新生隐球菌共孵育后血管内皮细胞的蛋白质组学研究

目的研究新生隐球菌共孵育后血管内皮细胞与正常细胞的差异蛋白质谱,推测蛋白质表达改变在孵育过程中的作用。方法利用二维凝胶电泳获得新生隐球菌孵育后血管内皮细胞与正常细胞的差异表达蛋白点,对部分差异蛋白点进行质谱鉴定分析,并以实时荧光定量PCR对其mRNA表达进行定量比较。结果Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin I lightchain等13个蛋白的表达水平发生明显改变,Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin Ilightchain的mRNA表达明显改变,其mRNA含量的改变趋势与相应的蛋白质的变化趋势相同。结论Peroxiredoxin I及Calpactin Ilightchain等蛋白表达量的改变可能与新生隐球菌侵袭血管内皮细胞屏障有关。     

新生隐球菌共孵育后小鼠脑血管内皮细胞S100A10基因的表达水平变化

目的探讨S100A10基因在新生隐球菌感染脑血管内皮细胞中的作用。方法将新生隐球菌H99株与小鼠脑血管内皮细胞共孵育后,不同时间终止共孵育,提取小鼠脑血管内皮细胞的总RNA,采用实时定量荧光PCR检测S100A10的表达水平。结果在与新生隐球菌共孵育2h后,小鼠脑血管内皮细胞中的S100A10基因表达水平随着共孵育时间的延长而升高（P〈0.05）。结论S100A10基因在新生隐球菌对中枢神经系统的易感性存在一定的作用。     

新生隐球菌通过S100A10活化尿激酶-纤溶酶系统侵袭血脑屏障的机制研究

目的验证隐球菌可以上调脑微血管内皮细胞S100A10基因来活化尿激酶-纤溶酶系统,从而更易穿过血脑屏障。方法 1将小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞bEnd.3和新生隐球菌B3501共孵育,检测加菌的实验组和不加菌对照组S100A10、UPA基因和蛋白的表达量。2用慢病毒感染血管内皮细胞,比较S100A10基因正常组和沉默组的S100A10和UPA基因和蛋白的表达量。3构建Transwell血脑屏障模型,比较S100A10基因正常组和沉默组隐球菌通过的差异性,用底物显色法检测尿激酶-纤溶酶系统的相关活化情况。结果 1新生隐球菌B3501和bEnd.3共孵育,Real-time PCR显示S100A10和UPA的mRNA高表达;Western-blot显示S100A10目的蛋白和UPA蛋白高表达。2沉默S100A10基因后,S100A10和UPA基因及蛋白表达分别受到抑制。3隐球菌添加到Transwell体外血脑屏障模型中,S100A10基因未沉默组通过血脑屏障的隐球菌数量比S100A10基因沉默组多,尤其是8h、16h、24h,两组差异有统计学意义,P0.05;未沉默S100A10基因的对照组的纤溶酶原和尿激酶的活化程度高于沉默S100A10基因的实验组,其中纤溶酶原在8h、16h、24h,尿激酶在16h、24h,两组差异有统计学意义,P0.05。结论隐球菌能同时使内皮细胞S100A10基因、UPA基因的高表达,活化尿激酶-纤溶酶系统,提高其通过血脑屏障的能力。     

新生隐球菌胞外蛋白水解酶对脑微血管内皮细胞的作用

目的初步探讨新生隐球菌分泌的胞外蛋白水解酶在新生隐球菌穿越血脑屏障致病过程中的作用。方法在含有成熟的脑微血管内皮细胞的培养皿中,分别加入胞外蛋白水解酶相关成分及其特异性抑制剂后,利用相差显微镜动态观察微血管内皮细胞形态学的改变;应用免疫组织细胞化学技术检测基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、微管相关蛋白（Tau-LRP）和低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白（LDL—LRP）表达的变化。结果①加入丝氨酸蛋白酶1h后可观察到内皮细胞开始收缩,面积变小,细胞间隙增宽,细胞收缩有时间依从性,至10h时仅为处理前的20％;加入丝氨酸蛋白酶＋抑肽酶后细胞形态学无明显变化（P〉0．05）。②加入隐球菌浓缩上清液1h后内皮细胞开始收缩,至6h时为原来的20％;加入菌株浓缩上清液＋抑肽酶后细胞形态学无明显变化（P〉0．05）。③丝氨酸蛋白酶使内皮细胞的MMP-9、Tau．LRP、LDL—LRP的表达上调,与对照组比较,有显著统计学差异（P〈0．01）。结论新生隐球菌分泌的胞外蛋白水解酶可能通过上调MMP-9和（或）Tau—LRP、LDL—LRP的表达,诱导内皮细胞基质降解和细胞自身微管结构及紧密连接发生变化,最终导致血脑屏障通透性增加,菌体细胞穿越血脑屏障而致病。     

小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞与新生隐球菌GXM作用后基因表达谱分析

目的探索新生隐球菌GXM能否影响脑微血管内皮细胞基因的表达,为进一步研究隐球菌嗜中枢性的分子机制提供线索。方法使用Roche Nimble Gen 12×135K小鼠基因表达谱芯片,筛选小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞系b End.3与不同浓度新生隐球菌GXM作用后差异表达的基因;结合基因本体论(Gene Ontology),使用top GO进行差异基因GO分析,结合GO语义挖掘与隐球菌侵袭中枢神经系统能力相关的差异表达基因的信息;采用荧光实时定量PCR对重要基因PIK3C2G和ADAMDEC1的表达水平变化加以验证。结果 b End.3细胞与新生隐球菌GXM作用前后基因表达对比发现,实验组GXM(90μg/m)组总共有402个基因表达上调,296个基因表达下调,GXM(180μg/m)组总共有421个基因表达上调,564个基因表达下调,细胞膜、细胞骨架、磷酸肌醇-3-激酶活化、1-磷酸肌醇-3-激酶活化、细胞紧密连接等生物过程差异表达基因较为富集;对PIK3C2G基因和ADAMDEC1基因表达水平变化进行荧光定量PCR验证,结果与芯片结果一致,基因表达水平不同程度上升,且与GXM浓度正相关。结论新生隐球菌GXM能够影响脑微血管内皮细胞基因表达,PIK3C2G基因、ADAMDEC1基因表达上调可能和隐球菌穿越血脑屏障有关。     

SBi4211阻断HIV-1 gp41促进新生隐球菌对人脑微血管内皮细胞的黏附作用

【背景】目前艾滋病和新型隐球菌性脑膜炎共病因素导致其高发病率和死亡率的机制尚不明确。【目的】探索S100B抑制剂SBi4211对HIV-1 gp41促进新生隐球菌黏附人脑微血管内皮细胞的影响和可能机制。【方法】黏附实验分析SBi4211是否能阻断HIV-1 gp41诱导下新生隐球菌黏附人脑微血管内皮细胞。使用免疫印迹方法进一步检测在此过程中SBi4211对脑微血管内皮细胞上新生隐球菌透明质酸受体CD44表达的影响。【结果】SBi4211可显著抑制HIV-1gp41对新生隐球菌黏附脑微血管内皮细胞的增强作用,且呈时间、剂量效应(P0.05);免疫印迹结果显示SBi4211可抑制新生隐球菌和/或HIV-1 gp41增加脑微血管内皮细胞上新生隐球菌透明质酸受体CD44的表达。【结论】SBi4211可通过下调受体CD44来阻断HIV-1 gp41对新生隐球菌黏附人脑微血管内皮细胞的增强效应,这为了解HIV-1与新生隐球菌共病机制及其防治策略提供了新思路。     

小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞与隐球菌作用前后基因表达谱分析

目的 比较小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞系bEnd.3细胞与隐球菌作用前后基因表达谱的变化,为隐球菌的嗜中枢性研究提供新的线索.方法 采用基因芯片法比较bEnd.3细胞与不同血清型隐球菌作用前后基因表达谱的变化,并进一步通过荧光定量PCR的方法对某些重要基因的变化加以验证.结果 我们对bEnd.3与隐球菌作用前后基因表达进行了对比,共获得差异基因383条,其中263条基因表达下降,120条基因表达上升,并根据比较结果选取了黏附分子CDH 10及硒转运蛋白SELENBP 1两个基因进行荧光定量PCR验证,结果与芯片结果一致.发现bEnd.3与隐球菌作用后CDH 10表达明显下降,而SELENBP1表达明显上升.结论 隐球菌能引起脑血管内皮细胞黏附分子CDH 10表达下降及硒结合蛋白selenbp1表达上升,这可能与其侵袭血脑屏障有关.而SELENBP1的表达上升可能与神经系统症状有关.     

新生隐球菌通过血脑屏障的研究进展

隐球菌是一种机会感染性真菌,主要侵犯中枢神经系统,隐球菌脑膜炎约占隐球菌感染的80%,死亡率高。研究隐球菌如何侵袭血管内皮细胞,穿过血脑屏障,是揭示隐球菌嗜中枢性的关键。许多因素影响了隐球菌穿越脑血管内皮细胞,如隐球菌毒性因子降解酶、尿素酶使脑血管内皮细胞通透性增加,脑血管内皮细胞CD44分子、HIV-1gp41蛋白能提高隐球菌对大脑血脑屏障的侵入能力等。现就隐球菌通过血脑屏障的机制做一综述。     

新生隐球菌漆酶的原核表达

目的构建含His-tag的新生隐球菌漆酶的原核表达载体并表达鉴定。方法利用PCR技术扩增LAC1基因的编码序列,将其正确插入pET-28a(+)载体中得到重组质粒,转化至大肠杆菌DH5α感受态细胞后进行PCR鉴定及基因测序。将正确重组质粒转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞,通过不同条件进行诱导表达,用SDS-PAGE电泳及MALDITOF质谱检测并鉴定目的蛋白质。通过尿素对包涵体蛋白进行变性,并对变性后的蛋白进行SDS-PAGE电泳及MALDITOF质谱检测。结果成功构建含His-tag的新生隐球菌漆酶的原核表达载体,PCR鉴定呈阳性且基因测序结果与目的序列一致,SDS-PAGE显示在大肠杆菌BL21中成功诱导表达出相对分子质量(Mr)约为68 000的目的蛋白,经MALDITOF质谱鉴定目的蛋白在此表达系统中不可溶,可能以包涵体形式存在。结论成功构建含His-tag的新生隐球菌漆酶的原核表达载体,为进一步纯化并解析新生隐球菌漆酶的晶体结构奠定了基础。     

巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌B3501标准株的吞噬作用

目的检测巨噬细胞对新生隐球菌活力的影响。方法新生隐球菌标准株B3501与小鼠巨噬细胞系J774细胞共孵育后,检测其出芽率,并通过电镜观察B3501在J774细胞内的超微结构。结果被吞噬的B3501超微结构完好,J774细胞对B3501菌株的吞噬指数在5.67%±1.29%~8.76%±3.09%,而B3501菌在J774细胞内的出芽率较高,可达46.85%±6.63%,出芽率随共孵育时间延长而下降,但4hrs组和8hrs组无明显差别(P>0.05)。超微结构观察显示细胞内的新生隐球菌细胞壁完整。结论虽然巨噬细胞存在着胞内和胞外的抗隐球菌活性,但新生隐球菌仍可在其细胞内外存活并繁殖。     

Blue light negatively regulates the sexual filamentation via the Cwc1 and Cwc2 proteins in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is a heterothallic basidiomycetous yeast that primarily infects immunocompromised individuals. Dikaryotic hyphae resulting from the fusion of the MATa and MATalpha mating type strains represent the filamentous stage in the sexual life cycle of C. neoformans. In this study we demonstrate that the production of dikaryotic filaments is inhibited by blue light. To study blue light photoresponse in C. neoformans, we have identified and characterized two genes, CWC1 and CWC2, which are homologous to Neurospora crassa wc-1 and wc-2 genes. Conserved domain analyses indicate that the functions of Cwc1 and Cwc2 proteins may be evolutionally conserved. To dissect their roles in the light response, the CWC1 gene deletion mutants are created in both mating type strains. Mating filamentation in the bilateral cross of cwc1 MATa and MATalpha strains is not sensitive to light. The results indicate that Cwc1 may be an essential regulator of light responses in C. neoformans. Furthermore, overexpression of the CWC1 or CWC2 gene requires light activation to inhibit sexual filamentation, suggesting both genes may function together in the early step of blue light signalling. Taken together, our findings illustrate blue light negatively regulates the sexual filamentation via the Cwc1 and Cwc2 proteins in C. neoformans.     

新生隐球菌MIS1基因的siRNA表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的 构建靶向新生隐球菌MIS1基因的siRNA重组表达载体质粒,并进行鉴定.方法 根据GenBank的MIS1基因序列,按照载体要求设计单链引物,克隆到空载体psilencer4.I-CMV neo中,经过LiAc化学法将重组质粒转染到新生隐球菌细胞中并用G418筛选,利用real time PCR鉴定阳性细胞的MIS1基因水平.结果 重组表达质粒Psilencer4,1-CMV-si-MIS1经PCR、双酶切及测序鉴定,结果证明重组表达载体构建成功,其能在mRNA水平显著抑制MIS1的表达.结论 已成功构建新生隐球菌MIS1基因的siRNA表达载体,为深入研究MIsl在隐球菌相关疾病的发生及发展中的作用提供了技术手段.     

Extracellular glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored mannoproteins and proteases of Cryptococcus neoformans

Extracellular proteins of Cryptococcus neoformans are involved in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis, and some are immunoreactive antigens that may potentially serve as candidates for vaccine development. To further study the extracellular proteome of the human fungal pathogen Cry. neoformans, we conducted a proteomic analysis of secreted and cell wall-bound proteins with an acapsular strain of Cry. neoformans. Proteins were identified from both intact cells and cell walls. In both cases, extracellular proteins were removed with trypsin or beta-glucanase, and then all proteins/peptides were purified by solid-phase extraction, spin dialysis, and HPLC, and identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study identified 29 extracellular proteins with a predicted N-terminal signal sequence and also a predicted glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor motif in more than half. Among the novel proteins identified were five glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins with extensive Ser/Thr-rich regions but no apparent functional domains, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored aspartic protease, and a metalloprotease with structural similarity to an elastinolytic metalloprotease of Aspergillus fumigatus. This study suggests that Cry. neoformans has the machinery required to target glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins to the cell wall, and it confirms the extracellular proteolytic ability of Cry. neoformans.     

Identification and characterization of a highly conserved calcineurin binding protein, CBP1/calcipressin, in Cryptococcus neoformans

Calcineurin is the conserved target of the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A and FK506. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a novel calcineurin binding protein, CBP1, from the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. We show that CBP1 binds to calcineurin in vitro and in vivo, and FKBP12-FK506 inhibits CBP1 binding to calcineurin. Cryptococcus neoformans cbp1 mutant strains exhibit modest defects in growth under stress conditions and virulence, similar to but less severe than the phenotypes of calcineurin mutants. Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants lacking the CBP1 homolog RCN1 are, like calcineurin mutants, sensitive to lithium cation stress. CBP1 shares a central peptide sequence motif, SPPxSPP, with related proteins in S.CEREVISIAE:, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans and humans, and peptides containing this motif altered calcineurin activity in vitro. Interestingly, the human CBP1 homolog DSCR1 is encoded by the Down's syndrome candidate region interval on chromosome 21, is highly expressed in the heart and central nervous system, and may play a role in calcineurin functions in heart development, neurite extension and memory.     

The F-Box protein Fbp1 regulates sexual reproduction and virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans

Cryptococcus neoformans is the leading cause of fungal meningitis in immunocomprised populations. Although extensive studies have been conducted on signal transduction pathways important for fungal sexual reproduction and virulence, how fungal virulence is regulated during infection is still not understood. In this study, we identified the F-box protein Fbp1, which contains a putative F-box domain and 12 leucine-rich repeats (LRR). Although fbp1 mutants showed normal growth and produced normal major virulence factors, such as melanin and capsule, Fbp1 was found to be essential for fungal virulence, as fbp1 mutants were avirulent in a murine systemic-infection model. Fbp1 is also important for fungal sexual reproduction. Basidiospore production was blocked in bilateral mating between fbp1 mutants, even though normal dikaryotic hyphae were observed during mating. In vitro assays of stress responses revealed that fbp1 mutants are hypersensitive to SDS, but not calcofluor white (CFW) or Congo red, indicating that Fbp1 may regulate cell membrane integrity. Fbp1 physically interacts with Skp1 homologues in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and C. neoformans via its F-box domain, suggesting it may function as part of an SCF (Skp1, Cullins, F-box proteins) E3 ligase. Overall, our study revealed that the F-box protein Fbp1 is essential for fungal sporulation and virulence in C. neoformans, which likely represents a conserved novel virulence control mechanism that involves the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated proteolysis pathway.     

新生隐球菌STE12α基因的克隆及表达载体的构建

目的从新生隐球菌的基因组中扩增出STE12α基因,并构建相应的表达载体,以进一步研究STE12α基因对隐球菌的生长特性及致病性的影响。方法采用PCR方法以及基因重组方法扩增并克隆新生隐球菌基因组中的STE12α基因,建立具有表达野生型STE12α基因的表达载体。结果从新生隐球菌的基因组获得STE12α全基因,建立重组子pUCm—STE12α／NovaBlue以及重组表达载体质粒pGAPZ—STE12α,实现了STE12α基因的转化并获得表达。结论成功地克隆了新生隐球菌STE12α基因并构建了可表达野生型STE12α基因的表达载体,为进一步研究STE12α基因功能打下了良好的基础。     

Cryptococcus neoformans varieties from material under the canopies of eucalyptus trees and pigeon dropping samples from four major cities in Jordan

To our best knowledge, any study related to the ecological distribution of Cryptococcus neoformans in Jordan does not exist in the medical literature. In order to determine the environmental occurrence of both varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans in Jordan, pigeon droppings and material under the canopies of eucalyptus trees were collected from four major cities of this country. For the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans variety gattii from environmental sources, 500 samples of the mixed soil debris, including tree materials, under the eucalyptus trees from cities of Amman, Irbid, Jerash, and Ajlun were collected. Also, 509 samples of pigeon droppings were collected from the same cities for the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans variety neoformans. After inoculating the samples onto modified Staib agar medium in Petri dishes, a total of 336 melanoid yeast colonies were picked up during screening process. At the end of serial mycological studies, none of these isolates was identified as Cryptococcus neoformans, but all were Cryptococcus species other than C. neoformans. For determining the exact status, more extensive environmental studies need to be done in the future.