Vav1, as a key downstream signaling molecule of T cell receptor, includes a catalytic core DH-PH-ZF domain with the function as guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), and a SH3-SH2-SH3 domain with the function as adaptor protein. These two structures of Vav1 play different roles in the development, activation, proliferation and function of T cells, and thereby exert the different regulatory effect on the occurrence and development of autoimmune disease, graft rejection, cancer and other clinical conditions, implicating that Vav1 might be a potential therapeutic target for these diseases. This paper reviews the role of Vav1 in T cells and the occurrence of related diseases.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-vav ; chemistry ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes

In addition to regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism to maintain strong bones, vitamin D also has immune regulating and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, it is related to chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Many studies indicate the roles of vitamin D in the development and progression of endometriosis including the effects on modulation of immune responses, inflammation reactions, cell proliferation and apoptosis, angiogenesis, adhesion and invasion. Vitamin D supplementation can relieve pain and improve endometrial receptivity associated with endometriosis and play a preventive and therapeutic role. This paper summarizes the roles of vitamin D in endometriosis.
Autoimmune Diseases ; physiopathology ; Endometriosis ; physiopathology ; Endometrium ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; physiopathology ; Vitamin D ; immunology ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: The indirect basophil activation test using flow cytometry is a promising tool for autoimmune urticaria diagnosis. We aimed to identify better donor basophils (from atopic vs. non-atopic donors and interleukin-3 primed vs. unprimed basophils) and improve basophil identification and activation markers (eotaxin CC chemokine receptor-3 [CCR3] vs. CD123 and CD63 vs. CD203c). METHODS: Donor basophils were obtained from non-atopic and atopic group O donors. Positive control sera were artificially prepared to simulate autoimmune urticaria patients' sera. Patient sera were obtained from nine children with chronic urticaria. Assay sensitivity was compared among each variation by using positive control sera (n=21), applying cutoff values defined from negative control sera (n=20). RESULTS: For basophil identification, a combination of CCR3 and CD123 markers revealed a higher correlation with automated complete blood count (r=0.530) compared with that observed using CD123 (r=0.498) or CCR3 alone (r=0.195). Three activation markers on the atopic donor basophils attained 100% assay sensitivity: CD203c on unprimed basophils, CD63+CD203+ or CD63 alone on primed basophils; however, these markers on the non-atopic donor basophils attained lower assay sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: For basophil identification markers, a combination of CD123 and CCR3 is recommended, while CD123 alone may be used as an alternative. Donor basophils should be obtained from an atopic donor. For basophil activation markers, either CD203c alone on unprimed basophils or CD203c and CD63 on primed basophils are recommended, while CD63 alone on primed basophils may be used as an alternative.
Autoimmune Diseases/blood/*diagnosis/immunology ; Basophils/*immunology/metabolism ; Biomarkers/blood ; Child ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-3 Receptor alpha Subunit/blood ; Male ; Receptors, CCR3/blood ; Urticaria/blood/*diagnosis/immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs in the treatment of autoimmune myositis (EAM) in mice and explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODSMouse models of EAM were divided randomly into model group and treatment group, and the latter received infusion of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs separated from normal mouse spleen by magnetic activated cell sorting. The changes of muscle pathology was observed, and the expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs was analyzed using flow cytometry; peripheral blood IL-10 and TGF-β levels were tested using double antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompare with the model group, the mice in the treatment group showed significantly reduced muscular inflammatory cell infiltration, increased blood levels of IL-10 and TGF-β (P<0.05), and increased expression of PD-1 and CTLA-4 in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs reinfusion produces therapeutic effect in mice with EAM by increasing peripheral blood IL-10 and TGF-β levels and PD-1 and CTLA-4 expressions in spleen CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; metabolism ; Cell Separation ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Mice ; Myositis ; immunology ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; metabolism ; Spleen ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of IL-6 mAb on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats, and search the mechanism of the role of IL-6, helper T cells 17 (Th17) and regulative T cells (Treg) in EAM pathogenesis.

METHODSThirty-four Lewis rats were divided into three groups randomly, i.e. control group (n = 6), EAM group (n = 12), and IL-6 mAb intervention group (n = 16). Rats in EAM group and IL-6 mAb intervention group were injected intracutaneously with myosin to establish EAM model. Rats in IL-6 mAb intervention group were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg IL-6 mAb on 1st, 7th to 20th day after cardiac myosin immune injection. Myocardial inflammation was examined by HE stain, Masson stain, and TdT assay (TUNEL reaction) on 21st and 84th day after IL-6 mAb therapy in order to assess the therapeutic role. Spleen cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to illustrate Th17 and Treg cells? number and function. The serum concentration of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TGF-beta in each group was measured by ELISA, concentration of STAT3, RORgammat, and Foxp3 mRNA in each group was determined with RT-PCR. Spleen cells derived from EAM were stimulated by IL-6 mAb in vitro, and the concentration of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta was measured by ELISA.

RESULTSInflammation score, fibrosis score, and apoptosis index in IL-6 mAb intervention group were significantly decreased as compared with those in EAM group (P < 0.01). The number of Th17 and Treg cells in EAM group on the 21st day (experimental acute peak stage) were increased, and those in intervention group on the 21st day were significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). The concentration of serum IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta in intervention group on the 21st day was decreased dramatically in comparison with that in EAM group on the same day (P < 0.01). The levels of peripheral blood STAT3, RORgammat, Foxp3 mRNA in intervention group on the 21st day was decreased significantly as compared with that in EAM group (P < 0.01). The expression of IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta was increased significantly (P < 0.01) by stimulation of IL-6 mAb on spleen cells derived from EAM in vitro.

CONCLUSIONSIL-6 mAb could neutralize IL-6, and ameliorate myocarditis and reduce heart autoimmune responses. IL-6 mAb has significantly protective effects on EAM by suppressing Th17 and Treg cells.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Autoimmune Diseases ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; immunology ; Male ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Th17 Cells ; immunology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Recent studies have proposed nomenclatures of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) (IgG4-related pancreatitis), IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), IgG4-related cholecystitis, and IgG4-related hepatopathy as IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in the hepato-bilio-pancreatic system. In IgG4-related hepatopathy, a novel concept of IgG4-related autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) with the same histopathological features as AIH has been proposed. Among organs involved in IgG4-RD, associations with pancreatic and biliary lesions are most frequently observed, supporting the novel concept of "biliary diseases with pancreatic counterparts." Targets of type 1 AIP and IgG4-SC may be periductal glands around the bile and pancreatic ducts. Based on genetic backgrounds, innate and acquired immunity, Th2-dominant immune status, regulatory T (Treg) or B cells, and complement activation via a classical pathway may be involved in the development of IgG4-RD. Although the role of IgG4 remains unclear in IgG4-RD, IgG4-production is upregulated by interleukin 10 from Treg cells and by B cell activating factor from monocytes/basophils with stimulation of toll-like receptors/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors. Based on these findings, we have proposed a hypothesis for the development of IgG4-RD in the hepato-bilio-pancreatic system. Further studies are necessary to clarify the pathogenic mechanism of IgG4-RD.
Adaptive Immunity ; Autoimmune Diseases/*immunology ; B-Cell Activating Factor/metabolism ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing/*immunology ; Cholecystitis/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*immunology ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; Liver Diseases/*immunology ; Pancreatitis/*immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinicopathological features of fibrous mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (FMCP), to compare clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics between autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and fibrous mass-forming non-autoimmune pancreatitis (nAIP) and to provide evidence for pathological diagnosis, differential diagnosis and clinical treatment strategy.

METHODSClinicopathological features were analyzed in 81 cases of FMCP. Infiltrating IgG4(+) plasmacytes were counted by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSAmong 81 cases of FMCP, 20 cases were diagnosed as AIP and 61 cases were interpreted as nAIP. AIP was more common in males over 50 years, whereas nAIP was seen in much younger patients (P = 0.001). The amount of inflammatory cells in the stroma of AIPs was remarkable higher than that in nAIPs (P = 0.002). The incidence of neuritis in AIPs (100%, 20/20) was also higher compared with that of nAIPs (75.4%, 46/61; P = 0.017). Storiformed-fibrosis was more common in AIPs (95.0%, 19/20) than in nAIPs (1.6%, 1/61;P = 0.000). Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) was observed in 50.0%(10/20) of AIPs and 32.8%(20/61) of nAIPs, with a greater severity observed in AIPs (P = 0.031). Tubular complex (TC) was more commonly observed in AIPs (65.0%, 13/20) than nAIPs (26.2%, 16/61;P = 0.002). Among 81 cases of FMCP, 61 cases had less than 11 IgG4(+) plasmacytes /HPF, 7 cases had 10-30/HPF and 13 cases had over 30/HPF.

CONCLUSIONSFMCPs include both AIP and nAIP. AIP has distinct pathological features and the presence of IgG4(+) plasmacyte is an important diagnostic parameter. FMCP appears to be an important precancerous lesion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Surgery may be considered for patients with FMCP due to its mass-forming nature. In contrast, patients with AIP are treated medically due to its steroid-responsiveness. Therefore, accurate and timely diagnosis of AIP is of clinical relevance to avoid unnecessary surgical complications and to prevent progression of the disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; pathology ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Plasma Cells ; immunology ; Precancerous Conditions ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) play a critical role in immune responses. We explored the status of Tregs in neoplastic and autoimmune hematologic diseases. We also evaluated the technical aspects of Treg measurement in terms of sample type and detection markers. METHODS: A total of 68 subjects were enrolled: 11 with AML, 8 with MDS, 10 with autoimmune diseases, and 39 controls. Tregs were analyzed in peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) samples from each subject. Flow cytometry and the Human Regulatory T cell Staining Kit (eBioscience, USA) for CD4, CD25, and FoxP3 (forkhead box P3) were used. RESULTS: The CD4+CD25high/CD4 and CD4+CD25highFoxP3+/CD4 populations were significantly correlated (P<0.0001). The AML and high-risk MDS groups had significantly larger CD4+CD25high/CD4 and CD4+CD25highFoxP3+/CD4 populations in PB than the autoimmune (P=0.007 and 0.012, respectively) and control groups (P=0.004 and 0.006, respectively). Comparable findings were observed in BM. The CD4+CD25highFoxP3+/CD4 population was significantly larger in PB than in BM (P=0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comparison data for Tregs in AML, MDS, and autoimmune hematologic diseases, and would be helpful for understanding the different immunologic bases of various hematologic diseases. Treg measurement using CD4, CD25, and/or FoxP3 in PB rather than in BM seems to be practical for routine hematologic purposes. Large-scale analysis of the diagnostic role of Treg measurement is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autoimmune Diseases/diagnosis/immunology ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/*metabolism ; Hematologic Diseases/*diagnosis/immunology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/*metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis/immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/diagnosis/immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology/*metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of anti-alpha-enolase antibody in systemic autoimmune diseases in Chinese patients and its role in endothelial cell apoptosis.

METHODSThe reactivity of anti-alpha-enolase antibody in a variety of autoimmune disorders in Chinese patients was evaluated by dot blot assay. Endothelial cell apoptosis was investigated by in vitro incubation of endothelial cells with IgG purified from anti-alpha-enolase antibody-positive sera, with or without pre-incubation with recombinant alpha-enolase.

RESULTSAnti-alpha-enolase antibody was prevalent in different systemic autoimmune diseases with relatively high reactivity in Chinese patients. In vitro incubation of endothelial cells with IgG containing anti-alpha-enolase antibody induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Apoptosis was partly inhibited by pre-incubation of the endothelial cells with recombinant alpha-enolase.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that alpha-enolase is a common auto-antigen recognized by anti-endothelial cell antibodies in connective tissue disease. Interaction between alpha-enolase and its autoantibody plays a role in endothelial cell apoptosis. Changes other than cell killing may contribute to the pathogenesis of endothelial damage and microvascular lesions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Autoimmune Diseases ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; immunology ; metabolism ; Young Adult

To select candidate genes, we attempted to comparative analysis of protein levels between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). We identified 17 proteins that showed up- or down-regulated spots in RA patients. We found that coactosin-like1 (COTL1) were highly expressed in RA patients compared with healthy controls. We performed a case-control study to determine whether the COTL1 gene polymorphisms were associated with RA and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The genotype frequency of c.-1124G>T and the allelic frequency of c.484G>A in RA patients, and the genotype frequency of c.484G>A in SLE patients were significantly different from healthy controls (P = 0.009, 0.027, and 0.025, respectively). We also investigated the correlation with the levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody in RA patients, and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in SLE patients. The c.484G>A polymorphism in RA patients has significant association with the levels of anti-CCP antibody (P = 0.03). Our findings demonstrated that c.-1124G>T and c.484G>A polymorphisms of the COTL1 gene might be associated with the genetic susceptibility of autoimmune disorders.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Autoimmune Diseases/genetics/immunology ; Case-Control Studies ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics/immunology ; Microfilament Proteins/*genetics/metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic/*genetics ; Proteome/genetics ; Proteomics/*methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization