Cultured Mouse Cells Research Articles

Differences between Mycobacterium-Host Cell Relationships in Latent Tuberculous Infection of Mice Ex Vivo and Mycobacterial Infection of Mouse Cells In Vitro.

The search for factors that account for the reproduction and survival of mycobacteria, including vaccine strains, in host cells is the priority for studies on tuberculosis. A comparison of BCG-mycobacterial loads in granuloma cells obtained from bone marrow and spleens of mice with latent tuberculous infection and cells from mouse bone marrow and peritoneal macrophage cultures infected with the BCG vaccine in vitro has demonstrated that granuloma macrophages each normally contained a single BCG-Mycobacterium, while those acutely infected in vitro had increased mycobacterial loads and death rates. Mouse granuloma cells were observed to produce the IFNγ, IL-1α, GM-CSF, CD1d, CD25, CD31, СD35, and S100 proteins. None of these activation markers were found in mouse cell cultures infected in vitro or in intact macrophages. Lack of colocalization of lipoarabinomannan-labeled BCG-mycobacteria with the lysosomotropic LysoTracker dye in activated granuloma macrophages suggests that these macrophages were unable to destroy BCG-mycobacteria. However, activated mouse granuloma macrophages could control mycobacterial reproduction in cells both in vivo and in ex vivo culture. By contrast, a considerable increase in the number of BCG-mycobacteria was observed in mouse bone marrow and peritoneal macrophages after BCG infection in vitro, when no expression of the activation-related molecules was detected in these cells.

Flavonoid derivatives as selective ABCC1 modulators: Synthesis and functional characterization

A series of chromones, bearing substituted amino groups or N-substituted carboxamide moieties in position 2, was synthesized and characterized in cellular assays for modulation of the ABC transporters ABCC1 (MDCKII-MRP1 cells), ABCB1 (Kb-V1 cells) and ABCG2 (MCF-7/Topo cells). The most potent ABCC1 modulators identified among these flavonoid-type compounds were comparable to the reference compound reversan regarding potency, but superior in terms of selectivity concerning ABCB1 and ABCG2 (2-[4-(Benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-5-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl]-5,7-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (51): ABCC1, IC50 11.3 μM; inactive at ABCB1 and ABCG2). Compound 51 was as effective as reversan in reverting ABCC1-mediated resistance to cytostatics in MDCKII-MRP1 cells and proved to be stable in mouse plasma and cell culture medium. Modulators, such as compound 51, are of potential value as pharmacological tools for the investigation of the (patho)physiological role of ABCC1.

Detection and characterization of diverse coccidian protozoa shed by California sea lions.

Tissue-cyst forming coccidia in the family Sarcocystidae are etiologic agents of protozoal encephalitis in marine mammals including the federally listed Southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris). California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), whose coastal habitat overlaps with sea otters, are definitive hosts for coccidian protozoa provisionally named Coccidia A, B and C. While Coccidia A and B have unknown clinical effects on aquatic wildlife hosts, Coccidia C is associated with severe protozoal disease in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). In this study, we conducted surveillance for protozoal infection and fecal shedding in hospitalized and free-ranging California sea lions on the Pacific Coast and examined oocyst morphology and phenotypic characteristics of isolates via mouse bioassay and cell culture. Coccidia A and B were shed in similar frequency, particularly by yearlings. Oocysts shed by one free-ranging sea lion sampled at Año Nuevo State Park in California were previously unidentified in sea lions and were most similar to coccidia infecting Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) diagnosed with protozoal disease in Oregon (USA). Sporulated Coccidia A and B oocysts did not replicate in three strains of mice or in African green monkey kidney cells. However, cultivation experiments revealed that the inoculum of fecally-derived Coccidia A and B oocysts additionally contained organisms with genetic and antigenic similarity to Sarcocystis neurona; despite the absence of detectable free sporocysts in fecal samples by microscopic examination. In addition to the further characterization of Coccidia A and B in free-ranging and hospitalized sea lions, these results provide evidence of a new role for sea lions as putative mechanical vectors of S. neurona, or S. neurona-like species. Future work is needed to clarify the distribution, taxonomical status, and pathogenesis of these parasites in sea lions and other marine mammals that share their the near-shore marine environment.

Tissue-Specific Effects of Reduced β-catenin Expression on Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Mutation-Instigated Tumorigenesis in Mouse Colon and Ovarian Epithelium.

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) inactivating mutations are present in most human colorectal cancers and some other cancers. The APC protein regulates the β-catenin protein pool that functions as a co-activator of T cell factor (TCF)-regulated transcription in Wnt pathway signaling. We studied effects of reduced dosage of the Ctnnb1 gene encoding β-catenin in Apc-mutation-induced colon and ovarian mouse tumorigenesis and cell culture models. Concurrent somatic inactivation of one Ctnnb1 allele, dramatically inhibited Apc mutation-induced colon polyposis and greatly extended Apc-mutant mouse survival. Ctnnb1 hemizygous dose markedly inhibited increases in β-catenin levels in the cytoplasm and nucleus following Apc inactivation in colon epithelium, with attenuated expression of key β-catenin/TCF-regulated target genes, including those encoding the EphB2/B3 receptors, the stem cell marker Lgr5, and Myc, leading to maintenance of crypt compartmentalization and restriction of stem and proliferating cells to the crypt base. A critical threshold for β-catenin levels in TCF-regulated transcription was uncovered for Apc mutation-induced effects in colon epithelium, along with evidence of a feed-forward role for β-catenin in Ctnnb1 gene expression and CTNNB1 transcription. The active β-catenin protein pool was highly sensitive to CTNNB1 transcript levels in colon cancer cells. In mouse ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas (OEAs) arising from Apc- and Pten-inactivation, while Ctnnb1 hemizygous dose affected β-catenin levels and some β-catenin/TCF target genes, Myc induction was retained and OEAs arose in a fashion akin to that seen with intact Ctnnb1 gene dose. Our findings indicate Ctnnb1 gene dose exerts tissue-specific differences in Apc mutation-instigated tumorigenesis. Differential expression of selected β-catenin/TCF-regulated genes, such as Myc, likely underlies context-dependent effects of Ctnnb1 gene dosage in tumorigenesis.

Direct conversion of somatic cells to neuronal precursors: Problems and outlooks

The generation of multipotent patient-specific neural precursors from human fibroblasts is one of the challenges to regenerative medicine. A recently proposed novel approach allows direct conversion of human and mouse fibroblasts into induced neuronal precursor (iNP) cells by overexpression of a single transcription factor, Sox2. In this work, we have analyzed the Sox2-induced iNP cells and evaluated the possibility of its medical application. Both mouse and human fibroblasts had pronounced morphological changes after lentiviral-mediated Sox2 overexpression. The resulting mouse and human iNP cell cultures are morphologically similar to the neuronal precursors (NPs) derived from the mouse embryonic brain. Both human and mouse iNP cells express NP molecular markers, however, differentiation of mouse iNP cells fails to produce various types of neural cells. Especially, these cells are unable to differentiate into mature neurons. In addition to Sox2, we have treated human fibroblasts with c-Myc in combination with either Ascl or Brn2. One of the produced cell lines displayed a low proliferative potential, while another intensely divided; however, cytogenetic analysis revealed their aberrant karyotype. The observed specific features of both the human and mouse iNP cells produced according to this protocol make them of limited therapeutic use. Thus, these iNP cell cultures are not completely equivalent to natural NPs. Correspondingly, we assume that the published protocol for iNP generation via Sox2 exogenous expression is poorly reproducible.

Dying to impress the immune system

T Cell Immunity Besides reacting to microbes, T cells can also mount immune responses to fragments of dying cells, which they encounter displayed on dendritic cells. Not all dying cells activate T cells, however, so what differentiates the dying cells that do? Yatim et al. studied two forms of programmed cells death: apoptosis and necroptosis. Using mouse cells in culture and mouse models of inflammatory cell death and anti-tumor immunity, they found that programmed cell death initiated T cell immunity only when the dying cells signaled through the enzyme RIPK1 and the transcription factor NF-κB. Science , this issue p. [328][1] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aad0395

Prion Protein Does Not Confer Resistance to Hippocampus-Derived Zpl Cells against the Toxic Effects of Cu2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and Co2+ Not Supporting a General Protective Role for PrP in Transition Metal Induced Toxicity

The interactions of transition metals with the prion protein (PrP) are well-documented and characterized, however, there is no consensus on their role in either the physiology of PrP or PrP-related neurodegenerative disorders. PrP has been reported to protect cells from the toxic stimuli of metals. By employing a cell viability assay, we examined the effects of various concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, and Co2+ on Zpl (Prnp -/-) and ZW (Prnp +/+) hippocampus-derived mouse neuronal cells. Prnp -/- Zpl cells were more sensitive to all four metals than PrP-expressing Zw cells. However, when we introduced PrP or only the empty vector into Zpl cells, we could not discern any protective effect associated with the presence of PrP. This observation was further corroborated when assessing the toxic effect of metals by propidium-iodide staining and fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis. Thus, our results on this mouse cell culture model do not seem to support a strong protective role for PrP against transition metal toxicity and also emphasize the necessity of extreme care when comparing cells derived from PrP knock-out and wild type mice.

English

Mansoa alliacea contains high concentrations of chemicals thought to be associated with the suppression of tumor growth. Additionally, this plant has been reported to possess analgesic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, thereby providing other potential benefits for cancer patients. Low doses of a water extract of M. alliacea were applied to a cancerous and non-cancerous cell line. Doses between 1.254 to 10.04 mg/ml of extract applied to T3-HA cancer cells inhibited cell growth, but higher doses of 29.92 to 89.6 mg/ml destroyed colonies of the cancer cells. Application of the extract to NIH Swiss mouse cell cultures resulted in the inhibition of growth at higher concentrations, but at a concentration of 10.14 mg/ml, cell growth began to increase after three days. However, cell death was less at lower concentrations than that of T3-HA cancer cells, thereby confirming that lower concentrations of Ajo de Monte will inhibit cancer cell growth as well as initially inhibit non-cancer cells. Thus, M. alliacea extract selectively targets T3-HA mouse cancer cells but not NIH Swiss embryonic mouse cells. Future research may consider the use of this plant for human cancer patients.   Key words: Mansoa alliacea, Garlic Vine, Ajo de Monte, cancer

Studies on antioxidative and immunostimulating fucogalactan of the edible mushroom Macrolepiota dolichaula

A water soluble fucogalactan (PS-II) of an average molecular weight ∼1.2×105 Da was isolated from the aqueous extract of an edible mushroom Macrolepiota dolichaula. It was composed of fucose, galactose and 3-O-methyl galactose in a molar ratio of nearly 1:4:1. Structural characterization of PS-II was carried out using total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, and 1D/2D NMR experiments. These results indicated that the proposed repeating unit of the PS-II had a backbone chain consisting of four (1→6)- linked α-d-Galp residues, one residue methylated at O-3, and another one substituted at O-2 by (1→2)-α-d-Galp residue, which is terminated with a α-l-Fucp moiety. The PS-II exhibited the antioxidant properties in different in vitro test systems, and also showed in vitro macrophage activation in RAW 264.7 cell line as well as splenocyte and thymocyte activation in mouse cell culture medium.

Pluripotent and Metabolic Features of Two Types of Porcine iPSCs Derived from Defined Mouse and Human ES Cell Culture Conditions.

The domestic pig is an excellent animal model for stem cell research and clinical medicine. There is still no suitable culture condition to generate authentic porcine embryonic stem cells (pESCs) and high quality porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs). In this study, we found that culture conditions affected pluripotent and metabolic features of piPSCs. Using defined human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and mouse ESC (mESC) culture conditions, we generated two types of piPSCs, one of which was morphologically similar to hESCs (here called hpiPSCs), the other resembled mESCs (here called mpiPSCs). Transcriptome analysis and signaling pathway inhibition results suggested that mpiPSCs shared more of mESC signaling pathways, such as the BMP pathway and JAK/STAT pathway and hpiPSCs shared more hESC signaling pathways, such as the FGF pathway. Importantly, the mpiPSCs performed embryonic chimera incorporation more efficiently than the hpiPSCs did. In addition, the mpiPSCs showed mitochondrial features of naive ESCs and lipid droplets accumulation. These evidences may facilitate understanding of the gene regulation network and metabolism in piPSCs and promote derivation of bona fide pESCs for translational medicine.

My RNA world: past, present and future.

My RNA world: past, present and future.

Deteriorating effect on bone metabolism and microstructure by passive cigarette smoking through dual actions on osteoblast and osteoclast.

There is no clear evidence to show the direct causal relationship between passive cigarette smoking and osteoporosis. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism is unknown. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effects of long-term passive cigarette smoking on bone metabolism and microstructure by a mouse model and cell culture systems. BALB/c mice were exposed to 2 or 4 % cigarette smoke for 14 weeks. The bone turnover biochemical markers in urine and serum and also the bone micro-architecture by micro-CT were compared with the control group exposed to normal ambient air. In the cell culture experiments, mouse MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cell lines to be employed as osteoblast and osteoclast, respectively, were treated with the sera obtained from 4 % smoking or control mice. Their actions on cell viability, differentiation, and function on these bone cells were assessed. The urinary mineral and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) levels, and also the serum alkaline phosphatase activity, were significantly higher in the 4 % smoking group when compared with the control group, indicating an elevated bone metabolism after cigarette smoking. In addition, femoral osteopenic condition was observed in the 4 % smoking group, as shown by the decrease of relative bone volume and trabecular thickness. In isolated cell studies, osteoblast differentiation and bone formation were inhibited while osteoclast differentiation was increased. The current mouse smoking model and the isolated cell studies demonstrate that passive cigarette smoke could induce osteopenia by exerting a direct detrimental effect on bone cells differentiation and further on bone remodeling process.

Long Non-Coding RNA <italic>Tug1</italic> in Cortical Development of Cerebrum

The sophisticated circuitry of cerebral cortex (neocortex) is assembled from a diverse repertoire of neuronal subtypes and glia generated by neural progenitors. The fate specification of neocortical projection neurons are likely due to changes of sets of transcription factors in neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are found to be crucial in many biological and pathological processes. However, little is known about how lncRNAs are involved in neocortical development. Here, we found lncRNA Tug1 is expressed both in cortical neural progenitors and neurons using in situ hybridization and its expression level significantly increases as neurogenesis progresses. Knockdown of Tug1 using in utero electroporation has no significant effect on NPC proliferation and neuronal differentiation. To elucidate detailed roles of Tug1 in neocortical development, we constructed the transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) vectors that specifically target 5 to the transcription start site of Tug1 and found they can efficiently generate indels in cultured mouse cells. We are currently making Tug1 loss-of-function mouse model by inserting polyadenylation signals using TALEN-mediated homologous recombination, which may be an ideal strategy to inactivate lncRNA transcription in cellular and animal models.

Multiple-interactions among EMILIN1 and EMILIN2 N- and C-terminal domains

EMILIN1 and EMILIN2 belong to a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins characterized by the N-terminal cysteine-rich EMI domain, a long segment with high probabilty for coiled-coil structure formation and a C-terminal gC1q domain. To study EMILIN1 and EMILIN2 interaction and assembly we have applied qualitative and quantitative two hybrid systems using constructs corresponding to the gC1q and EMI domains. The identified interactions were further confirmed in yeast extracts of co-transfected cells followed by co-immunoprecipitation. The data indicated that gC1q domains are able to self-interact as well as to interact one each other and with the EMI domains, but no self interactions were detected between the EMI domains. Furthermore EMILINs interactions were studied in 293-EBNA cells co-transfected with full lenght EMILIN1 and EMILIN2 constructs. Specific antibodies were able to co-immunoprecipitate EMILINs, indicating that also full-lenght proteins can give rise to non-covalent homo- and hetero-multimers even if reduced and alkylated before mixing. Immunofluorescence analysis on mouse cell cultures and tissues sections with specific antibodies showed co-distribution of EMILIN1 and EMILIN2. Thus, we can hypothesize that EMILINs multimers are formed by head-to-tail interaction between C-terminal and N-terminal domains of EMILIN1 and/or EMILIN2 but also by tail-to-tail interaction between gC1q domains. These multiple interactions may regulate homo-typic and/or hetero-typic linear and eventually lateral branching assemblies of EMILIN1 and EMILIN2 in tissues.

AmotL2 links VE-cadherin to contractile actin fibres necessary for aortic lumen expansion.

The assembly of individual endothelial cells into multicellular tubes is a complex morphogenetic event in vascular development. Extracellular matrix cues and cell-cell junctional communication are fundamental to tube formation. Together they determine the shape of endothelial cells and the tubular structures that they ultimately form. Little is known regarding how mechanical signals are transmitted between cells to control cell shape changes during morphogenesis. Here we provide evidence that the scaffold protein amotL2 is needed for aortic vessel lumen expansion. Using gene inactivation strategies in zebrafish, mouse and endothelial cell culture systems, we show that amotL2 associates to the VE-cadherin adhesion complex where it couples adherens junctions to contractile actin fibres. Inactivation of amotL2 dissociates VE-cadherin from cytoskeletal tensile forces that affect endothelial cell shape. We propose that the VE-cadherin/amotL2 complex is responsible for transmitting mechanical force between endothelial cells for the coordination of cellular morphogenesis consistent with aortic lumen expansion and function.

Adult Stem Cells in the Small Intestine Are Intrinsically Programmed with Their Location‐Specific Function

Differentiation and specialization of epithelial cells in the small intestine are regulated in two ways. First, there is differentiation along the crypt-villus axis of the intestinal stem cells into absorptive enterocytes, Paneth, goblet, tuft, enteroendocrine, or M cells, which is mainly regulated by WNT. Second, there is specialization along the cephalocaudal axis with different absorptive and digestive functions in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum that is controlled by several transcription factors such as GATA4. However, so far it is unknown whether location-specific functional properties are intrinsically programmed within stem cells or if continuous signaling from mesenchymal cells is necessary to maintain the location-specific identity of the small intestine. Using the pure epithelial organoid technique, we show that region-specific gene expression profiles are conserved throughout long-term cultures of both mouse and human intestinal stem cells and correlated with differential Gata4 expression. Furthermore, the human organoid culture system demonstrates that Gata4-regulated gene expression is only allowed in absence of WNT signaling. These data show that location-specific function is intrinsically programmed in the adult stem cells of the small intestine and that their differentiation fate is independent of location-specific extracellular signals. In light of the potential future clinical application of small intestine-derived organoids, our data imply that it is important to generate GATA4-positive and GATA4-negative cultures to regenerate all essential functions of the small intestine.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (107-111) improves the bone regeneration potential of gelatin–glutaraldehyde biopolymer-coated hydroxyapatite

Biopolymer-coated nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) made as macroporous foams which are degradable and flexible are promising candidates as orthopaedic implants. The C-terminal (107-111) epitope of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) exhibits osteogenic properties. The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether PTHrP (107-111) loading into gelatin–glutaraldehyde biopolymer-coated HA (HAGlu) scaffolds would produce an optimal biomaterial for tissue engineering applications. HAGlu scaffolds with and without PTHrP (107-111) were implanted into a cavitary defect performed in both distal tibial metaphysis of adult rats. Animals were sacrificed after 4weeks for histological, microcomputerized tomography and gene expression analysis of the callus. At this time, bone healing occurred only in the presence of PTHrP (107-111)-containing HAGlu implant, related to an increase in bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular thickness, cortical thickness and gene expression of osteocalcin and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, but a decreased gene expression of Wnt inhibitors, SOST and dickkopf homolog 1. The autonomous osteogenic effect of the PTHrP (107-111)-loaded HAGlu scaffolds was confirmed in mouse and human osteoblastic cell cultures. Our findings demonstrate the advantage of loading PTHrP (107-111) into degradable HAGlu scaffolds for achieving an optimal biomaterial that is promising for low load bearing clinical applications.

Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells: Convergent and Divergent Mechanisms of Myogenesis

Satellite cells are the chief contributor to skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. The study of mouse satellite cells has accelerated in recent years due to technical advancements in the isolation of these cells. The study of human satellite cells has lagged and thus little is known about how the biology of mouse and human satellite cells compare. We developed a flow cytometry-based method to prospectively isolate human skeletal muscle progenitors from the satellite cell pool using positive and negative selection markers. Results show that this pool is enriched in PAX7 expressing cells that possess robust myogenic potential including the ability to give rise to de novo muscle in vivo. We compared mouse and human satellite cells in culture and identify differences in the elaboration of the myogenic genetic program and in the sensitivity of the cells to cytokine stimulation. These results indicate that not all mechanisms regulating mouse satellite cell activation are conserved in human satellite cells and that such differences may impact the clinical translation of therapeutics validated in mouse models. Thus, the findings of this study are relevant to developing therapies to combat muscle disease.

Transcription Regulation of HYPK by Heat Shock Factor 1

HYPK (Huntingtin Yeast Partner K) was originally identified by yeast two-hybrid assay as an interactor of Huntingtin, the protein mutated in Huntington's disease. HYPK was characterized earlier as an intrinsically unstructured protein having chaperone-like activity in vitro and in vivo. HYPK has the ability of reducing rate of aggregate formation and subsequent toxicity caused by mutant Huntingtin. Further investigation revealed that HYPK is involved in diverse cellular processes and required for normal functioning of cells. In this study we observed that hyperthermia increases HYPK expression in human and mouse cells in culture. Expression of exogenous Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1), upon heat treatment could induce HYPK expression, whereas HSF1 knockdown reduced endogenous as well as heat-induced HYPK expression. Putative HSF1-binding site present in the promoter of human HYPK gene was identified and validated by reporter assay. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed in vivo interaction of HSF1 and RNA polymerase II with HYPK promoter sequence. Additionally, acetylation of histone H4, a known epigenetic marker of inducible HSF1 binding, was observed in response to heat shock in HYPK gene promoter. Overexpression of HYPK inhibited cells from lethal heat-induced death whereas knockdown of HYPK made the cells susceptible to lethal heat shock-induced death. Apart from elevated temperature, HYPK was also upregulated by hypoxia and proteasome inhibition, two other forms of cellular stress. We concluded that chaperone-like protein HYPK is induced by cellular stress and under transcriptional regulation of HSF1.

Diminished immune response to vaccinations in obesity: Role of myeloid-derived suppressor and other myeloid cells

Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with an increased production of cytokines and exacerbated immune response. However, obese subjects are susceptible to infections and respond poorly to vaccines. This study evaluated the immune responses of obese mice and the underlying mechanisms by exploring the roles of myeloid cells. Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were prepared from C57BL/6J mice fed a high-calorie and high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Humoral and cellular immune responses of DIO mice to a hepatitis B vaccine containing the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were assessed in sera and via a lymphoproliferative assay, respectively. The effects of CD11b(+)GR1(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and CD11b(+)GR1(-) non-MDSC on T cell proliferation and cytokine production were compared via a cell culture system. The production of cytokines, expression of activation and exhaustion markers, and proportions of apoptotic T cells were estimated with flow cytometry. Increased T and B lymphocyte proliferation and higher interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were detected in spleen cells and liver non-parenchymal cell cultures of DIO mice compared to controls (p<0.05). However, antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) levels and HBsAg-specific T cell proliferation were significantly lower in DIO mice compared to controls (p<0.05). The addition of MDSC, but not non-MDSC, induced a decrease in HBsAg-specific T cell proliferation, lower cytokine production, decrease in T cell activation, and increase in T cell exhaustion and apoptosis (p<0.05). MDSC play an important role in mediating impaired antigen-specific immunity.