Moxibustion regulates T-regulatory/T-helper 17 cell balance by modulating the microRNA-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 axis in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression is associated with the balance of T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells, while the role of microRNAs (miRs) in regulating Treg/Th17 cell balance has not been clarified. This study aimed to assess whether moxibustion could regulate Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) axis in the RA mouse model.@*METHODS@#A mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established in male DBA/1J mice. Twenty-two days after CIA induction, the mice received daily treatment with moxibustion for 12 times. Pathological scores were assessed according to the levels of synovial hyperplasia. The expression levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17 and IL-10 were analyzed in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) splenocytes was analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The expression levels of RA-related miRs and target genes were subsequently detected, and the target of miR-221 was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter assay.@*RESULTS@#It was revealed that moxibustion treatment decreased the pathological scores and downregulated the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17, while upregulated the expression level of IL-10. The Treg/Th17 cell balance was regulated by moxibustion treatment. The expression level of miR-221 was suppressed by moxibustion treatment. Furthermore, SOCS3 was found as the direct target of miR-221, which mediated the function of moxibustion by regulating the Treg/Th17 cell balance.@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion therapy regulated the Treg/Th17 cell balance by modulating the miR-221/SOCS3 axis in the RA mouse model.

Research advances in Th1/Th2 balance and fibrotic diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

Body immunity is closely associated with the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases. In CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets, T helper 1 (Th1)/T helper 2 (Th2) balance plays an important regulatory role in the development and progression of many diseases. This article describes the association of Th1/Th2 balance with liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and renal fibrosis. It is believed that in addition to the measurement of single cytokines, further studies are needed to clarify the specific association between T helper cells and other cells and related mechanisms.

Relationship between serum mannose-binding lectin and Th17/Treg cells in patients with silicosis / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between serum mannose-binding lectin( MBL) and T helper cell 17( Th17)/regulatory T cells( Treg) balance in patients with silicosis. METHODS: A total of 101 male patients with silicosis were selected in silicosis group and 62 health individuals in control group using the cross-sectional study. The level of serum MBL was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The ratio of Th17/Treg was recorded by flow cytometry.The relative expression of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt( RORγt) and forkhead box 3( Foxp3) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The level of serum MBL in silicosis group was higher than that of control group( P < 0. 01). The ratio of Th17 cells and the relative expression of RORγt mRNA increased in silicosis group( P < 0. 05),while the ratio of Treg cells and the relative expression of Foxp3 mRNA decreased in silicosis group( P < 0. 05) compared to the control group. The level of serum MBL had negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first second,forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow( P < 0. 05) in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ silicosis. Meanwhile,the level of serum MBL had negative correlation with Th17 ratio and RORγt mRNA relative expression( P < 0. 05),and positive correlation with Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA relative expression( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: MBL might participate in the development of silicosis through regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells.

The changes of ROR-γt,IL-17A and Foxp3 mRNA expression and promoter methylation in TDI-induced mouse asthma / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of retinoic acid related orphan receptor-γt( ROR-γt),interleukin( IL)-17 A and forkhead / winged helix protein 3( Foxp3) mRNA expression and promoter methylation in the process of asthma induced by toluene-diisocyanate( TDI). METHODS: Specific pathogens free grade healthy male BALB / c mice were randomly assigned into asthma group and control group with 18 animals in each group. In the asthma group,the mice were sensitized with 0. 30% TDI( mass-volume concentration) dropped on the dorsum of both ears( 20 μL / ear) on day 1 and day 8. On day 15,the mice were challenged with 20 μL 0. 01% TDI( mass-volume concentration) by the trachea. The control group mice were sensitized and challenged by the same procedures with the same amount of solvent( acetone / olive oil). The mice were challenged 24 hours,the pathological changes of trachea and lung tissues were observed. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid( BALF) from each group was collected,and the inflammatory cells in BALF were counted and classified. IL-4and Interferon-γ( IFN-γ) levels in BALF supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ROR-γt,IL-17 A and Foxp3 mRNA expression in the lung tissue were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymease chain reaction. The degree of ROR-γt,IL-17 A and Foxp3 promoter methylation in lung issue were detected by Mass Array system.RESULTS: The asthmatic group demonstrated the symptoms of acute asthma,such as breathing deeply and fastly,bowing the back,lifting the forelimbs,et al. But the control group had no such symptoms in mice. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining showed obvious inflammatory lesions in the trachea and lung tissue of asthmatic mice. Compared with the control group,the white blood cell count,the neutrophil and eosinophil percentages in BALF,the IL-4,IFN-γ levels in BALF supernatant in asthma group were all significantly increased( P < 0. 01),meanwhile the lymphocyte and monocyte percentages in BALF were reduced( P < 0. 01); ROR-γt mRNA expression was significantly increased( P < 0. 01),and the degree of promoter methylation from sites 3,4,5,6,8,11 and 12 was significantly reduced( P < 0. 05); IL-17 A mRNA expression was significantly increased( P < 0. 01),and the degree of promoter methylation from sites 6 and 7 was significantly reduced( P < 0. 01); Foxp3 mRNA expression was significantly reduced( P < 0. 01),and the degree of promoter methylation from sites 1 and 10 was significantly increased( P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: Th17 / Treg cell immune imbalance occurs in asthma induced by TDI. ROR-γt,IL-17 A and Foxp3 gene promoter methylation abnormalities may be involved in Th17 / Treg cell immune imbalance.