1.Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced eosinophilic fasciitis: a case report and literature review
Zhiming OUYANG ; Jianda MA ; Zehong YANG ; Yingqian MO ; Yaowei ZOU ; Lie DAI
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(2):182-187
A 58-year-old male patient with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma developed a rash and skin tightness on the face, limbs, and trunk together with joint stiffness and dysfunction after 6 months of treatment with the programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor camrelizumab. Laboratory tests revealed progressive eosinophilia over 6 months, with the eosinophil count increasing from 0.07×10 9/L to 3.3×10 9/L. Magnetic resonance imaging showed thickened skin of both forearms, while T 2-weighted imaging showed markedly increased signal intensity within the myofascia. Skin biopsy of the right forearm showed thickened and fibrosed fascia and infiltration of inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils. The patient was diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). After beginning treatment with methylprednisolone (40 mg daily), methotrexate (10 mg/week), and baricitinib (4 mg daily), his symptoms of skin tightness and joint dysfunction significantly improved within 1 month, and his peripheral blood eosinophil count decreased to 0.17×10 9/L. ICI-induced EF is a rare immune-related adverse reaction. To date, only 20 cases have been reported in published foreign literature, and their clinical characteristics are summarized here. The time from ICI treatment to EF was 12 (8,15) months, and the main clinical manifestations included skin involvement ( n=19), joint dysfunction ( n=11), myalgia/muscle weakness ( n=9), and peripheral eosinophilia ( n=16). After treatment, the clinical symptoms of EF improved in 17 patients, and eosinophil counts returned to normal after 3 (1,8) months. EF is a dysfunctional adverse response to ICI therapy. Tumor patients undergoing immunotherapy should be monitored for symptoms of EF. Early treatment is essential for preventing complications.
2.Research on the motivation of young patients′ medical electronic word-of-mouth sharing on internet platforms
Jingjing XIONG ; Shiyi WANG ; Xingyue YU ; Fengzhuo YANG ; Ziyi MAO ; Jintong ZOU ; Zehong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2023;39(4):310-315
Objective:To explore the facilitating and inhibitory factors influencing the behavior of young patients to share medical electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) on internet platforms, so as to provide insights for the improvement of healthcare quality.Methods:In May 2022, 271 undergraduate students from universities in Zhejiang province were selected by convenient sampling to survey their motivations to share eWOM with a self-designed questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the impact of different motivational factors on the sharing intention of young patients.Results:Only 16 respondents (5.9%) had previously published medical eWOM. Egoistic motivation, altruistic motivation, medical experience, and comment habits were significant factors that promoted patients to share eWOM, with egoistic motivation ( β=0.212, P<0.001) having the greatest impact and comment habit ( β=0.139, P=0.003) having the least impact. Distrust, low self-efficacy and involvement, perceived reluctance, and perceived uselessness were significant factors inhibiting patients from publishing eWOM. Of them, distrust ( β=-0.161, P<0.001) and perceived reluctance ( β=-0.161, P=0.001) had the greatest impact, and low self-efficacy and involvement had the least impact ( β=-0.134, P=0.003). Conclusions:To enhance the positive attitude of young patients towards sharing eWOM, it is important to focus on their personal benefits and provide high-quality healthcare experiences. Building trust among patients in the platform is crucial, and efforts should be made to reduce operational barriers. Additionally, educating and raising awareness among young patients regarding the significance and influence of healthcare reviews is important.
3.A comparative study of the effects of psoriasis serum and M5 factors on keratinocyte inflammation and proliferation
Zehong Wang ; Junqin Li ; Peng Zou ; Xinhua Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(9):1488-1492
Objective :
To explore the differences in the effects of psoriatic serum and a mixture of five proinflam⁃ matory cytokines on keratinocyte inflammation and proliferation .
Methods :
he human immortalized keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT cells) was used to cultivate with serum of healthy human serum , psoriasis patients and M5 factors , and the cell proliferation was monitored by CCK⁃8 . RT⁃qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors interleukin 1β/8/21 /23 (IL⁃1β/8/21 /23) , proliferation markers keratin 6/16 (K6/K16) and nucleus related antigen 67 (Ki67) in HaCaT cells in each group .
Results :
Healthy human serum , psoriasis serum and M5 factors could effectively promote the growth of HaCaT cells , and psoriasis serum and M5 factors could promote cell growth more than healthy human serum . Similar to M5 factors , serum from patients with psoriasis significantly promoted the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors IL⁃1β , IL⁃8 , IL⁃23 and proliferation markers K6 and Ki67 in cells . Different from M5 factors , the serum of psoriasis patients had enhanced the mRNA level of inflammatory factor IL⁃21 , but weakened the promotion of proliferation marker K16 .
Conclusion
The serum micro environment of patients with psoriasis can promote the proliferation and inflammatory response of keratinocytes higher than that of healthy people , and is similar to M5 factors , which can be used to build a keratinocyte model of psoriasis .
4.Toll-like Receptor 4 Deficiency Aggravates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation by Impairing Neutrophil Apoptosis in a Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Murine Asthma Model
Shuyu CHEN ; Yao DENG ; Qiaoling HE ; Yanbo CHEN ; De WANG ; Weimin SUN ; Ying HE ; Zehong ZOU ; Zhenyu LIANG ; Rongchang CHEN ; Lihong YAO ; Ailin TAO
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research 2020;12(4):608-625
Purpose:
Accumulating evidence has suggested that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is critically involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic airway inflammation.
Methods:
TLR4−/− and wild-type (WT) C57BL/10J mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to generate a TDI-induced asthma model. B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitors, ABT-199 (4 mg/kg) and ABT-737 (4 mg/kg), were intranasally given to TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice after each challenge.
Results:
TDI exposure led to increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), granulocyte flux, bronchial epithelial shedding and extensive submucosal collagen deposition, which were unexpectedly aggravated by TLR4 deficiency. Following TDI challenge, TLR4−/− mice exhibited down-regulated interleukin-17A and increased colony-stimulating factor 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while WT mice did not. In addition, TLR4 deficiency robustly suppressed the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 and NLR family CARD domain containing 4, decreased caspase-1 activity in TDI-exposed mice, but had no effect on the level of high mobility group box 1 in BALF. Flow cytometry revealed that TDI hampered both neutrophil and eosinophil apoptosis, of which neutrophil apoptosis was further inhibited in TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice, with marked up-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, inhibition of Bcl-2 with either ABT-199 or ABT-737 significantly alleviated neutrophil recruitment by promoting apoptosis.
Conclusions
These data indicated that TLR4 deficiency promoted neutrophil infiltration by impairing its apoptosis via up-regulation of Bcl-2, thereby resulting in deteriorated AHR and airway inflammation, which suggests that TLR4 could be a negative regulator of TDI-induced neutrophilic inflammation.
5.Toll-like Receptor 4 Deficiency Aggravates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation by Impairing Neutrophil Apoptosis in a Toluene Diisocyanate-Induced Murine Asthma Model
Shuyu CHEN ; Yao DENG ; Qiaoling HE ; Yanbo CHEN ; De WANG ; Weimin SUN ; Ying HE ; Zehong ZOU ; Zhenyu LIANG ; Rongchang CHEN ; Lihong YAO ; Ailin TAO
Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research 2020;12(4):608-625
Purpose:
Accumulating evidence has suggested that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is critically involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced allergic airway inflammation.
Methods:
TLR4−/− and wild-type (WT) C57BL/10J mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to generate a TDI-induced asthma model. B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) inhibitors, ABT-199 (4 mg/kg) and ABT-737 (4 mg/kg), were intranasally given to TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice after each challenge.
Results:
TDI exposure led to increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), granulocyte flux, bronchial epithelial shedding and extensive submucosal collagen deposition, which were unexpectedly aggravated by TLR4 deficiency. Following TDI challenge, TLR4−/− mice exhibited down-regulated interleukin-17A and increased colony-stimulating factor 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), while WT mice did not. In addition, TLR4 deficiency robustly suppressed the expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 and NLR family CARD domain containing 4, decreased caspase-1 activity in TDI-exposed mice, but had no effect on the level of high mobility group box 1 in BALF. Flow cytometry revealed that TDI hampered both neutrophil and eosinophil apoptosis, of which neutrophil apoptosis was further inhibited in TDI-exposed TLR4−/− mice, with marked up-regulation of Bcl-2. Moreover, inhibition of Bcl-2 with either ABT-199 or ABT-737 significantly alleviated neutrophil recruitment by promoting apoptosis.
Conclusions
These data indicated that TLR4 deficiency promoted neutrophil infiltration by impairing its apoptosis via up-regulation of Bcl-2, thereby resulting in deteriorated AHR and airway inflammation, which suggests that TLR4 could be a negative regulator of TDI-induced neutrophilic inflammation.
6.Preliminary experimental study on mechanism of intestinal mucosal damage induced by IgG immune complex in mice
Shan WANG ; Junbin ZHENG ; Zehong ZOU ; Yuanwei DING
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2017;33(8):1156-1160
Objective:To study the cellular pathology and molecular mechanisms of intestinal mucosal damage induced by IgG immune complex in mice.And to explore the pathogenic mechanism and molecular diagnosis evidence of ulcerative colitis induced by food intolerance in clinical practice.Methods: Six weeks old BALB/c female mice were used to build animal model.All the mice were divided into four groups:the control group(group A),the rabbit intestinal mucosal protein immunized group(group B),the DSS induced group(group C),the rabbit intestinal mucosal protein immunized combined with DSS induced group(group D).After successful establishment of animal model,serum and colon tissues were collected to be performed relevant tests.Results: IgG level in serum and colonic mucosa of group B mice increased.And inflammatory cell infiltration and a small amount of mast cell activation were observed in intestinal mucosa;group C mice showed the typical acute ulcerative colitis:a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,inflammatory factor levels increased in mucosa and mucosa lamina propria,and mucosal epithelial cells′ tight junction weakened;group D mice manifested both high level of IgG in serum and colonic mucosa and also typical acute ulcerative colitis.Besides,significant mast cell activation was observed in the intestinal mucosa.Conclusion: We infer from the experimental results that IgG immune complexes can induce the damage of intestinal epithelium by mediating activation of mast cells.And during the process,the level of inflammatory cytokines increased in intestinal mucosa and the expression of tight junction protein in epithelial cell decreased.These factors contribute to the promotion of intestinal mucosa damage induced by immune complexes.
7.Cell-in-Cell Death Is Not Restricted by Caspase-3 Deficiency in MCF-7 Cells.
Shan WANG ; Meifang HE ; Linmei LI ; Zhihua LIANG ; Zehong ZOU ; Ailin TAO
Journal of Breast Cancer 2016;19(3):231-241
PURPOSE: Cell-in-cell structures are created by one living cell entering another homotypic or heterotypic living cell, which usually leads to the death of the internalized cell, specifically through caspase-dependent cell death (emperitosis) or lysosome-dependent cell death (entosis). Although entosis has attracted great attention, its occurrence is controversial, because one cell line used in its study (MCF-7) is deficient in caspase-3. METHODS: We investigated this issue using MCF-7 and A431 cell lines, which often display cell-in-cell invasion, and have different levels of caspase-3 expression. Cell-in-cell death morphology, microstructures, and signaling pathways were compared in the two cell lines. RESULTS: Our results confirmed that MCF-7 cells are caspase-3 deficient with a partial deletion in the CASP-3 gene. These cells underwent cell death that lacked typical apoptotic properties after staurosporine treatment, whereas caspase-3-sufficient A431 cells displayed typical apoptosis. The presence of caspase-3 was related neither to the lysosome-dependent nor to the caspase-dependent cell-in-cell death pathway. However, the existence of caspase-3 was associated with a switch from lysosome-dependent cell-in-cell death to the apoptotic cell-in-cell death pathway during entosis. Moreover, cellular hypoxia, mitochondrial swelling, release of cytochrome C, and autophagy were observed in internalized cells during entosis. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of caspase-independent entosis is not a cell-specific process. In addition, entosis actually represents a cellular self-repair system, functioning through autophagy, to degrade damaged mitochondria resulting from cellular hypoxia in cell-in-cell structures. However, sustained autophagy-associated signal activation, without reduction in cellular hypoxia, eventually leads to lysosome-dependent intracellular cell death.
Apoptosis
;
Autophagy
;
Caspase 3*
;
Cell Death
;
Cell Hypoxia
;
Cell Line
;
Cytochromes c
;
Entosis
;
MCF-7 Cells*
;
Mitochondria
;
Mitochondrial Swelling
;
Staurosporine
8.In silico prediction for physicochemical properties and structure of major pollen allergen Lig v 1 in Ligustrum vulgare
Shufen CAO ; Wen LI ; Ying HE ; Zehong ZOU ; Linmei LI ; Yuncan AI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2016;32(9):1291-1294,1298
Objective:To analyse the physicochemical properties and structure of major privet pollen allergen Lig v 1 using bioinformatics software and provide a reference for choosing suitable recombinant expression system for Lig v 1 and modifying the allergen Lig v 1 experimentally.Methods:The physicochemical properties were analysed by ProtParam,the signal peptide by SignalP 4.1 Server,the transmembrane helix by TMHMM Server v.2.0,the secondary structure by GOR4,MHCⅡepitopes by NetMHCⅡ2.2 Server,B-cell epitopes by ProteanTM 5.01 and the phylogenetic tree by MEGA 6.Results: Privet major pollen allergen Lig v 1 was stable in Escherichia coli and it doesn′t possess any signal peptide and transmembrane helix.Most secondary structures of Lig v 1 were random coils.Potential region of MHCⅡepitope of Lig v 1 was 30-44.Potential B-cell epitopes possess discontinuous and continuous a mino acid sequences.Lig v 1 and its counterparts from Fraxinus excelsior and Olea europaea were clustered into one group.Conclusion:Escherichia coli is the suitable expression system for recombinant Lig v 1.In silico prediction of the epitopes of Lig v 1 provides a reference for modifying the allergen Lig v 1 experimentally.
9.Prediction of antigenic epitopes on HA, NA amino acid sequences of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus and analysis association between susceptibility and HLA-Ⅱalleles
Xueting LIU ; Shan WANG ; Junyan ZHANG ; Zhaoyu LIU ; Huifang CHEN ; Zehong ZOU ; Lanyan XIAO ; Zhiheng JI ; Ying HE
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2015;(1):16-21
Objective:To compare the amino acid sequences difference of HA,NA novel influenza virus A/H7N9 isolates, decipher possible B cell epitopes and T cell epitopes of HA,NA protein,and analyze the association between susceptibility and HLA polymorphisms.Methods:The amino acid sequences of novel influenza A ( H7N9) virus were downloaded from Genbank.Phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the amino acid sequences of HA and NA by using software Clustal X and MEGA 4.0.B cell and T cell epitopes were respectively predicted with Protean software and NetMHCⅡ2.2 Server online server.Results:The homology of HA and NA proteins of H7N9 virus was high.10 B cell epitopes and 15 T cell epitopes were randomly distributed throughout HA sequence and 12 B cell epitopes and 9 T cell epitopes were randomly distributed throughout NA sequence.HLA-DRB1*0701 allele which was commonly observed in Northern Chinese population have a high binding affinity for 9-mer peptides of HA and NA proteins.Conclusion:The prediction of B and T cell epitopes of HA and NA proteins with multiple methods benefits the research and development of vaccine against human infection with avian influenza A H7N9 virus.HLA-DRB1*0701 allele may contribute to susceptibility to novel influenza A (H7N9) virus.H7N9 influenza virus is more easily spread in Urumqi,Harbin,Shandong Province,Liaoning Province,Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Tianjin of China.
10.Expression and purification of Litopenaeus vannamei allergen protein Lit v1.2
Huifang CHEN ; He LAI ; Yuyi HUANG ; Zehong ZOU ; Ying HE ; Ailin TAO ; Wen LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2015;31(12):1659-1662
Objective:To obtain purified recombinant Litopenaeus vannamei allergen protein Lit v 1.2.Methods: The target gene of Lit v 1.2 was inserted into clone vector pGEM-T and then ligated to the expression vector pET 44a.The pET44a-Liv 1.2 was transformed into Rosetta and screened by ampicillin resistance .The recombinant protein was expressed by IPTG induction .The protein was purified by 6-His tag affinity chromatography and the purification was analyzed by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis .Results:The ex-pression plasmid pET44a-Lit v 1.2 was constructed.SDS-PAGE showed that expressed Lit v 1.2 was efficient and soluble in E.coli Rosetta.The protein molecular weight was consistent with the theoretical value .The highly purified target protein was obtained.Conclusion:In this study ,we successfully gained highly purified recombinant allergen protein Lit v 1.2 which was expressed in prokaryotic system and purified by affinity chromatography column .The purified Lit v 1.2 protein will facilitate us to further study its role in immunological responses .


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