Li Jiawen

The expression of interleukin-17, interferon-gamma, and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha mRNA in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

SummaryTo investigate the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3α) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of IL-17, IFN-γ, and MIP-3α in 31 psoriatic lesions and 16 normal skin tissues. The results showed that the mRNA of the three cytokines was present in all specimens. And the expression level of IL-17 mRNA in skin lesions was 1.1416±0.0591, which was significantly higher than that in normal controls (0.8788±0.0344,P<0.001). The expression levels of IFN-γ mRNA were 1.1142±0.0561 and 0.9050±0.263, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). And the expression levels of MIP-3α mRNA in psoriatic lesions was 1.1397±0.0521, which was markedly higher than that in normal controls (0.8681±0.0308,P<0.001). These findings indicate that up-regulated expression of IL-17, IFN-γ, and MIP-3α might be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.To investigate the role of Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and macrophage inflammatory protein-3 alpha (MIP-3alpha) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of IL-17, IFN-gamma, and MIP-3alpha in 31 psoriatic lesions and 16 normal skin tissues. The results showed that the mRNA of the three cytokines was present in all specimens. And the expression level of IL-17 mRNA in skin lesions was 1.1416 +/- 0.0591, which was significantly higher than that in normal controls (0.8788 +/- 0.0344, P<0.001). The expression levels of IFN-gamma mRNA were 1.1142 +/- 0.0561 and 0. 9050 +/- 0.0263, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). And the expression levels of MIP-3alpha mRNA in psoriatic lesions was 1.1397 +/- 0.0521, which was markedly higher than that in normal controls (0.8681 +/- 0.0308, P<0.001). These findings indicate that up-regulated expression of IL-17, IFN-gamma, and MIP-3alpha might be involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

A study on the expression of interleukin(IL)-10 and IL-12 P35, P40 mRNA in the psoriatic lesions

SummaryTo investigate the possible role of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 in the pathogenesis of psoriatic lesions and to supply theoretical basis for the gene therapy for psoriasis, the expression of IL-10 and IL-12 P35, P40 mRNA in 12 cases of psoriatic lesions and 6 normal skin tissues was detected by using RT-PCR technique. The results showed that the expression of IL-10 mRNA in the psoriatic lesions was significantly lower than that in the normal skin tissues (P<0. 001). The expression of IL-12 P35 was positive both in the psoriatic lesions and in the normal skin tissues. IL-12 P40 mRNA was expressed positively only in the psoriatic lesions but negatively in the normal skin tissues. It was suggested that IL-12 might take an important role in the occurrence and progression of psoriasis, but IL-10 might have certain role in the regression of psoriasis.

Susceptibility of mixed infection ofUreaplasma urealyticum andMycoplasma hominis to seven antimicrobial agents and comparison with that ofUreaplasma urealyticum infection

In order to investigate the susceptibility of mixed infection of Ureaplasma Urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma Hominis (MH) to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents and comparison with that of UU infection in NGU patients, the in vitro susceptibility was determined by using microdilution method. The positive results were analyzed. The results showed that the sequence of susceptibility to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents for both UU infection group and UU-MH mixed infection group was almost the same from the highest susceptibility to the lowest accordingly: Josamycin, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Sparfloxacin, Roxithromycin, Ofloxacin and Azithromycin. The total drug resistance rate for UU-MH mixed infection group (97.67%) was significantly higher than that for UU infection group (44.67%, P < 0.01). The highest drug resistance rate in UU group and UU-MH mixed infection group was 31.33% (Ofloxacin) and 90.48% (Azithromycin) respectively. UU-MH mixed infection showed an increased drug resistance and changes of drug resistance spectrum.SummaryIn order to investigate the susceptibility of mixed infection ofUreaplasma Urealyticum (UU) andMycoplasma Hominis (MH) to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents and comparison with that of UU infection in NGU patients, thein vitro susceptibility was determined by using microdilution method. The positive results were analyzed. The results showed that the sequence of susceptibility to 7 kinds of antimicrobial agents for both UU infection group and UU-MH mixed infection group was almost the same from the highest susceptibility to the lowest accordingly: Josamycin, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Sparfloxacin, Roxithromycin, Ofloxacin and Azithromycin. The total drug resistance rate for UU-MH mixed infection group (97.67%) was significantly higher than that for UU infection group (44.67%,P<0.01). The highest drug resistance rate in UU group and UU-MH mixed infection group was 31.33% (Ofloxacin) and 90.48% (Azithromycin) respectively. UU-MH mixed infection showed an increased drug resistance and changes of drug resistance spectrum.

Expression of LL-37, human beta defensin-2, and CCR6 mRNA in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

SummaryTo investigate whether LL-37 and human beta defensin-2 (hBD-2) is related to the patients with psoriasis seldom having skin infections and explore the role of the two peptides and CCR6 (the receptor of hBD-2) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the expression levels of mRNA of LL-37, hBD-2, and CCR6 in skin lesions of patients with psoriasis vulgaris were detected by using RT-PCR. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of the two peptides and CCR6 in psoriatic lesions all increased compared with the normal skin (P<0.001). It was suggested that upregulated expression of LL-37 and hBD-2 might be the main reason that result in the the skin of patients with psoriasis being seldom infected, and the two peptides and CCR6 might play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Two case report studies of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with an analysis of 918 patients of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in literatures published in China

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), which was previously designated histiocytosis X, is a group of diseases characterized as hyperplasia and dissemination of Langerhans cells. LCH may involve one or many body systems or tissues, such as skin, lymph nodes, bone, bone marrow, liver, spleen, lung, thymus, gastrointestine, endocrine gland, mouth, ears, and central nervous system. The clinical manifestation of this group of diseases varies from single organ to multiple organs, from newborn to the old, and is especially highly prevalent among children. LCH has been recognized as a rare disease in the past, whereas the incidence has significantly increased in recent years with the progress in diagnostic techniques. To summarize the feature of skin lesions in LCH, we present a retrospective clinical analysis of two patients with LCH diagnosed in our hospital and another 916 cases reported in China over the past 10 years. Clinical data

Expression of p63 and cyclooxygenase-2 and their correlation in skin tumors

To study the expression of p63 and cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) in skin tumors and evaluate the correlation between p63 and cox-2, the expressions of cox-2 and p63 were measured by streptavidin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemical technique in 17 cases of skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 19 cases of Bowen’s disease(Bowen), 11 cases of actinic keratosis(AK), 12 cases of seborreic keratosis(SK) and 13 specimens of normal skin. Our results showed that the expression of p63 in skin squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis were significantly higher than that in seborreic keratosis, while the expression of p63 in seborreic keratosis was significantly higher than that in normal skin. The expression of cox-2 in skin squamous cell carcinoma, Bowen’s disease and actinic keratosis were significantly higher than that in seborreic keratosis, while no statistical difference was noted in the expression of cox-2 between seborreic keratosis and normal skin. Cox-2 expression was positively correlated with the high p63 expression in malignant skin tumors. The increased expression of cox-2 and p63 may play an important role in the development of skin tumors and work synergetically in malignant skin tumors.

The Expression of Toll-like Receptor 2 and 4 mRNA in Local Tissues of Model of Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Mice

SummaryTo investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 mRNA in local tissues of model of oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice and to explore the potential role of TLR2 and TLR1 in carlier period of immune response, a murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis inoculated by cotton wool balls saturated withcandida albicans was established. Mice were sacrificed at the indicated time points and the oropharyngeal tissues were excised. The expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA was detected by RT PCR. The results showed that low level of TLR2. 1 mRNA could be detected in oropharyngeal tissues, but they were markedly up-regulated 6 h after inoculation, peaking after 12−1 24 h. Tissue TLR4 mRNA was gradually down-regulated 21− 48 h, while TLR2 mRNA levels remained high up to the 72nd h. These data suggested that oropharyngeal infection ofCandida albicans could result in up-regulation of TLR2 1 mRNA expression in local tissues, which might play important roles in earlier period of immune response.

Comparison of the effects of three different anti-fungus drugs on Candida albicans of murine vaginal mucosa

To compare the therapeutic effects of three different anti-fungal drugs (i.e., terbinafine, fluconazole and intraconazole) in the treatment of experimental vaginitis caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) in mice, the fungal vaginitis model was established in female ICR mice by intravaginal inoculation of suspension of C. albicans after the animal had been pretreated with estradiol. Mice were divided at random into different groups and then respectively treated with terbinafine, fluconazole and intraconazole given by gastrogavage. The burden of the fungus in the vaginal lavage fluids in the mice of the different groups was measured dynamically at different time points after the beginning of the drug treatment. The fungal burdens in the vaginal lavage fluids taken at different time points from the mice treated with terbinafine were significantly higher than those taken at corresponding time points from mice treated with fluconazole or itraconazole (P<0.01). The fungal burdens in the vaginal lavage fluids taken from mice 1 week after the beginning of the treatment with terbinafine remained at a relatively high level. A dramatic drop in the fungal burden was noted in the vaginal lavage fluids taken on the 2nd day of the treatment from mice treated with itraconazole or fluconazole group and the fungal burden on the 3rd day of the treatment in these mice were at a very low level, suggesting that fluconazole or itraconazole were highly effective for the treatment. However, the difference in the therapeutic effect between the two drugs was not significant (P>0.05). Itraconazole or fluconazole, but not terbinafine, is very effective for the treatment of fungal vaginitis caused by C. albicans in mice.

Relationship between host survival and the type of immune response in different organs during disseminated candidiasis.

SummaryTo examine the relationship between host survival and the type of immune response in different organs during disseminated candidiasis, the murine model of disseminated candidiasis was established by injection withCandida albicans via tail vein. The survival time was observed for up to 60 days. And the expression levels of cytokines in the spleen and kidney, including IFN-γ and IL-4, were determined with RT-PCR. Our results showed that in the spleen, both non-fatal and fatal inoculum caused a type II immune response with steady expression levels of IFN-γ and the obviously increased levels of IL-4. While in the kidney, non-fatal inoculum induced a type I immune response with the obviously increased levels of IFN-γ and the steady expression levels of IL-4. However, fatal inoculum induced a type II immune response with a constant expression of IFN-γ and the evidently increased levels of IL-4. It is concluded that in disseminated candidiasis, host survival is associated with the type of immune responses in the kidney, but not in the spleen.

Local IL-23 expression in murine vaginal candidiasis and its relationship with infection and immune status.

SummaryTo investigate the expression of vaginal IL-23 and its role in experimental murine vaginal candidiasis and its relationship with infection and immune status, immuno-competent (group A) and immuno-suppressed (group B) murine models of vaginal candidiasis were established in estrogen-treated mice. Non-estrogen-treated mice were used as controls (group C). The level of IL-23 p19 mRNA in murine vaginal tissue was determined by RT-PCR. Significantly increased levels of IL-23p19mRNA were observed on the 4th, the 7th and 14th day after inoculation in immuno-competent group when compared with that in control group (P<0.01,P<0.05), However, significant increase of IL-23 p19mRNA were only observed on the 7th day and the 14th day after inoculatuon in immuno-suppressed groups (P<0.05). On the 4th and 7th day, the levels of Il-23 p19mRNA were significantly increased in immuno-competent group, than those in immuno-suppressed group (P<0.05). Local IL-23 may play a role in the pathogenesis of murine vaginal candidiasis and has a protective function during infection. Low vaginal IL-23 level may correlate with the increased susceptibility toCandida albicans in immuno-suppressed group.