构建一种受hTERT启动子和miR-145双调控的更为安全的新型溶瘤腺病毒

目的:构建一种受人端粒酶逆转录酶(h TERT)启动子和mi R-145双调控的更加安全的条件复制型腺病毒。方法:在已构建的h TERT启动子调控早期复制必需基因E1A的条件复制型腺病毒Adzq11基础上,再将四个拷贝的mi R-145的靶序列加入到E1A的3'非翻译区,构建新型溶瘤腺病毒Adzq11-145T。应用Real-time PCR测定人非小细胞肺癌细胞A549和人胚肺成纤维细胞HLF中mi R-145的表达量;然后在这两株细胞中,分别转染Adzq11和Adzq11-145T对应的穿梭质粒及感染病毒本身,用Real-time PCR检测E1A表达量以测定调控效果;用病毒空斑单位法检测两种病毒的复制情况;用CCK8检测对A549和HLF细胞的杀伤作用。结果:构建的新型溶瘤腺病毒Adzq11-145T在HLF中复制量明显低于Adzq11,其E1A m RNA水平和杀伤效应也显著降低。而在A549中,Adzq11-145T在E1A表达、病毒复制和溶瘤能力方面较Adzq11均无显著降低。结论:成功构建出一种新的受转录和转录后水平双重调控的条件复制型腺病毒Adzq11-145T,它比仅加入h TERT启动子调控早期复制必需基因E1A的腺病毒Adzq11更加安全。     

携带TSLC1基因的双靶向溶瘤腺病毒联合阿霉素对SMMC-7721肝癌细胞的杀伤作用

研究携带TSLC1基因的溶瘤腺病毒(Ad.sp-E1A(24)-TSLC1)联合化疗药物阿霉素(adriamycin,ADM)对SMMC-7721肝癌细胞的体外杀伤作用。实时定量PCR检测TSLC1在不同肝细胞中的表达情况;用荧光显微镜观察阿霉素、Ad.sp-E1A(24)-TSLC1单独作用和两者联合作用的细胞形态学的变化;采用MTT法、结晶紫染色、Hoechst33342染色检测各处理组细胞的存活率和凋亡水平情况;通过Western blot检测TSLC1和E1A蛋白水平的表达。结果表明,联合应用Ad.sp-E1A(24)-TSLC1和阿霉素的细胞凋亡现象比单独作用的效果显著,表明阿霉素能够增强携带TSLC1基因的溶瘤腺病毒对肝癌细胞SMMC-7721的杀伤作用,为肝癌治疗的临床应用奠定一定基础。     

携带TRAIL的溶瘤腺病毒联合LiCl对癌细胞的生长抑制效应

研究糖原合成激酶3的抑制剂LiCl联合携带TRA／L基因的溶瘤腺病毒Ad．sp—ElA—E1B（△55kDa）．TRAIL—Flag（Ad．sp—TRAIL—Flag）对癌细胞的体外杀伤作用。采用MTT法检测癌症特异性病毒Ad．sp—TRAIL—Flag联合药物LiCl对三种癌症细胞株的生长抑制作用;通过结晶紫实验进一步检测联合用药的杀伤效果：进而通过Western blot实验检测联合作用对癌细胞中TRAIL蛋白表达的影响,最后通过流式细胞仪检测其对癌细胞的凋亡作用。结果显示,LiCl联合Ad．sp—TRAIL．Flag的处理对癌细胞的增殖抑制作用明显优于两者单独使用。Western blot实验证明,LiCl可提高溶瘤腺病毒Ad．sp—TRAIL—FIag处理后TRAIL蛋白的表达水平,从而增强了溶瘤腺病毒Ad．sp—TRAIL—Flag通过乃己4儿的信号通路的杀伤效果。     

构建溶瘤腺病毒的策略

溶瘤腺病毒是通过遗传工程改造的腺病毒,具有溶细胞复制周期的特性和特异靶向肿瘤细胞和裂解肿瘤细胞的功能。溶瘤腺病毒通过复制、释放子代病毒感染邻近肿瘤细胞。现在对腺病毒生活周期的认识水平,可以对其基因组进行改造从而使其特异性裂解肿瘤细胞而不杀伤正常细胞,并且构建了多种溶瘤腺病毒。本文主要概述了溶瘤腺病毒的三种构建策略:剔除腺病毒在正常细胞中复制所必需而在肿瘤细胞中不需要的某些基因;利用肿瘤特异性启动子控制病毒复制所必需的基因;对腺病毒衣壳蛋白进行基因修饰,达到特异性结合肿瘤细胞的目的。     

双靶向溶瘤腺病毒MD55对肿瘤细胞与正常细胞的杀伤作用比较

应用分子克隆和同源重组技术构建双靶向溶瘤腺病毒MD55.分析MD55病毒在细胞中的复制能力,并用MTT和结晶紫方法检测MD55对肿瘤细胞和正常细胞生长的影响,West-ern印迹检测病毒感染后细胞中E1A蛋白和多聚ADP核糖聚合酶(PARP)片断的表达.结果显示,MD55能在MN/CA9阳性的肿瘤细胞SW620和OSRC-2中特异性表达E1A蛋白.并且在这些细胞中的复制能力和对这些细胞的杀伤性与对照病毒ZD55基本相同,而其在正常细胞中的复制能力很弱,对正常细胞的伤害很小;同时MD55可诱导肿瘤细胞SW620和OSRC-2的凋亡,而对正常细胞的凋亡无影响.实验结果表明双靶向溶瘤腺病毒MD55靶向性和安全性比单靶向病毒ZD55更高,有望成为一种很好的肿瘤靶向基因一病毒治疗载体.     

PDSW联合热疗对SGC-7901细胞PTEN和Ki67基因及蛋白表达的影响

为探讨生理性深层海水(PDSW)联合热疗对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞体外和体内的抗癌作用,通过在体外培养人胃癌SGC-7901细胞株,随机分为实验组、对照组和空白组。实验组加PDSW,对照组加生理盐水,空白组不做其他处理。分别在37℃、40℃和43℃热疗温度下培养。同时,将SGC-7901细胞注射至裸鼠皮下,建立移植瘤模型,随机分为5组,至肿瘤长至直径为1 cm时,分别进行H_2O+RT、H_2O+40℃、H_2O+43℃、PDSW+40℃、PDSW+43℃处理,用实时荧光定量PCR检测细胞和组织中PTEN和Ki67基因表达情况,Western Blot检测PTEN和Ki67蛋白的表达情况。结果发现,PDSW联合热疗处理后,SGC-7901细胞和裸鼠皮下移植瘤组织中PTEN基因和蛋白的表达量上升幅度较大,而Ki67基因和蛋白的表达量较低,说明PDSW联合热疗能激活胃癌SGC-7901细胞中PTEN基因和蛋白上调表达,而抑制Ki67基因和蛋白的表达,从而有效抑制胃癌细胞的增殖。     

一种更有效的肝癌靶向性条件复制型腺病毒的构建及体外抑瘤作用

目的:分别构建以甲胎蛋白(alpha fetoprotein,AFP)300bp启动子和800bp增强子-300bp启动子调控复制的条件复制型腺病毒(CRAd),对两种病毒的务件复制性以及溶瘤作用进行比较,为肝癌靶向性治疗提供更优良的载体.方法:以HepG2基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增AFP基因启动子(AFPp)和增强子(AFPe),构建表达质粒pAFPp-EGFPluc和pAFPep-EGFPluc,通过检测报告基因EGFP和luciferase的表达鉴定启动子和增强子的活性后,构建穿梭质粒pDC311-AFPp-E1A,pDC311-AFPep-E1A并包装出腺病毒Ad.AFPp-E1A和Ad.AFPep-E1A.利用Western blot、病毒增殖、细胞病变、细胞活力等鉴定并比较两种病毒的复制能力和溶瘤作用.结果:Ad.AFep-E1A和Ad.AFPep-E1A均可在AFP阳性细胞中选择性复制并且具有一定的溶瘤作用,以后者的选择复制性和溶瘤性更为明显.感染病毒Ad.AFPp-E1A后的HepG2、Hep3B细胞的存活率分别为(54.23±7.13)%、(61.18±12.63)%;感染病毒Ad.AFPep-E1A后的HepG2、Hep3B细胞存活率分别为(26.65±5.43)%、(24.49+3.31)%.结论:被截短的800bp增强子片断,在对AFP启动子起到增强作用的同时,可以为腺病毒包装进更多的治疗基因提供空间,从而为肝癌靶向治疗提供更为良好的条件复制型病毒载体.     

Ad-ING4-IL-24 双基因共表达对人肺腺癌化疗的增敏效应

研究ING4 (肿瘤生长抑制因子4) 和IL-24 (人白细胞介素24) 双基因共表达腺病毒载体 (Ad-ING4-IL-24) 对肺腺癌的化疗增敏效应及分子机制。将Ad-ING4-IL-24感染A549肺癌细胞及联合顺铂 (DDP) 化疗药物作用,RT-PCR和Western blotting检测ING4和IL-24基因在A549肺癌细胞中的转录和表达,MTT法、流式细胞仪 (FCM) 和 Hoechst 染色法检测Ad-ING4-IL-24联合DDP (联合组) 对A549肺癌细胞的生长抑制和凋亡效应。采用A549细胞株建立人肺腺癌裸鼠模型,然后瘤体局部注射干预用药,动态测量肿瘤体积,并计算瘤重抑瘤率,免疫组化检测ING4、IL-24、bax、bcl-2、VEGF等基因的表达。结果表明,Ad-ING4-IL-24感染A549肺癌细胞后可获得成功转录和表达,体外联合组能明显抑制A549肺癌细胞生长和诱导细胞凋亡,呈现出典型细胞凋亡形态学变化。体内联合组同样能显著抑制肿瘤生长,瘤重抑瘤率达52.81％,免疫组化结果显示联合组能上调bax基因表达,同时下调bcl-2、VEGF等基因的表达。以上结果表明Ad-ING4-IL-24具有化疗增敏的作用,该作用机制可能与促进肿瘤细胞凋亡和抑制血管形成有关。     

PDSW联合热疗对胃癌细胞和组织中COX-2、Bcl-2表达的影响

旨在探讨生理性深层海水(PDSW)联合热疗对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞和组织中COX-2和Bcl-2表达的影响,明确其在人胃癌SGC-7901体外和体内的抗癌作用。通过在体外培养人胃癌SGC-7901细胞株,随机分为实验组、对照组和空白组,实验组加PDSW,对照组加生理盐水,空白组不做其他处理,分别在37℃、40℃和43℃热疗温度下培养。同时,将SGC-7901细胞注射至裸鼠皮下,建立移植瘤模型,随机分为5组,至肿瘤长至直径为1 cm时,分别进行H_2O+RT、H_2O+40℃、H_2O+43℃、PDSW+40℃、PDSW+43℃处理,用实时荧光定量PCR检测细胞和组织中COX-2和Bcl-2基因表达情况,Western blot检测COX-2和Bcl-2蛋白的表达情况。结果显示,在SGC-7901细胞中和裸鼠皮下移植瘤的组织中,热疗均能降低COX-2、Bcl-2基因及蛋白的表达,同时,与生理盐水组相比,PDSW联合热疗处理下,细胞和组织中COX-2、Bcl-2表达量显著下降。PDSW联合热疗能抑制胃癌SGC-7901细胞中COX-2、Bcl-2基因和蛋白的表达,从而有效抑制胃癌细胞的增殖。     

耐紫杉醇肺原位小鼠移植瘤模型的建立和鉴定

目的建立肺原位移植耐紫杉醇肿瘤动物模型以及耐药机制的研究。方法利用本实验室已经获得的耐紫杉醇肺癌细胞株(A549-Taxol),测定其耐药指数和细胞对抗癌药物的敏感性后,采用穿刺法将约为每毫升5×10~6细胞注入小鼠肺部,3周后统计存活率以及成瘤率并且观察小鼠状态。RT-PCR和Western Blot技术检测肿瘤中耐药基因GST-π、P-gp170和MMP-7的mRNA和蛋白质的表达情况。结果 A549-Taxol肺癌细胞的耐药指数为508倍; GST-π、P-gp170和MMP-7耐药蛋白表达明显升高(P 0.001),且A549-Taxol组肺癌细胞的侵袭能力显著高于A549组。用5×10~6细胞量进针5 mm的注射入肺部的存活率与成瘤率分别为100%和85%,成瘤后免疫组化显示耐药蛋白在A549-Taxol组裸鼠中明显表达,且耐药蛋白高于A549裸鼠组。结论 GST-π、P-gp170和MMP-7的表达与肺癌紫杉醇耐药相关,初步建立了耐紫杉醇的肺癌原位动物模型,耐药细胞对紫杉醇的耐药性保持稳定并可用于后续的实验研究。     

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.