There are increasing evidences that allergic rhinitis (AR) may influence the clinical course of asthma. We conducted methacholine challenge test and nasal eosinophils on nasal smear to patients with allergic rhinitis in order to investigate the mechanism of connecting upper and lower airway inflammation in 35 patients with AR during exacerbation. The methacholine concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20) was used as thresholds of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Thresholds of 25 mg/dL or less were assumed to indicate BHR. All patients had normal pulmonary function. Significant differences in BHR were detected in the comparison of patients with cough or postnasal drip and without cough or postnasal drip. There were significant differences of PC20 between patients with cough or postnasal drip and those without cough or postnasal drip (3.41 +/-3.59 mg/mL vs 10.2 +/-1.2 mg/mL, p=0.001). The levels of total IgE were higher in patients with seasonal AR than in patients with perennial AR with exacerbation (472.5 +/-132.5 IU/L vs. 389.0 +/-70.9 IU/L, p<0.05). Nasal eosinophils were closely related to log PC20 (r=-0.65, p<0.01). These findings demonstrated that nasal eosinophilic inflammation might contribute to BHR in patients with AR.
Adult ; Bronchi/*immunology ; Bronchial Hyperreactivity/*immunology ; Eosinophils/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Inflammation ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/*immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/*immunology ; Spirometry ; Time Factors

No abstract available.
Angina, Unstable/*enzymology/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators/*blood ; Interleukins/*blood ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/*blood ; Myocardial Infarction/*enzymology/*immunology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/*blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the level of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) represents the status of inflammation and stages of fibrosis in livers of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during the immune clearance phase (IC).

METHODSLiver biopsy samples and sera were collected from 165 consecutive patients (136 males; 29 females) with CHB in IC who were treated in our hospital between March 2009 and June 2011. Routine biochemical tests were carried out to measure indicators of liver function. The relation between HBsAg level and liver pathological stages were determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of HBsAg level for liver pathological stages. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze potentially relevant indicators, and liver pathology-predicting models were built and analyzed by the ROC method.

RESULTSThe mean values of HBsAg (IU/mL) were significantly different at the different liver inflammation stages: G1, 27 716.07+/-32 870.69; G2, 34 478.75+/-40 899.55; G3, 19 408.09+/-24 881.07; G4, 14 286.31+/-28 610.14. Likewise, the mean values of HBsAg (IU/mL) were significantly different at the different liver fibrosis stages: S1, 41 337.23+/-43 236.39; S2, 27 264.32+/-32 517.29; S3, 111 541.77+/-11 538.93; S4, 11 447.37+/-22215.44. Spearman's rank correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation between HBsAg level and liver inflammation stage (rs = -0.244) and fibrosis stage (rs = -0.365). ROC curve analysis of the diagnostic value of HBsAg for inflammation stages S more than or equal to 4 revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.70. The specificity of diagnosing S more than or equal to 4 was > 95.16% when HBsAg was less than or equal to 32995 IU/mL. Binary logistic regression analysis identified age, serum albumin, cholinesterase, and HBsAg as independent predictors of liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONHBsAg level is negatively correlated with liver inflammation and fibrosis stages for patients with CHB in the IC phase, and might represent a useful noninvasive marker of the degree of hepatic fibrosis.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Liver ; immunology ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines levels of 22 HFRS patients (9 mild cases and 13 moderate cases) 1, 4, and 12 weeks after they were diagnosed. Sixteen healthy blood donors were recruited as control group.

RESULTSThe levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-8 in HFRS patients were significantly higher than those in control group 1 week after they were diagnosed (all P < 0.01). The levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in HFRS patients returned to the normal levels four weeks after the diagnosis, while those of IL-1beta, IL-8, and IL-10 remained significantly higher than those in control group 12 weeks after the diagnosis (all P < 0.01). The IL-8 and IL-10 levels in mild HFRS patients were significantly higher than those in moderate HFRS patients at the same period (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAbnormal expressions and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines occurs during the disease course of HFRS.

Adult ; Animals ; Cytokines ; blood ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; blood ; immunology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect on erythropoietin (Epo) resistance between acupoint injection and subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).

METHODSThirty-eight cases were randomly divided into two groups, 19 cases in each one. In subcutaneous injection group (control group), subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo was administered, 3 times a week, lasting 2 months. In acupoint group (observation group), rHuEpo was injected on unilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36), one point was chosen each time, the bilateral acupoints were injected alternatively, 3 times a week, for 2 months. Meanwhile, a normal control group of 19 healthy persons was set up. The levels of CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Scr, BUN, Hb, Hct and SF were observed.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the values of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in two groups were all higher than those in normal control group (all P < 0.01). After treatment for 2 months, the values of CRP, IL-6,TNF-alpha, Scr and BUN in two groups decreased apparently and those of Hb, Hct and SF increased obviously, indicating statistic significant differences as compared with the values before treatment separately (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In comparison between two groups after treatment, every index above in observation group was improved much significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupoint injection of rHuEpo at Zusanli (ST 36) and Shenshu (BL 23) increases significantly the values of Hb, Hct and SF, and decreases apparently the values of BUN, Scr and inflammatory factors, such as CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha as compared with subcutaneous injection. Acupoint injection improves Epo resistance and enhances Epo efficacy via alleviating micro-inflammatory state of the body.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Drug Resistance ; Erythropoietin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; immunology ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; immunology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; immunology

We evaluated the inflammatory indices according to the fever duration in children with Kawasaki disease (KD), and determined duration when the inflammatory processes in KD reach their peak. Children with KD (n=152) were classified into 7 groups according to fever duration: at the third day or earlier (n=20), fourth (n=33), fifth (n=46), sixth (n=15), seventh (n=15), eighth (n=9), and at the ninth day or later after fever onset (n= 14). The levels of various laboratory indices were determined 3 times: before, 24 hr and 7 days after intravenous immunoglobulin administration (2 g/kg). WBC and neutrophil counts, and C-reactive protein level were the highest at the sixth day. Levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and high density lipoprotein cholestrol were the lowest at the sixth day. Although these indices were not significant statistically between groups, the indices showed either bell-shaped or U-shaped distribution of which peak or trench were at the sixth day. These findiugs showed that the inflammatory processes in KD reach peak on the sixth day of fever onset. This finding is important because a higher single-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment before the peak day may help reduce the coronary artery lesions in KD.
Child, Preschool ; Coronary Vessels/pathology ; Female ; *Fever/blood ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use ; Infant ; *Inflammation/blood/immunology ; Male ; *Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome/blood/immunology/pathology/therapy ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo examine the changes in the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and elucidate the inflammatory status of apparently healthy subjects.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples (5 ml) were collected after fasting for more than 8 h from 14 healthy control subjects and 14 apparently healthy subjects with elevated serum high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) level (≥ 2.0 mg/L). PBMCs were separated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and the total RNA was extracted for real-time quantitative PCR analysis of the inflammatory cytokines, and plasma was separated for ELISA analysis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expressions.

RESULTSThe gene expressions of TNF-α and MCPIP were significantly increased in PBMCs of apparently healthy subjects, while IL-6 and MCP-1 only showed slight elevations; IL-10 expression in PBMCs decreased significantly in apparently healthy subjects as compared to that in the control group. The results of ELISA showed significantly elevated TNF-α level without significant changes of plasma IL-6 level in apparently healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONIn apparently healthy subjects with normal lipid levels, chronic low-grade inflammation has occurred shown by elevated expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and lowered expressions of the anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

TGF-beta-induced tolerogenic-antigen presenting cells (Tol-APCs) could induce suppression of autoimmune diseases such as collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and allergic asthma. In contrast, many studies have shown that NKT cells are involved in the pathogenesis of Th1-mediated autoimmune joint inflammation and Th2-mediated allergic pulmonary inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of CD1d-restricted NKT cells in the Tol-APCs-mediated suppression of autoimmune disease using a murine CIA model. When CIA-induced mice were treated with Tol-APCs obtained from CD1d+/- or CD1d-/- mice, unlike CD1d+/- APCs, CD1d-/- Tol-APCs failed to suppress CIA. More specifically, CD1d-/- Tol-APCs failed to suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines and the induction of Th2 responses by antigen-specific CD4 T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that the presence of CD1d-restricted NKT cells is critical for the induction of Tol-APCs-mediated suppression of CIA.
Animals ; Antibodies/blood ; Antibody Formation/immunology ; Antibody Specificity/immunology ; Antigen-Presenting Cells/*immunology ; Antigens, CD1d/immunology ; Arthritis, Experimental/blood/*immunology/*prevention & control ; Collagen Type II/immunology ; Cytokines/blood ; Immune Tolerance/*immunology ; Inflammation Mediators/blood ; Mice ; Natural Killer T-Cells/*immunology ; Th1 Cells/immunology

OBJECTIVETo characterize the biological function of calmodulin (CaM) from Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis, Cs) and investigate its role in clonorchiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis.

METHODSThe full-length sequence of CsCaM gene was isolated from Cs cDNA library and its homologues were searched using BLASTx for comparison. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to compare the homologues and predict the physiochemical characteristics and functional domains. The gene was cloned in a prokaryotic plasmid and expressed in E. coli, and the recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography for immunizing rats to produce polyclonal antibodies, whose titer was determined using ELISA analysis. Immunoblotting analysis was carried out to determine of the purity and antibody recognition of CsCaM. Immunofluorescence assay was employed to analyze the tissue location of the protein. A rat model of liver fibrosis was established by introperitoneal injection of the recombinant protein.

RESULTSThe recombinant CsCaM protein obtained contained 150 amino acids with a theoretical molecular mass of 23.4 kD. CsCaM homologue had EF hand motifs. The recombinant pET-30a-CsCaM plasmid expressed in BL21 E. coli was about 23.4 kD. The total IgG antibody titer in the immunized mice reached the peak level (over 1: 51200) 2 to 4 weeks after the first injection. Immunohistochemistry showed that CsCaM located in the testis of adult C. sinensis. The rats receiving intraperitoneal injection of CsCaM showed severe liver inflammation with mild to moderate liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONThe pro-inflammation and pro-fibrosis effects of CsCaM in rat liver suggest its involvement in clonorchiasis- associated hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Antibodies, Helminth ; blood ; Antigens, Helminth ; immunology ; Calmodulin ; immunology ; Clonorchiasis ; immunology ; Clonorchis sinensis ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Library ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Inflammation ; Liver Cirrhosis ; parasitology ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection on the production of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and Th1/Th2 balance in asthmatic mice.

METHODSThirty-two female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely the PBS group, ovalbumin (OVA) group, RSV group and OVA/RSV group. The mice were sensitized by OVA and then stimulated with nebulized OVA, and RSV was inoculated into the nasal cavity of the mice. BUXCO noninvasive lung function detection was performed to examine the airway response to metacholine, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-gamma in the mice. The cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted and classified, and the supernatants of the BALF were used for the detection of TSLP. Histopathological changes in the lung tissues of the mice were examined using HE staining, and immunohistochemistry using anti-mouse TSLP antibody was performed to examine TSLP expressions in the airway epithelial cells.

RESULTSRSV infection promoted the production of TSLP in the asthmatic mice, and the concentration of TSLP in OVA/RSV group (2.13-/+0.05 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in the other groups (P<0.01). RSV infection increased the serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-gamma in the mice. The total BALF cells, eosinophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils in OVA/RSV group were significantly higher than those in the other groups; noninvasive lung function examination showed higher Penh value in OVA/RSV group (318.66-/+50.87) than in the other groups when the inhaled metacholine increased to 6.25 mg/ml (P<0.01). More obvious and extensive airway inflammatory cell infiltration in OVA/RSV group were observed, and immunohistochemical staining also showed higher expression of TSLP in the airway epithelial cells of OVA/RSV group.

CONCLUSIONSRSV infection promotes the production of TSLP in the airway epithelial cells and increases the level of Th2 cytokines in asthmatic mice. Concurrent RSV infection can exacerbate Th2 inflammatory reaction in asthmatic mice.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; secretion ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; immunology ; virology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukins ; blood ; Lung ; immunology ; metabolism ; virology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; virology