CD206 modulates the role of M2 macrophages in the origin of metastatic tumors.

Tumor metastasis is a key factor affecting the life of patients with malignant tumors. For the past hundred years, scientists have focused on how to kill cancer cells and inhibit their metastasis in vivo, but few breakthroughs have been made. Here we hypothesized a novel mode for cancer metastasis. We show that the phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells by macrophages leads to their polarization into the M2 phenotype, and that the expression of stem cell related as well as drug resistance related genes was induced. Therefore, it appears that M2 macrophages have "defected" and have been transformed into the initial "metastatic cancer cells", and thus are the source, at least in part, of the distal tissue tumor metastasis. This assumption is supported by the presence of fused cells with characteristics of both macrophage and tumor cell observed in the peripheral blood and ascites of patients with ovarian cancer. By eliminating the expression of CD206 in M2 macrophages using siRNA, we show that the growth and metastasis of tumors was suppressed using both in vitro cell line and with experimental in vivo mouse models. In summary, we show that M2 macrophages in the blood circulation underwent a "change of loyalty" to become "cancer cells" that transformed into distal tissue metastasis, which could be suppressed by the knockdown of CD206 expression.

IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in both serum and blister fluid samples does not correlate with disease activity of bullous pemphigoid.

The correlation between IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody and disease activity of bullous pemphigoid (BP) remains disputable. To determine the levels of IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody and its clinical significance in untreated BP patients. IgG and IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in serum and blister fluid samples of 34 untreated BP patients was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and correlation with clinical and pathological features of BP were statistically analysed. The Bullous Pemphigoid Disease Area Index (BPDAI) was used to measure disease activity of BP. The mean baseline level of IgG anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in serum and blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients was 75.3 U/mL and 1.54 U/mL, respectively (A450, cutoff: 0.126). IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody was positive in 21.9% serum and 14.7% blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients. IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody levels in serum samples positively correlated with those from blister fluid samples (r = 0.983, p < 0.05). However, IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody level in both serum and blister fluid samples of untreated BP patients did not correlate with IgG anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody, age, extent of elevated peripheral blood eosinophils, BPDAI erosion/blister score, BPDAI urticaria/erythema score, BPDAI pruritus score, BPDAI without damage score, or BPDAI total score (all p > 0.05). No significant correlation was identified between disease activity and positive or negative anti-BP180 NC16A IgE autoantibody. Conclusion: IgE anti-BP180 NC16A autoantibody in both serum and blister fluid samples does not appear to correlate with disease activity of BP.

An eosinophil-Sos1-RAS axis licenses corticosteroid resistance in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid resistance (CR) is a serious disadvantage in treating many chronic inflammatory conditions. Eosinophils are the main inflammation cells in allergic reactions. Environmental pollution, such as PM2.5, is associated with the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism by which the exposure to PM2.5 confers eosinophil CR status. METHODS: Patients with allergic rhinitis were recruited and assigned to corticosteroid sensitive (CS) and CR groups. Eosinophils were purified from nasal lavage fluids collected from patients with allergic rhinitis. A murine AR mouse model was developed with dust mite allergens and PM2.5 as the sensitization reagents. RESULTS: CR status was detected in about 60% eosinophil collected in patients with AR. Upon exposure to eosinophil activators, CS eosinophils released a large quantity of mediators, which was suppressed by the presence of steroids in the culture. CR eosinophils demonstrated resistance to steroidal therapy. RAS activation levels in eosinophils were higher in CR eosinophils than in CS eosinophils. Higher expression of the Son of sevenless-1 (Sos1) was detected in CR eosinophils, which formed a complex with RAS and glucocorticoidreceptor-α in CR eosinophils to prevent the binding between steroids and glucocorticoidreceptor-α. The presence of an Sos1 inhibitor dissociated glucocorticoid receptor-α from RAS/Sos1 complex, that restored the sensitivity to steroids in eosinophils. Administering the Sos1 inhibitor effectively attenuated the experimental allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: CR status was detected in approximately 1/3 eosinophils sampled from patients with allergic rhinitis. Sos1 was instrumental in the development and perseverance of CR in eosinophils. Sos1 inhibition restored sensitivity to steroids in CR eosinophils, which effectively reduced experimental allergic rhinitis.

Evaluation of the value of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the value of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin (IIF-SSS) in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP) .Methods:A single-center clinical retrospective study was conducted. Totally, 163 patients with newly diagnosed BP were collected from Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2013 to January 2019, so were 404 controls, including 161 with pemphigus, 67 with eczema, 26 with drug eruption, 23 with erythema multiforme, 18 with prurigo nodularis, etc. Blood samples were collected before the treatment, and IIF-SSS, BP180 NC16A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) assay were performed to evaluate the value of IIF-SSS in the diagnosis of BP. Measurement data were compared by using t test and Mann-Whitney test, and enumeration data were compared by using chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test or McNemar test. Results:The number of cases positive for IIF-SSS, BP180 NC16A ELISA and DIF assay was 160, 153 and 127 respectively in the BP group, and 0, 18 and 26 respectively in the control group. The sensitivities of IIF-SSS, BP180 NC16A ELISA and DIF assay for the diagnosis of BP were 98.15%, 93.86% and 77.91% respectively, and their specificities were 100%, 95.54% and 93.56% respectively. There was strong consistency in the diagnosis of BP between IIF-SSS and DIF (Kappa coefficient= 0.767, P < 0.001) . Conclusion:IIF-SSS has relatively high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of BP, and can serve as a routine method for diagnosing BP.

Optimization of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin and its application in detection of bullous pemphigoid antibodies / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To optimize indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin (IIF-SSS), and to evaluate its performance in detection of bullous pemphigoid (BP) antibodies.Methods:Normal human foreskin and non-foreskin skin tissues were used to prepare salt-split substrates under 3 different experimental conditions: traditional group rotated at 4 ℃ for 48 - 72 hours, low-temperature immersion group soaked at 4 ℃ for 48 - 72 hours, room-temperature immersion group soaked at 25 ℃ (range: 23 - 27 ℃) for 24 hours. Serum samples were obtained from 20 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) in Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2019 and August 2020, and subjected to IIF on the intact skin or salt-split substrates by using a multiple dilution method. Paired-sample t test was used for comparisons of means between two paired samples. Results:No dermal-epidermal separation was observed in the substrates prepared in the low-temperature immersion group at 48 - 72 hours, while dermal-epidermal separation occurred in the lower lamina lucida of the foreskin and non-foreskin substrates in the room-temperature immersion group and the traditional group. For the 20 patients with BP, the reciprocal end-point titers ( M[ Q1, Q3]) detected with the salt-split non-foreskin skin and salt-split foreskin in the room-temperature immersion group, and with the salt-split non-foreskin skin in the traditional group were 5 120 (2 560, 17 920), 1 280 (640, 2 560), 1 280 (640, 2 560), respectively. Moreover, 19 (95%) patients with BP showed that the reciprocal end-point titers detected with the substrates in the room-temperature immersion group were 1 - 5 times those in the traditional group ( t = 8.04, P<0.001), suggesting that the performance of salt-split skin in the room-temperature immersion group was superior to that in the traditional group in the detection of BP antibodies; however, there was no significant difference in the reciprocal end-point titers of BP antibodies between the salt-split foreskin in the room-temperature immersion group and salt-split non-foreskin skin in the traditional group ( t<0.001, P>0.05). The reciprocal end-point titers in 20 BP sera detected by conventional IIF on the intact non-foreskin skin and foreskin were 320 (160, 640) and 480 (160, 1 120), respectively; the reciprocal end-point titers detected by IIF on the salt-split foreskin and non-foreskin skin in the room-temperature immersion group, as well as on the salt-split non-foreskin skin in the traditional group, were all consistent with or 1 - 7 times higher than those detected by conventional IIF ( t = 6.47, 14.83, 5.26, respectively, all P<0.001) . Conclusion:The soaking method at room temperature 25 ℃ (23 - 27 ℃) for preparing salt-split substrates has advantages of short duration and simple procedure, and the sensitivity of IIF-SSS using the substrates prepared by this method is equal or superior to the traditional salt-split method for detecting BP antibodies.

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD) is a rare autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease. Currently, researches on LABD are still limited, and most are case reports. This review summarizes research advance in etiology and pathogenesis, clinical and histopathological manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of LABD.

Clinical and immunoserological features of 7 cases of anti-p200 pemphigoid / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze clinical and immunoserological features of patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid.Methods:Clinical data were collected from patients with confirmed anti-p200 pemphigoid in Hospital of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2015 to October 2021, and their clinical and immunoserological characteristics were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Seven patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid were included. Indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin (IIF-SSS) showed that serum IgG antibodies of the 7 patients were located in the dermis of the salt-split skin, and Western blot analysis with dermal extracts as substrates revealed a protein band with a relative molecular mass of 200 000. Four patients presented with classic bullous pemphigoid-like skin lesions, 2 initially presented with eczematous lesions, and 1 presented with linear IgA bullous dermatosis-like skin lesions. Circulating IgG antibodies could recognize the recombinant laminin γ1 C-terminal region in 6 cases. Four patients received different doses of systemic glucocorticoids, 1 of whom was resistant to high-dose systemic glucocorticoids (equivalent to 1.4 mg·kg -1·d -1 prednisone) ; 2 responded well to minocycline and dapsone; 1 was lost to follow-up. Four patients achieved complete remission and discontinued the treatment at a mean follow-up of 22.5 months; 2 received complete remissiona on minimal therapy at a mean follow-up of 8 months. Conclusion:Patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid presented with heterogeneous clinical manifestations, and the recombinant C-terminal fragment of laminin γ1 can serve as a reliable antigen substrate for the detection of autoantibodies in patients with anti-p200 pemphigoid; some patients can eventually achieve complete remission off treatment.

Livin in synergy with Ras induces and sustains corticosteroid resistance in the airway mucosa.

Rationale: Corticosteroid resistance (CR) seriously affects the therapeutic effects of steroids on many chronic inflammatory disorders, including airway allergy. The mechanism of CR development is unclear. Recent research indicates that livin, an apoptosis inhibitor, is associated with the regulation in cell activities. This study investigates the role of livin in the inducing and sustaining CR in the airway mucosa. Methods: Nasal epithelial cells (NECs) were isolated from surgically removed nasal mucosal tissues of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nasal polyps with or without CR. Differentially expressed genes in NECs were analyzed by the RNA sequencing. A CR mouse model was developed to test the role of livin in CR development. Results: The results showed that NECs of AR patients with CR expressed high levels of livin, that was positively correlated with the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) expression and the high Ras activation status in NECs. Livin and Ras activation mutually potentiating each other in the inducing and sustaining the TSLP expression in NECs. TSLP induced eosinophils and neutrophils to express glucocorticoid receptor-ß (GRß). Eosinophils and neutrophils with high CRß expression were resistant to corticosteroids. Depletion of livin or inhibition of TSLP markedly attenuated CR and airway allergy. Conclusions: Livin facilitates CR development in the airways by promoting TSLP expression in epithelial cells and the GRß expression in eosinophils and neutrophils. Depletion of livin or inhibiting TSLP attenuates CR development and inhibits airway allergy, this has the translational potential to be used in the treatment of airway allergy.

Mitochondrial genome of captive Alpine musk deer, Moschus chrysogaster (Moschidae), and phylogenetic analyses with its coordinal species.

Alpine musk deer, Moschus chrysogaster, a solitary, primitive ungulate inhabiting high elevation areas (3000-4500 m) is an endangered species facing threat of extinction globally due to excessive hunting for its musk. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of M. chrysogaster, which was 16,354 bp in length, and revealed the same gene order and genomic organization as typical Moschidae mitochondrial DNA. Start codons in 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were all typical ATGs except ATA for ND2 and ND3 and ATT for ND5. Stop codons were all typical types except an incomplete stop codon T for COX3, ND2, ND3, and ND4. Secondary structures in 22 transfer RNA genes all showed typical cloverleaf except tRNA-Ser (AGY), in which the dihydrouridine arm formed a simple loop. No repeat units were found in the control region. The topology structure indicated that M. cupreus was primitive and located at the root of the Moschidae clade. Phylogenetic reconstruction placed M. chrysogaster as a distinct lineage, closely related to the branch of M. leucogaster, M. berezovskii (wild) and predicted a sister relationship with M. moschiferus, M. anhuiensis, and M. berezovskii (captive). However, we suggested that the genetic resources of M. chrysogaster_JQ608470 should be further investigated.

Role of FcγRI in Antigen-Dependent Eosinophil Activation in Patients With Allergic Rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: The eosinophil (Eo) activation is a crucial factor evoking allergic rhinitis (AR) attacks; factors; the mechanism of triggering Eo activation remains to be further investigated. The interaction of antigen (Ag) and antibody plays a critical role in evoking allergy attacks. This study aims to elucidate the role of FcγRI, the high affinity receptor of IgG, in the Ag-mediated Eo activation. METHODS: Nasal lavage fluids (NLF) were collected from AR patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. Eos were isolated by flow cytometry cell sorting and analyzed by pertinent immunological approaches. RESULTS: Eos composed more than 60% of the cellular components in AR NLF. Exposure to specific Ags (sAgs) in the culture triggered Eos to release inflammatory mediators. High levels of FcγRI were detected on the surface of AR NLF Eos. Exposure to lipopolysaccharide markedly increased the FcγRI expression in naive Eos, which could be bound by Ag-specific IgG (sIgG) to form complexes on the surface of Eos; this made Eos at the sensitized status. Eos bore with the sIgG/FcγRI complexes could be activated upon exposure to sIgG in the culture; these Eos can be designated as Ag-specific Eos. Passive transfer of Ag-specific Eos resulted in profound AR response in mice upon sAg challenge. Depletion of FcγRI on Eos efficiently abolished AR response in mice. CONCLUSIONS: AR Eos express high levels FcγRI, that can be bound by sIgG to make Eos sensitized. Re-exposure to specific Ags can activate the sensitized Eos.

Pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma: a case report and literature review.

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare condition that occurs mainly in premenopausal women and is characterized most commonly by pulmonary metastases. Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules on chest examination during a health checkup 13 years after myomectomy. This patient has a normal menstrual cycle, moderate anemia, and no obvious respiratory symptoms. Serum concentrations of cancer markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron specific enolase, cytokeratin 19 fragments, and pro-gastrin-releasing peptide were within normal limits. Color doppler ultrasound was also performed, several hypoechoic regions were found in uterine bodies and cavity. The computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy was used for histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical staining revealed BML which were positive for smooth muscle antibody, desmin, vimentin, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and Ki-67 positive rate of about 1%. Hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy were performed as a part of treatment. The lung nodules were meticulously monitored at follow-up. Three months later, the repeat CT scan showed that the nodules had reduced in size, and no new nodules had appeared, 1 year later, CT scan showed no obvious changes in lung nodules. This study is of great significance as the results will be helpful in diagnosing and treating future pulmonary benign metastasizing leiomyoma (PBML) cases.

Application of pregabalin in dermatology / 中华皮肤科杂志

Pregabalin can reduce the release of multiple neurotransmitters by acting on the voltagegated calcium channel of the nervous system.It is currently widely used in a variety of diseases,including neuropathic pain,generalized anxiety disorder,epilepsy and so on.In dermatology department,pregabalin also has a therapeutic effect on postherpetic neuralgia,prurigo nodularis,uremic pruritus,nerve-related pruritus and mentally relevant pruritus.

Probiotic extracts ameliorate nasal allergy by inducing interleukin-35-producing dendritic cells in mice.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic efficacy of allergic rhinitis (AR) needs to be improved. Probiotics have immunoregulatory functions. In this study we evaluated the effects of protein extracts of probiotics in the amelioration of AR. METHODS: Extracts of Bifidobacterium infantis (EBI) were prepared by lysing the live probiotics. AR mice were developed to be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of EBI. RESULTS: The results show that EBI induced interleukin (IL)-10-producing dendritic cells (DCs) via increasing IL-35 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation. IL-10-expressing DCs induced IL-10-producing B cells (B10 cells), with the latter showing immunosuppressive functions. After challenge with specific antigens, AR mice showed sneezing, nasal itch, and increases in serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mouse mast cell protease-1; higher levels of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4, 67.17 ± 10.66; IL-5, 62.83 ± 9.70; IL-13, 51.00 ± 6.69, before treatment) in nasal mucosal protein extracts, which were significantly suppressed (IL-4, 27.00 ± 6.66; IL-5, 23.86 ± 4.53; IL-13, 25.67 ± 4.93, after treatment (p < 0.001) by administration with EBI nasal drops. CONCLUSION: EBI can suppress AR via inducing B10 cells. Thus, after carrying out required preclinical experiments and tests, EBI has the translational potential to be used in the treatment of AR and other allergic diseases.

Associations of anti-desmoglein antibodies with clinical phenotypes and disease activity in pemphigus patients and their change patterns / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate associations of anti-desmoglein (Dsg1 and Dsg3) antibodies detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with clinical phenotypes and disease activity in pemphigus patients,and to explore their change patterns.Methods A total of 111 patients with pemphigus were enrolled from Hospital for Skin Diseases,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2015 and January 2018.ELISA was performed to detect serum levels of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies in these patients with different clinical types of pemphigus at different stages,including onset stage,control stage (no new erythema or vesicles occurred in the last 2 or more weeks,and primary lesions began to regress),maintenance stage (the condition had been stable for ≥ 1 month,and treatment was maintained with a low dose of glucocorticoids [prednisone equivalent of ＜ 15 mg/d]),and recurrence stage,and the change patterns of serum levels of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies were analyzed.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 22 software by using oneway analysis of variance for the comparison among groups,and least significant difference (LSD)-t test for multiple comparisons.Results At the disease onset stage,control stage,maintenance stage and recurrence stage,92,53,33,and 9 patients respectively completed the detection.Among the 92 patients with initial onset of pemphigus,the positive rates of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies were 100％ and 2.77％ respectively in 36 patients with pemphigus foliaceus,20％ and 80％ respectively in 10 with mucosaldominant pemphigus vulgaris,and 97.82％,95.65％ respectively in 46 with mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris.The serum levels of anti-Dsg1 antibodies in the patients with pemphigus foliaceus significantly differed among the disease onset stage,control stage,maintenance stage and recurrence stage (137.43 ±77.74,13.94 ± 14.81,21.50 ± 58.33,121.13 ± 86.89 U/ml,respectively),the serum levels of anti-Dsg3 antibodies in the patients with mucosal-dominant pemphigus vulgaris also significantly differed among the above clinical stages (125.61 ± 94.81,34.5 ± 16.26,0.6,258 U/ml,respectively),and the serum levels of anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 antibodies in patients with mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris both significantly differed among the above clinical stages(anti-Dsg1 antibody:115.39 ± 70.62,15.74 ± 25.10,3.62 ± 12.09,78.60 ± 92.25 U/ml,respectively;anti-Dsg3 antibody:137.98 ± 81.25,58.14 ± 63.46,29.26 ± 64.70,136.9 ± 101.47 U/ml,respectively).Additionally,the serum levels of anti-Dsg1 antibodies in the patients with pemphigus foliaceus,as well as the serum levels of anti-Dsg3 antibodies in the patients with mucosaldominant pemphigus vulgaris and those with mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris,were both significantly lower at the disease control stage and maintenance stage than at the disease onset stage and recurrence stage (all P ＜ 0.05).During the treatment,epitope spreading occurred in 2 patients,and high-titer anti-Dsg antibodies were observed in 4 patients at the stable stage.Conclusion Anti-Dsg antibody spectrum is associated with clinical phenotypes of pemphigus,and its serum levels measured by ELISA can be applied to disease activity monitoring and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.

Diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases manifesting as desquamative gingivitis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Skin diseases manifesting as desquamative gingivitis (DG) can be divided into recurrent DG-and chronic DG-related skin diseases,including oral lichen planus,mucosal pemphigoid,pemphigus vulgaris and so on.A thorough medical history,detailed oral and histopathological examinations and serum immunological tests can be helpful for correct diagnosis of DG-related skin diseases.The treatment of DG-related skin diseases includes topical and systemic therapies.It is necessary to individualize treatment protocols due to treatment response.During the treatment of DG,oral hygiene should be strengthened,secondary fungal and bacterial infections should be avoided,and attention should be paid to the protection of oral cavity and periodontal tissues.

BP180-related autoimmune blistering diseases / 中华皮肤科杂志

BP180-related autoimmune blistering diseases include bullous pemphigoid,lichen planus pemphigoides,linear IgA bullous dermatosis,pemphigoid gestationis and cicatricial pemphigoid.There are multiple autoantibody-reactive sites on the extracellular region of BP180.Current studies show that there is heterogeneity in the autoimmune blistering disease-related target sites on BP 180,and different clinical manifestations of the same disease are related to the heterogeneity of target sites.However,further studies and analysis are still needed for the mechanism of the heterogeneity.

Evaluation of the value of Western blot analysis based on human epidermal extracts prepared by thermal separation in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To prepare human epidermal extracts by thermal separation,and to evaluate the value of epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP).Methods Human epidermal extracts were prepared by thermal separation from circumcised foreskins of healthy males.Serum samples were obtained from 22 inpatients with BP and 25 inpatients without BP in Hospital for Skin Diseases,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2015 and August 2017.These serum samples were subjected to Western blot analysis with epidermal extracts as substrates,as well as to BP180-NC16A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Statistical analysis was carried out using chi-square test and Fisher's exact test with the SPSS22.0 software.Results The sensitivities of epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis and BP 180-NC16A ELISA in the diagnosis of BP were 86.36％ (95 ％ CI:64.03％-96.41％) and 95.45％ (95％ CI:75.11％-99.76％) respectively (~ =1.10,P =0.294),and the specificities were 100％ (95％ CI:83.42％-100％) and 92％ (95％ CI:75.11％-99.76％) respectively (x2 =20.8,P =0.149).Epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis in the 22 patients with BP showed a protein band with relative molecular mass (RMM) of 230 000 in 4 patients,a protein band with RMM of 180 000 in 18,a protein band with RMM of 120 000 in 1,and a protein band with RMM of 97 000 in 1.The BP180-NC16A ELISA showed that the antibody titers were more than 50 U/ml in the BP patients with protein bands of RMM of 180 000.Conclusions The epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis mainly showed the protein band with RMM of 180 000 in the patients with BP.The sensitivity of the epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis was lower than that of the BP180-NC16A ELISA,and the epidermal extract-based Western blot analysis tends to be negative when the titer of the autoantibody is low.

Next generation sequencing yields the complete mitogenome of captive forest musk deer, Moschus berezovskii (Ruminantia: Moschidae).

Moschus berezovskii is an endangered species, but its captive populations are valuable on musk secretions in traditional Chinese medicine and perfume manufacture. The mitogenome of M. berezovskii was 16,353 bp in size. Stop codons in 13 PCGs were all typical types except incomplete stop codon T for COX3, ND2 and ND4, and TA for ND3. No tandem repeat was found in control region. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Moschidae has the closest relationship with Bovidae. We supported that M. berezovskii should be categorized into two subspecies, and suggested that the status of M. chrysogaster JQ608470 should be further investigated.

Indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin and bullous pemphigoid 180 NC16a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of indirect immunofluorescence on salt-split skin (IIF-SSS) and bullous pemphigoid 180 N C 16a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BP 180 N C 16a-ELISA) in the diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid (BP).Methods Serum samples were collected from 174 BP patients and 129 controls,who were enrolled from Institute of Dermatology of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2015 and August 2017,and subjected to IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA.Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) test was performed in 25 cases of BP,and its sensitivity for the diagnosis of BP was compared with that of IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA.Results The sensitivities for IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA were 93.67％ and 96.55％ respectively,and the specificities for IIF-SSS and BP180 NC16a-ELISA were 100％ and 96.12％ respectively.IIF-SSS was weakly correlated with BP180 NC16a-ELISA with a correlation coefficient of 0.147.There was no significant difference in the sensitivity between the serological diagnostic methods (IIF-SSS and BP180 NC 16a-ELISA) and DIF.Conclusion Serological diagnostic methods show high specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of BP,and are worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Cryoprotective effects of low-density lipoproteins, trehalose and soybean lecithin on murine spermatogonial stem cells.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have the ability to self-renew and offer a pathway for genetic engineering of the male germ line. Cryopreservation of SSCs has potential value for the treatment of male infertility, spermatogonial transplantation, and so on. In order to investigate the cryopreservation effects of different cryoprotectants on murine SSCs, 0.2 M of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), trehalose and soybean lecithin were added to the cryoprotective medium, respectively, and the murine SSCs were frozen at -80°C or -196°C. The results indicated that the optimal recovery rates of murine SSCs in the cryoprotective medium supplemented with LDL, trehalose and soybean lecithin were 92.53, 76.35 and 75.48% at -80°C, respectively. Compared with freezing at -196°C, the optimum temperature for improvement of recovery rates of frozen murine SSCs, cryopreservation in three different cryoprotectants at -80°C, were 17.11, 6.68 and 10.44% respectively. The recovery rates of murine SSCs in the cryoprotective medium supplemented with 0.2 M LDL were significantly higher than that of other cryoprotectants (P < 0.05). Moreover, the recovery rates were demonstrated to be greater at -80°C compared with at -196°C (P < 0.05). In conclusion, 0.2 M of LDL could significantly protect murine SSCs at -80°C. In the freezing-thawing process, LDL is responsible for the cryopreservation of murine SSCs because it can form a protective film at the surface of membranes. However, more research is needed to evaluate and understand the precise role of LDL during the freezing-thawing of SSCs.