Aims/hypothesis A new differentiation pathway for CD4 − CD8 − (DN) T cells has recently been identified that exhibits the potent function of peripheral converted DN T cells in suppressing immune responses and provides the potential to treat autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if the DN T cells converted from CD4 + T cells of NOD mice retain the antigen-specific regulatory capacity and prevent autoimmune diabetes in vivo. We also sought to determine if the combination of DN T cells with rapamycin promotes islet allograft survival in autoimmune diabetic NOD recipients. Methods NOD CD4 + T cells were converted to DN T cells in an in vitro mixed-lymphocyte reaction, with or without GAD65 peptide, as previously reported. The antigenspecific DN T cells were adoptively transferred to NOD/ SCID mice, new-onset diabetic NOD mice or isletallograft-recipient NOD mice as the part of cell-based therapy. The development of diabetes and allograft survival was assessed by monitoring blood glucose levels. Results NOD CD4 + T cells were converted in vitro to DN T cells at a rate of 50% and expressed unique cell features. The DN T cells from NOD donors blocked autoimmunity and prevented diabetes in NOD models, and these effects were even greater for GAD65-peptide-primed DN T cells. DN T cells acted in conjunction with rapamycin to suppress alloantigen-triggered T cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and prolonged islet allograft survival in NOD recipients. Conclusions/interpretation Administration of the islet beta cell antigen-specific DN T cells can prevent the development of autoimmune diabetes and promote islet allograft survival in NOD mice.

To investigate the molecular epidemiological analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from five pediatric hospitals in China. Seventy-three MRSA isolates were analyzed by a combination of different genotyping methods, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST), SCCmec and spa typing. Panton-Valentine Leukocin (PVL) gene was also detected. The prevalent strains were ST239-MRSA-III and ST1-MRSA clones in the northern region; ST239-MRSA-III, ST910-MRSA-IV and ST88-MRSA in the eastern region; and ST59-MRSA in the southern region. Only the ST910-MRSA-IV clone has been found in China until now, and it is closely related to ST30-MRSA-IV. All MRSA isolates were found to be resistant to penicillin and azithromycin, and multidrug resistance was observed. The cases of necrotic pneumonia, severe skin and subcutaneous tissue infection and lymphadenitis resulted from PVL gene-positive MRSA. There were several novel genetic types of MRSA. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed high resistance of many antimicrobials and multiple drugs.