Objective To detect the expression of CD70 in peripheral T lymphocytes of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the effect of azacitidine, an inhibitor of DNA methylation, on it. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 10 patients with active SLE (SLEDAI score ≥5), 10 patients with nonactive SLE (SLEDAI score < 5) and 10 normal human controls. Peripheral T lymphocytes were isolated and cultured for 72 hours. A part of the T lymphocytes from normal controls, which were cultured in the presence of azacitidine at 1 mol/L, served as the methylation-inhibited group. Semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR and flow cytometry were applied to detect the mRNA expression of CD70 and frequency of CD70+CD4+ cells in the cultured lymphocytes, respectively. Results The frequency of CD70+CD4+ lymphocytes was 14.55%±5.49% in normal control group, 85.25%±14.08% in active SLE group, 77.65% ±18.77% in nonactive SLE group, and 81.54%±8.71% in methylation-inhibited group. Compared with the normal control group, a significant increase was observed in both the frequency of CD70+CD4+ lymphocytes (all P < 0.01) and the expression of CD70 expression (all P < 0.05) in other three groups. There was a positive correlation between the frequency of peripheral CD70+CD4+ lymphocytes and disease activity of SLE in patients (r = 0.72, P < 0.05). Conclusions The elevated expression of CD70 appears to play a significant role in the immunologic disarrangement in SLE, and may act as a indicator of disease activity of this disease.

Objective To explore the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of chronic eczema. Methods Twenty-seven patients with chronic eczema were enrolled into this study along with 12 normal human controls. The severity of eczema was evaluated by eczema area and severity index (EASI) in patients. Skin specimens and vein blood samples were obtained from all the subjects. Reverse-transcription PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of IL-18 and IFN-γ in the skin tissue, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the protein expression of IL-18 and IFN-γ in the sera of these subjects. Results The mRNA expression level in patients and controls was 1.04±0.29 pg/mL and 0.52±0.15 pg/mL for IL-18, respectively, 0.96±0.34 pg/mL and 0.47±0.12 pg/mL for IFN-γ, respectively; a significant increase was observed in the mRNA expression level of both IFN-γ and IL-18 in the patients than in the controls (both P<0.01). Moreover, the mRNA expression level of both IFN-γ and IL-18 positively correlated with the severity of eczema in patients (r=0.737, 0.883, both P<0.01). The protein expression level of IL-18 and IFN-γ was 475.8±59.4 pg/mL and 10.1±7.0 pg/mL, respectively, in the patients, 123.6 ±29.5 pg/mL and 11.1±3.4 pg/mL, respectively, in the controls; a statistical difference was observed in the protein expression level of IL-18 (P<0.01), but not in that of IFN-γ(P>0.01), between the patients and controls. No significant correlation was observed betweenthe serum level of IL-18 or IFN-γ and sererity of eczema in the patients (both P>0.01). Conclusions IL-18 may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic eczema. Also, in local lesions, IL-18 seems to correlate with the induction of production of Th1 type cytokines, such as IFN-γ which could subsequently mediate hypersensitivity response.

Objective to investigate the effect of TGP assisted treatment of SLE on the expression of CD4+CD25+ T in patient peripheral blood .Methods flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ T cells in healthy group ,routine group and TGP group .Results The expression rate of CD4+CD25+ T cells in SLE patients was (6 .15 ± 1 .21)% ,and that of the healthy controls was (12 .30 ± 1 .78)% .The expression rate of CD4+CD25+ T cells in active SLE patients and healthy controls were significantly different (t=22 .03 ,P<0 .05) .In the routine group ,the expression rate of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ T cells before and after treatment were significantly different (t= 12 .30 ,P<0 .05);in the TGP group ,the expression rate of peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ T cells before and after treatment were significantly different ,too (t=16 .68 ,P<0 .05) .The expression rate of periph‐eral blood CD4+CD25+ T cells in routine group and TGP group were (9 .34 ± 1 .37)% and (11 .49 ± 1 .14)% respectively ,and the difference was statistically significant (t=6 .46 ,P<0 .05) .Conclusion The expression rate of CD4+ CD25+ T cells in active SLE patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls ;the expression rate of CD4+CD25+ T cells in SLE patients increased significantly after treatment .The TGP treatment may work on CD4+CD25+ T cells .

Objective To investigate the expression and secretion of mice DNaseI gene plasmid transfected into bone marrow (BM-MSCs) mesenchymal stem cells. Methods The plasmids of mouse DNaseI gene had been transfected into the BM-MSCs of mice by liposomes. The expression of DNaseI gene in the BM-MSCs was detected by western blotting and the DNaseI activity was measured by DNA-methyl green substrate colorimetry. Results About 30% BM -MSCs were transfected with mice plasmid DNaseI gene, DNaseI was expressed in the transfected BM-MSCs and active DNaseI could be detected in the supernatant of cell culture. Conclusion The mice DNaseI gene plasmid can be transfected into mice BM -MSCs by liposomes and DNaseI gene can be expressed by the transfected BM-MSCs and active DNaseI can be secreted. This may provide potential target for the treatment of SLE.