ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of intranasal administration of recombinant interleukin-17A(rIL-17A) on the expressions of β-Defensin-2(Defb2) and macrophage inflammatory protein(MIP) in pneumococcal pneumonia murine models.MethodsTwenty-four BALB/c mice were divided randomly into normal control,pneumococcal pneumonia,and rIL-17A intervention groups ( n =8 ).Before intranasal (i.n) infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae,the mouse was treated with PBS or rIL-17Ai.n respectively.The mRNA levels of Defb2,MIP-1α and MIP-2β expression in lung tissue were detected by real-time quantity PCR.The numbers of bacteria and leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted as well.And the concentrations of MIP-1α,MIP-2β,IFN-γ and IL-4 in BALF and in supematants of spleen cells and mediastinal lymph node cells were assayed by ELISA.Changes in lung tissue histopathology were observed with HE staining through light microscope.ResultsNeutrophil and macrophage numbers are higher in BALF of rIL-17A group,while the numbers of bacteria were lower,when compared with those in pneumonia group( P＜0.01 ).The expression of Defb2 and MIP-1α mRNA were up-regulated in lung after rIL17A treatment(P＜0.01 ).When compared with rIL-17A non-treated mice,rIL-17A treated mice secretedhigher levels of MIP-1α in lymph node cell culture supernatants( P＜0.01 ),higher levels of MIP-2β were observed in spleen cell and lymph node cell culture supernatants( P＜0.01 ),higher levels of IFN-T were detected in BALF( P ＜ 0.01 ) and culture supernatants of spleen cell ( P ＜ 0.01 ) and lymph node cell ( P ＜0.05),and higher levels of IL-4 were detected in BALF and spleen cell culture supernatant(P＜0.01 ).Comparative analysis have not detect a significant irflammatory cell increases in rIL-17A treated mice lung tissue; however the histopathological lesions were decreased.ConclusionIntranasal inoculation of rIL-17A can promote pulmonary neutrophil and macrophage recruitment and bacterium clearance,Intranasal inoculation of riL-17enhances the host defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection partly through increasing the expression levels of defensins,MIP,IFN-T and IL-4 etc.

Objective To evaluate the effects of recombinant fusion protein interleukin-17F/His (IL-17F/His) on expression of immune-related inflammatory factors in murine models with Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) infection.Methods BALB/c mice were randomly divided into SP infection group,fusion protein intervention group and the normal control group.Before intranasal infection with SP,the mice were treated with PBS or IL-17F/His respectively.The number of bacteria and leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was counted,and the mRNA levels of β-defensin-2 (Defb2),macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-lα and MIP-2β in lung tissue were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR,the concentrations of MIP-1 α,MIP-2β,IFN-γ and IL-4 in BALF,supematants of spleen cell and mediastinal lymph node cell were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The expressions of IL-17F and Defb2 in lung tissues were observed with immunocytochemistry.Results 1.Compared with the SP infection group,in the fusion protein intervention group,the total number of WBC (209.00 ± 18.23) was higher,the number of neutrophil,macrophage and lymphocyte[(8.67 ±2.16) × 106/L,(193.50 ± 16.50) × 106/L,(6.83 ± 1.17) × 106/L] were higher in BALF(U/F =38.097,28.854,32.942,27.810,all P ＜ 0.05),while the number of bacteria [2.75 (1.15-3.09) × 103/L] was significantly lower(P =0.02).2.Compared with SP infection group,the expression levels of Defb2 mRNA and MIP-1α mRNA(31.64 ±4.97,5.81 ± 1.09) in lung tissues were higher in the fusion protein intervention group,while the expression level of MIP-2β mRNA (6.69 ± 2.05) was lower (t =4.889,2.306,3.536,all P ＜ 0.05).3.Compared with the SP infection group,the concentration of MIP-2β [(64.15 ± 13.41) ng/L] was significantly decreased and concentration of IL-4 [(92.28 ± 4.52) ng/L] was significantly increased in BALF in the fusion protein intervention group(H/F =159,289,40.767,all P ＜0.01).4.Compared with the SP infection group,the concentrations of MIP-2β and IL-4 [(255.02 ± 13.95) ng/L,(107.02 ± 7.53) ng/L] were both significantly increased in spleen cell culture supematants in the fusion protein intervention group,the concentrations of MIP-1 α and IFN-γ [(413.61 ± 24.23) ng/L,(98.88 ± 5.84) ng/L] were both significantly decreased (all P ＜ 0.05).5.Immunocytochemistry analysis revealed that the expressions of IL-17F and Defb2 were both higher in the fusion protein intervention group than those in the SP infection group; there was no expression in the normal control group.Conclusions Intranasal inoculation of recombinant fusion protein IL-17F/His can promote pulmonary neutrophil and macrophage recruitment and increase bacterium clearance,and enhance the host defense against SP infection through increa-sing the expression of defensins,regulating the levels of MIP,IL-4 and IFN-γ.

Objective To observe the effects of intranasal inoculation with recombinant Mycobacteri-um smegmatis ( rMS) on the airway inflammation of non-eosinophilic asthmatic mouse and further investigate the relative mechanism. Methods DO11. 10 T-cell receptor transgenic mice were divided randomly into three groups. Non-eosinophilic asthmatic model was established via OVA challenge, rMS were administrated into mice before challenge. Anti-IL-17A autoantibody in sera, IL-6 and IL-17A in BALF were measured by ELISA, the proportion of neutrophil in BALF was measured by FCM, MPO activity in lung tissue was detected by colorimetry, and the mRNA expression of CXCL2 and CXCL5 was measured by real-time PCR. Results Compared to control group, the number of neutrophils, IL-6 and IL-17A levels in BALF from asthmatic mice was significantly increased, meanwhile MPO activity and the expression of CXCL2, CXCL5 in lung tissue were both significantly upregulated. The results showed that high titer of autoantibody of IL-17A in sera of mice vaccined with recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis was detected. Compared to asthma group, neutrophils and IL-6, IL-17A in BALF were significantly decreased, meanwhile MPO activity and CXCL2, CXL5 mRNA expression were significantly down-regulated. Conclusion Recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in murine neutrophilic asthma model and it may have protective effects on asthma.

Objective:To evaluate and analyze the health status of the elderly from physical health, mental health and social health, so as to understand the health status and health service needs of rural elderly.Methods:A total of 263 elderly people aged 60 years and over(mean aged 70.9±7.9 years, 113 males and 150 females, 125 aged 60-69 years, 98 aged 70-79 years and 40 aged 80 years and over)in Nanwangkong Village, Shaozhuang Town, Qingzhou City, Weifang City, Shandong Province were selected by cluster sampling method.The physical, mental, social and overall health status of the elderly were comprehensively evaluated and analyzed by self-designed questionnaire.Results:The overall health rate was 30%(79 cases), and the physical health, mental health and social health rates were 73.8%(194 cases), 84.0%(221 cases)and 34.6%(91 cases), respectively, in rural elderly in this area.The physical health was better in males than in females in 80~ years old groups( χ2=5.736, P<0.05). The overall health was better in males than in females in the total age group and the 60~69 years old groups( χ2=7.468 and 11.116, both P<0.01). The proportions of unhealthy, basic healthy and healthy people in the overall and the dimensions of physical health, mental health and social health had significant differences in the 60~69, 70~79 and 80~ years old groups( χ2=40.590, 29.342, 18.503 and 27.615, all P<0.01), and the Chi-square test for trend showed that there was a statistically significant downward trend of overall health grade distribution with age( χ2=21.994, 12.831, 16.570 and 22.595, both P<0.01). Conclusions:In this study, 30.0% of the rural elderly were considered healthy, 48.3% were basically healthy, and 21.7% were unhealthy.The health status of the elderly gradually deteriorates with age.The government should strengthen the multidimensional health assessment of the rural elderly and provide the comprehensive health guidance services and targeted interventions for the elderly in terms of disease control, psychological counseling and social participation.