ObjectiveThrough the analysis of quantitative and functional changes in peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) of early HCC patients before and after operation, to discuss the operation effect on the immune function from the aspect of immune suppression. MethodsExtracted the lymphocytes of peripheral blood in HCC patients before and after operation (case group, n=15) and normal people (control group, n=5 cases), and analyze the number and function of Treg by flow cytometer after extracellular (CD4, CD25) and intracellular (FOXP3) staining. ResultsCD4+CD25+ T cells and CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in preoperative peripheral blood in case group were significantly higher than those in control group (12.43±2.57)% vs. (5.56±1.02)%, (5.14±1.4)% vs. (2.18±0.83)%, Plt;0.05). These two cells decreased at 1 week after operation. 〔(10.56±2.13)%, (4.28±1.08)%〕, but there was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05), they decreased significantly at 2 weeks after operation 〔(7.30±0.89)%, (3.43±0.83)%， Plt;0.05〕. CD8+ T cells and CD4+CD25- T cells in preoperative peripheral blood in case group were significantly lower than those in control group 〔（23.42±1.80）% vs. （29.22±2.26）%， （36.14±1.12）% vs. （43.69±2.78）%， Plt;0.05〕， These two cells decreased significantly at 2 weeks after operation 〔（27.15±1.71）%， （40.30±2.00）%〕. The analysis on the Treg and AFP correlation found that they have low correlation (r=048, Plt;0.05 ). ConclusionsThe hepatectomy can improve the immune response of HCC patient. Treg may have a certain auxiliary significance in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo approach the role of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the maintenance of immunotolerance in mouse liver allograft. MethodsThe mouse orthotopic liver transplantation was performed. After the liver transplantation immunotolerance induction, antiCD25 monoclonal antibody (PC61) was injected into the recipients with a delayed timing to remove the CD4+CD25+ T cells. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells and the expression of forkhead/winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3) in the recipients were examined. Furthermore, the survival time of the recipient was observed. ResultsC3H/HeJ recipients receiving DBA/2 hepatic allografts survived over 70 d as in the syngeneic liver transplantation (C3H/HeJ recipients receiving C3H/HeJ hepatic grafts). With various protocols of the delayed PC61 treatment, the CD4+CD25+ T cell was completely disappeared as observed. However, the removal of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells after the induction of transplantation immunotolerance did not affect the survival of hepatic allografts. ConclusionCD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are not essential for the maintenance of spontaneous mouse liver transplantation immunotolerance.
Objective To establish a modified mouse abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation model in order to increase the graft survival rate and reduce operative complications. Methods The heart was transplanted into the abdomen by anastomosing the donor ascending aorta and pulmonary artery to the recipient abdominal aorta and infrahepatic vena cava respectively. Hilar tissue was not alone ligated, meanwhile recipient lumbar vein was not ligated. Recipient abdominal aorta and infrahepatic vena cava were not isolated, but were liberated and obstructed simultaneously. Results Two hundred and twenty-nine formal transplantations were performed with the successful rate of 97.82% (224/229). The syngeneic graft survival time was more than 6 months. Complications: Aorta thrombus was found in 2 mice (0.87%), inferior vena cava thrombus in 1 mouse (0.44%), heart torsion in 4 mice (1.75%), hemorrhage in 4 mice (1.75%), crural paralysis in 2 mice (0.87%), intestinal obstruction in 1 mouse (0.44%), and no anesthetic accident happened. Conclusions The meliorated mouse abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation model is simple and reliable, which can reduce the operation time. Thus, the meliorated method provides a useful technique for immunologic transplantation research.