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Yan F, Mo X, Liu J, Ye S, Zeng X, Chen D. Thymic function in the regulation of T cells, and molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of cytokines and stress signaling (Review). Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:7175-7184. [PMID: 28944829 PMCID: PMC5865843 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is critical in establishing and maintaining the appropriate microenvironment for promoting the development and selection of T cells. The function and structure of the thymus gland has been extensively studied, particularly as the thymus serves an important physiological role in the lymphatic system. Numerous studies have investigated the morphological features of thymic involution. Recently, research attention has increasingly been focused on thymic proteins as targets for drug intervention. Omics approaches have yielded novel insights into the thymus and possible drug targets. The present review addresses the signaling and transcriptional functions of the thymus, including the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory functions of T cells and their role in the immune system. In addition, the levels of cytokines secreted in the thymus have a significant effect on thymic functions, including thymocyte migration and development, thymic atrophy and thymic recovery. Furthermore, the regulation and molecular mechanisms of stress-mediated thymic atrophy and involution were investigated, with particular emphasis on thymic function as a potential target for drug development and discovery using proteomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenggen Yan
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Xiumei Mo
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Siqi Ye
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Xing Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
| | - Dacan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P.R. China
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Yousefi A, Mahmoudi E, Zare Bidoki A, Najmi Varzaneh F, Baradaran Noveiry B, Sadr M, Motamed F, Najafi M, Farahmand F, Rezaei N. IL4 gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 10:659-63. [PMID: 26735262 DOI: 10.1586/17474124.2016.1139449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic long-lasting hepatocellular inflammation associated with circulating auto antibodies. In addition to the genetic component, several cytokines have been implicated to be involved in AIH. This study was performed to investigate potential associations of AIH with IL4 gene variants. METHOD The studied alleles and genotypes included: IL4G/T allele polymorphisms at position -1098 and C/T allele polymorphisms at two positions (-33 and -590) on the IL4 gene, in addition to the A/G allele polymorphisms at position +1902 on the IL4RA gene. RESULT The IL4 C allele and CC genotype at position -590 and TT genotype at position -33 had a significantly higher frequency in AIH patients. CONCLUSION This study identified the IL4 C allele and CC genotype susceptibility gene in AIH, which will provide better insights into the mechanisms of AIH and potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azizollah Yousefi
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Medical Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Elham Mahmoudi
- b Molecular Immunology Research Center; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Alireza Zare Bidoki
- c Thrombosis Hemostasis Research Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Farnaz Najmi Varzaneh
- b Molecular Immunology Research Center; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.,d Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA) , Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran
| | - Behnoud Baradaran Noveiry
- b Molecular Immunology Research Center; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.,d Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA) , Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran
| | - Maryam Sadr
- b Molecular Immunology Research Center; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Farzaneh Motamed
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Medical Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Mehri Najafi
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Medical Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Fatemeh Farahmand
- a Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Medical Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- b Molecular Immunology Research Center; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran.,d Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA) , Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN) , Tehran , Iran.,e Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children's Medical Center , Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran , Iran
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Jothimani D, Cramp ME, Mitchell JD, Cross TJS. Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis: a review of current and evolving therapies. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011; 26:619-27. [PMID: 21073674 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2010.06579.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated necroinflammatory condition of the liver. Presentation can vary from the asymptomatic individual with abnormal liver function test to fulminant liver failure. The diagnosis is based on the combination of biochemical, autoimmune, and histological parameters, and exclusion of other liver diseases. Standard therapy consists of a combination of corticosteroids and azathioprine, which is efficacious in 80% of patients. Alternative therapies are increasingly being explored in patients who do not respond to the standard treatment and/or have unacceptable adverse effects. This review examines the role of alternative drugs (second-line agents) available for AIH treatment non-responders. These agents include budesonide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, rituximab, ursodeoxycholic acid, rapamycin, and methotrexate. In addition, the risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies are discussed. A treatment algorithm is proposed for the management of patients with AIH treatment non-responders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Jothimani
- The Southwest Liver Unit, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, Devon, UK
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