Impaired balance of Th17/Treg in patients with nasal polyposis

Nasal polyposis (NP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal cavity and sinuses that is regulated by T lymphocyte subsets. Imbalance of Th17/Treg has been considered critical in the development of inflammation and atopic reactions. To assess whether the balance of Th17/Treg is disrupted in patients with NP, we evaluated the distribution of Th17 and Treg cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in atopic patients with NP, non-atopic patients with NP and controls. We then determined mRNA levels of RORc and Foxp3 and protein levels of IL-17, TGF-β and IL-10 in polyp tissue among the three groups. Finally, we investigated the correlation between Th17-, Treg- and Th1-, Th2-related cytokines (INF-γ, IL-4, IL-5). The results demonstrated that both atopic and non-atopic patients with NP revealed significantly increased Th17 proportion and decreased Treg proportion in PBMCs, as well as significantly increased RORc and IL-17 levels and decreased Foxp3 and TGF-β levels in polyp tissue. Furthermore, these differences were significant between atopic and non-atopic groups. The frequency of Treg in PBMCs was found to be negatively correlated with Th1 and Th2 cytokines in polyps. These results indicated that an impaired balance of Th17/Treg existed in patients with NP and was more severe in atopic patients, suggesting that the imbalance of Treg/Th17 may play an important role in the development of NP and that atopy may aggravate NP by promoting the imbalance of Th17/Treg.     

小檗碱调节睡眠剥夺大鼠的肠道菌群结构以及Th17/Treg细胞平衡

目的研究小檗碱对睡眠剥夺大鼠肠道菌群以及辅助性T细胞17(Th17)和调解性T细胞(Treg)细胞的影响。方法将大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、低和高剂量小檗碱组(BBR1和BBR2,100和200 mg/kg,灌胃10 d干预)。小站台水环境法建立睡眠剥夺模型。检测大鼠直肠内容物中细菌数量,流式细胞计量技术分析大鼠肠道Th17/Treg细胞比值,并检测肠道白介素17(IL-17)、RAR相关孤儿受体(ROR)C和叉头框蛋白P3(Foxp3)表达。结果模型组大鼠肠道内产气荚膜梭菌数量增加(P0.05),而其他检测菌群数量降低(P0.05);Th17/Treg细胞比值升高(P0.05);IL-17和RORC表达升高(P0.05),Foxp3表达降低(P0.05)。小檗碱处理降低产气荚膜梭菌数量(P0.05),增加其他检测菌群的数量(P0.05);降低Th17/Treg细胞比值(P0.05);下调IL-17和RORC表达(P0.05),上调Foxp3表达(P0.05)。结论小檗碱能够拮抗睡眠剥夺诱导的大鼠肠道菌群结构和Th17/Treg细胞失衡。     

Oridonin promotes CD4+/CD25+ Treg differentiation, modulates Th1/Th2 balance and induces HO-1 in rat splenic lymphocytes

Objective and design: Oridonin is an ent-kaurene diterpenoid extracted from Isodon Serra, and we have previously demonstrated its immunosuppressive effect. Our goal was to study how Oridonin impacts CD4⁺/CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th1/Th2 balance, as well as its effect on the anti-inflammatory target HO-1. Material: Splenic lymphocytes were prepared from male 6–8-week-old SD rats. Treatment: Cells were cultured in four groups as Oridonin-L (Oridonin 12.5 μmol/l), Oridonin-H (Oridonin 25 μmol/l), Cobalt protoporphyrin (Copp 50 μmol/l) and control (DMSO) with stimulation of ConA (5 μg/ml) for 48 h or with no stimulation for 12 h. Method: We set up a model of Th1 polarization in vitro using ConA stimulation; ratios of CD4⁺/CD25⁺ Tregs (confirmed by the expression of Foxp3) were measured by flow cytometry, and levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, TGF-β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. In addition, HO-1 expression was measured without stimulation with ConA by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and HO-1 level in vitro was then measured by enzyme activity assay. p<0.05 (t-test) was taken as the level of statistical significance. Result: Oridonin promoted differentiation towards CD4⁺/CD25⁺ Tregs, inhibited IL-2 and IFN-γ but induced TGF-β and IL-10, thus rectifed the Th1 polarization. Moreover, Oridonin induced the expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein, and HO-1 activity in vitro was enhanced accordingly. Conclusion: The results suggest that Oridonin has a distinct effect on promoting CD4⁺/CD25⁺ Treg differentiation and modulating Th1/Th2 balance, and this effect may be achieved via inducing the anti-inflammatory target HO-1. Received 16 October 2007; accepted by G. Wallace 26 November 2007     

Treg/Th17平衡在巨细胞病毒感染发病机制中的作用

目的:研究调节性T细胞(Treg/Th17)细胞失衡在巨细胞病毒感染(CMV)免疫调节机制中的作用。方法:将CMV感染患儿按诊断标准分为激活感染组与潜伏感染组,同时设立正常对照组,采用流式细胞术(FCM)分析各组外周血Treg、Th17的百分比,并计算Treg/Th17比值;同时采用ELISA和RT-PCR法检测Treg主要相关因子(IL-10、Foxp3)和Th17主要相关因子(TGF-β、IL-17、IL-6、IL-23及ROR-γt)表达水平。结果:与对照组比较,CMV感染后Treg细胞百分率降低,Th17细胞升高,致Treg/Th17比值下降(P<0.05);CMV感染后两组间比较,激活感染组Treg/Th17比值和Treg主要相关因子表达水平下降更明显,而Th17主要相关因子表达水平显著上调,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:Treg/Th17平衡参与了CMV感染发病免疫机制,并可能与病毒潜伏-激活状态相关。     

MOG诱导的实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠中枢及外周神经系统CD4~+ T及CD8~+ T调节性细胞变化

目的:观察实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎小鼠中枢及外周CD4+ CD25+调节性T细胞(CD4+ CD25+ Treg),CD8+ CD28-调节性T细胞(CD8+ CD28- Treg)表达的变化情况,并探讨相关的细胞免疫学机制。方法:雌性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为未使用髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55(MEVGWYR-SPFSRVVHLYRNGK)(MOG35-55)免疫的对照组和使用MOG35-55免疫诱导的EAE小鼠模型组,采用临床症状评分记录小鼠行为学变化、HE染色观察CNS炎症细胞浸润及病理改变,使用流式细胞术(FCM)检测小鼠中枢及外周CD8+ CD28- Treg,CD4+ CD25+ Treg细胞表达水平。结果:MOG35-55诱导的EAE模型组动物出现典型的EAE临床行为学及病理学表现,FCM检测EAE模型组小鼠脾细胞CD4+ CD25+ Treg较对照组升高但无统计学差异,CD8+ CD28- Treg表达水平明显低于对照组(P0.01),EAE模型组中枢有CD4+ CD25+ Treg,CD8+CD28-Treg淋巴细胞的浸润,且CD4+ CD25+ Treg,CD8+ CD28- Treg在中枢的表达均高于外周,对照组中枢神经系统未检测到淋巴细胞浸润。结论:CD4+ CD25+ Treg,CD8+ CD28- Treg均参与调控EAE的病理过程,CD4+ CD25+ Treg,CD8+ CD28- Treg在EAE小鼠中枢及外周分布及变化的不同,提示其进入中枢神经系统(CNS)并参与调节中枢局部炎症。     

Th17/Treg失衡在重症肺炎中的作用及其意义

目的：探讨Th17/Treg在评估重症肺炎病情和预后中作用。方法收集2011年6月至2013年6月我院确诊并住院治疗的重症肺炎患者400例,正常对照者200例。流式细胞术分析重症肺炎组和对照组外周血Th17细胞和Treg细胞的百分率,酶联免疫吸附实验( enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA)检测各组外周血细胞因子IL-17和IL-10的表达水平。结果重症肺炎患者外周血Th17和Treg的百分率及细胞因子IL-17较对照组均明显升高,而IL-10表达水平明显低于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义( P<0．05)。进一步分析显示重症肺炎中继发多器官功能衰竭综合症( multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, MODS)组患者Th17和Treg的百分率,外周血IL-17表达水平均明显高于非MODS组,外周血IL-10表达水平明显低于非MODS组,差异均具有统计学意义( P<0．05)。死亡患者Th17和Treg的百分率,外周血IL-17表达水平均明显高于存活组,外周血IL-10表达水平明显低于存活组,差异均具有统计学意义( P<0．05)。结论 Th17/Treg失衡参与了重症肺炎的发生发展,检测外周血Th17和Treg的百分率及其相应细胞因子水平对评估重症肺炎的病情和预后有重要的临床意义。     

支气管哮喘患者外周血Th17、CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞表达特征

目的:探讨外周血Th17和CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)在支气管哮喘患者中的表达特征。方法:41例慢性持续期哮喘患者,分为间歇-轻度组(n=23)和中重度组(n=18),行肺功能检查和哮喘控制问卷(ACQ)调查,20例正常人作为对照。通过流式细胞术检测外周血Th17和CD4+CD25+Treg细胞的比例。ELISA检测血浆以及植物血凝素刺激24小时后外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)上清液中的IL-17、IL-10、TGF-β水平。结果:中重度哮喘组外周血Th17细胞比例及血浆IL-17水平高于间歇-轻度哮喘和正常人组,而外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg细胞比例及血浆IL-10、TGF-β水平则降低。中重度哮喘组PBMC上清液中IL-17水平增高。哮喘患者FEV1(%预计值)与Th17细胞及血浆IL-17表达成负相关,与CD4+CD25+Treg表达成正相关。ACQ平均得分与Th17细胞和血浆IL-17表达成正相关,与外周血CD4+CD25+Treg表达成负相关。结论:中重度哮喘中外周血Th17细胞应答增强,而CD4+CD25+Treg细胞缺乏,哮喘的严重程度及症状控制与外周血Th17/Treg免疫应答失衡密切相关。     

Catechin ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in rats with chronic heart failure by regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg cells

Objective

Disequilibrium of the cytokine network was reported to play an important role in the progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). Catechin exerts cardioprotection through treating many kinds of angiocardiopathy. However, the effects of catechin on CHF are currently unclear. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of catechin on CHF rats as well as its relationship to immunoregulation.

Methods

CHF was induced in rats by ligation of the abdominal aorta. Myocardial function was evaluated by left ventricular systolic pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. The cytokine level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Th17 and Treg levels in peripheral blood and spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

The results showed that catechin treatment (50, 100 mg/kg/day) markedly improved myocardial function in rats treated with abdominal aortic coarctation. Severity of myocardial dysfunction in CHF rats significantly correlated with serum values of interleukin-17 (IL-17)/IL-10. Further results indicated catechin obviously inhibited immune activation, regulated unbalanced levels of IL-17/IL-10, and reversed abnormal polarization of TH17 as well as Treg in peripheral blood and spleen.

Conclusions

Taken together, oral administration of catechin effectively suppressed abdominal aorta ligation-induced CHF in rats, which was closely associated with its modulation on Th17 and Treg.     

非诺贝特通过调节Th1/Th2细胞因子的平衡改善自身免疫性心肌炎

目的探讨非诺贝特(fenofibrate)对自身免疫性心肌炎(EAM)大鼠的治疗作用。方法将提纯精制后的猪心室肌球蛋白加等体积含灭活的结核杆菌的完全弗氏免疫佐剂充分混匀后,于Lewis大鼠双后足皮下注射制作大鼠EAM模型。于第0天免疫后,非诺贝特组给予非诺贝特灌胃,EAM组给予生理盐水灌胃。免疫后的第17天,超声检测大鼠心功能,处死大鼠取心脏评估心肌炎的严重程度及心体质量比,HE染色,应用实时定量PCR检测心脏的IFN-γ,IL-2,IL-4和IL-10的mRNA表达水平,并进一步通过ELISA检测血清中IFN-γ和IL-4的表达水平。结果非诺贝特组大鼠的心功能指标与EAM组相比得到了显著改善。非诺贝特治疗组的心体质量比和心肌的炎症浸润程度也比EAM模型组有明显的降低。另外,非诺贝特治疗组降低了Th1的细胞因子(IFN-γ,IL-2)的表达并增加了Th2细胞因子(IL-4,IL-10)的表达。ELISA的结果也显示非诺贝特治疗组血清中IFN-γ的水平降低而IL-4的水平升高。结论非诺贝特治疗可能通过调节Th1/Th2细胞因子的平衡改善自身免疫性心肌炎。     

Th17和 Treg 细胞及其相关细胞因子在结核性胸膜炎患者中的变化及意义

目的检测健康人和结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞和调节性T细胞（ Treg细胞）（ CD4＋CD25＋Foxp3＋）在CD4＋T细胞中的表达率以及IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β血清水平和患者胸水中的IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β水平,研究Th17细胞和调节性T细胞以及IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β在结核性胸膜炎发病机制中的作用。方法使用流式细胞术检测患者以及健康对照人群外周血Th17细胞和调节性T细胞表达率,ELSIA方法定量检测血清以及胸水中IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β水平,使用SPSS17．0统计学软件,分析健康人和结核性胸膜炎患者上述指标之间的差异以及各指标间的相关性。结果结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞表达率（1．02％±0．20％）明显高于健康人外周血Th17细胞表达率（0．89％±0．13％,P＝0．002＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血调节性T细胞表达率（4．64％±0．77％）明显低于健康人外周血调节性T细胞表达率（5．10％±0．90％,P＝0．000＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者Th17/Treg细胞的比率（0．25±0．07）明显高于健康人（0．17±0．05,P＝0．000＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血IL-17（17．49 ng/L±3．94 ng/L）和IL-23（90．42 ng/L±23．06 ng/L）水平和胸水中IL-17（26．13 ng/L±5．98 ng/L）和IL-23（122．26 ng/L±31．71 ng/L）水平显著高于对照组外周血IL-17（14．45 ng/L±3．81 ng/L）和IL-23（77．55 ng/L±20．26 ng/L）的水平,P值分别为0．022、0．039、0．000、0．000;患者胸水中IL-17和IL-23浓度也显著高于本人血液中的IL-17和IL-23浓度,P值为0．000和0．000;患者胸水中IL-6的浓度（5．31 ng/L±0．74 ng/L）显著高于患者血液中IL-6的浓度（4．54 ng/L±1．02 ng/L）和对照组血液中IL-6的浓度（4．26 ng/L±0．91 ng/L）,P值分别为0．003和0．000,患者血液与对照组血液中IL-6的浓度没有显著差别（P＝0．274）;对照组外周血液TGF-β浓度（3．95 ng/L±0．79 ng/L）显著高于患者外周血液TGF-β浓度（3．32 ng/L±0．80 ng/L）及胸水中TGF-β浓度（3．12±0．77）,P值分别为0．005和0．000,患者血液及胸水中TGF-β水平之间没有显著差别（P＝0．365）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞的表达率与其Treg细胞在外周血的表达率呈显著负相关（r＝-0．684, P＝0．000＜0．05）,结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞的表达率与其外周血中的IL-17、IL-23、IL-6水平呈明显的正相关（r＝0．479,0．441,0．326,P＝0．013,0．015,0．017）;患者血液中TGF-β水平与Treg细胞在外周血的表达率呈明显的正相关（r＝0．297,P＝0．024）,与Th17细胞表达率没有明显相关性（r＝0．091,P＝0．659）。结论 Th17和Treg细胞可能参与了结核性胸膜炎的免疫病理机制,有关细胞因子的变化可能参与了Th17和Treg细胞变化的调控以及炎症反应, Th17和Treg细胞以及有关细胞因子的变化可能是结核性胸膜炎重要的免疫病理机制。     

Manipulation of the Th1/Th2 balance in autoimmune disease

Many autoimmune diseases are caused by autopathogenic Th1 cells. Because in vitro Th1 and Th2 cells cross-regulate each other, it is likely that the induction of self-antigen-specific Th2 cells can prevent autoimmune disease. In the past year, investigators have further defined the role of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the induction and regulation of autoimmunity. Furthermore, the role of MHC—antigen—T-cell avidity (strength of signal) in inducing such protective immune responses has been elucidated.     

Regulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by CD4+, CD25+ and CD8+ T cells: analysis using depleting antibodies

Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) can be induced in mice of the C57BL/6 strain by subcutaneous immunization with myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) peptide p35-55 in CFA, administered twice at an interval of one week and supplemented with Bordetella pertussis toxin given IV. Here, we studied the effect on the induction of EAE of depleting antibodies to CD4, CD8, or CD25 administered before either the first or the second dose of MOG p35-55. We found that anti-CD4 abolished EAE when given before the first immunization; anti-CD4 did not affect the disease when it was given before the second immunization. Anti-CD8 enhanced EAE induction when given before either of the two immunizations. Anti-CD25 enhanced EAE to the same degree as anti-CD8 when given before the first immunization, but anti-CD25 was even more effective in enhancing EAE when given before the second immunization. The anti-CD25 treatment led to significantly enhanced IFNgamma production by T cells responding to MOG p35-55 and persisting anti-MOG antibodies detectable 56 days after the first immunization. Administration of anti-CD8 or anti-CD25 abolished the need for pertussis toxin to induce EAE. These findings are compatible with the idea that CD4 T cells are required for the initial induction of EAE and that the disease is down-regulated by T cells expressing CD8 or CD25. These regulatory T cells exist prior to MOG immunization, but the CD25+ regulators appear to be further amplified by immunization.     

Increased Indoleamine 2, 3-Dioxygenase expression modulates Th1/Th17/Th22 and Treg pathway in humans with Helicobacter Pylori-Infected gastric mucosa

Introduction and purposeIndoleamine 2, 3- dioxygenase (IDO) plays an important role in immunosuppressive pathway, as inhibits responses of T cells and promotes immune tolerance. Host response to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is involved in the infection persistence and it is also associated with different clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IDO in H. pylori-infected patients with gastritis diseases and peptic ulcer diseases (PUD) through the assessment of the relationship among IDO protein expression and the numbers of T helper (Th)-1, Th17, Th22, and T regulator (Treg) cells.Materials and methodsAntrum biopsy was obtained from H. pylori-negative patients (n = 48) and H. pylori-positive subjects (55 patients with gastritis and 47 patients with PUD), for performing H. pylori status and histopathological assessments. IDO protein expression was evaluated by Western blotting.ResultsIDO protein expression was significantly higher in gastric biopsies from H. pylori-positive subjects compared to the H. pylori-negative subjects, and also in H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis disease compared to H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD. Moreover, in H. pylori-positive subjects, a positive correlation was observed between IDO protein expression and the frequency of Treg cells. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between IDO protein expression and the number of Th1, Th17, and Th22.ConclusionIncreased IDO protein expression is able to change the number of Th1, Th17, Th22, and Treg cells and these changes are possibly associated with an increase in the risk of PUD development in H. pylori-infected patients.     

Loss of the balance between CD4Foxp3 regulatory T cells and CD4IL17A Th17 cells in patients with type 1 diabetes

The presence of low-grade chronic inflammation is a known feature of long standing diabetes type 1. Recently, two T cell subsets, that may contribute to the disease progression are under investigation. These are Treg cells, which are specialized T cell subset, that controls the activity of autoreactive and inflammatory cells and Th17 cells which are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The balance between Treg and Th17 controls inflammation and is responsible for the proper function of the immune system. An decrease of Tregs and/or increase of Th17 may induce local inflammation, which in turn may hasten the development of diabetic complications. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the Treg/Th17 balance was broken in patients with diabetes type 1 and might contribute to the progression of microvascular angiopathy.