ABSTRACT
To explore the role of methotrexate (MTX) in regulating the number of regulatory T cells (Treg) and the mRNA expression of transcription factor Foxp3. Methods: 1) We analyzed the number of Treg and the mRNA expression of Foxp3 by flow cytometry (FCM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) respectively in patients with psoriasis vulgaris, patients with psoriasis vulgaris after the 8-week treatment of MTX, and healthy people. 2) BALB/c female mice were smeared with imiquimod (IMQ) cream for 6 days. We recorded the change of the lesion in mice every day. The morphological changes of lesion in mice were evaluated by the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and HE staining. 3) The mouse model was randomly divided into a control group and an MTX group. The MTX group was treated with different doses of MTX (38.5 and 77.0 nmol/L) on the third day of this experiment. The morphological changes of lesion in mice were evaluated by PASI and HE staining. We tested the number of Treg and the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA in splenic lymphocytes. Results: 1) The number of Treg and the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA were lower in psoriasis vulgaris patients than those in the healthy control group (P<0.05). After 8-week treatment of MTX, the number of Treg was increased (P<0.05) and Foxp3 mRNA level was up-regulated (P<0.01). 2) Typical psoriasis-like skin lesions, such as red scaly skin plaque were found after topical application of IMQ. Both the number of Treg in the splenic lymphocytes of mice and the Foxp3 mRNA level of Treg were reduced by IMQ (P<0.01 and P<0.05). 3) Different doses of MTX for mice showed the ability to improve skin lesion, increase the number of Treg in the spleen of mice and Foxp3 mRNA level in psoriatic dermatitis of mice (P<0.05). Conclusion: MTX is able to regulate the number of Treg and Foxp3 mRNA expression in psoriasis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Adjuvants, Immunologic , Pharmacology , Aminoquinolines , Pharmacology , Case-Control Studies , Forkhead Transcription Factors , Metabolism , Imiquimod , Immunosuppressive Agents , Pharmacology , Lymphocyte Count , Methotrexate , Pharmacology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Psoriasis , Drug Therapy , Allergy and Immunology , Metabolism , Pathology , RNA, Messenger , Metabolism , Random Allocation , Spleen , Cell Biology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Cell Biology , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To explore the role of apoptosis and the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein(XIAP) in polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs) during acute pancreatitis(AP).Methods Blood from normal control(NC,n=15),mild acute pancreatitis(MAP,n=15) and severe acute pancreatitis(SAP,n=15) were collected.PMNs apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.PMNs were isolated from each group and XIAPmRNA and protein levels were assessed by RT-PCR and Western Blotting.Results PMNs apoptosis in SAP group was(2.15?0.40)%,MAP group was(4.16?0.14)%,NC group was(4.31?0.12)%.PMNs apoptosis rate in SAP and MAP groups was decreased compared to NC group(P