OBJECTIVETo explore effects and action mechanism of warm moxibustion on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis.

METHODSForty-one male Japanese big-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rabbits), a model group (10 rabbits), a moxibustion group (10 rabbits) and a medication group (11 rabbits). Normal diet was applied in the blank group while high-cholesterol diet combined with injection of bovine serum albumin were applied in the rest groups to establish rabbit model of atherosclerosis. After establishment, the model group was not intervened and warm moxibustion was applied in the moxibustion group at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) and "Shenque" (CV 8), 10 min per acupoint per day for continuous 4 weeks. The medication group was treated with intragastric administration of lovastatin capsule (3.6 mg/kg) for continuous 4 weeks. The level of blood lipids, such as total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and content of CD40 ligand (CD40L), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and expression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB were tested after 4 weeks.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the moxibustion group and medication group could effectively reduce the contents of TC and low density lipoprotein (all P < 0.05), lower the level of sCD40L [(8.310 +/- 1.221) ng/mL in the model group, (7.097 +/- 0.846) ng/mL in the moxibustion group and (7.354 +/- 0.631) ng/mL in the medication group], reduce expression of CD40L [(0.235 +/- 0.179) mm2 in the model group, (0.072 +/- 0.079) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.039 +/- 0.015) mm2 in the medication group] and NF-kappaB [(0.145 +/- 0.052)mm2 in the model group, (0.052 +/- 0.012) mm2 in the moxibustion group and (0.036 +/- 0.013) mm2 in the medication group], indicating the significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the moxibustion group and medication group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe warm moxibustion has great effect on regulation of blood lipids and anti-atherosclerosis, in which lowering expression of CD40-CD40L could be one of possible mechanisms to take effect of anti-atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; therapy ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Rabbits

Chemokine is a class of soluble active peptides that attract white blood cells to the inflammatory site. CD40 ligand (CD40L) involves in synthesis of proinflammatory mediators. Accumulation of chemokine and CD40L can induce non-hemolytic reaction after transfusion, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and autoimmune disease during blood component storage. Pre-storage leucocyte deletion can prevent the release of leucocyte-derived chemokines, but not prevent the accumulation of platelet-derived chemokines. γ-irradiation or ultraviolet β irradiation is effective in preventing the increase of chemokines in the storage of platelet, thus prevents non-hemolytic febrile reaction after platelet transfusion. In this review, the recent advance in research of accumulation of chemokines and CD40L during blood component storage, and its effect on blood transfusion, as well as preventive measures are summarized.
Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Blood Preservation ; Blood Transfusion ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Chemokines ; blood ; Humans

Adult ; Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThe pathogenesis of bronchiolitis has not been fully identified. Immune function abnormality following virus infection may be associated with the pathogenesis. CD40 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) is a pair of co-stimulatory molecules in immunoreaction. They might play an important role in the development of bronchiolitis. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CD40 and CD40L in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in children with bronchiolitis and explore their possible roles in the disease.

METHODSThirty children with bronchiolitis, 26 children with bronchopneumonia and 30 healthy children (control) were enrolled. Flow cytometry was used to detect CD40 and CD40L expression in PBMCs. Total serum IgE level was measured using ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, CD40L expression significantly increased in the bronchiolitis and bronchopneumonia groups (P< 0.05). The CD40L expression in the bronchiolitis group was significantly higher than that in the bronchopneumonia group (P< 0.05). A significantly increased CD40 expression was also found in the bronchiolitis group when compared with the bronchopneumonia and the control group (P< 0.01). Total serum IgE level in the bronchiolitis group was significantly higher than the bronchopneumonia and the control groups (P< 0.01). CD40 and CD40L expression was positively correlated with serum IgE level in the bronchiolitis group (r=0.607, r=0.819, respectively; P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCD40 and CD40L expression in PBMCs and serum IgE level increased and there is a positive correlation between CD40 and CD40L expression and serum IgE level in children with bronchiolitis. Over-expression of CD40 and CD40L may play an important role in the development of bronchiolitis.

Bronchiolitis ; etiology ; immunology ; CD40 Antigens ; blood ; physiology ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Infant ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; chemistry ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical implications of expression of CD40L in monocytes and changes in serum soluble CD40L in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODSSixteen control and 56 patients, including 24 with stable angina (SA), 20 with unstable angina (UA) and 12 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) enrolled in this study. Expression of CD40L in monocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry and sCD40L levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSExpression of CD40L in monocytes and serum levels of sCD40L in UA and AMI patients were higher than in SA patients and controls. In patients with AMI, sCD40L levels showed no significant increase when compared to patients with UA, while AMI patients had a peak level of sCD40L at 24 hours after AMI. PTCA induced a marked rise in sCD40L levels in all patients, while CD40L expression in monocytes showed no difference between patients with PTCA, before and after.

CONCLUSIONEnhanced level of serum sCD40L may be a reliable prognostic indicator for ACS and may represent a marker of coronary disease activity.

Angina Pectoris ; blood ; pathology ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Monocytes ; metabolism ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; pathology

Adolescent ; Asthma ; blood ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between serum levels of some inflammatory markers and stability of carotid plaques in the patients with carotid plaques and evaluate the ability of each serum marker in identifying vulnerable carotid plaques.

METHODSThe study included 65 consecutive patients with carotid plaques confirmed by imaging examinations from March 2008 to March 2010. All the patients were classified as stable plaques group (n = 21) and unstable plaques group (n = 44) according to the characteristic findings of the plaques in MRI such as the thickness of fibrous cap, the existence of large lipid core and the intra-plaque hemorrhage. The patients of unstable plaques group were further classified as unruptured plaques group (n = 29) and rupture plaques group (n = 15) according to the integrity of fibrous cap. Serum levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (sCD40L), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) were determined by ELISA.

RESULTSSerum levels of sCD40L and MMP-9 in patients of unstable plaques group, unruptured plaques group and rupture plaques group were all significantly enhanced compared to individuals of stable plaques group (SCD40L: χ(2) = 6.45, 12.04 and 16.23, P < 0.01; MMP-9; F = 2.55, 5.10 and 4.69, P < 0.05). Serum levels of PAPP-A in patients of unstable plaques group and rupture plaques group were all significantly enhanced compared to individuals of stable plaques group (χ(2) = 11.71 and 13.55, P < 0.05). Serum levels of PAPP-A in patients of rupture plaques group were significantly enhanced compared to individuals of unruptured plaques group (χ(2) = 13.19, P = 0.000). sCD40L ≥ 673.22 ng/L (OR = 22.47, 95%CI: 2.11 - 239.81, P = 0.010), MMP-9 ≥ 84.09 µg/L (OR = 10.01, 95%CI: 1.74 - 57.78, P = 0.010) and PAPP-A ≥ 0.101 µg/L (OR = 14.29, 95%CI: 2.69 - 75.90, P = 0.002) were all significantly correlated with the vulnerability of carotid plaques.

CONCLUSIONSThere appear to be a relationship between the serum levels of sCD40L, MMP-9 and PAPP-A and the stability of carotid plaques in patients with carotid plaques. High serum levels of the above-mentioned markers may indicate that the plaques were vulnerable or ruptured.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Carotid Stenosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and its mechanism of reducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by in vitro blockade of CD(40)-CD(40)L pathway in vitro, the donor T lymphocytes cultured in vitro with anti-CD(40)L mAb were transfused in bone marrow transplantation (BMT) GVHD mouse model.

METHODSC57BL/6(H-2b) spleen T cells were isolated as responder cells, and BALB/c(H-2d) spleen cells as stimulator cells. They were cocultured with or without Anti-CD(40)L mAb as anti-CD(40)L mAb group and control group, respectively. At day 5, the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR)-culture cells mixed with bone marrow cells and transfused respectively into the TBI conditioned recipient mice. The mice were divided into two groups: group A, bone marrow cells (2 x 10(6)) and spleen T lymphocytes (2 x 10(6)) from MLR control group; group B, bone marrow cells (2 x 10(6)) and spleen T lymphocytes (2 x 10(6)) from MLR anti-CD(40)L mAb group. The GVHD incidence and hematopoietic reconstitution were observed. Peripheral blood sera and spleen cells of the recipients mice were harvested at scheduled time points for the measurement of cytokines and T cell immunophenotyping with flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe incidence of GVHD in group A was 100% (10/10), and in group B was 20% (2/10). The percentage of H-2D(b) positive cells in group B (n = 8) was (93.54 +/- 2.32)% at day 40 after transplantation. The levels of cytokines in serum from group B were significantly lower than those from group A (P < 0.05). The expressions of CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+), CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+), CD(8)(+)CD(25)(+), CD(4)(+)CD(69)(+), CD(8)(+)CD(69)(+) and CD(4)(+)CD(40)L(+) were lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.05). The expressions of CD(8)(+)CD(40)L(+) and CD(4)(+)CD(45)RA(+) were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBlockade of CD(40)-CD(40)L interaction in vitro could induce immune tolerance in vivo, reduce aGVHD in aGVHD mice model and form chimerism, which was mediated by inhibiting the Th1 and Th2 cytokines production, inducing tolerance of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) cells to alloantigens. The obstruction of T cells activation after tolerance happened mainly at the early and mature phase of T cells activation. These provided the experimental basis for the use of anti-CD(40)L mAb in the clinical transplantation to prevent aGVHD.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; adverse effects ; CD40 Antigens ; physiology ; CD40 Ligand ; immunology ; physiology ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of prolactin on CD40 and CD154 expressions on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the role of prolactin in the pathogenesis of SLE.

METHODSThe serum prolectin level was detected in 30 SLE patients and 20 healthy volunteers, from whom peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also isolated to examine the expressions of CD40 and CD154 using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCD154 significantly increased on the PBMCs in SLE patients with high serum prolectin level in comparison with that in patients with normal prolactin level or the normal controls (P<0.05). When the PBMCs were incubated with recombinant human prolactin, CD154 expression was significantly increased in SLE patients with normal serum prolactin level (P<0.05), but not in the normal control group (P>0.05). Incubation of the PBMCs in the presence of bromocriptine did not result in significantly decreased CD154 expression in SLE patients irrespective of the prolactin level, nor was significant difference found in CD40 expression on the surface of PBMCs between SLE patients and the normal controls(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONProlactin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE by increasing CD154 expression on the PBMCs, and bromocriptine produces no significant inhibitory effect on either endogenous or exogenous prolectin.

Adult ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Prolactin ; blood ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of costimulatory molecules CD28/B7 and CD40/CD40L in T and B lymphocytes as well as its relations with total IgE (TIgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in serum and nasal allergic symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The effect of specific immunotherapy (SIT) on them were also investigated. METHOD: Thirty allergic allergic rhinitis patients were chosen as observation group, and 30 healthy patients as control group. Cytofluorometric analysis was used to compare the expression level of CD28/B7-1, B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells in the two groups. The relationship between the CD28/ B7-1, B7-2 and CD40/CD40L expression level and serum Total IgE, ECP level were analyzed. RESULT: The expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells in allergic rhinitis patients were significantly higher than in the healthy, and serum level of TIgE has a positive relationship with the expression level of CD40L on T cells. ECP has a positive relationship with the expression level of B7-2 on B cells. The expression level of B7-1 showed no significant difference between the two groups. After specific immunotherapy for 6 months, the expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L on T cells and B cells were decreased in allergic rhinitis patients but still higher than in healthy. CONCLUSIONS The upregulated level of costimulatory molecules CD28/B7-2 and CD40/ CD40L on T cells and B cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, specific immunotherapy can downregulate the expression level of CD28/B7-2 and CD40/CD40L, and decrease the serum level of TIgE, it may be a possible mechanism in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Desensitization, Immunologic ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism