Lack of ceramide synthase 2 suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by impairing the migratory capacity of neutrophils

Ceramide synthases (CerS) synthesise ceramides of defined acyl chain lengths, which are thought to mediate cellular processes in a chain length-dependent manner. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), we observed a significant elevation of CerS2 and its products, C24-ceramides, in CD11b⁺ cells (monocytes and neutrophils) isolated from blood. This result correlates with the clinical finding that CerS2 mRNA expression and C24-ceramide levels were significantly increased by 2.2- and 1.5-fold, respectively, in white blood cells of MS patients. The increased CerS2 mRNA/C24-ceramide expression in neutrophils/monocytes seems to mediate pro-inflammatory effects, since a specific genetic deletion of CerS2 in blood cells or a total genetic deletion of CerS2 significantly delayed the onset of clinical symptoms, due to a reduced infiltration of immune cells, in particular neutrophils, into the central nervous system. CXCR2 chemokine receptors, expressed on neutrophils, promote the migration of neutrophils into the central nervous system, which is a prerequisite for the recruitment of further immune cells and the inflammatory process that leads to the development of MS. Interestingly, neutrophils isolated from CerS2 null EAE mice, as opposed to WT EAE mice, were characterised by significantly lower CXCR2 receptor mRNA expression resulting in their reduced migratory capacity towards CXCL2. Most importantly, G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression was significantly reduced in CerS2 null neutrophils and their migratory capacity was significantly impaired. In conclusion, our data strongly indicate that G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression is regulated in a CerS2-dependent manner and that CerS2 thereby promotes the migration of neutrophils, thus, contributing to inflammation and the development of EAE and MS.     

Vaccination inhibits the human adenoviral transduction in a mouse keratoconjunctivitis model

Adenovirus infections are a major cause of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which can lead to corneal subepithelial infiltrates and multifocal corneal opacity. In the current study, we investigated the use of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector as a vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) against subsequent challenges with a luciferase-expressing Ad5 (Ad5-Luci) vector via eyedrop. We evaluated the adaptive immune response to Ad5 vector vaccination and confirmed a robust polyfunctional CD8 T cell response in splenic cells. Neutralizing Ad5 antibodies were also measured in the sera of vaccinated mice as well as Ad5 antibody in the eye wash solutions. Upon challenge with Ad5-Luci vector 8 weeks post the primary immunization, transduction was significantly reduced by > 70% in the vaccinated mice, which was slightly better in IM- vs. that in IN-vaccinated animals. Resistance to subsequent challenge was observed 10 months post primary IM vaccination, with sustained reduction up to 60% in the Ad5-Luci vector transduction. Passive immunization of naive mice with antisera from IM to vaccinated mice subsequently challenged with the Ad5-Luci vector resulted in approximately 40% loss in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, the mice that received IM immunization with or without CD8 T cell depletion showed > 40% and 70% reductions, respectively, in Ad8 genomic copies after Ad8 topical challenge. We conclude that Ad-vector vaccination successfully induced an adaptive immune response that prevented subsequent Ad transduction in the cornea and conjunctiva-associated tissues in a mouse model of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis, and that both cellular and humoral immunity play an important role in preventing Ad transduction.     

Retinal disease in the C3 glomerulopathies and the risk of impaired vision

Background: Dense deposit disease and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome are often caused by Complement Factor H (CFH) mutations. This study describes the retinal abnormalities in dense deposit disease and, for the first time, atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome. It also reviews our understanding of drusen pathogenesis and their relevance for glomerular disease. Methods: Six individuals with dense deposit disease and one with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome were studied from 2 to 40 years after presentation. Five had renal transplants. All four who had genetic testing had CFH mutations. Individuals underwent ophthalmological review and retinal photography, and in some cases, optical coherence tomography, and further tests of retinal function. Results: All subjects with dense deposit disease had impaired night vision and retinal drusen or whitish-yellow deposits. Retinal atrophy, pigmentation, and hemorrhage were common. In late disease, peripheral vision was restricted, central vision was distorted, and there were scotoma from sub-retinal choroidal neovascular membranes and atypical serous retinopathy. Drusen were present but less prominent in the young person with atypical uremic syndrome due to a heterozygous CFH mutation. Conclusions: Drusen are common in forms of C3 glomerulopathy caused by compound heterozygous or heterozygous CFH mutations. They are useful diagnostically but also impair vision. Drusen have an identical composition to glomerular deposits. They are also identical to the drusen of age-related macular degeneration, and may respond to the same treatments. Individuals with a C3 glomerulopathy should be assessed ophthalmologically at diagnosis, and monitored regularly for vision-threatening complications.     

Kaposi sarcoma following postmastectomy lymphedema

Classical Kaposi sarcoma (KS) usually appears on lower extremities accompanied or preceded by local lymphedema. However, the development in areas of chronic lymphedema of the arms following mastectomy, mimicking a Stewart–Treves syndrome, has rarely been described. We report an 81‐year‐old woman who developed multiple, erythematous to purple tumors, located on areas of post mastectomy lymphedema. Histopathological examination evidenced several dermal nodules formed by spindle‐shaped cells that delimitated slit‐like vascular spaces with some red cell extravasation. Immunohistochemically, the human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV‐8) latent nuclear antigen‐1 was detected in the nuclei of most tumoral cells confirming the diagnosis of KS. Lymphedema could promote the development of certain tumors by altering immunocompetence. Although angiosarcoma (AS) is the most frequent neoplasia arising in the setting of chronic lymphedema, other tumors such as benign lymphangiomatous papules (BLAP) or KS can also develop in lymphedematous limbs. It is important to establish the difference between AS and KS because their prognosis and treatment are very different. Identification by immunohistochemistry of HHV‐8 is useful for the distinction between KS and AS or BLAP.     

单孔胸腔镜下肺癌术后胸腔引流时间的影响因素分析北大核心

目的:探讨单孔胸腔镜下肺癌手术术后胸腔引流时间的影响因素。方法:本研究采用回顾性分析方法,回顾我院2018年01月至2019年12月原发性肺癌患者经单孔胸腔镜手术治疗的病例199例。按照术后胸腔引流时间分为两组,Ⅰ组(术后胸腔引流时间<5天)和Ⅱ组(术后胸腔引流时间≥5天)。对于影响术后胸腔引流时间的可能因素在两组间先采用单因素分析的方法筛选,再将筛选出来的对术后胸腔引流时间可能有意义的影响因素进行二项Logistic多因素回归分析。结果:经单因素分析及二项Logistic多因素回归分析结果显示:年龄≥60岁、手术部位、肺段切除术、胸膜粘连、手术时间≥180 min、术后早期下床活动是术后胸腔引流时间的独立影响因素(P<0.05)。结论:对于具有多个延长术后胸腔引流时间的独立影响因素的患者,应制定个体化管理方案,尽可能减少术后胸腔引流时间,减少住院天数,加快患者康复。     

丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病的临床研究

目的 探讨丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病的临床疗效.方法 选取2019年6月—2021年6月在天津市职业病防治院门诊皮肤科就诊治疗的114例银屑病患者,根据随机数字法分为对照组和治疗组,每组各57例.对照组患者给予他扎罗汀倍他米松乳膏,洗净患处,待皮肤干爽后,将适量本品均匀涂抹于患处,1次/d.治疗组患者在对照组治疗基础上口服丹青胶囊,4粒/次,3次/d.两组患者均连续治疗7 d.观察两组患者的临床疗效和临床症状好转时间,比较两组治疗前与治疗1、4、8周的皮损面积和严重程度指数(PASI)评分和血清炎性因子水平.结果 治疗后,治疗组总有效率是98.25％,显著高于对照组的82.46％(P<0.05).治疗后,治疗组患者皮损暗红、皮损肥厚、皮肤瘙痒、皮肤疼痛等症状好转时间均显著短于对照组(P<0.05).治疗后,两组PASI评分均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05);治疗1、4、8周治疗组PASI评分显著低于对照组(P<0.05).治疗后,两组患者血清炎性因子白细胞介素6(IL-6)、白细胞介素17(IL-17)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)水平均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05);治疗后,治疗组血清炎性因子水平显著低于对照组(P<0.05).结论 丹青胶囊联合他扎罗汀倍他米松治疗银屑病效果明显,能显著降低炎性因子水平,并有助于改善皮损情况,值得临床推广应用.     

Proteases and their inhibitors as prognostic factors for high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Ovarian carcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies, but only very few prognostic biomarkers are known. The degradome, comprising proteases, protease non-proteolytic homologues and inhibitors, have been involved in the prognosis of many cancer types, including ovarian carcinoma. The prognostic significance of the whole degradome family has not been specifically studied in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. A targeted DNA microarray known as the CLIP-CHIP microarray was used to identify potential prognostic factors in ten high-grade serous ovarian cancer women who had early recurrence (<1.6 years) or late/no recurrence after first line surgery and chemotherapy. In women with early recurrence, we identified seven upregulated genes (TMPRSS4, MASP1/3, SPC18, PSMB1, IGFBP2, CFI – encoding Complement Factor I – and MMP9) and one down-regulated gene (ADAM-10). Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the prognostic effect of these 8 candidate genes in an independent cohort of 112 high-grade serous ovarian cancer women. Outcomes were progression, defined according to CA-125 criteria, and death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were done to estimate the associations between each protein and each outcome. High ADAM-10 expression (intensity of 2–3) was associated with a lower risk of progression (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.87). High complement factor I expression (intensity 2–3) was associated with a higher risk of progression (adjusted HR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.17–4.53) and death (adjusted HR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.72–6.79). Overall, we identified the prognostic value of two proteases, ADAM-10 and complement factor I, for high-grade serous ovarian cancer which could have clinical significance.