Objective To examine the levels of interferon-gamma; (INF-gamma;), tumor necrosis factor-alpha; (TNF-alpha;) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum of patients with acute uveitis before and after treatment, and to explore the possible roles of those cytokines in the initiation and progression of the uveitis. Methods A series of 75 patients with acute uveitis,and 30 healthy persons from our hospital were investigated. The levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase and convalescent phase were measured by the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Result The serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase were significantly higher than that of the convalescent phase and the healthy controls (F=65.805/50.418/155.381, P=0.000). A significant negative correlation was found between the serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in acute phase with their initial visual acuity(r=-0.656, -0.592 and -0.653, Plt;0.01). There was also a positive correlation among the serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6(r=0.340, 0.467 and 0.338, Plt;0.05). Conclusions There are high serum levels of INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 in patients with acute uveitis, and the cytokines levels were decreased after the treatment. The results suggested that the INF-gamma;, TNF-alpha; and IL-6 involved in initiation and progression of uveitis.
Objective To detect the effects of cytokines on the expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect and quantitatively analyze the expression of Egr-1 protein and mRNA in cultured human RPE cells which were exposed to stimulants, including 20 mu;g/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 40 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha;, 10 U/ml interferon (IFN)gamma;, 30% supernatant of monocyte/macrophage strain (THP1 cells) and the vitreous humor from healthy human eyeballs, for 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 minutes, respectively. Results The RPE cells stimulated for 0 minute revealed faint green fluorescence of Egr-1 in the cytoplasm. With exposure to the stimulants, the expressionof Egr-1 increased obviously and b green fluorescence was found in cytoplasm in some nuclei of RPE cells. Compared with the untreated RPE cells, after stimulated by 20 mu;g/ml LPS, 40 ng/ml TNFalpha;, 10 U/ml IFNgamma;, 30% supernatant of THP-1 cells and the vitreous humor, the approximate ultimate amplitudes of Egr-1 mRNA enhanced 1.9, 1.3, 14, 1.2, and 1.4 times, respectively; the greatest amplitudes of Egr-1 protein increased 3.4, 1.2, 1.7, 32, and 1.3 times, respectively. Conclusion LPS, TNF-alpha;, IFN-gamma;, supernatant of THP-1 cells and the vitreous humor can upregulate the expression of Egr-1 mRNA and protein in cultured human RPE cells, and induce its nuclear transposition, which suggests the activation of Egr-1.
Objective To observe the influence of the expression of CD18 on the neutrophile and the leukocyte adhesion to retinal vascular endothelium by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha;) in early diabetic retinopathy rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce diabetes model. 18 diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups randomly after 2 months of diabetes induction, including diabetic group (group B), HIF-1alpha; anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASODN) injection group (group C) and HIF-1alpha; sense oligonucleotides (SODN) injection group (group D), the age and weigh matched health rats were chosen as control group (group A), with 6 rats in each group. Then group A and B rats received 5% glucose solution caudalis veins injection, group C and group D rats received HIF-1alpha; ASODN and HIF-1alpha; SODN caudalis veins injection, respectively(025 mg/kg).The level of CD18 on the neutrophil isolated from the peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry. Retinal leukostasis was quantified with acridine orange leukocyte fluorography. Results The percentage of CD18 positive neutrophil cell was（44.93plusmn;3.60）% in group B，（18.66plusmn;1.52）% in group A，（31.66plusmn;4.72）% in group C，（51.00plusmn;5.66）% in group D. Compared with each other groups，the differences are statistically significant （F=42.46, Plt;0.001）. The number of positive staining cells of retinal leukocyte was （46.16plusmn;10.68）in group A，（133.83plusmn;20.43）in group B,（99.83plusmn;9.28）in group C，（121.33plusmn;10.23） in group C. Compared group B with group C，the number of positive staining cells raised about 2.89 times；compared group B with group C and D，the differences are statistically significant （P=0.12，95% confidence interval -3.69~28.69）. Conclusions In vivo, HIF-1alpha; can decreased the expression of CD18 on neutrophils from diabetic ratsprime; peripheral blood and the collection of retinal leukostasis in the diabetic animals. HIF-1alpha; may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment and/or prevention of early diabetic retinopathy. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：268-271）
Objective To observe the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on integrin alpha;5 expression and its influence on human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.Methods Human RPE cells were treated in vitro with 0.1,1.0,10.0,20.0 and 100.0 ng/ml of EGF, the mRNA and protein of integrin alpha;5 was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）and flow cytometry. Human RPE cells were cultured under 4 conditions including DMEM/F12,DMEM/F12+10 ng/ml EGF, DMEM/F12+10 ng/ml EGF+rabbit antihuman integrin alpha;5 antibody (1∶100)，DMEM/F12+10 ng/ml EGF+rabbit antihuman vimentin antibody (1∶100), and their proliferation and migration were measured by methylthiazole tetrazolium（MTT）and Boyden chamber.Results The integrin alpha;5 mRNA level of human RPE cells was not changed after 12 hours of EGF stimulation (F=0.618, P=0.687), however it was induced in a dosedependent manner after 24 and 48 hours of EGF stimulation (F=465.303, 212.340; P=0.000,0.000).The protein level of integrinalpha;5 was higher in 10 ng/ml EGF stimulation compared with the control group and 0.1 ng/ml group（P＜0.01）.MTT and Boyden chamber showed that the integrin alpha;5 expression increased the proliferation and migration of human RPE cells. Conclusion EGF can induce integrin alpha;5 expression,thus increase the proliferation and migration of human RPE cells.
Objective To observe the inhibition of LipofectamineTM2000 (LF2000)mediated pSUPER recombinant plasmid expressing small interference RNA targeting hypoxia-induced factor (HIF)-1alpha;(pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;) on retinal neovascularization in mice. Methods pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; recombinant plasmid was created. Forty-eight (seven-day-old) C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, the control group, empty vector group and gene therapy group with 12 mice in each group. Mice in the normal group were kept in normal room air, while the other three groups retinal neovascularization was induced by hypoxia. The mice in control group were not treated. The mice in the vector group received intravitreous injection of pSUPER and LF2000 (1 mu;l), and the gene therapy group received pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha; and LF2000 (1 mu;l)one day before being returned to normal room air．Fluorescent angiography was used to assess the vascular pattern. The proliferative neovascular response was quantified by counting the nuclei of new vessels extending from the retina into the vitreous in cross-sections．HIF-lalpha;and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in retinas were measured by immune histochemical staining method and reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Fluorescent angiography showed radial branching pattern vessels in the normal group and distorted large vessels, obstructed capillaries, many neovascular tuffs, fluorescence leakage in the peripheral retina in the control group and vector group. The gene therapy group demonstrated a significant reduction in neovascular tufts and fluorescence leakage compared with the control group and the vector group. The number of vascular cell nuclei extending breaking through the internal limiting membrane(ILM) of control group and vector group increased significantly compared with normal group (F=5850.016,P＜0.05), while obviously decreasing in the gene therapy group compared with control group (F=3012.469,P＜0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed the expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in nucleus and VEGF protein in cytoplasm. The expression of HIF-1alpha; protein in retina was negative, while VEGF protein was weakly positive in normal group. The expression of HIF-1alpha; and VEGF protein were both positive in control group and vector group, while weakly positive in gene therapy group. The Results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of HIF-1alpha; mRNA in retina was increased significantly in control group and vector group as compared with normal group (F=3102.326,P＜0.05), while decreasing significantly in gene therapy group as compared with control group (F=3336.425,P＜0.05). Conclusion Retinal neovascularization in the mice is significantly inhibited by intravitreal injection of LF2000-mediated recombinant plasmid pSUPERsiHIF-1alpha;.
Purpose To investigate the expression of the interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-alpha;) in epiretinal membranes(ERM) of eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR). Methods Nineteen epiretinal membranes were obtained form eyes undergoing vitrectomy for retinal detachment complicated with PVR and observed by immunohistochemical methods. Results Expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha; were observed in 12 and 15 membranes respectively with positive staining mostly in extracellular matrix of epiretinal membranes.Only one membrane showed positive to IL-6 intracellularly,and expression for IL-6 and TNF-alpha; simultaneously in membranes. Conclusion The findings indicate that IL-6、and TNF-alpha;might be involved in the development of PVR. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:219-221)
Objective To observe the regulation effect of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha;) on expression of glutamate transporter（GLAST）and ingestion activity of retinal Muuml;ller cells in mice. Methods To take the retinal tissue of Kunming mouse at postnatal 7～10 day, and then cultured Muuml;ller cells according to literature. The 3～4 generation cultured cells of the same primary cell were divided into two groups at random: ① TGFalpha; group: maintained in different concentrations of TGFalpha; as 50, 75, 125 and 150 ng/ml, 3 holes in each concentration;② Control group: cultured by Eagle culture medium which improved from Dulbeccon and contained 20% fetal calf serum. The influence of different concentrations TGFalpha; on GLAST activity in Muuml;ller cells were observed by L-3H-glutamate uptake detection; the expression of GLAST mRNA in Muuml;ller cells was determined by RT-PCR; the expression of GLAST protein was detected with immunocytochemical staining. Results With the increase of TGFalpha; concentration, both L3H glutamate uptake and GLAST mRNA expression were increased. The L-3H-glutamate accumulation had got to the maximum uptake at concentration of 125 ng/ml, which was 266% of that in control group, meanwhile, the expressions of GLAST mRNA also got to the maximum as 4 times of control group. Immunocytochemical staining indicated that the effect of 125ng/ml TGFalpha; on expression of GLAST protein was higher than that in the control group, the differences between two groups were statistically significant (Plt;0.05). Conclusion TGF-alpha; can increase GLAST activity through up-regulating the expression of GLAST mRNA and protein.
Exploring the functional network during the interaction between emotion and cognition is an important way to reveal the underlying neural connections in the brain. Sparse Bayesian network (SBN) has been used to analyze causal characteristics of brain regions and has gradually been applied to the research of brain network. In this study, we got theta band and alpha band from emotion electroencephalogram (EEG) of 22 subjects, constructed effective networks of different arousal, and analyzed measurements of complex network including degree, average clustering coefficient and characteristic path length. We found that: ① compared with EEG signal of low arousal, left middle temporal extensively interacted with other regions in high arousal, while right superior frontal interacted less; ② average clustering coefficient was higher in high arousal and characteristic path length was shorter in low arousal.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and a neurodegenerative disease with progressive cognitive dysfunction as the main feature. How to identify the early changes of cognitive dysfunction and give appropriate treatments is of great significance to delay the onset of dementia. Some other researches have shown that AD is associated with abnormal changes of brain networks. To study human brain functional connectivity characteristics in AD, 16 channels electroencephalogram (EEG) were recorded under resting and eyes-closed condition in 15 AD patients and 15 subjects in the control group. The synchronization likelihood of the full-band and alpha-band (8-13 Hz) data were evaluated, which resulted in the synchronization likelihood coefficient matrices. Considering a threshold T, the matrices were converted into binary graphs. Then the graphs of two groups were measured by topological parameters including the clustering coefficient and global efficiency. The results showed that the global efficiency of the network in full-band EEG was significantly smaller in AD group for the values of T=0.06 and T=0.07, but there was no statistically significant difference in the clustering coefficients between the two groups for the values of T (0.05-0.07). However, the clustering coefficient and global efficiency were significantly lower in AD patients at alpha-band for the same threshold range than those of subjects in the control group. It suggests that there may be decreases of the brain connectivity strength in AD patients at alpha-band of the resting-state EEG. This study provides a support for quantifying functional brain state of AD from the brain network perspective.
Objective To observe the efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha; monoclonal antibody (TNF-alpha; MCAb) in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods EAU animal models were induced by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide with immunization. The rats were divided into 2 groups according to the injection times. TNF-alpha; MCAb was administered intravenously on day 6 or 4, 6 and 8 post-immunization respectively, and then to observe the clinical expression by slit-lamp microscope. Meanwhile, take the rats which did not accept TNF-alpha; MCAb as control group. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured on day 13 post-immunization of IRBP R16; the rats were killed on day 14 post-immunization of IRBP R16, and then enucleated the eyes for histopathological examination. To detect the cytokine level of IFN-gamma;, IL-4 in serum and IFN-gamma; in aqueous humor by enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on day 14 post-injection. The hyperplasia responses of antigen specific lymphocyte of draining lymph node cells were detected. Results The TNF-alpha; MCAb group had mitigated ocular inflammation and decreased pathological grades compared with the control group; the IFN-gamma; concentrations in aqueous humor and serum were decreased, IL-4 was increased in serum; DTH responses were decreased; the hyperplasia responses of draining lymphocytes to IRBP R16 peptide were decreased, all the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01). The rats accepted TNF-alpha; MCAb thrice had much better curative effect than the rats injected once (P＜0.05). Conclusions Injection of TNF-alpha; MCAb can inhibit ocular inflammation and specific immune cells of EAU remarkably and change the Th1/Th2 balance. Many times injections of TNF-alpha; MCAb were more effective than once.