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Su QY, Li HC, Jiang XJ, Jiang ZQ, Zhang Y, Zhang HY, Zhang SX. Exploring the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cell in rheumatoid arthritis: Insights into subsets, markers, and signaling pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116440. [PMID: 38518605 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by an imbalance between immunological reactivity and immune tolerance. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a crucial role in controlling ongoing autoimmunity and maintaining peripheral tolerance, have shown great potential for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as RA. This review aims to provide an updated summary of the latest insights into Treg-targeting techniques in RA. We focus on current therapeutic strategies for targeting Tregs based on discussing their subsets, surface markers, suppressive function, and signaling pathways in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Yi Su
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Huan-Cheng Li
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhong-Qing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - He-Yi Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
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Zeng L, He Q, Deng Y, Li Y, Chen J, Yang K, Luo Y, Ge A, Zhu X, Long Z, Sun L. Efficacy and safety of iguratimod in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases: a meta-analysis and systematic review of 84 randomized controlled trials. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1189142. [PMID: 38143490 PMCID: PMC10740187 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1189142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of iguratimod (IGU) in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Methods: Databases such as Pubmed, Embase, Sinomed were searched (as of July 2022) to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IGU in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias of the included literature, and performed meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: A total of 84 RCTs and 4 types of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) and Autoimmune disease with interstitial pneumonia]. Forty-three RCTs reported RA and showed that IGU + MTX therapy can improve ACR20 (RR 1.45 [1.14, 1.84], p = 0.003), ACR50 (RR 1.80 [1.43, 2.26], p < 0.0000), ACR70 (RR 1.84 [1.27, 2.67], p = 0.001), DAS28 (WMD -1.11 [-1.69, -0.52], p = 0.0002), reduce ESR (WMD -11.05 [-14.58, -7.51], p < 0.00001), CRP (SMD -1.52 [-2.02, -1.02], p < 0.00001), RF (SMD -1.65 [-2.48, -0.82], p < 0.0001), and have a lower incidence of adverse events (RR 0.84 [0.78, 0.91], p < 0.00001) than the control group. Nine RCTs reported AS and showed that IGU can decrease the BASDAI score (SMD -1.62 [-2.20, -1.05], p < 0.00001), BASFI score (WMD -1.07 [-1.39, -0.75], p < 0.00001), VAS (WMD -2.01 [-2.83, -1.19], p < 0.00001), inflammation levels (decreasing ESR, CRP and TNF-α). Thirty-two RCTs reported PSS and showed that IGU can reduce the ESSPRI score (IGU + other therapy group: WMD -1.71 [-2.44, -0.98], p < 0.00001; IGU only group: WMD -2.10 [-2.40, -1.81], p < 0.00001) and ESSDAI score (IGU + other therapy group: WMD -1.62 [-2.30, -0.94], p < 0.00001; IGU only group: WMD -1.51 [-1.65, -1.37], p < 0.00001), inhibit the inflammation factors (reduce ESR, CRP and RF) and increase Schirmer's test score (IGU + other therapy group: WMD 2.18 [1.76, 2.59], p < 0.00001; IGU only group: WMD 1.55 [0.35, 2.75], p = 0.01); The incidence of adverse events in IGU group was also lower than that in control group (IGU only group: RR 0.66 [0.48, 0.98], p = 0.01). Three RCTs reported Autoimmune disease with interstitial pneumonia and showed that IGU may improve lung function. Conclusion: Based on current evidence, IGU may be a safe and effective therapy for RA, AS, PSS and autoimmune diseases with interstitial pneumonia. Systematic Review Registration: (CRD42021289489).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuting Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi He
- People’s Hospital of Ningxiang City, Ningxiang, China
| | - Ying Deng
- People’s Hospital of Ningxiang City, Ningxiang, China
| | - Yuwei Li
- Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
| | - Junpeng Chen
- Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
| | - Kailin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Yanfang Luo
- Department of Nephrology, The Central Hospital of Shaoyang, Shaoyang, China
| | - Anqi Ge
- The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | | | - Zhiyong Long
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingyun Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
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Long Z, Zeng L, He Q, Yang K, Xiang W, Ren X, Deng Y, Chen H. Research progress on the clinical application and mechanism of iguratimod in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and rheumatic diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1150661. [PMID: 37809072 PMCID: PMC10552782 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1150661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are affected by complex pathophysiology involving multiple cell types, cytokines, antibodies and mimicking factors. Different drugs are used to improve these autoimmune responses, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, antibodies, and small molecule drugs (DMARDs), which are prevalent clinically in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), etc. However, low cost-effectiveness, reduced efficacy, adverse effects, and patient non-response are unattractive factors driving the development of new drugs such as iguratimod. As a new disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, iguratimod has pharmacological activities such as regulating autoimmune disorders, inflammatory cytokines, regulating immune cell activation, differentiation and proliferation, improving bone metabolism, and inhibiting fibrosis. In recent years, clinical studies have found that iguratimod is effective in the treatment of RA, SLE, IGG4-RD, Sjogren 's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, interstitial lung disease, and other autoimmune diseases and rheumatic diseases. The amount of basic and clinical research on other autoimmune diseases is also increasing. Therefore, this review systematically reviews the latest relevant literature in recent years, reviews the research results in recent years, and summarizes the research progress of iguratimod in the treatment of related diseases. This review highlights the role of iguratimod in the protection of autoimmune and rheumatic bone and related immune diseases. It is believed that iguratimod's unique mode of action and its favorable patient response compared to other DMARDs make it a suitable antirheumatic and bone protective agent in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyong Long
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liuting Zeng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi He
- People's Hospital of Ningxiang City, Ningxiang, China
| | - Kailin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Wang Xiang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First People's Hospital Changde City, Changde, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Department of Rheumatology, The First People's Hospital Changde City, Changde, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Deng
- People's Hospital of Ningxiang City, Ningxiang, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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Gumkowska-Sroka O, Kotyla K, Mojs E, Palka K, Kotyla P. Novel Therapeutic Strategies in the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1066. [PMID: 37630981 PMCID: PMC10458905 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease of unknown origin and with an unpredictable course, with both cutaneous and internal organ manifestations. Despite the enormous progress in rheumatology and clinical immunology, the background of this disease is largely unknown, and no specific therapy exists. The therapeutic approach aims to treat and preserve the function of internal organs, and this approach is commonly referred to as organ-based treatment. However, in modern times, data from other branches of medicine may offer insight into how to treat disease-related complications, making it possible to find new drugs to treat this disease. In this review, we present therapeutic options aiming to stop the progression of fibrotic processes, restore the aberrant immune response, stop improper signalling from proinflammatory cytokines, and halt the production of disease-related autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Gumkowska-Sroka
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Voivodeship Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Kacper Kotyla
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Ewa Mojs
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Palka
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Przemysław Kotyla
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Voivodeship Hospital No. 5 in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland;
- Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, Poland; (K.K.); (K.P.)
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Signaling pathways in rheumatoid arthritis: implications for targeted therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:68. [PMID: 36797236 PMCID: PMC9935929 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01331-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incurable systemic autoimmune disease. Disease progression leads to joint deformity and associated loss of function, which significantly impacts the quality of life for sufferers and adds to losses in the labor force. In the past few decades, RA has attracted increased attention from researchers, the abnormal signaling pathways in RA are a very important research field in the diagnosis and treatment of RA, which provides important evidence for understanding this complex disease and developing novel RA-linked intervention targets. The current review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of RA, including a general introduction to the disease, historical events, epidemiology, risk factors, and pathological process, highlight the primary research progress of the disease and various signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms, including genetic factors, epigenetic factors, summarize the most recent developments in identifying novel signaling pathways in RA and new inhibitors for treating RA. therapeutic interventions including approved drugs, clinical drugs, pre-clinical drugs, and cutting-edge therapeutic technologies. These developments will hopefully drive progress in new strategically targeted therapies and hope to provide novel ideas for RA treatment options in the future.
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Shuai Z, Zheng S, Wang K, Wang J, Leung PSC, Xu B. Reestablish immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1012868. [PMID: 36248797 PMCID: PMC9561630 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1012868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease. Despite the wide use of conventional synthetic, targeted and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to control its radiological progress, nearly all DMARDs are immunologically non-selective and do not address the underlying immunological mechanisms of RA. Patients with RA often need to take various DMARDs long-term or even lifelong and thus, face increased risks of infection, tumor and other adverse reactions. It is logical to modulate the immune disorders and restore immune balance in patients with RA by restoring immune tolerance. Indeed, approaches based on stem cell transplantation, tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs), and antigen-based tolerogenic vaccination are under active investigation, and some have already transformed from wet bench research to clinical investigation during the last decade. Among them, clinical trials on stem cell therapy, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation are most investigated and followed by tolDCs in RA patients. On the other hand, despite active laboratory investigations on the use of RA-specific peptide-/protein-based tolerogenic vaccines for T cell, clinical studies on RA patients are much limited. Overall, the preliminary results of these clinical studies are promising and encouraging, demonstrating their safety and effectiveness in the rebalancing of T cell subsets; particular, the recovery of RA-specific Treg with increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines and reduced proinflammatory cytokines. Future studies should focus on the optimization of transplanted stem cells, the preparation of tolDCs, and tolerogenic vaccines with RA-specific protein or peptide, including their dosage, course, and route of administration with well-coordinated multi-center randomized clinical control researches. With the progress of experimental and clinical studies, generating and restoring RA-specific immune tolerance may bring revolutionary changes to the clinical management of RA in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqiang Shuai
- Department of Sports Injury and Arthroscopic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shuang Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Xu, ; Patrick S. C. Leung, ; Jian Wang,
| | - Patrick S. C. Leung
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Bin Xu, ; Patrick S. C. Leung, ; Jian Wang,
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Sports Injury and Arthroscopic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Xu, ; Patrick S. C. Leung, ; Jian Wang,
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Xie X, Gan H, Tian J, Li F, Chen J, Wang J, Liao J, Li S. Iguratimod inhibits skin fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad signalling pathway in systemic sclerosis. Eur J Clin Invest 2022; 52:e13791. [PMID: 35441708 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iguratimod (T-614), exerting a powerful anti-inflammatory ability, has therapeutic efficacy in multiple autoimmune diseases. However, the effect of T-614 on systemic sclerosis (SSc) is unclear. Here, we investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of T-614 in experimental SSc models. METHODS In vitro, cultured dermal fibroblasts from four SSc patients were subjected to different doses of T-614 in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 stimulation. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were determined by CCK-8, flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. Fibrosis markers and smad signalling pathway-related proteins were detected by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. In vivo, a bleomycin-induced SSc mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of T-614 on skin fibrosis. Pathological changes in skin tissues were evaluated by HE, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In the study, we found T-614 inhibited TGF-β1-induced cell proliferation, migration and promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner (all p < 0.01). T-614 partially reversed TGF-β1-induced upregulation of fibrosis markers and phosphorylation of smad2 and smad3 and blocked p-Smad3 nuclear translocation (all p < 0.05), suggesting T-614 may inhibit dermal fibroblasts activation by regulating TGF-β1/smad pathway. In vivo experiments, T-614 alleviated skin thickness in bleomycin-induced SSc mice (all p < 0.05). The expression of fibrosis markers and the infiltration of macrophages in skin tissue were significantly decreased after T-614 treatment (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our preliminary data indicated T-614 inhibited dermal fibroblasts activation and skin fibrosis at least partly by regulating TGF-β1/smad pathway in experimental SSc models and may be a promising therapeutic agent for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haina Gan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changde City, Changde, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fen Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinwei Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiafeng Liao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Clinical Immunology Research Center, Central South University, Changsha, China
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