To investigate the role of IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, PT-PCR was used to semi-quantitatively analyze the mRNA expression of IL-18, AcPL (accessory protein-like) and IL-18BP in 12 psoriatic lesions and in 6 normal skin tissues. The results showed that IL-18 and AcPL mRNA were present in all specimens from 6 normal skin and 12 pieces of psoriatic skin, and IL-18 and AcPL showed relatively stronger intensity in the psoriatic skin compared with those seen in normal skin (P<0.01). Amplified bands indicating the expression of IL-18BP mRNA were weakly positive in all samples of normal skin. In contrast, the PCR products for IL-18BP were distinctly visible in all specimens of psoriatic lesions (P<0.01). These findings demonstrate that IL-18 is constitutively synthesized by human keratinocytes and involved in the development of the Th1 response in psoriatic lesions, and its bioactivity appears to be closely regulated by cutaneous inflammation.

In order to study the angiogenesis in endometriosis, the samples of eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with endometriosis were quantitatively analyzed by color morphometric image system (CMIS) for vascular surface area, and by examining endometrial blood vessel for microvessel density (MVD). The results showed that within each menstrual phase the vascular surface area and MVD were significantly higher in ectopic endometria with endometriosis than those in eutopic endometria with endometriosis or normal endometrium (P<0.05). It is concluded that angiogenesis might be involved in the development of endometriosis.

The distribution and function of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) in the region of bone defect repaired by collagen/nano-beta-tricalcium phosphate composite artificial bone (Co/N-TCP) and the ability of Co/N-TCP recruiting osteoblasts to precipitate the repair of bone defect were investigated. Twenty-four domestic rabbits were operated on bilateral cranial bone to create an experimental bone defect of 8.0 mm in diameter through the whole bone. On the left, Co/N-TCP was implanted as experimental group, but on the right, Co/TCP was implanted as control group. At 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th week after operation, all animals were sacrificed and the implanted materials with surrounding bone were taken out. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for TGF-β assay by avidin-biotin complex method (SABC). Simultaneously, TGF-β was quantitatively analyzed by HPIAS-1000 imaging analysis system. The immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β revealed that osteoblasts and immature osteocytes highly expressed TGF-β. Diffused TGF-β positive staining particles appeared in the mesenchymal and fibrous-tissue. There was no significant difference in the TGF-β positive staining between two groups in the medial region to original osseous beds at different time points (P>0.05). However, in distal original osseous bed of the defected region, the positive expression of TGF-β in the Co/N-TCP group was significantly stronger than in the control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). The Co/N-TCP has good bioactivities and ability of stimulating and conducting TGF-β to aggregate and precipitate the healing of bone defect.