Plasma levels of IL-37 and correlation with TNF-α, IL-17A, and disease activity during DMARD treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of this study was to assess the change of IL-37 concentrations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, and to establish a correlation between Interleukin-37 and pro-inflammatory cytokines in plasma and disease activity. The plasma level of IL-37 was determined using ELISA in 50 newly diagnosed RA patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Plasma levels of IL-17A, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured using flow a cytometric bead array assay.

Role of PLC-PIP2 and cAMP-PKA signal pathways in radiation-induced immune-suppressing effect.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to observe the changes in CD4+CD25+Nrp1+Treg cells after irradiation with different doses and explore the possible molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods: ICR mice and mouse lymphoma cell line (EL-4 cells) was used. The expressions of CD4, CD25, Nrp1, calcineurin and PKC-α were detected by flow cytometry.

Higher frequency of peripheral blood interleukin 21 positive follicular helper T cells in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective: The role of follicular Th (TFH) cells remains unclear in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Our study examined the frequency of different subsets of circulating CXCR5+CD4+ T cells in patients with AS before and after receiving therapy.

Methods: Percentages of peripheral blood inducible costimulator (ICOS)+, programmed death 1 (PD-1)+, and interleukin 21 (IL-21)+ CXCR5+CD4+ T cells in 26 patients with AS and 12 healthy controls (HC) were examined by flow cytometry, and the disease activity of individual patients was measured by Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI).

Peripheral B-cell activation and exhaustion markers in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Aims: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease and is associated with abnormal B cell function. However, the roles of different B cell subsets are less clear. This study aimed to examine the frequency of different subsets of B cells in AS patients following standard therapies.

Downregulation and altered function of natural killer cells in hepatitis B virus patients treated with entecavir.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the natural killer (NK) cell phenotype and function in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients and to study the effects of entecavir therapy (10 mg/day, p.o.) on these responses.

Ionizing radiation stimulates secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: dose-response relationship, mechanisms and implications.

In previous studies we showed a marked increase in secretion of inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta by mouse macrophages in response to different doses of ionizing radiation (IR). Here we show the stimulation of IL-12 and IL-18 secretion by mouse peritoneal macrophages after whole-body irradiation with exploration of the possible mechanisms and implications in cancer radiotherapy. Both low (0.

Labeling of human insulin-like growth factor-I eukaryotic expression vector with green fluorescent protein.

Objective: To label human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I) eukaryotic expression vector with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for the repair of articular cartilage defects.

Methods: GFP cDNA was inserted into pcDNA(3.1)-hIGF-1 to construct the co-expression vector with two multiple cloning sites mammalian expression vector under two cytomegalovirus promoters/enhancers respectively.

[Influence of different mechanical environments on repair of cartilage defect with rabbit marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

Objective: To study the influence of different mechanical environments on repair cartilage defect with marrow mesenchymal stem cells as seed cells.

Methods: The rabbit marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured. The cartilage defects were repaired by autologous tissue engineered cartilage with the marrow mesenchymal stem cells as seed cells.

Radiographic verification of pedicle screw pilot hole placement in thoracic spine using Kirschner wires versus spiral wires.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of the pedicle screw pilot holes placement in thoracic spine using the spiral wires as the guide pin.

Methods: The pedicle screw pilot holes were drilled within the center of the pedicle and the lateral and medial pedicle walls were violated in 9 human dried thoracic vertebrae. Kirschner wires or spiral wires were separately placed in the holes, and then the posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were taken.