[MiR-300 inhibits invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell MG63 by negatively regulating PTTG1]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of miR-300 and PTTG1 on osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis and explore the molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma invasion and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

Western blot was used to detect the expression of PTTG1 in human osteoblasts hFOB1.19 and osteosarcoma cell MG63 and to detect the transfection efficiency of cells transfected with PTTG1-knockdown plasmid; Transwell invasion assay and CCK8 assay detected the effects of knockdown of PTTG1 and overexpression of miR-300 on the invasion and proliferation of osteosarcoma cell MG63. On-line prediction and screening of microRNAs (miRNAs) with complementary PTTG1 binding was conducted. qRT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of miR-300 in hFOB1.19 and MG63 cells, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of PTTG1 in MG63 cells after transfection with a miR- 300 plasmid. Double luciferase assay was used to detect the targeted binding of miR-300 and PTTG, Transwell invasion assay and CCK8 assay were used to detect the effects of overexpression of miR-300 and overexpression of PTTG1 plasmid on invasion and proliferation of osteosarcoma cell line MG63.

OBJECTIVE

PTTG1 was highly expressed in MG63 cells (P=0.0002). PTTG1 knockdown significantly inhibited the invasion (P=0.0002) and proliferation (P=0.0039) of MG63 cells. Based on the results of online prediction of complementary miRNAs to PTTG1 and analysis of the data from NCBI database, miR-300 was determined as the target miRNA in this study. qRT-PCR results showed a significantly decreased expression of miR-300 in MG63 cells (P=0.0004). Overexpression of MiR-300 in MG63 cells significantly decreased the expression of PTTG1 (P=0.0007), and the expressions of miR-300 and PTTG1 were negatively correlated. Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-300 could specifically bind to PTTG1 (P=0.001). Overexpression of PTTG1 could significantly reverse the effect of miR-300 overexpression on invasion (P=0.0003) and proliferation (P=0.0077) of MG63 cells.

OBJECTIVE

Overexpression of miR-300 can inhibit the invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma cell MG63 by targeting PTTG1.

Paraoxonase 2 protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced neuronal injury by enhancing Nrf2 activation via GSK-3β modulation

Paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is a powerful antioxidant that mediates cell survival under oxidative stress; however, its protection neurons against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced oxidative stress remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the precise regulating role of PON2 in neuronal survival under oxidative stress. An in vitro model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was used to assess the effect of PON2 on oxidative stress induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Results showed that PON2 expression in neurons was decreased due to OGD/R exposure. A series of functional experiments revealed that upregulated PON2 improved OGD/R-impaired viability and attenuated OGD/R-induced increases in apoptosis and reactive oxygen species in neurons. Decreased PON2 expression enhanced neuronal sensitivity to OGD/R-induced injury. Overexpressed PON2 markedly enhanced the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the nucleus and increased the levels of Nrf2-mediated transcriptional activity. Furthermore, PON2 enhanced the Nrf2 activation by modulating glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Inhibition of GSK-3β substantially abrogated the PON2 knockdown-mediated suppression of Nrf2 activity. Notably, Nrf2 inhibition partially reversed the neuroprotective effects of PON2 overexpression in OGD/R-exposed neurons. These findings indicate that PON2 alleviates OGD/R-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in neurons by potentiating Nrf2 activation via GSK-3β modulation. This study highlights the potential neuroprotective function of PON2 against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Identification of prognostic immune-related signature predicting the overall survival for colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

The morbidity and mortality of patients with colorectal cancer, one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, is steadily increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between prognostic immune-related gene profile and the outcome of colorectal cancer in patients by analyzing datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) further demonstrated that these genes were enriched in many immune-related biological processes. Univariate Cox regression analysis was applied to examine the association of immune-related genes with the prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) Cox regression model was then used to establish the immune-related signature for the prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancer in patients. Survival differences were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method along with the log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 133 prognostic immune-related signatures were identified by using the univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. A 14-gene signature-based risk score was constructed using the LASSO Cox regression. According to the cut-off of the risk-score, patients were assigned to the low-risk and high-risk groups. The log-rank test suggested that the survival time of the low-risk group was significantly higher than that of the high-risk group. In the time-dependent ROC curve analysis, the AUC for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival (OS) were 0.781, 0.742, and 0.791, respectively. GO and KEGG analysis further revealed that the gene sets were actively involved in immune and inflammatory response, as well as the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

To summarize, we identified a novel 14-gene immune-related signature that may potentially serve as a prognostic predictor for colorectal cancer, thereby contributing to patient personalized treatment decisions. Further research needs to be conducted to validate the prognostic value of the selected genes.

Reduced serum exosomal miR-874 expression predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence has indicated that serum exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have promising diagnostic and prognostic value for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to detect serum exosomal miR-874 expression in CRC patients and assess its potential clinical significance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 125 CRC patients, 45 cases with benign adenomas (AD) and 70 healthy individuals. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine serum exosomal miR-874 levels.

RESULTS

The results showed that serum exosomal miR-874 levels were significantly downregulated in CRC patients compared to AD cases and healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that serum exosomal miR-874 expression could discriminate CRC patients from healthy controls, as well as patients with AD. In addition, low serum exosomal miR-874 expression was associated with positive distant metastasis, positive lymph node metastasis, poor differentiation, and advanced TNM stage. Moreover, serum exosomal miR-874 expression was identified as a statistically significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival of CRC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, serum exosomal miR-874 expression might serve as a reliable marker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Feces of Finisher Pigs: Isolation, Identification, and Public Health Implications of Major and Minor Serogroups†

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are major foodborne human pathogens that cause mild to hemorrhagic colitis, which could lead to complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Seven serogroups, O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157, account for the majority of the STEC illnesses in the United States. Shiga toxins 1 and 2, encoded by stx1 and stx2, respectively, and intimin, encoded by eae gene, are major virulence factors. Cattle are a major reservoir of STEC, but swine also harbor them in the hindgut and shed STEC in the feces. Our objectives were to use a culture method to isolate and identify major and minor serogroups of STEC in finisher pig feces. Shiga toxin genes were subtyped to assess public health implications of STEC. Fecal samples (n = 598) from finisher pigs, collected from 10 pig flows, were enriched in E. coli broth and tested for stx1, stx2, and eae by a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay. Samples positive for stx1 or stx2 gene were subjected to culture methods, with or without immunomagnetic separation and plating on selective or nonselective media, for isolation and identification of stx-positive isolates. The culture method yielded a total of 178 isolates belonging to 23 serogroups. The three predominant serogroups were O8, O86, and O121. The 178 STEC strains included 26 strains with stx1a and 152 strains with stx2e subtypes. Strains with stx1a, particularly in association with eae (O26 and O103), have the potential to cause severe human infections. All stx2-positive isolates carried the subtype stx2e, a subtype that causes edema disease in swine, but is rarely involved in human infections. Several strains were also positive for genes that encode for enterotoxins, which are involved in neonatal and postweaning diarrhea in swine. In conclusion, our study showed that healthy finisher pigs harbored and shed several serogroups of E. coli carrying virulence genes involved in neonatal diarrhea, postweaning diarrhea, and edema disease, but prevalence of STEC of public health importance was low.

HIGHLIGHTS

[The effects of PDK1-Akt signaling pathway intervention on cardiomyocyte HCN4 ion channels]

Objective: To explore the effects of 3-phosphate dependent protein kinase 1-protein kinase B (PDK1-Akt) signaling pathway on the transcription, expression and function of cardiac hyperpolarized activated cyclic nucleotide gated 4 (HCN4) ion channels. Methods: Atrial myocytes were obtained from healthy male wild-type C57 mice and heart-specific PDK1 knockout mice (PDK1-KO) by enzymolysis. Then the atrial myocytes were divided into blank control group and PDK1-KO group. In further studies, the isolated atrial myocytes were cultured and further divided into drug control group (treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) and PDK1 knockdown group (treated with 1 μg/ml PDK1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference plasmid), SC79 group (treated with 8 μmol/ml SC79), GSK2334470 group (treated with 10 nmol/L GSK2334470) and PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group (8 μmol/ml SC79 and 1 μg/ml PDK1 shRNA interference plasmid). Real time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of PDK1 and HCN4, Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PDK1, Akt and HCN4, the whole cell patch clamp was used to detecte the current density of HCN, and immunofluorescence was used to detecte the expression of HCN4 protein on atrial cells. Results: (1) the expression levels of HCN4 mRNA (1.46±0.03 vs. 0.99±0.01, P<0.001) and protein (1.14±0.02 vs. 1.00±0.06, P=0.017) in PDK1-KO group were higher than those in blank control group. The HCN current density in PDK1-KO group was higher than that in blank control group((-17.47±2.00) pA/pF vs. (-12.15±2.25) pA/pF, P=0.038). (2) The functions of PDK1 shRNA and specific Akt agonist SC79 were verified by comparing the PDK1 knockdown group and SC79 group with the drug control group. The results showed that the expression levels of PDK1 mRNA and protein in PDK1 knockdown group were lower than those in drug control group, and the expression level of phosphorylated Akt (Thr 308) protein in SC79 group was higher than that in drug control group. (3) The expression levels of HCN4 mRNA (3.61±0.46 vs. 1.00±0.08, P<0.001) and protein (2.33±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.05, P<0.001) in GSK2334470 group were higher than those in drug control group. (4) To reduce the effect of drug-miss target, the cultured atrial myocytes were transfected with shRNA plasmid of PDK1 and intervened with SC79. The results showed that the expression of HCN4 mRNA in PDK1 knockdown group was higher than that in the drug control group (1.76±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.06, P<0.001), and PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group (1.76±0.11 vs. 1.33±0.07, P=0.003). In PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group, the mRNA expression level was also higher than that in the drug control group (1.33±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.06, P<0.001). The expression level of HCN4 protein in PDK1 knockdown group was higher than that in drug control group (1.15±0.04 vs. 1.00±0.05, P=0.003). As for the The expression level of HCN4 protein, there was no significantly statistical difference between the PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group and the drug control group (P>0.05), but PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group was lower than PDK1 knockdown group (0.95±0.01 vs. 1.15±0.04, P<0.001). In patch clamp experiments, the results showed that the HCN current density was (-13.27±1.28) pA/pF in the drug control group, (-18.76±2.03) pA/pF in the PDK1 knockdown group, (-13.50±2.58) pA/pF in the PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group; the HCN current density of PDK1 knockdown group was higher than that of drug control group (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group and drug control group (P>0.05). (5) The results of immunofluorescence showed that the brightness of green fluorescence of PDK1 knockdown group was higher than that of drug control group, indicating that the expression of HCN4 localized on cell membrane was increased. However, the green fluorescence of PDK1 knockdown+SC79 group was lighter than that of PDK1 knockdown group, suggesting that the expression of HCN4 in PDK1-knockdown cell membrane decreased after further activating Akt. Conclusion: PDK1-Akt signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of HCN4 ion channel transcription, expression and function.

[Analysis of mutation site characteristics of Gilbert syndrome and Crigler--Najjar syndrome in relation to uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase A1 gene]

Objective: To investigate the mutation characteristics and clinical relevance of Gilbert syndrome (GS) and Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CNS) in relation to uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase A1 (UGT1A1) gene. Methods: The characteristics of UGT1A1 gene mutation and their clinical relevance were analyzed by searching PubMed and Human Gene Mutation Databases. Results: A total of 163 mutation sites were found in the UGT1A1 gene since November 16, 2018. The following patterns existed at the above sites: (1) the numbers of gene mutations occurring between different exons of UGT1A1 was related to GS or CNS phenotypes, and were positively correlated with the length of the exon; (2) nonsense point mutations was mainly occurred in type I of CNS; (3) GS, Crigler-Najjar syndrome type II compound heterozygous mutation sites had a certain combination and distribution, among which - 3279t > G mutation was found in all four GS complex heterozygous compositions; (4) UGT1A1 gene mutation sites reported in Asia had marked aggregation in c.211-c.558. Conclusion: UGT1A1 gene mutation characteristics and clinical relevance varies with different mutation sites, reporting areas and populations. This study has reference value for basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment of GS and CNS.

The obesity paradox in patients with atrial fibrillation: an insight from the Gulf SAFE registry

Background

The prognostic role of obesity among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear.

Methods

A total of 1804 patients with AF had body mass index (BMI) measures from the Gulf survey of atrial fibrillation events (Gulf SAFE) registry were implied. A multivariable model was established to investigate the role of obesity on clinical outcomes, including stroke or systemic embolism, bleeding, admission for heart failure (HF) or AF, all-cause mortality and composite event.

Results

559 (31.0%) patients were identified as obesity (BMI over 30kg/m2). In multivariable analyses, obesity was associated with reduced risks of stroke/systematic embolism (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.89), major or clinical relevant bleeding (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.26–0.74), HF admission (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.90) and composite outcome (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50–0.84). Higher BMI was associated with lower risks of stroke/systemic embolism, bleeding, admission for HF, all-cause mortality, and composite outcomes as were demonstrated by accumulated incidence of events and restricted cubic splines.

Conclusion

Among patients with AF, higher BMI was associated with a more favorable prognosis.

The hazard ratio for BMI and outcomes

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Symptom status, clinical subtypes and prognosis in Middle East patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the Gulf-SAFE registry

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often asymptomatic. The prognosis of asymptomatic AF is similar or worse than symptomatic AF, but there are no such data from Middle East.

Method

The Gulf survey of AF events (Gulf SAFE) registry is a multi-center prospective survey of AF patients from six countries (23 centers) in the Gulf Region (n=2043). We investigated the prognostic outcomes of asymptomatic AF, in relation to clinical subtypes.

Result

541 (26.5%) AF patients were asymptomatic; they tended to be older, with higher prevalence of hypertension, heart failure (HF), diabetes, stroke, renal dysfunction, and higher CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores (all p&lt;0.05). After multivariable adjustment, asymptomatic AF was associated with higher risks of stroke/systematic embolism (SE) (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–4.34), all cause-mortality (OR 2.85 [1.90–4.28]) and the composite outcome of stroke/SE, bleeding and all-cause mortality (OR 1.74 [1.26–2.41]).

Asymptomatic AF was associated with fewer admissions for AF (OR 0.53 [0.32–0.83]) and HF (OR 0.58 [0.38–0.86]).

The increased risk of stroke/SE in asymptomatic AF was associated with paroxysmal AF (Figure 1; P interaction=0.028).

Conclusion

In this large Middle East cohort, asymptomatic AF was common, less likely hospitalized but associated with unfavorable prognosis. When AF was asymptomatic, the paroxysmal subtype had a greater association with stroke/SE.

Adjusted odds ratio of clinical outcomes

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Long noncoding RNA LINC00473 indicates a poor prognosis of breast cancer and accelerates tumor carcinogenesis by competing endogenous sponging miR-497

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNA LINC00473 (LINC00473) has been reported to be involved in the progression of several tumors. Our present study was conducted to study the potential roles and mechanism of long noncoding RNA LINC00473 (LINC00473) on cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of breast cancer (BC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

RT-PCR was applied for the analysis of LINC00473 in BC cell lines and tissues samples. The correlations between the LINC00473 levels and clinicopathological parameters were investigated. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression models were explored to reveal potential associations of LINC00473 levels with overall survival of BC patients. The effect of LINC00473 on tumor behavior was evaluated by colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU assays, flow-cytometric analysis, wound healing assays and transwell assays. Interactions between LINC00473 and miR-497 were determined using a luciferase reporter assay and RT-PCR assays.

RESULTS

Upregulation of the expression of LINC00473 was found in BC samples and cell lines, in comparison with non-tumor breast tissues and human breast epithelial cells. High expression of LINC00473 was correlated with lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, and poorer outcome in BC patients. Multivariate logistic regression assays further showed LINC00473 as an independent prognostic factor in BC. Lost-of-function assays revealed that knockdown of LINC00473 resulted in the suppression of tumor cell proliferation, promotion of cells apoptosis, inhibition of cells metastasis. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays revealed LINC00473 bonds to miR-497. Further RT-PCR revealed that knockdown of LINC00473 suppressed the expressions of miR-497 in BC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data revealed that LINC00473 acted as a tumor promoter in BC and LINC00473/miR-497 axis may be a novel therapeutic strategy for this tumor.

Influence of an InGaN superlattice pre-layer on the performance of semi-polar (11-22) green LEDs grown on silicon

It is well-known that it is crucial to insert either a single InGaN underlayer or an InGaN superlattice (SLS) structure (both with low InN content) as a pre-layer prior to the growth of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) served as an active region for a light-emitting diode (LED). So far, this growth scheme has achieved a great success in the growth of III-nitride LEDs on c-plane substrates, but has not yet been applied in the growth of any other orientated III-nitride LEDs. In this paper, we have applied this growth scheme in the growth of semi-polar (11–22) green LEDs, and have investigated the impact of the SLS pre-layer on the optical performance of semi-polar (11–22) green LEDs grown on patterned (113) silicon substrates. Our results demonstrate that the semi-polar LEDs with the SLS pre-layer exhibit an improvement in both internal quantum efficiency and light output, which is similar to their c-plane counterparts. However, the performance improvement is not so significant as in the c-plane case. This is because the SLS pre-layer also introduces extra misfit dislocations for the semi-polar, but not the c-plane case, which act as non-radiative recombination centres.

Potential risk-factors affecting Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli occurrence and distribution in Midwestern United States swine feed mills

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the patterns and potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli in selected United States swine feed mills.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 405 samples were collected during fall 2018, spring and summer 2019 from selected sites including floors, equipment, shoes and feed in six feed mills in the US Midwest region. Each sample was analysed for the presence of Salmonella and E. coli with culture methods and confirmed by PCR. A survey regarding production volumes, hygiene practices and microbial testing capabilities was conducted in each facility All mills had at least one sampling site positive for either Salmonella or E. coli. Of the 405 samples, 4·7, and 14·1% were positive for Salmonella sp., and E. coli respectively. Sites with higher percentages of positive samples were the receiving, manufacturing, and control area floors. The survey responses indicated that the age of the mill might be a risk factor for bacterial contamination: the older the facility, the higher the number of positive samples. Other risk factors evaluated, such as the production capacity, did not appear to relate to bacterial prevalence.

CONCLUSION

The data documents the presence of E. coli and Salmonella in selected US swine feed mills, and an association between E. coli occurrence and number of ingredient suppliers to feed mill.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This information could be used to understand risk factors affecting the occurrence of Salmonella sp. and E. coli in feed mills and help implement monitoring and mitigation strategies for public health.

SAT0357 LEVELS OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS AND THEIR CHANGES AFTER RECEIVING IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES

Background:

Ankylosing spondylitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease involving of the axial skeleton, joints, and entheses1. Although the homeostatic balance of effector T cells (Teffs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)2, it is unclear whether the levels of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis are abnormal or not.

Objectives:

To explore the differences of lymphocyte subpopulations of peripheral blood (PB) between AS patients and healthy controls (HCs), and further evaluate the therapeutic effect of immunoregulatory drugs on the lymphocyte subpopulations.

Methods:

Total 1141 patients with AS and 206 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study and donated their blood to measure the levels of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads. And 456 patients received immunoregulatory combination treatments which includes low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid etc. and donated their PB after the therapies. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation to the distribution. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied.Pvalue <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Compared with HCs, AS patients had a lower absolute number of Tregs but higher numbers of peripheral T, B, CD4+T, CD8+T and Th17 cells (P<0.05). Further, there was a significant increase in the percentage of B, CD4+T and the ratios of Teffs/Tregs such as Th1/Tregs, Th2/Tregs and Th17/Tregs compared with HCs (P<0.05)(Figure 1). Although, after receiving the immunoregulatory combination treatments, the absolute numbers of various peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations such as T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th17 and Tregs and the percentage of Tregs, Th1 and CD8+T significantly increased (P<0.05), the ratios of Th2/Tregs significantly decreased (P<0.05)(Figure 2), suggesting a rebalance of immune systems.

Conclusion:

The insufficiency of Tregs may involve in pathogenesis of AS. Immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation of Tregs as well as other lymphocytes to some degree, which may be a new target for AS treatment.

References:

[1]van der Heijde D, Song IH, Pangan AL, et al. Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (SELECT-AXIS 1): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2/3 trial. Lancet 2019;394(10214):2108-17. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32534-6 [published Online First: 2019/11/17]

[2]Xu D, Fan J, Chen Q, et al. OP0028 Low dose IL-2 therapy can recovery TH17/TREG cell balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Oral Presentations, 2017:63.1-63.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0795 ABNORMAL LEVELS OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTES SUBSETS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND RESTORATION AFTER RECEIVING OUR NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by skin and joint inflammation with lymphocytes disturbance[1,2]. However, the statuses of immune cell subsets are unclear. In addition, although, during the past 20 years, the treatment of the PsA has progressed rapidly, it still remains an unmet need[3].

Objectives:

To compare the lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of PsA patients and healthy controls and, evaluate effects of immunoregulatory combination therapies, such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, and retinoic acid, on the proliferation and functional recovery of lymphocyte subsets in PsA patients.

Methods:

From September 2014 to December 2019, 218 PsA patients (107 male and 111 female) and 206 healthy controls (78 male and 128 female) were enrolled, including 112 patients (50 male and 62 female) who received immunoregulatory combination treatments (low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10, ect). The absolute numbers and ratio of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry with absolute counting beads. The data were subject to normal distribution, which was expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied. P value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

The absolute numbers of B, CD4+T and Th17 in PsA patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (P<0.01), while the absolute numbers of NK and the percentage of Th1 and Tregs were decreased significantly (P<0.01). The ratio of Th17/Tregs was significantly increase (P<0.001) (Figure 1). After receiving our new immunoregulatory combination therapies, the percentage of B, Th2 and Th17 were lower than before (P<0.05) and the absolute numbers of T, CD8+T, NK, Th1 and Tregs in PsA patients were increased (P<0.05). Further, the ratios of Teffs/Tregs had a tendency to decrease (rebalance of them): Th2/Tregs (P<0.01) and Th17/Tregs (P=0.095) (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

The abnormal levels of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations resulted in an imbalance of Teffs/Tregs, which might play an important role in PsA pathogenesis. Our new immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation of Tregs and may help for PsA patients’ symptom remission.

References:

[1]Gladman DD, Antoni C, Mease P, et al. Psoriatic arthritis: epidemiology, clinical features, course, and outcome. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64 Suppl 2:ii14-7. doi: 10.1136/ard.2004.032482 [published Online First: 2005/02/15]

[2]Ritchlin CT, Colbert RA, Gladman DD. Psoriatic Arthritis. N Engl J Med 2017;376(10):957-70. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1505557 [published Online First: 2017/03/09]

[3]Winthrop KL, Weinblatt ME, Crow MK, et al. Unmet need in rheumatology: reports from the Targeted Therapies meeting 2018. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78(7):872-78. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214280 [published Online First: 2019/02/04]

Figure 1.

Article selection

Acknowledgments:

None.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

SAT0183 STATUS OF LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME AND THEIR CHANGES AFTER RECEIVING OUR NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPY: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease mainly involving exocrine glands and involving multiple organs and systems1. Recent studies have reported that peripheral lymphocyte subsets such as Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory cells (Tregs), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pSS2. However, the detailed statuses of lymphocyte subsets of pSS patients remain to be clearly evaluate and effects of immunomodulatory therapies on the lymphocyte subsets are unknown.

Objectives:

To explore the pathogenesis and evaluate the therapeutic effect of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) by comparing the changes of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood (PB) before and after treatment.

Methods:

This study included 1,221 pSS patients and 206 healthy controls (HCs). Among these patient, 759 patients were received our new immunoregulatory therapies such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid etc. The absolute numbers of T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs in PB of these subjects were detected by flow cytometry combined with standard absolute counting beads. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation to the distribution. Independent-samples T test and paired-samples T test were applied.Pvalue <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

The absolute numbers of circulating Tregs as well as T, NK cells in pSS patients were significantly lower than those of HCs (P<0.05). After immunoregulatory combination treatments, the number of Tregs was significantly increased (P<0.05). Though the absolute numbers of T, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, and Th17 cells were also increased to some degree (P<0.05), the increased amount of Tregs was much more than other cells, resulting a new balance between pro- and anti- inflammatory lymphocyte homeostasis.

Conclusion:

The decrease of peripheral Tregs played an important role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome. Immunoregulatory combination therapies promoted the increase of Tregs and might help for the recovery of pSS.

References:

[1]Mariette X, Criswell LA. Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome. N Engl J Med 2018;378(10):931-39. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp1702514 [published Online First: 2018/03/08]

[2]Miao M, Hao Z, Guo Y, et al. Short-term and low-dose IL-2 therapy restores the Th17/Treg balance in the peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis 2018;77(12):1838-40. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213036 [published Online First: 2018/06/25]

Acknowledgments :

None.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

AB0499 ABNORMALITY OF PERIPHERAL LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS IN BECHET’S DISEASE AND EFFECTS OF NEW IMMUNOREGULATORY COMBINATION THERAPIES ON THESE CELLS

Background:

Bechet’s disease (BD) is a chronic multisystemic vasculitis. Although its exact etiopathology is unknown, both autoimmune imbalances associated with genetic and abnormal immune response of effector lymphocytes promoted by infectious factors are suggested1. The increase of effector T cells (Teffs) and the decrease of regulatory T cells (Tregs) are possibly the involving factors in the pathogenesis of BD2. Importantly, we have developed new immunoregulatory combination therapies trying to restore the reduction of Tregs in rheumatic patients.

Objectives:

To examine abnormal levels of lymphocyte subsets in BD patients at a relatively large-sample size and to investigate whether the immunoregulatory combination therapies have therapeutic efficacy in BD.

Methods:

Total 384 BD patients and 206 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Proportions and absolute numbers of peripheral T, B, NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM) for all participants. Among these patients,183 cases of BD patients were treated with immunoregulatory combination drugs (IMiDs) such as low-dose interleukin-2, rapamycin, metformin, retinoic acid and coenzyme Q10. The levels of peripheral lymphocyte subsets were measured before and after the treatment. Compared-T test was used to compare continuous measures and to assess effect of these drugs.

Results:

Compared to HCs, the absolute numbers of various Teffs such as T, B, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1 and Th17 cells were significantly increased in BD group (P<0.01), while the level of Tregs in patients with BD was severely decreased (P< 0.05), resulting in increased ratios (imbalance) of Th1/Tregs, Th2/Tregs and Th17/Tregs (P< 0.05) (Figure 1). After the IMiDs treatment, the levels of NK, CD4+T, CD8+T, Th1, Th17 cells as well as Tregs were significantly increased (P<0.05). But the increased Tregs was much more dramatical than those of Teffs, resulting in a decrease in ratios of Teffs/Tregs such as Th2/Tregs (P< 0.001) (Figure 2).

Conclusion:

Impaired balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells, especially insufficiency of Tregs, might be a cornerstone of the pathogenesis of BD. Immunoregulatory combination therapies could promote the proliferation and functional recovery of Tregs in patients with BD and might help to alleviate disease activity.

References:

[1]Yazici H, Seyahi E, Hatemi G, et al. Behcet syndrome: a contemporary view. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018;14(2):107-19. doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2017.208 [published Online First: 2018/01/04]

[2]Rosenzwajg M, Lorenzon R, Cacoub P, et al. Immunological and clinical effects of low-dose interleukin-2 across 11 autoimmune diseases in a single, open clinical trial. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;78(2):209-17. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-214229 [published Online First: 2018/11/26]

Acknowledgments:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

[Application of "Internet +" technology in maternal and child health management and service of district at provincial level]

A survey was conducted on the application status of "Internet plus" technology in maternal and child health management in 31 provincial maternal and child health care institutions through the national comprehensive information platform for maternal and child health. 19 provincial institutions had realized one or more maternal and child health management and service functions under their jurisdiction through the regional health information platform, accounting for 61%. Among thirteen functions of management and service achieved in the regional health information platform, the top four were maternal system management (39%), high-risk maternal management (29%), high-risk newborn management (26%) and children system management (26%). Most functions were better in the eastern regions than those in the central and western regions. 15 provinces had established maternal and child health information platforms. 52% of provincial maternal and child health institutions provided telemedicine services, which were mainly for remote consultation. The main cooperative institutions of telemedicine services were subordinate health care institutions (39%).