Objective: To investigate the risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated by invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), so as to provide insights into prevention of IPA among COPD patients. Methods: The COPD patients complicated by IPA hospitalized in Yiwu Central Hospital from 2017 to 2021 were recruited as the case group, while COPD patients without IPA during the same study period served as controls. Participants' general information, laboratory tests, comorbidities and treatments were collected. The risk factors of COPD complicated by IPA were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: There were 30 participants in the case group and 30 in the control group, including 22 men and 8 women in each group and with a mean age of (75.00±10.00) and (74.00±10.00) years, respectively. There were 27 (90.00%) and 19 (63.33%) cases with stage 3 and higher COPD in the case and control groups, and the mean duration of hospital stay in the past one year was (12.89±4.88) and (8.59±3.85) days in the case and control groups, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified long duration of hospital stay in the past one year (OR=1.230, 95%CI: 1.011-1.498), stage 3 and higher COPD (OR=18.637, 95%CI: 1.415-245.402) as risk factors of COPD complicated by IPA. Conclusions Duration of hospital stay in the past one year and severity of COPD are risk factors for COPD complicated by IPA.

T lymphocyte immune dysfunction plays an important role in the occurrence and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the specific mechanism is not fully understood. Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) negatively regulates the activation and effector function of T lymphocytes by binding to its ligand PD-L1, thus participating in the maintenance of immune tolerance. Recent studies have found that blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway can improve T-cell depletion and enhance the ability of anti-infection in COPD patients. Therefore, understanding the regulatory effects of PD-1 on T lymphocytes is of great significance to studying the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of COPD. This article briefly reviewed the research progress in PD-1 in terms of structure, function, T cell regulation and relationship with COPD.

Objective To explore the expression of DC?SIGN, the phenotype of dendritic cells (DCs), on podocytes, and its role in immune and inflammatory responses of lupus nephritis (LN). Methods DC?SIGN and IgG1 expression in renal tissues of lupus nephritis patients were observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The 4?week old LN mice were randomly divided into the experimental group and the intervention group. C57BL/6J mice were used as normal control group. Mice of the intervention group were injected anti?DC?SIGN antibody at 6?week old. Mice were sacrificed at 16, 20, 24, 28?week old respectively, to observe the mice renal function and pathological changes. And DC?SIGN and IgG1 expression in renal tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In addition, mice podocytes were treated with serum of LN mice. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the expression of MHC II, CD80 and DC?SIGN expression on podocytes. Mixed lymphocyte reaction was used to detect the ability of stimulating T cells proliferation. IFN?gamma and IL?4 in supernatant were determined by ELISA. Results (1) Expression of DC?SIGN and IgG1 was found in glomeruli of lupus nephritis patients. (2) Accompanied by increased proteinuria of LN mice from 20?week old (P<0.01), DC?SIGN and IgG1 expression was found in glomeruli, and the renal function deteriorated up to 24 week?old (P<0.01). Mice with anti?DC?SIGN antibody intervention appeared reduced proteinuria and remission of renal function (P<0.01). (3) After stimulated by serum of LN mice, the expression of DC?SIGN, MHC II and CD80 was up?regulated, stimulation of T cell proliferation was enhanced (P<0.01), and IFN?gamma/IL?4 ratio increased (P<0.01). Anti?DC?SIGN antibody treatment down?regulated the expressions of DC?SIGN, MHC II and CD80 on podocytes, decreased the ability of stimulating T cell proliferation and lowered the ratio of IFN?gamma/IL?4 (P<0.01). Conclusions Podocytes in lupus nephritis can play DC?like function through the expression of DC?SIGN, which may be involved in immune and inflammatory responses of renal tissue. However, inhibiton of DC?SIGN can depress immune function of podocytes and have prevention and treatment effect.

OBJECTIVE: To construct phosphorylation sites domain (PSD) mutant of myristoylated alaninerich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and explore the role of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 cation channels (TRPM8) and MARCKS in cold-induced synthesis and exocytosis of mucin (MUC) 5AC. METHODS: Human placental cDNA was used as a template to amplify the full coding region of MARCKS cDNA by PCR. Ser159, Ser 163, Ser 167, Ser 170 in the PSD were mutated to aspartic acids by an overlap PCR method. The resultant PSD mutant cDNA and the wild-type MARCKS cDNA were each subcloned into a mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.0. Recombinant constructs were confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. In intervention experiments, cells were pretreated with the TRPM8 channel antagonist BCTC and transfected with MARCKS-PSD mutant cDNA, and thereafter cold stimulation was applied. The levels of MUC5AC were measured by immunofluorescence and ELISA to clarify the roles of TRPM8 and PSD mutant on the synthesis and secretion of MUC5AC induced by cold, respectively. RESULTS: Restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing revealed that the pcDNA3.0- MARCKS and pcDNA3.0-MARCKS-PSD mutants were successfully constructed. The levels of intracellular and secreted MUC5AC of cold treated group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). BCTC attenuated the cold-induced synthesis and secretion of MUC5AC when compared with cold treated group (P<0.05). Transfection of 16HBE cells with the MARCKS-PSD mutant cDNA resulted in significant inhibition of mucin secretion in response to cold, and significantly higher level of intracellular MUC5AC than that of control group (P<0.01), whereas transfection with the vector DNA or the wild-type MARCKS cDNA had no effect on the mucin synthesis and secretion in response to cold (P>0.05). CONCLUSION TRPM8 and phosphorylation of MARCKS-PSD mediates the cold-induced exocytosis of MUC5AC by airway epithelial cells.
Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; Cold Temperature ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Exocytosis ; physiology ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mucin 5AC ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate ; Phosphorylation ; TRPM Cation Channels ; metabolism ; Trachea ; cytology ; metabolism

Objective To explore the role of dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) in the tubulointerstitial lesions of immune-mediated nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN) and the intervention regulation by anti-P-selectin lectin-EGF domain monoclonal antibody (PsL-EGFmAb). Methods WKY rats were randomly divided into control,NTN and PsL-EGFmAb-treated groups. The mrs in NTN group were injected with 1 ml nephrotoxic rabbit serum per kilogram of rat body weight; the ones in PsL-EGFmAb-treated group were injected with 2 mg PsL-EGFmAb per kilogram of rat body weight simultaneously and 2 h later after nephrotoxic rabbit serum injection; and those in control group were injected with equal volume of 0.9% saline. Renal function and pathology were observed at day 4, 7 and 14 after the induction of NTN. Distribution of DC-SIGN + dendritic cells (DCs) in renal tissues was measured by immunofluorescence. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of P-selectin,RANTES, TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-4. Expression of MHC Ⅱ , CD80 and DC-SIGN on dendritic cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Transendothelial migration was used to detect the ability of DCs migration. DCs ability to activate T cells was determined by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). ELISA was used to detect the concentration of IFN-γ and IL-4 in the supernatant of MLR. Results At day 4, immature DC-SIGN+ DCs infiltrated the rat renal tubulointerstium of NTN group, matured at day 14, and enhanced the ability to migrate and activate T cells. The distribution of DC-SIGN + DCs was significantly related to the form of crescent, tubulointerstial lesions and renal function. In addition, expression of chemokine RANTES and proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α continuously augmented since day 4, while anti-inflammatory eytokine IL-10 decreased after markedly increased at day 4. At day 14, IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA increased, which was obviously related to DCs maturation. The intervention of PsL-EGFmAb supressed the expression of DC-SIGN and CD80 on DCs, depressed DCs maturation, migration and ability to activate T cells,down-regulated proinflammatory cytokines and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines in kidney,and thus regulated Th1/Th2 bias. At the same time, kidneys showed the decrease of crescents,improvement of tnbulointerstium damage and renal function. Conclusions DC-SIGN may mediate DCs tubulointerstitial infiltration. It may be also a potent regulator of local immune reaction imbalance and pathology of tubulointerstium. PsL-EGFmAb may depress DCs migration and downregulate DCs maturation and function through DC-SIGN, and thus having a role in prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of miR-21 in airway immunologic dysfunction induced by cold air irritation.

METHODSImmortalized human airway epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B and 16HBE cells were cultured in air-liquid phases. The differential expressions of endogenous miR-21, miR-164, and miR-155 in the cells induced by cold air exposure for different time were detected by real-time PCR. The reporter plasmid containing wild-type or mutated 3'UTR of TLR-4 were constructed and co-transfected into BEAS-2B cells or 16HBE cells together with miR-21 mimic, miR-21 mimic control, miR-21 inhibitor, or miR-21 inhibitor control. Following the transfection, dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the action of miR-21 on TLR-4. miR-21 mimic, miR-21 mimic control, miR-21 inhibitor, and miR-21 inhibitor control were transfected via lipofectamine 2000 in BEAS-2B or 16HBE cells that were subsequently exposed to a temperature at 37 degrees celsius; or cold irritation (30 degrees celsius;), and the protein levels of TLR-4/MyD88 were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSCold irritation caused a time- dependent up-regulation of miR-21 in both BEAS-2B and 16HBE cells (P<0.05) without obviously affecting the expressions of miR-164 and miR-155. Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated a direct combination of miR-21 and its target protein TLR-4. The synthesis levels of TLR-4/MyD88 protein were decreased in miR-21 mimic group even at a routine culture temperature (P<0.05), as also seen in cells with cold irritation (P<0.05). Treatment with the miR-21 inhibitor partially attenuated cold irritation-induced down-regulation of TLR-4/MyD88 protein (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCold air irritation-induced airway immunologic dysfunction is probably associated with TLR-4/MyD88 down-regulation by an increased endogenic miR-21.

3' Untranslated Regions ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cold Temperature ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelial Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Luciferases ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND:Among the pathogenic factors of cervical spondylosis,herniation of the intervertebral disc,dislocation of the facet joint and the stenosis of the intervertebral foramen are important factors leading to symptoms in patients.Moreover,inappropriate manipulation may aggravate the possibility of cervical disc rupture,leading to exacerbation of symptoms in patients. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect between sagittal cervical manipulation and traditional cervical rotation manipulation on the area of the intervertebral disc,facet joint and intervertebral foramen at the operative segment by the finite element analysis. METHODS:The neck CT data of a male volunteer with a normal neck were selected and imported into Mimics 17.0 three-dimensional reconstruction software.Geo-magic Studio 12.0,Solidworks 2017 and Ansys Workbench 17.0 software were used for the construction of the finite element model of cervical vertebrae(C3-6)including intervertebral disc and articular cartilage.The lower end plate of the C5 vertebral body was fixed.A uniformly distributed vertical downward 50 N load was applied on the upper surface of the upper vertebral body(C3).The stress,deformation and deformation direction of the C4-5 intervertebral disc,joint capsule stress,the displacement of facet joints and the area of bilateral intervertebral foramen were compared between sagittal cervical manipulation and traditional rotation reduction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)When using the rotation technique,the maximum normal equivalent stress(von Mises stress)of the C4-5 disc was 8.06 MPa;the total deformation was 1.05 mm,and the fiber ring expanded to the left and outside.When using the sagittal tip lifting technique,the maximum normal equivalent stress(von Mises stress)of the C4-5 disc was 2.60 MPa;the total deformation was 0.90 mm,and the fiber ring expanded to the left and back.Compared with the rotation technique,the pressure of the cervical manipulation technique on the disc was less(about 32.3%of the rotation technique),and the deformation degree of the disc was also light(about 85.7%of the rotation technique).(2)When the rotation technique was used,the maximum stresses of the left and right articular capsule ligaments were 0.37 MPa and 1.69 MPa,respectively.The overall displacement of the facet joint was 2.21 mm.The area of the right intervertebral foramen decreased by about 3.8%and the area of the left intervertebral foramen increased by about 0.9%.When the sagittal end lifting manipulation was performed,the maximum stresses of the left and right articular capsule ligaments were 0.27 MPa and 1.70 MPa,respectively;the overall displacement of the facet joint was 1.63 mm;the area of the right intervertebral foramen increased by about 2.6%,and the area of the left intervertebral foramen decreased by about 0.9%.Compared with rotation manipulation,sagittal end lifting manipulation had fewer changes in the displacement of facet joint,joint capsule stress and intervertebral foramen area,so it was safer to operate.(3)In conclusion,compared with cervical rotation manipulation,sagittal end lifting manipulation has fewer changes in facet joint displacement,intervertebral disc stress/deformation degree,joint capsule stress,and foraminal area.In clinical practice,more appropriate manipulation should be selected based on biomechanical results after an accurate assessment of patients'conditions.

In the study of embryo development process, the morphological features at different stages are essential to evaluate developmental competence of the embryo, which can be used to optimize and improve the system for
Blastocyst ; Embryo Culture Techniques ; Embryonic Development ; Fertilization in Vitro