMI smooth muscle cells from the uterus were cultured and loaded with calcium ion ( Ca2 + ) fluorescent probe fluo-4/AM.The labeled cells were stimulated with the various concentration of E2 ( 1 × 102,1 × 103,1 × 104,1 × 105 pmol/L,respectively),then the changes of intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity were measured by laser scanning microscopy.The most suitable concentration of E2 was selected,and the reaction difference between the EMI smooth muscle cells of two menstrual phases were also investigated; The changes of intracellular Ca2 + fluorescence intensity were detected proliferative and secretory smooth muscle cells in E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin (17β-E2-BSA) group,cycloheximide (CHX) group,fulvestrant (ICI182780) group and pertussis toxin (PTX) group.Results ( 1 ) The cell viability of primary cultured EMI smooth muscle cells was well at 24 hours culture.(2) 1 × 102 - 1 × 105 pmol/L E2 can rapidly increase the intracellular Ca2+ fluorescence intensity within 1 min ( P ＜ 0.01 ) ;The increased amplitudes caused by 1 × 104 pmol/L and 1 × 105 pmoL/L E2 were the most significant,but there was no significant difference between them (P ＞0.05).1 × 104 pmol/L was the most suitable concentration.( 3 ) With the 1 × 104 pmol/L E2,the Ca2+ fluorescence intensity changes showed no significant difference between the EMI smooth muscle cells from the proliferative phase and secretory phase uterus (P ＞ 0.05 ).The Ca2+ fluorescence intensity changes were 646 ± 32 in 17β-E2-BSA group and 602 ±31 in CHX group,when compared with 513 ±26 and 617 ±35 in respective control group,no significant difference was observed (P ＞ 0.05 ).The increased amplitude of 188 ± 20 in the PTX group and 302 ± 11 in ICI182780 group exhibited significant difference with 632 ± 33 and 635 ± 24 in respective control group ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion E2 could increase the intracellular Ca2 + of EMI through a membrane receptor dependent and nongenomic mechanism of action.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of FOXP3 gene and the susceptibility of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Two SNPs rs2280883 and rs3761549 of FOXP3 gene in 392 HCC patients and 372 healthy controls were analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).Results At rs3761549,C allele frequency was significantly higher ( OR =1.32,95％ CI 1.03 -1.70,P =0.027) in HCC patients than healthy controls.Compared with healthy controls,HCC patients had higher frequencies of TT genotype (79.6％ ) at rs2280883 or CC genotype (77.6％) at rs3761549 of FOXP3 gene.Patients carrying rs2280883 TT genotype ( OR =1.53,95％ CI 1.10 - 2.14,P ＜ 0.00001 ) or rs3761549 CC genotype ( OR =1.92,95％ CI 1.39 - 2.64,P ＜ 0.00001 ) were more susceptible to HCC.Stratified analysis showed that rs3761549 CC genotype was significantly associated with higher incidence of portal vein tumor thrombus ( x2 =5.578,P =0.018 ),and rs3761549 TT/CT genotype was significantly associated with higher rate of tumor recurrence in HCC patients (x2 =6.561,P =0.010).Conclusions FOXP3 gene polymorphisms at rs2280883 and rs3761549 might be associated with increased susceptibility to HCC. rs3761549,CC genotype and TT/CT genotype were respectively associated with higher incidence of portal vein tumor thrombus and tumor recurrence in HCC patients.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate clinical significance of two real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR kits for quantitative detection of HBV DNA and detection performance at different viral load levels.Methods A series of calibrators with different concentrations(1×106,5×105,1×105,5×104,1×104,5×103,1×103,5×102,1×102,1×101 kIU/L) were prepared with AB-type sera using the second generation WHO international standard (NIBSC code:97/750). HBV viral load in the sera of 78 patients,30 healthy blood donors and 10 calibrators were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR HBV DNA test kit from PIJI Bio-Technical Development Company Ltd (PG kit) and Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test kit. The correlation of the two methods was evaluated, and the performance of the two kits different viral load levels was evaluated. The false negative rate was analyzed. Negative control, low positive control and high positive control were included in every batch. Results Both two kits showed the correct results for the 10 specimens from the WHO international standards. The lowest detection limit of HBV DNA for Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test and PG kit were 2.00 (kIU/L, lg) and 3.00 (kIU/L,lg) ,respectively. There was linear correlation between the results from Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test and PG kit ( R2=0.938 7, P 5.00 and≤7.00) kIU/L,Ig,R2=0. 779 7, P 7.00 ands≤9.00) kIU/L,lg,R2=0.603 7, P 3.00 and≤5.00) kIU/L, lg, R2=0. 417 3, P 3.00 and≤4.00) kIU/L,lg,the false negative rate was 33.3% (5/15). When HBV DNA ( > 1.08and≤3.00) kIU/L,lg,none of positive samples was detected with PG kit. Conclusions PG kit is not as good as Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test . The linear correlation between the results from the two kits is good. The correlation between the results detected with PG kit and Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test is higher in the high viral load groups than in the low viral load group. It is suggested that PG kit had a narrower linear range.