红树DNA的十六烷基三甲基溴化铵法提取及其随机扩增多态DNA反应

采用ＣＴＡＢ法提取了耐盐植物红树ＤＮＡ,所得ＤＮＡ样品的紫外吸收Ａ２５８／Ａ２８０比值为１．８９,纯度能符合限制性内切酶酶切、ＰＣＲ反应以及ＤＮＡ重组克隆等分子生物学操作的要求．方法简便,容易掌握,较普通的酚－氯仿法有明显的优点．还探讨了以ＣＴＡＢ法制备的红树ＤＮＡ为模板进行ＲＡＰＤ反应参数的优化组合     

柯萨奇B3病毒结构和非结构蛋白基因重组质粒的构建及其在体外真核细胞中的

制备ＣＶＢ３结构蛋白和非结构蛋白重组质粒ＤＮＡ疫苗时,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ从ＣＶＢ感染的ＨｅＬａ细胞中扩增ＶＰ１、ＶＰ２、２Ａ和３Ｄ基因,重组入真核表达质粒ｐｃＤＮＡ３中,构建ｐｃＤＮＡ３／ＶＰ２、ｐｃＤＮＡ３／ＶＰ１、ｐｃＤＮＡ３／２Ａ和ｐｃＤＮＡ３／３Ｄ重组质粒,经酶切和测下实扩增的序列并将各重组质粒体外转染真核细胞ＣＯＳ－７,用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测ｍＲＮＡ的转录,用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ－ｂｌｏｔ检测表达产物。结果４种重组质粒酶切出相应大小的目的片段,经测序证实为ＣＶＢ３相应序列,Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ－ｂｌｏｔ证实能够在体外真核细胞中表达。本文成功构建ＣＶＢ３结构与非结构蛋白的重组质粒ＤＮＡ疫苗,为进一步研究其免疫效果奠定了基础。     

霍乱弧菌染色体基因文库的构建

利用限制性内切酶Ｓａｎ３Ａ将霍乱弧菌１７８（埃尔托生物型,小川血清型）染色体ＤＮＡ进行部分酶切后,分离２０～５０ｋｂ的ＤＮＡ片断,与经过ＢａｍＨＩ酶切的柯斯质粒ｐＨＣ７９连接重组,通过体外包装系统形成噬菌体颗粒,感染受体菌Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉＨＢ１０１,构建成霍乱弧菌１７８染色体基因文库。为霍乱弧菌中未知基因的克隆及其它研究打下了基础。     

重组卡介苗活疫苗的研究进展

重组卡介苗（ｒＢＣＧ）是利用ＢＣＧ活疫苗的优点和特性,借助分子生物学重组技术,将多种外源基因导入ＢＣＧＤＮＡ中,构成重组卡介菌多价活疫苗,期望实现以最少的免疫接种次数,获得抗多种疾病的持久免疫的目的。此研究进展较快,且初步研究结果已显示出ｒＢＣＧ广阔的应用前景,为新型疫苗的开发提供新途径。     

中国野生葡萄葛lei叶绿体DNA质粒文库的构建

限制性内切酶ＢａｍＨＩ水解中国野生葡萄葛ｌｅｉ的叶绿体ＤＮＡ（ｃｐＤＮＡ）,电泳分离为３４条带,最大为１１．７ｋｂ,最小为０．２３ｋｂ,分别为ｐＵＣ和ｐＢＲ３２２质粒克隆所得片段,转化大肠杆菌,并从转化菌中提取质粒ＤＮＡ,经酶切电泳分析证明含有葛ｌｅｉ ｃｐＤＮＡ经ＢａｍＨＩ水解的不同片段,从而构建了葛ｌｅｉ ｃｐＤＮＡ的ＢａｍＨＩ质粒文库。     

鸡肌球蛋白轻链激酶表达载体的构建

鸡肌球蛋白轻链激酶（ＭＬＣＫ）在调节平滑肌细胞收缩中具有重要作用．用ＰＣＲ产生构建所需的限制性内切酶ＳａｌⅠ位点,将鸡ＭＬＣＫｃＤＮＡ插入质粒ｐＢＫｒｓｖ中,构建成ｐＢＫｒｓｖ－ＭＬＣＫ,并通过酶切图谱、ＳａｌⅠ位点序列分析得到证实．重组质粒在大肠杆菌中获得表达．     

中国野生葡萄葛蘲叶绿体DNA质粒文库的构建

限制性内切酶ＢａｍＨＩ水解中国野生葡萄葛（ＶｉｔｉｓｆｌｅｘｕｏｓａＴｈｕｎｂ）的叶绿体ＤＮＡ（ｃｐＤＮＡ）,电泳分离为３４条带,最大为１１．７ｋｂ,最小为０．２３ｋｂ,分别用ｐＵＣ和ｐＢＲ３２２质粒克隆所得片段,转化大肠杆菌,并从转化菌中提取质粒ＤＮＡ,经酶切电泳分析证明含有葛ｃｐＤＮＡ经ＢａｍＨＩ水解的不同片段,从而构建了葛ｃｐＤＮＡ的ＢａｍＨＩ质粒文库。     

Bax基因cDNA的分子克隆研究

细胞编程死亡（ｐｒｏｇｒａｍｅｄｃｅｌｌｄｅａｔｈ）是细胞生理性死亡的一种主要形式。Ｂａｘ具有抑制细胞编程死亡的作用。本研究采用ＰＣＲ方法,从人肿瘤细胞ＨＬ—６０ｃＤＮＡ文库中扩增出若干个ｂａｘｃＤＮＡ片段,然后将它们分别与ＰＧＥＭ—Ｔ测序质粒载体连接,并转化到大肠杆菌ＪＭ１０９中去。用蓝／白法筛选重组菌落,经酶切分析及ＰＣＲ鉴定,获得了插入片段大小约为０．４ｋｂ及１．１ｋｂ的ＢａｘｃＤＮＡ重组质粒ＰＢａｘｌ和ｐＢａｘ２。这些片段的测序及表达工作正在进行之中。     

一种纯化高等植物叶绿体DNA的有效方法

１９８４年,Ｂｏｏｋｊａｎｓ ｅｔ ａｌ．建立了高盐介质纯叶绿体ＤＮＡ的方法。在我们进行的高粱叶绿体光系统基因研究中发现,用Ｂｏｏｋｊａｎｓ的方法提取的ｃｔＤＮＡ酶切效果欠佳,产率太低。应用我们反进的高盐低ＰＨ方法,纯化了高粱、小麦、水稻和速效豌豆等植物的ｃｔＤＮＡ。结果表明,这种改进的方法具有有得率高,酶切效果好和操作简便等优点。     

牛病毒性腹泻病毒基因组cDNA文库的构建

以牛病毒性腹泻病毒（ＢＶＤＶ）┥ｎＬ株的基因组ＲＮＡ为模板,经逆向转录酶作用,合成第一链ｃＤＮＡ,再以ＲＮａｄｓｅ／Ｈ与ＤＮＡ聚合酶Ｉ联合作用合成ｄｓｃＤＮＡ,并以ｄＣ同聚物尾化。ｐＵＣ８ＤＮＡ在Ｐｓｔ Ｉ酶解后,以ｄＧ同聚物尾化,两者退火构成重组质粒,转化到Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ ＪＭ１０１受体菌中,另以γ－＾３２Ｐ－ＡＴＰ标记ＢＶＤＶ ＲＮＡ制备探针,通过菌落原位杂交筛选重组子。酶切分配表明重组质粒插入     

Melanoma vaccine candidates from chimeric hepatitis B core virus-like particles carrying a tumor-associated MAGE-3 epitope

Vaccination of melanoma patients with tumor-specific antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) may produce significant tumor regressions. Here, we suggest a novel type of tumor vaccines, with well-studied CTL epitopes presented on highly immunogenic virus-like particle (VLP) carriers. Cancer-germline gene MAGE-3 encodes for an antigenic nonapeptide (MAGE-3(168-176) peptide) that is recognized by CTLs on human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A1 and HLA-B35 molecules. A set of recombinant genes encoding hepatitis B virus core protein carrying MAGE-3 epitope was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Variants that led to formation of chimeric VLPs in vivo were purified and analyzed for their DNA binding properties in vitro. VLPs exhibiting the most pronounced nucleic acid binding affinity were selected and loaded either with single-stranded DNA oligodeoxynucleotides rich in nonmethylated CG motifs, or with longer double-stranded DNA fragments. Packaged DNA was protected, at least partially, against the action of bacterial DNase. Such highly purified chimeric VLPs with entrapped immunomodulatory sequences could possibly be used as antitumor vaccines.     

A chimeric multi-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 B cell epitope peptide vaccine mediates superior antitumor responses

Immunotherapeutic approaches to cancer should focus on novel undertakings that modulate immune responses by synergistic enhancement of antitumor immunological parameters. Cancer vaccines should preferably be composed of multiple defined tumor Ag-specific B and T cell epitopes. To develop a multiepitope vaccine, 12 high ranking B cell epitopes were identified from the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) oncoprotein by computer-aided analysis. Four novel HER-2 B cell epitopes were synthesized as chimeras with a promiscuous T cell epitope (aa 288-302) from the measles virus fusion protein (MVF). Two chimeric peptide vaccines, MVF HER-2(316-339) and MVF HER-2(485-503) induced high levels of Abs in outbred rabbits, which inhibited tumor cell growth. In addition, Abs induced by a combination of two vaccines, MVF HER-2(316-339) and MVF HER-2(628-647) down-modulated receptor expression and activated IFN-gamma release better than the individual vaccines. Furthermore, this multiepitope vaccine in combination with IL-12 caused a significant reduction (p = 0.004) in the number of pulmonary metastases induced by challenge with syngeneic tumor cells overexpressing HER-2. Peptide Abs targeting specific sites in the extracellular domain may be used for exploring the oncoprotein's functions. The multiepitope vaccine may have potential application in the treatment of HER-2-associated cancers.     

Protection against lethal cytomegalovirus infection by a recombinant vaccine containing a single nonameric T-cell epitope.

The regulatory immediate-early (IE) protein pp89 of murine cytomegalovirus induces CD8+ T lymphocytes that protect against lethal murine cytomegalovirus infection. The IE1 epitope is the only epitope of pp89 that is recognized by BALB/c cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). Using synthetic peptides, the optimal and minimal antigenic sequences of the IE1 epitope have been defined. To evaluate the predictive value of data obtained with synthetic peptides, recombinant vaccines encoding this single T-cell epitope were constructed using as a vector the hepatitis B virus core antigen encoded in recombinant vaccinia virus. In infected cells expressing the chimeric proteins, only IE1 epitope sequences that were recognized as synthetic peptides at concentrations lower than 10(-6) M were presented to CTL. Vaccination of mice with the recombinant vaccinia virus that encoded a chimeric protein carrying the optimal 9-amino-acid IE1 epitope sequence elicited CD8+ T lymphocytes with antiviral activity and, furthermore, protected against lethal disease. The results thus show for the first time that recombinant vaccines containing a single foreign nonameric CTL epitope can induce T-lymphocyte-mediated protective immunity.     

Protective immunization against murine cytomegalovirus infection using adenoviruses and poxviruses expressing hepatitis B virus chimeras.

Recombinant adenoviruses, poxviruses, and plasmid DNA vaccines encoding different hepatitis B virus (HBV)/murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) protein chimeras were used to immunize mice. Processing of the chimeras resulted in presentation of a protective Ld/CD8+ T-cell epitope of the immediate early 1 protein pp89 (IE1 pp89) of MCMV to the immune system. Different levels of immunogenicity were observed depending on: (i) the type of viral vector used, (ii) whether the antigens were included in the cellular secretion pathway, and (iii) the location of the protective epitope within the chimeric protein. An adenovirus expressing a secretory HBV core protein with the MCMV epitope in its C-terminus induced the highest immune response. When the most immunogenic adenovirus and vaccinia virus were used in a heterologous prime-boost immunization protocol, even higher levels of epitope-specific T cells were obtained. Furthermore, responses were protective against a challenge with MCMV, inducing up to a 96% reduction of viral load in immunized animals, as determined by a sensitive real-time PCR assay. Together, these results confirmed previous observations of the efficient use of adenoviral and poxviral vectors in prime-boost protocols for immunization against diseases whose resolution depends on cellular immunity, as well as the aptness of correctly designed chimeric carrier proteins to facilitate this goal.     

Epitope-driven DNA vaccine design employing immunoinformatics against B-cell lymphoma: a biotech's challenge

DNA vaccination has been widely explored to develop new, alternative and efficient vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. DNA vaccines offer several benefits such as specific targeting, use of multiple genes to enhance immunity and reduced risk compared to conventional vaccines. Rapid developments in molecular biology and immunoinformatics enable rational design approaches. These technologies allow construction of DNA vaccines encoding selected tumor antigens together with molecules to direct and amplify the desired effector pathways, as well as highly targeted vaccines aimed at specific epitopes. Reliable predictions of immunogenic T cell epitope peptides are crucial for rational vaccine design and represent a key problem in immunoinformatics. Computational approaches have been developed to facilitate the process of epitope detection and show potential applications to the immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer. In this review a number of different epitope prediction methods are briefly illustrated and effective use of these resources to support experimental studies is described. Epitope-driven vaccine design employs these bioinformatics algorithms to identify potential targets of vaccines against cancer. In this paper the selection of T cell epitopes to develop epitope-based vaccines, the need for CD4(+) T cell help for improved vaccines and the assessment of vaccine performance against tumor are reviewed. We focused on two applications, namely prediction of novel T cell epitopes and epitope enhancement by sequence modification, and combined rationale design with bioinformatics for creation of new synthetic mini-genes. This review describes the development of epitope-based DNA vaccines and their antitumor effects in preclinical research against B-cell lymphoma, corroborating the usefulness of this platform as a potential tool for cancer therapy. Achievements in the field of DNA vaccines allow to overcome hurdles to clinical translation. In a scenario where the vaccine industry is rapidly changing from a mostly empirical approach to a rational design approach, these new technologies promise to discover and develop high-value vaccines, creating a new opportunity for future markets.     

Induction of Protective Anti-CTL Epitope Responses against HER-2-Positive Breast Cancer Based on Multivalent T7 Phage Nanoparticles

We report here the development of multivalent T7 bacteriophage nanoparticles displaying an immunodominant H-2k^d-restricted CTL epitope derived from the rat HER2/neu oncoprotein. The immunotherapeutic potential of the chimeric T7 nanoparticles as anti-cancer vaccine was investigated in BALB/c mice in an implantable breast tumor model. The results showed that T7 phage nanoparticles confer a high immunogenicity to the HER-2-derived minimal CTL epitope, as shown by inducing robust CTL responses. Furthermore, the chimeric nanoparticles protected mice against HER-2-positive tumor challenge in both prophylactic and therapeutic setting. In conclusion, these results suggest that CTL epitope-carrying T7 phage nanoparticles might be a promising approach for development of T cell epitope-based cancer vaccines.     

Analysis of foreign epitope inserts in HBcAg. Approaches to solving the problem of core particle self-assembly

The hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) is a promising protein carrier for exposing the epitopes of various human and animal pathogens. HBcAg-based chimeric proteins can be used in creating highly efficient vaccines; however, not all chimeric HBcAg with foreign epitope inserts are capable of assembly into virus-like particles. Using computer programs ProAnalyst, SALIX, and QSARPro, we examined the relationship between the self-assembly capability of chimeric HBcAg and the physicochemical properties of the inserts. The self-assembly was found to be impaired when the inserted peptides contained highly hydrophobic and bulky residues tending to form β-structures; this especially concerned the C-proximal residues in the insert. Recommendations were elaborated for constructing foreign epitopes that would ensure correct self-assembly of chimeric HBcAg particles.     

A Recombinant Rotavirus Antigen Based on the Coat Protein of Alternanthera Mosaic Virus

Thanks to their strong immunostimulating properties and safety for humans, plant viruses represent an appropriate basis for the design of novel vaccines. The coat protein of Alternanthera mosaic virus can form virus-like particles that are stable under physiological conditions and have adjuvant properties. This work presents a recombinant human rotavirus A antigen based on the epitope of rotavirus structural protein VP6, using Alternanthera mosaic virus coat protein as a carrier. An expression vector containing the gene of Alternanthera mosaic virus (MU strain) coat protein fused to the epitope of rotavirus protein VP6 was designed. Immunoblot analysis showed that the chimeric protein was effectively recognized by commercial polyclonal antibodies to rotavirus and therefore is a suitable candidate for development of a vaccine prototype. Interaction of the chimeric recombinant protein with the native coat protein of Alternanthera mosaic virus and its RNA resulted in the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes that were recognized by anti-rotavirus antibodies.     

Cowpea mosaic virus chimeric particles bearing the ectodomain of matrix protein 2 (M2E) of the influenza a virus: Production and characterization

The epitope presentation system for the ectodomain of the M2 protein (M2e) of the influenza A virus was constructed on the basis of the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) for expression in the plant Vigna unguiculata. CPMV is widely used as a vector to produce immunogenic chimeric virus particles (CVPs) bearing epitopes of various infectious human and animal pathogens. To produce chimeric CPMV particles in plants, two binary vectors were constructed to bear a modified gene coding for the CPMV S-coat protein with insertions of M2e epitopes of human influenza and bird influenza viruses. Antigenic and immunogenic properties of CVPs were investigated in mice immunization experiments. CVPs were shown to induce anti-M2e IgG production and to partly protect mice against a challenge with low doses of the influenza virus. However, low infectivity and immunogenicity of chimeric CPMV particles indicate that the plant virus-based systems for M2e epitope presentation requires further optimization in order to use plants as a possible source of flu vaccines.     

Chimeric animal and plant viruses expressing epitopes of outer membrane protein F as a combined vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection

Outer membrane protein F of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has vaccine efficacy against infection by P. aeruginosa as demonstrated in a variety of animal models. Through the use of synthetic peptides, three surface-exposed epitopes have been identified. These are called peptides 9 (aa 261-274 in the mature F protein, TDAYNQKLSERRAN), 10 (aa 305-318, NATAEGRAINRRVE), and 18 (aa 282-295, NEYGVEGGRVNAVG). Both the peptide 9 and 10 epitopes are protective when administered as a vaccine. In order to develop a vaccine that is suitable for use in humans, including infants with cystic fibrosis, the use of viral vector systems to present the protective epitopes has been investigated. An 11-amino acid portion of epitope 10 (AEGRAINRRVE) was successfully inserted into the antigenic B site of the hemagglutinin on the surface of influenza virus. This chimeric influenza virus protects against challenge with P. aeruginosa in the mouse model of chronic pulmonary infection. Attempts to derive a chimeric influenza virus carrying epitope 9 have been unsuccessful. A chimeric plant virus, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), with epitopes 18 and 10 expressed in tandem on the large coat protein subunit (CPMV-PAE5) was found to elicit antibodies that reacted exclusively with the 10 epitope and not with epitope 18. Use of this chimeric virus as a vaccine afforded protection against challenge with P. aeruginosa in the mouse model of chronic pulmonary infection. Chimeric CPMVs with a single peptide containing epitopes 9 and 18 expressed on either of the coat proteins are in the process of being evaluated. Epitope 9 was successfully expressed on the coat protein of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and this chimeric virus is protective when used as a vaccine in the mouse model of chronic pulmonary infection. However, initial attempts to express epitope 10 on the coat protein of TMV have been unsuccessful. Efforts are continuing to construct chimeric viruses that express both the 9 and 10 epitopes in the same virus vector system. Ideally, the use of a vaccine containing two epitopes of protein F is desirable in order to greatly reduce the likelihood of selecting a variant of P. aeruginosa that escapes protective antibodies in immunized humans via a mutation in a single epitope within protein F. When the chimeric influenza virus containing epitope 10 and the chimeric TMV containing epitope 9 were given together as a combined vaccine, the immunized mice produced antibodies directed toward both epitopes 9 and 10. The combined vaccine afforded protection against challenge with P. aeruginosa in the chronic pulmonary infection model at approximately the same level of efficacy as provided by the individual chimeric virus vaccines. These results prove in principle that a combined chimeric viral vaccine presenting both epitopes 9 and 10 of protein F has vaccine potential warranting continued development into a vaccine for use in humans.