Objective To detect circulating CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells (Treg) and Toll-like receptor(TLR)2 and TLR4 expression on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis (LC), and to explore the correlation between them. Methods PBMCs isolated from 30 LC patients, 21 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 16 normal controls(NC) were stained with fluorescent labeling anti-TLR2-PE, anti-TLR4-APC, anti-CD14-FITC monoclonal antibodies and anti-CD4-PerCP, anti-CD25-FITC, anti-CD127-PE. Samples were detected by flow cytometry. Statistic analysis be-tween groups was performed by Kruskal-Wallis H test. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation of Treg and TLR2, TLR4. Results The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were significantly up-reg-ulated in patients with LC than those in the controls (TLR2 : 200.3 ± 96.8 vs 94.1 ± 17.6, P < 0.05 ; TLR4:32.1 ±7.2 vs 17.8 ±3.9, P<0.05). The expression of TLR4 was significantly increased in pa-tients with LC than those in patients with CHB (TLR4 : 32. 1 ± 7.2 vs 25.2 ± 8.3, P < 0.05), but there were no differences of TLR2 expression between LC and CHB(200.3 ± 96.8 vs 214.0 ± 72.6, P > 0.05). Treg/CD4+ T cells were 5.07% ±1.43%, 5.88% ±1.66%, 4.21% ±1.24% in patients with LC, CHB and NC, respectively. Treg/CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in patients with CHB than those in pa-tients with NC(P<0. 05) and LC(P <0.05), but there were no differences between LC and NC(P > 0.05). TLR4 expression and Treg were positive correlation (r = 0. 469, P = 0. 032) and TLB2 expression were negative correlation in patients with LC (r = -0.428, P = 0.021). Conclusion The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were up-regulated on PBMCs in patients with LC. It seems to be expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in-volved in the pathogenesis of LC.

The coding region of S genome segment of Hantaan virus (76/118 strain) was inserted into the eukarytic expression plasmidpVR1012. The recombinant expression plasmid pVRS22 was constructed. Vero-E6 cells were transiently transfected in vitro with pVRS22 plasmid. The transient expression of Hantaan virus nucleocapsid proteins in Vero-E6 cells was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with monoclonal antibody 5H5 against Hantaan virus.

Objective To develop a reverse genetics system for Hantaan virus (HTNV) 84FLi strain by using RNA polymerase [ (pol Ⅰ)-mediated transcription. Methods Complementary DNA (cDNA) containing the coding sequence for chloramphenicol acetyhransferase (CAT) was inserted into the 5'-and 3'-terminal untranslated regions of HTNV 84FLi L segment. These chimeric cDNAs (pol Ⅰ expression cassette) were cloned into plasmids and between the human pol Ⅰ promoter and terminator to generate sense and anti-sense RNA pol Ⅰ transcription reporter plasmids. The reporter plasmids were transfeeted into 293T cells or the 1:1 combination of 293T and HTNV infected Vero cells. These cells were cotransfected with expression plasmids encoding Ⅰ. (RNA dependent RNA polymerase) and N (nucleoprotein) viral proteins, Cells were harvested 48 h post-transfection and the CAT activity was detected. The 293T cells were infected with the supernatant to explore the passage ability of CAT activity. ResultsThe reporter plasmids pLvRNA-CAT and pLcRNA-CAT were constructed successfully. CAT activity was detected in transfected cells and could also be serially passaged in the rescued virus minigenomes. Conclusion The RNA polymerase ]-driven reverse genetics system successfully rescues HTNV 84FLi minigenomes.

Objective To observe the nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-κB and IRF-3 in TLR4 silenced EVC304 cells infected by HTNV and to provide new information for anti-HTNV innate immunity and its signal transduction. Methods TLR4~- cells and TLR4~+ cells were infected by HTNV 76-118, respectively. The cells stimulated by LPS were selected as positive control groups, and the cells without stimulation were selected as negative control groups. After 6 hours, indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA) was used to detect the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and IRF-3. Results The transcription factor NF-κB and IRF-3 transfered into nuclear 6 hours after stimulated by HTNV 76-118. Conclusion TLR4 may mediate the nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-κB and IRF-3 in HTNV infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to make prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) by detecting organic acid and acylcarnitine in amniotic fluid.Methods From October 11,2007 to December 20,2014,131 pregnant women with MMA proband received prenatal diagnosis of MMA in Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (case group).Another 120 cases of pregnant women for conventional prenatal diagnosis at the same period were as control group.The pregnant women of two groups had the amniocentesis at 16 to 20 weeks of gestation.The levels of propionylcarnitine(C3) and acetylcarnitine(C2)in amniotic fluid were detected by tandem mass spectrometry.The methylmalonic acid and methylcitrate acid were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.MMA gene of cells in amniotic fluid of eighty fetuses with proband clearly diagnosed were detected by gene testing.Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon test.Results In case group,29 fetuses were found positive for higher level of C3,C3/C2,methylmalonic acid and methylcitrate acid compared with normal reference value,and the detected rate of fetal MMA was 22.1％(29/131).The levels of C3 and C3 / C2 in amniotic fluid of these 29 cases were higher than those in control group[8.13(2.42-16.70) vs 1.04(0.52-3.40) μmol/L,Z =-8.313; 0.77(0.30-1.79) vs 0.10(0.05-0.22),Z=-8.374; P ＜ 0.05 respectively].The levels of methylmalonic acid and methylcitrate acid were also higher[9.13(1.68-61.78) vs 0.00(0.00-1.31) mmol/mol Crea,Z=-11.348; 0.58(0.00-1.90) vs 0.05(0.00-0.52) mmol/mol Crea,Z=-6.632,P ＜ 0.05 respectively].For the other 102 cases in case group,the levels of C3,C3/C2,methylmalonic acid and methylcitrate acid were not higher than normal reference value,and were similar to those in control group (P ＞ 0.05); while they were lower than those of positive MMA fetuses (all P ＜ 0.05).Among 29 positive fetuses,16 fetuses were detected MMA gene,five were diagnosed as MUT forms of MMA and 11 were MMACHC forms of MMA.In 102 MMA negative fetuses,64 fetuses were detected MMA gene,44 were found one mutant site and 20 were found no gene mutation.The coincidence rate between gene detecting and mass spectrometry was 100％(80/80).Conclusions Mass spectrometry could be used to measure the C3,methylmalonic acid and methylcitrate acid levels in amniotic fluid of pregnant women with MMA proband to make prenatal diagnosis.

ld have an improved outcome after reasonable treatments. The gene mutation detection suggests that 609G>A (W203X) may be the hot spot mutation of MMACHC gene in Chinese patients.

Objective To investigate the acid α glucosidase(GAA)gene mutations and clinical features of a Chinese patient exhibiting signs and symptoms of infantile glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ(GSD Ⅱ). Methods Clinical features of the patient were reviewed,and GAA activity in the patient＇s and her parents＇ whole leukocytes were measured. GAA coding regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),and analyzed by direct DNA sequencing. Results The patient showed feeding difficulties,generalized hypotonia and weakness starting at 2 months of age. Cardiomegaly and cardiomyopathy were found at 4 months. She died of cardiorespiratory failure at the age of 6 months. GAA activity in leukocytes was low in the patient(17.3% of the median normal range). Genotyping revealed the patient was a heterozygote for a novel nonsense mutation p.W738X and a previously reported nonsense mutation p.E888X. The reported pseudodeficiency allele c.1726G ＞ A;2065G ＞ Awas found in the patient and her mother. Conclusions Correct diagnosis was made for this patient by combination of GAA activity assay and genetic analysis. From the clinical course,this patient should be classified as infantile type of GSD Ⅱ,suggesting that the novel mutation p.W738X may have a damaging effect on the function of GAA. Pseudodeficiency allele found in this family highlights the importance of genetic analysis of GAA when performing diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis for the affected families,as this allele causes low GAA activity in normal individuals.

Objective To investigate the expression of CXCR6 in allograft rejection and effect of CXCL16/CXCR6 interaction on allograft survival Methods Intra-abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation was performed using wild type (WT) Balb/c mice (H-2d) (allogeneic) as donors or WT C57BL/6 mice (B6, H-2b) (syngeneic) as donors, and using WT B6 mice as recipients. The intragraft expression of CXCR6 and expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells of the spleens from syngeneic and allogeneic recipients were examined. The allogeneic recipients were further divided into the experimental group (n = 5) and control group (n = 6) randomly. The experiment group and control group were injected with anti-CXCL16 mAb or control mAb respectively until rejection occurred. The cardiac allograft survival in experimental group and control group was evaluated. Results Rejected allografts showed higher expression of CXCR6 than syngeneic cardiac grafts. More importantly,expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells was also up-regulated by allograft rejection. However, injection of anti-CXCL16 mAb could not inhibit cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, experimental group could not prolong the cardiac graft survival time as compared with control group. Conclusion Expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells is up-regulated in allograft rejection.

Objective To observe the protective effects of Toll-like receptor(TLR)-4 siRNA against acute liver injury in mice induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and D-galactosamine(D-GalN).Methods One hundred and fifty C57BL/6 male mice were divided into 5 groups: phosphate buffered solution(PBS)pretreatment group,negative control plasmid pretreatment group,TS4 pretreatment group,TS6 pretreatment group and TS7 pretreatment group.Acute liver injury was induced in mice by intraperitoneal coinjection of LPS(10 ng/g)and D-GalN(1 mg/g).In vivo delivery of siRNA was performed via the tail vein by hydrodynamic injections(50 μg siRNA dissolved in 1 mL PBS)24 h and 48 h before coinjection of LPS and D-GalN. Expression of TLR-4 in liver tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry.The changes of TLR-4,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and macrophage nflammatory protein(MIP)-2 mRNA levels in liver tissues were determined by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analysis.MIP-2 and TNF-α concentrations in the sera of mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase(AST) in serum were measured by standard autoanalyzer techniques. Liver pathological changes were observed by haematoxylin-eosin staining, while cell apoptosis levels in liver were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl-mediated-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)assay. The difference of survival rates in 5 groups was analyzed by Fisher's exact probability test.ResultsPretreatment with TLR-4 siRNA down-regulated the TLR-4 mRNA and protein expressions,and significantly decreased the mortality and liver injury caused by coinjection of LPS and D-GalN in C57BL/6 mice.TLR-4 siRNA significantly down-regulated the TNF-α and MIP-2 mRNA expression and cytokine levels as determined by RT-PCR and ELISA,respectively. TLR-4 siRNA abrogated hepatocyte necrosis and inflammatory infiltration and also remarkably reduced serum concentrations of transaminases. The percentage of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes was significantly reduced in TLR-4 siRNA pretreatment group(TS4 pretreatment group: 0.065±0.015 vs PBS pretreatment group; 0.346±0.062,P＜0.05).ConclusionIt suggest that inhibition of TLR-4 expression by TLR-4 siRNA may provide potential application value for preventing liver injury.

Objective To examine the contribution of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells to liver transplant tolerance. Methods After injection of anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb, PC61), mouse orthotopic liver transplantation was performed and survivals were determined. The paraffin-embedded sections of hepatic allografts were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Furthermore, the effect of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells on proliferative response of CD4+ T cells and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells was examined by depleting these regulatory T cells. Results Depletion of these cells in the recipients but not in the donors before liver transplantation caused rejection. Histological analyses of hepatic allografts with PC61 treatment showed extensive leukocyte infiltration and tissue destruction, whereas those in the control group showed minimal changes. Moreover, elimination of CD4+CD25+ T cells resulted in the enhancement of both proliferative response of CD4+ T cells and cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells against donor-type alloantigen. Conclusions These results suggest that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were important for tolerance induction to hepatic allografts.