[Detection significance of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in clinical remission].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance and evaluate the early structural erosion through the expressions of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical remission. METHODS: A total of 41 active RA patients without structural erosion were selected. Intracelluar flow cytometric detection of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was performed. And the supernatant level of interleukin (IL)-17A was determined simultaneously in RA patients and control groups at baseline and endpoint of 24-month therapy. The correlations were analyzed between Th17 cells and RA disease activity index DAS28. They were classified into radiographic progression (P, n = 10) and radiographic non-progression groups (NP, n = 26) by the Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS) at the endpoint. The differences of Th17 cells and IL-17A levels were analyzed between P (SHS > 0.5) and NP groups (SHS ≤ 0.5). RESULTS: The expression of Th17 cells in active RA patients was significantly higher than that of controls [(1.63 ± 0.45)% vs (0.91 ± 0.26)%, P < 0.01]. And the results of IL-17A level were similar [1510 ± 280) vs (320 ± 31) ng/L, P < 0.05]. The expression of Th17 cells was positively correlated with DAS28 score (r = 0.87, P < 0.01). Thirty-six RA patients were followed up at the endpoint and all of them stayed in clinical remission (DAS28 < 2.6). The peripheral blood expressions of Th17 cells of P group were significantly higher than those of NP group . At the same time, no differences of IL-17A levels existed between two groups. CONCLUSION: Structural erosion still progresses in some RA patients despite an apparent clinic remission. And a high-level peripheral expression of Th17 hints at structural erosion.

[Expression and significance of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and significance of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Thirty active SLE patients (including 17 SLE patients with lupus nephritis), 20 inactive SLE patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. The expressions of Th17 cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated by flow cytometry. The correlations between the expression of Th17 cells, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells and disease activity (SLEDAI), as well as the ratios of Th17 cells and Treg cells (Th17/Treg) in SLE patients and healthy controls were analyzed respectively. RESULTS: The expression of Th17 cells in PBMC of SLE patients was higher than that in healthy controls [(1.39 ± 0.60)% vs (0.80 ± 0.33)%, P < 0.01] while the expression of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells decreased in SLE patients [(3.09 ± 1.54)% vs (6.04 ± 1.49)%, P < 0.01]. The increased expression of Th17 cells and reduced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in PBMC were positively correlated with SLEDAI and negatively correlated with complements C3 and C4. There were increased expression of Th17 cells and reduced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in PBMC of lupus nephritis versus SLE patients without nephritis. CONCLUSION: There is an abnormal elevation of Th17 cells and decrease of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in PBMC of SLE patients. The imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Reversine and herbal Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi decoction ameliorate thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury by regulating the RelA/NF-κB/caspase signaling pathway.

This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effects of reversine and Chinese medicine Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi decoction (XSLJZD) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered with TAA, then injected with reversine intraperitoneally, and/or orally provided with XSLJZD. TAA resulted in liver injury with increases in the liver index and levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase. Reversine alleviated the liver index and AST level and improved TAA-induced pathological changes but decreased TAA-induced collagen deposition, and α-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor-ß1 expression. Reversine also modulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as RelA, interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, IL-1ß, IL-6, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3, platelet-derived growth factor, and monocyte chemoattractant protein, and suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-κB (p65) phosphorylation and caspase 1 activation. Meanwhile, XSLJZD protected TAA-injured liver without increasing fibrosis and enhanced the regulating effect of reversine on RelA, IL-17A, IL-1ß, and MCP-1 cytokines. In conclusion, reversine ameliorates liver injury and inhibits inflammation reaction by regulating NF-κB, and XSLJZD protects the liver through its synergistic effect with reversine on regulating inflammatory cytokines.