Correlation between leptin and IFN-γ involved in granulosa cell apoptosis in PCOS.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to explore the relationship between leptin and IFN-γ in PCOS patients, and confirmed the effect of leptin-induced IFN-γ on granulosa cells furtherly. METHODS: 29 patients with PCOS and 36 healthy controls were enrolled. Leptin level and the proportion of Th1 cells were detected and association between them were analyzed. Meanwhile, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from PCOS patients were treated with leptin and then the proportion of Th1 was analyzed. Besides that, the apoptotic level of KGN cells was monitored after IFN-γ treatment. RESULTS: In the circulation of PCOS patients, leptin level dramatically increased compared with controls. And, this was associated with upregulated Th1 cells proportion and IFN-γ level. In vitro, Th1 cells proportion increased after leptin treated PBMCs from PCOS patients. Furthermore, for KGN cells, the percentage of live cells decreased and later apoptosis cells increased after IFN-γ treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that leptin takes part in process of PCOS via inducing expression of IFN-γ. Our findings highlight the importance of the connection between leptin and inflammation in PCOS and provide new insights therapeutic strategy for this disease.

Association between Th1/Th2 immune imbalance and obesity in women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the Th1/Th2 cells in peripheral blood of PCOS patients, and assess the potential correlation between Th1/Th2 imbalance and obesity. METHODS: Thirty-nine PCOS patients and 23 age-matched controls were enrolled. The PBMCs were obtained before pharmacological intervention in women with or without PCOS. The profiles of Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines of CD3+CD- T lymphocyte subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Plasma sex hormones including E2, T, FSH, LH, and FINS, FPG were measured, together with BMI, WC, LH/FSH, E2/T and HOMA-IR index being calculated. Association between Th1/Th2 imbalance and BMI, WC were evaluated. RESULTS: The proportion of Th1 cells and Th1/Th2 ratio were significantly higher in PCOS patients than those in controls, accompanied by elevated T, LH, LH/FSH, FINS, HOMA-IR index and reduced E2/T. The Th1/Th2 ratio was increased when BMI and WC were enhanced in PCOS. Moreover, the significant difference of Th1/Th2 ratio was observed between WC subgroups of PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that Th1 type immunity is predominant in systemic immunization of PCOS patients. Th1/Th2 immune imbalance is connected with obesity, especially abdominal obesity, and may be one of the underlying mechanism for the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Multiple infections containing the top five prevalent HPV genotypes and their impact on cervical lesions in Changzhou, China.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. The overall prevalence of HPV genotypes in Changzhou has previously been reported. However, the distribution of multiple HPV infections and their roles in cervical injury have less been investigated. We aimed to assess the prevalence of multiple HPV infections among the people in Changzhou. Furthermore, we analyzed whether multiple HPV infections comprising the top five prevalent HPVs were more associated with abnormalities in E6 and E7 (E6/E7) mRNA, liquid-based cytology, and cervical histopathology than a single infection. In the current study, HPV 16, 52, 58, 53, and 81 were the top five prevalent HPV types, both in single and multiple infections. Compared to a single infection, multiple infections containing HPV 16/52/58 were closely linked to positivity for E6/E7 mRNA. In addition to HPV 16, multiple infections containing the remaining top four HPVs conferred a significant advantage on atypical squamous cells of undermined significance or worse in comparison to a single infection. Furthermore, women with multiple infections containing the top five prevalent HPV types were more likely to develop cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II or worse than those with a single HPV infection. Our results demonstrate the superiority of multiple HPV infections containing the top five prevalent HPV types in cervical disease progression, which should be closely monitored. These findings are conducive for formulating regional preventive strategies for cervical cancer screening and vaccination in Changzhou.

Cytoprotective effects of high dose of α-galactosylceramide against activation-induced CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell death as an adjuvant.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytoprotective effects of high dose of α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) on the activation-induced CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell death. METHODS: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced using adoptive transfer of MOGCD4+ cells treated using α-GC into recipient C57BL/6 mice while the MOGCD4+ cells treated using 0.5% polysorbate were set as vehicle group, based on which to investigate the effects of α-GC on activation induced CD4+ T cell death. Additionally, an EG7 tumor-bearing mice model is established using adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells, based on which to investigate the effect of α-GC on the apoptosis of CD8+ T cells. RESULTS: A higher induction rate was noticed after adoptive transfer of MOGCD4+ cells treated using α-GC together with the severity of EAE compared with the conventional methods. Longer survival duration was noted in the green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled MOGT in the α-GC group compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.05). Severe inflammatory cell infiltration and myelinoclasis was noted in the white matter of nervous system in the α-GC group. In the EG7 tumor model, more adoptive CD8+ T cells were survived in α-GC group compared with that of vehicle group. The growth of tumor mass was significantly inhibited in α-GC group. CONCLUSIONS: high dose of α-GC could be used as an adjuvant for inhibiting activation-induced CD4+ T and CD8+ T cell death. Our study could provide helpful information for the development of adoptive cell therapy with reduced programmed cell death.