Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; blood ; Thymosin ; therapeutic use ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of IL-18 gene-modified fetal hepatocytes (AdmIL-18/MNL.CL2) intrasplenic transplantation on mouse immune function. METHODS: Forty mice were evenly divided into 4 groups of 10. Each group received an intrasplenic transplantation one of the following: AdmIL-18/BNL.CL2, Ad-LacZ/BNL.CL2 (virus control), BNL.CL2 (cell control) and PBS (blank control). After two weeks, the mice were sacrificed. Serum cytokine levels, Mpsi and splenic cell culture supernatant and liver tissue extracts supernatants were measured using ELISA. Hepatic cytokines mRNA expression were determined by RT-PCR. THe cytotoxicity of peritoneal Mpsi and NK activity of spienocytes were detected by LDH release assay. The proliferation of splenic lymphocytes was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: The IL-18, IL-2,IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha levels of serum, Mpsi and splenocyte culture supernatant, liver tissue extracts supernatants in mice transplanted with AdmIL-18/BNL.CL2 were higher and the IL-4, IL-10 levels were lower compared to their levels in other 3 groups. The highest IL-18, IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and the lowest IL-4, IL-10 mRNA expressions in the liver were observed in mice transplanted with AdmIL-18/BNL.CL2. The mice transplanted with AdmIL-18/BNL.Cl2 showed significantly increases cytotoxicity of Mpsi, NK activity and splenic cell proliferation compared with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSION: AdmIL-18 can be effectively transfected into mice fetal heptocytes which subsequently IL-18. Intransplenic transplantation of IL-18 gene-modified fetal hepatocytes may augment mouse immune function and provide an useful basis for targeted gene therapy of liver disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate serum IL-18 levels in mice with collagen-induced arthritis treated by recombinant adenoviral vector containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fusion gene (AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4).

METHODSArthritis was induced by injection of collagen in male DBA-1/BOM mice. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were intra-articularly injected with 10(7)pfu/6μL of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4; and in mice of control groups AdLacZ or PBS were used. The animals were sacrificed at week 1, 2 and 4 after treatment. Serum IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA at the different time points.

RESULTThe mean serum levels of IL-18 at weeks 1, 2, and 4 after injection of AdmIL-18BP/mIL-4 were (36.5±5.4)ng/L, (32.5 ± 3.2) ng/L and (28.7 ±2.9)ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those at the same time point of AdLacZ group [(66.2 ±5.1)ng/L, (69.2 ±4.2)ng/L and (77.7 ±3.9)ng/L] and PBS group [(67.3 ±7.1)ng/L, (71.9 ±1.8)ng/L and (78.7±4.1)ng/L] (P<0.01 at all time points). In the therapy group, there were no significant differences in the mean serum concentrations of IL-18 at all time points.

CONCLUSIONThe serum IL-18 levels in CIA mice are down-regulated by treatment of recombinant adenovirus containing mIL-18BP and mIL-4 fuse gene, which might be a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; therapy ; Gene Fusion ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred DBA

OBJECTIVETo primarily embolize intracranial aneurysms with new-developed mechanically detachable coils, which is called Detachable Coil System (DCS).

METHODSFive intracranial aneurysms were embolized with DCS, in which 2 were giant aneurysms. DCS with J coils were initially used to make baskets in giant aneurysms, and then other kinds of coils were utilized to pact the aneurysmal cavity. Whereas, spiral coils were mostly used in smaller aneurysms. Coils of DCS were detached by rotating the delivering wire after the coils were satisfactorily positioned in aneurysms.

RESULTSTwo of the 5 cases were totally occluded with DCS. Two was sub-totally embolized. Pushing, withdrawal, and adjusting of DCS were safe and efficient. Detachment of DCS was fast. In one case of wide-necked giant aneurysm, coils could not stay inside the aneurysm, which was treated by occlusion of the parent artery.

CONCLUSIONSDCS is a new addition to the interventional radiologist's armamentarium. Detachment is faster. J coils are suitable for giant aneurysms for its unique way of coiling. But more evaluation depends on accumulation of the clinical usage.

Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged