Biomedical subjects

Wei Liu

Publications and source records attributed to Wei Liu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2007

[Predictive role of diagnostic information in treatment efficacy of rheumatoid arthritis based on neural network model analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications of the therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with neural network model analysis. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-seven patients were included in the clinical trial from 9 clinical centers. They were randomly divided into Western medicine (WM) treated group, 194 cases; and traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CM) treated group, 203 cases. A complete physical examination and 18 common clinical manifestations were prepared before the randomization and after the treatment. The WM therapy included voltaren extended action tablet, methotrexate and sulfasalazine. The CM therapy included Glucosidorum Tripterygii Totorum Tablet and syndrome differentiation treatment. The American College of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) was taken as efficacy evaluation. All data were analyzed on SAS 8.2 statistical package. The relationships between each variable and efficacy were analyzed, and the variables with P<0.2 were included for the data mining analysis with neural network model. All data were classified into training set (75%) and verification set (25%) for further verification on the data-mining model. RESULTS: Eighteen variables in CM and 24 variables in WM were included in the data-mining model. In CM, morning stiffness, swollen joint number, peripheral immunoglobulin M (IgM) level, tenderness joint number, tenderness, rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP) and joint pain were positively related to the efficacy, and disease duration and more urination at night negatively related to the efficacy. In WM, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), weak waist, white fur in tongue, joint pain, joint stiffness and swollen joint were positively related to the efficacy, and yellow fur in tongue, red tongue, white blood negatively related to the efficacy. In the analysis with the neural network model in the patients of verification set, the predictive response rates of 20% patients would be 100% and 90% in the treatment with CM and WM, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neural network model analysis, based on the full clinical trial data with collection of both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medicine diagnostic information, shows a good predictive role for the information in the efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Development and validation of vectors containing multiple siRNA expression cassettes for maximizing the efficiency of gene silencing.

BACKGROUND: RNA interference (RNAi) was originally identified as a biological process in which short double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) suppress the expression of genes complimentary to the dsRNA. This cellular intrinsic gene silencing mechanism has subsequently been developed as a useful tool for studies of gene function. A major strategy for producing small interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured cells involves the use of siRNA expression vectors in which a RNA polymerase III (Pol III) promoter and transcription stop signal are designed to constitute a functional siRNA expression cassette for production of siRNA. However, most of the available vectors contain only one siRNA expression cassette. RESULTS: In order to maximize the efficiency and versatility of the vector-based siRNA approach, we have developed vectors containing multiple (up to six) tandem siRNA expression cassettes. Moreover, we demonstrated that these vectors can be used not only to produce different siRNA to simultaneously suppress the expression of multiple genes but also to maximize the silencing of a single gene. CONCLUSION: The vectors containing multiple siRNA expression cassettes can serve as useful tools for maximizing the efficiency of gene silencing.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2006

A fast parallel algorithm for finding the longest common sequence of multiple biosequences.

BACKGROUND: Searching for the longest common sequence (LCS) of multiple biosequences is one of the most fundamental tasks in bioinformatics. In this paper, we present a parallel algorithm named FAST_LCS to speedup the computation for finding LCS. RESULTS: A fast parallel algorithm for LCS is presented. The algorithm first constructs a novel successor table to obtain all the identical pairs and their levels. It then obtains the LCS by tracing back from the identical character pairs at the last level. Effective pruning techniques are developed to significantly reduce the computational complexity. Experimental results on gene sequences in the tigr database show that our algorithm is optimal and much more efficient than other leading LCS algorithms. CONCLUSION: We have developed one of the fastest parallel LCS algorithms on an MPP parallel computing model. For two sequences X and Y with lengths n and m, respectively, the memory required is max{4*(n+1)+4*(m+1), L}, where L is the number of identical character pairs. The time complexity is O(L) for sequential execution, and O(|LCS(X, Y)|) for parallel execution, where |LCS(X, Y)| is the length of the LCS of X and Y. For n sequences X1, X2, ..., Xn, the time complexity is O(L) for sequential execution, and O(|LCS(X1, X2, ..., Xn)|) for parallel execution. Experimental results support our analysis by showing significant improvement of the proposed method over other leading LCS algorithms.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Structural and magnetic studies on cyano-bridged rectangular Fe2M2 (M = Cu, Ni) clusters.

Using the tricyano precursor, (Bu4N)[(Tp)Fe(CN)3] (Tp = Tris(pyrazolyl) hydroborate) (1), four new tetranuclear clusters, [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(Tp)]2.2H2O (2), [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Cu(bpca)]2.4H2O (3) (bpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amidate anion), [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(tren)]2(ClO4)2.2H2O (4) (tren = tris(2-amino)ethylamine), and [(Tp)Fe(CN)3Ni(bipy)2]2[(Tp)Fe(CN)3]2.6H2O (5) (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The four clusters possess similar square structures, where FeIII and MII (M = CuII or NiII) ions alternate at the rectangle corners. There exist intermolecular - stacking interactions through pyrazolyl groups of Tp- ligands in complexes 2 and 4, which lead to 1D chain structures. Complex 5 shows a 3D network structure through the coexistence of - stacking effects and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Magnetic studies show intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions in all four clusters. The exchange parameters are +11.91 and +1.38 cm(-1) for clusters 2 and 3, respectively, while uniaxial molecular anisotropy can be detected in complex 3 due to the distorted core in its molecular structure. Complex 4 has a ground state of S = 3 and shows SMM behavior with an effective energy barrier of U = 18.9 cm(-1). Unusual spin-glass-like dynamic relaxations are observed for complex 5.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Formation of high-molecular-weight protein adducts by methyl docosahexaenoate peroxidation products.

In the present study, the formation of modified proteins by methyl docosahexaenoate (DHA) peroxidation products in the presence of a metal-catalyzed oxidation system was investigated. Metal-catalyzed oxidation of mixtures containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) and DHA led to formation of two high molecular weight derivatives of BSA. One had a mass of 71.5 kDa as determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis, matrix assisted laser desorption and ionization mass spectrometer (MALDI MS) analysis. The other was estimated to be 93 kDa by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The exposure of BSA to DHA also led to the generation of carbonyl groups. Oxygen radical scavengers could inhibit these modifications induced by DHA peroxidation. Furthermore, there was little difference of the peptides mass fingerprinting between the two kinds of modified high-molecular-weight proteins. These results suggest that oxygen radicals formed during lipid peroxidation are involved in the formation of protein derivatives. Our study may be important in the understanding the specific role of docosahexaenoic acid in the formation of modified proteins during aging and its related diseases.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2006

Preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin from pigeonpea extracts with macroporous resins.

Vitexin and isovitexin are a pair of isomeric compounds known as the major constituents in pigeonpea leaves and possess various pharmacological activities. In the present study, the preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin with macroporous resins (Nankai Hecheng S & T, Tianjin, China) was studied. The performance and adsorption characteristics of eight macroporous resins including ADS-5, ADS-7, ADS-8, ADS-11, ADS-17, ADS-21, ADS-31 and ADS-F8 have been evaluated. The research results indicate that ADS-5 resin is most appropriate for the separation of vitexin and isovitexin. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the interactions between solutes and resin at different temperatures, and the equilibrium experimental data were well fitted to the two isotherms. Column packed with ADS-5 resin was used to perform dynamic adsorption and desorption tests to optimize the separation process. The optimum parameters for adsorption were as follows: the concentration of vitexin and isovitexin in sample solution: 0.22 and 0.40mg/mL, respectively, processing volume: 3 BV, flow rate: 1mL/min, pH 4, temperature: 25 degrees C; for desorption: ethanol-water (40:60, v/v), 5 BV as an eluent, flow rate: 1mL/min. After one run treatment with ADS-5 resin, the contents of vitexin and isovitexin were increased 4.07-fold and 11.52-fold from 0.86%, 1.53% to 3.50% and 17.63%, the recovery yields were 65.03% and 73.99%, respectively. In conclusion, the preparative separation of vitexin and isovitexin can be easily and effectively achieved via adsorption and desorption on ADS-5 resin, and the method can be referenced for the separation of other flavone C-glucosides from herbal materials.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Optimization of luteolin separation from pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] leaves by macroporous resins.

In the present study, the performance and separation characteristics of eight macroporous resins for the separation of luteolin (LU) from pigeonpea leaves extracts have been evaluated. The adsorption and desorption properties of LU on macroporous resins including AB-8, NKA-9, NKA-2, D3520, D101, H1020, H103 and AL-2 have been compared. AL-2 resin offers the best adsorption and desorption capacity for LU than other resins based on the research results, and its adsorption data at 25 degrees C fit best to the Freundlich isotherm. Dynamic adsorption and desorption experiments have been carried out with the column packed by AL-2 resin to optimize the separation process of LU from pigeonpea leaves extracts. The optimum parameters for adsorption were sample solution LU concentration 65.5 microg/ml, pH 5, processing volume 3 BV, flow rate 1.5BV/h, temperature 25 degrees C; for desorption were elution solvent ethanol-water (50:50, v/v) 2 BV and followed by ethanol-water (60:40, v/v) 2 BV, and flow rate 1BV/h. After treated with AL-2 resin, the LU content in the product was increased 19.8-fold from 0.129% to 2.55%, with a recovery yield of 78.54%. The results showed that AL-2 resin revealed a good ability to separate LU. Therefore, we conclude that results in this study may provide scientific references for the large-scale LU production from pigeonpea or other plants extracts.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

SigFlux: a novel network feature to evaluate the importance of proteins in signal transduction networks.

BACKGROUND: Measuring each protein's importance in signaling networks helps to identify the crucial proteins in a cellular process, find the fragile portion of the biology system and further assist for disease therapy. However, there are relatively few methods to evaluate the importance of proteins in signaling networks. RESULTS: We developed a novel network feature to evaluate the importance of proteins in signal transduction networks, that we call SigFlux, based on the concept of minimal path sets (MPSs). An MPS is a minimal set of nodes that can perform the signal propagation from ligands to target genes or feedback loops. We define SigFlux as the number of MPSs in which each protein is involved. We applied this network feature to the large signal transduction network in the hippocampal CA1 neuron of mice. Significant correlations were simultaneously observed between SigFlux and both the essentiality and evolutionary rate of genes. Compared with another commonly used network feature, connectivity, SigFlux has similar or better ability as connectivity to reflect a protein's essentiality. Further classification according to protein function demonstrates that high SigFlux, low connectivity proteins are abundant in receptors and transcriptional factors, indicating that SigFlux candescribe the importance of proteins within the context of the entire network. CONCLUSION: SigFlux is a useful network feature in signal transduction networks that allows the prediction of the essentiality and conservation of proteins. With this novel network feature, proteins that participate in more pathways or feedback loops within a signaling network are proved far more likely to be essential and conserved during evolution than their counterparts.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2006

A functional genomics analysis of the B56 isoforms of Drosophila protein phosphatase 2A.

Members of the B56 family of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunits play crucial roles in Drosophila cell survival. Distinct functions of two B56 subunits were investigated using a combination of RNA interference, DNA microarrays, and proteomics. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of the B56-1 subunit (PP2A-B') but not the catalytic (mts) or B56-2 subunit (wdb) of PP2A resulted in increased expression of the apoptotic inducers reaper and sickle. Co-knockdown of B56-1 with reaper, but not with sickle, reduced the apoptosis caused by depletion of the B56 subunits. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry identified proteins modified in cells depleted of PP2A subunits. These included generation of caspase-dependent cleavage products, increases in protein abundance, and covalent modifications. Results suggested that up-regulation of the ribosome-associated protein stubarista can serve as a sensitive marker of apoptosis. Up-regulation of transcripts for multiple glutathione transferases and other proteins suggested that loss of PP2A affected pathways involved in the response to oxidative stress. Knockdown of PP2A elevated basal JNK activity and substantially decreased activation of ERK in response to oxidative stress. The results reveal that the B56-containing isoform of PP2A functions within multiple signaling pathways, including those that regulate expression of reaper and the response to oxidative stress, thus promoting cell survival in Drosophila.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Construction of a 7-fold BAC library and cytogenetic mapping of 10 genes in the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

BACKGROUND: The giant panda, one of the most primitive carnivores, is an endangered animal. Although it has been the subject of many interesting studies during recent years, little is known about its genome. In order to promote research on this genome, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of the giant panda was constructed in this study. RESULTS: This BAC library contains 198,844 clones with an average insert size of 108 kb, which represents approximately seven equivalents of the giant panda haploid genome. Screening the library with 15 genes and 8 microsatellite markers demonstrates that it is representative and has good genome coverage. Furthermore, ten BAC clones harbouring AGXT, GHR, FSHR, IRBP, SOX14, TTR, BDNF, NT-4, LH and ZFX1 were mapped to 8 pairs of giant panda chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). CONCLUSION: This is the first large-insert genomic DNA library for the giant panda, and will contribute to understanding this endangered species in the areas of genome sequencing, physical mapping, gene cloning and comparative genomic studies. We also identified the physical locations of ten genes on their relative chromosomes by FISH, providing a preliminary framework for further development of a high resolution cytogenetic map of the giant panda.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Pitx2 promotes development of splanchnic mesoderm-derived branchiomeric muscle.

Recent experiments, showing that both cranial paraxial and splanchnic mesoderm contribute to branchiomeric muscle and cardiac outflow tract (OFT) myocardium, revealed unexpected complexity in development of these muscle groups. The Pitx2 homeobox gene functions in both cranial paraxial mesoderm, to regulate eye muscle, and in splanchnic mesoderm to regulate OFT development. Here, we investigated Pitx2 in branchiomeric muscle. Pitx2 was expressed in branchial arch core mesoderm and both Pitx2 null and Pitx2 hypomorphic embryos had defective branchiomeric muscle. Lineage tracing with a Pitx2cre allele indicated that Pitx2 mutant descendents moved into the first branchial arch. However, markers of both undifferentiated core mesoderm and specified branchiomeric muscle were absent. Moreover, lineage tracing with a Myf5cre allele indicated that branchiomeric muscle specification and differentiation were defective in Pitx2 mutants. Conditional inactivation in mice and manipulation of Pitx2 expression in chick mandible cultures revealed an autonomous function in expansion and survival of branchial arch mesoderm.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase antagonizes morphine antinociceptive tolerance by decreasing activation of p38 MAPK in the spinal microglia.

We have demonstrated that the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the spinal microglia played an essential role in the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) attenuated tolerance to morphine analgesia by modulating p38 activation in the spinal microglia. It was shown that the selective inhibitor of nNOS, 7-NINA (7-Nitroindazole, sodium salt) (25 microg, i.t.) attenuated not only the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance, but also the activation of p38 MAPK in the spinal microglia induced by chronic intrathecal administration of morphine. Our results suggest that neuronal NO signals to microglia, leading to the upregulation of microglial phospho-p38 MAPK. Such p38 MAPK activation in microglia is consistent with a potential role in the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance. We demonstrated for the first time that the inhibition of nNOS attenuated morphine antinociceptive tolerance by reducing p38 MAPK activation in the spinal microglia.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2006

Repair of canine mandibular bone defects with bone marrow stromal cells and porous beta-tricalcium phosphate.

Tissue engineering has become a new approach for repairing bone defects. Previous studies have been limited to the use of slow-degradable scaffolds with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in mandibular reconstruction. In this study, a 30 mm long mandibular segmental defect was repaired by engineered bone graft using osteogenically induced autologous BMSCs seeded on porous beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP, n=5). The repair of defects was compared with those treated with beta-TCP alone (n=6) or with autologous mandibular segment (n=4). In the BMSCs/beta-TCP group, new bone formation was observed from 4 weeks post-operation, and bony-union was achieved after 32 weeks, which was detected by radiographic and histological examination. In contrast, minimal bone formation with almost fibrous connection was observed in the group treated with beta-TCP alone. More importantly, the engineered bone with BMSCs/beta-TCP achieved a satisfactory biomechanical property in terms of bending load strength, bending displacement, bending stress and Young's modulus at 32 weeks post-operation, which was very close to those of contralateral edentulous mandible and autograft bone (p>0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that engineered bone from osteogenically induced BMSCs and biodegradable beta-TCP can well repair the critical-sized segmental mandibular defects in canines.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Vector-mediated delivery of bcl-2 prevents degeneration of auditory hair cells and neurons after injury.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that bcl-2 prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of auditory sensory cells in explants of the organ of Corti and dissociated cell cultures of the spiral ganglion. METHODS: Organ of Corti explants and dissociated spiral ganglion cell cultures obtained from 3-day-old (P3) rats or adult spiral ganglion cell cultures from 28-day-old (P28) rats were transduced with vectors containing a human bcl-2 gene. Cultures were then exposed to neomycin, cisplatin or subjected to withdrawal of neurotrophin supplementation. Outcome measures included hair cell and neuron counts, mitochondrial membrane potential and a histological measure of apoptosis. RESULTS: Expression of bcl-2 in the organ of Corti explants and neuronal cell cultures provided a significant level of protection against cell death. Bcl-2 expression in the organ of Corti explants also protected mitochondria from loss of membrane potential and blocked an early step in the commitment of hair cells to apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Expression of bcl-2 in cochlear tissues protects sensory cells from a variety of insults that have been demonstrated to damage the inner ear.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2006

Cyano-bridged pentanuclear Fe(III)3M(II)2 (M = Ni, Co, Fe) clusters: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties.

The reactions of [M(II)(Tpm(Me))(H2O)3]2+ (M = Ni, Co, Fe; Tpm(Me) = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazoyl)methane) with [Bu4N][(Tp)Fe(III)(CN)3] (Bu4N+ = tetrabutylammonium cation; Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate) in MeCN-Et2O afford three pentanuclear cyano-bridged clusters, [(Tp)3(Tpm(Me))2Fe(III)3M(II)2(CN)9]ClO4.15H2O (M = Ni, 1; M = Co, 2) and [(Tp)3(Tpm(Me))2Fe(III)3Fe(II)2(CN)9]BF4.15H2O (3). Single-crystal X-ray analyses reveal that they show the same trigonal bipyramidal structure featuring a D3h-symmetry core, in which two opposing Tpm(Me)-ligated M(II) ions situated in the two apical positions are linked through cyanide bridges to an equatorial triangle of three Tp-ligated Fe(III) (S = 1/2) centers. Magnetic studies for complex 1 show ferromagnetic coupling giving an S = 7/2 ground state and an appreciable magnetic anisotropy with a negative D(7/2) value equal to -0.79 cm(-1). Complex 2 shows zero-field splitting parameters deducted from the magnetization data with D = -1.33 cm(-1) and g = 2.81. Antiferromagnetic interaction was observed in complex 3.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Six3 activation of Pax6 expression is essential for mammalian lens induction and specification.

The homeobox gene Six3 regulates forebrain development. Here we show that Six3 is also crucial for lens formation. Conditional deletion of mouse Six3 in the presumptive lens ectoderm (PLE) disrupted lens formation. In the most severe cases, lens induction and specification were defective, and the lens placode and lens were absent. In Six3-mutant embryos, Pax6 was downregulated, and Sox2 was absent in the lens preplacodal ectoderm. Using ChIP, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and luciferase reporter assays, we determined that Six3 activates Pax6 and Sox2 expression. Misexpression of mouse Six3 into chick embryos promoted the ectopic expansion of the ectodermal Pax6 expression domain. Our results position Six3 at the top of the regulatory pathway leading to lens formation. We conclude that Six3 directly activates Pax6 and probably also Sox2 in the PLE and regulates cell autonomously the earliest stages of mammalian lens induction.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Oroxylin A induced apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was involved in its antitumor activity.

We previously reported that wogonin, a flavonoid compound, was a potent apoptosis inducer of human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells and murine sarcoma S180 cells. In the present study, the effect of oroxylin A, one wogonin structurally related flavonoid isolated from Scutellariae radix, on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was examined and molecular mechanisms were also investigated. Oroxylin A inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner measured by MTT-assay. Treatment with an apoptosis-inducing concentration of oroxylin A caused typical morphological changes and apoptotic blebbing in HepG2 cells. DNA fragmentation assay was used to examine later apoptosis induced by oroxylin A. FACScan analysis revealed a dramatic increase in the number of apoptotic and G(2)/M phase arrest cells after oroxylin A treatment. The pro-apoptotic activity of oroxylin A was attributed to its ability to modulate the concerted expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and pro-caspase-3 proteins. The expression of Bcl-2 protein and pro-caspase-3 protein was dramatically decreased after treatment with oroxylin A. These results demonstrated that oroxylin A could effectively induce programmed cell death and suggested that it could be a promising antitumor drug.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed2006

Antigen-specific tolerance induced by IL-10 gene modified immature dendritic cells in experimental autoimmune myocarditis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in rats is a T-cell-mediated disorder. The initiation and maintenance of autoimmune responses in EAM depend on the maturation state of dendritic cells. IL-10 is a pleiotrophic immunomodulatory cytokine that functions at different levels of the immune response, so it has emerged as a promising therapeutic factor for the treatment of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that IL-10 gene modified bone marrow-derived immature dendritic cells (iDCs) ameliorate EAM and to explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: EAM was induced using the methods of cardiac myosin immunization on day 0 and day 7. Immature and mature bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were generated without or with the stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry. Some of the iDCs were transfected by pcDNA3-IL-10 plasmid. 2 x 10(6)/per rat mature DC (mDC), immature DC (iDC), pcDNA3 transfected iDC, pcDNA3-IL-10 transfected iDC or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were injected intravenously for treatment 5 days after the first immunization. On day 21, HE staining was performed to detect the myocardial inflammation and T lymphocyte proliferation assay was used to determine the effects of IL-10 gene transfected iDC on autoreactive T cell proliferation. Expression of IkappaB, the inhibitor of NF-kappaB pathway, was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: BMDCs generated in a medium supplemented with granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were relatively immature, as determined by flow cytometry. However, stimulation with LPS induced these cells to become mature (m) DCs with higher levels of surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II and costimulatory molecules. Intravenous administration of iDCs, especially pcDNA3-IL-10 transfected iDC, ameliorated the histopathological severity of the myosin induced-EAM, and the effect was lost after the DCs underwent maturation induced by in vitro exposure to LPS. IL-10 gene modified iDC inhibited the antigen specific T cell responses towards cardiac myosin. IkappaB protein was up-regulated significantly in the IL-10 gene modified iDC group. CONCLUSIONS: IL-10 gene modified iDC induced antigen-specific tolerance in EAM. The underlying mechanisms may be related to costimulatory molecules down-regulation and NF-kappaB pathway inhibition.

Animals↗