The number of FOXP3+regulatory T cells (Tregs) decreased and transformed into RORγt+FOXP3+Tregs in lung tissues of mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To explore the phenotypic conversion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the lungs of mice with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-affected mice. Methods A total of 20 newborn C57BL/6 mice were divided into air group and hyperoxia group, with 10 mice in each group. The BPD model was established by exposing the newborn mice to hyperoxia. Lung tissues from five mice in each group were collected on postnatal days 7 and 14, respectively. Histopathological changes of the lung tissues was detected by HE staining. The expression level of surfactant protein C (SP-C) in the lung tissues was examined by Western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the proportion of FOXP3+ Tregs and RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs in CD4+ lymphocytes. The concentrations of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-6 in lung homogenate were measured by using ELISA. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between FOXP3+Treg and the expression of SP-C and the correlation between RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs and the content of IL-17A and IL-6. Results The hyperoxia group exhibited significantly decreased levels of SP-C and radical alveolar counts in comparison to the control group. The proportion of FOXP3+Tregs was reduced and that of RORγt+FOXP3+Tregs was increased. IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased. SP-C was positively correlated with the expression level of RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs. RORγt+FOXP3+ Tregs and IL-17A and IL-6 concentrations were also positively correlated. Conclusion The number of FOXP3+ Tregs in lung tissue of BPD mice is decreased and converted to RORγt+ FOXP3+ Tregs, which may be involved in hyperoxy-induced lung injury.

Analysis of genotypes on 850 newborns with SLC26A4 single-allele mutation and the phenotypes of those with second variant / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To clarify the phenotypes of the newborns with SLC26A4 single-allele mutation in deafness genetic screening and second variant; to analyze the SLC26A4 genotype and hearing phenotype. Methods: 850 newborns born in Beijing from April 2015 to December 2019 were included and there were 468 males and 382 females. They received genetic deafness screening for 9 or 15 variants, with the result of SLC26A4 single-allele mutation. Firstly, three step deafness gene sequencing was adopted in this work, i.e., the first step was "SLC26A4 gene whole exons and splice sites" sequencing; the second step was "SLC26A4 gene promoter, FOXI1 gene and KCNJ10 gene whole exons" sequencing; and the third step was detection for "SLC26A4 gene copy number variation". Secondly, we collected the results of newborn hearing screening for all patients with the second mutation found in the three step test, and conducted audiological examinations, such as acoustic immittance, auditory brainstem response and auditory steady state response. Thirdly, for novel/VUS mutations, we searched the international deafness gene database or software, such as DVD, ClinVar and Mutation Taster, to predict the pathogenicity of mutations according to the ACMG guideline. Lastly, we analyzed the relationship between genotype and phenotype of newborns with SLC26A4 single allele mutation. Results: Among 850 cases, the median age of diagnosis was 4 months. In the first step, 850 cases were sequenced. A total of 32 cases (3.76%, 32/850) of a second variants were detected, including 18 cases (2.12%, 18/850) with identified pathogenic variants; 832 cases were sequenced and 8 cases of KCNJ10 gene missense variants were detected among the second step. No missense mutations in the FOXI1 gene and abnormal SLC26A4 gene promoter were detected; the third step sequencing results were all negative. Genotypes and hearing phenotypes included 18 cases combined with the second clear pathogenic variant, 16 cases (16/18) referred newborn hearing screening and 2 cases (2/18) passed in both ears; degree of hearing loss consisted of 18 profound ears (18/36), 13 severe ears (13/36) and 5 moderate ears (5/36); audiogram patterns comprised 17 high frequency drop ears (17/36), 14 flat ears (14/36), 3 undistinguished ears (3/36), and 2 U shaped ears (2/36); 11 cases underwent imaging examination, all of which were bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct. As for 22 cases of other genotypes, all passed neonatal hearing screening and the hearing diagnosis was normal, including 9 cases with VUS or possibly novel benign variants, 8 cases with KCNJ10 double gene heterozygous variants, and 5 cases with double heterozygous variants. Conclusions: The probability of individuals with SLC26A4 single-allele variant who merge with a second pathogenic variant is 2.12%, all of which are SNV, which can provide scientific basis for the genetic diagnosis and genetic counseling of SLC26A4 variants. Those who have merged with second pathogenic variant are all diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. Patients with KCNJ10 gene mutations do not manifest hearing loss during the infancy, suggesting the need for further follow-up.

The role of CD4+ CD25+ Treg in the mechanism of autoimmune auditory neuropathy in SD rats / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the role of CD4+CD25+regulatory cell (CD4+CD25+Treg) in auditory neuropathy (AN) using a rat model of autoimmune auditory neuropathy. Methods: The SD rats were immunized with P0 protein emulsified in complete Freunds adjuvant for 8 weeks. The number of CD4+CD25+Treg in peripheral blood and cochlea and the expression of Foxp3 gene in cochlea were detected respectively 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the immunization with P0 protein in rats. Then CD4+CD25+Treg were transferred intravenously to the AN rats at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of the immunization, respectively. The change of auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) were detected, and the morphological changes in the inner ear were investigated. Results: The number of CD4+CD25+Treg in the peripheral blood of AN rats decreased gradually after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks of P0 protein immunization. The number of CD4+CD25+Treg in cochlea gradually increased with the prolongation of immunization time, but the expression of Foxp3 gene in cochlea gradually decreased over time. After intravenous transplantation of CD4+CD25+Treg in AN rats, the threshold of ABR response decreased, and DPOAE had no significant change. The number of spiral ganglion neurons in cochlea increased, and hair cells had no significant change under electron microscope. Conclusions: The decrease in the number and function of CD4+CD25+Treg reduces its inhibitory effect on autoimmune response and promotes the occurrence of autoimmune auditory neuropathy in AN rats. Adoptive transfer of CD4+CD25+Treg can reduce the autoimmune response and promote the recovery of autoimmune auditory neuropathy.

Effects of Foxp3 gene silencing on the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the proliferation and migration of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in an inflammatory environment / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to clarify the effects of Foxp3 silencing on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLFs) in an inflammatory environment and on cell proliferation and invasiveness, as well as to explore the role of Foxp3 gene in the development of periodontitis.@*METHODS@#An small interfering RNA (siRNA) construct specific for Foxp3 was transfected into hPDLFs. Foxp3 silencing efficiency was verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, and the siRNA with the optimum silencing effect of Foxp3 gene was screened. Using lipopolysaccharide to simulate an inflammatory environment in vitro, CCK-8 detected the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLFs proliferation under inflammatory conditions. Wound-healing experiments and transwell assays were conducted to detect the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLF migration under inflammatory conditions. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting under inflammatory conditions.@*RESULTS@#After siRNA transfection, RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in the Foxp3-si3 group decreased significantly (t=21.03, P<0.000 1), and the protein expression of Foxp3 also decreased significantly (t=12.8, P<0.001). In the inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation (P>0.05), and Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 increased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In an inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration but had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation. The expression of inflammatory factors expressed in hPDLFs increased after Foxp3 gene silencing, indicating that Foxp3 gene inhibited inflammation in periodontitis.

Diagnosis and treatment of a child with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins due to variant of FOXF1 gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the diagnosis, treatment and genetic characteristics of a neonate with severe pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure.@*METHODS@#Perinatal history, clinical manifestations, laboratory finding and diagnosis and treatment data of the child were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the child, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the candidate variants.@*RESULTS@#The female neonate has developed progressive respiratory failure and refractory pulmonary hypertension shortly after birth. Conventional treatment such as mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and inhaled nitric oxide were ineffective. She has developed sustained pulmonary hypertension after weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy, and had died after the treatment had ceased. Whole exome sequencing revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous de novo variant of c.682_683insGCGGCGGC (p.G234Rfs*148) of the FOXF1 gene, which was predicted as pathogenic based on guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), with evidence items of PVS1_Strong+PM2_Supporting+PS2. Based on her clinical manifestations and result of genetic testing, the child was diagnosed with alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of the pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV).@*CONCLUSION@#Discovery of the c.682_683insGCGGCGGC (p.G234 Rfs*148) variant of the FOXF1 gene has expanded the mutational spectrum of the FOXF1 gene, which has facilitated implementation of specific treatment and provided a basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Genetic analysis of an infant death due to a paternally derived FOXF1 somatic-gonadal mosaic variant / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the genetic characteristics and cause of death for an infant with alveolar capillary dysplasia and pulmonary vein misalignment (ACD/MPV).@*METHODS@#An infant with ACD/MPV diagnosed at the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University in September 2022 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the infant were collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to detect genetic variants in the skin tissue, and Sanger sequencing was performed for verifying the candidate variants in the parents. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used to determine the mosaicism ratio of the variant in different germ layer-derived samples from the father.@*RESULTS@#The infant had died within 2 days after birth due to hypoxemia and respiratory distress. WES revealed that she has harbored a c.433C>T nonsense variant in exon 1 of the FOXF1 gene, which was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing has verified the variant in the infant, with her mother's locus being the wild-type and a minor variant peak noted in her father. ddPCR indicated that the mosaic ratio of the c.433C>T variant in the father's sperm was 27.18%, with the mosaic ratios of the variant in tissues originating from the three germ layers ranging from 11% to 28%.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.433C>T variant derived from the paternal germline and somatic mosaicism of the FOXF1 gene had probably predisposed to the neonatal death of this infant. ddPCR is an effective method for detecting mosaic variants.

Formononetin enhances the antitumor effect of H22 hepatoma transplanted mice / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of formononetin on immunity of mice with transplanted H22 hepatocarcinoma. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously inoculated with H22 cells (4×105) to establish a tumor-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with formononetin [10 mg/(kg.d)] or [50 mg/(kg.d)] for 28 days, and then the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Carrilizumab was used as a positive control drug. The expressions of CD8, granzyme B and forkbox transcription factor 3 (FOXP3) in HCC tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA and protein expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand 1 (PD-L1) in HCC tissues were detected by real-time PCR or Western blot analysis, respectively. The serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were detected by ELISA. Results Formononetin increased the tumor inhibition rate and the positive rate of CD8 and granzyme B staining in tumor-bearing mice. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of FOXP3 staining in tumor tissues of mice in each group. Formononetin decreased the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in serum of tumor-bearing mice, and decreased the relative expression of mRNA and protein of PD-1 and PD-L1 in tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion Formononetin can activate CD8+ T cells and reduce the release of immunosuppressive factors in regulatory T cells by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and play an antitumor role.

Effect of LINC00174 on the Malignant Proliferation of Multiple Myeloma Cells and Its Related Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the biological function of LINC00174 in multiple myeloma (MM).@*METHODS@#Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of LINC00174 and miR-150 in peripheral blood of MM patients and MM cell lines. EdU staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of LINC00174 and miR-150 on the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of proliferation marker nuclear-related antigen Ki67, apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 and transcription factor forkhead box protein P1 (FOXP1). Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the targeting relationship between LINC00174 and miR-150 and the targeting relationship between miR-150 and FOXP1.@*RESULTS@#The level of LINC00174 was significantly increased in peripheral blood of MM patients and MM cell lines (P <0.05). Compared with NC-siRNA group, the expression of LINC00174 was significantly reduced in LINC00174-siRNA group, the proliferation of U266 cells was reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Ki67 protein was reduced, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 protein was increased (all P <0.05). LINC00174 targeted regulation of the expression of miR-150. Compared with LINC00174-siRNA+NC inhibitor group, the expression of miR-150 in U266 cells in LINC00174-siRNA+miR-150 inhibitor group was significantly reduced, the cell proliferation was enhanced, the apoptosis rate was reduced, the level of Ki67 protein was increased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was decreased (all P <0.05). FOXP1 is the target gene of miR-150. Compared with NC mimic group, the expression of FOXP1 protein in miR-150 mimic group was significantly reduced, the cell proliferation was reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, Ki67 protein level was decreased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was increased. Compared with miR-150 mimic + vector group, the expression of FOXP1 protein in miR-150 mimic + pcDNA-FOXP1 group was significantly increased, the cell proliferation was enhanced, the apoptosis rate was reduced, the level of Ki67 protein was increased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was decreased (all P <0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#LINC00174 promotes the proliferation of MM cells and inhibits cell apoptosis by regulating the miR-150/ FOXP1 axis.

Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals a gatekeeper role for FOXP1 in primate cardiac aging

Aging poses a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death in the aged population. However, the cell type-specific changes underlying cardiac aging are far from being clear. Here, we performed single-nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of left ventricles from young and aged cynomolgus monkeys to define cell composition changes and transcriptomic alterations across different cell types associated with age. We found that aged cardiomyocytes underwent a dramatic loss in cell numbers and profound fluctuations in transcriptional profiles. Via transcription regulatory network analysis, we identified FOXP1, a core transcription factor in organ development, as a key downregulated factor in aged cardiomyocytes, concomitant with the dysregulation of FOXP1 target genes associated with heart function and cardiac diseases. Consistently, the deficiency of FOXP1 led to hypertrophic and senescent phenotypes in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Altogether, our findings depict the cellular and molecular landscape of ventricular aging at the single-cell resolution, and identify drivers for primate cardiac aging and potential targets for intervention against cardiac aging and associated diseases.

FOXP4 promotes proliferation of human spermatogonial stem cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Continuous self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is vital for maintenance of adult spermatogenesis. Although several spermatogonial stem cell regulators have been extensively investigated in rodents, regulatory mechanisms of human SSC self-renewal and differentiation have not been fully established. We analyzed single-cell sequencing data from the human testis and found that forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) expression gradually increased with development of SSCs. Further analysis of its expression patterns in human testicular tissues revealed that FOXP4 specifically marks a subset of spermatogonia with stem cell potential. Conditional inactivation of FOXP4 in human SSC lines suppressed SSC proliferation and significantly activated apoptosis. FOXP4 expressions were markedly suppressed in tissues with dysregulated spermatogenesis. These findings imply that FOXP4 is involved in human SSC proliferation, which will help elucidate on the mechanisms controlling the fate decisions in human SSCs.

Treg Cells, FoxP3 and TGF-β Expression and Significance in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression and significance of regulatory T cells (Tregs), FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in different phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood of 73 CML patients in Department of Hematology, Heze Municipal Hospital from March 2018 to March 2021 were collected. According to patient's period in CML, they were divided into ND CML group (newly diagnosed), CP CML group (chronic period), and BP CML group (blast phase). The percentage of Tregs, expression level of FoxP3 mRNA and TGF-β were detected by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and ELISA, respecitively. The roles of above indices in clinical pathogenesis of patients with CML were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The proportion of Treg in the ND CML group was slightly higher than the CP CML group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.695), while the BP CML group was significantly higher than the other two groups (P =0.008, P <0.001). The expression levels of FoxP3 mRNA in ND CML group, CP CML group and BP CML group were 11.61±2.21, 6.46±1.35 and 8.54±2.13, respectively. Significant difference in FoxP3 mRNA levels was observed among patients in different phases of CML (F =55.199, P <0.001). The expression levels of FoxP3 mRNA both in ND CML group and BP CML group were significantly higher than that in CP CML group (P <0.001), and the ND CML group was the highest (P <0.001). However, the expression levels of TGF-β in different phases of CML showed no statistical differences (H =0.634, P =0.728).@*CONCLUSION@#The abnormal distribution of Treg subset in different phases of CML and the significant increase of the expression level of FoxP3 mRNA in the new onset and blast phase of CML suggest that Tregs may promote the occurrence and progression of CML through immune regulation.

Distribution characteristics of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in EBV-associated lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma and their clinical significance / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the association between the distribution of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in EBV associated lymphoepitheliomatoid carcinoma (LELC) and the pathological subtypes of LELC, as well as the clinical significance of TIL distribution. Methods: The LELC patients with sufficient tumor tissues, complete clinical data and positive EBER, who visited Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China from January 2006 to October 2018, were selected. Various immunohistochemical markers (CD20, CD138, CD4, CD8, CD56 and FOXP3) were examined for TIL typing. Two pathologists reviewed the hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining sections and interpreted the immunohistochemical results. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the distribution of TIL subgroups and LELC's pathological characteristics. Survival analyses were conducted to study the prognostic values of TIL subgrouping. Results: A total of 102 patients with EBV related LELC were included. 46 of them were classic LELC (c-LELC) with rich interstitial TIL, and 56 were non-classic LELC (n-LELC) with relatively fewer interstitial TIL. The results of TIL analysis showed that all subtypes of c-LELC were rich in TIL, with B lymphocytes as the dominant subgroup. The number of TIL in n-LELC was fewer than that in c-LELC, with T lymphocytes as the dominant subgroup. There was no significant difference in the distribution of plasma cells between the two groups. Survival analysis showed that the total number of TIL, and the infiltrations of CD20+B cells, CD4+T cells, and FOXP3+Treg cells were associated with better overall survivals (P=0.004, 0.003, 0.008 and 0.025, respectively) and disease-free survivals (P=0.011, 0.003, 0.038 and 0.041, respectively) in patients with LELC. Conclusions: The morphologic subtypes of EBV-related LELC have different tumor immune characteristics. The total number of TIL in the stroma of c-LELC is significantly higher than that of n-LELC. Interestingly, B lymphocytes are the dominant TIL in c-LELC, while T lymphocytes are the dominant TIL in n-LELC. The infiltration of TIL, CD20+B cells, CD4+T cells and FOXP3+Treg cells in LELC may suggest a better prognosis.

Proapoptotic protein Bim regulates the suppressive function of Treg cells / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a special immunosuppressive subset of cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4+‍)‍-T lymphocytes and play a pivotal role in the establishment of immune homeostasis in vivo (Zhang et al., 2021). The transcription factor forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3) is the master marker of Treg cells, which is highly expressed in Treg cells and is also essential for their suppressive function (Hori et al., 2003). In addition to Foxp3, other regulators of Treg cells have been discovered (Wu et al., 2017, 2022; Wu and Sun, 2023a, 2023b); however, a deeper understanding of the regulation of these cells is required.

Regulation of Notch1 and Foxp1 by MiR-34a in psoriasis vulgaris / Regulación de Notch1 y Foxp1 por MiR-34ª en psoriasis vulgaris

SUMMARY: This study is to investigate the regulation of Notch1 and Foxp1 by miR-34a in the development of psoriasis vulgaris. RT-PCR was used to compare the levels of miR-34a in the skin lesions of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 20 normal skin tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Notch1 and Foxp1 in 51 patients with psoriasis vulgaris, which were further compared with that in 29 normal control tissues. In addition, in HaCaT cells, we used miR-34a mimics and inhibitors to overexpress and inhibit miR-34a, respectively, and detected the mRNA and protein levels of miR-34a, Notch1, and Foxp1. The level of miR-34a in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was significantly higher than that in normal skin tissues (t=2.192, P<0.05). The positive rate of Notch1 in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris was 76.47 %, which was significantly higher than that in normal skin tissues (13.79 %) (t=29.215, P<0.01). The positive rate of FOXP1 in the psoriasis vulgaris group was 92.16 %, which was also significantly higher than that in the normal skin group (65.52 %) (t=9.087, P<0.01). In addition, overexpression of miR-34a significantly promoted the expression of Notch1 and Foxp1. However, inhibition of miR-34a significantly reduced Notch1 and Foxp1 levels. miR- 34a is highly expressed in the skin tissues of patients with psoriasis vulgaris, and may participate in the development of psoriasis vulgaris by regulating Notch1 and Foxp1.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la regulación de Notch1 y Foxp1 por miR-34a en el desarrollo de la psoriasis vulgar. Se utilizó RT-PCR con el fin de comparar los niveles de miR-34a en las lesiones cutáneas de 20 pacientes con psoriasis vulgar y 20 tejidos de piel normales. Se utilizó inmunohistoquímica para detectar la expresión de Notch1 y Foxp1 en 51 pacientes con psoriasis vulgar, que se compararon además con la de 29 tejidos normales control. Además, en las células HaCaT, usamos miméticos e inhibidores de miR-34a para sobreexpresar e inhibir miR-34a, respectivamente, y detectamos los niveles de ARNm y proteína de miR-34a, Notch1 y Foxp1. El nivel de miR- 34a en las lesiones cutáneas de pacientes con psoriasis vulgar fue significativamente mayor que en los tejidos normales de la piel (t=2,192, P<0,05). La tasa de positividad de Notch1 en las lesiones cutáneas de pacientes con psoriasis vulgar fue del 76,47 %, que fue significativamente mayor que la de los tejidos normales de la piel (13,79 %) (t=29,215, P<0,01). La tasa positiva de FOXP1 en el grupo de psoriasis vulgar fue del 92,16 %, que también fue significativamente mayor que la del grupo de piel normal (65,52 %) (t=9,087, P<0,01). Además, la sobreexpresión de miR-34a promovió significativamente la expresión de Notch1 y Foxp1. Sin embargo, la inhibición de miR-34a redujo de manera importante los niveles de Notch1 y Foxp1. miR-34a se expresa en gran medida en los tejidos de la piel en pacientes con psoriasis vulgar y puede participar en el desarrollo de la psoriasis vulgar mediante la regulación de Notch1 y Foxp1.

Protective effects of Wuwei Xiaodu Drink against chronic osteomyelitis through Foxp3+CD25+CD4+ Treg cells via the IL-2/STAT5 signaling pathway / 中国天然药物

To explore the effectiveness and safety of a Chinese medicinal decoction Wuwei Xiaodu Drink (WWXDD) in inhibiting chronic osteomyelitis via regulatory T cells signaling. The effective constitutes of WWXDD and osteomyelitis related genes were screened. Target proteins were cross-validated using the Venny database. GO function and KEGG pathway analysis were performed for target proteins, while pharmacological network was constructed. The bone properties were analyzed by HE staining and the concentrations of immune factors were measured by ELISA. The expression of CTLA-4 and Foxp3 mRNA and STAT5, p-STAT5, CTLA-4 and Foxp3 protein were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. FACS was used to analyze the percentages of cells. A total of 117 genes overlapped between 785 target genes of the active compounds of WWXDD and 912 osteomyelitis related genes. Inflammation-related genes, including IL-6, TNFα, IL-1β and IL-2 showed high connection degree in the drug-compound-disease-target network. GO function and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that 117 intersection genes mainly enriched in virus infection related pathways, immune related pathways and chemokine signaling pathway. Furthermore, the development of chronic osteomyelitis was suppressed in model rats after treatment with WWXDD. Meanwhile, the concentrations of IL-2 and CD4+CD25+Foxp3 Treg percentages together with the levels of p-STAT5, CTLA-4 and Foxp3 were also down-regulated. Furthermore, IL-2 and WWXDD drug-containing serum exhibited opposite effects on regulating IL-2, IL-10, TGF-β1, Foxp3, CTLA4 and STAT5. In addition, a STAT5 phosphorylation inhibitor suppressed the expression of Foxp3 and CTLA-4. WWXDD can treat chronic osteomyelitis through suppressing the main regulating factors of Tregs and interfere its immunodepression. Our results bring a new solution for chronic osteomyelitis.

Association between interleukin-10 polymorphisms and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in asthmatic children

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between possible functional interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms, IL-10 expression and regulatory T cells (Tregs) frequency, and/or asthma severity in a sample of children and adolescents. Methods: This is a nested case-control genetic association study. The study sample consisted of children and adolescents aged 8-14 from public schools. Four polymorphisms of the IL-10 gene (rs1518111, rs3024490, rs3024496, rs3024491) were genotyped in asthmatic subjects and controls using real-time PCR. Tregs cells and IL-10 were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by flow cytometry. The severity of asthma was defined according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline. Results: One hundred twenty-three asthmatic subjects and fifty-eight controls participated in the study. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3024491 (T allele) showed association with asthma severity, presenting a higher frequency in patients in the moderate asthma group. The T allele of variant rs3024491 also showed an association with reduced IL-10 levels (p = 0.01) and with increased Tregs frequency (p = 0.01). The other variants did not present consistent associations. Conclusions: Our results suggest that moderate asthma is associated with a higher frequency of the T allele in the SNP rs3024491. In addition, the variant rs3024491 (TT) was associated with a reduction in IL-10 production and an increased percentage of Tregs cells, suggesting possible mechanisms that influence asthma severity.

Expression and Significance of BLIMP-1 in Regulatory T Cells of Children with Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the expression of B lymphocyte-induced mature protein-1 (BLIMP-1) in regulatory T cells (Tregs) of children with aplastic anemia (AA), and analyze its correlation with the number of Tregs and the levels of inhibitory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in plasma.@*METHODS@#The peripheral blood samples of 10 newly diagnosed AA children and 10 healthy children were collected for experiment. qPCR was used to detect FOXP3 and PRDM1 mRNA expression levels. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Tregs, the expression of BLIMP-1 in Tregs, and the levels of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-17A, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10 and TGF-β in plasma. Pearson correlation model was used to evaluate the relationship between the expression of BLIMP-1 in Treg and the number of Tregs, as well as the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in plasma.@*RESULTS@#Compared with control group, the proportion of Tregs in peripheral blood of AA children was decreased significantly (P<0.001); The plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ in AA children were increased significantly (P=0.033, P=0.031, P=0.006), and IL-17A also was increased but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.052), while anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β were significantly reduced (P=0.048, P=0.002). The relative expressions level of FOXP3 and PRDM1 mRNA in AA children were significantly lower than those in control group (P=0.037, P=0.016). The expression of BLIMP-1 protein in Tregs of AA children was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.001). The expression level of BLIMP-1 protein in Tregs was positively correlated with the percentage of Tregs in lymphocytes (r=0.671, P=0.001), and was also positively correlated with the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in plasma (r=0.500, P=0.029; r=0.486, P=0.030).@*CONCLUSION@#The expression of BLIMP-1 in Tregs of AA children is impaired, and the low expression of BLIMP-1 is related to the decrease of the number in Tregs and IL-10 and TGF-β expressions.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on mandibular bone regeneration and the expression of T helper cell 17/regulat-ory T cell-related factors in mice / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on mandibular bone regeneration and the expression of factors related to T helper cell 17 (Th17 cell) and regulatory T cell (Treg cell) in mice.@*METHODS@#Thirty-six 6-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC) and T2DM groups. Fasting blood glucose levels were detected 0 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d after surgery for mandibular defects. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used in observing the bone after 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d of the healing process. Immunohistochemical staining was used in observing the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3), retinoic acid related orphan receptor gamma T (RORγt), and protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2) after 7 d, 14 d, and 28 d of healing.@*RESULTS@#HE staining showed that the area with new bones in the T2DM group was significantly smaller than that in the NC group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of osteogenesis related proteins ALP and RUNX2 were significantly reduced in the T2DM group. In addition, the number of RORγt positive cells increased, whereas the number of Foxp3 positive cells and the expression PTPN2 decreased significantly in the mandibular bone defect in mice with T2DM.@*CONCLUSIONS@#T2DM significantly inhibit mandibular bone regeneration in mice. Decline in PTPN2 expression and the transition of Treg and Th17 may be the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Phenotype and genetic variant analysis of seven pedigrees affected with blepharophimosis syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical manifestations and gene variants of patients with blepharophimosis, ptosis and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES).@*METHODS@#Clinical data of 7 pedigrees affected with BPES were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the probands and their relatives. All exons of the FOXL2 gene were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Those with negative findings were further screened by targeted capture and next generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray analysis. Pathogenicity of candidate variants were predicted by search of PubMed and related databases, and the impact of the variants was interpreted by protein prediction software. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical phenotype, medical history and mutation analysis.@*RESULTS@#A pathogenic variant was identified in six of the 7 pedigrees, which included four known pathogenic variants and one novel FOXL2 c.299dupA variant. A heterozygous 3q22.3q23 deletion, which encompassed the FOXL2 gene, was identified in another pedigree.As predicted, the c.299dupA frameshift mutation of FOXL2 gene can lead to the premature termination of protein translation, which is pathogenic.@*CONCLUSION@#A novel and 5 known pathogenic variants have been identified in six pedigrees affected with BPES by the combined Sanger sequencing, target capture NGS and microarray analysis. Above findings have enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for these pedigrees.

Clinical features and genetic analysis of three children with mental retardation, language impairment and autistic features due to de novo variants of FOXP1 gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical features and genetic basis of three children with mental retardation, language impairment and autistic features due to de novo variants of FOXP1 gene.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of the children were collected.Trio-whole exome sequencing was carried out for the children and their parents. Pathogenicity of the variants was analyzed through bioinformatics prediction.@*RESULTS@#All of the children had various degrees of mental retardation in conjunct with language deficit, global developmental delay, abnormal behavior and peculiar facial features, among whom two also developed autism spectrum disorders. The results of genetic testing showed that all three children harbored de novo variants of the FOXP1 gene, namely c.613_c.614delCTinsTA, c.1248delC and c.1393A>G. Two of these were frameshift variants and one was missense variant, which were all rated as pathogenic based on the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG). Database search suggested that c.613_c.614delCTinsTA and c.1248delC were unreported previously.@*CONCLUSION@#For the three children from unrelated families with mental retardation in conjunct with language deficit, global growth delay, abnormal behavior and peculiar facial features, the c.613_ c. 614delCTinsTA, c.1248delC and c.1393A>G variants of the FOXP1 gene may be the pathogenic factors. Above cases have further expanded the genotype-phenotype profile of FOXP1 deficiency syndrome.