Ex Vivo Costimulatory Blockade to Generate Regulatory T Cells From Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

Short-term outcomes of kidney transplantation have improved dramatically, but chronic rejection and regimen-related toxicity continue to compromise overall patient outcomes. Development of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a means to decrease alloresponsiveness and limit the need for pharmacologic immunosuppression is an active area of preclinical and clinical investigation. Nevertheless, the immunomodulatory effects of end-stage renal disease on the efficacy of various strategies to generate and expand recipient Tregs for kidney transplantation are incompletely characterized. In this study, we show that Tregs can be successfully generated from either freshly isolated or previously cryopreserved uremic recipient (responder) and healthy donor (stimulator) peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the strategy of ex vivo costimulatory blockade with belatacept during mixed lymphocyte culture. Moreover, these Tregs maintain a CD3(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(lo) surface phenotype, high levels of intracellular FOXP3 and significant demethylation of the FOXP3 Treg-specific demethylation region on allorestimulation with donor stimulator cells. These data support evaluation of this simple, brief Treg production strategy in clinical trials of mismatched kidney transplantation.

Swimming intervention mitigates HFD-induced obesity of rats through PGC-1α-irisin pathway

OBJECTIVE

Irisin, a newly discovered myokine, can drive the browning of white adipocytes to control body weight or mitigate obesity progression through regulating energy metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms or specific signal pathways of exercise-induced irisin on the management of obesity are still unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Totally 30 rats were subjected to high fat diet (HFD) feeding for 8 weeks to establish the rat model with obesity successfully. HFD-induced obese model rats were provided with 8 weeks swimming intervention at moderate intensity for exploring the treatment of obesity through exercise intervention. In addition, another 15 rats were subjected to HFD feeding coupled with total 16 weeks swimming intervention at a moderate intensity from the beginning of the experiment, which was used for exploring the prevention of obesity through exercise intervention. Blood and gastrocnemius samples were harvested from obese rats after swimming intervention to explore its specific signal pathways through ELISA analysis and Western blotting.

RESULTS

HFD feeding of rats for 8 weeks could lead to the obesity due to the disorders of lipid metabolism. Totally 8 weeks swimming intervention at moderate intensity for rats with obesity could obviously alleviate the progression of obesity and 16 weeks swimming intervention from the beginning of the experiment could significantly inhibit the development of obesity. Meanwhile, swimming intervention could result in an increased phosphorylation of AMPK and up-regulation of irisin and PGC-1α as the biomarkers of energy metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intervention can activate PGC-1α-dependent irisin to induce the browning of white adipocytes, thus inhibiting or alleviating the occurrence and development of obesity.

Modeling BCR-ABL and MLL-AF9 leukemia in a human bone marrow-like scaffold-based xenograft model

Although NOD-SCID IL2Rγ^-/- (NSG) xenograft mice are currently the most frequently used model to study human leukemia in vivo, the absence of a human niche severely hampers faithful recapitulation of the disease. We used NSG mice in which ceramic scaffolds seeded with human mesenchymal stromal cells were implanted to generate a human bone marrow (huBM-sc)-like niche. We observed that, in contrast to the murine bone marrow (mBM) niche, the expression of BCR-ABL or MLL-AF9 was sufficient to induce both primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Stemness was preserved within the human niches as demonstrated by serial transplantation assays. Efficient engraftment of AML MLL-AF9 and blast-crisis chronic myeloid leukemia patient cells was also observed, whereby the immature blast-like phenotype was maintained in the huBM-sc niche but to a much lesser extent in mBM niches. We compared transcriptomes of leukemias derived from mBM niches versus leukemias from huBM-like scaffold-based niches, which revealed striking differences in the expression of genes associated with hypoxia, mitochondria and metabolism. Finally, we utilized the huBM-sc MLL-AF9 B-ALL model to evaluate the efficacy of the I-BET151 inhibitor in vivo. In conclusion, we have established human niche models in which the myeloid and lymphoid features of BCR-ABL⁺ and MLL-AF9⁺ leukemias can be studied in detail.

Cross-cultural validation of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale in Chinese adolescents

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The TAS-20 is the most widely used self-reported questionnaire to assess the level of alexithymia in students and community and clinical samples. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The TAS-20-C exhibited high levels of reliability and validity, indicating that it is appropriate for the assessment of alexithymia in Chinese adolescents. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Screening adolescents who are at risk of alexithymia through the TAS-20 could help to perform necessary and effective precautions to decrease the adverse effects of alexithymia, such as the risks of developing depressive mood and behavioral problems.

ABSTRACT

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20-C) in a sample of Chinese adolescents. Method Adolescents (n = 1260) recruited from three schools in mainland China completed the TAS-20-C, the somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Five different factorial models of the TAS-20 were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Cronbach's α, mean inter-item correlations and predictive validity were also evaluated. Results Among those five different factorial models, the four-factor structure model was suitable and invariant across gender and age in this sample. The TAS-20-C demonstrated adequate internal reliability. Gender and age accounted for insignificant amounts of variability in total TAS-20-C and factor scores. TAS-20-C total and subscale scores were correlated significantly with SCL-90 somatization subscale and CES-D. Girls scored higher than boys on difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) and pragmatic thinking (PR) subscales. DIF and lack of subjective significance or importance of emotions (IMs) subscale scores were higher among younger than among middle and older adolescents. Implications for Practice Validating the TAS-20 in adolescents is quite important to use it in evaluating adolescents' alexithymia, and screen those at risk of alexithymia.

Association of N-acetyltransferase-2 polymorphism with an increased risk of coronary heart disease in a Chinese population

We investigated the possible correlations between N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) gene polymorphisms and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD patients (113) and healthy controls (118) were enrolled from the First People's Hospital of Yuhang between January 2013 and June 2014. The patients were divided into mild CHD (N = 72) and severe CHD (N = 41) subgroups. DNA samples were extracted and the distributions of NAT2 polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Clinical characteristic indexes of severe CHD patients were also examined for relevant statistical analysis. WT, M1, M2, and M3 alleles were observed in both case and control groups. PCR-RFLP identified a wild-type homozygote, WT/WT; a mutant heterozygote, WT/Mx; and a mutant homozygote, Mx/Mx (x = 1, 2, and 3) variant of the NAT2 genotype. Mx/Mx differed significantly between case and control groups (P < 0.05); the frequencies of all four alleles did not differ significantly between case and control groups (P > 0.05). Slow acetylator genotype frequencies were notably higher in the case group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Individuals with the slow acetylator genotype were at 1.97-times higher risk of CHD and also displayed higher triglyceride and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than those with the rapid acetylator genotype (P < 0.05). Therefore, the NAT2 polymorphism was believed to be associated with increased risk of CHD, with the NAT2 slow acetylator genotype serving as a risk factor for severe CHD in a Chinese population.

The osteogenic potential of ligament fibroblasts is greater in ankylosing spondylitis patients than in patients with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

The goal of the present study was to investigate the osteogenic potential of ligament fibroblasts from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ligament fibroblasts were isolated from tissues harvested from AS patients and patients with aseptic necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) who had undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA). Cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium (OIM) with or without bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) for 30 days. During this time, the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) were determined as markers of osteogenesis.

RESULTS

Ligament fibroblasts isolated from patients with AS exhibited significantly greater potential for differentiation than those isolated from patients with osteoarthritis (ANFH).

CONCLUSION

These findings illuminate osteogenesis as a new pathway for studying the mechanism underlying ankylosis in AS patients. Factors which cause localized stromal remodeling at the enthesis significantly influence formation of new bone and further research is required to determine the mechanisms responsible for the osteogenic potential of enthesis cells and ligament fibroblasts in AS patients.

Decreased serum levels of T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-1 and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

This study aims to investigate the serum T-cell immunoglobulin mucin (TIM)-1 and TIM-3 levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and analyze their correlations with clinical features. Sixtyone SLE patients and 69 healthy controls were enrolled, serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels were detected by ELISA. Results demonstrated that both serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels were significantly decreased in SLE patients compared with controls (both P less than 0.05). Lower serum TIM-3 levels in SLE patients with nephritis were observed when compared to those without nephritis, with a marginal statistical significance (P=0.059). However, both serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels had no significant correlation with SLE disease activity (both >0.05). In summary, decreased serum TIM-1 and TIM-3 levels and association of TIM-3 with nephritis suggest their possible role in the development and pathogenesis of SLE. However, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

Study on the hydrocyclonic separation of waste plastics with different density

The recycling of waste plastics is an important aspect in the recycling of solid waste. Based on the difference in density, PET and PVC particles was separated with help of the centrifugal sedimentation and shearing dispersion in a hydrocyclone. Through tests and CFD simulation, the relationship between the separating efficiency and pressure drop and split ratio has been investigated. Test results show that the Newton efficiency can reach above 80%, i.e. the purity of PVC could reach 93.2% while the purity of PET could reach 94.5%.

Protective role of selenium-enriched supplement on spinal cord injury through the up-regulation of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha

OBJECTIVE

Spinal cord injury (SCI), as one of the common serious spine disorders, often leads to severe neurological dysfunction and even permanent disability, which will cause heavy economical burden for family and society. Currently, selenium-enriched products have an obvious role in the protection and recovery of SCI; however, its protective mechanism is still unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to explore the protective effect of selenium-enriched supplement (SES) on SCI, the adult rats were randomly divided into sham operation control (SC) group, ischemia-reperfusion model (IM) group and SES pretreatment (ST) group to investigate the change of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and its receptor-alpha (CNTF-Ralpha) during SCI in the presence of SES. The rats in IM and ST groups were subjected to the blockage of their abdominal aorta to establish the model of SCI; but the rats in SC group were subjected to sham operation without the blockage of abdominal aorta. The rats in ST group were fed with foods containing SES at the dose of equivalent 5 mg/L selenium in water before blocking their abdominal aorta. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed to observe the structure of nerve cells through HE staining and the expression of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha by Western blot, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR methods, respectively.

RESULTS

Both protein and mRNA of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha were positively expressed in rats from SC group. The mRNA expression levels of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha in ST group were much higher than SCI model group.

CONCLUSIONS

SES can execute a protective role in SCI through up-regulating the expression of CNTF and CNTF-Ralpha.

Influence of surface microstructure and chemistry on osteoinduction and osteoclastogenesis by biphasic calcium phosphate discs

It has been reported that surface microstructural dimensions can influence the osteoinductivity of calcium phosphates (CaPs), and osteoclasts may play a role in this process. We hypothesised that surface structural dimensions of ≤ 1 μm trigger osteoinduction and osteoclast formation irrespective of macrostructure (e.g., concavities, interconnected macropores, interparticle space) or surface chemistry. To test this, planar discs made of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP: 80% hydroxyapatite, 20% tricalcium phosphate) were prepared with different surface structural dimensions - either ~ 1 μm (BCP1150) or ~ 2-4 μm (BCP1300) - and no macropores or concavities. A third material was made by sputter coating BCP1150 with titanium (BCP1150Ti), thereby changing its surface chemistry but preserving its surface structure and chemical reactivity. After intramuscular implantation in 5 dogs for 12 weeks, BCP1150 formed ectopic bone in 4 out of 5 samples, BCP1150Ti formed ectopic bone in 3 out of 5 samples, and BCP1300 formed no ectopic bone in any of the 5 samples. In vivo, large multinucleated osteoclast-like cells densely colonised BCP1150, smaller osteoclast-like cells formed on BCP1150Ti, and osteoclast-like cells scarcely formed on BCP1300. In vitro, RAW264.7 cells cultured on the surface of BCP1150 and BCP1150Ti in the presence of osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL (receptor activator for NF-κB ligand) proliferated then differentiated into multinucleated osteoclast-like cells with positive tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity. However, cell proliferation, fusion, and TRAP activity were all significantly inhibited on BCP1300. These results indicate that of the material parameters tested - namely, surface microstructure, macrostructure, and surface chemistry - microstructural dimensions are critical in promoting osteoclastogenesis and triggering ectopic bone formation.

Cloning and characterisation of JAZ gene family in Hevea brasiliensis

Mechanical wounding or treatment with exogenous jasmonates (JA) induces differentiation of the laticifer in Hevea brasiliensis. JA is a key signal for latex biosynthesis and wounding response in the rubber tree. Identification of JAZ (jasmonate ZIM-domain) family of proteins that repress JA responses has facilitated rapid progress in understanding how this lipid-derived hormone controls gene expression and related physiological processes in plants. In this work, the full-length cDNAs of six JAZ genes were cloned from H. brasiliensis (termed HbJAZ). These HbJAZ have different lengths and sequence diversity, but all of them contain Jas and ZIM domains, and two of them contain an ERF-associated amphiphilic repression (EAR) motif in the N-terminal. Real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed that HbJAZ have different expression patterns and tissue specificity. Four HbJAZ were up-regulated, one was down-regulated, while two were less effected by rubber tapping treatment, suggesting that they might play distinct roles in the wounding response. A yeast two-hybrid assay revealed that HbJAZ proteins interact with each other to form homologous or heterogeneous dimer complexes, indicating that the HbJAZ proteins may expand their function through diverse JAZ-JAZ interactions. This work lays a foundation for identification of the JA signalling pathway and molecular mechanisms of latex biosynthesis in rubber trees.

Study of optimal scheme of spinal image-guided radiotherapy based on expression of caspase-3 in spinal cord neurons by orthogonal design

The aim of the study was to optimize the biological safety scheme of spinal image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) by determining the expression of caspase-3 in spinal cord neurons after IGRT. Thirty-six adult male beagles were assigned according to a random number table and subjected to IGRT to the 7th-12th canine thoracic vertebral bodies under a total dose of 80 Gy over 5 weeks. An immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 protein in spinal cord tissues, and real-time quantitative RT-PCR with SYBR Green I was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 mRNA in spinal cord tissues. Analysis of the orthogonal experiment results showed that caspase-3 expression in the spinal cord neurons was lowest when a single dose of 16 Gy was applied at a dose rate of 4 Gy/min, and field number of 9, with ray angle being equal. Thus, spinal IGRT showed high biological safety, and the best radiotherapy scheme for biological safety was single dose of 16 Gy at 4 Gy/min, with 9 fields and equal ray angle.

Epidemiological analysis of pneumoconiosis in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and cases reported by the Urumqi Railway Bureau

This study investigated the incidence and development of pneumoconiosis in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and cases reported by the Urumqi Railway Bureau to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention and control measures against pneumoconiosis. Data from pneumoconiosis cases were input into Excel and analyzed by SPSS version 17.0. There were 13,165 cases of pneumoconiosis through 2010. Coal workers accounted for the largest proportion of cases. From July 2006 through 2010, a total of 1233 new cases of pneumoconiosis were reported in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; most cases were reported in Urumqi. From 1981 to 2012, 3332 new cases of pneumoconiosis had been confirmed by the Urumqi Railway Bureau, including 77.73, 16.96, and 5.31% stage I, II, and III cases, respectively. In the last 30 years, the number of new pneumoconiosis cases peaked in 1986; most of them were silicosis cases. In addition, there were more than 200 cases of pneumoconiosis combined with pulmonary tuberculosis reported by the Urumqi Railway Bureau. The coal industry in Urumqi is the main industry in which occupational pneumoconiosis occurs in Xinjiang. Thus, substantial effort is still required to eliminate pneumoconiosis by 2030.

Exercise increases the binding of MEF2A to the Cpt1b promoter in mouse skeletal muscle

AIM

Muscle-type carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1b) plays an important role in skeletal muscle mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation. A myocyte-specific enhancer factor (MEF2) site that binds MEF2A in the promoter of Cpt1b has been identified. The aim of this study is to determine whether Cpt1b expression is regulated by MEF2 in response to exercise training.

METHODS

Twelve male, 14-week-old C57BL/6 mice underwent 6 weeks of treadmill exercise at 12 m min(-1), for 60 min day(-1), 5 days week(-1). Quadriceps muscles were analysed by real-time PCR, Western blot, chromatin immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

The binding of MEF2A to the Cpt1b promoter was elevated in the quadriceps muscle of mice after 6-week aerobic exercise intervention. The repressor partner of MEF2, histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5), binding to the Cpt1b promoter was decreased by exercise training. In C2C12 myoblast, MEF2A overexpression increased the Cpt1b mRNA expression and the Cpt1b promoter transcriptional activity, which were suppressed by HDAC5. Moreover, exercise training induced MEF2A hyperacetylation, which is strongly associated with its enhanced DNA-binding ability. The binding of both HDAC5 and histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) to MEF2A was decreased by exercise training. Overexpression of HDAC5 decreased exogenous MEF2A acetylation level with an increased binding of endogenous HDAC3 to MEF2A. Finally, the phosphorylation levels of HDAC5 Ser259 and Ser498 were increased by exercise training. Exercise training decreased the abundance of HDAC5 in the nucleus while increasing its abundance in the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that exercise-induced CPT1b expression was at least in part mediated by HDAC5/MEF2A interaction.