Eosinophil disorders are a range of heterogeneous diseases, which manifest as persistent increase of eosinophile granulocyte in blood and tissue, and may cause microenvironment change and irreversible chronic organ damage. According to World Health Organization, eosinophil diseases were divided into hypereosinophilia (HE) and hypereosinophilia syndrome (HES) by whether the organ is involved. Besides familial HE, HE were also divided into secondary (reactive) HE, primary (clonal/neoplastic) HE, and idiopathic HE. Lymphocytic variant HE is a special kind of secondary HE. With the study of the molecular mechanism of lymphocytic variant HE, the diagnosis is gradually clear. Moreover, some targeted therapeutic drugs, such as anti IL-5 monoclonal antibody (Mepolizumab) and anti CD 52 monoclonal antibody (Alemtuzumab) were also appeared. In this paper, the current basic and clinical researches of lymphocytic variant HE are reviewed.

Defensin is a cysteine-rich, low molecular weight and cationic antimicrobial peptide. Human breast milk con-tains high level of defensin. The defensin in human breast milk can not only inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorgan-isms, but also promote the development of infant immune system and reduce the incidence of infantile upper respiratory infection. Nowadays, the roles of defensin in breast milk is more recognized. This paper focuses on the molecular characteristics of human defensin, its antibacterial and antiviral roles, and the latest progress in defensin research.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of detection of 14 kinds of food allergen-specific IgG. Methods Fourteen kinds of food allergen-specific IgG were detected by ELISA method in 211 patients with allergic diseases,and IgG positive rates of various foods were compared among patients with different sex,age and allergic diseases. Results Positive food allergen-specific IgG was detected in 193(91.4%)patients.Among 14 kinds of foods,the positive rate of food allergen-specific IgG was the highest for eggs(73.9%),and milk came the second.However,no elevated food allergen-specific IgG was observed for chicken and meat.Milk was the most common sensitizers for 0-12 month-old patients,and egg was the first cause for the other age groups.There were significant differences in the positive rates of food allergen-specific IgG for milk among different age groups(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the positive rate of food allergen-specific IgG between males and females(P>0.05).The positive rate of food allergen-specific IgG in patients with eczema was the highest(96.4%),and the lowest(83.3%)was found in those with chronic diarrhea,while there was no significant difference among different diseases(P>0.05).The positive rate of food allergen-specific IgG for milk differed significantly among different diseases(P<0.01).Positive food allergen-specific IgG was detected in 12 kinds of food(except for chicken and meat) for patients with allergic purpura. Conclusion Food intolerance is a complex allergy.The food allergen-specific IgG detection is of great importance as reference for etiologic diagnosis of allergic diseases.

Objective To investigate the effects of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection on apoptosis of cord blood monocytes-derived dendritic cells (DC) in neonates. Methods Cord blood monocytes were induced into DC by 50 ng/mL recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor(rhGM-CSF)and 10 ng/mL recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4),and DC were divided into three groups:①4G group:rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4 were added separately on the day of cell separation;②4G+0d EBV group:rhGM-CSF,rhIL-4 and B95.8 cell supernatants were added simultaneously on the day of cell separation;③4G+5d EBV group:hGM-CSF and rhIL-4 were added on the day of cell separation,and B95.8 cell supernatants were added on the 5th day.Percents of DC apoptosis were measured using Annexin V-FITC and PI staining by flow cytometry.The expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) was detected by Western Blot.Results Percent of DC apoptosis in 4G+0d EBV group was significantly higher than that in 4G group on the 6th to 14th day(P<0.05),and percent of DC apoptosis in 4G+5d EBV group was significantly higher than that in 4G group on the 7th to 14th day(P<0.05).The effects of EBV infection on percent of DC apoptosis had relations with infection time points.The expression of XIAP in DC decreased significantly after EBV infection. Conclusion EBV promotes apoptosis of cord blood monocytes-derived DC,which is associated with the differentiation and maturation status of DC.

Objective To study the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on neonatal lymphocyte immune function. Methods Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and CD3+ T lymphocytes were isolated from 8 neonates and were cultured with IVIG and/or/without phytohemagglutinin (PHA)based on which divided into five groups, i. e. (l)control group, (2)PHA activation group, (3) IVIG pre-inhibition group, (4) PHA pre-activation group and (5) PHA+IVIG group. The production of IFN-? and IL-4 of CBMCs and cord blood CD3+ T lymphocytes was measured with ELISA and the expression of IL-2 and IL-4 mRNA was measured with RT-PCR. The results were compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of 8 adults. Results The production of IFN-y by CBMCs and cord blood CD3+ T lymphocytes induced by PHA decreased after IVIG was given, while more remarkable decrease in the CBMCs was shown without any association with IVIG was given or not before or after PHA was used [Group 2; (313. 34?108. 00)pg/ml, Group 3: (17. 68?17. 98) pg/ml, group 4 : (170. 72?38. 25) pg/ml, group 5: (11. 10?8. 92)pg/ml]. For the CD3+ T lymphocytes, the decrease of IFN-? production was only observed in group 3, 4 and group 5 [(35. 30 ?12. 21)pg/ml, (8. 61?6. 21) pg/ml and (8. 54?1. 57)pg/ml]. The degree of decrease of IFN-? production by CBMCs was much lower [group 2: (1121. 11 ? 344. 58)pg/ml, group 3: (29. 08 ? 11. 20)pg/ml, group 4: (339. 63?47. 43) pg/ml, group 5: (26.40?21. 97)pg/ml]. The secretion for IL-4 did not changed when stimulated by PHA alone, but IL-2 and IL-4 mRNAs expression can be detected in CBMCs after repeated stimulation by PMA, PHA and rIL-2 which decreased after IVIG was given. Conclusions IVIG can suppress the production of IFN-? in cord blood T lymphocyte directly or mediated by other immune cells or molecules. IVIG can also decreased the expression of IL-2 mRNA and IL-4 mRNA in CBMCs. The effect of IVIG on the proliferation of cord blood lymphocytes and production of immunoglobulin in B lymphocytes might be associated with these inhibition.

Objective To study the changes of mRNA expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the rat brain exposed to repeated +Gz. Method The mRNA expression levels of HSP70 in rat brain were measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result The HSP70 mRNA expression levels in rat brains taken 30 min and 6 h after repeated +Gz exposures were significantly higher than those in control group, while the difference between the levels of control group and those of experimental rat brains taken 24 h after +Gz exposure was not significant. Conclusion It is suggested that HSP70 mRNA expression in rat brain can be induced by repeated +Gz exposures and the increased HSP70 mRNA expression may play an important role in self-protection against brain damage induced by+Gz exposures.

Objective To develop a flow cytometrie assay to for diagnosis of X-Linked Hyper.1gM Syndrome(XHIM).Methods Heparinized peripheral blood obtained from patient,mother and a healthy control was diluted with RPMI- 1640(unstimulated control)or with RPMI-1640 containing 15μl PMA(1 rig/μl)and 6 trl ionomycin(50 ng/μl)(stimulated cell).Using directly labeled antibodies,we have examined CD40 ligand levels on CD3+ CD8- lymphocyte surface,and CD69 levels on CD;lymphocyte Surface to determine whether the cells were activated.Results CD69 levels on CD3+ lymphocyte surface from stimulated group and from unstimulated group were above 96% and below 3%,respectively.CD40L levels Oil CD3 CDs-T lymphocyte surface from stimulated group were 0.8% (patient),60.04%(mother) and 62.87%(healthy contr01).CD40L levels on CD3+ CD8-T lymphocyte surface from unstimulated group were 0.88% (patient),4.15%(mother)and 5.51%(healthy contr01).Conclusion This flow cytometric assayis accurate and convenient,which Can be used in neonatal screening.

Objective To study the role of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) in pediatric Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura (HSP). Methods Urinary levels of KIM-1 were examined using ELISA in 48 children with HSP including 23 HSPN children (HSPN group) and 25 non-HSPN children (HSP group), and 20 healthy children. The levels of urinary creatinine and 24-hour urine protein were also detected. The results were analyzed and compared among groups. Results The ratio of urinary KIM-1/creatinine (Cr) in HSPN children was signiifcantly higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). There was no signiifcant difference in the ratio of urinary KIM-1/Cr between HSP group and the control group (P>0.05). The ratio of urinary KIM-1/Cr had no correlation with 24-hour urine protein in all HSP children (r=0.239, P=0.590). Conclusions Urinary KIM-1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of pediatric HSPN.

Objective To evaluate the effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on the expression of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in human HaCaT keratinocytes,and to explore the roles of extracelluar signal-regulated protein kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signaling pathways in the effect.Methods Some cultured human HaCaT keratinocytes were classified into three groups:control group treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (0.031％),TGP groups treated with 6 different concentrations (0.5,2.5,12.5,62.5,125.0 and 312.5 mg/L) of TGP respectively,inhibitor groups treated with TGP of 125 mg/L after 2-hour pretreatment with PD98059 (an ERK1/2 inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK1/2 inhibitor) of 10 μmol/L respectively.After additional culture for 48 hours,reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression level of IL-18,and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the level of IL-18 protein in the culture supematant of HaCaT cells.Some HaCaT keratinocytes were classified into two groups to be treated with TGP of 125 mg/L for 15,30 and 60 minutes with or without the pretreatment with PD98059 and SP600125 of 10 μmol/L; then,Western blot was carried out to determine the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 in HaCaT cells.Results The levels of IL-18 mRNA and protein in culture supernatant were significantly increased by TGP of 0.5 and 2.5 mg/L,but decreased by TGP of 62.5 and 125.0 mg/L,and TGP of 125.0 mg/L showed the strongest inhibitory effect.After treatment with TGP of 125.0 mg/L,the level of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in HaCaT cells peaked at 15 minutes (0.448 ± 0.018),decreased to 0.213 ± 0.005 at 30 minutes and 0.217 ± 0.005 at 60 minutes,with significant differences between TGP-treated and untreated cells at 15 minutes (0.448 ± 0.018 vs.0.204 ± 0.005,P＜ 0.05) but not at 30 or 60 minutes (both P ＞ 0.05).The phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 was 0.237 ± 0.010 in HaCaT cells pretreated with PD98059 prior to the treatment with TGP,significantly different from that in HaCaT cells treated with TGP only (P ＜0.01).TGP of 125.0 mg/L had no obvious effect on JNK phosphorylation,and there was no significant difference in the level of phosphorylated JNK1/2 between HaCaT cells untreated and those treated with TGP of 125.0 mg/L for different durations (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions TGP can inhibit the expression of IL-18 mRNA and protein in HaCaT cells,likely through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the immune characteristic of a patient with hypogammaglobulinaemia and low natural killer(NK)cell numbers. Methods Case histories were analyzed repeatedly to grasp important characteristics of the disease. A routine blood examination and peripheral blood immunological detection was done. Complete neutrophil function test,lymphocyte proliferation ability and cytokine profile were evaluated. Results A 3-year-old boy was referred to the hospital because of fever and abdominal pain as well as partial intestinal obstruction. Laboratory examination revealed low immunoglobulin,reduced absolute numbers of B and NK cells and deficient B cell function of lower IFN-γ and IL-12 production. The patient also had mesenteric lymphadenopathy and a caecal mass with histology suggestive of ileocecal junctional tuberculosis. The patient was infected with cytomegalovirus(CMV)and fungus,which are not common in simple antibody deficiencies. The patient was followed for four years and during this period the patient had recurrent periodontitis resulting in the loss of one tooth. Conclusions Although the precise mechanism of the defect is unclear,we speculate that the case may cast new light on primary immunodeficiencies predominantly with antibody deficiency.(J Clin Pediatr,2011,29(7):601-608)