OBJECTIVETo investigate the different expression of transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in lung cancer specimens of Gejiu miners, and non-miners in other regions.

METHODSThirty specimens of Gejiu miners' lung cancer and 30 specimens of non-miners' were observed in this experiment. The expression of TGF-beta(1) protein and TGF-beta(1) mRNA were detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The results were quantitatively analyzed using image analysis system.

RESULTSThe positive rate of TGF-beta(1) protein expression in Gejiu miners and non-miners was 75.39%and 44.78% respectively, and the positive rate of TGF-beta(1) mRNA was 63.96% and 34.07% respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TGF-beta(1) in lung cancer of Gejiu miners was significantly higher than that of non-miners. The pathogenesis of lung cancer may be different between Gejiu miner and non-miners. High expression of TGF-beta(1) may be one of the reasons of high incidence of lung cancer in Gejiu miners.

Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the changes of serum levels of interleukin 12 ( IL-12), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta 1) and immunoglobulin E ( IgE) in children with asthma as well as the correlation of IL-12 and TGFbeta 1 with IgE in order to investigate their roles in asthma.

METHODSSerum levels of IL-12 , TGFbeta 1 and IgE were detected using ELISA in 85 asthmatic children at the acute and the remission stages. Thirty healthy children served as control group.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, serum IL-12 and TGFbeta 1 levels were significantly lower and serum IgE levels were significantly higher in the asthmatic group through the acute to the remission stages. Serum IL-12 and TGFbeta 1 levels (40.42+/-15.26 ng/L and 65.41+/-22.38 pg/mL) significantly increased in the asthmatic group at the remission stage compared with those at the acute stage (28.42+/-10.73 ng/L and 40.25+/-11.73 pg/mL) (P<0.01), but remained lower levels than those in the control group (67.42+/-20.58 ng/L and 178.54+/-90.56 pg/mL) (P<0.01). The asthmatic patients at the remission stage showed significantly decreased serum IgE levels (145.67 +/-51.25 IU/mL) compared with those at the acute stage (280.35 +/-80.54 IU/mL) (P<0.01), but the IgE level in the remission stage was obviously higher than in the control group (53.61+/-13.32 IU/mL) (P<0.01). Serum IL-12 and TGFbeta 1 levels were negatively correlated with serum IgE level in asthmatic children.

CONCLUSIONSThere might be an imbalance in serum IL-12, TGFbeta 1 and IgE levels in asthmatic children. IL-12, TGFbeta 1 and IgE may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. They may be useful in the diagnosis and severity evaluation of asthma.

Asthma ; etiology ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Male ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

In order to investigate the effect of anti-TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibody on the expansion of cord blood CD34(+) cells, the purified cord blood CD34(+) cells were divided into three groups: blank control group: purified cord blood CD34(+) cells cultured on day 0; control group: cells cultured for 3 days in the culture system, containing SCF, IL-3, IL-6 and FLT3-L; test group: cells cultured for 3 days in the same culture system as control group, but with anti-TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibody. The mononuclear cell counting (MNC), the expression of CD34 and c-kit, and CFU-GEMM, BFU-E and CFU-GM counting were detected in all three groups. The result showed that the expansion of MNCs, CD34(+) cells and CD34(+)c-kit(+) cells in test group [(2.35 +/- 0.25) x 10(5), (1.16 +/- 0.29) x 10(5), (1.09 +/- 0.26) x 10(5)] was significantly higher than that in control group [(1.25 +/- 0.13) x 10(5), (0.55 +/- 0.19) x 10(5), (0.51 +/- 0.2) x 10(5)](p < 0.01). The expansion of more primitive CD34(+)c-kit(-) subpopulation in test group [(12.95 +/- 3.17) x 10(3)] was even significantly higher than in control group (1.71 +/- 0.83) x 10(3) (p < 0.01). Colony forming assay showed that the number of earlier progenitor colony CFU-GEMM, BFU-E in test group [(16.3 +/- 4.72) x 10(3), (60.5 +/- 20.96) x 10(3)] was higher than that in control group [(5.0 +/- 2.58) x 10(3), (16.25 +/- 7.93) x 10(3)] (p < 0.01). The number of relatively mature CFU-GM between test group and control group was not statistical significance [(6.33 +/- 2.85) x 10(3) vs (4.0 +/- 2.28) x 10(3)](p > 0.05), but both were higher than that in blank group (0.75 +/- 0.29) x 10(3). These results demonstrated that anti-TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibody promoted the expansion of MNC and CD34(+) cells, and even more marked expansion of the more primitive progenitor cells-CD34(+)c-kit(-) cells. Meanwhile, it enhanced the output of more immature colony CFU-GEMM and BFU-E, but had no evident influence on the mature myeloid colony CFU-GM. It is concluded that the anti-TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibody can synergize other cytokines to enhance the proliferation of cord blood CD34(+) progenitor cells effectively, and it is more important that can reserve more primitive progenitor cells.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; metabolism ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of Th17/Treg cell in patients with psoriasis arthritis (PA) and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe levels of IL-17 and TGF-β1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in PA patients (n=35) and healthy controls(n=30). The frequencies of Th17 and Treg in the peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy controls, Th17/Treg in peripheral blood were significantly increased (p<0.05), Th17-related cytokine IL-17 significantly increased (p<0.05), and TGF-β1 significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the PA patients.

CONCLUSIONTh17/Treg cell and the related cytokines IL-17 and TGF-β1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of PA.

Aged ; Arthritis, Psoriatic ; blood ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the regulattory effect of Astragalus membranaceus on immune disturbance of the rats with IgA nephropathy.

METHODSRats IgA nephropathy (IgAN) model was duplicated by oral feeding of bovine serum albumin (BSA), subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and injection of lipopolysaccharide (LSP) into vena caudalis. The rats were divided into three groups randomly for the normal, IgAN model group and the group treated with Astragalus membranaceus (treatment group). The treatment group was given the Astragalus membranaceus granules via intragastric administratsion, the normal group and the IgAN model group were given the equal amount of aqua destillata by gastric perfusion. The rats were examined for albuminuria, hematuria and pathological changes of renal tissue and the distribution of TGF-beta and interleukin-5 in renal tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry and the IFN-gamma and IL-4 of cytokine of Th1 and Th2 types were detected in rats IgA nephropathy model by sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS(1) The hematuria in rats with IgA nephropathy significantly increased compared with normal control group and Astragalus treatment group (P < 0.05). There was significant increase in albuminuria in rats with IgA nephropathy, compared with normal control group and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.01). (2) The pathological change of glomerular mesangium, renal tubules and renal interstitia became serious in rats IgA nephropathy model when compared with normal control group and astragalus treatment group. Immumofluorescence showed renal IgA density in rats IgA nephropathy model was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.001) and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.001). (3) The result of immuno histochemistry showed that there was only weak expression of TGF-beta and interleukin 5 in normal renal tissue. The expression of TGF-beta and interleukin 5 in IgA nephropathy model was significantly stronger than those in normal control group (P < 0.05) and astragalus treatment group (P < 0.05). (4) The serum IL-4 levels were (33.74 +/- 7.52) pg/ml in rats IgA nephropathy model, significantly higher than that in normal control group (2.36 +/- 0.85) pg/ml and astragalus treatment group (3.24 +/- 1.13) pg/ml. The IFN-gamma level in serum of rats IgA nephropathy model was (18.79 +/- 3.80) pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that in normal control group (46.53 +/- 5.56) pg/ml and astragalus treatment group (41.28 +/- 2.95) pg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSThe astragalus could lower the level of hematuria and 24 hours-albuminuria of the IgAN model, and amelioratse the change of the renal pathology and reduce the deposit of IgA in glomerular mesangium. The possible mechanism of the effect is that astragalus could regulate the derangement of Th1, Th2, accordingly could improve the level of IL-4 and IFN-gamma in the serum and diminish the expression of cytokine Th2 TGF-beta1 and IL-5 of the renal tissue, and thereby could postpone the development of IgAN.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; immunology ; Cattle ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-5 ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEYoung C57BL/6 (B6) mice were treated with a specific tolerogen-dual analogue (Lys262-Ala207) intranasally to observe its effect on the invasion process of mice model and the clinical symptoms, to assess its clinical effects, and to explore the underlying mechanisms and feasibility of nasal mucosal tolerance explored.

METHODSPassively transferred myasthenia gravis (PTMG) was induced by mAb35 on B6 young female mice. Sixty mice were divided equally into three groups: tolerance group, model group and control group. Lys262-Ala207 was given intranasally (250 microg/mouse) to tolerance group with mAb35 for 10 successive days before immunization. Model group received PBS 50 microl only. The body weight and clinical scores were evaluated. The serum levels of AChRAb and the main cytokines (IL-4, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta1) were detected with ELISA.

RESULTSThe model group had typical myasthenia symptoms. B6 mice of tolerance group had less severe symptoms compared with control groups. The clinical symptoms of tolerance group were relieved. The level of AChRAb in tolerance group [(16.01 +/- 1.09) mg/L] was significantly lower than that of model group [(28.12 +/- 1.28) mg/L] (t = 44.37, P < 0.01). IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels in tolerance group [(141.02 +/- 3.11) ng/L, (187.99 +/- 4.67) ng/L] were significantly lower than those of model group [(193.37 +/- 3.95) ng/L, (320.46 +/- 2.14) ng/L] (t = 37.20, 51.69, P < 0.01). The level of TGF-beta1 in tolerance group [(437.19 +/- 1.93) ng/L] was higher than that of model group [(175.63 +/- 3.12) ng/L] (t = 36.07, P < 0.01). But there were still significant change as compared to those in control group (t = 26.65, 31.05, 49.02, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNasal administration of Lys262-Ala207 ameliorated muscular weakness in PTMG young mice. The therapeutic effect is possibly correlated with the function of immune system.

Animals ; Female ; Immune Tolerance ; Immunity, Mucosal ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myasthenia Gravis ; blood ; immunology ; Nasal Mucosa ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

This study was aimed to investigate the role of regulatory B cells (Breg) in pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and its clinical significance. A total of 35 ITP patients and 20 normal controls were enrolled in this study. The expression of CD19(+)CD24(hi)CD38(hi) B cells was detected by flow cytometry and the expression of IL-10 mRNA and TGF-β1 mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR. The results indicated that the expression level of CD19(+)CD24(hi)CD38(hi) B cells in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed ITP patients was obviously lower than that in normal controls (P < 0.05); the expression level of CD19(+)CD24(hi)CD38(hi) B cells in ITP patients with increased platelet count after treatment was higher than that before treatment (P < 0.05); the expression level of IL-10 mRNA in newly diagnosed ITP patients was significantly lower than that the in normal controls (P < 0.05), the expression level of TGF-β1 mRNA in newly diagnosed ITP patients increases as compared with normal controls (P < 0.05), after treatment with DXM the expression of IL-10 mRNA was enhanced, the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was reduced as compared with expression level before treatment (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the Breg cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ITP via humoral immunity and its regulation of T lymphocytes.
Adult ; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the dynamic changes of Th17/Treg balance in patients following surgical intervention for intracranial aneurysm rupture.

METHODSThe percentage of Th cells and the intracellular IL-17 level, Treg cell percentage and transforming growth factor -β1 (TGF-β1) levels were examined in 73 patients with rupture of aneurysms before and at 24 h, 72 h and 1 week after operation, with 62 patients with unruptured aneurysms and 65 healthy volunteers as the control. The correlations among the immune cells, cytokines and clinical characteristics of the patients (NIHSS, ADL and hospitalization stay) were analyzed.

RESULTSTh17 percentage and intracellular IL-17 levels were significantly higher in the patients with ruptured and unruptured aneurysms than in the healthy volunteers, and were significantly higher in patients with ruptured aneurysms than in those with unruptured aneurysms. Treg cell percentage and TGF-β1 level were significantly lower in patients with aneurysms than in the healthy volunteers, and were lower in patients with ruptured aneurysms than in those with uruptured aneurysms (P<0.05). Patients with intracranial aneurysm rupture showed significantly increased Th17 cell percentage and IL-17 level but significantly lowered Treg cell percentage and TGF-β1 at 24 h following the surgery (P<0.05); these changes were reversed significantly at 72 h and 1 week after the surgery. Th17 cell percentage and IL-17 level were positively correlated with NIHSS and the length of postoperative hospital stay but inversely correlated with ADL; Treg cell percentage and TGF-β1 were inversely correlated with NIHSS and hospital stay but positively with ADL (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with intracranial aneurysms, the systemic immune inflammatory response is highlighted by excessive Th17 cells and insufficient Treg cells, which are closely related with the outcomes of the patients following surgical intervention. Evaluation of Th17/Treg balance and the cytokine levels can help to assess the prognosis of patients with aneurysm rupture.

Aneurysm, Ruptured ; immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; immunology ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVEThis study determined the changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, IL-10 and TGF-beta1 levels in peripheral blood in children with asthma in order to explore immunologic mechanism of asthma attacks.

METHODSSeventy-four children with asthma attacks, twenty-eight children with stable asthma and twenty healthy children were enrolled. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood was detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1 were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 levels in peripheral blood in the asthma attacks group were significantly lower than those in the stable asthma and the control groups (p<0.01) .The stable asthma group showed a similar percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and IL-10 levels to the control group. Compared with the stable asthma and the control groups, serum TGF-beta1 level in the asthma attacks group increased significantly (p<0.05). In the asthma attacks, the stable asthma, and the control groups, the percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood was not correlated to serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONSThe percentage of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood and serum IL-10 levels decrease and serum TGF-beta1 levels increases in children with asthma attacks, which results in a decreased immunosuppressive effect. This might contribute to one of the immunologic mechanisms of asthma attacks.

Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Male ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the percentages of peripheral blood γδ T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg) and the expression of associated cytokines, interleukin 17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), in infants with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection.

METHODSTwenty-two infants with HCMV infection (HCMV group) and 22 healthy infants who underwent physical examination (control group) were enrolled in this study. The percentages of peripheral blood γδ T cells and Treg cells were determined by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-17 and TGF-β1 in plasma were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the HCMV group had significantly higher percentage of γδ T cells and IL-17 level (P<0.01) and significantly lower percentage of Treg cells and TGF-β1 level (P<0.01). In the HCMV group, the percentage of γδ T cells was negatively correlated with the percentage of Treg cells and TGF-β1 level (P<0.05), but positively correlated with IL-17 level (P<0.05); the percentage of Treg cells was positively correlated with TGF-β1 level (P<0.05), but negatively correlated with IL-17 level (P<0.05); there was no correlation between IL-17 level and TGF-β1 level (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is an imbalance between γδ T cells and Treg cells in the peripheral blood of infants with HCMV infection, and γδ T cells may be involved in the secretion of IL-17.

Cytokines ; blood ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Male ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta ; analysis ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood