低氧抑制C2C12细胞的体外分化

目的:研究低氧环境对C2C12细胞分化的影响,为探讨肌肉的发生和骨骼肌的损伤修复机理提供理论依据.方法:培养C2C12细胞,分别在常氧和低氧(3%O2)条件下诱导分化.免疫细胞化学方法检测成肌细胞终末分化的标志蛋白MI-IC(肌球蛋白重链)的表达;Western blot检测MHC以及MRFs(成肌调控因子)的表达.结果:在常氧条件下诱导分化的C2C12细胞融合形成肌管并表达MHC蛋白,而在低氧条件下培养的C2C12细胞几乎很少融合形成肌管并表达MHC蛋白;同时低氧下调了C2C12细胞中MRFs的表达.结论:低氧抑制了C2C12细胞的体外分化.     

黄体酮对3T3-L1脂肪前体细胞成脂分化后细胞中UCP2基因表达的影响

目的:观察体外培养条件下3T3-L1脂肪前体细胞诱导分化成的成熟脂肪细胞中解偶联蛋白2(UCP2)mRNA表达水平及黄体酮对其表达的影响。方法:体外培养3T3-L1脂肪细胞,在诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞分化成熟后,经不同黄体酮浓度10μm/25μM/50μM/75μM/100μM刺激后,抽提总RNA,用RT-PCR检测UCP2 mRNA的表达。结果:黄体酮会促进成熟脂肪细胞中UCP2 mRNA的表达,(P<0.05)其中25μM浓度刺激下UCP2 mRNA表达量最高。结论:体外培养中,黄体酮对成熟脂肪细胞中UCP2 mRNA的表达与调控具有一定的影响。     

壮通饮对体外培养新生大鼠海马神经干细胞增殖分化的影响

探讨壮通饮对体外培养大鼠大脑海马区内源性神经干细胞(neural stem cells,NSCS)分化作用的影响。利用无血清DMEM/F12(含20 ng/mL bFGF和EGF及2%B27)体外培养技术从新生Wistar大鼠大脑海马区中培养NSCS,在NSCS分化过程中添加不同剂量(20、40和80 mg/L)壮通饮进行干预,以免疫荧光及细胞化学方法对NSCS及其分化后的细胞进行鉴定。从大脑海马区分离培养的NSCS能够表达巢蛋白(Nestin),并具有分化为神经元、星形胶质细胞及少突胶质细胞的能力。在同一接种密度条件下,不同剂量壮通饮干预组的Nestin阳性细胞表达数分别为:20 mg/L组:21.5±2.9;40 mg/L组:18.6±2.4;80 mg/L组:16.7±2.2,与对照组(24.8±3.1)比较明显减少(P0.05)。而壮通饮干预组表达神经元核心抗原(NeuN)、胶原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)、髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)的阳性细胞数较对照组明显增加(P0.05)。通过本实验证实壮通饮能诱导大脑海马区NSCS分化,具有一定的促进神经再生的作用。     

血清AQP-4 抗体水平与急性期视神经脊髓炎患者临床特征的关系

目的:探究血清水通道蛋白4(AQP-4)与急性期视神经脊髓炎(NOM)患者临床特征的相关性,为临床上预防急性期NOM患者提供参考。方法:选取2009年1月至2016年1月来我院治疗的63例NOM患者,另选取20例健康体检者为对照,采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定所有受试者血清中AQP-4抗体浓度,分析AQP-4抗体水平与NOM患者临床特征的关系。结果:NOM患者血清AQP-4抗体的浓度为(425.45±18.34)ng/ml,阳性检出率为80.73%。健康体检者血清AQP-4抗体的浓度为(112.34±15.27)ng/ml。Spearman相关性分析发现,血清AQP-4抗体水平与EDSS评分、大脑磁共振成像病灶数及脊髓受累节段数均呈正相关(r=0.383,P=0.001;r=0.315,P=0.007;r=0.297,P=0.012);与至下一次复发间隔时间之间无明显相关性(r=-0.096,P=0.332)。结论:AQP-4抗体水平与NOM疾患者临床症状以及病程严重程度有一定的相关性,但AQP-4作为预测疾病复发的检测蛋白意义不大。     

一种基于NanoLuc荧光素酶报告布鲁菌基因启动子活性质粒的构建及应用

[背景]布鲁菌病是由布鲁菌感染引起的一种人兽共患传染病,对畜牧业发展和人类健康有着巨大的威胁。利用新型报告基因NanoLuc荧光素酶构建一种可以检测布鲁菌基因启动子活性的质粒,对于研究布鲁菌毒力基因的调控表达具有重要意义。[目的]制备NanoLuc荧光素酶多克隆抗体,构建一种基于NanoLuc荧光素酶报告布鲁菌基因启动子活性的质粒,并通过测定bcsp31基因启动子和virB启动子活性验证该方法的可行性。[方法]构建NanoLuc荧光素酶原核表达载体pET-Nluc,纯化蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体;以广宿主质粒pBBR1MCS为骨架,构建质粒pNluc、pBcsp31-Nluc和pVirB-Nluc,通过电转化构建S2308(Nluc)、S2308(Bcsp31-Nluc)和S2308(VirB-Nluc)重组菌株,在体外培养条件下测定bcsp31基因启动子和virB启动子活性;比较分析virB启动子在胞内感染条件下和体外培养条件下的活性。[结果]通过原核表达获得NanoLuc荧光素酶重组蛋白,并制备得到效价高于1:100 000的多克隆抗体;成功构建pNluc、pBcsp31-Nluc和pVirB-Nluc质粒以及S2308(Nluc)、S2308(Bcsp31-Nluc)和S2308(VirB-Nluc)重组菌株;体外培养条件下测定bcsp31基因启动子和virB启动子活性,结果显示pNluc质粒可以精确报告其活性;测定virB启动子在胞内诱导条件下和体外培养条件下的活性,结果显示virB启动子活性在胞内感染条件下明显增强。[结论]构建了基于NanoLuc荧光素酶报告布鲁菌基因启动子活性的质粒,并验证其可以精确反映布鲁菌基因启动子活性,为研究布鲁菌毒力基因以及揭示其致病机制奠定了基础。     

水稻OmR40c1蛋白的表达纯化及其与血红细胞的凝集作用

目的:在大肠杆菌中融合表达水稻蛋白Om R40c1,并探讨其与红细胞的凝集效果,为进一步研究Om R40c1在体外的抑菌实验做准备。方法:PCR扩增目的基因,经Bam HⅠ及NotⅠ双酶切,连入表达载体p GEX-6p-1构建成重组质粒,测序正确后转入大肠杆菌BL21,优化诱导表达条件;纯化重组Om R40c1蛋白,并分析其与红细胞的凝集效果。结果:获得原核表达的Om R40c1蛋白,重组Om R40c1在低温(4℃)条件下可与兔血红细胞发生凝集作用。结论:原核表达体系适合水稻Om R40c1蛋白的融合表达。     

SPC及EGFP共表达载体跟踪人羊水间充质干细胞体外定向分化

目的构建肺泡表面活性蛋白C(SPC)及增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)共表达载体pcDNA3.1/SPC/EGFP,探讨其在体外跟踪人羊水间充质干细胞(AF-MSCs)定向分化为II型肺泡上皮细胞(AECII)的作用。方法采用PCR和DNA重组技术构建pcDNA3.1/SPC/EGFP表达载体,脂质体转染至AF-MSCs,G418稳定筛选;将AF-MSCs分为阴性对照组、未转染组和转染组,各组体外诱导培养后荧光显微镜观察SPC启动子调控下游EGFP基因表达活性,RT-PCR检测SPA和SPC mRNA表达水平,Western blot检测SPA和SPC蛋白表达以及电镜观察嗜锇性板层小体。结果成功构建pcDNA3.1/SPC/EGFP表达载体,测序结果与SPC启动子及EGFP序列一致;AF-MSCs体外诱导分化后,在阴性对照组中未见绿色荧光细胞,SPA和SPC mRNA及蛋白均为阴性表达,且未发现嗜锇性板层小体;在未转染组中亦未见绿色荧光细胞,而SPA和SPC mRNA(相对表达量为0.072±0.004和0.087±0.012)及蛋白(相对表达量为0.051±0.008和0.063±0.009)均为阳性表达,并发现嗜锇性板层小体;在转染组中可见绿色荧光细胞,SPA和SPC mRNA(相对表达量为0.109±0.011和0.126±0.017)及蛋白(相对表达量为0.075±0.012和0.081±0.006)均为显著表达,与未转染组相比差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为-5.50、-3.16、-2.90和-2.85,均P0.05),亦可见嗜锇性板层小体。结论经pcDNA3.1/SPC/EGFP表达载体转染的AFMSCs在体外适当诱导下能定向分化为AECII,pcDNA3.1/SPC/EGFP表达载体可能成为跟踪AF-MSCs定向分化的工具,为肺组织再生的干细胞治疗提供研究基础。     

高糖背景下白蛋白抑制肾小管上皮细胞的自噬表达

目的:探讨高糖背景下白蛋白造成肾小管间质损伤的作用及其机制。方法:体外培养大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞系NRK-52E细胞,观察高糖培养环境下细胞自噬表达的改变;同时观察低浓度牛血清白蛋白(BSA)单独刺激,对肾小管上皮细胞自噬蛋白表达的影响以及细胞凋亡蛋白的表达改变;接着在高糖培养环境下加入低浓度的白蛋白刺激,观察肾小管上皮细胞的损伤效应及自噬表达情况。结果:高糖培养条件下肾小管上皮细胞自噬蛋白Beclin-1表达增加(P0.05),低浓度白蛋白也诱导肾小管上皮细胞自噬蛋白Beclin-1、Atg12表达增加(P0.05),以及细胞凋亡蛋白cleaved caspase3的轻度增加,乳酸脱氢酶活性增加(P0.05);但高糖培养下,少量白蛋白却抑制了肾小管上皮细胞自噬蛋白Beclin-1、Atg12的表达,并且显著增加了肾小管上皮细胞的凋亡蛋白cleaved caspase3的表达(P0.05)。结论:自噬是细胞自身的一种保护机制。在高糖背景下,白蛋白通过影响自噬的自身调节机制,促进了肾小管间质的损害作用。     

原癌基因c-erbB_2在原始卵泡启动生长中的作用

目的:探讨原癌基因c-erbB2在原始卵泡启动生长中表达变化及可能的作用。方法:选用2日龄SD大鼠卵巢在Waymouth培养体系中进行体外培养,用原位杂交、RT-PCR和免疫组化方法检测c-erbB2mRNA和蛋白在原始卵泡启动生长中及在表皮生长因子(EGF)作用下的表达情况,用Westernblot方法同步测定卵泡活化生长的重要标志物——增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)和磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶1/2(p-ERK1/2)的表达情况,并分析p-ERK1/2与c-erbB2mRNA表达变化的相关关系。结果:伴随原始卵泡启动生长过程,PCNA表达逐渐增加,EGF能促进原始卵泡的增殖和分化;原始卵泡中有c-erbB2mRNA及蛋白的表达,且随原始卵泡的启动生长及在EGF作用下表达增强;RT-PCR结果显示,c-erbB2mRNA表达在2日龄大鼠卵巢培养8d后与培养0d相比显著增加(0.297±0.018vs0.178±0.011,P0.05),并在EGF作用下进一步增强;p-ERK1/2含量的变化与c-erbB2mRNA表达的变化呈显著的正相关关系(rs=0.900,P0.05)。结论:c-erbB2在原始卵泡启动生长中起重要促进作用,并为介导EGF促进原始卵泡启动生长的关键信号分子;ERK-MAPK信号通路可能在介导c-erbB2调控原始卵泡生长中起作用。     

NDRG1对人肠癌细胞失巢凋亡的影响

目的:探讨NDRG1对体外培养的人肠癌细胞系失巣凋亡的影响。方法:采用慢病毒系统将NDRG1表达单元转入人肠癌细胞系SW620、HCT8中,建立相应的过表达稳定细胞系;通过siRNA的方法干扰HCT116和LOVO细胞系中NDRG1的表达,分别在非贴壁培养的情况下培养48小时,采用流式细胞术和TUNEL染色检测细胞的凋亡情况。结果:在贴壁培养条件下,NDRG1过表达并没有显著影响肠癌细胞的生长及增殖,而NDRG1特异性siRNA干扰HCT116细胞中NDRG1的表达后,其凋亡率无明显变化(P0.05)。在悬浮培养条件下,NDRG1过表达的肠癌细胞的失巢凋亡率显著低于正常对照组(P0.05),而用三种不同的siRNA干扰HCT116及LOVO细胞中NDRG1的表达后,其失巢凋亡率均显著高于正常对照组(P0.05)。结论:NDRG1在体外可抑制人肠癌细胞的失巢凋亡。     

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.     

Comparative morphology of the carpel in the Liliaceae: Hewardieae, Petrosavieae, and Tricyrteae

The young pistils in the melanthioid tribes, Hewardieae, Petrosavieae and Tricyrteae, are uniformly tricarpellate and syncarpous. They lack raphide idioblasts. All are multiovulate, with bitegmic ovules. The Petrosavieae are marked by the presence of septal glands and incomplete syncarpy. Tepals and stamens adhere to the ovary in the Hewardieae and the Petrosavieae but not in the Tricyrteae. Two vascular bundles occur in the stamens of the Hewartlieae and Tricyrtis latifolia. Ventral bundles in the upper part of the ovary of the Hewardieae are continuous with compound septal bundles and placental bundles in the lower part. Putative ventral bundles occur in the alternate position in the Tricyrteae and putative placental bundles in the opposite. position in the Petrosavieae. The dichtomously branched stigma in each carpel of the Tricyrteae is supplied by a bifurcated dorsal bundle.     

Enterovirus 71 3C proteolytically processes the histone H3 N-terminal tail during infection

Highlights
1. The N-terminal tail of histone H3 is specifically cleaved during EV71 infection.
2. Viral protease 3C is identified as a protease responsible for proteolytically processing the N-terminal H3 tail.
3. Our finding reveals a new epigenetic regulatory mechanism for Enterovirus 71 in virus-host interactions.     

Detection of EBV and HHV6 in the Brain Tissue of Patients with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis

Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) is a rare pediatric neurological disorder, and the exact etiology is not clear. Viral infection may be involved in the pathogenesis of RE, but conflicting results have reported. In this study, we evaluated the expression of both Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus (HHV) 6 antigens in brain sections from 30 patients with RE and 16 control individuals by immunohistochemistry. In the RE group, EBV and HHV6 antigens were detected in 56.7% (17/30) and 50% (15/30) of individuals, respectively. In contrast, no detectable EBV and HHV6 antigen expression was found in brain tissues of the control group. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in 20.0% (6/30) of individuals. In particular, a 4-year-old boy had a typical clinical course, including a medical history of viral encephalitis, intractable epilepsy, and hemispheric atrophy. The co-expression of EBV and HHV6 was detected in neurons and astrocytes in the brain tissue, accompanied by a high frequency of CD8⁺ T cells. Our results suggest that EBV and HHV6 infection and the activation of CD8⁺ T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of RE.     

Perinatal Vertical Transmission of Chikungunya Virus in Ruili,a Town on the Border between China and Myanmar

正Dear Editor,Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an arbovirus in the family of Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, is transmitted by the A.aegyptii or A. albopictus mosquito, and causes disease in humans characterized by fever, rash, and arthralgia (Silva and Dermody 2017; Suhrbier 2019). It was first reported in 1953 in Tanzania, and caused only a few outbreaks and sporadic cases in Africa and Asia in last century. However, in the epidemic in 2004, CHIKV acquired mutations that conferred enhanced transmission by the A. albopictus mosquito(Schuffenecker et al. 2006). Since then, it has successively caused outbreaks in Africa, the Indian Ocean, South East Asia, the South America, and Europe (Zeller et al. 2016).     

Development of a Novel Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2

In conclusion, the novel visual RT-LAMP assay is a simple, rapid, and sensitive approach for detection of SARS-CoV-2, and it is ready for application in primary care and community hospitals or health care centers, and even patients' own houses in response to the current SARS-CoV-2 epidemic because the assay does not require sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel. Furthermore, it is also ready to be used in fields for screening samples from wild animals and environments to facilitate the identification of potential intermediate hosts that mediate the cross-species transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from bats to humans.