OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of recombinant fusion protein interleukin (IL)-18 on the expression of immune-inflammatory factors in the mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus (SA), and to investigate the mechanism of action of IL-18 in defense of SA infection in vivo.

METHODSA total of 40 specific pathogen-free female BLAB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, SA infection, immunized, and intervention. A mouse model of SA infection was established by nasal inoculation with SA liquid. The immunized group and the intervention group were intranasally given IL-18 before SA modeling, and then the SA infection group and the intervention group received the nasal inoculation with SA liquid; the control group was treated with phosphate buffered saline instead. The levels of IL-4, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), IgM in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the SA infection group and the immunized group had significantly higher levels of IL-4, G-CSF, and IgM in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue (P<0.05); the SA infection group had a significantly lower level of IFN-&gamma; and a significantly higher level of TNF in the serum and BALF (P<0.05); the immunized group had a significantly higher level of IFN-&gamma; in the serum and BALF (P<0.05). Compared with the SA infection group, the intervention group had significantly higher levels of IL-4, IFN-&gamma;, G-CSF, and IgM in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-1α mRNA in the lung tissue. In contrast, the intervention group showed a significantly lower level of TNF in the serum and BALF and expression of MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue (P<0.05). All the above indicators in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), except the serum level of IFN-&gamma;.

CONCLUSIONSIn the mice infected with SA, the recombinant fusion protein IL-18 by mucosal immunity can affect inflammatory factors in the serum and BALF and the expression of MIP-1α mRNA and MIP-2β mRNA in the lung tissue to promote the anti-infective immune response and enhance the ability to clear pathogens.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL3 ; analysis ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Staphylococcal Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo primarily evaluate the effects of ulinastatin on immune function of patients with severe burn injury.

METHODSForty patients with severe burn admitted to our ward from March 2013 to October 2015, conforming to the study criteria, were divided into conventional treatment group (CT, n=20) and ulinastatin treatment group (UT, n=20) according to the random number table and patient's consent. After admission, patients in group CT received antishock treatment, antibiotic treatment, debridement, skin grafting, and nutrition support, etc. On the basis of the above-mentioned treatment, patients in group UT received intravenous drip of ulinastatin from first day after admission twice a day, with a dosage of 8×10(5) U every time, for 7 days in addition. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients in groups CT and UT on post treatment day (PTD) 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Twenty healthy volunteer were selected as health control group (HC), and peripheral venous blood samples were collected on the first day of the study. Percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) was determined by flow cytometer. The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes was detected by microplate reader (denoted as absorbance value). Content of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes, and content of IL-4 and &gamma; interferon (IFN-&gamma;) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on CD14(+) monocytes was determined by flow cytometer. Data were processed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, chi-square test, and LSD-t test.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that of volunteer in group HC, the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs of patients in group CT was significantly increased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 13.303 to 26.043, P values below 0.01). Compared with that in group CT, the percentage of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs of patients in group UT was significantly decreased on PTD 5 and 7 (with t values respectively 8.317 and 15.071, P values below 0.01). (2) The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes of patients in group CT on PTD 1, 3, 5, and 7 was respectively 0.71±0.11, 0.61±0.15, 0.54±0.12, and 0.67±0.17, which was significantly lower than that in group HC (1.21±0.22, with t values from 8.686 to 11.957, P values below 0.01). The proliferative activity of T lymphocytes of patients in group UT on PTD 3, 5, and 7 were respectively 0.81±0.11, 0.85±0.14, and 1.08±0.13, which was significantly higher than that in group CT (with t values from 4.808 to 8.568, P values below 0.01). (3) Compared with those of volunteer in group HC, content of IL-2 in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes of patients in group CT was significantly decreased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 8.073 to 9.288, P values below 0.01), content of IL-4 in serum of patients in group CT was significantly increased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 18.926 to 41.451, P values below 0.01), and content of IFN-&gamma; in serum of patients in group CT was significantly decreased from PTD 1 to 7 (with t values from 4.543 to 27.659, P values below 0.01). Compared with those in group CT, content of IL-2 in culture supernatant of T lymphocytes of patients in group UT was significantly increased from PTD 3 to 7 (with t values from 6.507 to 8.869, P values below 0.01), content of IL-4 in serum of patients in group UT was significantly decreased from PTD 3 to 7 (with t values from 6.922 to 8.843, P values below 0.01), and content of IFN-&gamma; in serum of patients in group UT was significantly increased on PTD 5 and 7 (with t values respectively 5.369 and 13.521, P values below 0.01). (4) The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes with positive expression of HLA-DR of patients in group CT on PTD 1, 3, 5, and 7 were respectively (28±6)%, (25±7)%, (25±7)%, and (39±10)%, which were significantly lower than the percentage of volunteer in group HC [(87±8)%, with t values from 16.323 to 25.645, P values below 0.01]. The percentages of CD14(+) monocytes with positive expression of HLA-DR of patients in group UT on PTD 3, 5, and 7 were respectively (40±6)%, (42±9)%, and (49±10)%, which were significantly higher than those in group CT (with t values from 3.071 to 7.324, P values below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOn the basis of CT, additional ulinastatin intervention can decrease CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs percentage, improve the immune function of T lymphocytes and T helper cells, and increase expression of HLA-DR on CD14(+) monocytes of patients with severe burn injury, thus improve the immune function of patients.

Burns ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Debridement ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Monocytes ; immunology ; Skin Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the expression levels of annexin A1 (ANXA1), GATA-3, and T-bet in T lymphocytes of peripheral blood in burned mice with sepsis at early stage, and to analyze their immune regulatory mechanisms.

METHODSSeven-hundred and eighty male mice of clean grade were divided into sham injury group (n=60, sham injured on the back by immersing in 37 ℃ warm water for 10 s), burn group (n=240, inflicted with 20% TBSA deep partial- thickness burn on the back by immersing in 100 ℃ hot water for 10 s), sepsis group (n=240, intraperitoneally injected with 6 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide), and burn+ sepsis group (n=240) according to the random number table. Mice of burn+ sepsis group were treated as that in burn group at first, and then they were treated as that in sepsis group. (1) Immediately after injury, six mice in sham injury group were selected to collect lymphocyte suspension of peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse) according to the random number table. According to the random number table, 6 mice of each of the other three groups were respectively selected at post injury hour (PIH) 12, 24, 48, and 72 for the collection of lymphocyte suspension from peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse). Each tube of cell suspension was equally divided into two parts. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled human anti-mouse CD4 monoclonal antibody and phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled human anti-mouse interferon-&gamma; monoclonal antibody were added to one part of cell suspension to mark helper T lymphocyte 1 (Th1). FITC-labeled human anti-mouse CD4 monoclonal antibody and PE-labeled human anti-mouse interleukin-4 (IL-4) monoclonal antibody were added to the other part of cell suspension to mark Th2. The percentages of Th1 and Th2 were determined with flow cytometer, and the ratio of Th1 to Th2 was calculated. (2) According to the random number table, 18 mice in sham injury group were selected immediately after injury for the collection of lymphocyte suspension of peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse), and 18 mice of each of the other 3 groups were respectively selected at PIH 12, 24, 48, and 72 to collect the lymphocyte suspension of peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse). The mRNA expression levels of ANXA1, GATA-3, and T-bet were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. (3) Immediately after injury, 36 mice in sham injury group were selected to collect lymphocyte suspension of peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse) according to the random number table, and then 36 tubes of cell suspension were divided into 6 batches (6 tubes each batch). Each one of 6 kinds of antibody combinations: antibodies for labeling Th1 and Th2 in combination with PE-anthocyanin 7 labeled human anti-mouse ANXA1 monoclonal antibody, PE-anthocyanin 7 labeled human anti-mouse GATA-3 monoclonal antibody, and PE-anthocyanin 7 labeled human anti-mouse T-bet monoclonal antibody was added to 1 tube of cell suspension at each batch. According to the random number table, 36 mice of each of the other 3 groups were respectively selected at PIH 12, 24, 48, and 72 for the collection of lymphocyte suspension of peripheral blood (1 tube each mouse), and then 36 tubes of cell suspension at each time point were divided into 6 batches for marking with 3 kinds of surface markers of Th1 and Th2 (6 tubes each batch). Each one of above-mentioned 6 kinds of antibodies was added to 1 tube of cell suspension at each time point for each batch. The percentages of ANXA1, GATA-3, and T-bet positive cells in Th1 and Th2 were determined with flow cytometer. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance of factorial design, and SNK test. The relationship between the percentages of ANXA1 positive cell and the percentages of GATA-3 positive cell in Th1 and Th2, and mRNA expression level of ANXA1 and mRNA expression level of GATA-3 in lymphocytes were assessed by linear correlation analysis.

RESULTS(1) Compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, the percentages of Th1 and Th2 and the ratio of Th1 to Th2 of mice in burn group were significantly decreased from PIH 24 on, with P values below 0.05; the percentages of Th1 and Th2 and the ratios of Th1 to Th2 of mice in sepsis group and burn+ sepsis group were significantly decreased from PIH 12 on, with P values below 0.05. (2) Compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, the mRNA expression levels of ANXA1 and GATA-3 in lymphocyte of mice in burn group were significantly decreased from PIH 24 on, with P values below 0.05; the mRNA expression level of T-bet was significantly decreased at PIH 24 but significantly increased at PIH 48 and 72, with P values below 0.05. Compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, the mRNA expression levels of ANXA1 and GATA-3 in lymphocytes of mice in sepsis group were significantly decreased from PIH 12 on, and the mRNA expression level of T-bet was increased significantly from PIH 12 on, with P values below 0.05; the mRNA expression levels of ANXA1, GATA-3, and T-bet in lymphocytes of mice in burn+ sepsis group were significantly decreased from PIH 12 on, with P values below 0.05, reaching the nadir at PIH 72 (0.50±0.04, 0.45±0.03, 0.21±0.05, respectively). (3) A significant positive correlation was observed between ANXA1 mRNA expression level and GATA-3 mRNA expression level in lymphocytes of peripheral blood (r=0.862, P<0.05). (4) Compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, the percentages of ANXA1 and GATA-3 positive cellsin Th1 and Th2 of mice in burn group were significantly lowered from PIH 24 on, and the percentage of T-bet positive cells was significantly decreased at PIH 24, but it was increased from PIH 48 on, with P values below 0.05. The percentages of ANXA1 and GATA-3 positive cells in Th1 and Th2 of mice in sepsis group were continuously decreased from PIH 12 on, which were lower at most time points than those in sham injury group immediately after injury, with P values below 0.05. The percentages of T-bet positive cells in Th1 and Th2 of mice in sepsis group were significantly increased since PIH 12 as compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, with P values below 0.05. The percentages of ANXA1, GATA-3, and T-bet positive cells in Th1 and Th2 of mice in burn+ sepsis group were continuously lowered from PIH 12, with significantly statistical differences at most time points as compared with those in sham injury group immediately after injury, with P values below 0.05. (5) The percentages of GATA-3 positive cells in Th1 and Th2 were significantly positively correlated with those of ANXA1 (with r values respectively 0.747 and 0.787, P values below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression levels of ANXA1, GATA-3, and T-bet were continuously lowered in burned mice with sepsis, and it may play an important role in Th1/Th2 balance switching to Th2 bias and immunosuppressive process.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; Burns ; immunology ; metabolism ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sepsis ; blood ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive loss of lung function and local and systemic inflammation, in which CD8+ T-cells are believed to play a key role. Activated CD8+ T-cells differentiate into distinct subpopulations, including interferon-&gamma; (IFN-&gamma;)-producing Tc1 and interleukin (IL)-17-producing Tc17 cells. Recent evidence indicates that Tc17 cells exhibit considerable plasticity and may convert into IL-17/IFN-&gamma;-double producing (Tc17/IFN-&gamma;) cells when driven by inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the Tc17/IFN-&gamma; subpopulation in peripheral blood of patients with COPD and to evaluate their potential roles in this disease.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 15 never-smokers, 23 smokers with normal lung function, and 25 patients with COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2-4). Proportions of the IL-17/IFN-&gamma;-double expressing subpopulation were assessed using flow cytometry. Plasma concentrations of cytokines favoring Tc17/IFN-&gamma; differentiation were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSPatients with COPD had higher proportions of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-&gamma; cells in the peripheral blood than smokers and never-smokers. The plasticity of Tc17 cells was higher than that of Th17 cells. The percentages of Tc17 cells and Tc17/IFN-&gamma; cells showed negative correlations with forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted value (r = -0.418, P = 0.03; r = -0.596, P = 0.002, respectively). The plasma concentrations of IL-6, transforming growth factor-β1, and IL-12 were significantly higher in patients with COPD compared with smokers and never-smokers.

CONCLUSIONSPeripheral Tc17 cells are increased and more likely to convert to Tc17/IFN-&gamma; cells in COPD, suggesting that Tc17 cell plasticity may be involved in persistent inflammation of the disease.

Aged ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Interleukin-12 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in peripheral blood of children with hand, foot and mouth disease and its significance.

METHODSAccording to the condition of the disease, 86 children with hand, foot and mouth disease were classified into phase 1 group (19 children) and phase 2 group (67 children). ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of plasma VIP, interferon-&gamma; (IFN-&gamma;), and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in peripheral blood. Flow cytometry was used to measure CD3, CD4, and CD8T lymphocyte subsets. RT-PCR was used for qualitative detection of enterovirus 71 (EV71) RNA in stool.

RESULTSCompared with the phase 1 group, the phase 2 group had a significantly higher positive rate of EV71-RNA (P<0.05) and significantly higher serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, and C3 (P<0.05). The phase 2 group had significantly lower proportions of peripheral CD3, CD4, and CD8T lymphocyte subsets than the phase 1 group (P<0.05), as well as significantly lower proportion of peripheral B cells and CD4/CD8ratio than the phase 1 group (P<0.05). The phase 2 group also had a significantly lower concentration of VIP in peripheral blood than the phase 1 group (P<0.05). In the 86 children with hand, foot and mouth disease, the concentration of VIP in peripheral blood was positively correlated with the proportion of CD4T lymphocyte subset and CD4/CD8ratio (r=0.533 and 0.532 respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVIP may be an important marker of the severity of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Biomarkers ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunogenicity of self-made sheep skin acellular dermal matrix (ADM).
 METHODS: Both cross-linked and non-crosslinked ADMs were made after the sheep skin ADM was ready. A total of 160 healthy mice were then randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A, cross-linked ADM was implanted under skin; Group B, non-crosslinked ADM was implanted under skin; Group C, allosome skin was embedded under skin; Control group, without any implantation. Any visible changes in implantation region and any apparent rejection was recorded. Any symptoms of inflammatory reaction in implantation region were also observed by microscope. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in serum were measured on the 3rd day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after the operation, respectively.
 RESULTS: Visual study: wound healing in implantation regions were obvious, the immunologic rejection was not significant, and the sheep ADM was absorbed gradually by ambient tissues. Microscope results: the connection between the sheep ADM and surrounding tissues was very tight with infiltration of a few inflammatory cells into the depth of sheep ADM. The structure of sheep ADM was gradually destroyed by inflammatory cells. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ were not significant difference between the group of A, B or C and the control group on the 3rd day after the operation. The inflammatory reaction in implantation region of the control group degraded after 3 days, concomitant with a decrease in the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ. But the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the Group A, B or C remained at high level, suggesting the elevation of IL-4 and IFN-γ levels were related to the immunologic reaction by sheep ADM. The values of IL-4/IFN-γ were significant difference between the group A, B or C and the control group at the end of the 1st week, 2nd week, and 3rd week. However, there were not significantly different among the Group A, B and C.
 CONCLUSION Sheep skin ADMs do not cause apparent rejection from mice after the transplantation because of the low immunogenicity. The cross-linked and non-crosslinked ADMs do not obviously affect the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ.
Acellular Dermis ; Animals ; Graft Rejection ; blood ; Heterografts ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Mice ; Random Allocation ; Sheep ; Skin Transplantation ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Th1/Th17 cell imbalance on the pathogenesis of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in mice.

METHODSIn a murine GVHD model of C57BL/6 (H-2(b)), a low dose of halofuginone (HF) was applied for treating the recipients in order to result in Th1/Th17 imbalance. Rechipient mice were divided into GVHD group (without HF intervention) and GVHD plus HF group (treated by HF). The recipients were monitored for survival rate, clinical scores of acute GVHD, contents of circulatory Th1 and Th17 cells, Th1/Th17 ratio and serum level of IFN-&gamma; and IL-17A. Expression levels of IFN-&gamma; and IL-17A in target organs were analyzed by using real-time PCR, and the target organs were delivered for histological examinations.

RESULTSRecipients treated with HF showed that all the mortality, circulatory Th1/Th17 ratio and clinical score were higher than those in the mice without HF intervention (P < 0.05). Circulatory Th1/Th17 ratio positively correlates with clinical score (P < 0.001). HF administration reduces the expression level of intestinal IL-17A and increases intrahepatic and intestinal IFN-&gamma; level (P < 0.05), HF treatment aggravates GVHD in liver and small intestine with augmented hepatic and intestinal inflammation.

CONCLUSIONTh1/Th17 imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of acute GVHD.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Piperidines ; Quinazolinones ; Th1 Cells ; cytology ; Th17 Cells ; cytology

Heat-shock protein (Hsp) 70 potentiates specific immune responses to some antigenic peptides fused to it. Here, the prokaryotic plasmids harboring the envelope glycoprotein E0 gene of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and/or the Hsp70 gene of Haemophilus parasuis were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosseta 2(R2). The fusion proteins were then purified. Groups of Balb/c mice were immunized with these fusion proteins, respectively, and sera collected 7 days after the third immunization. Immune effects were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometric analyses. E0-Hsp70 fusion protein and E0+Hsp70 mixture significantly improved the titer of E-specific antibody, levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and release of interferon-&gamma;. These findings suggested that Hsp70 can significantly enhance the immune effects of the envelope glycoprotein E0 of CSFV, thereby laying the foundation of further application in pigs.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Proliferation ; Classical swine fever virus ; genetics ; Female ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Haemophilus parasuis ; genetics ; Immunization ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study whether infantile wheezing pneumonia has similar immune mechanisms to asthma by determining the levels of serum inflammatory factors in wheezing infants with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

METHODSForty-two infants with CAP but without wheezing, 47 infants with CAP and wheezing, and 30 healthy infants as a control were recruited in the study. The peripheral blood levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-l, interferon-&gamma;, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and periostin were compared in the three groups.

RESULTSThe serum levels of procalcitonin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-l, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 in the two CAP groups were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The ratio of interferon-&gamma;/interleukin-4 in the wheezing pneumonia group was lower than in the non-wheezing pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05). The serum level of periostin in the wheezing pneumonia group was higher than in the non-wheezing pneumonia and control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe unbalanced ratio of interferon-&gamma;/interleukin-4 and airway eosinophilic inflammation in wheezing infants with pneumonia suggest infantile pneumonia with wheezing may has similar immune mechanisms to asthma.

Child, Preschool ; Community-Acquired Infections ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; blood ; Pneumonia ; immunology ; Receptors, Immunologic ; blood ; Respiratory Sounds ; immunology ; Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1

OBJECTIVETo study the changes and significance of lymphocyte sunsets and serum interferon-&gamma; (IFN-&gamma;) levels in children with toxoplasma infection.

METHODSThirty-four children who were newly diagnosed with toxoplasma infection (TOX-IgM+ group) between January 2011 and April 2014, 12 children who had ever been diagnosed with toxoplasma infection (TOX-IgG+ group), and 54 healthy children (control group) were enrolled. The percentages of CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ and NK cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IFN-&gamma; were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe percentages of CD4+ cells and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the TOX-IgM+ group were significantly lower than in the TOX-IgG+ and control groups, while the percentages of CD8+ and NK cells and serum IFN-&gamma; levels were significantly higher than in the other two groups (P<0.05). The TOX-IgG+ group had higher serum IFN-&gamma; levels than the control group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of CD8+ cells and serum IFN-&gamma; levels in the TOX-IgM+ group (r=0.756; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCD4+, CD8+ and NK cells may play important roles in the resistance against toxoplasma infection by promoting the secretion of cytokines.

Antibodies, Protozoan ; blood ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Infant ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Male ; Toxoplasma ; immunology