Immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis is the most common leukocytoclastic small-vessel vasculitis in children and mainly involves the small vessels in the skin, joints, digestive tract, and kidneys. Its pathogenesis is still unclear. Currently, it is believed that environmental factors can cause autoimmune dysfunction and lead to the deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes on the wall of arterioles on the basis of genetic factors. This article reviews the research advances in the role of immune factors in the pathogenesis of IgA vasculitis.
Autoantibodies ; analysis ; Complement System Proteins ; physiology ; Cytokines ; physiology ; Glycosylation ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; analysis ; Immunoglobulin E ; metabolism ; Vasculitis ; etiology ; immunology

Accommodated organs can survive in the presence of anti-organ antibodies and complement. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is essential to ensure accommodation in concordant xenotransplant models. However, whether induction of HO-1 over-expression could protect porcine endothelial cells (PECs) against human xenoantibodies and complement-mediated lysis and induce an in vitro accommodation is still unknown. The SV40-immortalized porcine aorta-derived endothelial cell line (iPEC) was pre-incubated with 20, 50, or 80 μmol/L of cobalt-protoporphyrins IX (CoPPIX) for 24 h, and the HO-1 expression in iPECs was analyzed by using Western blotting. CoPPIX-treated or untreated iPECs were incubated with normal human AB sera, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) was measured by both flow cytometry and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. In vitro treatment with CoPPIX significantly increased the expression of HO-1 in iPECs in a dose-dependent manner. Over-expression of HO-1 was successfully achieved by incubation of iPECs with either 50 or 80 μmol/L of CoPPIX. However, HO-1 over-expression did not show any protective effects on iPECs against normal human sera-mediated cell lysis. In conclusion, induction of HO-1 over-expression alone is not enough to protect PECs from human xenoantibodies and complement-mediated humoral injury. Additionally, use of other protective strategies is needed to achieve accommodation in pig-to-primate xenotransplantation.
Animals ; Antibodies, Heterophile ; immunology ; Cell Line ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Swine ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo review the mechanisms by which HIV evades different components of the host immune system.

DATA SOURCESThis review is based on data obtained from published articles from 1991 to 2012. To perform the PubMed literature search, the following key words were input: HIV and immune evasion.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles containing information related to HIV immune evasion were selected.

RESULTSAlthough HIV is able to induce vigorous antiviral immune responses, viral replication cannot be fully controlled, and neither pre-existing infected cells nor latent HIV infection can be completely eradicated. Like many other enveloped viruses, HIV can escape recognition by the innate and adaptive immune systems. Recent findings have demonstrated that HIV can also successfully evade host restriction factors, the components of intrinsic immune system, such as APOBEC3G (apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G), TRIM5α (tripartite motif 5-α), tetherin, and SAMHD1 (SAM-domain HD-domain containing protein).

CONCLUSIONSHIV immune evasion plays an important role in HIV pathogenesis. Fully understanding the tactics deployed by HIV to evade various components of the host immune systems will allow for the development of novel strategies aimed toward the prevention and cure of HIV/AIDS.

APOBEC-3G Deaminase ; Adaptive Immunity ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; immunology ; Antigens, CD ; physiology ; Carrier Proteins ; physiology ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Cytidine Deaminase ; physiology ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; physiology ; HIV-1 ; immunology ; Humans ; Immune Evasion ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; physiology ; SAM Domain and HD Domain-Containing Protein 1

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of rosa roxburghii tratt preparation on immune function of arseniasis patients caused by burning coal.

METHODSAccording to the diagnosis standard for endemic arseniasis(WS/T 211-2001), 62 cases of arseniasis patients who resided in endemic arseniasis area in Guizhou province were selected and divided stratified randomly into two groups: rosa roxburghii tratt juice treatment group and superoxide dismutase(SOD)-enriched rosa roxburghii tratt juice treatment group, with 31 patients in each group.Each patient took 120 ml/d rosa roxburghii tratt preparation or SOD-enriched rosa roxburghii tratt orally for one month. Another 30 healthy residents from a neighbour township 12 km away where arsenic was not prevalent were selected as controls. A 2 ml blood and 50 ml urine samples were collected from individuals and the urine arsenic contents, peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) T cell), serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, IgA) and complement (C3, C4) were detected. The differences between more than two groups on above indicators were compared. The correlations between urinary arsenic and immune parameters were analyzed.

RESULTSAmong the rosa roxburghii tratt juice group, SOD-enriched rosa roxburghii tratt juice before intervention group and the control group, the levels of urine arsenic were (76.55 ± 23.02) , (72.60 ± 25.91) and (26.33 ± 11.30) µg/g Cr respectively and IgG were (11.31 ± 1.68), (11.35 ± 1.94) and (9.23 ± 1.75) g/L respectively. The differences were statistically significant(F values were 82.01, 13.82, both P values < 0.05). After intervention with rosa roxburghii tratt preparation, the levels of urine arsenic were (53.21 ± 16.51) and (51.72 ± 17.70)µg/g Cr, both decreased than before intervention (t values were 5.80 and 3.78, both P values < 0.05). The levels of CD3(+) were (44.47 ± 7.14)%, (43.44 ± 6.61)% and (70.78 ± 5.26)%, CD4(+) were (29.87 ± 5.67)%, (29.42 ± 5.87)% and (46.08 ± 5.87)%, CD4(+)/CD8(+) were(1.25 ± 0.42), (1.22 ± 0.39) and (1.79 ± 0.26) and C4 were (0.13 ± 0.08), (0.13 ± 0.09) and (0.20 ± 0.11) g/L respectively among the two treatment group before intervention and the control group. The differences were significant (F values were 178.04, 76.71, 23.13 and 5.26, all P values < 0.05). After intervention, the levels of CD3(+) were (59.73 ± 7.38)% and (66.31 ± 7.57)%, CD4(+) were (34.00 ± 7.97)% and (39.11 ± 5.81)%, CD4(+)/CD8(+) were (1.41 ± 0.37) and(1.58 ± 0.26), all increased than before intervention(t values were 12.47, 25.18, 5.41, 10.47, 3.22 and 5.05, all P values < 0.05). The levels of urine arsenic and CD3(+), CD4(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+), C4 were inversely correlated correlation, while positive correlation existed between the level of urine arsenic and IgG(r values were -0.68, -0.56, -0.51, -0.43 and 0.36, all P values < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe level of urinary arsenic level is closely related to immune function suppression in arseniasis patients caused by burning coal, rosa roxburghii tratt preparation can effectively improve immune function of arseniasis patients.

Adult ; Arsenic ; urine ; Arsenic Poisoning ; etiology ; immunology ; China ; Coal ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rosa ; chemistry ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis (OMDT) induced by trichloroethylene (TCE) and some immunity indexes in workers occupationally exposed to TCE.

METHODSThe blood samples from 8 cases with medicamentosa-like dermatitis in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th weeks after admitting to hospital were examined for liver function, immunoglobulin and some complement indexes. Thirty nine workers occupationally exposed to TCE were investigated for urinary TCE and some immuno-complement indexes. The TCE concentrations of air in workplaces were monitored.

RESULTSC3d-CIC and C3 of patients before admission were (92.86 ± 44.80) mg/L and 0.91 ± 0.19 mg/L, respectively. C3d-CIC and C3 of patients before discharge were (52.41 ± 17.75) mg/L and (1.14 ± 0.22) mg/L, respectively. There were significant differences between admission and discharge (P < 0.05). The average TCE concentration in 4 workplaces was (351.96 ± 36.72) mg/m(3), which was higher than the occupational exposure limits (OELs). The number of workers exposed to the TCE concentration-time weighted and TCA in urine over OELs were 28.21% and 56.41% of total subjects, respectively. The serum IgG and CIC levels of patients before discharge were (10.03 ± 1.21) mg/L and 103.50 ± 29.17 mU/L, which were significantly lower than those (17.21 ± 1.85) mg/L and (227.46 ± 111.67) mU/L of patients before admission (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe type II and III hypersensitivity may be associated with OMDT and the organ injure induced by TCE.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Dermatitis, Occupational ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Trichloroethylene ; toxicity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of postoperative enteral immunonutrition on inflammatory response and immunologic function in patients with gastrointestinal tumor.

METHODSClinical data of 106 gastrointestinal malignant tumor patients with malnutrition who were treated in the Department of General Surgery, the People's Hospital of Cangzhou in Hebei province from January 2008 to June 2010 were prospectively collected. Patients were randomized into two groups, including enteral immunonutrition group(n=53) and common enteral nutrition group(n=53). Related immunological indices and C-reaction protein were measured on preoperative day 5 and postoperative day 1 and 9.

RESULTSThe general information and preoperative immunological indices were comparable between the two groups(P>0.05). On postoperative day 9, levels of CD4, CD4/CD8, IgG, lymphocyte, NK cells, and complement C3, C4, and CH50 in the enteral immunonutrition group were higher than those in common enteral nutrition group. Serum C-reaction protein level was lower than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Postoperative infection rate was 3.8%(2/53) in enteral immunonutrition group, significantly lower than that in control group with an infection rate of 15.1%(8/53)(P<0.05). The mean postoperative hospital stay of the two groups were (8.1±1.1) d and (9.2±2.1) d, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFor gastrointestinal malignant tumor patients with malnutrition, the use of enteral immunonutrition can alleviate the postoperative trauma and inflammatory response, improve the immune function, thus can reduce the occurrence of postoperative infection, and accelerate patient recovery.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Complement System Proteins ; immunology ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; complications ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Malnutrition ; complications ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP) is one of the proteins encoded by vaccinia virus to modulate the host inflammatory response. VCP modulates the inflammatory response and protects viral habitat by inhibiting the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation. The extended structure of VCP, mobility between its sequential domains, charge distribution and type of residues at the binding regions are factors that have been identified to influence its ability to bind to complement proteins. We report that a Lister strain of vaccinia virus encodes a VCP homolog (Lis VCP) that is functional, glycosylated, has two amino acids less than the well-characterized VCP from vaccinia virus WR strain (WR VCP), and the human smallpox inhibitor of complement enzymes (SPICE) from variola virus. The glycosylated VCP of Lister is immunogenic in contrast to the weak immunogenicity of the nonglycosylated VCP. Lis VCP is the only orthopoxviral VCP homolog found to be glycosylated, and we speculate that glycosylation influences its pattern of complement inhibition. We also correlate dimerization of VCP observed only in mammalian and baculovirus expression systems to higher levels of activity than monomers, observed in the yeast expression system.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Complement Activation ; drug effects ; immunology ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Dimerization ; Gene Expression ; Glycosylation ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Binding ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smallpox ; immunology ; metabolism ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Vaccinia virus ; chemistry ; immunology ; metabolism ; Variola virus ; chemistry ; immunology ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the variation of bone marrow complement level in cytopenia patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test (CBCPC), and probe the role of complement in destroying hematopoietic cells of CBCPC patients.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-four patients with CBCPC and twenty-three healthy donors as controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of CH50, C3, C4, C5b-9 were tested with ELISA. The auto-antibodies on bone marrow hematopoietic cells (BMHC) were examined with flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe level of C5b-9 in bone marrow (BM) of untreated CBCPC patients [(119.8+/-54.0) microg/L] was significantly higher than that of recovered patients [(100.7+/-33.4) microg/L] or normal controls [(93.9+/-28.8) microg/L] (P<0.05). The levels of CH50 in BM of untreated or recovered CBCPC patients [(33.3+/-11.5) kU/L, (30.8+/-10.3) kU/L] were significantly higher than that of normal controls [(24.1+/-6.4) kU/L] (P<0.05). The level of C3 in BM of untreated or recovered CBCPC patients [(4.9+/-2.2) mg/L], (5.0+/-3.5) mg/L] was significantly lower than that of normal controls [(7.0+/-5.6) mg/L] (P<0.05). The level of complement in peripheral blood was consistent with that in BM. CH50 in BM of CBCPC patients was negatively correlated with their C3 (r=-0.303, P=.0007) and positively correlated with their C5b-9 (r=0.241, P=0.003) levels. The level of C5b-9 in BM of CBCPC patients was higher in the BMHC-IgM positive group [(117.6+/-55.7) microg/L] than in the BMHC- IgM negative group [(99.2+/-26.2) microg/L] (P<0.05). The positive rate of CD34(+)-IgG or CD34(+)-IgM of CBCPC patients was positively correlated with their C5b-9 level (r=0.593, P=0.000, r=0.326, P=0.049). The reticulocyte percentage (r=0.421, P=0.000) and serum indirect bilirubin level (r=0.230, P=0.032) of CBCPC patients were positively correlated with their CH50 level.

CONCLUSIONSThe hematocytopenia of CBCPC patients might be related to the hematopoietic cells destruction caused by auto-antibody activated complements.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Coombs Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; immunology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Complement System Proteins ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; analysis ; Infant ; Male ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and mechanisms of Compound Astragalus Recipe (CAR) for regulating cellular immune in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

METHODSSixty MG patients were equally assigned to two groups randomly, the test group administered with CAR and the control group with prednisone for 3 months. Changes of patients' symptoms and adverse reactions were observed. The peripheral lymphocyte subsets distribution was examined by flow cytometry, and the levels of immunoglobulins and complements in the peripheral blood were measured by immuno-turbidimetry before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe total effective rate in the test group after 12-week treatment reached 80% (24/30), while that of the control group reached 83.3% (25/30), difference between them showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were lowered significantly in both groups, but the decrement of CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the test group was more significant than that in the control group, showing significance between groups (P < 0.05). While CD8+ in the test group after treatment was significantly increased as compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference in comparing with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Serum levels of IgM and IgA in MG patients were significantly higher than normal range (P < 0.01). Levels of C3 and C4 were significantly increased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05). Moderate high level of ALT and AST revealed transiently at the 2nd week in 5 patients of the control group, while no adverse reaction was found in the test group.

CONCLUSIONOne of the mechanisms for CAR in playing its immuno-modulate effect may be its regulation on lymphocyte subsets distribution and humoral immune function.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Child ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; blood ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myasthenia Gravis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Phytotherapy ; Young Adult