Background Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is a common animal model of uveitis.Natural killer (NK) cells have been confirmed to be a type of strong inflammation-causing cells,but its role in EAU is still studing.Objective This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of NK cells in the pathogenesis of EAU.Methods Thirty-six SPF Lewis rats were randomly divided into expeimental control group and EAU 6-,9-,12-,16-,and 21-day groups (6 rats for each group).Rats in EAU group received subcutaneous injection interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) combining 5 mg/ml tubercle bacillus with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) emulsion in foot pads,and then 400 ng pertussis toxin was intraperitoneally injected to extablish EAU models in the EAU 6-,9-,12-,16-,and 21-day group,and normal saline solution combined with CFA and 400 ng pertussis toxin was used in the same way in the experimental control group.The inflammatory response was observed by slit lamp daily after modeling and scored based on Caspi criteria.The eyeballs were extracted in 6,9,12,16 and 21 days after modeling for retinal histopathological examination,Immunofluorescent double-staining was employed to detect and locate the expression of NK cells in the retina.In addition,25 model rats were divided into EAU 0-,3-,6-,9-and 12-day groups,with 5 rats for each group,and eyeballs were extracted to prepare tissue homogenate.The expression of CXCL10 mRNA,and CXCL12 mRNA NK cell chemokines,in the tissue homogenate was assayed by real-time quantitative PCR.The use and care of the rats followed Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animal by State Science and Technology Commission.Results No inflammatory sign in ocular anterior segment of the rats was seen in the experimental control group.The expansion of rat iris vessels was found in the EAU 6-day group,and exudes and hypopyon of the anterior chamber occurred in the EAU 9-day group and the inflammation peaked in the EAU 12-day gorup.The rat retinal structure was normal in the experimental control group,and the arrangement disorder of retinal structure,the cell separation in outer nuclear layer and damage of photoreceptors were found under the optical microscope in different degree in various EAU groups,with the most serious change in the EAU 12-day group.Immunofluorescent double staining showed normally arranged nucleus in the experimental control group,and a lot of NK infiltration was seen in the EAU 6-day group and peaked in the EAU 9-day group.The expression level of CXCL10 mRNA in the EAU 9-day group was 34.298 ± 16.689,which was significantly higher than that in the EAU 3-,6-and 12-day group,respectively (1.390 ± 0.660,3.359 ± 2.581,4.711 ±1.387) (all at P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in the relative expression of CXCL12 mRNA among different EAU groups (F=2.851,P＞0.05).Conclusions Retinal NK cell infiltration occurs in the early stage of EAU,and the severity of NK cell infiltration is consistent with the inflammatory process and CXCL10 expression,suggesting NK cells play an important role in the early stage of EAU,and CXCL10 is an important chemokine of NK cells in EAU rats.

Objective To explore the fixed-effects of the treatment using transarticular screw joint lateral mass screw unilateral bi-direction fixation through posterior midline approach.Methods 16 patients,12 patients with traumatic fracture-dislocation and 4 patients with cervical disc herniation with spinal stenosis,were treated with transarticular screw(caudad) joint lateral mass screw (cephalad)unilateral bi-direction fixation in the posterior cervical.Results 32 transarticular screws were implanted,including C4-5 8 pieces,C5-6 12 pieces,C6-7 12 pieces;36 lateral mass screws were implanted,including C2 13 pieces,C3 14 pieces,C4 9 pieces.All screws were successfully implanted in operation,without injuries and other complications in vertebral artery,nerve root and spinal cord.16patients were followed up for averaged 18 months ( 10 - 30 months).Surgical incisions reduced by half than traditional ,fusion time were 2.0 to 4.5 months for an average of 3.1 months.Conclusions When through theposterior fixed cervical spine,used transarticular screw joint lateral mass screw unilateral bi-direction fixation,fixed simply and reliably,reduced internal fixation materials for implantation,reduced operative time,increased bone bed area,the bone fusion rate was high,reduced the length of surgical incision,reduced the blood vessels,nerve root injury risk ,reduced complications such as axial symptoms ,saved medical expenses,achieved good results.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear.This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the antiinflammatory function of L-methionine in rats.MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70–80 g) were administered different levels of L-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed L-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by L-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, L-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by L-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by L-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of L-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to L-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by L-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of targeting and killing CD248-positive myofibroblasts on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods IgG78-DM1, an antibody-maytansine 1 (DM1) conjugate targeting CD248, was prepared. The drug conjugation efficiency was measured and calculated by UV spectrophotometer, and the identification of IgG78-DM1 was performed through SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. In vitro, the binding activity of IgG78-DM1 on CD248-positive myofibroblasts was detected by flow cytometry and the cytotoxicity of IgG78-DM1 to CD248-positive myofibroblasts was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into control group, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis group, human IgG-DM1 (hIgG-DM1) control group, and IgG78-DM1 treatment group. Then, the mouse models with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin were constructed. Two weeks later, the animal models were intravenously injected with IgG78-DM1. After the treatment of two weeks, lung tissues were collected for Masson staining and Sirius Red staining to evaluate the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure the expression levels of CD248, as well as markers of fibroblastic activation including alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen alpha 1 (COL1A1). The safety of IgG78-DM1 was preliminarily assessed by conducting liver and kidney function tests. Results IgG78-DM1 was successfully prepared, and its drug conjugation ratio was 3.2. The antibody structure remained stable after conjugation, allowing effective binding and cytotoxicity against CD248-positive myofibroblasts. After treatment with IgG78-DM1, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in mice significantly reduced, accompanied by the decrease of the expression of CD248, α-SMA, and COL1A1. The liver and kidney function of the mice remained at normal levels compared to the normal control group. Conclusion IgG78-DM1 effectively inhibits pulmonary fibrosis in mice by targeting and killing CD248-positive myofibroblasts. The safety of this strategy is preliminarily assessed.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Myofibroblasts ; Antibodies ; Bleomycin ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Antigens, CD