OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of drug-containing serum of Xijiao Dihuang combined prescription(XJDH) on the related functions of dendritic cells(DCs) induced in vitro, and to explore the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of XJDH treatment on primary immune thrombocytopenia(ITP). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were colle-ted from 6 healthy volunteers. Mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and CD14⁺ mononuclear cells were collected by the magnetic separation technique. CD14+ mononuclear cells were induced into immature DCs by recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and recombinant human interleukin 4 (IL-4). Immature DCs were divided into three groups: control group, model group and XJDH group. CCK-8 assay was used to determine the intervention concentration and time of drug-containing serum. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) with the final concentration of 1 μg/ml was added to model group and XJDH group respectively for 24 h to induce DCs maturation. Normal rat serum was added to control group and model group, and XJDH was added to XJDH group for 24 h. Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of CD80, CD83 and HLA-DR on the surface of DCs. Western blot was used to detect the expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, and levels of IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α in cell supernatant was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, LPS stimulation increased the expression of CD80, CD83 and HLA-DR, with subsequent increasing expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, as well as IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α increased(P<0.05). In comparison with model group, the expression of DCs surface molecules CD80, CD83 and HLA-DR, DCs' expression of TLR4 and NF-κB protein, and the levels of IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α in the cell supernatant of XJDH group decreased after the intervention of XJDH (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Drug containing serum of Xijiao Dihuang combined prescription can down-regulate TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway related protein expression, inhibit DCs maturation, and reduce proinflammatory factor secretion, which may be one of the mechanisms of drug-containing serum of Xijiao Dihuang combined prescription in the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia.
Animals ; B7-1 Antigen/pharmacology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendritic Cells ; HLA-DR Antigens/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Interleukin-12/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-6 ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; NF-kappa B ; Prescriptions ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Rats ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dasatinib on the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) derived from healthy donors (HDs) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from HDs (n=10) and CML patients (n=10) who had got the remission of MR4.5 with imatinib treatment. The generation of moDCs from PBMCs was completed after 7 days of incubation in DC I culture medium, and another 3 days of incubation in DC II culture medium with or without 25 nmol/L dasatinib. On the 10th day, cells were harvested and expression of molecules of maturation related marker were assessed by flow cytometry. The CD80⁺CD86⁺ cell population in total cells was gated as DCs in the fluorescence-activated cell storting (FACS) analyzing system, then the expression of CD83, CD40 or HLA-DR in this population was analyzed respectively. RESULTS: The proportion of CD80⁺CD86⁺ cells in total cells didn't show a statistical difference between HD group and patient group (89.46%±9.70% vs 87.39%±9.34%, P=0.690). Dasatinib significantly enhanced the expression of the surface marker CD40 (P=0.008) and HLA-DR (P=0.028) on moDCs derived from HDs compared with the control group, while the expression of CD83 on moDCs didn't show a significant difference between dasatinib group and the control group (P=0.428). Meanwhile, dasatinib significantly enhanced the expression of the surface marker CD40 (P=0.023), CD83 (P=0.038) and HLA-DR (P=0.001) on moDCs derived from patients compared with the control group. CONCLUSION For CML patients, the same high proportion of moDCs as HDs can be induced in vitro, which provides a basis for the application of DC-based immunotherapy strategy. Dasatinib at the concentration of 25 nmol/L can efficiently promote the maturation of moDCs derived from HDs and CML patients in vitro. Dasatinib shows potential as a DC adjuvant to be applied in DC-based immunotherapy strategies, such as DC vaccine and DC cell-therapy.
Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Dasatinib/pharmacology* ; Dendritic Cells ; HLA-DR Antigens/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Monocytes

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of Bushen Jiedu Recipe (BJR) and Jianpi Jiedu Recipe (JJR) containing plasma on dendritic cells (DCs) of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection patients under different immune states.

METHODSRecruited were 36 chronic HBV infection outpatients from First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the immune tolerance group (18 cases) and the immune clearance group (18 cases).Another 10 healthy subjects were recruited as the healthy control group. Their anticoagulated peripheral venous blood was respectively collected. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and further extracted for incubating DCs. The DCs were intervened by BJR and JJR containing plasma. The morphology of DCs was identified. The expressions of CD1alpha, CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR were detected. The level of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in the supernatant was observed by ELISA.

RESULTSThe CD80 expression level was lower in the immune clear group than in the healthy control group before intervention (P < 0.05). The expression levels of CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR were lower in the immune tolerance group than in the healthy control group before intervention (P < 0.05).The IFN-alpha expression level was lower in the immune tolerance group and the immune clearance group than in the healthy control group before intervention (P < 0.05). The expression levels of CD80, HLA-DR, and IFN-alpha were lower in the immune tolerance group than in the immune clearance group before intervention (P < 0.05). Compared with the same group before intervention, the CD80 expression significantly increased in each treatment group (P < 0.05). After intervention the expression levels of CD80 and HLA-DR were higher in the immune tolerance group than in the immune clearance group in the same time phase, and the CD86 expression level was higher in the BJR group than in the immune clearance group in the same time phase, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe middle dose BJR and the small dose JJR both could promote the recovery of DCs in chronic HBV infection patients. Besides, BJR showed more prominent effects on the function of DCs in chronic HBV infection patients in the immune tolerance stage.

Adult ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; drug effects ; Interferon-alpha ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plasma ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDDendritic cells (DCs) are one of the most important antigen presenting cells in the human body, and DCs at various stages of maturation possess different or even opposite functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of growth hormones on the functional status of cord blood-derived DCs encompassing immunophenotype, ability to excrete interleukin (IL)-12 and provoke autologous leukomonocyte.

METHODSMononuclear cells were isolated from fresh cord blood, with IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) used to induce and stimulate the mononuclear cells. Growth hormone at different concentrations was used to modify DCs, and then DCs morphology, number and growth status were observed. The immunophenotype of DCs was detected with a flow cytometer. The concentration of IL-12 in the DCs supernatant was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DCs functional status was evaluated by autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions.

RESULTSMononuclear cells from cord blood can be differentiated into DCs by cytokine induction and growth hormone modification. With the increase in growth hormone concentrations (5 - 100 microg/L), the expression of DCs HLA-DR, CD1alpha, CD80 and CD83 were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The ability of DCs to secrete IL-12 was significantly improved (P < 0.05), and the ability of DCs to activate autologous lymphocytes was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). Pegvisomant was able to ablate the effects of growth hormone on DCs.

CONCLUSIONSGrowth hormone may facilitate DCs induction and maturation, and improve the reproductive activity of autologous lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Growth hormone may serve as a factor of modifying DCs to achieving maturity.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Growth Hormone ; pharmacology ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of unmethylated CpG motif containing oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) on the function of dendritic cells (DCs) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). METHODS: DCs were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 15 CHB patients, 12 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, and 10 healthy controls. The expressions of HLA-DR, CD80, and CD86 on DCs were determined by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). The IL-12 level in supernatant of the culture medium was measured by ELISA, and the morphological changes of DCs were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, DCs stimulated with CpG ODN represented enrichment in cell surface protrusions and rough endoplasmic reticulum, decreased or disappeared vacuole. The expressions of HLA-DR, CD86, and CD80 were much higher in DCs stimulated with CpG ODN than those in complete medium control (P<0.05). When culturing in complete medium, the expressions of HLA-DR, CD86, and CD80 were much lower in CHB patients and HBV carriers than healthy controls (P<0.05). The expressions of HLA-DR and CD86 stimulated with CpG ODN were much lower in CHB patients than HBV carriers and healthy controls (P<0.05). The expressions of CD80 were much lower in CHB patients and HBV carriers than healthy controls (P<0.05). The levels of IL-12 were much higher in DCs stimulated with CpG ODN than that in complete medium controls (P<0.05). The levels of IL-12 in complete medium or medium added with CpG ODN were much lower in CHB patients and HBV carriers than in healthy controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CpG ODN could significantly promote the maturation of dendritic cells in peripheral blood in CHB patients.
Adult ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Carrier State ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; CpG Islands ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Female ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology

Different subtypes of dendritic cells (DC) influence the differentiation of naive T lymphocytes into T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 effector cells. We evaluated the percentages of DC subtypes in peripheral blood from pregnant women (maternal blood) and their cord blood compared to the peripheral blood of healthy non pregnant women (control). Circulating DC were identified by flow cytometry as lineage (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD20, and CD56)-negative and HLA-DR-positive cells. Subtypes of DC were further characterized as myeloid DC (CD11c+/CD123+/-), lymphoid DC (CD11c-/CD123+++) and less differentiated DC (CD11c-/CD123+/-). The frequency of DC out of all nucleated cells was significantly lower in maternal blood than in control (P<0.001). The ratio of myeloid DC/lymphoid DC was significantly higher in maternal blood than in control (P<0.01). HLA-DR expressions of myeloid DC as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were significantly less in maternal blood and in cord blood than in control (P<0.001, respectively). The DC differentiation factors, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF, released from mononuclear cells after lipopolysaccharide stimulation were significantly lower in maternal blood than in control (P<0.01). The distribution of DC subtypes was different in maternal and cord blood from those of non-pregnant women. Their role during pregnancy remains to be determined.
Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; Dendritic Cells/*classification/cytology/immunology ; Female ; Fetal Blood/cytology/*immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism ; HLA-DR Antigens/metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Pregnancy ; T-Lymphocytes/cytology/immunology ; Th1 Cells/cytology/immunology ; Th2 Cells/cytology/immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism

Antigen presenting is the initial step of the immune responses. In order to verify that human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) can express antigen presentation molecules, which can be modulated by intrapulmonary regulatory peptides, the present study was designed to examine the expressions of human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR), CD80 and CD86 in resting or ozone-stressed HBECs by using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. The results showed that HBECs expressed HLA-DR, CD80 and the expressions of HLA-DR and CD80 molecules were down-regulated under ozone stress. While VIP, P3513 and CGRP upregulated the expression of HLA-DR in resting or ozone-stressed HBECs, they had different effects on CD80 expression. VIP did not influence the expression of CD80 under resting state, but increased the expression of CD80 under ozone stress. CGRP decreased CD80 expression in resting HBECs, but increased CD80 expression in ozone-stressed HBECs. P3513 increased CD80 expression in resting HBECs, but decreased CD80 expression in ozone-stressed HBECs. The expression of CD86 was absent in resting or ozone-stressed HBECs. The results obtained demonstrate that HBECs have the capability to act as antigen presenting cells and the expression of HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules can be modulated by intrapulmonary regulatory peptides.
Antigen-Presenting Cells ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; metabolism ; B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ozone ; adverse effects ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of synthetic non-methylated CpG-ODN combined with recombined HBsAg on the phenotype, function and the expression level of nucleic transcription factor NF-kappa B (NF-kB) and AP-1 of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSPurified monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of CHB patients and healthy volunteers and cultured with human granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor added together with interleukin-4. On the fifth day of culture, CpG-ODN, HBsAg and other reagents, such as TNF alpha and PBS, were added to the medium, and 18 hours later cells were collected for the detection of surface molecules (HLA-DR/CD86/CD1a). IL-12p70 levels in the supernatant and stimulating capacity to allogenic T lymphocytes were detected. The nucleic proteins of NF-kB and AP-1 in DC were extracted and purified for the gel shift assay.

RESULTSCompared with those of the PBS group, the expression rates of HLA-DR of DC treated with CpG-ODN and/or HBsAg were obviously increased. Both the IL-12p70 level and the stimulating capacity of DC to allogenic T lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte reaction increased significantly in the CpG-ODN group and in the CpG-ODN/HBsAg combination group (P less than 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The expression rates of CD1a were raised only in the CpG-ODN/HBsAg combination group. Three kinds of immunological adjuvants, TNF alpha, CpG-ODN and CpG-ODN/HBsAg enhanced the expression of nucleic NF-kB and inhibited the expression of AP-1 in DC.

CONCLUSIONCpG-ODN, like TNF alpha, has remarkable stimulatory effect on the impaired phenotype and function of monocyte-derived DC in patients with CHB; CpG-ODN and HBsAg have a synergetic effect in increasing the antigen presenting function. The regulating ability of CpG-ODN and TNF alpha on the expression levels of NF-kB and AP-1 might be one of the mechanisms of their immunostimulatory effects on DC of the CHB patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic ; pharmacology ; Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; metabolism ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; pharmacology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism

The present study was purposed to investigate the relation and difference of expression phase between class II transactivator (CIITA) and HLA-DR antigens after IFN-gamma induction, and the inhibition of CIITA and HLA-DR by STAT1-alpha antisense oligonucleotides (STAT1-alpha AS); and to explore the potential effect and significance of CIITA and STAT1-alpha AS in transplantation immunity. T lymphocytes from peripheral blood of healthy subjects were incubated with IFN-gamma at different doses. RT-PCR was used to detect CIITA mRNA and Western blot was used to analyze HLA-DR antigen. Then the optimum dose of IFN-gamma was chosen for the experiment. CIITA mRNA and HLA-DR antigen were detected at various time points. Different doses of STAT1-alpha AS and sense oligonucleotides (STAT1-alpha S) were added to T lymphocytes followed by IFN-gamma. After incubation with IFN-gamma, the expression of CIITA mRNA and HLA-DR was detected once again. The results showed that CIITA mRNA was detectable at 5 hours after IFN-gamma incubation and reached the peak at 14 hours, then declined, but the CIITA mRNA was still found at 23 hours. HLA-DR antigen was detectable at 28 hours after IFN-gamma incubation and reached a peak at 52 hours, then declined. CIITA mRNA expression was positively correlated to HLA-DR expression, and was earlier than the latter. The expression of CIITA mRNA in the AS groups was significantly lower than that in the control group after 5 micromol/L, 10 micromol/L and 20 micromol/L STAT1-alpha AS treatment (P < 0.01). The expression of CIITA mRNA in the S groups was higher than that in the AS groups (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the S group and the control group. The expression of HLA-DR antigen was significantly inhibited by STAT1-alpha AS, and the expression level of HLA-DR protein in the AS group was about 64.3% of that in the control group (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference in HLA-DR expression between the S group and the control group. The changes in HLA-DR expression were similar to those in CIITA expression after STAT1-alpha AS treatment. It is concluded that CIITA expression is positively correlated with HLA-DR expression, and was detectable earlier than that of latter after IFN-gamma incubation. Stat1-alpha antisense oligonucleotides may have a sequence-specific inhibiting effect on the expression of CIITA and HLA-DR antigen after IFN-gamma incubation in vitro culture, and can prevent T lymphocyte activation. CIITA may play an important role in pathogenesis of transplantation immunity.
Cells, Cultured ; HLA-DR Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Nuclear Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; antagonists & inhibitors ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Trans-Activators ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transplantation Immunology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ST1571 on the development of dendritic cells (DC) derived from bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

METHODSBone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) from CML patients and healthy volunteers were cultured initially using multiple cytokine combinations as follows: recombinant human granulocyte/ macrophage colony-stimulating-factor (rhGM-CSF) plus recombinant human interleukin-4 (rhIL-4) as CML and normal control groups, rhGM-CSF plus rhIL-4 and ST1571 as CML experimental groups, and from day 8 recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( rhTNF-alpha) was added to stimulate DC maturation. The morphologic features of cells were observed by Wright's staining and phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytogenetic analysis was performed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), and the antigen-presenting function was assayed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The concentration of VEGF was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSCML experimental groups treated with STI571 displayed morphological features similar to those of control groups with delicate membrane projections. However, in comparison with the CML control groups, the CML experimental groups showed an increased expression of CD80, CD86, CD83 and HLA-DR and showed more intense abilities of allogeneic antigen presentation, which were similar to those of normal control groups. FISH confirmed that DCs of both CML, groups were of leukemic origin. The concentration of VEGF was dramatically reduced in CML experimental groups.

CONCLUSIONIn vitro, STI571 promotes the activation/maturation of DCs derived from BMMNCs of patients with CMI, and decreases VEGF production by the leukemic cells. The promotion of DC maturation may be partially due to decreased inhibitory effect of VEGF.

Adult ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Benzamides ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; metabolism ; HLA-DR Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; blood ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperazines ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism