Correlation of AIM2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from humans with acute and chronic hepatitis B.

The AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) protein promotes host defenses against invading viruses and pathogenic bacteria through corresponding adapter molecules leading to the initiation of innate immune responses. We investigated the expression of AIM2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during different clinical phases, and analyzed the correlation between AIM2 and clinical profiles in these groups. This study indicated that there is higher expression of AIM2, IL-1ß, and IL-18 in AHB compared with expression in CHB. The expression of AIM2 mRNA was significantly negatively correlated with serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) load, HBeAg, and significantly positively correlated with IL-1ß and IL-18 in AHB patients and CHB patients with immune clearance, which suggests that AIM2 expression is correlated with the immune clearance of HBV in the host. We summarized that there is a higher immune status in AHB, and a lower immune response in CHB. This suggests that the down-regulation of AIM2 may be associated with the chronic development of HB.

Age versus clinical virological characteristics in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a case series study in China.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical virological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in chronic HBV infection patients of different ages, especially in relapse patients and patients with immune clearance. METHODS: The HBV clinical virological characteristics of chronic HBV infection were investigated in 1572 Chinese patients of different age groups (<20, 20-40, and >40 years old). RESULTS: Of the patients in the below 20 age group, those with evidence of immune tolerance accounted for 86.05% (P<0.001). Of the patients in the 20-40 age group, those with immune clearance accounted for 36.36% (P<0.001). Of the patients in the above 40 age group, there were markedly more reactivation cases than in any other group (P<0.001). Our data indicated that a positive correlation (r=0.480, P<0.001) existed between HBV DNA contents (on a log10 scale) and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of the total cases with reactivation. Of the 300 cases with immune clearance being followed up 10-50 months after enrollment, 181 cases achieved spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion (HBeAg to anti-HBe), and the younger the patient, the shorter the time to seroconversion (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Generally, there were significantly different HBV clinical virological characteristics in patients with chronic HBV infection of different ages. Different features were observed in relapse patients and patients with immune clearance at different ages, and these two types of patients needed antiretroviral therapy. Our study suggests that revisions of the timing and elevated alanine aminotransferase standards for chronic hepatitis B antiretroviral therapy in Chinese relapse patients and patients with immune clearance in different age groups are warranted.

[Determination of GATA-4 in the testis of the mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics and distribution of GATA-4 in the testis of male mice. METHODS: Paraffin sections were obtained from the testes of 24 male B6SJLF1/J mice, aged 0 day (n = 6), 2 weeks (n = 6), 4 weeks (n = 6) and 6 weeks (n = 6), and the expressions of GATA-4 in the testis were observed by the immunohistochemical ABC method and DAB visualization at different times. RESULTS: Positive expressions of GATA4 were found in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells of all the mice, but significantly higher in the 4- and 6-week-old than in the 0-day and 2-week-old groups (P < 0.01). And they were also observed in the germ cells of the 4- and 6-week-old mice, significantly higher in the latter than in the former (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GATA-4 exists in the testis of male mice, which has provided a morphological base for sex determination and differentiation and hormone regulation in the testis.

[Experimental varicocele affects VEGF and Flt-1 protein expressions in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) proteins in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats, and to find out the correlation of the two proteins with varicocele-induced male infertility. METHODS: We established the ELV model in adolescent male SD rats, and detected the expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in the testis and epididymis by immunohistochemistry at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Cell- and region-specific expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 were observed in the testis and epididymis of the ELV and control groups. Statistical analysis showed that, in comparison with the corresponding control groups, the 2- and 4-week ELV groups exhibited a notable increase in the VEGF protein expression in the hibateral testis and epididymis (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); the Flt-1 expression was obviously upregulated in the hibateral testis and epididymis of the 2-week ELV group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but remarkably reduced in the hibateral testis and left epididymis of the 4-week ELV group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), with no statistic difference in the right epididymis (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ELV can cause changes in the expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins in the testis and epididymis of adolescent rats, and consequently affect spermatogenesis and spermiotelcosis, which may be one of the causes of varicocele-induced male infertility or subfertility.

[The GATA family in reproduction].

The GATA family proteins are a group of zinc finger transcription factors that are expressed in human and mammalian animals and play an important role in mammalian organ morphogenesis, cell proliferation and sex differentiation. GATA-4 and GATA-6 have been identified in the ovaries and testes of humans, mice, pigs and chickens. GATA-4 contributes to fetal male gonadal development by regulating the genes that mediate Müllerian duct regression and the onset of testosterone production. GATA-4 and GATA-6 are localized in and regulate the function of the ovarian and testicular somatic cells of fetal mice, especially granulosa cells, thecal cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. GATA-4 is also present in the germ cells of fetal and prepubertal mice.

[Expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 in the testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm of adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expressions of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) in the testis, epididymis and epididymal sperm of adolescent rats and explore the functions of both the proteins in the male reproductive system. METHODS: The expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 were detected in 20 adolescent SD rats, immunohistochemical staining used for both the testis and the epididymis and immunofluorescent staining for sperm. RESULTS: VEGF and Flt-1 proteins were specifically present in the testis, epididymis and sperm. In the testis, VEGF immunoreactive particles were localized in the cytoplasm of spermatogenic cells, the developing acrosome of spermatids, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, while Flt-1 expressed mainly in the developing acrosome of spermatids and Leydig cells. In the epididymis, the cell-specific and region-specific expressions of VEGF and Flt-1 proteins were observed in the principal cells of epididymal epithelia, VEGF in the whole epididymis, while Flt-1 only in the caput and cauda segments. Both VEGF and Flt-1 were localized in the acrosome of the sperm head as well as in the neck, middle and principal segments of the sperm tail. CONCLUSION: The specific expression patterns of VEGF and Flt-1 in the rat testis, epididymis and sperm indicate that they may independently or collectively affect spermatogenesis and spermiotelcosis in either an autocrinological or a