Facile Formation of Anatase Nanoparticles on H-Titanate Nanotubes at Low Temperature for Efficient Visible Light-Driven Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Anatase nanoparticles (5–10 nm) generated on H-titanate nanotube surface (H-titanate/anatase) were prepared by an ingenious and simple method. H-titanate tubes were prepared by a hydrothermal reaction of Ti powder in concentrated NaOH solution and an ion exchange process with HNO3 solution. After that, at a relatively low drying temperature (100 °C), a small quantity of anatase nanoparticles were in-situ formed on the H-titanate tubes surface by a surface dehydration reaction. In-situ transformation can form a strong interface coupling between H-titanate and anatase, which is conducive to accelerating charge transfer and improving its photocatalytic activity. In addition, the smaller average crystal size, the large specific surface areas (BET), the nanotubed and layered structure and the synergistic effect of dual phases would be beneficial to improving the photocatalytic efficiency

Combination of monoclonal antibodies with DST inhibits accelerated rejection mediated by memory T cells to induce long-lived heart allograft acceptance in mice

Medical College of Xiamen UniversityDonor-reactive memory T cells mediated accelerated rejection is known as a barrier to the survival of transplanted organs. We investigated the combination of different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and donor-specific transfusion (DST) in memory T cells-based adoptive mice model. In the presence of donor reactive memory T cells, the mean survival time (MST) of grafts in the anti-CD40L/LFA-1/DST group was 49.8 d. Adding anti-CD44/CD70 mAbs to anti-CD40L/LFA-1/DST treatment. The MST was more than 100 d (MST > 100 d). Compared with anti-CD40L/LFA-1/DST group, anti-CD40L/LFA-1/CD44/CD70/DST group notably reduced the expansion of memory T cells, enhanced the proportion of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppressed donor-specific responses. Our data suggest that anti-CD40L/LFA--1/CD44/CD70 mAbs and DST can synergistically inhibit accelerated rejection mediated by memory T cells to induce long-lived heart allograft acceptance in mice. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Role of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 in kidney diseases: A biomarker and potential therapeutic target

Abstract. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. As an amplifier of the inflammatory response, TREM-1 is mainly involved in the production of inflammatory mediators and the regulation of cell survival. TREM-1 has been studied in infectious diseases and more recently in non-infectious disorders. More and more studies have shown that TREM-1 plays an important pathogenic role in kidney diseases. There is evidence that TREM-1 can not only be used as a biomarker for diagnosis of disease but also as a potential therapeutic target to guide the development of novel therapeutic agents for kidney disease. This review summarized molecular biology of TREM-1 and its signaling pathways as well as immune response in the progress of acute kidney injury, renal fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy, immune nephropathy, and renal cell carcinoma

Arsenic trioxide is a novel agent for combination therapy to prolong heart allograft survival in allo-primed T cells transferred mice

key research project of the Fujian Provincial Natural Science Funds [2010Y0052]Alloreactive memory T cells are major barriers to transplantation acceptance due to their capacity to accelerate rejection. Here, we investigated the effects of combined treatment with arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) and blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against CD154 and LFA-1 (anti-CD154/LFA-1) on graft survival as well as changes in pathology and immunological responses in mice with adoptively transferred allo-primed T cells. The mean survival time (MST) for the cardiac allografts in recipient mice receiving the combination of As(2)O(3) and anti-CD154/LFA-1 was significantly longer (>113.7 days) compared to those receiving anti-CD154/LFA-1 (232 days), As(2)O(3) (12.5 days) alone or no treatment (5.5 days). This combined strategy distinctly inhibited lymphocyte infiltration in grafts, proliferation of splenic T cells and the generation of memory T cells in spleens. Moreover, the combined treatment caused the significant down-regulation of IL-2 and IFN-gamma accompanied by increased expression of TGF-beta and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in spleens, which led to long-term cardiac allograft survival in recipient mice. These results highlight the potential application of As(2)O(3) and its contribution in combination therapy with antibody blockade to delay rejection by memory T cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Leflunomide Inhibits rat-to-Mouse Cardiac Xenograft Rejection by Suppressing Adaptive Immune Cell Response and NF-κB Signaling Activation

Xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the severe shortage of human donor organs and tissues. The generation of humanized animal models attenuates strong innate immune responses, such as complement-mediated hyperacute rejection. However, acute vascular rejection and cell mediated rejection remain primary barriers to xenotransplantation, which limits its clinical application. In this study, we systematically investigated the immunosuppressive effect of LEF using a rat-to-mouse heart xenotransplantation model. SD rat xenogeneic hearts were transplanted into C57BL/6 mice, and survived 34.5 days after LEF treatment. In contrast, BALB/c allogeneic hearts were transplanted into C57BL/6 mice, and survived 31 days after LEF treatment. Compared to normal saline treatment, LEF treatment decreased xenoreactive T cells and CD19+ B cells in recipient splenocytes. Most importantly, LEF treatment protected myocardial cells by decreasing xenoreactive T and B cell infiltration, inflammatory gene expression, and IgM deposition in grafts. In vivo assays revealed that LEF treatment eliminated xenoreactive and alloreactive T and B lymphocytes by suppressing the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, these observations complement the evidence supporting the potential use of LEF in xenotransplantation