Immunity promotion and proteomic identification in mice upon exposure to manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae

With manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD) expressed in silkworm larvae, Bomby mori L, we investigated the effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on the immune system of mouse and employed a proteomics approach to examine this phenomenon. Our data on the effects of continuous treatment with SOD-containing silkworm larvae powder showed that the ConA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation of all three treated groups was higher than that of the control. The results of PFC assay also revealed that antibody production was higher in all three treated groups than controlled mice. We investigated the phagocytosis of mouse macrophages. The SOD treatment led to a dose-dependent increase of phagocytic activity. We identified six proteins that related to immunity of mice. The data showed all these six matched proteins related immunity presented the increase of expression level in plasma of mouse administrated with silkworm powder including SOD compared to that of control. These findings demonstrate that administration of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD results in enhancement of immunity activities in the mouse. The results also suggested that the SOD expressed in silkworm maybe have potential application in medicine.     

Effects of silkworm larvae powder containing manganese superoxide dismutase on immune activity of mice

To study the function of silkworm larvae powder containing superoxide dismutase and potential practical development, we investigated the safety assessment and effects on immune activity of mice such as the growth of immunity-related organs, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and charcoal particle clearance ability. The mean body weights in treated mice were significantly heavier than that of control, meanwhile, the ratio of splenocytes/body weight and the thoracic gland/body weight in treated mice was significantly enhanced after 30 days treated with silkworm larvae powder containing manganese superoxide dismutase. The treated mice resulted in a profound activation of the DTH and charcoal particle clearance, and indicated the treated mice have stronger phagocytic activity to exogenous materials. Our data also indicated the feeding treatment was safe with 360 folds of recommended human dosage in acute toxic test. In long-term test, there were no effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on treated mice’s growth and inside organs as long as 90 days. Further the electronic microscope investigation showed the intestine, liver, splenocyte and stomach in mice were no obvious changes both in organs and sub-organs such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion, Golgi and peroxisomes after treated for as long as 90 days.     

Manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae,Bombyx mori L enhances the NK activity and splenocyte proliferation against Sarcoma 180 tumor cells in vivo

Natural killer cell (NK) is known as a major immune system in body through mediating cell death via several possible pathways, and one of three subpopulations of lymphocytes functioning as scavenger of tumor, virus infected cells etc. Our present results found that the SOD-contained silkworm larvae powder caused an enhancement of the effect on NK cell cytotoxicity, which implied this material modulated the immune system in mice in vivo. The NK cell activities of S180 tumor modeled mice treated with silkworm powder including SOD were enhanced significantly ranging from 30% to 48%, respectively, compare to a distilled water feeding control and silkworm powder without SOD. Meanwhile, the ConA-stimulated splenocyte proliferation of all three treated groups was higher than that of the control both in T cells or B cells. The average tumor weight of S180 modeled mice treated with doses of SOD-contained silkworm powder was lighter than that of water control showing the tumor inhibition rates (IR) reached to 22.51% to 37%, respectively. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that administration of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD results in activation of NK cells and immune T-cell and B-cell, suggesting the silkworm larvae powder containing SOD play a positive role in tumor inhibition.     

Silkworm powder containing manganese superoxide dismutase regulated the immunity and inhibited the growth of Hepatoma 22 cell in mice

The effects of SOD contained silkworm powder on immune regulation and inhibition against Hepatoma 22 tumor cells in vivo were investigated. The activity of natural killer cell (NK) and the ConA-stimulated spleen proliferation were measured. The results found that the SOD-contained silkworm powder caused an enhancement on NK cell activity, which implied this material modulated the immune system in mice in vivo. The NK cell activities of Hepatoma 22 tumor modeled mice treated with silkworm powder including SOD were increased significantly compared to a modeled control and silkworm powder without SOD, reaching 36.18%. In addition, the ConA-stimulated spleen proliferation of SOD treated mice was higher than that of the controls. The treatment of SOD contained silkworm powder presented 40.3% of average inhibition rate to Hepatoma 22 tumor, showing stronger inhibition against tumor. There were no significant difference in body weight between modeled control and SOD silkworm powder feeding in Hepatoma 22 tumor modeled mice, suggesting the SOD silkworm powder is safety as an inhibitant to tumor. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that administration of silkworm powder containing SOD results in activation of NK cells and immunity, suggesting the silkworm powder containing SOD plays a positive role in tumor inhibition.     

Improvement of recombinant baculovirus infection efficiency to express manganese superoxide dismutase in silkworm larvae through dual promoters of Pph and Pp10

The silkworm, Bombyx mori, has been used as an important bioreactor for the production of recombinant proteins through baculovirus expression system (BES). There are several problems which will probably be the bottleneck for practical and industrial utilization of silkworm bioreactor. Traditionally, the recombinant virus should infect the larvae through individual dorsal injection by a syringe. This is a time- and labor-consuming procedure. This drawback has become a bottleneck for practical and industrial utilization of baculovirus expression system in the silkworm bioreactor. In this paper, we constructed a dual expression baculovirus to express the renovated polyhedron and target manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene under P10 and polyhedron promoters, respectively, through oral infection. The results showed that the direct injection of recombinant rBacmid/BmNPV/SOD DNA with cellfectin reagent infected the silkworm larvae partially. When next batches of larvae were fed orally with hemolymph, which was collected from first batch of injected and infected larvae, the obvious symptom of infection was found and high target SOD was expressed. These results imply it is feasible to express target genes through combination of recombinant bacmid DNA injection and oral feeding by a dual expression bacmid baculovirus.     

Distribution of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the carp: erythrocyte manganese SOD.

A non copper containing superoxide dismutase (Cu-SOD), presumably manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), has been identified in carp erythrocytes. Erythrocyte catalase is low, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) is extremely high, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) is relatively low. The distribution of Cu-SOD, Mn-SOD and glutathione peroxidase in various tissues is described. Highest activities of both enzymes are found in the liver and lowest in white muscle and the swim bladder.     

Cloning and expression of manganese superoxide dismutase of the silkworm, Bombyx mori by Bac-to-Bac/BmNPV Baculovirus expression system

Superoxide dismutase (SODs) are metalloenzymes that catalyze the dismutation of the superoxide anion to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide and, thus, form a crucial part of the cellular antioxidant defense mechanism. In this paper, we used the total fat body RNA of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. to clone and sequence a 648-bp Mn-SOD cDNA fragment through RT-PCR. Furthermore, a newly established Bac-to-Bac/BmNPV Baculovirus expression system was used to overexpress the recombinant Mn-SOD enzyme in silkworm larvae. The hemolymph was collected from the infected larvae 96 h post-infection and subjected to a 12 % SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. A 18.0-kDa protein was visualized after rBacmid/BmNPV/SOD infection. The SOD enzyme activity was determined with a tetrazolium salt for detection of superoxide radicals generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase and its peak appeared in 96 h post-infection with 2.7 times of the control larvae. The availability of large quantities of SOD that the silkworm provides should greatly facilitate the future research and testing of this protein for potential application in medicine.     

饥饿胁迫对小鼠学习记忆、SOD和心肌丙二醛的影响

给小鼠断绝食物,观察小鼠学习记忆能力的变化及生理应激反应。结果表明,饥饿后小鼠的体重明显减轻,学习能力明显增强,记忆能力和大脑5－羟色胺含量无明显改变,心肌丙二醛含量下降,肝组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性无明显改变,血浆SOD活性提高,血浆SOD同工酶变带无明显改变。提示饥饿胁迫使小鼠产生适应性的生理反应,使小鼠学习能力提高,加强延缓机体衰退的生理功能;这些应激反应有利于小鼠在逆境下的生存。     

Heterozygous deficiency of manganese superoxide dismutase results in severe lipid peroxidation and spontaneous apoptosis in murine myocardium in vivo

To circumvent the early lethality of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2)-deficient mice, we have used a skin-specific strategy with introduction of loxP sites flanking exon 3 of the SOD2 gene. To our surprise, when breeding a female keratin 14 Cre transgenic mouse to a SOD2 "floxed" male mouse, due to keratin 14 promoter-driven Cre expression in the oocytes, all offspring were heterozygous for SOD2. In sharp contrast to initial publications on SOD2(+/-) mice, the herein reported mice on a mixed genetic background (C57BL/6 x 129/Ola) in their heterozygous state (SOD(+/-)) revealed distinct ultrastructural damage of the myocard, with swelling and disruption of mitochondria and accumulation of lipid droplets, increased nitrotyrosine formation, and lipid peroxidation as well as activation of apoptosis signaling pathways in the heart in vivo. Strikingly, and so far unreported, we found a substantial decrease in the activity of the cytosolic copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in the heart tissue of SOD2(+/-) mice, suggesting that the breakdown of mitochondrial membranes in the heart of SOD2(+/-) mice results in the enhanced release of superoxide anion radicals or derivatives thereof with subsequent inactivation of cytosolic SOD1. This model may be particularly suited to long-term studies on age-related heart failure as well as other age-related diseases and the polygenic base of tissue-specific responses to oxidative injury.     

Antigen-reactive cell opsonization: a mechanism of antibody-mediated immune suppression.

Antisera against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) specifically suppressed the direct anti-SRBC plaque-forming cell (PFC) response in mice when passively administered with the antigen. The suppressive activity of mouse and rabbit anti-SRBC sera was found to correlate with anti-SRBC opsonic activity but not with hemagglutination or hemolysin titers. Macrophage depletion of mice, using carrageenan treatment, inhibited antibody-mediated immune suppression. When mice immunized with SRBC were given ¹²⁵I-labeled Udr, radiolabeled spleen lymphocytes were obtained which specifically formed rosettes with SRBC. These radiolabeled antigen-reactive cells (1ARC) were specifically opsonized in mice treated with antigen-antibody complexes but not in mice treated with antigen or antibody alone. These results suggest that antibody-mediated immune suppression may be due to specific opsonization (and subsequent destruction) of ARC in the presence of antigen-antibody complexes.     

Effect of lead acetate on superoxide anion generation and its scavengers in mice given endotoxin

The administration of endotoxin to mice rendered hypersensitive by lead acetate resulted in profound lipid peroxide formation in the liver 6 hr postintoxication. Endotoxin plus lead acetate administration depressed glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in mouse liver, whereas superoxide anion generation significantly increased in the livers of endotoxin plus lead acetate-treated mice compared with that in mice treated with endotoxin alone. Serum acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase isozyme exhibited much more leakage in endotoxin plus lead acetate-injected mice than in sera of mice given endotoxin alone. Nonprotein SH level in the liver was reduced markedly in endotoxin-lead treated mice compared with those receiving endotoxin alone. The plasma vitamin E level was found to decline by 6 hr postintoxication in both endotoxin-lead and endotoxin alone-treated mice, and the transient elevation of the plasma level at 18 hr may be considered to indicate mobilization from other tissues into the blood.     

Expression of manganese superoxide dismutase is not altered in transgenic mice with elevated level of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase

In evaluating the relative expression of copper-zinc and manganese superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD and MnSOD) in vivo in states like Down syndrome in which one dismutase is present at increased levels, we measured activities of both enzymes, in tissues of control and transgenic mice constitutively expressing increased levels of CuZnSOD, during exposure to normal and elevated oxygen tensions. Using SOD gel electrophoresis assay, CuZnSOD and MnSOD activities of brain, lung, heart, kidney, and liver from mice exposed to either normal (21%) or elevated (>99% oxygen, 630 torr) oxygen tensions for 120 h were compared. Whereas CuZnSOD activity was elevated in tissues of transgenic relative to control mice under both normoxic or hyperoxic conditions, MnSOD activities in organs of transgenic mice were remarkably similar to those of controls under both conditions. To confirm the accuracy of this method in quantitating MnSOD relative to CuZnSOD expression, two other methods were utilized. In lung, which is the organ exposed to the highest oxygen tension during ambient hyperoxia, a sensitive, specific ELISA for MnSOD was used. Again, MnSOD protein was not different in transgenic relative to control mice during exposure to air or hyperoxia. In addition, lung MnSOD protein was not changed significantly by exposure to hyperoxia in either group. In kidney, a mitochondrion-rich organ, SOD assay, before and after inactivation of CuZnSOD with diethyldithiocarbamate, was used. MnSOD activity was not different in organs from air-exposed transgenic relative to control mice. The data indicated that expression of MnSOD in vivo was not affected by overexpression of the CuZnSOD and, therefore, the two enzymes are probably regulated independently.     

凝结芽胞杆菌对免疫功能影响的实验研究

目的 研究凝结芽胞杆菌（TQ33）对实验动物免疫功能模型的影响。方法 以鸡红细胞混悬液对小鼠腹腔注射,观察TQ33对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响;制备绵羊红细胞（SRBC）,观察血球凝集程度,测定血清溶血素;以靶细胞（YAC-1细胞）与脾细胞（效应细胞）的反应检测TQ33。对小鼠NK细胞活性的影响;采用淋巴细胞转化法观察TQ33对细胞免疫的影响;计算小鼠胸腺／体重及脾脏／体重为脏器系数观察TQ33对小鼠脏器的影响。结果 与对照组比较,TQ33显著增加小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能;对小鼠体液免疫功能有一定的增强作用;可增强小鼠NK细胞活性;对ConA诱导下的小鼠淋巴细胞转化有增强作用;对脏器系数没有显著的影响。结论 凝结芽胞杆菌具有明显的免疫调节作用,预示有良好的应用前景。     

Role of copper,zinc-superoxide dismutase in catalyzing nitrotyrosine formation in murine liver

The only known function of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is to catalyze the dismutation of superoxide anion into hydrogen peroxide. Our objective was to determine if SOD1 catalyzes murine liver protein nitration induced by acetaminophen (APAP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Liver and plasma samples were collected from young adult SOD1 knockout mice (SOD1(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice at 5 or 6 h after an ip injection of saline, APAP, or LPS. Hepatic nitrotyrosine formation was induced by APAP and LPS only in the WT mice. The diminished hepatic protein nitration in the SOD1(-/-) mice was not directly related to plasma nitrite and nitrate concentrations. Similar genotype differences were seen in liver homogenates treated with a bolus of peroxynitrite. Adding only the holo-, and not the apo-, SOD1 enzyme into the liver homogenates enhanced the reaction in an activity-dependent fashion and nearly eliminated the genotype difference at the high doses. Mass spectrometry showed four more nitrotyrosine residues in bovine serum albumin and 10 more nitrated protein candidates in the SOD1(-/-) liver homogenates by peroxynitrite with added SOD1. In conclusion, the diminished hepatic protein nitration mediated by APAP or LPS in the SOD1(-/-) mice is due to the lack of SOD1 activity per se.     

A new mouse model for temporal‐ and tissue‐specific control of extracellular superoxide dismutase

The extracellular isoform of superoxide dismutase (EC‐SOD, Sod3) plays a protective role against various diseases and injuries mediated by oxidative stress. To investigate the pathophysiological roles of EC‐SOD, we generated tetracycline‐inducible Sod3 transgenic mice and directed the tissue‐specific expression of transgenes by crossing Sod3 transgenic mice with tissue‐specific transactivator transgenics. Double transgenic mice with liver‐specific expression of Sod3 showed increased EC‐SOD levels predominantly in the plasma as the circulating form, whereas double transgenic mice with neuronal‐specific expression expressed higher levels of EC‐SOD in hippocampus and cortex with intact EC‐SOD as the dominant form. EC‐SOD protein levels also correlated well with increased SOD activities in double transgenic mice. In addition to enabling tissue‐specific expression, the transgene expression can be quickly turned on and off by doxycycline supplementation in the mouse chow. This mouse model, thus, provides the flexibility for on–off control of transgene expression in multiple target tissues. genesis 47:142–154, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated SOD1 mutant proteins bind and aggregate with Bcl-2 in spinal cord mitochondria

Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-linked mutations in the copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene cause motor neuron death in about 3% of ALS cases. While the wild-type (wt) protein is anti-apoptotic, mutant SOD1 promotes apoptosis. We now demonstrate that both wt and mutant SOD1 bind the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, providing evidence of a direct link between SOD1 and an apoptotic pathway. This interaction is evident in vitro and in vivo in mouse and human spinal cord. We also demonstrate that in mice and humans, Bcl-2 binds to high molecular weight SDS-resistant mutant SOD1 containing aggregates that are present in mitochondria from spinal cord but not liver. These findings provide new insights into the anti-apoptotic function of SOD1 and suggest that entrapment of Bcl-2 by large SOD1 aggregates may deplete motor neurons of this anti-apoptotic protein.     

Aluminum toxicity related to SOD and expression of presenilin and CREB in Bombyx mori

Aluminum (Al) is an important environmental metal factor that can be potentially associated with pathological changes leading to neurotoxicity. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an important economic insect and has also been used as a model organism in various research areas. However, the toxicity of Al on silkworm physiology has not been reported. Here, we comprehensively investigate the toxic effects of Al on the silkworm, focusing on its effects on viability and development, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the expression of presenilin and cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) in BmE cells and silkworm larvae. BmE cell viability decreased after treatment with aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) in both dose‐ and time‐dependent manners. When AlCl₃ solution was injected into newly hatched fifth instar larvae, both larval weight gain and survival rate were significantly decreased in a manner correlating with AlCl₃ dose and developmental stage. Furthermore, when BmE cells and silkworm larvae were exposed to AlCl₃, SOD activity decreased significantly relative to the control group, whereas presenilin expression increased more than twofold. Additionally, CREB and phosphorylated CREB (p‐CREB) expression in the heads of fifth instar larvae decreased by 28.0% and 50.0%, respectively. These results indicate that Al inhibits the growth and development of silkworms in vitro and in vivo, altering SOD activity and the expressions of presenilin, CREB, and p‐CREB. Our data suggest that B. mori can serve as a model animal for studying Al‐induced neurotoxicity or neurodegeneration.     

灰树花孔菌超微粉体内抗肿瘤作用研究

通过研究肿瘤抑制率、脏器指数、肿瘤切片的观察以及血清中影响因子干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、谷胱甘肽-过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）等指标的变化对比分析灰树花孔菌 Grifola frondosa子实体粗粉及灰树花孔菌子实体超微粉对Hep-A-22荷瘤小鼠体内抗肿瘤和免疫调节作用。结果表明,各剂量组分均具有抑制肿瘤生长作用,其中灰树花孔菌超微粉高剂量组（1 500mg/kg）抑瘤效果最佳,与模型组比较有极显著性差异（ P<0.01）。通过HE染色后的肿瘤细胞可观察到坏死面积增大,同时该组血清中IFN-γ、IL-2、VEGF、GSH-PX和SOD含量显著增加（ P<0.01或 P<0.05）,并与抑制肿瘤具有一定相关性。     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation in plasma membrane

The rate of NADH oxidation with oxygen as the acceptor is very low in mouse liver plasma membrane and erythrocyte membrane. When vanadate is added, this rate is stimulated 10- to 20-fold. The absorption spectrum of vanadate does not change with the disappearance of NADH. The reaction is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, and there is no activity under an argon atmosphere. This indicates that oxygen is the electron acceptor and the reaction is mediated by superoxide. The vanadate stimulation is not limited to plasma membrane. Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum show similar increase in NADH oxidase activity when vanadate is added. The endomembranes have significant vanadate-stimulated activity with both NADH and NADPH. The vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidase in plasma membrane is inhibited by compounds, which inhibit NADH dehydrogenase activity: catechols, anthracycline drugs and manganese. This activity is stimulated by high phosphate and sulfate anion concentrations.