MicroRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding molecules of ribonucleic acid. They are about 22 nucleotides in length, single-stranded, and mediate post-translational regulation by the repression or degradation of messenger RNA(mRNA). miRNA play a key part in the proliferation, differentiation and death of cells. Viral infection is one of the most common causes of human disease. Some studies have found that miRNA has a very close relationship with viral infection, which has an effect on viral replication, the immune response and antiviral immunity. Use of miRNA may become the cornerstone of new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of viral infection. This article summarizes the progress of research into miRNA and viral infection.
Animals ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Virus Physiological Phenomena ; Virus Replication ; Viruses ; genetics

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of antiendothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in systemic vasculitis. Method With Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) as substrate cell, sera from 129 systemic vasculitis patients [including 59 Behcet′s disease(BD), 28 Takayasu arteritis (TA), 20 Wegener′s granulomatosis (WG), 8 polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), 9 microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), 5 Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS)] were screened for the presence of AECA by ELISA. Sera from SLE, RA and healthy donors were examined as controls. The association of AECA to clinical disease activity was analyzed. Result The prevalence of AECA by HUVEC cell-ELISA was 59% in systemic vasculitis [48% in BD,79% in TA, 65% in WG, 63% in PAN, 44% in MPA, 80% in CSS], 46% in SLE, 4% in RA, and 2.4% in control group. Compared with patients with RA and control group, AECA were more frequently found in patients with systemic vasculitis and SLE (P

BAFF is an essential ligand essential for survival and differentiation of peripheral B cells. By interacting with three receptors, BAFF can promote B cell maturation and class switching, enhance humoral immunity and T cell co-stimulation. Over-expression of BAFF leads to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mouse model. Treating the mice model with BAFF antagonists can slow-down disease progression and enhance survival rate. Moreover, in some SLE patients serum level of BAFF is elevated and correlated with serum anti-dsDNA titer. The preliminary clinical trial of anti-BAFF monoclonal antibody has shown to be safe and effective. BAFF antagonists are promising therapeutic drugs for SLE.

0.05) but the incidence of toxicities in Group B was higher than in the other two groups. CONCLUSION:Comparatively speaking,Gemcitabine administered at 8 ∶ 00 was proved to be safer and more effective as compared with the other two groups in the treatment of NSCLC.

Objective To compare the phenotypes of abnormal CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells with traditional regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) in patients with untreated new-onset lupus (UNoL) and investigate their clinical relevance. Methods The expressions of surface markers (CD25, CD127, CCR4, GITR, CTLA-4) and intracellular marker(Foxp3) on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from twenty-two UNoL patients were analyzed by flow cytometry analysis, and their clinical relevance were assessed. Results There were no significant differences between CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25+Foxp3- T cells in the expressions of GITR, CTLA--4 and CCR4 (P>0.05), but they were significantly lower than those of CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells in UNoL patients (P<0.01). The percentages of CD127low- in CD4+Foxp3+CD25high,CD4+Foxp3+ CD25low and CD4+Foxp3+CD25+ T cells were (93.8±3.5 )%, (93.7±2.3)% and (92.0±2.1)% respectively (P> 0.05), whereas the expressions of Foxp3 on CD4+CD127low- T subpopulations showed significant differences in CD4+CDI27low-CD25high (91.4±2.6)%, CD4+CD127low-CD25low (71.9±3.3)% and CD4+CD127low-CD25- (9.0± 2.2)% T cells(P<0.01 ). The frequency of CD+CCR4+CD25high T cells correlated negatively with SLEDAI (r=-0.695,P<0.001).and it was significantly lower in lupus nephritis patients(1.10±0.17)%compared with SLE patients without nephritis [(1.61±0.23)%,P<0.01]and healthy controls [(1.75±0.10)%,P<0.01], furthermore,the frequency of CD4+CCR4+CD25low-T cells in lupus nephritis was significantly higher than that in healthy controls[(11.5±2.3)%vs (8.0±1.0)%,P<0.01].Conclusion The increased CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells in the Untreated Newonset Lupus(UNoL)patients mimic activated T effector cells.CD4+CD25high-CD127low-T cells can be used to isolate live CD4+CD25highFoxp3+regulatory T cells.CCR4+regulatory T cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of chitin as bone substitute material and carrier of rhBMP2.Methods: Porous chitin and chitin/rhBMP2/collagen complex were implanted into calvarial defects in 8 rabbits. Bone repairing ability was assessed by radiographic and histological observation. 2 rabbits without implantation were served as controls. Results: Chitin had certain bone conductive ability. When combined with rhBMP2,a complex possessing both bone conductive activity and bone inductive activity was produced. The complex had greater bone repairing ability than chitin alone. Conclusion: Chitin may be used as a bone substitute material and carrier of BMP. But its mechanical strength and surface activity should be improved.

Objective To investigate the effects of Thalidomide(THD)on transdifferentiation of human fetal lung fibroblast(HFL-F) to myofibroblast(MF) induced by Transforming Growth Factor-?1(TGF-?1) and the effects on trans differentiated MF.Methods HFL-F to MF trans-differentiation was induced with 5 ?g/L TGF-?1.The effect of 50 ?g/L THD on HFL-F to MF transdifferentiation was evaluated by measuring hydroxyproline(HYP) content with alkaline hydrolysis colorimetry,?-smooth muscle actin(?-SMA) protein with Western Blot,?-SMA and collagen Ⅲ(COL Ⅲ) mRNA with semiquantitative RT-PCR.Results THD inhibited TGF-?1 induced up-regulation of HYP and COLⅢ mRNA expressions(all P0.05).For HFL-F treated with 5 ?g/L TGF-?1 for 96 h,THD inhibited COLⅢ mRNA expression(P

Objective To study the changes of clonality of T cell receptor (TCR) and complementarity determinative region 3(CDR3) before and after autologous peripheral blood CD34+ stem cell transplantation(auto-PBSCT) for severe/refractory connective tissue disease(CTD). Methods Thirteen patients with severe/refractory CTD were enrolled for auto-PBSCT in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, including systemic lupus erythematosus (8 cases), rheumatoid arthritis(4 cases), and primary Sjogren’s Syndrome(1 case). Blood samples were collected before/after mobilization, 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months post-transplantation. Diversity of TCRBV and CDR3 were showed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and genescan. Results The TCR BV usage and CDR3 spectral pattern of pre-auto-PBSCT CTD patients were revealed skewed pattern and oligoclonality, Which developed severe oligoclonality within 1 months after auto-PBSCT. However, they showed diversity andpoly-clonality 3～6 months after auto-PBSCT. Conclusion Skewed pattern and oligoclonality of TCRBV and CDR3 which implied auto-reactive were depressed after auto-PBSCT, and inclined to change to normal pattern.

Objective To investigate that p53 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and its effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes from active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Human FLS was transfected with p53siRNA and cocultured with CD4+ T lymphocytes from active RA patients. The expression of osteoprotegerin and IL-6 secretion was detected in the transfected FLS. In addition, the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4 and CD25 as well as mRNA levels of IFN-γ RORγt, IL-17 and Foxp3 in cocuhured CD4+ T lymphocytes were also measured. Results IL-6 secretion decreased in p53-inhibited FLS while osteopro-tegerin expression was not altered, p53-inhibited FLS could significantly increase IL-17 and IFN-γ expres-sions. It also upregulated Foxp3 expression though had no effect on CD4+CD25high T lymphocytes. Conclusion p53 expression in FLS regulates Th1 and Th17 cells of RA patients, and therefore participate in the pathogenesis of RA.

Objective To study the clinical, laboratory, radiological and pathological findings of patients with hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP) in Wegner's granulomatosis (WG) to improve the recognition of the disease, even when it occurs in limited form. Methods Three patients were described and English literatures of biopsy-proven pachymeningitis in WG were reviewed. Results The features of WG-associated pachymeningitis included: ① Frequently occurred early in the course of active limited WG; ② Commonly presented with sever headache and cranial neuropathies in the absence of other meningeal irritative signs; ③ Variable cerebrospinal fluid findings with mild predominantly lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein concentration were major laboratorg findings; ④Elevated ESR and positive serum anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) could be found in most patients; ⑤ Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI is very senitive in the detection of pachymeningitis; ⑥A dural biopsy showed granulomatous necrotizing inflammation, giant cell, and evidence of vasculitis;⑦ A favorable response to standard treatment with corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide or other cytotoxic drugs could be observed. Conclusion HCP may be the initial or cardinal manifestation of the limited form of WG. Early diagnosis by ANCA, MRI and dural biopsy may facilitate diagnosis Corticosteroid and immunosupressant are the choices of treatment.