人白细胞介素12表达质粒与Mtb8.4基因疫苗 联合免疫增强对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果

本课题旨在研究结核分枝杆菌Mtb8.4基因疫苗与人白细胞介素12（hIL-12）联合免疫小鼠所诱导的细胞免疫应答及对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果。40只C57BL/6N小鼠随机分为Mtb8.4基因疫苗＋hIL-12质粒组（联合免疫组）、Mtb8.4基因疫苗组、卡介苗（BCG）组、空载体组和PBS组,基因疫苗、空载体和PBS,经肌内注射法免疫各组小鼠,每隔3周免疫1次,共免疫3次,BCG组经尾部皮下注射1×106 CFU BCG免疫1次。免疫4周后,每组处死3只小鼠,采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测脾细胞培养上清中细胞因子水平;乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）释放法检测细胞毒性T细胞（CTL）杀伤活性。每组其余5只小鼠用结核杆菌H37Rv强毒株经尾静脉攻击,4周后,计数肺和脾组织中的结核杆菌菌落数,对小鼠部分肺和脾组织作病理切片,HE染色观察组织病变程度,Z-N染色查抗酸杆菌,观察该疫苗对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果。结果显示,联合免疫组能诱导较强的抗原特异性Th1型细胞免疫应答,免疫小鼠脾细胞培养上清液IFN-γ和IL-2水平（分别为1493.34±8.128pg/mL、747.489±48.676pg/mL）,显著高于Mtb8.4基因疫苗组,与BCG组相当,IL-4分泌减少,特异性CTL杀伤活性增强,对小鼠结核杆菌感染有较好的免疫保护效果,使小鼠肺和脾组织中的结核杆菌菌落数显著减少,组织病变明显减轻,其效果与卡介苗（BCG）组相当,优于Mtb8.4基因疫苗组。表明hIL-12表达质粒与Mtb8.4基因疫苗联合免疫后,能够增强Mtb8.4基因疫苗所诱导的细胞免疫应答,使Mtb8.4基因疫苗的免疫效力得到很大提高。     

共表达结核杆菌Ag85A-ESAT-6融合抗原与IL-21核酸疫苗的构建及免疫效果研究

目的：构建结核杆菌Ag85A-ESAT-6融合抗原与细胞因子IL-21共表达核酸疫苗pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6,研究其对小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法：用PCR方法分别扩增出Ag85A和IL-21编码基因,并先后插入质粒pIRES-ESAT-6中,构成共表达核酸疫苗pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6;免疫小鼠后,通过CTL和NK细胞杀伤活性和脾细胞增殖试验,以及小鼠血清抗体、IFN-γ和IL-4的检测,评价该核酸疫苗的免疫效果。结果：pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6核酸疫苗免疫鼠的CTL活性、脾细胞增殖反应、IFN-γ水平及血清抗体产生明显高于对照组,差异有显著性意义。结论：pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6核酸疫苗能够诱导小鼠产生有效的免疫反应,可作为新型结核疫苗的候选组分。     

结核分枝杆菌四联核酸疫苗免疫原性和保护效率

对结核杆菌四联DNA疫苗的免疫应答和保护效果进行了评价. 用结核分枝杆菌Ag85B, MPT-64, MPT-63和ESAT-6等4个分泌蛋白基因的表达载体首次免疫小鼠21 d后, Ag85B抗体滴度达到1︰200, 二次免疫后为1︰102400, 三次免疫后为1︰12800. MPT-64和MPT-63的抗体滴度在首次免疫21 d后即高达1︰25600, 二、三次免疫后呈下降趋势. 三次免疫21 d后均未检测到ESAT-6的特异性抗体. 用该DNA四联苗免疫小鼠后, 4种蛋白都诱导脾脏细胞产生较高水平的细胞应答(产生了特异性g-干扰素). 三次免疫后经静脉强毒攻击, 四联苗免疫组小鼠肺脏的细菌数比对照空载体组减少了99.8%, 保护水平显著高于BCG疫苗组. 对肺组织的病理形态特征观察表明, 空载体pJW4303 的对照小鼠, 肺部严重损伤, 肺实质干酪样坏死, 坏死结节占肺实质的50%~70%, 而四联苗免疫的小鼠, 肺组织结构正常, 实质无肉芽肿, 肺泡轮廓清晰. 研究证实, Ag85B, MPT-64, MPT-63和ESAT-6四种分泌蛋白编码基因组成的四联DNA疫苗具有很高的免疫应答水平和保护效率.     

结核杆菌抗原85A与小鼠白细胞介素21共表达DNA疫苗的构建及其免疫效应研究

目的:利用真核表达质粒pRSC,构建结核杆菌抗原85A(Ag85A)与小鼠白细胞介素21(mIL21)共表达重组体pRSC-mIL21-Ag85A,为研究新型结核杆菌DNA疫苗提供新的策略。方法:从质粒pcDNA3.1-mIL21中经PCR扩增出mIL21基因,并插入质粒pRSC中构成pRSC-mIL21;再从pIRES-Ag85A质粒中经PCR扩增出Ag85A基因,构建于pRSC-mIL21重组质粒上,成为共表达DNA疫苗pRSC-mIL21-Ag85A。结果:经酶切、基因测序证实,该疫苗构建正确并能成功表达目的基因。共表达DNA疫苗免疫小鼠后,CTL活性、特异性淋巴细胞增殖水平及小鼠血清特异性抗体均呈有意义的提高。结论:结核杆菌Ag85A与mIL21共表达DNA疫苗能诱导小鼠免疫反应,为进一步研究DNA疫苗抗结核杆菌攻击的免疫防护效应奠定了基础。     

结核分枝杆菌抗原重组酿酒酵母免疫诱导小鼠特异性免疫应答

近年来基于重组酿酒酵母全细胞的新型疫苗研究报道不断出现。以结核杆菌重要保护抗原ESAT6和Ag85B为对象,采用pHR酿酒酵母表达系统,构建了两种分别表达ESAT6-Ag85B(EA)和IFN-γ-ESAT6-Ag85B(IEA)融合抗原的重组酿酒酵母Yeast-EA和Yeast-IEA。重组酵母以皮下注射方式免疫小鼠后,小鼠产生高水平Ag85B特异性抗体,淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ、IL-2等细胞因子,无IL-4产生,发生Th1型细胞免疫应答,其中Yeast-IEA效应更强,优于传统的BCG疫苗。实验证实重组酵母能够刺激树突状细胞的成熟分化。研究结果显示结核分枝杆菌抗原重组酿酒酵母全细胞疫苗具有发展成为新型抗结核疫苗的潜力。     

结核分枝杆菌组合DNA疫苗的免疫效果

以编码结核分枝杆菌分泌蛋白Ag85B、ESAT 6和MPT6 3的基因为插入片段 ,构建核酸疫苗联合免疫小鼠。以原核表达纯化的抗原为检测物 ,检测了抗原特异性的抗体和γ 干扰素的形成。研究表明 ,组合核酸疫苗第 3次免疫后 2 1天 ,实验小鼠血清中Ag85B抗体滴度达到 10 5以上 ,Ag85B抗原刺激产生的特异性γ 干扰素达到 (17.0± 7.0 )u/ml。组合疫苗虽然没有提高小鼠血清中ESAT 6及MPT6 3蛋白的特异性抗体滴度 ,但仍显著刺激产生了两种特异性的 γ 干扰素。攻毒实验表明 ,经组合疫苗免疫后小鼠肺部结核杆菌数量显著下降。肺部切片显示 ,免疫小鼠病理状况较对照组有明显改善。因此 ,研究提示Ag85B等组合核酸疫苗具有较好的结核病预防效果。     

IL-18 DNA免疫对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应.酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01).IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用.     

IL—18DNA免疫对HIV—1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应。酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01)。IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用。     

结核分枝杆菌四价 DNA 疫苗免疫原性 和保护效率研究

对结核杆菌四价 DNA 疫苗的免疫应答和保护效果进行了评价. 用编码结核分枝杆菌 Ag85B、 MPT64、 MPT70 和 PstS-3 等 4 种抗原蛋白的基因分别构建的单价 DNA 疫苗混合成四价苗免疫小鼠. 3 次免疫后 21 天,四种抗原特异性抗体滴度分别达到 1∶6 400、 1∶51 200、 1∶6 400、 1∶ 6 400. 四种蛋白质均能诱导脾脏细胞产生较高水平的抗原特异性 IFN-γ,浓度分别为 10 582.14 ng/L、 13 635.97 ng/L、 14 213.15 ng/L 和 9 657.35 ng/L. 三次免疫后经静脉强毒攻击,四价苗组小鼠肺脏和脾脏的载菌数分别减少到阴性组的 1/650 和 1/130. 对肺组织的病理形态特征观察表明,空载体免疫的小鼠肺部严重损伤,肺实质干酪样坏死,坏死结节占肺实质的 70%~80%,而四价苗免疫的小鼠,肺组织结构正常,肺泡轮廓清晰. 研究首次证实, Ag85B、 MPT64、 MPT70 和 PstS-3 4 种结核杆菌抗原蛋白编码基因组成的四价 DNA 疫苗,具有很高的免疫应答水平和保护效率.     

HIV-1结构蛋白gag-gp120与白细胞介素2联合基因免疫

在真核表达载体pVAX1中的CMV启动子下游插入IL-2基因,构建真核表达质粒pVAXIL2.将它与表达I型人免疫缺陷病毒(Human immunodeficiency virus 1, HIV-1) gag-gp120的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE共同肌肉注射BALB/c小鼠,免疫3次后,以ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中抗HIV-1抗体水平,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠在免疫2周后已有抗体产生,6周后进入高峰.乳酸脱氢酶释放法检测免疫小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性显著高于pVAXGE单独免疫组(P<0.05)和载体质粒pVAX1对照组(P<0.01).以上结果表明HIV-1核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE与真核表达质粒pVAXIL2联合免疫可诱导特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,且免疫应答水平高于pVAXGE单独免疫组,IL-2发挥了免疫佐剂的作用,增强了核酸疫苗的免疫原性.     

Recent advances in the study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis

It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.     

A Unique Protease Cleavage Site Predicted in the Spike Protein of the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Potentially Related to Viral Transmissibility

正Dear Editor,In December 2019, a novel human coronavirus caused an epidemic of severe pneumonia(Coronavirus Disease 2019,COVID-19) in Wuhan, Hubei, China(Wu et al. 2020; Zhu et al. 2020). So far, this virus has spread to all areas of China and even to other countries. The epidemic has caused 67,102 confirmed infections with 1526 fatal cases     

Curcuminoids as inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase: A receptor based pharmacophore study with distance mapping of the active site

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric that interacts irreversibly forming an adduct with thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme responsible for redox control of cell and defence against oxidative stress. Docking at both the active sites of TrxR was performed to compare the potency of three naturally occurring curcuminoids, namely curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and bis-demethoxy curcumin. Results show that active sites of TrxR occur at the junction of E and F chains. Volume and area of both cavities is predicted. It has been concluded by distance mapping of the most active conformations that Se atom of catalytic residue SeCYS498, is at a distance of 3.56 from C13 of demethoxy curcumin at the E chain active site, whereas C13 carbon atom forms adduct with Se atom of SeCys 498. We report that at least one methoxy group in curcuminoids is necessary for interation with catalytic residues of thioredoxin. Pharmacophore of both active sites of the TrxR receptor for curcumin and demethoxy curcumin molecules has been drawn and proposed for design and synthesis of most probable potent antiproliferative synthetic drugs.     

The structure, reproduction and taxonomy of Vidalia and Osmundaria (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae)

Comprises species occurring mostly in subtidal habitats in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the world. An analysis of the type species, V. spiralis (Sonder) Lamouroux ex J. Agardh, a species from Australia, establishes basic characters for distinguishing species in the genus. These characters are (1) branching patterns of thalli, (2) flat blades that may be spiralled on their axis, (3) width of the blade, (4) primary or secondary derivation of sterile and fertile branchlets and (5) position of sterile and fertile branchlets on the thalli. Application of the latter two characters provides an important basic method for separation of species into three major groups. Osmundaria , a genus known only in southern Australia, was studied in relation to Vidalia , and its separation from the Vidalia assemblage is not accepted. Species of Vidalia therefore are transferred to the older genus name, Osmundaria. Two new species, Osmundaria papenfussii and Osmundaria oliveae are described from Natal. Confusion in the usage of the epithet, Vidalia fimbriala Brown ex Turner has been clarified, and Vidalia gregaria Falkenberg, described as an epiphyte on Osmundaria pro/ifera Lamouroux, is revealed to be young branches of the host, Osmundaria prolifera.     

New or rare chromosome counts in Artemisia L. (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and related genera from Kazakhstan

Fifteen chromosome counts of six Artemisia taxa and one species of each of the genera Brachanthemum, Hippolytia, Kaschgaria, Lepidolopsis and Turaniphytum are reported from Kazakhstan. Three of them are new reports, two are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very scarce (one to four) earlier records. All the populations studied have the same basic chromosome number, x = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 6x. Some correlations between ploidy level, morphological characters and distribution are noted.