Objective To explore the correlation between Th1,Th2,Th17,and Treg cells differentiation and related cytokines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods Seventy-one patients with active RA were enrolled in this study.They were divided into low,moderate and high disease activity groups according to disease activity score (DAS28).The frequencies of Th1,Th2,Th17,and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients group (n=71) and healthy conlrol group (n=18) were determined by flow cytometry.T test was used for statistical analysis.Results Significant difference could be detected between the proportions of Th1 [ (6.2±4.5)％],Th17 [ (1.1±0.9)％] and Treg [(1.8±1.2)％] cells in the peripheral blood of RA patients and the control group (P＜0.05),and there was correlation between proportions of these three kinds of cell and the DAS28.Conclusion Th1 and Th 17 cells may promote the development of RA disease,but Th2 and Treg cells could prevent further development of RA disease.

BACKGROUND: Revascularization is a challenge for the tissue-engineered bone carrying cells after implanted into human body. Previous studies have found that tanshinol can improve the functions of endothelial progenitor cells and exert vascular protective effects.OBJECTIVE: To prepare the β-calcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold with tanshinol coating, and to observe its cytocompatibility.METHODS: The β-TCP scaffolds coated with 10-7, 10-6 and 10-5 mol of tanshinol were constructed by negative pressure absorption method. The distribution of tanshinol coating on the scaffold was observed using scanning electron microscopy,and the inner ingredients were analyzed by infrared spectrum. Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) were cultured in the extracts of β-TCP and β-TCP scaffolds with 10-7, 10-6, 10-5 mol of tanshinol coatings, respectively. The cell proliferation was detected at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days of culture; the levels of nitric oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor in the supernatants were detected at 1, 7 and 14 days of culture; the lumen formation on the matrigel was observed after 14-day culture. hEPCs were respectively seeded onto the β-TCP and β-TCP scaffolds with different dosages of tanshinol coating,and then the cell growth was observed under scanning electron microscope at 7 days.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The tanshinol coating evenly distributed on the inner surface of the pores, and its crystalline structure became dense with dosage increasing. Infrared spectrum analysis revealed no changes in the characteristic absorption peak of tanshinol and TCP in the scaffold. The β-TCP scaffolds with tanshinol coating could promote the proliferation of hEPCs, especially the scaffolds with 10-6 and 10-5 mol tanshinol coating. Compared with the β-TCP scaffold, the scaffolds with 10-6 and 10-5 mol tanshinol coating significantly upregulated the nitric oxide level at 14 days of culture, and significantly increased the level of vascular endothelial growth factor at 7 and 14 days of culture (P <0.05). Although it could be found in all β-TCP scaffolds with tanshinol coating, the lumen formation was the maturest in the scaffold with 10-5 mol tanshinol coating. These results suggest the β-TCP scaffolds with tanshinol coating can promote the proliferation and endothelial differentiation of hEPCs, and hold a good cytocompatibility.

Aim To clarify the effect of Borneol on the chloride channels and cell volume in poorly differentia-ted nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells.Methods The technique of whole-cell patch clamp was used to detect the chloride currents and analyze the character-istics of the currents in CNE-2Z cells.The volume changes caused by Borneol were measured by the meth-od of time-lapse live cell imaging.Results The chlo-ride currents were induced by extracellular application of Borneol (20 μmol·L -1 )isotonic condition.The currents showed a characteristic of outward rectification and did not show voltage-dependent or time-dependent inactivation.The reversal potential of the currents was close to the CI-equilibrium potential. The currents were inhibited by the chloride channel blocker tamox-ifen.The currents were also inhibited by 47% hyper-tonic solution.Borneol decreased the cell volume by 9.4% in 30 min.Tamoxifen completely inhibited the Borneol-induced cell volume decrease.Conclusion Borneol can activate volume-sensitive chloride channels and induce volume decrease in CNE-2Z cells.Chloride channels play a pivotal role in the process of volume decrease caused by Borneol.

Fusidic acid is the only fusidane-type antibiotic that has been clinically used. However, biosynthesis of this important molecule in fungi is poorly understood. We have recently elucidated the biosynthesis of fusidane-type antibiotic helvolic acid, which provides us with clues to identify a possible gene cluster for fusidic acid ( cluster). This gene cluster consists of eight genes, among which six are conserved in the helvolic acid gene cluster except and . Introduction of the two genes into the NSAR1 expressing the conserved six genes led to the production of fusidic acid. A stepwise introduction of and revealed that the two genes worked independently without a strict reaction order. Notably, we identified two short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase genes and in the cluster, which showed converse stereoselectivity in 3-ketoreduction. This is the first report on the biosynthesis and heterologous expression of fusidic acid.

Fusidane-type antibiotics, represented by helvolic acid, fusidic acid and cephalosporin P