Autoimmune disease is a condition arisen from an abnormal immune response to the tissue cells itself, its precise mechanism remains unknown, and the failure to distinguish self from non-self is often termed a breach of tolerance and is the basis for autoimmune illness. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced protein 8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a newly discovered member of TNF-α induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8) family which is an essential negative controller of both innate and adaptive immunity. It has been documented that marked expressions of TIPE2 are evident in various autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), myasthenia gravis (MG) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which appear to be closely related to the severity, progression as well as prognosis of the illness, thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Deficient expression of TIPE2 might contribute to the hyper-reactivity of auto-reactive lymphocytes and macrophages, or aggregate inflammatory reaction by prompting high concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood, thus, trigger the development and progression of autoimmune diseases. In addition, dysregulation of immune homeostasis could be another latent target involved into the mechanism of autoimmune diseases. The present paper summarized the potential role and its mechanism of TIPE2 in the development of autoimmune diseases.

Infectious diseases are resulted from the invasion of an organism's body tissues by multiple disease-causing agents. It has been demonstrated that the occurrence and development of infectious diseases are closely associated with the functional status of immune system. Cytokines play significant roles in modulating the host immune response to the clearance of pathogenic microorganisms and maintaining immune homeostasis. Interleukin-35 (IL-35), as a newly identified member of IL-12 family, exerts suppressive effect on immune response by means of a specific pattern. With the progress of research in recent years, IL-35 might serve as an essential contributor in the immunopathogensis of vast infectious diseases, including hepatitis B, sepsis, tuberculosis and parasite infection, which simultaneously appear to be closely related to the severity, progression as well as prognosis of the illness. Apparently, IL-35 is regarded as a potent and promising anti-inflammatory cytokine in clinical application; its potential value may shed light on the therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. Herein, we mainly review the potential role and its mechanism of IL-35 in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.

Objective:To investigate the role and significance of NUFIP-1-mediated ribophagy in apoptosis of dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Methods:Cultured mouse dendritic cell line DC2.4 were divided into the blank control group and LPS stimulation groups for 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h ( n=5). LPS subgroups were consistently cultured with 1 μg/mL LPS for the corresponding incubation time. Western blot was adopted to detect the expression levels of NUFIP-1 and autophagy-related proteins p62 and LC3B across groups. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was applied to detect the expression and cellular localization of NUFIP-1, with its co-localization with Lyso-tracker and LC3B, respectively. The silencing blank vector NS and silencing virus vector NUFIP-1 siRNA were transferred into DC2.4 ( n=3) and stimulated with 1 μg/mL LPS for 24 h. The apoptosis of DC2.4 was measured by flow cytometry analysis. The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were determined using Western blot, including cleaved caspase-3 and Bcl-2. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for comparison among multiple groups, and LSD-t method was used for subsequent pairwise comparison. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The results of Western blot showed that expression level of NUFIP-1 in DC2.4 revealed a trend of first increasing and subsequent decreasing upon LPS stimulation for different times (6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h), and the expression level of NUFIP-1 in the LPS 24 h group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group [blank control group: (0.6786 ± 0.0820); LPS 24 h group: (1.4830 ± 0.1170); P<0.01]. Meanwhile, p62 expression in the LPS 24 h group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group [blank control group: (0.9087 ± 0.1235); LPS 24 h group: (0.3113 ± 0.5571); P<0.01]. Moreover, the conversion from LC3B-I to LC3B-II in the LPS 24 h group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group [blank control group: (0.5542 ± 0.1248); LPS 24 h group: (2.5310 ± 0.3119); P<0.01]. LSCM indicated that NUFIP-1 was predominantly located in the nucleus and perinuclear area in DC2.4. The fluorescence intensity of NUFIP-1 increased in a time-dependent manner from 6 h to 24 h after LPS stimulation, whereas a significant reduction could be observed at 48 h and 72 h after LPS stimulation. Meanwhile, the co-localization of NUFIP-1 with Lyso-tracker and LC3B was substantially reinforced in comparison with the blank control group. Transfection of NUFIP-1 siRNA through lentivirus transfection technology significantly down-regulated the expression level of NUFIP-1 in DC2.4, with statistical differences compared with the blank control group and empty vector group [blank control group: (0.6627 ± 0.1707); empty vector group: (0.6966 ± 0.1107); siRNA group: (0.1428 ± 0.0296); P<0.05]. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the apoptotic rate of LPS-stimulated DC2.4 was significantly higher in the NUFIP-1 siRNA transfection group than that in the blank control group and empty vector group [blank control LPS 24 h group: (47.91% ± 1.006%); empty vector LPS 24 h group: (70.26% ± 1.011%); siRNA LPS 24 h group: (80.23% ± 2.094); P<0.01]. Western blot analysis of apoptosis-related protein further confirmed that the expression level of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly elevated in the NUFIP-1 siRNA transfection group compared to those of the blank control group and empty vector group under LPS challenge [blank control LPS 24 h group: (0.4748 ± 0.0876); empty vector LPS 24 h group: (0.2849 ± 0.0418); siRNA LPS 24 h group: (0.9733 ± 0.0525); P<0.01]. Likewise, expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein was significantly down-regulated in the siRNA LPS 24 h group [blank control LPS 24 h group: (0.7810 ± 0.0490); empty vector LPS 24 h group: (0.8292 ± 0.0729); siRNA LPS 24 h group: (0.3957 ± 0.0838); P<0.05]. Conclusions:NUFIP-1-mediated ribophagy is significantly activated in DC2.4 upon LPS stimulation, exerting an underlying protective effect on apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of stress-induced protein Sestrin2 (SESN2) on necroptosis of mouse dendritic cell (DC) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with zVAD, a panaspartate-specific cysteine protease (caspase) inhibitor.Methods:The DC2.4 cell line derived from the bone marrow of mouse in the 3rd to 10th generations was cultured. The cells were stimulated with LPS for 0 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours, and grouped according to the stimulation time points. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein expression of SESN2 in each group. Overexpression empty lentivirus (NC), SESN2 gene overexpression RNA sequence lentivirus (SESN2 LV-RNA), small interfering empty lentivirus (NS), and SESN2 gene small interfering RNA sequence lentivirus (SESN2 siRNA) were transfected into DC2.4 cells. After 72 hours of transfection, cell fluorescence expression was observed under the inverted fluorescence microscope. Cells in each transfection group were stimulated with LPS for 24 hours. The blank control groups were set up and cultured with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 24 hours. Western blotting was performed to measure SESN2 protein expression. In the same groups as above, cells were stimulated with LPS+zVAD for 24 hours. The blank control groups were set up and cultured with PBS for 24 hours. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) and phosphorylated-MLKL (p-MLKL). The p-MLKL levels and the number of positive cells were observed using laser scanning confocal microscopy. The necroptotic cell ratios were assessed by both flow cytometry and Hoechst staining.Results:Compared to the LPS 0 hour group, the expression of SESN2 in the LPS 24 hours group showed a significant increase. Therefore, 24 hours was chosen as the subsequent stimulation time point. After successful lentivirus transduction and 24 hours of cultivation, the MLKL phosphorylation level in the SESN2 siRNA+LPS+zVAD group was significantly higher than that in the NS+LPS+zVAD group. The MLKL phosphorylation in the SESN2 LV-RNA+LPS+zVAD group was significantly lower than that in the NC+LPS+zVAD group. The MLKL phosphorylation levels in both the NS+LPS+zVAD group and the NC+LPS+zVAD group were obviously higher than those in the NS+PBS group and the NC+PBS group, respectively. Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that the trends in quantity and fluorescence intensity of p-MLKL protein expressions were consistent with the above results. The results from flow cytometry analysis and Hoechst staining showed that the rates of cell necrotic apoptosis in SESN2 siRNA+LPS+zVAD group were significantly higher than those in NS+LPS+zVAD group [flow cytometry analysis: (30.800±1.153)% vs. (20.800±1.114)%, Hoechst staining: (75.267±0.451)% vs. (46.267±3.371)%, both P < 0.05], indicating that knocking down SESN2 further exacerbated the occurrence of necroptosis. The necrotic apoptosis rates in SESN2 LV-RNA+LPS+zVAD group were significantly lower than those in NC+LPS+zVAD group [flow cytometry analysis: (7.160±0.669)% vs. (19.240±2.322)%, Hoechst staining: (32.433±3.113)% vs. (48.567±4.128)%, both P < 0.05], indicating that overexpressing SESN2 reversed such response and markedly reduced the proportion of necroptotic cells compared to the corresponding empty vector group. Conclusion:SESN2 exhibits an inhibitory effect on necroptosis of DC in sepsis. Targeted SESN2 expression may regulate the process of DC-mediated immune response in sepsis.

Objective:To explore the effects of Xuebijing injection and its component hydroxysafflor yellow A on coagulation and survival rates of septic rats.Methods:① Assessment of coagulation: 144 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups by random number table: sham group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis model group (CLP group), CLP+Xuebijing group, and CLP+hydroxysafflor yellow A group, with 36 rats in each group. CLP was used for reproducing septic models. The cecum of the rats in the sham group was exposed by laparotomy and then returned to the abdominal cavity without CLP, while the other steps were the same as those in the CLP group. Rats in the CLP+Xuebijing group and CLP+hydroxysafflor yellow A group were injected with Xuebijing (4 mL/kg, twice a day) or hydroxysafflor yellow A solution (0.378 g/L, 298 μg each time, twice a day) through caudal vein after operation. Levels of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fib), and D-dimer in peripheral blood were measured by automatic coagulation analyzer at 6, 12, 24 hours after operation. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to determine levels of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) in peripheral blood. ② Analysis of survival rates: 120 rats were divided into four groups by random number table (the same groups with those in the section of assessment of coagulation), with 30 rats in each group. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was plotted, and the cumulative survival rates were observed and recorded for 7 days after CLP surgery.Results:① Results of coagulation assessment: compared with the sham group, septic rats in the CLP group showed significant dysfunction in coagulation early, as evidenced by prolonged PT at 6 hours after CLP (s: 8.9±0.2 vs. 8.4±0.4, P < 0.01), and significantly increased levels of Fib, D-dimer, TFPI and sTM [Fib (g/L): 2.8±0.3 vs. 2.3±0.1, D-dimer (ng/L): 1.8±0.2 vs. 1.5±0.1, TFPI (ng/L): 131.1±10.9 vs. 102.8±10.5, sTM (μg/L): 27.2±1.2 vs. 19.8±2.9, all P < 0.01]. The coagulation dysfunction became more and more serious at 12 hours after operation, and further deteriorated with time. The use of both Xuebijing and hydroxysafflor yellow A revealed significant improvement in coagulation of septic rats at 6 hours, as shown by shortened PT (s: 8.3±0.2, 8.3±0.1 vs. 8.9±0.2, both P < 0.01), and decreased Fib, D-dimer, TFPI and sTM as compared with those in the CLP group [Fib (g/L): 2.3±0.1, 2.3±0.2 vs. 2.8±0.3; D-dimer (ng/L): 1.5±0.1, 1.5±0.2 vs. 1.8±0.2; TFPI (ng/L): 109.5±10.2, 91.5±5.0 vs. 131.1±10.9; sTM (μg/L): 22.3±1.5, 21.1±1.8 vs. 27.2±1.2; all P < 0.01]. However, there was no significant difference in coagulation function between the two intervention groups. ② Results of survival rates analysis: the rats in the sham group all survived 7 days after operation. The 7-day cumulative survival rate of the CLP group was only 36.67% (11/30). Compared with the CLP group, the cumulative survival rates were significantly increased in rats of the CLP+Xuebijing group and CLP+hydroxysafflor yellow A group [66.67% (20/30), 66.67% (20/30) vs. 36.67% (11/30), both P < 0.05], but no significant difference was found between the CLP+Xuebijing group and CLP+hydroxysafflor yellow A group. Conclusion:Both Xuebijing and its component hydroxysafflor yellow A appear to be capable of alleviating coagulation disorders and improving survival rates of septic rats effectively, and the effects show no significant difference between them.

Although the clinical definitions of sepsis and recommended treatments are regularly updated, a systematic review has not been done for preclinical models. To address this deficit, a Wiggers-Bernard Conference on preclinical sepsis modeling reviewed the 260 most highly cited papers between 2003 and 2012 using sepsis models to create a series of recommendations. This PartⅡreport provides recommendations for the types of infections and documentation of organ injury in preclinical sepsis models. Concerning the types of infections, the review showed that the cecal ligation and puncture model was used for 44% of the studies while 40% injected endotoxin. Recommendation #8 (numbered sequentially from PartⅠ): endotoxin injection should not be considered as a model of sepsis; live bacteria or fungal strains derived from clinical isolates are more appropriate. Recommendation #9: microorganisms should replicate those typically found in human sepsis. Sepsis-3 states that sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, but the review of the papers showed limited attempts to document organ dysfunction. Recommendation #10: organ dysfunction definitions should be used in preclinical models. Recommendation #11: not all activities in an organ/system need to be abnormal to verify organ dysfunction. Recommendation #12: organ dysfunction should be measured in an objective manner using reproducible scoring systems. Recommendation #13: not all experiments must measure all parameters of organ dysfunction, but investigators should attempt to fully capture as much information as possible. These recommendations are proposed as "best practices" for animal models of sepsis.

Preclinical animal studies are mandatory before new treatments can be tested in clinical trials. However, their use in developing new therapies for sepsis has been controversial because of limitations of the models and inconsistencies with the clinical conditions. In consideration of the revised definition for clinical sepsis and septic shock (Sepsis-3), a Wiggers-Bernard Conference was held in Vienna in May 2017 to propose standardized guidelines on preclinical sepsis modeling. The participants conducted a literature review of 260 most highly cited scientific articles on sepsis models published between 2003 and 2012. The review showed, for example, that mice were used in 79% and euthanasia criteria were defined in 9% of the studies. PartⅠof this report details the recommendations for study design and humane modeling endpoints that should be addressed in sepsis models. The first recommendation is that survival follow-up should reflect the clinical time course of the infectious agent used in the sepsis model. Furthermore, it is recommended that therapeutic interventions should be initiated after the septic insult replicating clinical care. To define an unbiased and reproducible association between a new treatment and outcome, a randomization and blinding of treatments as well as inclusion of all methodological details in scientific publications is essential. In all preclinical sepsis studies, the high standards of animal welfare must be implemented. Therefore, development and validation of specific criteria for monitoring pain and distress, and euthanasia of septic animals, as well as the use of analgesics are recommended. A set of four considerations is also proposed to enhance translation potential of sepsis models. Relevant biological variables and comorbidities should be included in the study design and sepsis modeling should be extended to mammalian species other than rodents. In addition, the need for source control (in case of a defined infection focus) should be considered. These recommendations and considerations are proposed as "best practices" for animal models of sepsis that should be implemented.