The duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the F group compared to the NF group. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated

that clinical characteristics other than CKD-MBD at hemodialysis initiation were similar between very elderly patients and younger patients with ESRD. Furthermore, CX-4945 datasheet appropriate management by nephrologists may lead the improvement of quality of life for very elderly patients with ESRD. WANG JI-WEI1, ZHANG LING2, LI MINGZI3, CHEN JIN-BOR4, CHENG BEN-CHUNG5, CHEN TUN-LING6, TSENG TA-CHUAN7 1Division of Nephrology, Jilin City Central Hospital, Yanbian University Medical College; 2Division of Nephrology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China; 3Division of Nephrology, Jilin City Central Hospital, Yanbian University

Medical College, China; 4Division of Nephrology, Selleckchem Galunisertib Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 5Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 6Bo Da Ling Zheng (Bj) Hospital Investment Management Consulting Limited Inc. China; 7Bo Da Ling Zheng (Bj) Hospital Investment Management Consulting Limited Inc. China Introduction: Hyperparathyroidism is an impact factor for cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients. However, there are limited data pertaining the severity of hyperparathyroidism and cardiac function in dialysis patients. The purpose of present study was to explore the influence of severity of hyperparathyroidism on cardiac function in dialysis patients. Methods: The study design

was a retrospective, parallel-group, cross-sectional cohort study. The enrolled patients were chronic dialysis patients either on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in two hospitals. A total 106 subjects were recruited, men: women were 53:53. The comparable variables included blood levels of Ca, P, Ca-P product, iPTH and parameters of cardiac echography. IKBKE The study subjects were stratified into two groups according to cutoff iPTH level 800 pg/mL. Results: In severe group, the mean age was 48.8 years, dialysis duration was 105.2 months, mean iPTH level was 1552.2 pg/mL. In mild group, the mean age was 50.4 years, dialysis duration was 33.0 months (P < 0.0001), and mean iPTH level was 353 pg/mL (P < 0.0001). The Ca/P profiles were Ca 2.6: 2.2 mmol/L (P < 0.0001), P 2.1: 1.5 mmol/L (P < 0.0001), Ca-P product 5.4: 3.4 (P < 0.0001). The significant variables in cardiac echography were left atrium diameter 43.1: 34.3 mm (P < 0.0001), ejection fraction 64.6: 59.3% (P = 0.031). The other variables including left ventricle end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, aortic root diameters, interventricular septum thickness were not statistical significance between two groups.

When we try and reach the best coverage of the immunological repertoire, we actually aim to sequence as many immunoglobulin sequences as possible, out of the whole repertoire. That is, we aim to maximize the ratio between sequenced immunoglobulins (SI) to the total number of immunoglobulins (TI) in

the organism. We aim to reach an SI : TI ratio of 1. When this SI : TI ratio has been reached, an account for the entire repertoire can be obtained. MK-8669 purchase Smaller model organisms, therefore, provide a better starting point from which to reach this ratio. Smaller organisms contain significantly fewer cells in total and, obviously, fewer immune cells. Much smaller organisms (e.g. the round worm) are sufficient for some aspects of immunology (see refs 31,32) but not for studying the lymphocyte repertoire. Zebrafish, Danio rario, are an ideal model system for studying the adaptive immune system for two reasons: first, they have the earliest recognizable adaptive immune system whose features match the essential human elements, and second, the zebrafish www.selleckchem.com/products/azd3965.html immune system has only ∼ 300 000 antibody-producing B cells, making it three orders of magnitude simpler than mouse and five

orders of magnitude simpler than human. Recent works study the zebrafish B-cell repertoire via high throughput analysis.33 An important issue in the immune receptor diversity analysis is clone identification, e.g. classification of the obtained reads into clusters, under the assumption that relatively close sequences originate from the same clonally expanded cell. V(D)J segment identification is usually carried out by performing local alignment to germline sequences [available on the International ImMunoGeneTics (IMGT) database34]. However, D segment classification is more complex because of the short length of the sequence, as opposed to V and J genes. Furthermore, nucleotide deletions and P/N additions occur frequently during somatic recombination processes at the V–D and D–J junctions. Much immunological interest is focused on the complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the chains,14,18–20,22,25,33 NADPH-cytochrome-c2 reductase the most

variable locus of the three CDR regions, and especially the β chain of the TCR.14,18–20,22,25 A recent study focused only on a small portion of the TCR-β repertoire by capturing only sequences generated by a specific gene recombination.22 Read length is a critical parameter in this case, as the entire V(D)J region is ∼ 300 nucleotides in length, including its V and J segments. This has been solved by either using the 454 method (with longer reads), the Douek approach (see above) or special methods of read assembly as in refs 14,25. Once sequences are available, different perspectives portray the repertoire: the size of the repertoire; similarities between repertoires; V(D)J segment use; nucleotide insertions and deletions; CDR lengths; and amino acid distributions along the CDRs.

No clinical signs could be detected in group 11, vaccinated i.n. with recNcPDI associated with chitosan/alginate nanogels (1PDI-Alg-CT; Table 2). Quantitative real-time PCR of cerebral tissues from all animals was performed to investigate the cerebral parasite loads (Figure 2). While infection of the CNS took place in all groups, there were distinct PCI-32765 price differences in the intensity of infection. With the i.p. vaccinated animals (Figure 2a), no differences were found among those groups receiving

the antigen (10PDI-SAP, 10PDI-Alg-SAP, 10PDI-Man-SAP) and those groups receiving only the nanogels (Alg-SAP, Man-SAP). In contrast, the i.n. delivery showed significantly lower (P < 0·05) cerebral parasite burdens in the groups receiving recNcPDI (10PDI-CT, 1PDI-CT) and the groups receiving chitosan/alginate

or recNcPDI-chitosan/alginate nanogels (Alg-CT, 1PDI-Alg-CT; Figure 2b). This was observed with mice receiving 1 or 10 μg recNcPDI. For the latter, the group vaccinated Fostamatinib with recNcPDI incorporated into chitosan/alginate nanogels (1PDI-Alg-CT) had a slightly lower parasite load compared to the group immunized with nanogels alone (Alg-CT). Although there was a reduced cerebral parasite loads in mice vaccinated with recNcPDI incorporated into chitosan/alginate-mannose nanogels (1PDI-Man-CT), this was not statistically significant compared to the chitosan/alginate-mannose groups (Man-CT) Sinomenine or to the cholera toxin control group (CT). Serological

responses against recNcPDI as well as against crude N. caninum tachyzoite extract antigen (Nc. extract) were measured by ELISA. Total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a reactivities of sera were measured prior to vaccination (PrI), after vaccination prior to challenge infection (BI) and after challenge infection prior to euthanasia (PI). The PrI sera of all mice were negative for antibody reactivity against either Nc. extract or recNcPDI (data not shown). BI and PI sera showed the different levels of reactivity with recNcPDI as shown in Figure 3, and the reactivities with Nc. extract are shown in Figure 4.

However, the lack of efficacy of LGG in several clinical trials with IBD patients [22–24,27] and in animal models of colitis [28,29] suggests that LGG contains factors that confound its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a macroamphiphilic molecule anchored in the cytoplasmic membrane through its glycolipid moiety. It consists of a glycerol-phosphate or ribitol-phosphate chain decorated with d-alanine ester or glycosyl substitutions, and extending into the cell wall [30]. It is generally regarded as a proinflammatory

bacterial molecule. LTA can be seen as the Gram-positive counterpart of Gram-negative lipopolysaccharides (LPS) [31,32], as both molecules stimulate macrophages to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in vitro, although LTA is generally less active [33]. The in vivo importance of the proinflammatory potential of LTA of gut bacteria is less clear. Erastin cost In healthy conditions, LTA does not cause excessive inflammation in the gut, as intestinal epithelial cells have developed special mechanisms to tolerate

the continuous exposure to LTA of commensals in the gut lumen, such as down-regulation of TLR expression [34,35]. In the inflamed and more permeable gut of IBD patients LTA can, however, be hypothesized to activate macrophages and other inflammatory cells [36], although this needs to be substantiated further. In the present work, we investigated the impact of a dedicated gene-knock-out Panobinostat supplier mutation (dltD) on the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the probiotic strain LGG in a murine experimental colitis model. This LGG dltD mutant was constructed and characterized previously [37]. Its LTA molecules were shown to be completely devoid

of d-alanine esters, drastically altering the LTA structure in situ on live LGG bacterial cells [37]. We induced colitis in mice by administration of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to focus on the involvement of epithelial barrier disruption and innate immunity. Pathogen-free female BALB/c and C57/BL6 mice, 6–8 weeks old, weighing 16–22 g, were obtained from Harlan (Zeist, the Netherlands). The mice were housed in conventional filter-top cages and had free access to commercial feed and water. All experiments were performed under the approval of the K. U. Leuven Animal Experimentation BCKDHA Ethics Committee (Project approval number 027/2008). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC53103) (LGG) and its derivatives CMPG5540 (dltD mutant; tetracycline resistant) [37] and CMPG5340 (wild-type control strain used in the in vivo persistence analysis; erythromycin and tetracycline resistant) [38] were grown routinely at 37°C in de Man–Rogosa–Sharpe (MRS) medium (Difco; BD Biosciences, Erembodegem, Belgium) under static conditions. For solid medium, 15 g/l agar was used. If required, antibiotics were used at the following concentrations: 5 µg/ml of erythromycin and 10 µg/ml of tetracycline.

Cleavage of fB by fD results in formation of the initial AP C3 convertase C3(H2O)Bb, which, like the classical C3 convertase C4bC2a, can cleave C3 into C3b and C3a. The generation of C3b allows the AP to be fully activated via formation of the bona fide AP C3

convertase selleck products C3bBb (Fig. 1). Newly formed C3bBb is stabilized by the plasma protein properdin that binds to the complex and slows its deactivation.4 In fact, it should be noted that while the spontaneously generated C3(H2O)Bb is unique to AP, the C3b fragment generated from any of the pathways can bind to fB and, with the participation of fD, can form the AP C3 convertase C3bBb, which serves as an amplification loop for the entire complement system by rapidly augmenting the conversion of C3 to C3b necessary for full activation of the system and its downstream effects (Fig. 1).4 The cleavage of C3 to C3b is therefore the key step of convergence in the activation of the complement cascade.3

Apart from initiating the AP complement, C3b attaches to cells or immune complexes through covalent bonding; the opsonization of these targets by C3b or its further cleavage fragments facilitates their transportation and disposal through the endoreticular system. Additionally, C3b can associate with either of the C3 convertases to form the C5 convertase that cleaves C5 into C5a and C5b and initiates the terminal complement cascade, ultimately resulting in the formation of the multimeric membrane attack complex (MAC) (Fig. 1). In contrast to the early steps of complement activation,

assembly of the cytolytic MAC on the cell surface Selleckchem PD0325901 is a click here nonenzymatic process, initiated by association of C6 and C7 to C5b and subsequent insertion of the C5b-7 complex into the cell membrane through a hydrophobic domain in C7.5 Further attachment of C8 and multiple copies of C9 to the membrane-residing C5b-7 leads to assembly of the MAC, which creates physical pores in the cell membrane and causes lysis.3,5 Although the above scheme of complement activation is well established, two recent findings have provided novel insight into the activation mechanism of the AP. Biochemical and gene-targeting studies have revealed a critical role of properdin in initiating AP complement activation on some, although apparently not all, susceptible surfaces.6–10 Accumulating evidence supports the conclusion that, in addition to serving as a stabilizer of C3bBb, properdin can function as a pattern recognition molecule to trigger AP complement activation and in some instances such an activity of properdin is indispensible for the AP.6,7 The second notable finding of recent studies is the requirement of MASP1/3 for normal AP complement activity.11 It has been shown that MASP-1/3 cleaves inactive fD zymogen into the active form of fD that is normally present in plasma.

We recorded patient’s full blood count and other biochemistry three months after commencement of dialysis. Correlations between NLR and other metabolic and inflammatory markers were evaluated using Pearson’s r coefficient. The prognostic value of NLR was tested using Kaplan Meier, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses adjusted for Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry data. Results: 140 haemodialysis patients were included with median follow-up of 36 months and overall mortality of 41% (58

patients). Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was positively correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.48, P < 0.01) and negatively Staurosporine correlated with haemoglobin (r = −0.32, P < 0.01) and albumin (r = −0.40, P < 0.01). In Kaplan Meier analysis, NLR (stratified into tertiles) was associated with all-cause mortality (log-rank, P = 0.01). In multivariate Cox analysis, NLR was independently

associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.17 P = 0.03). Other predictors of all-cause mortality in multivariate analysis were low albumin (HR 0.89, 95% selleckchem CI 0.89–0.94 P < 0.01) and history of cardiovascular disease (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.25–4.48 P = 0.01). Conclusions: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio correlates with other markers of systemic inflammation in ESKD patients and is associated with poor survival. The extent to which other confounding factors affect these results is unknown. 239 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRE-DIALYSIS SERUM AND DIALYSIS FLUID SODIUM CONCENTRATIONS ON HAEMODIALYSIS STABILITY P SAGAR1, S SEN1,2 1Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW; 2University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia Aim: To audit triclocarban the impact of using a single dialysis fluid sodium concentration across a heterogenous haemodialysis patient population, in regards to hemodynamic instability and interdialytic weight gain (IDWG). Background: The current literature is mixed on the effect of matching pre-dialysis serum sodium concentrations (sNa), to that of the dialysis fluid (dNa). Some studies suggest that

sodium-matched patients have better blood pressure control and lower IDGW. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 72 haemodialysis patients, who were treated with a dNa of 140 mmol/L was performed. Data collected included baseline demographics, comorbidities, average pre-dialysis serum electrolyte concentrations, dialysis prescription, and complication rates over the previous 3 months. Results: The average sNa was 138 (range 129–143), with 75% less than 140 (low), 13% equal to 140 (equal), and 11% greater than 140 mmol/L (high). As sNa increased, there was a non-significant decrease in IDWG (Low 2.0kg, Equal 1.71kgs, High 1.6kg; P = 0.25), and non-significant increases in hypotensive episodes (low 1.9 events/session, equal 0.2, high 0.3; P = 0.55) and requirement to decrease ultrafiltration volume (low 1.2 events/session, equal 0.1, high 0.1; P = 0.52).

CD38 expression on CD8 T cell was tested by established methods [20–22]. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-, phycoerythrin (PE)- and peridinin chlorophyll protein (PerCP)-conjugated antibody (mAb) were purchased from BD Biosciences. The mAbs were: CD8-FITC, CD38-PE, CD3-PerCP and IgG1-PE isotype control. QuantiBRITE PE

beads (BD Biosciences) were used as calibrators to quantify CD38 fluorescence intensity in units of antibody bound per learn more cell (CD38 ABC) [18]. Results were also expressed as %CD8+, CD38+ of CD8 T lymphocytes (%CD38/CD8). Pneumocystis jiroveci was prepared from homogenized lungs of immunosuppressed rats [23]. Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus were grown in RPMI 1640 (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO, USA) for 2 days. All pathogens were autoclaved and used at 2 × 106 bodies/ml final concentration in culture. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4 × 105), obtained by Ficoll_Hypaque gradient of heparinized venous blood, as previously described [24, 25], were cultured in RPMI 1640 enriched with L-glutamine (10 mm) and 5% autologous plasma, with and without mycotic antigens, in a flat-bottom microtiter plate (Costar, Cambridge, MA, USA). Cells were pulsed HSP mutation with 0.5 μCi [3H]-thymidine (5 Ci/mmole specific activity, Amersham, Amersham, UK) on day 4 and harvested on day 5. The dry filters were counted in a beta counter (Matrix 9600, Packard,

Canberra, Australia) without scintillation fluid. Results were expressed as Kcpm (cpm × 103) mean value of duplicate wells. LPA response >2 Kcpm and with a stimulation index (SI = Kcpm stimulus/Kcpm negative control) ≥3 was scored as positive. Patients who showed positive LPA responses

to at least two organisms were considered to have a good level of immuno-competence (Good LPR), otherwise they were showing poor immuno-competence (Poor LPR). Comparisons between responders and non-responders were performed by the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test and chi-square was used to analyse LPR frequencies. Spearman rank correlation (rs) and Cohen’s K were used to study the correlation and to describe concordance between CD38 ABC and %CD38/CD8 respectively. Assay performance was studied by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. ROC curves Beta adrenergic receptor kinase are presented as sensitivity against 1-specificity, where sensitivity was the true non-responder rate and specificity was the true responder rate. AUC measures discrimination, i.e. the ability of the test to correctly classify responders and non-responders. An AUC of 1 represents a perfect test [sensitivity = 1 (100%), specificity = 1 (100%)]. Cutoff values with the highest discrimination capacity between responders and non-responders were established by MedCalc version 7.4. In consideration of the low observation number, the stability of cutoff values was confirmed by the ‘Jacknife’ method.

The co-infection plate was synchronised for 5 min at 21 °C and subjected for 1 h incubation at 37 °C in a humidified CO2 incubator. After 1 h, the phagocytosis was stopped by washing with ice-cold PBS. Counter-staining of spores that are not phagocytosed was performed with 0.5 mg ml−1 CFW (calcofluorwhite; Sigma) in PBS for 15 min at room temperature. The cells were washed twice with PBS then fixed with 3.7% (vol/vol) formaldehyde/PBS for 15 min followed by another two washes BMN 673 supplier with PBS. Microscopic photographs were taken with Leica DM 4500B at a magnification of 40×. For statistical reproducibility, three biological replicates and in each case two technical replicates were performed

and analysed for each strain. The automated image analysis was performed by an algorithm that was previously implemented and rigorously validated in the context of phagocytosis assays for A. fumigatus conidia[16] and of invasion assays for Candida albicans.[20] The algorithm was developed within the Definiens Developer XD framework where the ruleset comprising all commands is written in a meta-language. Processing

the current image data of phagocytosis assays at a high level of performance was achieved by modifying this algorithm with regard to the second of its three main steps: (i) preprocessing, (ii) segmentation and (iii) classification. Each image is built of three distinct layers, one for each fluorescent label, and a schematic selleck chemicals representation of the ruleset acting on the three colour layers containing all spores (green layer), non-phagocytosed spores (blue layer) and macrophages (red layer)

is depicted in Fig. 1. Apart from a modification in the segmentation step, the original algorithm was applied for parameters values summarised in Table 1 that were adjusted to the images of size of 1600 × 1200 pixels with a pixel area of 0.0246 μm2 and a corresponding pixel-to-pixel AMP deaminase distance of 0.157 μm. After the ruleset-based image data analysis was performed, features obtained for all four labelled classes (macrophages, phagocytosed spores, non-phagocytosed spores that can be either adherent or non-adherent to macrophages), e.g. area in pixel, layer intensity and number of neighbours of each object as well as class membership of every object, were exported and used for subsequent analyses. Finally, the number of cells per class was calculated to perform statistical analyses and validation procedures. Images were preprocessed by smoothing the three distinct layers with a Gauss filter to reduce noise (split point 1 in Fig. 1). Afterwards an edge-detection filter was applied to enhance object boundaries. This filter assigns to every pixel the maximal intensity value of its pixel neighbourhood. No further preprocessing was necessary at split point 2 in Fig. 1 to optimise the segmentation and classification of regions of interest (ROIs) in the subsequent steps. As depicted in Fig.

Pain is highly prevalent among dialysis patients[7] although poorly recognized and often underreported by patients. Up to 50% of haemodialysis patients report pain when directly questioned, a similar percentage to those on the non-dialysis pathway.[5] In the month before death, this prevalence rises to over 70%.[4] Very few resources available for patients about dialysis mention this and death from kidney failure is often described as painless. The rise in reported pain may be an indicator of approaching the end of life for some patients. Prevalence of restless legs may be difficult to assess

because of previously poorly defined diagnostic criteria. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Nutlin 3 Study Group defined the following four features for diagnosis: The desire to move the legs in association with unusual or uncomfortable sensations deep within the legs.

Motor restlessness in an effort to remove these sensations. Symptoms become obvious or worse at rest and may be temporarily diminished by voluntary movement. Symptoms occur most frequently in the evening or early part of the night (this may be different in dialysis patients experiencing this problem while dialysing). It appears to be more prevalent in the conservatively managed group rather than in dialysis patients and may increase BGJ398 in severity as death approaches.[5] It may affect quality of life through sleep disturbance and is only occasionally mentioned in patient information leaflets. Pruritus is common in both dialysis and conservatively managed patients and may be particularly severe in haemodialysis patients towards the end of, or just after a dialysis session. It is often mentioned in patient information leaflets on chronic kidney disease but rarely mentioned in dialysis discussions and patients may not be aware that Methocarbamol starting dialysis may not solve this problem. In a large Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) report,[6] up to 50% of haemodialysis patients reported moderate to severe pruritus, a similar to percentage to those in stage 4–5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis.[8] Knowledge of this may

alter the patient’s decision about whether to dialyse but also highlights the need for the nephrologist to ask dialysis patients about this symptom and offer treatment. Tiredness and lack of energy are common symptoms and may be a marker indicating patient decline. They are difficult to define and may therefore be difficult to assess and manage. They are common on dialysis and many older patients describe severe tiredness after a dialysis session. Depression may be a contributing factor and is found in approximately 20% of haemodialysis patients[9] and 40% of conservatively managed patients with stage 5 CKD.[10] The use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents to improve haemoglobin levels is of benefit in these patients and can help to alleviate symptoms.

We also thank Sunao Iyoda (National Institute of Caspase inhibitor clinical trial Infectious Diseases: NIID) and Yan Lu (NIID) for assistance with HEp-2 adherence assay, and Shizuko Ichinose (Tokyo Medical and Dental University) for assistance with the electron microscopy.

Hidemasa Izumiya (NIID) kindly provided the EPEC reference strain. This study was supported by grants-in-aid for Food and Chemical Safety from the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare of Japan. “
“Many differences exist between human immature and mature natural killer (NK) cells, but their respective molecular signatures and transcriptional regulators are relatively unknown. To gain new insights into the diversity and developmental regulation of human NK cells, we used data from high-resolution microarrays with independent verification to describe a comprehensive comparative analysis between immature decidual NK (idNK) cells with a CD56brightCD16−T-bet− phenotype and mature peripheral NK (mpNK) cells with a CD56dimCD16+T-bet+ phenotype. This study shows that many novel growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines are expressed by NK cells, and they may regulate NK-cell development or function in an autocrine manner. Notably, we present that idNK and selleck chemical mpNK cells are enriched

for homeobox and zinc-finger transcription factors (TFs), respectively. Additionally, many novel candidate transcriptional regulators are common to both idNK and mpNK cells. We further describe the transcriptional regulatory networks of NK cells and show that the endogenous growth factors, cytokines, and TFs enriched in idNK cells regulate each other and may contribute to idNK-cell immaturity. GPX6 Together, these findings provide novel molecular signatures for immature and mature NK cells, and the novel candidate regulators identified here can be used to describe and further understand NK-cell differentiation and function. “
“Tumour necrosis factor-α-induced

protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2) is a newly identified immune negative regulator. The abnormal expression of TIPE2 has been found in several human inflammatory diseases. However, the expression level and clinical significance of TIPE2 in childhood asthma remain unclear. In this study, we detected TIPE2 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 42 children with asthma and 39 healthy controls by RT-PCR, qRT-PCR and Western blot. We also detected the levels of serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil (EO), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and analysed the correlations of TIPE2 expression with IgE, EO, IL-4 and IFN-γ. The results showed that TIPE2 mRNA and protein expression were decreased in children with asthma compared with healthy controls. The levels of IgE, EO and IL-4 in the children with asthma were obviously higher than those in normal controls, while the level of IFN-γ in patients with asthma was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects.