IRF4 is Correlated with the Conversion to a Th17-Like Phenotype in Regulatory T Cells from the Malignant Pleural Effusion.

Background: RORγtFoxp3 (Th17-like) Tregs are a plastic Treg subset implicated in immune-related diseases; however, the mechanism of Treg phenotypic transformation in malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has not been elucidated.

Methods: The percentage of CD4CD25Foxp3Helios and RORγtFoxp3 Tregs from peripheral blood and pleural effusion mononuclear cells were measured. The level of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) mRNA expression was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Coexpression of Helios in Foxp3 Regulatory T Cells and Its Role in Human Disease.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing the Foxp3 transcription factor are indispensable for the maintenance of immune system homeostasis. Tregs may lose Foxp3 expression or be reprogrammed into cells that produce proinflammatory cytokines, for example, Th1-like Tregs, Th2-like Tregs, Th17-like Tregs, and Tfh-like Tregs. Accordingly, selective therapeutic molecules that manipulate Treg lineage stability and/or functional activity might have the potential to improve aberrant immune responses in human disorders.

Downregulation of miR-4772-3p promotes enhanced regulatory T cell capacity in malignant pleural effusion by elevating Helios levels.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a complicated condition of patients with advanced tumors. Further dissecting the microenvironment of infiltrated immune cells and malignant cells are warranted to understand the immune-evasion mechanisms of tumor development and progression.

Methods: The possible involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in malignant pleural fluid was investigated using small RNA sequencing.

Characteristics of H7N9 avian influenza pneumonia: a retrospective analysis of 17 cases.

Background: H7N9 avian influenza is an infection of public health concern, in part because of its high mortality rate and pandemic potential.

Aims: To describe the clinical features of H7N9 avian influenza and the response to treatment.

Methods: Clinical, radiological and histopathological data, and treatment-related of H7N9-infected patients hospitalised during 2014-2017 were extracted and analysed.

Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside improves TNF-α-induced endothelial dysfunction: involvement of TGFβ/Smad pathway and inhibition of vimentin expression.

Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherogenesis. 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), an active component of the rhizome extract from Polygonum multiflorum (PM), exhibits significant anti-atherosclerotic activity. Here, we used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in vitro to investigate the cytoprotective effects of TSG on TNF-α-induced endothelial injury and the related mechanisms.