Neuronal synapse is the critical structure of neuronal network. Immune system is mainly consisted of invisible network. Recently, evidence showed that leukocyte synapses between immune cells named as immunological synapses (IS), were formed under some functional conditions to form temporal local network. In fact, they are dynamic structures, which can be classified into synapse and kinase. Different leukocytes have different synapses. Inflammatory and leukemic cells showed special patterns of IS. Similar structure is also observed in some viral infected lymphocytes, which is called virological synapse (VS). This is one of the mechanisms for viral transmission, not only enhancing the transmission efficiency but also mediating the escape from antibody neutralization, leading persistent infection. Recently the flower-like poly synapses was reported by French scientists. This is a multi-tunneling nanotube flower-like structure on cell surface. We had observed this kind of structure in EB virus infected human leukemic cell line J6-2. In this paper, the structure and function of leukocyte synapses are reviewed combined with authors' own work. Their significance is discussed.
Humans ; Immunological Synapses ; immunology ; physiology ; Leukocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; physiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo study myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) levels in peripheral blood of infants with recurrent wheezing, and the role of MDSC in the development of recurrent wheezing.

METHODSThirty-one infants with recurrent wheezing at wheezing attacks were randomly enrolled in the study. Twenty-seven infants with bronchopneumonia and 27 preoperative infants (hernia or renal calculus), without infectious or neoplastic diseases, were selected as controls. The proportion of MDSC in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe proportion of MDSC in PBMC in infants with wheezing was significantly higher than in those with bronchopneumonia and preoperative infants (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMDSC levels increase in infants with recurrent wheezing, suggesting that MDSC may play a crucial role in the development of this disorder.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Male ; Myeloid Cells ; immunology ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; immunology

Cytokines ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; secretion ; Ubiquitin ; blood

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CPD) on the differentiation, activation, and secretion of osteoclast-maturing mediators of macrophages. METHODS: A total of 40 saliva samples were collected from healthy donors (n=20) and severe periodontitis patients (n=20). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and THP-1 monocyte line cells were challenged with 15% saliva for 5 days. The phenotype, surface marker, and phagocytosis of macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry and microscopy. Osteoclast-maturing mediators were assayed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: When PBMCs were treated with CPD saliva for 5 days, 61.25%±11.33% of cells were transformed into large granular cells; 86.78%±13.69% of large granular cells were identified as CD14⁺⁺CD16⁺ macrophages. When THP-1 cells were treated with CPD saliva, most cells attached to the bottom of cell culture plates, thereby exhibiting macrophage morphology and releasing additional osteoclast-maturing mediators. Furthermore, the phagocytosis of THP-1 cells considerably increased in the presence of CPD saliva (66.35%±9.67%) compared with medium control (33.33%±7.52%), or healthy saliva (40.71%±3.52%). CONCLUSIONS Saliva from patients with CPD can induce macrophage differentiation, activate phagocytose microorganisms, and secrete osteoclast-maturing mediators.
Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Macrophages ; Monocytes ; Periodontitis ; immunology ; Saliva

OBJECTIVETo determine the frequencies and significance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells in peripheral blood of young children with recurrent wheezing.

METHODSThirty young children with an acute exacerbation of recurrent wheezing were randomly enrolled. Twenty age-matched children with bronchopneumonia (pneumonia group) and 23 age-matched preoperative children with non-infectious or non-neoplastic diseases (hernia or renal calculus) (control group) were selected. The frequencies of MDSCs and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry and their correlation was determined by the Spearman's correlation coefficient.

RESULTSThe percentage of MDSCs in nucleated cells was significantly higher in the wheezing group than in the pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05), and it was significantly higher in the pneumonia group than in the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of Th17 cells in mononuclear cells was significantly higher in the wheezing group than in the pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05), but it showed no significant difference between the pneumonia and control groups (P>0.05). The frequency of MDSCs was positively correlated with the frequency of Th17 cells in the wheezing group (r=0.645, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMDSCs and Th17 cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of recurrent wheezing in young children.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; immunology ; Male ; Myeloid Cells ; immunology ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo compare and assess the effectiveness of leukocyte-filtered platelet and standard platelet concentrates transfusion in preventing platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-alloimmunization.

METHODSRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing leukocyte-filtered platelet with standard platelet concentrates transfusion (up to December 31, 2009) were searched and identified from Medline, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and CBM. A meta-analysis was conducted with Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5. 0.

RESULTSThe search identified 558 citations in total, in which 7 articles in English were finally included in the meta-analysis. The analysis showed that compared with standard platelet concentrates transfusion, leukocyte-filtered platelet transfusion significantly decreased PTR [ RR = 0. 59, 95% CI (0. 42, 0. 82) , P = 0. 002 ] and HLA-alloimmunization [ RR = 0. 49,95% CI (0. 33, 0. 74) , P =0. 0006]. Subgroup analysis showed that HLA-alloimmunization was significantly reduced by leukocyte-filtered platelet transfusion among the patients with acute myelocytic leukemia [ RR =0.42, 95% CI (0.32, 0.56), P <0. 00001], while no significant difference was detected in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia because of the limited sample size [ RR = 0. 50, 95% CI (0. 10, 2.41) , P =0. 39].

CONCLUSIONSThe current evidence shows that leukocyte-filtered platelet transfusion can prevent PTR and HLA-alloimmunization more effectively than standard platelet transfusion. Well-designed large-scale RCTs are still needed to further confirm this finding.

Filtration ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; immunology ; Platelet Transfusion ; methods ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

To investigate the characteristics of interstitial inflammatory cells and possible involvement of nudelta T cells, 16 renal allograft biopsies showing chronic rejection were stained by immunohistochemical method and correlated with the data of peripheral blood evaluated by flow cytometry. For immunophenotyping, fresh frozen sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD56, TCRdelta1 and HLA DR. Paraffin embedded tissue was stained with CD45RO, CD20-Cy and CD68. Nine cases of nonspecific tubulointerstitial change and 4 cases of nonallograft tubulointerstitial nephritis were used as a control. Inflammatory infiltration was present in all cases studied. T cells predominated in the interstitium of chronic rejection and were followed by macrophages and B cells. The degree of interstitial infiltration of frozen section was not accordant with that of paraffin sections. Allografts with nonspecific tubulointerstitial changes or tubulointerstitial nephritis of native kidneys showed similar distribution pattern in terms of type and degree. However, the degree of infiltrate did not give any statistical significance among groups. The CD4/CD8 ratios in interstitial infiltrates were less than 1.0 in 6 cases and was not accordant with those of peripheral blood. Proportion of nudelta T cells increased over 10% in 2 cases in tissue and in 3 cases in peripheral blood. In 3 cases of chronic rejection in which both tissue and blood results were available, there was no concordance of CD4/CD8 or nudeltaT/CD3 between them. Tubular expression of HLA DR was, however, present only in 4 cases of chronic rejection. In conclusion, T lymphocytes were predominant regardless of diagnosis or disease activity. T lymphocyte subset did not give any suggestion as to the diagnosis or disease activity in chronic rejection. Furthermore nudelta T cells had only limited value. Lymphocytic subsets in peripheral blood would not be predictors of tissue destruction in chronic rejection.
Flow Cytometry ; Graft Rejection/*immunology ; Human ; Kidney/cytology/*immunology ; Kidney Transplantation/*immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/*immunology ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

To investigate the characteristics of interstitial inflammatory cells and possible involvement of nudelta T cells, 16 renal allograft biopsies showing chronic rejection were stained by immunohistochemical method and correlated with the data of peripheral blood evaluated by flow cytometry. For immunophenotyping, fresh frozen sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD56, TCRdelta1 and HLA DR. Paraffin embedded tissue was stained with CD45RO, CD20-Cy and CD68. Nine cases of nonspecific tubulointerstitial change and 4 cases of nonallograft tubulointerstitial nephritis were used as a control. Inflammatory infiltration was present in all cases studied. T cells predominated in the interstitium of chronic rejection and were followed by macrophages and B cells. The degree of interstitial infiltration of frozen section was not accordant with that of paraffin sections. Allografts with nonspecific tubulointerstitial changes or tubulointerstitial nephritis of native kidneys showed similar distribution pattern in terms of type and degree. However, the degree of infiltrate did not give any statistical significance among groups. The CD4/CD8 ratios in interstitial infiltrates were less than 1.0 in 6 cases and was not accordant with those of peripheral blood. Proportion of nudelta T cells increased over 10% in 2 cases in tissue and in 3 cases in peripheral blood. In 3 cases of chronic rejection in which both tissue and blood results were available, there was no concordance of CD4/CD8 or nudeltaT/CD3 between them. Tubular expression of HLA DR was, however, present only in 4 cases of chronic rejection. In conclusion, T lymphocytes were predominant regardless of diagnosis or disease activity. T lymphocyte subset did not give any suggestion as to the diagnosis or disease activity in chronic rejection. Furthermore nudelta T cells had only limited value. Lymphocytic subsets in peripheral blood would not be predictors of tissue destruction in chronic rejection.
Flow Cytometry ; Graft Rejection/*immunology ; Human ; Kidney/cytology/*immunology ; Kidney Transplantation/*immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/*immunology ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVETo prepare tumor antigen peptides from HL-60 cells and to induce specific immune response.

METHODSHL-60 antigen peptides were obtained using techniques including freezing and thawing, heat precipitation and acid precipitation. The stimulating effect of the in vitro Hsp70 binding HL-60 peptides on PBMC and the proliferation of stimulated PBMC were observed by T cell activation test. The cytotoxicity of proliferated PBMC is detected by incubating HL-60 cells or K562 cells with PBMC respectively.

RESULTSThe obtained tumor antigen peptides were a peptides mixture. The mixed peptides could activate PBMC and cause PBMC proliferation in vitro after presented by Hsp70. The proliferated PBMC showed specific cytotoxicity to HL-60 cells but not to K562 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe method for preparing of human leukemia tumor antigen peptides used in this paper is simple and easy; the obtained antigen peptides can induce specific immune response in vitro.

Cell Division ; HL-60 Cells ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; immunology ; Peptides ; immunology

The role of alveolar macrophages (AMs) in the pathogenesis of asthma is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AM in the murine model of asthma. AMs were selectively depleted by liposomes containing clodronate just before allergen challenges, and changes in inflammatory cells and cytokine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured. AMs were then adoptively transferred to AM-depleted sensitized mice and changes were measured. Phenotypic changes in AMs were evaluated after in vitro allergen stimulation. AM-depletion after sensitization significantly increased the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes and the concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 and GM-CSF in BAL fluid. These changes were significantly ameliorated only by adoptive transfer of unsensitized AMs, not by sensitized AMs. In addition, in vitro allergen stimulation of AMs resulted in their gaining the ability to produce inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and losing the ability to suppress GM-CSF concentrations in BAL fluid. These findings suggested that AMs worked probably through GM-CSF-dependent mechanisms, although further confirmatory experiments are needed. Our results indicate that the role of AMs in the context of airway inflammation should be re-examined.
Animals ; Asthma/*immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/chemistry/cytology/immunology ; Cytokines/biosynthesis/immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Immunization ; Immunomodulation/*immunology ; Inflammation/*immunology ; Leukocytes/immunology ; Macrophages, Alveolar/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovalbumin/immunology