OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) on dendritic cells (DC).

METHODSMurine bone marrow cells were cultured with different cytokine combinations to develop immature DC (imDC, GM-CSF only) and TGFbeta-DC (GM-CSF + TGF-beta1), and their responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were observed. The cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy and their phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM). The allogeneic stimulating capacity of DC was assayed by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) with BrdU incorporation. IL-12p70 protein was detected by ELISA and the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on DCs were analyzed with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared to imDC, the TGFbeta-DC had no significant alterations in ultrastructure after LPS stimulation. The expressions of CD80, CD86 were lower on TGFbeta-DC than on imDC [(4.14 +/- 0.95)% vs (13.90 +/- 7.22)%; (8.60 +/- 0.75)% vs (20.63 +/- 5.03)%, P < 0.05, both]. The TGFbeta-DC kept their immature morphology after LPS stimulation, but the expressions of I-Ab and CD80 were slightly increased. After 96 h MLR, TGFbeta-DC had weaker stimulating capacity than imDC did, especially when DC/T cells ratios were 1:4 and 1:1 (P < 0.05, both). TGFbeta-DC showed impaired IL-12p70 production and down-regulation of TLR4 expression.

CONCLUSIONSTGF-beta1 can inhibit the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on DC. The TGFbeta-DC is resistant to maturation stimulus (LPS) and might be linked with TLR4 down-regulation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; immunology ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Objective: To observe effect of method of regulating Qi to dissipate blood stasis and phlegm on degree of heart failure, ventricular remodeling, disease progression in patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis type chronic heart failure (CHF).Method: One hundred and thirty-four patients with CHF were randomly divided into control group (62 cases) and observation group (62 cases) by random number table. The patients in control group got spironolactone tablets, 20 mg/time and qd. Benazepril, 20 mg/time and qd. Bisoprolol, 10 mg/time and qd. And digaoxin tablets if necessary. Based on the treatment in control group, patients in observation group additionally received Danshenyin and Xuefu Zhuyutang, 1 dose/day. The treatment course was 3 months in both groups. Before and after treatment, scores of Lee heart failure score were graded, cardiac function classification of the New York Heart Association (NYHA), 6 mins' walking test (6 MWT), scores of Qi deficiency and blood stasis and Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) were evaluated. Echocardiography, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular end-stolic diameter (LVEDs), interventricular septum thickness at end-diastole (IVSd) and left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI) were recorded. Levels of matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1), transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), N-terminal pro-B-type na-triuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), galectin-3 and copeptin were detected.Result: Ridit analysis showed that after treatment, effect on cardiac function in observation group was better than that in control group (P<0.05). Classification of cardiac function of NYHA was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The LVEDd, LVEDs and LVMI in observation group were all less than those in control group (P<0.05), while LVEF was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in IVSd between two groups. Scores of Lee heart failure score, MLHFQ and Qi deficiency and blood stasis in observation group were lower than those in control group, and distance of 6 mins' walking was larger than that in control group (P<0.01). Levels of serum MMP-9, TGF-β₁, NT-proBNP, galectin-3 and copeptin in observation group were lower than those in control group, while level of TIMP-1 was higher than that in control group (P<0.01).Conclusion: Based on the routine western medicine treatment, additional Danshenyin and Xuefu Zhuyutang can ameliorate symptoms of heart failure, relieve degree of heart failure, improve exercise tolerance and quality of life, inhibit ventricular remodeling, improve cardiac rehabilitation and delay progress of the disease for the CHF patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate IFN-gamma producing-cells (IFN-gamma PCs) in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) model of mice.

METHODSEnzyme linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) was applied to study IFN-gamma PCs in MHC mismatched mice spleen cell MLR and aGVHD model of mice.

RESULTIFN-gamma PCs increased significantly in MLR after allogeneic mice spleen cell stimulation. In the experimental mice aGVHD model, IFN-gamma PCs were significantly higher in the severe aGVHD group than those in the moderate aGVHD. In the moderate aGVHD group, mice with GVHD prophylaxis regimen demonstrated significantly lower level of IFN-gamma PCs, compared with those without prophylaxis. IFN-gamma PCs were significantly correlated with the GVHD clinical scores in the group with moderate aGVHD and prophylaxis regimen.

CONCLUSIONELISPOT is a fast, sensitive and specific approach to evaluate alloresponse in allogeneic mice MLR and IFN-gamma PCs are correlated closely with the severity of aGVHD and prophylaxis regimen in the MHC-mismatched mice model.

Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; metabolism

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Histone Chaperones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Solvents ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Trichloroethylene ; administration & dosage ; toxicity

Acupuncture manipulations on Fengchi (GB 20) of famous doctors were taken through force feedback device, then the data was input into a digitized virtual human. Virtual Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback simulation system was built through the virtual reality technology to achieve one-to-one high simulative manipulation effect for acupuncture students. The interaction force of the needle body and human tissues was analyzed during the acupuncture process on the 3D digital human integrated with information of Fengchi (GB 20) according to the physical characteristics of the tissues under this point. The mechanical model which is used to imitate the stress received by the body of the needle was established, and transmitted truly to the operator by the force feedback device. Thus, Fengchi (GB 20) virtual acupuncture force feedback simulation was preliminary established, and the sense of touch could be reproduced lively on the visualized virtual acupuncture human. It is held that Fengchi (GB 20) acupuncture force feedback research is a preliminary exploration for virtual acupuncture that integrated with the information of visual, tactile and force feedback. And it also provided a dynamic one-to-one simulation approach for acupuncture teaching.
Acupuncture ; education ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Needles