ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo investigate the latent tuberculosis infection （LTBI） of close contacts in schools of Xuhui District， and to explore the tuberculin skin test （TST）- interferon-γ release assay （IGRA） two-step method in order to discover the screening strategy of tuberculosis in Xuhui District. MethodsClose contacts of tuberculosis in schools of Xuhui District from 2020 to 2022 were selected as research subjects. Screening was conducted using symptom questionnaire， TST， chest X-rays， IGRA， and the information including the etiological results and grade of the index cases， as well as gender， age， and relationship with the index cases of the research subjects were collected. ResultsTotally 615 close contacts of 32 tuberculosis cases occurred in the schools were finally included. Of the 609 close contacts who completed tuberculosis infection screening and underwent TST testing， 153 TST（+） individuals underwent IGRA testing. The final LTBI rate was 4.6%， and the pulmonary tuberculosis detection rate was 163 per 100 000. The relationship with the index cases was an influencing factor for LTBI. The IGRA positivity rate was higher among close contacts with TST ≥15 mm than among those with 10 mm≤ TST <15 mm （χ2=14.41， P<0.05）. ConclusionThe latent tuberculosis infection among close contacts of school tuberculosis cases in Xuhui District remains serious. TST-IGRA two-step method can assist in the accurate diagnosis of LTBI and pulmonary tuberculosis cases.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the morphology of hemophagocytosis (HPC) in bone marrow smears of patients with infection-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (IAHLH), and further analyse if there were differences in the clinical and laboratory features, the cytokines level and prognosisMethods:24 patients newly diagnosed with IAHLH from 2016-Dec-1 to 2021-Dec-31 in Beijing Friendship Hospital were included as study group, and 20 patients with infectious disease as non-HLH control group. In IAHLH group, mean age was 34±13 years, including 17(71%) males and7(29%) females. In Non-HLH group, mean agewas 43±16 years, including 14 (70%) males and6 (30%) females. Depending on re-checking phagocytic cell type on the initial bone marrow smear, the HPCs were divided into HPC-1, phagocytizing non-nucleated cells (mature erythrocyte or platelets), and HPC-2, phagocytizing nucleated cells. The differences in clinical presentations covered in HLH-2004 criteria, cytokines value(IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, IFN-γ) recommended in HLH-2022-China guideline, and the mortality within 1 year of diagnosis, were compared between IAHLH and non-HLH groups, between patients with or without HPC, and between patients with HPC-2 or only with HPC-1. For categorical variables, two groups were compared with the use of either the chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test. For non-normal distribution continuous variables, the difference between two groups variation was performed by using Mann-Whitney U test, and for normal distribution continuous variables, the difference was by the Independent Samples t-test.Results:The positive rates of fever, hepatomegaly and splenomegalyand the motrtality in IAHLH were 100% (24/24), 63% (15/24), 92% (22/24) and 46% (11/24), respectivelyin non-HLH were 55%(11/20),0(0/20),25% (5/20),0(0/20),and the differences between two groups were all statistically significant( P<0.01), but thedifferences between groups with and without HPC and between IAHLH patients with HPC-2 or only with HPC-1 were no statistically significanlly, ( P>0.05).In IAHLH group, IFN-γ in patients with HPC-2 was 400(246, 532)ng/L, significantly higher than 146(38, 180)ng/L in patients only with HPC-1 [ P=0.02, 95% CI was 233(75.8 to 397)], andthe other test parameters and cytokines level showed no obvious differences ( P>0.05).
ABSTRACT
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is generally susceptible in human beings and multi-organ systems can be involved in EBV infection, such as blood, respiratory, urinary, digestive and nervous systems. EBV infection also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of related tumors, autoimmune diseases and other diseases, posing a great threat to human health. As a DNA virus, EBV can be sensed by DNA recognition receptors to trigger a series of downstream immune responses. A DNA-sensing pathway consists of DNA sensors, adaptor molecules and downstream effector signals. Double-stranded DNA sensors mainly include absent in melanoma 2-like receptors (ALRs) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). Adaptors were mainly stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Downstream immune responses mainly involve typeⅠIFN, inflammasomes and proinflammatory cytokines. As a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family, EBV triggers complex innate and adaptive immune responses in the host, especially the sensing pathways mediated by a variety of DNA recognition receptors, which play a key role in host immune defense and pathogen immune evasion. This review made the DNA sensor as the clue to comprehensively summarize the progress in the activation, regulatory mechanism and clinical relevance of DNA-sensing pathways in EBV infection in recent years, aiming to achieve a better understanding of the host innate immune responses during EBV infection and provide an immunological basis for the prevention and treatment of EBV infection-related diseases.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To analyze the influencing factors related to false-negative results of interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) QFT-GIT in patients with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods:Clinical data of 389 patients with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis who underwent QFT-GIT in Quzhou Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University between January 1 and December 31 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors related to the false-negative results of QFT-GIT.Results:Among 389 confirmed patients, 347 cases had positive QFT-GIT results and 42 cases had negative results. Univariate analysis showed that the false-negative results of QFT-GIT were associated with low BMI, reduced CD4 + T lymphocyte count, decreased lymphocyte count, increased C-reactive protein, negative sputum smear, anemia, diabetes mellitus, malignant tumor and sepsis ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that BMI <18.5 kg/m 2( OR=1.585, 95% CI 1.076-2.336), complicated with diabetes( OR=5.157, 95% CI 2.340-11.365), malignant tumors ( OR=5.596, 95% CI 2.048-15.295)and sepsis ( OR=4.141, 95% CI 1.042-16.459) were independent risk factors for the false-negative results of QFT-GIT ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:When the pulmonary tuberculosis patients are extreme emaciation, complicated with diabetes, malignant tumor or sepsis, the QFT-GIT results will be false negative.
ABSTRACT
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause that prevents widespread application of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. GVHD is a complication that can affect all systems of the body, such as skin, liver, lung and gastrointestinal tract, among which skin is the most vulnerable organ. At present, the pathogenesis of skin GVHD has not been fully elucidated, and no effective treatment has been established. Severe or extensive chronic GVHD significantly affects the quality of life of the recipients. Consequently, it is urgent to unravel the pathogenesis of skin GVHD and explore novel therapeutic treatment. Cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-22, IL-17, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-γ, have been proven to play pivotal roles in the progression of skin GVHD. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism remains elusive. In this article, research progresses at home and abroad on the mechanism underlying the roles of these cytokines in skin GVHD were reviewed, aiming to provide novel ideas for the prevention and treatment of skin GVHD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the predictive and diagnostic value of absolute value and function of different lymphocyte subsets in evaluating the risk of early viral infection after kidney transplantation. Methods Ninety-five kidney transplant recipients were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study, and divided into the stable group (n=77) and infection group (n=18) according to postoperative immune status. Peripheral blood samples were collected for flow cytometry before operation, and 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months and 6 months after operation. The dynamic changes of the absolute values of CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells and natural killer (NK) cells were compared between two groups. The function of lymphocyte subsets in two groups was evaluated by detecting the proportion of interferon (IFN)-γ+CD4+T cells, IFN-γ+CD8+T cells and IFN-γ+NK cells. The value of the absolute values and function of lymphocyte subsets in predicting and diagnosing viral infection in the early stage after kidney transplantation was evaluated. Results During viral infection, the absolute values of CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells and NK cells in the infection group were at a relatively low level. At 2 months after operation, the absolute values of CD4+T cells and NK cells in the infection group were lower than those in the stable group. At 6 months after operation, the absolute values of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in the infection group were significantly lower compared with those in the stable group (all P < 0.05). During viral infection, the proportion of IFN-γ+CD4+T cells, IFN-γ+CD8+T cells and IFN-γ+NK cells in the infection group were all at a relatively low level, especially that of IFN-γ+CD8+T cells decreased most significantly. At postoperative 2 months, the proportion of IFN-γ+CD8+T cells and IFN-γ+NK cells in the infection group was significantly higher than those in the stable group. At 6 months after operation, the proportion of IFN-γ+CD4+T cells and IFN-γ+CD8+T cells in the infection group was significantly higher than those in the stable group (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the increasing proportion of IFN-γ+CD8+T cells and IFN-γ+NK cells was correlated with the increasing risk of viral infection at 2 months after operation (both P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that the diagnostic value of absolute values of lymphocyte subsets combined with IFN-γ secretion function for viral infection in the immunocompromised recipients was significantly higher than that of absolute values of lymphocyte subsets alone (P < 0.05). Conclusions Dynamic monitoring of the changes of absolute values and function of lymphocyte subsets provides critical reference value for the prediction, diagnosis and medication guidance of viral infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate five kinds of tuberculin skin test (TST), tubercle bacillus-antibody(TB-Ab), interferon-γ release assay(IGRA), tubercle bacillus-DNA (TB-DNA) and collection of bacterial centrifugal smears methods, the application value of combined detection in improving the diagnostic efficiency of pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis.Methods:A total of 150 eligible patients with pneumoconiosis from January 2018 to January 2019 in Zhangjiakou Pulmonary Hospital were selected as the research subjects, and all of them underwent TST, TB-Ab, IGRA, TB-DNA and bacterial centrifugal smear detection. Compared the positive rates of five detection methods in pneumoconiosis and its different stages, and compare the proportion of tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis in different stages of pneumoconiosis.Results:Among the 150 patients with pneumoconiosis, 41 cases (27.33%) were with pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis infection, 24 cases (16.00%) with pneumoconiosis complicated with clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, 21 cases (14.00%) with pneumoconiosis complicated with confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis, and 45 cases (30.00%) with pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis; with the improvement of pneumoconiosis stage, the proportion of pneumoconiosis combined with tuberculosis infection and pulmonary tuberculosis increased significantly ( P<0.05). Compared with TB-Ab, TB-loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP), and interlayered cup collection centrifuge smear method, the overall positive rate of IGRA detection and pneumoconiosis stage Ⅲ were higher ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference compared with TST detection ( P>0.05). The positive rate of combined detection was higher, but there was no significant difference compared with IGRA detection ( P>0.05). With the increase of pneumoconiosis stage, the positive reaction intensity of TST decreased, and the positive value of TB-Ab and IGRA increased. Conclusions:The combined detection of TST, TB-Ab, IGRA, TB-DNA and bacterial centrifugal smear method can significantly improve the diagnostic efficiency of pneumoconiosis combined with tuberculosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination therapy with CD47-based nanoparticles and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (αPD-L1) for preventing tumor recurrence and metastasis in vivo.Methods:BALB/c mice were used to construct 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse models. The mouse model was treated with the combination therapy to analyze the effects on local tumor recurrence, tumor growth volume, survival time and lung metastasis in the 4T1 mammary tumor-bearing mouse model.Results:The combination therapy could effectively inhibit local tumor recurrence and prolong the survival time of tumor-bearing mice ( P<0.001). Compared with the αPD-L1 group, the combination therapy can increase the expression of cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in mouse serum (all P<0.05) and effector memory T cells in mouse spleen ( P<0.001). In addition, the results on the 4T1-Luc mammary tumor-bearing mouse lung metastasis model showed that the combination therapy could effectively inhibit tumor lung metastasis. Conclusions:The results strongly suggested that combination therapy with CD47-based nanoparticles and αPD-L1 can effectively elicit the memory immune response, and prevent tumor recurrence and lung metastasis.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of IFN-γ on the proliferation and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line Eca9706 and related mechanism. Methods Cells were cultured in vitro and treated with interferon-γ. Cell morphology changes were observed under microscope, cell proliferation ability was detected by CCK-8 experiment, and cell migration ability was detected by cell scratch experiment and Transwell experiment. Real-time PCR method was used to detect the expression efficiency of chemokine CXCL8 (interleukin 8), and the ELISA experiment was used to detect the change of CXCL8 secretion. Results Compared with the blank control group, Eca9706 cells treated with different concentrations of interferon-γ did not change significantly in cell morphology. CCK8 experiment confirmed that the proliferation ability of Eca9706 cells after IFN-γ treatment was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Cell scratch experiment found that IFN-γ significantly decreased the migration ability of Eca9706 cells (P < 0.01). Transwell experiment showed that after IFN-γ treatment, the migration ability of Eca9706 cells was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). CXCL8 gene expression level in Eca9706 cells treated with interferon-γ was significantly down-regulated (P < 0.01), and the amount of CXCL8 secretion significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusion Interferon-γ can inhibit the proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cell line Eca9706, which may be related to its inhibition of the expression and secretion of CXCL8.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the clinical and chest CT features of anti-interferon(IFN)-γ autoantibodies-positive talaromycosis marneffei (TSM) infection in human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients.Methods:Clinical data and chest CT findings including pulmonary manifestations, bronchial changes, pleural changes, and extrapulmonary manifestations in 54 HIV-negative patients with Talaromyces marneffei (TM) infection and positive anti-interferon-γ(IFN-γ) autoantibody in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from December 2012 to September 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. CT score was rated for the degree of lung involvement, and the difference of involvement at different regions of the lung were compared. Results:Of 54 patients, 46 cases had fever, 43 cases had cough and expectoration, 28 cases had cutaneous or subcutaneous lesion, and 19 cases had arthritis or arthralgia. Laboratory tests showed that the value of CD4/CD8 decreased in 29 cases and platelet count increased in 32 cases. Only one of 54 patients had no abnormal findings on chest CT. In the remaining patients, chest CT manifestations were diverse, mainly presenting as fibrous cord-like lesions (87.0%, 47/54), lymph node enlargement (75.9%, 41/54), sporadic nodules (74.1%, 40/54), patchy consolidation (72.2%, 39/54), pleural effusion (59.2%, 32/54), and consolidation lesions associated with air bronchogram (63.0%, 34/54). Most of the lesions showed bilateral distribution (77.8%, 46/54), and involved both peripheral and central regions in 38 cases (70.4%, 38/54). CT score showed that there was no significant difference in the degree of involvement at different regions of the lung.Conclusions:The clinical and imaging manifestations of anti-IFN-γ antibody-positive patients with TM infection are characteristic. Most TSM patients with positive anti-IFN-γ antibody have fever, cough and expectoration. The main features of chest CT are cord focus, nodules, consolidation and pleural effusion. Lymph node enlargement often coexists with the above signs, and most of the lesions are distributed bilaterally.
ABSTRACT
Tumor recurrence after surgery is the main cause of treatment failure. However, the initial stage of recurrence is not easy to detect, and it is difficult to cure in the late stage. In order to improve the life quality of postoperative patients, an efficient synergistic immunotherapy was developed to achieve early diagnosis and treatment of post-surgical tumor recurrence, simultaneously. In this paper, two kinds of theranostic agents based on gold nanorods (AuNRs) platform were prepared. AuNRs and quantum dots (QDs) in one agent was used for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology to indicate the occurrence of
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) are immune checkpoints which can be induced by interferon-γ(IFN-γ) in the tumor microenvironment, leading to immune escape of tumors. Myricetin (MY) is a flavonoid distributed in many edible and medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to clarify the effect and the mechanism of MY on inhibiting IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 in lung cancer cells. METHODS Expressions of PD-L1 and major histocompatibility complex-I (MHC-I) were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting, and the expression of IDO1 was measured by Western blotting. qRT-PCR was used to detect their mRNA levels. The function of T cells was evaluated using a co-culture system consist of lung cancer cells and the Jurkat-PD-1 T cell line that overexpressing PD-1. Molecular docking analysis, Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for mechanism study. RESULTS MY potently inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression in human lung cancer cells, while didn't show obvious effect on the expression of MHC-I. In addition, MY restored the survival, proliferation, CD69 expression and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion of Jurkat-PD-1 T cells suppressed by IFN-γ-treated lung cancer cells in the co-culture system. Mechanistically, IFN-γ up-regulated PD-L1 and IDO1 at the transcriptional level through the JAK-STAT-IRF1 axis, which was targeted and inhibited by MY. CONCLUSION Our research revealed a new insight into the anti-tumor effects of MY which inhibited IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 and IDO1 expression, supporting the potential of MY in anti-tumor immunotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the dynamic expression of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 at the maternal-fetal interface of mice post-infection with Toxoplasma gondii at early pregnancy and examine its interaction with interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Methods A total of 20 mice at day 0 of pregnancy were randomly assigned into 4 groups, including the 12-day pregnancy control group (12 dpn group), 12-day pregnancy and infection group (12 dpi group), 18-day pregnancy control group (18 dpn group) and 18-day pregnancy and infection group (18 dpi group), respectively. On the 6th day of the pregnancy, mice in the 12 dpi and 18 dpi groups were injected intraperitoneally with 150 tachyzoites of the T. gondii PRU strain, while mice in the 12 dpn and 18 dpn groups were injected with the same volume of PBS. All mice in the four groups were sacrificed on 12th and 18th day of the pregnancy, and the number of placenta and fetus was counted and the weight of placenta and fetus was measured. Then, the placental and uterine tissues of the pregnant mice in each group were sampled for pathological examinations. The mRNA expression of PD-1, PD-L1, T. gondii surface antigen SAG-1 and IFN-γ genes was quantified using a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay, and the correlation between PD-1 and IFN-γ expression was examined. In addition, the 12 dpn group, 12 dpi group, 18 dpn group, 18 dpi group, PBS negative control of the 12 pdi group and PBS negative control of the 18 dpi group were assigned, and the PD-1 expression was determined in the uterine and placenta tissues of the pregnant mice. Results Adverse pregnant outcomes were seen in mice in the 12 dpi and 18 dpi groups, including placental dysplasia and fetal maldevelopment, and the placental weights and fetal body weights were significantly lower in mice in the 12 dpi and 18 dpi groups than those in the 12 dpn and 18 dpn groups (t = 5.52, 11.44, 12.63 and 11.67, all P < 0.01). The histopathological examinations showed that the decidua and junctional regions of the placental tissues were loosely connected in the 12 dpi and 18 dpi groups, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and congestion were seen in the placental and uterine tissues. qPCR assay detected significant differences in PD-1, PD-L1, IFN-γ and SAG-1 expression in the placental and uterine tissues among the 12 dpn, 12 dpi, 18 dpn and 18 dpi groups (F = 22.48, 51.23, 9.61, 47.49, 16.08, 21.52, 28.66 and 238.90, all P < 0.05), and the PD-1, PD - L1, IFN - γ and SAG - 1 expression was all significantly higher in the placental and uterine tissues of mice in the 12 dpi group than in the 12 dpn group (all P values < 0.05). The PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was significantly lower in the placental tissues of mice in the 18 dpi group than in the 18 dpn group (all P values < 0.05), and the IFN-γ and SAG-1 expression was significantly higher in the placental and uterine tissues of mice in the 18 dpi group than in the 18 dpn group (all P values < 0.05), while the PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was significantly lower in the placental and uterine tissues of mice in the 18 dpi group than in the 12 dpi group (all P values < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed PD-1 expression in the inflammatory cells of the placental tissues of mice in the 12 dpi group, and no apparent PD-1 expression in the 18 dpi group, while strongly positive PD-1 expression was found in the uterine epithelium of mice in the 12 dpi group, and mildly strong expression was in the 18 dpi group. In addition, the IFN-γ mRNA expression was positively correlated with the PD-1 mRNA expression in placental (rs = 0.99, P < 0.01) and uterine tissues of mice in the 12 dpi group (rs = 0.97, P < 0.01) and in placental (rs = 0.82, P < 0.01) and uterine tissues of mice in the 18 dpi group (rs = 0.81, P < 0.01). Conclusions Following T. gondii infection at early pregnancy, the PD-1 and PD-L1 expression shows a remarkable rise at middle pregnancy and a reduction at late pregnancy in placental and uterine tissues of mice, which appears the same tendency with IFN-γ expression during the same time period, and PD-1 expression positively correlates with IFN-γ expression. The dynamic expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 on the maternal-fetal interface of mice may be mutually mediated by IFN-γ induced by T. gondii infection.
ABSTRACT
In this study, the regulatory effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), as well as the role of interferon γ (IFN-γ), has been discussed using both in vitro and in vivo animal models. ESCC murine model was established according to the standard operating procedures (SOP) of Animal Experiment Center of Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The expression of PD-L1 in esophageal tissues of murine models was analyzed using the microarray assay. Then, the results were verified by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, the molecular mechanism was explored in KYSE180 and KYSE510 ESCC cells in vitro. The results showed that CGA could suppress the expression of PD-L1 in tumor tissues in murine models significantly, rather than the expression in KYSE180 and KYSE510 ESCC cells in vitro. However, after the pretreatment of IFN-γ, the expression of PD-L1 was significantly increased, then it was down-regulated by CGA in both dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the expression of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), an upstream regulatory factor of PD-L1, was suppressed by CGA in both KYSE180 and KYSE510 pretreated with IFN-γ, which was consistent with the expression of PD-L1. These results indicate that CGA down-regulates the expression of PD-L1 in ESCC via IFN-γ-IRF1 signaling pathway, providing the molecular theoretical basis for exploration of new treatment of ESCC.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) releasing assay (IGRA) is widely used for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) diagnosis. We evaluated the analytical performance of a new automated chemiluminescent immunoanalyzer-based IGRA (CLIA-IGRA), AdvanSure I3 (LG Life Sciences, Seoul, Korea) and compared it with that of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay. METHODS: Repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated at four levels. Detection capability, including limit of blank (LoB), limit of detection (LoD), and limit of quantification (LoQ), was evaluated using IFN-γ standard material (National Institute for Biological Standards and Control code: 87/586). Agreement between the results of two assays was evaluated using 341 blood samples from healthcare workers and patients at a tertiary care hospital. To determine the cut-off value of CLIA-IGRA for diagnosing LTBI, the ROC curve was analyzed. RESULTS: Repeatability and reproducibility were 4.86–7.00% and 6.36–7.88% CV, respectively. LoB, LoD, and LoQ were 0.022, 0.077, and 0.249 IU/mL, respectively. IFN-γ values between CLIA-IGRA and QFT-GIT showed a strong correlation within the analytical measurable range of both assays, especially when the value was low. Qualitative comparison of the two assays yielded a 99.1% overall agreement (kappa coefficient=0.98). A cut-off value of 0.35 IU/mL was appropriate for diagnosing LTBI. CONCLUSIONS: CLIA-IGRA is a reliable assay for LTBI diagnosis, with performance similar to that of QFT-GIT.
Subject(s)
Humans , Biological Science Disciplines , Delivery of Health Care , Diagnosis , Interferon-gamma , Latent Tuberculosis , Limit of Detection , ROC Curve , Seoul , Tertiary HealthcareABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect of neutralizing CD96 on natural killer (NK) cell functions in mice with pulmonary infection and explore the possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into infection group (Cm group), anti-CD96 treatment group (anti-CD96 group) and control group (=5). In the former two groups, was inoculated intranasal administration to establish mouse models of pulmonary infection, and the mice in the control group received intranasal administration of the inhalation buffer. In anti-CD96 group, the mice were injected with anti-CD96 antibody intraperitoneally at the dose of 250 μg every 3 days after the infection; the mice in Cm group received intraperitoneal injections of saline. The body weight of the mice was recorded daily. The mice were sacrificed 5 days after infection, and CD96 expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. HE staining and pathological scores were used to evaluate pneumonia of the mice. The inclusion body forming units (IFUs) were detected in the lung tissue homogenates to assess lung tissue chlamydia load. Flow cytometry and ELISA were used to assess the capacity of the lung NK cells to produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and regulate macrophages and Th1 cells.@*RESULTS@# infection inhibited CD96 expression in NK cells of the mice. Compared with those in Cm group, the mice in antiCD96 mice showed significantly milder lung inflammation ( < 0.05) and reduced chlamydia load in the lung tissue ( < 0.05). Neutralizing CD96 with anti-CD96 significantly enhanced IFN-γ secretion by the NK cells ( < 0.05) and augmented the immunoregulatory effect of the NK cells shown by enhanced responses of the lung macrophages ( < 0.05) and Th1 cells ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Inhibition of CD96 alleviates pneumonia in -infected mice possibly by enhancing IFN-γ secretion by NK cells and augmenting the immunoregulatory effect of the NK cells on innate and adaptive immunity.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Antigens, CD , Chlamydia Infections , Chlamydia muridarum , Interferon-gamma , Killer Cells, Natural , Lung Injury , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BLABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) to interleukin-37 (IL-37) in the serum and peritoneal fluid, and investigate the pathogenesis of IL-37 in endometriosis (EMT) patients. Methods Thirty-six EMT patients, admitted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from Jul, 2018 to Jan. 2019, and confirmed by laparoscopic operation and pathology, were selected as the EMT group, of which 13 cases were in stage I and II, and 23 cases in stage III and IV. The other 28 women with simple ovarian cyst, teratoma or hysteromyoma were selected as the control group. ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL-37, TNF-α and IFN-γ in serum and abdominal fluid of the two groups. And then the levels of IL-37, TNF-α and IFN-γ were compared between the two groups and their relationship was analyzed. Results The serum levels of IL-37 and TNF-α were significantly higher in EMT group than those in control group [(101.78±31.58) pg/ml vs. (63.50±14.48) pg/ml and (30.68±16.22) pg/ml vs. (18.09±1.27) pg/ml, respectively]. The levels of IL-37 and TNF-α in peritoneal fluid were significantly higher in EMT group than those in control group [(133.94±47.07) pg/ml vs. (68.43±12.60) pg/ml and (24.23±6.12) pg/ml vs. (16.63±3.13) pg/ml, respectively]. The levels of IFN-γ in serum and peritoneal fluid were significantly lower in EMT group than that in control group [(18.81±3.20) pg/ml vs. (20.52±1.38) pg/ml and (15.93±2.58) pg/ml vs. (20.32±7.03) pg/ml, respectively]. The differences were statistically significant (P0.05). Conclusion The levels of IL-37 in serum and peritoneal fluid are increased significantly in EMT patients, implying that IL-37 may play a certain role in occurrence and progression of EMT by promoting secretion of TNF-α and inhibiting secretion of IFN-γ.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells possess strong immunomodulatory capacity, mainly involved in the proliferation, differentiation and functional status of immune cells, and the secretion of inflammatory factors. The immunomodulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by inflammatory factors. As the type and level of inflammatory factors in the microenvironment change, the immune regulation function of mesenchymal stem cells also changes. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of inflammatory factor intervention in the immune regulation of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: A computer-based retrieval of PubMed, Elsevier and CNKI databases was performed. The keywords were “mesenchymal stem cells, immune regulation, plasticity, interferon gamma, transforming growth factor beta, interleukin-17, interleukin-35, prostaglandins E2” in Chinese and English, respectively. The articles concerning the effects of inflammatory factor intervention on the immune regulation of mesenchymal stem cells were included. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After intervention and pre-treatment of interferon-γ, transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-17, interleukin-35 and prostaglandin E2, the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells have also changed. The interventions cannot only reshape the tissue microenvironment and affect the inflammatory response, but also reconstruct the immune balance, which further treats or alleviates the disease progression. Reasonable individualized and differentiated treatments will be performed at different disease stages according to inflammatory and immunological reaction of the disease. All of them are expected to further improve the therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells on immuno-inflammatory diseases.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells have been widely applied in autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-host diseases because of their immunomodulatory capabilities. However, mesenchymal stem cells have plasticity in immunomodulation, which leads to heterogeneity and instability when used in vivo. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polarization of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells to an immunosuppressive phenotype (MSC2) in the inflammatory microenvironment induced by interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide. METHODS: Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured in vitro, and then were identified by morphological characteristics, surface markers, adipogenesis and osteoinduction activity. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were treated with interferon-γ (10 μg/L), lipopolysaccharide (100 μg/L), or their combination for 24 hours, respectively, and were then co-cultured with phytohemagglutinin pre-treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells for 5 days under direct or Transwell indirect contact. The percentages of regulatory T cells and T helper 1 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry at different times. The mRNA expression levels of Toll-like receptors 2, 3 and 4 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells exhibited spindle-shaped or fibroblast-like morphology, highly expressed CD73, CD90 and CD105, and lacked expression of CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. (2) Under direct or indirect co-culture, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells pre-treated with interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide could promote the generation of regulatory T cells, which was superior to the interferon-γ, lipopolysaccharid, un-treated and control groups (P < 0.05). (3) The percentage of T helper 1 cells gradually decreased over time. (4) Under indirect co-culture, human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells pre-treated with interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide were polarized into immunosuppressive MSC2 phenotype at an earlier period and highly expressed Toll-like receptor 3 (P < 0.05). (5) In conclusion, the combination of interferon-γ (10 μg/L) and lipopolysaccharide (100 μg/L) results in the high-efficient polarization of mesenchymal stem cells toward the MSC2 phenotype under indirect co-culture, and the immunosuppressive capability of MSC2 is independent of intercellular contact, which provides clinical evidence for the MSC2-derived exosome therapy in the future.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analysis the dynamic change of cytokines in patients with occupational trichloroethylene-induced medicamentosa-like dermatitis(OMDT) at the initial stage of treatment. METHODS: Twenty-two cases of early onset OMDT with no glucocorticoid treatment history were selected as the research subjects by judgment sampling method. Blood samples were collected on the 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th weeks after admission and on the day of hospital discharge. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin(IL)-5, IL-6 and IL-10 in plasma samples were measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The five cytokines in patients with exfoliative dermatitis showed an increasing trend at the initial stage of treatment. Among them, the levels of TNF-α, IL-5 and IL-10 reached a peak and then dropped rapidly to form a plateau, and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 were slightly increased and the duration of increase was shorter than that of other cytokines. The levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-6 in patients with erythema multiforme remained within the detection limits in the detection process. Only a few patients showed a short-term increase, the IL-10 level showed a slight increase at the initial stage and then decreased to the plateau stage. The levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in patients with bullous epidermal necrolysis increased rapidly at the initial detection stage for a short period of time, and then decreased sharply. The level of IL-5 remained at the detection limit, and the IL-10 level showed alternative rising and falling pattern. Part of the dynamic change of cytokines in patients with exfoliative dermatitis and bullous epidermal necrolysis was similar. CONCLUSION: The levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10 in OMDT patients changed with the progression of the disease at the early treatment stage, and the degree of change was related to the type of rash. Among them, the levels of TNF-α and IL-10 showed dynamic changes due to the progression of the disease, which could be considered as effect biomarkers to evaluate the severity and progression of the disease, and provide a reference for the rational treatment of patients.