Shu-Yan Dai

Galectin-9 Induces Maturation of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells

Maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) is critical for initiation of immune responses and is regulated by various stimulatory signals. We assessed the role of galectin (Gal)-9 in DC maturation. Culture of immature DCs with exogenous Gal-9 markedly increased the surface expression of CD40, CD54, CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DR in a dose-dependent manner, although Gal-9 had no or little effect on differentiation of human monocytes into immature DCs. Gal-9-treated DCs secreted IL-12 but not IL-10, and they elicited the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) but not that of the Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) by allogeneic CD4+ T cells. These effects of Gal-9 on immature DCs were not essentially dependent on its lectin properties, given that they were inhibited only slightly by lactose. We further found that a Gal-9 mutant that lacks β-galactoside binding activity reproduced the above activities and that an anti-Gal-9 mAb suppressed them. Gal-9 induced phosphorylation of the MAPK p38 and ERK1/2 in DCs, and an inhibitor of p38 signaling, but not inhibitors of signaling by either ERK1/2 or PI3K, blocked Gal-9-induced up-regulation of costimulatory molecule expression and IL-12 production. These findings suggest that Gal-9 plays a role not only in innate immunity but also in acquired immunity by inducing DC maturation and promoting Th1 immune responses.

Selective Eosinophil Adhesion to Fibroblast Via IFN-γ-Induced Galectin-9

Among galectin family members, galectin-9 was first described as a potent eosinophil chemoattractant derived from Ag-stimulated T cells. In the present study a role of galectin-9 in the interaction between eosinophils and fibroblasts was investigated using a human lung fibroblast cell line, HFL-1. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and Western blot analyses revealed that both galectin-9 mRNA and protein in HFL-1 cells were up-regulated by IFN-γ stimulation. On the one hand, IL-4, known as a Th2 cytokine, did not affect the galectin-9 expression in HFL-1 cells. We further confirmed that IFN-γ up-regulated the expression of galectin-9 in primary human dermal fibroblasts. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that IFN-γ up-regulated surface galectin-9 expression on HFL-1 cells. Stimulation of HFL-1 cells with IFN-γ up-regulated adhesion of eosinophils, but not neutrophils, to HFL-1 cells. This adherence of eosinophils to HFL-1 cells was inhibited by both lactose and anti-galectin-9 Ab. These findings demonstrate that IFN-γ-induced galectin-9 expression in fibroblasts mediates eosinophil adhesion to the cells, suggesting a crucial role of galectin-9 in IFN-γ-stimulated fibroblasts as a physiological modulator at the inflammatory sites.

Four-dimensional sonographic assessment of fetal facial expression early in the third trimester

Objective: To evaluate the characteristic patterns of facial expression in fetuses aged from 28 to 34 weeks using 4‐dimensional (4‐D) ultrasonography.

Three-dimensional volume-rendered imaging of embryonic brain vesicles using inversion mode

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to present our first experience of normal embryonic brain vesicle shapes in the early first trimester of pregnancy, reconstructed by three‐dimensional (3D) volume‐rendered imaging using the inversion mode.

Does three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound improve the diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of adnexal malignancy?

Objective:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (3DPD) in the differentiation between benign and malignant adnexal masses and evaluate 3DPD for assessing malignancy in comparison with two‐dimensional transvaginal gray‐scale sonography (2DTVS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐2α is involved in enhanced apoptosis in the placenta from pregnancies with fetal growth restriction

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIF‐1α, HIF‐2α, HIF‐1β) are involved in enhanced apoptosis in the human placenta from pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Placental samples were obtained from women with normal term pregnancy (n = 18) or from pregnancy with FGR (n = 12). Placenta apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy‐UTP‐nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The expressions of HIF‐1α, HIF‐2α, and HIF‐1β were examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Enhanced apoptosis was observed in the placenta from pregnancies with FGR compared with normal term placenta. The apoptosis index in FGR group (1.45 ± 1.26%) was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (0.18 ± 0.16%; P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the intensity of the staining for HIF‐1α and HIF‐1β expressions between two groups, while HIF‐2α was overexpressed in the placenta from pregnancies with FGR group (P < 0.05). The upregulation of HIF‐2α protein expression in the placenta from pregnancies with FGR may, at least in part, be involved in the increased placental apoptosis.

Four‐dimensional sonography with B‐flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation for visualization of the fetal heart

To use B‐flow imaging with 4‐dimensional (4D) sonography and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the evaluation of normal fetal heart and congenital heart disease during pregnancy.

Three‐dimensional sonographic volume measurement of the fetal spleen

Aim:  The objective of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the growth of the fetal lung in normal pregnancies, using 3‐D ultrasound.

Four-dimensional volume-rendered imaging of the fetal ventricular outflow tracts and great arteries using inversion mode for detection of congenital heart disease

Aim:  Using four‐dimensional (4D) sonography with an inversion mode, we evaluated fetal ventricular outflow tracts and great vessels for the detection of congenital heart disease.

Real-time three-dimensional color Doppler fetal echocardiographic features of congenital heart disease

The purpose of this report is to describe the real‐time three‐dimensional (3D) color Doppler fetal echocardiographic findings of congenital heart diseases. Two cases of fetal congenital heart disease were diagnosed antenatally by conventional two‐dimensional fetal echocardiography and real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography. Conventional two‐dimensional (2D) fetal echocardiography showed a hypoplastic left heart in one case, and a double‐outlet right ventricle in the second case. Real‐time 3D fetal echocardiography with instantaneous volume‐rendered displays showed surgeons eye views of intracardiac abnormal cardiac structures of the beating heart in both cases. Real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography depicted a subtle tricuspid regurgitant jet in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and great arteries, left from the right ventricle, in parallel in a double‐outlet right ventricle. Real‐time 3D color Doppler fetal echocardiography may assist in the evaluation of fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics, and offer the potential advantages relative to conventional 2D fetal echocardiography and Doppler flow mapping.