Previous studies have suggested that interleukin-17 (IL-17), an inflammatory cytokine expressed predominantly by Th17 cells, is highly expressed in tumor tissue and may help tumors to evade immune surveillance. In this study, the significance of IL-17 expression in the tumors of murine models of breast cancer was explored. BALB/c mice were injected with MA782/5S28102 or 4T1 breast cancer cell lines to establish breast tumors. The expression of IL-17 in tumor tissue was detected by western blotting 1 and 4 weeks later, which revealed that it increased with tumor progression (P<0.05). Additionally, tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated from tumor tissues and cultured for 5 days with stimulation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), anti‑CD3 antibody and anti-CD28 antibody. Culture media from stimulated tumor cells or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were harvested and their concentrations of IL-17 were tested by ELISA. Tumor cells secreted low levels of IL-17 into the media; however, lymphocytes from tumor tissues secreted high levels of IL-17, with 4T1 tumors secreting higher levels of IL-17 than MA782 tumors (P<0.05). To evaluate the effect of IL-17 on the proliferation of tumor cells, 4T1 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of recombinant IL-17 and cell numbers were counted on day 5 of culturing. Ectopic IL-17 did not promote the proliferation of tumor cells in vitro. To further understand the effect of IL-17 expression within tumors, 4T1 tumor-bearing mice were injected with recombinant IL-17 or saline via the tail vein. Tumor size was measured up to 21 days following the initial infusion of IL-17. IL-17 infusion resulted in an increased tumor volume and microvascular density (as measured by the immunohistochemical detection of CD34 expression in microvessels; P<0.05). Therefore, IL-17 expression within tumor tissues appears to originate from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and is likely to promote tumor growth by enhancing angiogenesis.

Recent studies indicate that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), like Influenza, causes significant morbidity and mortality among elderly persons. There are currently no animal models to study the effects of aging on RSV disease and Immunity. This manuscript provides an Initial description of such a model. Aged and young BALB/c mice (22-24 and 2-4 months, respectively) were Infected with 10 4 TCID 50 of RSV A2. RSV was detected by culture In lung and nose wash specimens obtained 4-6 days following Infection at a slightly higher titer In old mice In comparison with young mice. RT•PCRassay detected RSV In the lungs and nose washes of all mice on 4, 8, and 21 days postinoculation, with only a slightly less frequency In young mice. Splenic lymphocytes from old mice exhibited significantly lower RSV-speclflc MHC class I-restricted CD8+ CTL responses (P < 0.01-0001), and reduced IFN-productlon (P < 0.03) than young mice. Conversely, IL-4 production was somewhat elevated In old mice. These results demonstrate diminished RSV virus-specific CD8+ CTL responses and IFN-;, production In old mice In comparison with young. It Is speculated that the deficient RSV-speclflc CTL responses may account for the Increased morbidity and mortality from RSV Infections In elderly persons. Although detailed histopathological, virological, and Immunological analyses are Incomplete at present, the old BALB/c RSVInfection model described provides an opportunity to evaluate the role of CD8+ CTL and cytoklnes In RSV disease In aging.

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In the biofuel industry, improving the tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to the multiple stresses is essential to enhance the production efficiency and reduce the economic cost. We herein developed a multilevel defense system (MDS) by random assembly of tolerance genetic circuits, adaptive evolution, and multistep screening to obtain industrial yeasts with higher robustness and productivity. MDS was applied to increase the ethanol concentration by 6.9% in industrial pilot-scale fermentation at high temperature, and the energy consumption for the cooling was decreased by 45.1% compared with that for the normal process. Furthermore, MDS showed a significant effect on relieving the multiple stresses by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and balancing the productive transcriptional performance. This system offers a new solution for remolding industrial yeast and may accelerate further development of ethanol refinery.