Apoptolysis: a less understood concept in the pathogenesis of Pemphigus Vulgaris

Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by supra-basal blisters in the skin and mucous membranes of a wide range of mammals, including humans. It not only affects the skin but also has severe oral manifestations. It has been stated that auto-antibodies are produced, for unknown reasons, which are directed against desmogleins present on the epithelium and thus leads to acantholysis and intraepithelial blistering. But the exact mechanism is still not completely understood. Here we would like to shed light on a new pathologic mechanism i.e., apoptolysis, which emphasizes that apoptotic enzymes contribute to acantholysis development both in terms of molecular events and chronologic sequence. A possible role of apoptolysis has been discussed in purview of PV.

Deep pemphigus (pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus) in dogs, cats and horses: a comprehensive review

Pemphigus is the term used to describe a group of rare mucocutaneous autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by flaccid blisters and erosions of the mucous membranes and/or skin. When the autoantibodies target desmosomes in the deep layers of the epidermis, deep pemphigus variants such as pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus develop. In this article, we will review the signalment, clinical signs, histopathology and treatment outcome of pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus in dogs, cats and horses; where pertinent, we compare the animal diseases to their human homologue. Canine, feline and equine pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus vegetans and paraneoplastic pemphigus have many features similar to the human counterpart. These chronic and often relapsing autoimmune dermatoses require aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. In animals, the partial-to-complete remission of pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus vegetans has been achieved with high dose glucocorticoid therapy, with or without adjunct immunosuppressants; the prognosis is grave for paraneoplastic pemphigus.

Correlation analysis of Treg/Th17 cells and related cytokines in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

OBJECTIVE

To investigate potential differences in circulating levels of T regulatory (Treg)/T helper 17 (Th17) cells, related inflammatory cytokines and specific transcription factors in healthy individuals and patients with psoriasis conforming to one of three Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes: blood-heat syndrome (BHS), blood-stasis syndrome (BSS) and blood-dryness syndrome (BDS).

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients with psoriasis were recruited and assigned to one of three corresponding TCM syndrome groups: BHS (n = 40), BSS (n = 14) and BDS (n = 13 patients). The control group comprised 21 healthy individuals. The circulating levels of Treg/Th17 cells in peripheral blood were assessed using flow cytometry; the levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and the mRNA expression of T cell-specific transcription factors retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The ratio of Th17 cells and the levels of TNF-α and RORγt were all significantly higher in the BHS and BSS groups than the control group (P < 0.05), while the ratio of Treg cells and the levels of IL-10 and Foxp3 mRNA in the BHS group were significantly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were seen between the BSS group and the control group. The ratio of Th17 cells and the levels of TNF-α and RORγt in the BDS group were not significantly different from those of the control group; however, the ratio of Treg cells and the levels of IL-10 and Foxp3 were all lower than those in the healthy controls (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with healthy individuals, the ratio of Th17 cells and the levels of related cytokines were higher, while the ratio of Treg cells and the levels of related cytokines were lower, in the peripheral blood of psoriasis/BHS patients; corresponding results for the BSS and BDS groups also showed differences. We propose that patterns of differentiation of immunological cells in psoriasis patients are reflected in corresponding TCM blood syndromes.

Flow behavior analysis of Chlorella Vulgaris microalgal biomass

The processing volume of bioengineering operations requires flow properties of algal mass for effective processing techniques. Chlorella Vulgaris microalgae cultured at 25 °C in Tap media under continuous illumination was considered. It showed an exponential phase of growth up to 8 days and then a stationary phase of growth from 8 days to 15 days. The rheological properties of microalgae biomass during the growth represented power law model. Microscopic analysis showed the influence of shearing on variation of algal structure from clusters to complete cell separation. The flow properties supported the microscopy analysis showing the shear thickening property at high shear rates and shear thinning nature at low shear regime. Optimal power required for the agitation of biomass based on the variations of non-Newtonian viscosity were predicted by considering the vessel geometry.