Objective To explore the alterations in macrophage polarization and the expression of decorin (DCN) protein in the decidua of patients with missed abortion (MA), as well as to elucidate the regulatory effect of DCN on macrophage polarization. Methods Flow cytometry was employed to assess the polarization ratio of decidual macrophages in MA, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and normal pregnancy (NP); The expression and localization of DCN and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in decidua and villi were assessed by immunohistochemistry staining, while their protein levels were measured by Western blot. Primary trophoblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-derived macrophages were isolated and cultured. ELISA was conducted to quantify DCN levels in the culture supernatant of primary trophoblast and PBMC-derived macrophages. Additionally, flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the polarization ratio of PBMC-derived macrophages. Immunofluorescence cytochemical staining was conducted to examine HIF-1α expression in macrophages. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of proteins related to the gene associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality 19 (GRIM-19)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/HIF-1α signaling pathway in macrophages. Results The polarization ratio of M1 macrophages in the decidua of abortion patients was significantly higher than that of NP, whereas the ratio of M2 macrophages was significantly lower. The expression of DCN and HIF-1α protein were significantly evaluated in abortion patients compared to NP. The supernatant DCN content and HIF-1α protein expression of primary trophoblast and PBMC-derived macrophages cultured under 10 mL/L O₂ for 24 hours were markedly increased compared to cells treated with 210 mL/L O₂. Compared with the PBS group, the proportion of M1 macrophage and GRIM-19 protein expression were significantly reduced in the DCN group, while phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) and HIF-1α protein expression were significantly increased. Conclusion The expression of DCN in decidua and villi of MA is higher than that of NP. DCN exhibits an inhibitory effect on the M1 polarization of PBMCs-derived macrophages, which is likely mediated through the GRIM-19/STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway.
Humans ; Female ; Decidua/metabolism* ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Decorin/genetics* ; Pregnancy ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Adult ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology* ; Abortion, Missed/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression level of suppressors of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3） in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to observe the effect of over-expresson of SOCS3 in Jurkat cells on the cytotoxicity of NK cells. METHODS: The expression levels of SOCS3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 children with ALL and 20 healthy children (normal control group) were detected by RT-PCR. The peripheral blood NK cells from healthy subjects were selected by immunomagnetic technique, and the purity was detected by flow cytometry. SOCS3 was overexpressed in Jurkat cells infected with lentivirus vector, and SOCS3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR after lentivirus infection. The NK cells were co-cultured with the infected Jurkat, and LDH release method was used to detect the cytotoxicity of NK cells on the infected Jurkat cells. The concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ were determined by ELISA. The expression of NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB on the surface of Jurkat cells were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the effect of SOCS3 overexpression on STAT3 phosphorylation in Jurkat cells. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression of SOCS3 in the peripheral blood mononucleated cells of ALL children was significantly decreased. The purity of NK cells isolated by flow cytometry could reach more than 70%. The expression of SOCS3 mRNA in Jurkat cells increased significantly after lentivirus infection. Overexpression of SOCS3 in Jurkat cells significantly promoted the killing ability of NK cells and up-regulated the secretion of TNF-α and IFN-γ from NK cells. The results of flow cytometry showed that the expression of NKG2D ligands MICA and MICB on Jurkat cells increased significantly after SOCS3 overexpression. Western blot results showed that overexpression of SOCS3 significantly reduced the phosphorylation level of STAT3 protein in Jurkat cells. CONCLUSION SOCS3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in ALL patients, and overexpression of SOCS3 may up-regulate the expression of MICA and MICB of NKG2D ligands on Jurkat cell surface through negative regulation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway, thereby promoting the cytotoxic function of NK cells.
Child ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism* ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural/cytology* ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology* ; Ligands ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/metabolism* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Owing to the multifactorial nature of the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), conventional drug therapies have not been effective. The application of stem cells transplantation may be useful for the treatment of DPN. This study was designed to assess the safety and therapeutic effects of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) transplantation on the treatment of refractory DPN. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight patients with refractory DPN were recruited and enrolled in the study. They received intramuscular injection of BMMNCs and followed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months after the transplantation. Clinical data, Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), and nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were compared before and after the transplantation. RESULTS: The signs and symptoms of neuropathy were significantly improved after BMMNCs transplantation. The values of the TCSS scores at 1 month (9.68 ± 2.49 vs. 12.55 ± 2.19, P < 0.001) and 3 months (8.47 ± 2.39 vs. 12.55 ± 2.19, P < 0.001) after the treatment reduced significantly compared with the baseline value. This decrement remained persistent until the end of the study. The conduction velocity and action potential and sensory nerves were significantly improved after transplantation (3 and 12 months after the treatment vs. the baseline: motor nerve conduction velocity, 40.24 ± 2.80 and 41.00 ± 2.22 m/s vs. 38.21 ± 2.28 m/s, P < 0.001; sensory nerve conduction velocity, 36.96 ± 2.26 and 39.15 ± 2.61 m/s vs. 40.41 ± 2.22 m/s, P < 0.001; compound muscle action potential, 4.67 ± 1.05 and 5.50 ± 1.20 μV vs. 5.68 ± 1.08 μV, P < 0.001; sensory nerve action potential, 4.29 ± 0.99 and 5.14 ± 1.26 μV vs. 5.41 ± 1.14 μV, P < 0.001). No adverse event associated with the treatment was observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Autologous transplantation of BMMNCs may be an effective and promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of refractory DPN.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Autologous ; methods

Astragalus membranaceus may be a potential therapy for childhood asthma but its driving mechanism remains elusive. The main components of A. membranaceus were identified by HPLC. The children with asthma remission were divided into two combination group (control group, the combination of budesonide and terbutaline) and A. membranaceus group (treatment group, the combination of budesonide, terbutaline and A. membranaceus). The therapeutic results were compared between two groups after 3-month therapy. Porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from venous blood by using density gradient centrifugation on percoll. The levels of FoxP3, EGF-β, IL-17 and IL-23 from PBMCs and serum IgE were measured. The relative percentage of Treg/Th17 cells was determined using flow cytometry. The main components of A. membranaceus were calycosin-7-O-glucoside, isoquercitrin, ononin, calycosin, quercetin, genistein, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and formononetin, all of which may contribute to asthma therapy. Lung function was significantly improved in the treatment group when compared with a control group (P < 0.05). The efficacy in preventing the occurrence of childhood asthma was higher in the treatment group than the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of IgE, IL-17 and IL-23 were reduced significantly in the treatment group when compared with the control group, while the levels of FoxP3 and TGF-β were increased in the treatment group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). A. membranaceus increased the percentage of Treg cells and reduced the percentage of Th17 cells. A. membranaceus is potential natural product for improving the therapeutic efficacy of combination therapy of budesonide and terbutaline for the children with asthma remission by modulating the balance of Treg/Th17 cells.
Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Astragalus propinquus ; chemistry ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Swine ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; drug effects ; Terbutaline ; administration & dosage ; Th17 Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Treatment Outcome

To investigate the effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and to elucidate the possible mechanisms.
 Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human umbilical cord blood by density gradient centrifugation, RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of inflammatory factors induced by LPS (1 mg/mL) in EPCs, the effect of low concentration (5 μmol/L) of ATP on expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1, and the effect of different concentrations (5, 50 μmol/L) of ATP on the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) and CD14. Western blot was performed to detect expression of TLR4 regulated proteins MyD88 and CD14 or to detect the low concentration (1, 5 μmol/L) of ATP on the expression of TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.
 Results: EPCs highly expressed TLR4, and its ligand LPS (1 mg/mL) significantly upregulated mRNA expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 and protein expression of MyD88 and CD14 in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01), accompanied by activation of ERK and NF-κB signal pathway. ATP at low concentration (5 μmol/L) significantly inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-1β, MCP-1 and ICAM-1(P<0.05), downregulated the LPS-induced protein expression of TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 in EPCs (P<0.05), and suppressed LPS-induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: ATP at low concentration may suppress LPS-induced expression of inflammatory factors in EPCs through negative regulation of the TLR4 signaling pathway.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To identify differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells between patients with continuous mild-to-moderate asthma and healthy controls using mRNA microarray in order to explore the underlying signaling pathways and clarify the roles of CD4+ T cells in the pathogenesis of asthma. METHODS: Global transcriptomic profiles of the CD4+ T cells were defined by using Agilent Sure Print G3 Human GE 8×60K microarray. Enrichment pathways were analyzed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software. RESULTS: Compared with controls, 805 genes were up-regulated, 192 were down-regulated in asthma patients. Among these, the expression of 38 annotated genes have varied by 4 times or more. Expression of CD300A was inversely proportional to the absolute value of eosinophils (r=-0.89, P=0.02) as well as the proportion of eosinophils (r=-0.94, P=0.004), while CSF1R was inversely proportional to PD20 (r=-0.83, P=0.04) and AQLQ (r=-0.88, P=0.02) by correlation analysis. CONCLUSION Numerous pathophysiological pathways may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Above findings have provided a basis for the delineation the pathogenesis of asthma.
Antigens, CD ; genetics ; Asthma ; immunology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; Case-Control Studies ; Eosinophils ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; genetics ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo discover the techniques for ex vivo generation and cryopreservation of erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs)derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB)mononuclear cells (MNCs).

METHODSUCB was chosen as the source of EPCs. Erythrocytes were precipitated by hydroxyethyl starch (HES). MNCs were separated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Erythroid progenitor cell were generated from MNC ex vivo in suspension culture supplemented with stem cell growth factor, insulin growth factor, erythropoietin, Fms- liketyrosinekinase ligand, transferrin and dexamethasone. Cell maturation was evaluated by morphologic analysis and CD71/CD235a expression profiling. In vitro induced cells were cryopreserved using different cryopreservation media. The cell survival rate, phenotype and proliferation curves were detected after cell thawing.

RESULTSWith the extension of culture time, the total number of cells increased significantly accompanied with the elevation of CD71 and CD235 positive populations. After 14- day inducing, the cells reached to approximately 110 times of the starting number with the cell viability as (88.92±0.95)%. The percentages of cell surface markers were (86.77±9.11)% for CD71 and (64.47±16.67)% for CD71/CD235, respectively. With the extension of inducing time, wright- Giemsa staining showed that the middle erythroblasts appeared mostly at day 10, and the late erythroblasts were seen at day 14. The red pellets were present at day 14, which indicated the more production of hemoglobin. Colony forming assay showed that erythroid colonies at induction day 7 were higher than that for non-induced cells (326.00±97.96vs 61.60±20.03 per 2 000 cells). With the extension of culture time, the number of erythroid colonies decreased. Induced EPCs were preserved with different cryopreservation solutions, in which 10% DMSO were better than 5% DMSO. Additionally, 10% DMSO + 2% HSA showed no different with 10% DMSO + 5% HSA. Combined 50% plasma with 2% HSA was more effective.

CONCLUSIONSThis non- serum culture media could effectively induced and expanded EPCs, and 10% DMSO + 2% HSA + 50% plasma appeared to be a desirable cryopreservation solution for EPCs from UCB.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Erythroblasts ; cytology ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Umbilical Cord

Objective To compare the effecacy of human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) with human mononuclear cell (hMNC) in treating rat cerebral infarct.Methods The SD rat models of cerebral infarct were established by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO). Rats were divided into four groups: sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC transplantation groups. For the transplantation group,1×10hMSCs or hMNCs were intravascularly transplanted into the tail vein 1 hour after the ischemia onset. The ischemia vehicle group received dMCAO surgery and intravascular saline injection 1,3,5,and 7 days after the ischemia onset,and then behavioral tests were performed. At 48 h after the ischemia onset,the abundance of Iba- 1,the symbol of activated microglia,was evaluated in the peri-ischemia striatum area; meanwhile,the neurotrophic factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ipsilateral peri-ischemia striatum area were also measured. Results The relative infarct volume in ischemia vehicle group,hMSC group,and hMNC transplantation group were (37.85±4.40)%,(33.41±3.82)%,and (30.23±3.63)%,respectively. The infarct volumes of MSC group (t=2.100,P=0.034) and MNC group (t=2.109,P=0.0009) were significantly smaller than that of ischemia vehicle group,and that of MNC group was significantly smaller than that of MSC group (t=1.743,P=0.043). One day after transplantation,the score of ischemia vehicle group in limb placing test was (4.32±0.71)%,which was significantly lower than that in sham group (9.73±0.36)% (t=2.178,P=8.61×10). The scores of MSC and MNC group,which were (5.09±0.62)% (t=2.1009,P=0.024) and (5.90±0.68)% (t=2.1008,P=0.0001),respectively,were significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group; also,the score of MNC group was significantly higher than that of MSC group(t=2.1009,P=0.0165). The contralateral forelimb scores of MSC and MNC groups in beam walking test were (5.56±0.86)% (t=2.120,P=0.020) and (5.13±0.95)% (t=2.131,P=0.003),were both significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(6.47±0.61)%]. Three days after the transplantation,the limb placing test score of MNC group [(6.91±1.10)%] was significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group (5.80±0.82)% (t=2.110,P=0.027). The score of MSC group [(6.30±0.77)%] showed no statistic difference with that of ischemia vehicle group(t=2.101,P=0.199).The contralateral forelimb scores of MNC group in beam walking test [(4.34±0.58)%] was significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(5.31±0.65)%] (t=2.100,P=0.006) and MSC group [(4.92±0.53)%] (t=2.100,P=0.041); there was no statistic difference between MSC group and ischemia vehicle group (t=2.109,P=0.139). The relative abundance of Iba- 1 in sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC groups was 1.00+0.00,1.72±0.21,1.23±0.08,and 1.48±0.06,respectively. The Iba-1 relative abundance of ischemia vehicle group was significantly higher than that of sham group (t=2.262,P=2.9×10). The Iba-1 relative abundances of both MSC (t=2.178,P=3.91×10)and MNC (t=2.200,P=0.007)groups were significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group. It was also significantly lower in MNC group than in MSC group also (t=2.120,P=7.09×10). Three days after transplantation,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (531.127±73.176)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.003)and(127.780±16.733)pg/mg(t=2.100,P=2.76×10),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (401.988±89.006)pg/mg and (86.278±14.832) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (627.429±65.646)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017) and (153.117±20.443)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.010),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. At day 7,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (504.776±83.282)pg/mg (t=2.101,P=0.005) and (81.641±11.019)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.002),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (389.257±70.440)pg/mg and (64.322±9.855) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (589.068±63.323)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.027) and (102.161±19.932)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. Conclusions Both hMSC and hMNC are beneficial to the ischemia-damaged brain when they are intravascularly transplanted within 1 h after the onset of ischemia. The anti-inflammation ability and secretion of neurotrophic factors are the underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic effects. MNC is more effective than MSC in reducing infarct area and improving behaviors,which might be explained by the fact that MNC induces more GDNF and BDNF in brain than MSC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Brain Ischemia ; therapy ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fetus ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; therapy ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, a common complication, remains a major risk factor related with patient death after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which is crucial to control HCMV infection, can prevent or treat HCMV infection safely and effectively after adoptive infusion. Many studies have been focussed on exploring different methods for preparation of CTL. The method of using antigen presenting cells to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells is simple to operate, easy to conduct large-scale clinical trials. Isolation of CTL from donor-derived PBMC by peptide-tetramer or INF-γ antibody requires a large volume of peripheral blood and high cost for preparation. Third-party CTL can provide an "off-the-shelf" product, but the problem of HLA-mismatch still would be solved. In addition, the clinical efficacy and safety of different methods also vary. This article reviews and compares the current methods to generate CTL and efficacy of the cells after infusions.
Adoptive Transfer ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; cytology ; Cytomegalovirus ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; therapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to play crucial roles in a variety of diseases, including autoimmunity, infectious diseases, and cancers. However, little is known about the roles of these invariant T cells in acute cholecystitis. The purposes of this study were to examine the levels of MAIT cells and NKT cells in patients with acute cholecystitis and to investigate potential relationships between clinical parameters and these cell levels. Thirty patients with pathologically proven acute cholecystitis and 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Disease grades were classified according to the revised Tokyo guidelines (TG13) for the severity assessment for acute cholecystitis. Levels of MAIT and NKT cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. Circulating MAIT and NKT cell numbers were significantly lower in acute cholecystitis patients than in healthy controls, and these deficiencies in MAIT cells and NKT cell numbers were associated with aging in acute cholecystitis patients. Notably, a reduction in NKT cell numbers was found to be associated with severe TG13 grade, death, and high blood urea nitrogen levels. The study shows numerical deficiencies of circulating MAIT and NKT cells and age-related decline of these invariant T cells. In addition, NKT cell deficiency was associated with acute cholecystitis severity and outcome. These findings provide an information regarding the monitoring of these changes in circulating MAIT and NKT cell numbers during the course of acute cholecystitis and predicting prognosis.
Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholecystitis, Acute/*diagnosis/immunology/pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natural Killer T-Cells/*cytology/immunology ; Patients ; Prognosis ; Severity of Illness Index ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/*cytology/immunology