Semaphorin 5A promotes Th17 differentiation via PI3K-Akt-mTOR in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Previously, we reported that serum Semaphorin 5 A (Sema5A) levels were increased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with healthy controls (HC), and elevated Sema5A correlated with disease activity and lupus nephritis in SLE patients. In this study, we aimed to further understand the role of Sema5A in promoting Th17 cells differentiation in SLE.

Methods: Sema5A, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 17 A (IL-17 A) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Heterogeneity of macrophage activation syndrome and treatment progression.

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare complication of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) characterized by a progressive and life-threatening condition with features including cytokine storm and hemophagocytosis. Predisposing factors are typically associated with microbial infections, genetic factors (distinct from typical genetically related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)), and inappropriate immune system overactivation. Clinical features include unremitting fever, generalized rash, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, anemia, worsening liver function, and neurological involvement.

Tertiary lymphoid structures in autoimmune diseases.

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are organized lymphoid-like aggregations in non-lymphoid tissues. Tissues with chronic and persistent inflammation infiltration may drive and form ectopic germinal center-like structures, which are very common in autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, and tumor microenvironments. However, the mechanisms governing the formation of TLSs are still being explored.

The Role of the IL-33/ST2 Axis in CpG-Induced Macrophage Activation Syndrome.

Background: Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a fatal inflammatory condition, which is often associated with the elevation of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and multiple organ dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that ST2 contributes to T cell overactivation and plays a detrimental role in mouse models of primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in a mouse model of MAS induced by repeated injections of cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG).

The Role of Decorin in Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases.

Decorin is an extracellular matrix protein that belongs to the family of small leucine-rich proteoglycans. As a matrix protein, the first discovered role of decorin is participating in collagen fibril formation. Many other functions of decorin in various biological processes have been subsequently identified.

The IL-33/ST2 Axis Promotes Primary Sjögren's Syndrome by Enhancing Salivary Epithelial Cell Activation and Type 1 Immune Response.

The molecular mechanisms of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in the development of pSS. In the mouse model of experimental Sjögren's syndrome, we found that the saliva flow rate at weeks 4 and 30 was preserved in IL-33 and ST2 mice, compared with that of wild-type mice.

The aberrant levels of decorin induce damages of human salivary gland epithelial cells and polarization of macrophages.

Objectives: This study aimed to preliminarily address the levels of decorin (DCN, a critical component of extracellular matrix) and its potential roles in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: DCN levels were determined in the salivary glands of experimental SS (ESS) mice and pSS patients by RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, or immunohistochemical staining. Its correlation with interested genes and co-localization with a putative receptor was studied in pSS patients.

The Role of HMGB1 in Rheumatic Diseases.

HMGB1, a highly conserved non-histone nuclear protein, is widely expressed in mammalian cells. HMGB1 in the nucleus binds to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to regulate the structure of chromosomes and maintain the transcription, replication, DNA repair, and nucleosome assembly. HMGB1 is actively or passively released into the extracellular region during cells activation or necrosis.

Structural Lesion Progression of the Sacroiliac Joint and Clinical Features in axSpA During TNFi Reduction: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

In the clinic, some patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have to reduce tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) for various reasons. However, there are few studies about how to balance the relapse and TNFi reduction. Here we retrospectively analyzed the structural progression of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and clinical features in axSpA during TNFi reduction.

IL-33 in Rheumatic Diseases.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a nuclear factor mainly expressed in barrier epithelium, endothelial cells, and fibroblast reticular cells. Some inflammatory cells also express IL-33 under certain conditions. The important role of IL-33 in allergic reactions, helminth infection, cancer, tissue fibrosis, chronic inflammation, organ transplantation, and rheumatic immune diseases has been extensively studied in recent years.

Intratracheal Poly(I:C) Exposure Accelerates the Immunological Disorder of Salivary Glands in Sjogren's-Like NOD/ShiLtJ Mice.

Evidences have suggested that Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is associated with viral infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of respiratory viral poly(I:C) in the pathogenesis of SS and potential mechanisms using a SS-like NOD/ShiLtJ (NOD) mouse model. 5-week female NOD mice were intratracheally administered poly(I:C) every other day for 5 times to mimic viral infection.

Clinical characteristics of IgG4-RD patients infected with COVID-19 in Hubei, China.

Objective: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated multi-organ, chronic and progressive disease. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate the susceptibility of COVID-19 in IgG4-RD patients in Hubei province, and to characterize the clinical manifestation of COVID-19 in IgG4-RD patients.

Methods: A follow-up system that includes over 200 IgG4-RD patients across the country during the past ten years.

The clinical value of the albumin quotient in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background: The disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is common in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), causing pro-inflammatory immune cells to migrate into the central nervous system (CNS) and active demyelinating lesions. Albumin quotient is commonly used as an indicator for BBB permeability or dysfunction, but its potential clinical value in NMOSD treatment has never been explored. The present study investigated the differences in the albumin quotient level among NMOSD patients with different antibodies (AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG) and the relationship between the albumin quotient and neurological dysfunction.

Characterization of the Fine Particle Emissions from the Use of Two Fischer-Tropsch Fuels in a CFM56-2C1 Commercial Aircraft Engine.

The fine particulate matter (PM) emissions from the use of two types of Fischer-Tropsch aviation fuels and their 50:50 blends with military JP-8 were quantified as part of the first Alternative Aviation Fuel Experiment (AAFEX). Measurements were made at 30-m downstream of a CFM56-2C1 engine for PM mass and number, particle size distribution, black carbon (BC), and volatile PM (sulfate + organics) using selected on-line instrumentation. The PM number emission index ( ) ranged from ~ 2 × 10 to 7 × 10 particles/kg fuel burned depending on fuel flow, fuel composition, and sampling temperature with the magnitude of the emissions inversely correlated to fuel flow.

Expression of human Tau40 in the medial entorhinal cortex impairs synaptic plasticity and associated cognitive functions in mice.

Entorhinal cortex (EC) is the initial brain region that suffers abnormal tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether overexpression of human tau (htau40) in EC disrupts cognitive function and synaptic plasticity in AD has not been fully elucidated. To investigate the effects of htau40 on the pathology and associated mechanisms of early stage of AD in mice, an adeno-associated virus-based htau40 transduced in medial EC (mEC) mouse model was established.

Physical and chemical characterization of residential oil boiler emissions.

The toxicity of emissions from the combustion of home heating oil coupled with the regional proximity and seasonal use of residential oil boilers (ROB) is an important public health concern. Yet scant physical and chemical information about the emissions from this source is available for climate and air quality modeling and for improving our understanding of aerosol-related human health effects. The gas- and particle-phase emissions from an active ROB firing distillate fuel oil (commonly known as diesel fuel) were evaluated to address this deficiency.