新生隐球菌GXM的纯化及其对巨噬细胞甘露糖受体表达调节的研究

目的从新生隐球菌B3501培养上清中分离和纯化荚膜多糖葡萄糖醛酸木糖甘露聚糖(GXM),观察其是否能调节巨噬细胞甘露糖受体MR的表达。方法采用乙醇沉淀荚膜多糖,十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)特异性沉淀方法获得GXM,将GXM与巨噬细胞共孵育24 h,Western blot检测MR的表达变化情况。结果获得了毫克级的GXM,巨噬细胞与GXM孵育后甘露糖受体(mannose receptor,MR)的表达没有明显变化。结论新生隐球菌荚膜多糖GXM不影响巨噬细胞甘露糖受体MR的表达。     

免疫抑制剂FK506对大鼠移植性肝癌肿瘤生长和脾转移的影响

目的观察在大鼠移植性肝癌模型中不同FK506剂量下肿瘤的大小和侵润以及脾脏转移情况,用以评价FK506对肝癌细胞增殖和转移的情况。方法在Wistar大鼠肝左叶种植walker-256细胞株成瘤的癌组织块以构建转移性肝癌模型,54只大鼠随机分为FK506低剂量组（0.5 mg/kg.d）,正常剂量组（1.0 mg/kg.d）和空白对照组,测量肿瘤大小,通过病理组织学观察7、14、21 d脾脏转移发生率和中位数。结果与空白组相比,第14、21天两个剂量组肝癌体积明显增大（P〈0.05）;同时也出现了脾转移,第14天FK506各组转移中位数均不同。根据病理组织学,各组脾转移的发生率没有明显性差异。结论用药早期,脾脏还存在免疫功能,免疫抑制剂不能完全压制抗肿瘤效应。低剂量FK506也许有利于减少癌症脾转移,仍需进一步的探讨FK506低剂量长期使用在肝癌复发和转移的作用。     

供体特异输注及FK506对同种异体小鼠心脏移植急性排斥反应的影响

目的:探讨供体特异输注(donor-specific transfusion,DST)及不同剂量FK506对同种异体小鼠心脏移植的影响.方法:应用显微外科技术制作颈部移植心脏急性排斥反应小鼠模型,将移植受体小鼠分为4组:对照组(单纯移植组,未加DST),DST 移植组,DST 移植 FK506(2meg/(kg·d))组,DST 移植 FK506(0.3mg/(kg·d))组,比较各组移植心脏生存时间,心肌病理改变及外周血血清细胞因子水平:血清IL-2,IL-4,IL-10和IFN-γ水平.结果:术前1天应用DST与连续应用较小剂量FK506可显著延长移植物存活.术后第七天病理检查发现联合应用DST和FK506的两组移植物急性免疫排斥反应明显比其他两组减轻.血清中IL-2和IFN-γ水平在联合应用DST和FK506的两组明显低于其它两组,IL-4和IL-10水平在联合应用DST和FK506的两组高于对照组和DST 移植组.结论:术前DST及持续应用较小剂量FK506可有效抑制同种异体小鼠颈部心脏移植术后急性排斥反应,显著延长移植物的生存时间.     

隐球菌免疫相关的甘露糖受体MR重组腺病毒载体的构建及鉴定

目的 从巨噬细胞系RAW264.7基因组中扩增甘露糖受体(MR)基因,克隆至穿梭质粒后包装重组腺病毒,以进一步研究甘露糖受体MR基因对树突状细胞参与抗新生隐球菌免疫的影响.方法 采用PCR方法以及基因重组方法扩增并克隆巨噬细胞基因组中的MR基因,包装能表达MR蛋白的重组腺病毒.结果 从巨噬细胞基因组获得MR全基因,克隆至pShuttle-CMV载体,包装了MR的重组腺病毒AD-MR,并在HEK293细胞中获得了表达.结论 成功克隆巨噬细胞MR基因并构建了可表达MR基因的重组腺病毒载体,为进一步研究MR基因在树突状细胞参与新生隐球菌免疫中的作用奠定基础.     

丁苯酞对酒精依赖大鼠海马谷氨酸含量及NR2B表达的影响

目的:研究丁苯酞(NBP)对酒精依赖大鼠海马谷氨酸(Glu)含量和NNMDA受体2B亚基(NR2B)表达的影响。方法:建立酒精成瘾大鼠模型,观察戒断症状,SYBR Green I荧光实时定量PCR技术检测海马区NR2BmRNA表达,高效液相色谱法检测海马组织中谷氨酸含量。结果:模型组大鼠戒断评分比正常组明显上升(P<0.01),NBP中、高剂量组与模型组相比,戒断评分明显下降(P<0.05),差异均有显著性;模型组大鼠海马区谷氨酸含量较正常组显著降低(P<0.01),差异有显著性,而各用药组与模型组相比,海马区谷氨酸含量差异无显著性(P>0.05);实时定量PCR结果表明模型组大鼠海马区NR2BmRNA表达较正常组明显增加(P<0.05),而NBP中、高剂量组与模型组相比,海马区NR2BmRNA表达明显减少,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:NBP能够减轻酒精依赖大鼠的戒断症状,可能与NBP抑制NR2BmRNA表达有关。     

隐球菌性脑膜炎小鼠模型脑组织中VEGFR表达变化的研究

目的探寻隐球菌性脑膜炎小鼠模型中脑组织血管内皮生长因子受体(vascular endothelial growth factor recepter,VEGFR)在感染隐球菌后的变化规律。方法通过尾静脉接种隐球菌菌悬液的方法构建中枢神经系统隐球菌感染小鼠模型(n=30)为实验组,根据模型建立后5个时间点(6h、12h、24h、48h、72h)分为5组,每组6只;对照组(n=6)尾静脉接种等量生理盐水。采用Western blotting技术测定小鼠脑组织中VEGFR1和VEGFR2蛋白。结果实验组小鼠脑组织中VEGFR1和VEGFR2蛋白测定结果与对照组相比有下降,差别有统计学意义。结论隐球菌性脑膜炎小鼠感染隐球菌后脑组织VEGFR表达下调,可能是隐球菌感染致脑水肿的继发保护机制。     

新生隐球菌的模式识别受体及下游信号传导

新生隐球菌感染机体后,经固有免疫细胞表面的模式识别受体(pattern recognition receptors,PRRs)识别病原相关分子模式(pathogen-associated molecular patterns,PAMPs),引发下游的信号传导通路,激活核因子NF-κB,进而启动固有免疫和适应性免疫,诱导相关炎症因子的生成,活化Th1、Th2、Th17等适应性免疫细胞,同时募集巨噬细胞吞噬清除隐球菌。目前对隐球菌模式识别受体的种类及功能仍有待探索,对其下游信号传导通路的研究需深入,充分研究模式识别受体和下游信号传导,将对隐球菌病的免疫调节和临床治疗提供思路。     

FK-506结合蛋白对钙释放通道的调控

细胞内自由钙作为一种重要的细胞信使广泛地参与细胞生理功能调控.胞内钙库(内质网系和肌浆网系)对调节细胞内自由钙水平起着重要的作用.钙库膜上的钙释放通道(ryanodine受体和三磷酸肌醇受体)受许多因素调控,其中之一就是新近研究得相当多的FK506结合蛋白.免疫抑制剂FK506能特异地结合钙库上一种分子质量为12 ku左右的蛋白,这种FK506结合蛋白与钙释放通道形成一种紧密连接的复合体,在正常生理情况下对钙释放通道起着十分重要的调控作用.     

肾上腺髓质素在糖尿病视网膜细胞高表达的研究

探讨肾上腺髓质素(Adrenomedullin,AM)在糖尿病视网膜病变(Diabeticretinopathy,DR)发病中的作用。Sprague-Dawley雄性大鼠尾静脉注射链脲佐菌素造模,以血糖测定和尿糖水平测定进行筛选,正常对照组尾静脉注射等量枸橼酸钠缓冲液。成模后继续饲养4周,取出眼球视网膜组织,连续冰冻切片,用免疫组织化学SABC法染色观察各组大鼠视网膜RPE细胞AM的表达情况。糖尿病大鼠成模前,两组动物的体重、血糖和尿糖检测结果间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。成模后4周,糖尿病组与正常组大鼠体重、血糖和尿糖数值差异有显著性意义(P<0.01)。AM在正常组大鼠视网膜节细胞层及内核层均有表达,正常组大鼠视网膜AM的光密度值为76.3±5.3,单位面积AM阳性细胞数为(4.5±1.1)×103/mm2。糖尿病大鼠视网膜内RPE细胞肾上腺髓质素表达显著增强,糖尿病大鼠视网膜RPE细胞AM的光密度值为105.7±11.9,单位面积AM阳性细胞数为(17.9±2.3)×103/mm2。两组相比,差异具有显著性(P<0.01)。AM在糖尿病大鼠视网膜RPE细胞表达量增加很可能是DR发生、发展的重要因素。     

隐球菌感染小鼠模型脑组织含水量的变化

目的探讨隐球菌中枢神经系统感染小鼠模型脑组织含水量变化。方法尾静脉接种隐球菌构建中枢神经系统隐球菌感染的小鼠模型,小鼠随机分为实验组和对照组,免疫抑制后实验组小鼠尾静脉注射隐球菌菌悬液,对照组小鼠尾静脉注射生理盐水。两组分别采用干湿重法动态观察小鼠脑组织含水量变化。结果小鼠隐球菌中枢神经系统感染后脑组织含水量于6h开始明显升高,24h达高峰,后渐下降,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义。结论成功构建了隐球菌中枢神经系统感染脑水肿小鼠模型。     

Quantitative analysis of phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans by adherent phagocytic cells by fluorescence multi-well plate reader

Macrophages and monocytes are adherent phagocytic cells which play an important role in host defence against the yeast-like fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. Before, phagocytosis by adherent phagocytes could only be measured by means of microscopy or by a radioactive assay, which both have obvious disadvantages. We have developed a new, rapid and objective method to measure phagocytosis of C. neoformans by adherent phagocytes (e.g. alveolar macrophages) using a fluorescence multi-well plate reader. This method allows us to discriminate accurately between adherence and internalisation of C. neoformans by macrophages during long term incubation. In addition, the method was used to study the role of the mannose receptor in phagocytosis of the acapsular yeast in the absence of serum by human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM).     

Glucuronoxylomannan-mediated interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans with human alveolar cells results in fungal internalization and host cell damage

Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans begins with inhalation of infectious propagules. Fungi reach the lung tissue and interact with epithelial cells in a crucial but poorly understood process. In this study, the interaction of C. neoformans with the human alveolar epithelial cell lineage A549 was investigated, focusing on the relevance of the capsular polysaccharide in this process. The association of encapsulated strains with A549 cells was significantly inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), a major component of the cryptococcal capsule. A purified preparation of GXM produced similar results, suggesting the occurrence of surface receptors for this polysaccharide on the surface of alveolar cells. A549 cells were in fact able to bind soluble GXM, as confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence analysis using the anti-polysaccharide antibody. C. neoformans is internalized after GXM-mediated interaction with A549 cells in a process that culminates with death of host cells. Our results suggest that C. neoformans can use GXM for attachment to alveolar epithelia, allowing the fungus to reach the intracellular environment and damage host cells through still uncharacterized mechanisms.     

Experimental and calculated parameters on particle phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages.

Phagocytosis of three types of fluorescein-labeled test particles by rat alveolar macrophages (AM) were studied: spherical silica (3.2 microm), heat-killed Candida albicans (3.8 microm), and heat-killed Cryptococcus neoformans (6.1 microm) opsonized with specific IgG. These particles should attach to scavenger, mannose, and Fc receptors, respectively. Both control AM and AM pretreated for 20 h with interferon-gamma (12.5 or 50 U/ml) were studied. The sum of the number of attached and ingested particles per AM (accumulated attachment) was used as a measure of the attachment process, and the number of ingested particles per AM divided by the accumulated attachment (ingested fraction) was used as a measure of the ingestion process. The average ingestion time (IT), which is also a measure of the ingestion process, was calculated from the experimental data. The ingestion process was independent of the attachment process. IT increased with the time of observation. This is explained by the fact that IT determined from observation times shorter than the whole distribution of IT for a certain particle results in a shorter IT than the real average IT. C. albicans (mannose receptor) had the fastest ingestion process, C. neoformans opsonized with specific IgG (Fc receptor) had ingestion that was nearly as fast, and the silica particles (scavenger receptors) had the slowest ingestion process. Treatment with interferon-gamma markedly impaired the attachment process for all three types of particles (and three types of receptors) but clearly impaired the ingestion process only for silica particles (scavenger receptors).     

The effects of Cryptococcus neoformans-secreted antigens on tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on human lung epithelial cells

Since primary infection with Cryptococcus neoformans usually occurs in the lungs, and since pulmonary cryptococcosis involves interactions between yeasts and alveolar epithelial cells, we have begun to study the effects of C. neoformans and its secreted antigens (SA) on epithelial reactions potentially associated with localized inflammation. We report here that SAs from encapsulated and acapsular strains of C. neoformans caused significant reductions in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on A549 lung epithelial cells in culture. We also present evidence that the reduction in ICAM-1 expression was not associated with SA-induced shedding of this adhesion molecule.     

Cooperative stimulation of dendritic cells by Cryptococcus neoformans mannoproteins and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides

While mannosylation targets antigens to mannose receptors on dendritic cells (DC), the resultant immune response is suboptimal. We hypothesized that the addition of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands would enhance the DC response to mannosylated antigens. Cryptococcus neoformans mannoproteins (MP) synergized with CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides to stimulate enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from murine conventional and plasmacytoid DC. Synergistic stimulation required the interaction of mannose residues on MP with the macrophage mannose receptor (MR), CD206. Moreover, synergy with MP was observed with other TLR ligands, including tripalmitoylated lipopeptide (Pam3CSK4), polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), and imiquimod. Finally, CpG enhanced MP-specific MHC II-restricted CD4(+) T-cell responses by a mechanism dependent upon DC expression of CD206 and TLR9. These data suggest a rationale for vaccination strategies that combine mannosylated antigens with TLR ligands and imply that immune responses to naturally mannosylated antigens on pathogens may be greatly augmented if TLR and MR are cooperatively stimulated.     

The molecular basis for the immunogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans mannoproteins

T-cell-mediated immunity is necessary for effective host defenses against infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Clinical and experimental studies have identified a heterogeneous family of mannoproteins as critical cryptococcal antigens responsible for stimulating T-cell responses. The archetypal mannoprotein has a signal sequence, a functional domain, a serine/threonine-rich region and a site for attachment of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Extensive O-mannosylation, which occurs at the serine/threonine region, facilitates recognition by mannose receptors on antigen-presenting cells, particularly dendritic cells. This results in efficient antigen uptake, processing and presentation to T cells. Inhibition of mannose receptors or deglycosylation of mannoproteins profoundly inhibits T-cell responses, demonstrating the crucial contribution of mannosylation to immunogenicity.     

Cryptococcus neoformans glycoantigens are captured by multiple lectin receptors and presented by dendritic cells

Cell-mediated immune responses to glycoantigens have been largely uncharacterized. Protective T cell responses to the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans are dependent on heavily mannosylated Ags termed mannoproteins. In the work presented, the innate immune response to mannoprotein was determined. Purified murine splenic dendritic cells (DC), B cells, and macrophages were used to stimulate mannoprotein-specific T cells. Only DC were capable of any measurable stimulation. Depletion of DC resulted in the abrogation of the T cell response. Human and murine DC rapidly captured fluorescent-labeled mannoprotein by a mannose receptor-mediated process. Using transfected cell lines, the type II C-type lectin receptor DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin (CD209) was determined to have affinity for mannoprotein. Taken together with prior work demonstrating that mannoprotein was captured by the macrophage mannose receptor (CD206), these data suggest that multiple mannose receptors on DC recognize mannoprotein. Pulsing experiments demonstrated that DC captured sufficient mannoprotein over 2 h to account for 50% of total stimulation. Capture appeared dependent on mannose receptors, as competitive mannosylated inhibitors and calcium chelators each interfered with T cell stimulation. By confocal microscopy, intracellular mannoprotein trafficked to an endo-lysosomal compartment in DC, and at later time points extended into tubules in a similar fashion to the degradation marker DQ-OVA. Mannoprotein colocalized intracellularly with CD206 and CD209. These data suggest that DC provide the crucial link between innate and adaptive immune responses to C. neoformans via a process that is dependent upon the efficient uptake of mannoprotein by mannose receptors.     

Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide of a non-neoformans Cryptococcus species identified as C. laurentii, which was reclassified as Cryptococcus flavescens, from a patient with AIDS

Cryptococcus flavescens, a strain originally identified as C. laurentii, was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of an AIDS patient, and the soluble capsular polysaccharide of the yeast was investigated. Glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) was obtained from C. flavescens under conditions similar to those used to obtain C. neoformans polysaccharide. However, the GXM differed from C. neoformans polysaccharide in the decreased O-acetyl group content. The structure of GXM was determined by methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis, NMR analyses, and controlled Smith degradation. These analyses indicated that GXM has the following structure: an alpha-(1-->3)-D-mannan backbone with side chains of beta-D-glucuronic acid residues bound to the C-2 position of the mannose residue. The C-6 position of the mannose is substituted with D-man-beta-(1-->4)-D-xyl-beta-(1--> disaccharide. Furthermore, the existence of side chains containing more than two xylose residues was suggested. This mannosylxylose side chain is a novel structure in polysaccharides of C. neoformans and other Cryptococcus species.     

新生隐球菌感染小鼠肺泡巨噬细胞相关细胞因子与疾病病程相关性研究

目的通过检测新生隐球菌感染小鼠巨噬细胞相关细胞因子的表达水平,探讨其在感染小鼠疾病病程的作用。方法应用单侧小鼠鼻孔接种感染新生隐球菌建立小鼠吸入感染隐球菌模型,在感染后第1、4、7、11、14、18、21天,PAS染色观察小鼠肺组织病理变化,并通过RT-PCR检测相应时间点小鼠巨噬细胞内相关细胞因子(IL-6、IL-8、TGF-β、TNF-α)的表达。结果小鼠吸入感染隐球菌后,PAS染色发现第4天肺内散在分布隐球菌,第7天可见肉芽肿形成,第11天大量炎性细胞浸润,第14天见肉芽肿内大量隐球菌,第18天隐球菌分布至全肺,第21天肺组织大量坏死;RT-PCR结果显示TGF-β和IL-6的表达在感染后14天达到最高值,然后逐渐降低,其中TGF-β升高幅度更为明显。结论在新生隐球菌感染小鼠中,TGF-β参与了机体的抗真菌免疫,在调节炎症反应方面有重要作用。     

新生隐球菌生物膜动物感染模型的构建及其活性的检测

目的 构建一种简便易行的新生隐球菌生物膜感染动物模型.方法 采用大鼠皮下置管法构建新生隐球菌生物膜感染动物模型,并使用电子扫描显微镜观察新生隐球菌体内形成生物膜的结构;采用MTT法对获得的体内生物膜结构进行活性的检测.结果 成功构建了新生隐球菌生物膜大鼠感染模型;MTT法检测体内生物膜活性表明,随着体内培养时间的延长,生物膜活性增强,与直接镜检和电镜观察结果一致.结论 新生隐球菌生物膜大鼠模型简单易行,便于操作,对于研究新生隐球菌生物膜体内活性的研究具有一定的实际应用价值.