Objective Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key regulator of both atherosclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet factors leading to its overproduction remain unclear. To explore regulation of MIF in SLE, we studied effects and potential mechanisms of type I interferon (IFN) and artesunate (ART), an anti-malarial agent extracted from Chinese herbs, on levels of MIF. Methods Serum and peripheral blood cells from SLE patients and healthy controls were measured for MIF levels by ELISA and type I IFN inducible gene expressions by real-time PCR respectively, and assessed for associations by Spearman correlation. ART was added to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultures with or without prior IFNα-1b stimulation and to SLE peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures. Protein levels of STATs and phosphorylated (p-) STATs in HUVECs were determined by Western blotting. Results Serum MIF levels were elevated in SLE patients and positively associated with disease activity (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001), accumulated damage (r = 0.34, p < 0.05), and IFN scores in SLE PBMCs (r = 0.74, p = 0.0002). The addition of IFNα-1b promoted MIF production in a time and dose-dependent manner in HUVEC cultures. ART could inhibit expressions of IFN inducible genes (LY6E and ISG15) in both HUVEC and SLE PBMC cultures, and suppress MIF production and over-expression of p-STAT1, but not p-STAT3 or STAT5, induced by IFNα-1b stimulation. IFNγ-induced expression of p-STAT1 in HUVECs was not inhibited by ART. Conclusion MIF could be regulated by type I IFN in SLE patients. ART counteracts the effect of IFNα to inhibit MIF production by blocking STAT1 phosphorylation and thus may 3 have therapeutic potential for SLE-associated atherosclerosis.
Chen W. (2019) The efficacy of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet with respect to improving pregnancy outcomes in women with hypertensive disorders. J Hum Nutr Diet. 32, 713-718 https://doi. AbstractBackground: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet serves as a dietary pattern for the prevention and control of hypertension. The present study aimed to investigate whether the DASH diet can improve the outcomes of pregnancy with gestational hypertension (GH) and chronic hypertension. Methods: The current randomised controlled clinical trial was performed in 85 pregnant women diagnosed with GH and chronic hypertension between July 2015 and December 2017. The women were categorised into a control group (41 cases) and a DASH group (44 cases). Participants were followed until delivery. The clinical outcomes of mothers included gestational weeks of birth, delivery mode, postpartum haemorrhage and GH, as well as the incidence of pre-eclampsia during the second and third trimesters. Newborn measurements were collected by evaluating prematurity, birth weight, body length and neonatal Apgar score. Results: The incidence of pre-eclampsia, prematurity and low birth weight in the DASH group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also observed in gestational age at delivery and the newborn body length between the two groups (P < 0.05). We failed to find a significant difference in changes of delivery mode, postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum GH, mean birth weight and Apgar score (P > 0.05) between the two diets. Conclusions: A DASH diet might comprise a potential strategy for improving the clinical outcomes in pregnant women with GH and chronic hypertension. Future robust clinical trials are warranted to corroborate these findings. 713
BackgroundCD1c+ tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) play important roles in the induction of peripheral tolerance and control of adaptive immune response. Umbilical cord (UC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunoregulation effects in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the underlying immunosuppression mechanism of MSCs via tolerogenic DCs in SLE remains largely unknown.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine tolerogenic DCs levels in SLE patients, and to further investigate the mechanism of MSCs in the regulation of tolerogenic DCs.MethodsTolerogenic DCs were isolated as Lin (CD3/19/56/14)- HLA DR+CD11c+CD1c+ from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Levels of tolerogenic DCs were determined by flow cytometry, and serum concentration of Flt-3 ligand (FLT3L) were determined by ELISA from 17 healthy controls and 25 SLE patients. Eight SLE patients were given UC MSCs infusions. We compared the levels of tolerogenic DCs and serum FLT3L before and 24 hours after UC MSCs transplantation. PBMCs from 8 patients were collected and co-cultured with UC MSCs at ratios of 1:1, 10:1 and 50:1, for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively, to detect the levels of tolerogenic DCs. The FLT3L in the supernatant solution were determined. FLT3L siRNA was added to the co-culture system, and the level of tolerogenic DCs were detected.ResultsThe levels of peripheral CD1c+ DCs and serum FLT3L were significantly decreased in SLE patients compared to healthy controls. After UC MSCs transplantation, the levels of CD1c+ DCs increased, along with an increase in serum FLT3L. In vitro studies showed that UC MSCs time-dependently up-regulated peripheral CD1c+ DCs, but not dose-dependently. The supernatant FLT3L level significantly increased after co-cultured with MSCs. However, the addition of FLT3L siRNA significantly abrogated the up-regulation of CD1c+ DCs by MSCs.ConclusionsUC MSCs induce CD1c+ tolerogenic DCs through up-regulating FLT3L in lupus patients.Disclosure of InterestNone declared
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