ABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease, mediated by pathogenic T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, the therapeutic effect is accompanied by the fluctuation of the proportion and function of Th17 cells, which prompted us to find the key regulator of Th17 differentiation in MS. Here, we demonstrated that the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2), a modulator of pattern recognition receptors on innate immune cells, was highly expressed on pathogenic CD4-positive T lymphocyte (CD4+ T) cells in both patients with MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models. Conditional knockout of Trem-2 in CD4+ T cells significantly alleviated the disease activity and reduced Th17 cell infiltration, activation, differentiation, and inflammatory cytokine production and secretion in EAE mice. Furthermore, with Trem-2 knockout in vivo experiments and in vitro inhibitor assays, the TREM-2/zeta-chain associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal axis was essential for Th17 activation and differentiation in EAE progression. In conclusion, TREM-2 is a key regulator of pathogenic Th17 in EAE mice, and this sheds new light on the potential of this therapeutic target for MS.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Cell Differentiation , Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Multiple Sclerosis , Th1 Cells/pathologyABSTRACT
[Objective]To explore the phenomenon and regularity of acupoint sensitization for major depressive disorder(MDD)based on bibliometric methodology and data mining technology,and to provide scientific ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MDD.[Methods]Eight electronic databases and one ancient book were comprehensively searched and available literature was retrieved.Bibliometric methodology and data mining technology were applied to summarize the phenomenon and regularity of acupoint sensitization for MDD,and to explore the related theoretical mechanisms.[Results]A total of 29 literature related to acupoint sensitization of MDD was included.Acupoint sensitization of MDD involved in multiple forms,including heat sensitization,chemical sensitization,pain sensitization,and so on,and the testing means were diverse.The most common sensitized acupoint was Baihui(GV20).Among these acupoints,sensitization often simultaneously occurred in Baihui(GV20)and Neiguan(PC7),Baihui(GV20)and Taichong(LR3).The acupoints and sensitization could be divided into 4 effective clusters.The meridian involved with high sensitization frequency was governor vessel.Sensitization mainly occurred in the head-face-neck area.[Conclusion]The sensitization phenomenon of MDD has many types,However,there are few related studies at present.The phenomenon of acupoint sensitization involving acupoint,meridians,and location are relatively broad.There might be a close relationship between high-frequency sensitized acupoints and common acupoints for clinical treatment,which may be related to the effect of different acupoints and the etiology and pathogenesis of MDD.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.