莪术醇诱导人肝癌HepG2细胞衰老及其机制研究

为进一步探讨莪术醇的诱导细胞衰老的机制,该研究采用荧光定量PCR技术对莪术醇处理后细胞中81个细胞衰老相关基因差异表达谱进行分析,结果发现TP53及其下游基因p16Ink4a、p21Waf1/Cip1和p27Kip1等的表达水平显著升高,伴随ABL1、ALDH1A3、CHEK2、HRAS、PTEN等多个衰老信号通路启动与效应关联基因的转录显著增强,而CyclinA2、IGFBP3、SIRT1以及TERT等细胞周期进程与衰老信号通路的负性调控基因的表达水平则显著降低。Western印迹检测结果显示,p53及其下游周期素依赖性蛋白激酶抑制物(CKI)分子p21WAF1和p16INK4水平升高,CyclinA2水平降低,与PCR结果一致,并伴野生型p53-诱导的蛋白磷酸酶1(Wip1)水平显著增高,提示莪术醇可能通过激活p53信号通路诱导HepG2细胞衰老。该研究进一步发现莪术醇能够诱导HepG2细胞发生衰老表型改变,伴G0/G1期周期阻滞。     

重组IL-18BP拮抗重组鸡IL-18刺激外周血单核细胞产生IFN-γ的作用

【目的】白细胞介素-18通过激活Th1细胞和NK细胞产生IFN-γ而发挥关键的免疫调节作用。人和小鼠分泌的白细胞介素-18结合蛋白(IL-18BP)可以拮抗其活性。推测在鸡痘病毒基因组中也含有IL-18BP基因的同源物,对其表达的蛋白质进行了活性鉴定,为拮抗IL-18主导的疾病提供理论依据。【方法】根据鸡痘疫苗病毒的基因组序列设计特异性引物,使用PCR方法从中分离cIL-18BP基因,将该基因克隆到酵母表达载体pPICZαA中,甲醇诱导后在酵母GS115中进行表达。对表达的重组蛋白进行了活性鉴定。【结果】从鸡痘病毒中克隆到cIL-18BP基因,SDS-PAGE鉴定了该基因在酵母系统中的高效表达。ELISA检测表明纯化后的cIL-18BP与重组鸡(c)IL-18发生特异性结合;通过测定IFN-γ的浓度,表明该蛋白具有拮抗IL-18刺激外周血单核细胞(PBMCs)和MSB1细胞分泌IFN-γ的活性。【结论】实验表明,cIL-18BP通过抑制cIL-18刺激相关免疫细胞分泌IFN-γ而发挥对IL-18的拮抗作用,敲除该基因可能有助于研制更安全和高效的鸡痘疫苗。     

外源性p53诱导肝癌细胞Wnt通路抑制因子Dickkopf-1的表达

研究p53对Wnt通路抑制抑制因子Dickkopf-1(DKK-1)表达的调节作用,将携带p53基因的复制缺陷型腺病毒载体(Adp53)导入到p53缺失的人肝癌细胞株Hep3B中,以RT-PCR技术检测p53对DKK-1表达的调节作用．检测结果表明DKK-1 mRNA水平在转染p53 20h后即有明显升高,其中以32h达最高水平,随后逐渐降低,量效关系研究表明在转染剂量为0、5、5、50pfu／cell的Adp53时DKK-1mRNA表达均有显著增高,尤以50pfu／cell时表达水平最高。提示p53能明显诱导Wnt通路抑制因子DKK-1的mRNA表达。     

口蹄疫病毒结构蛋白VP0抑制Ⅰ型干扰素信号通路的激活

【目的】研究口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)结构蛋白VP0对Ⅰ型干扰素信号通路的影响。【方法】通过反转录PCR构建VP0真核表达载体,利用Western blotting验证VP0蛋白转染HEK-293T细胞后的表达情况;Real-time PCR检测VP0蛋白对FMDV在BHK细胞上复制的影响,检测VP0蛋白对SeV诱导的干扰素信号通路分子RIG-I、IRF3、IFN-β及下游刺激基因ISG15、ISG20表达的影响;双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统检测VP0蛋白对SeV诱导的IFN-β和NF-κB启动子激活以及对RIG-I样受体(RIG-I-like receptors,RLRs)信号通路分子激活IFN启动子的影响;免疫共沉淀检测VP0蛋白与RLRs信号通路中关键分子的相互作用。【结果】成功构建了p CAGGs-VP0真核表达载体,可以在HEK-293T细胞中表达;FMDV感染后的4–6 h,VP0蛋白显著促进FMDV在BHK细胞上的复制(P0.01或P0.05);VP0蛋白明显抑制干扰素下游刺激基因的表达(P0.01或P0.05)。在双荧光素酶报告基因检测实验中,VP0蛋白抑制SeV诱导IFN-β和NF-κB的活化具有剂量依赖性(P0.01),并对RIG-I、MDA5、VISA、TBK1和IRF3介导的IFN-β产生具有抑制作用,但是对IRF7没有明显的影响。免疫共沉淀显示VP0蛋白可与IRF3发生相互作用。【结论】证实VP0蛋白可以通过与IRF3相互作用来抑制Ⅰ型干扰素信号通路的激活。     

X射线对A549细胞DNA的损伤可能与JAK/STAT信号通路的激活有关

本研究旨在观察不同剂量X射线对A549细胞DNA的损伤和JAK/STAT信号通路激活水平之间的关系。分别用2、4、8Gy X射线对A549细胞进行照射后,用CCK8法检测A549细胞增殖情况,用酶联免疫法检测照射后不同时间点培养液上清中白介素6 (interleukin 6, IL-6)的含量,用免疫荧光染色法检测细胞IL-6受体(IL-6 receptor, IL-6R)和p53结合蛋白1 (p53 binding protein 1, 53BP1)的蛋白表达情况,用Western blot检测细胞JAK2、p-JAK2、STAT3和p-STAT3的蛋白表达水平。结果显示,和对照组相比,X射线照射可降低细胞增殖水平,上调53BP1表达,提高细胞培养液上清中IL-6含量,并上调IL-6R、JAK2、p-JAK2、STAT3和p-STAT3表达水平。X射线照射的上述作用存在一定的剂量依赖性。以上结果提示,X射线造成细胞DNA损伤的机制可能与JAK/STAT信号通路的激活有关。     

ASPP2增强结肠癌HCT116细胞对奥沙利铂的化疗敏感性

为研究ASPP2对奥沙利铂诱导的结肠癌细胞系HCT116 p53+/+(野生型)凋亡及周期的影响.利用ASPP2（rAd-ASPP2）及p53腺病毒（rAd-p53）感染HCT116 p53+/+细胞,经奥沙利铂50 μmol/L诱导细胞凋亡及周期改变.Western印迹检测ASPP2及p53的表达水平;MTT法检测ASPP2腺病毒对奥沙利铂诱导的HCT116细胞活性的影响;Calcein/PI吸收试验检测细胞凋亡情况;流式细胞术分析细胞周期分布. 结果显示,ASPP2、p53共同过表达,或者ASPP2单独过表达均能增强奥沙利铂诱导的HCT116 p53+/+细胞增殖抑制,以及S期抑制并伴有细胞凋亡水平的升高;而无奥沙利铂诱导时,ASPP2对HCT116 p53+/+细胞的活性、细胞周期及细胞凋亡水平的影响无统计学意义. 上述结果表明,ASPP2能够增强奥沙利铂诱导HCT116 p53+/+细胞的增殖抑制、细胞周期抑制和细胞凋亡.     

A型流感病毒通过激活HIF-1α/iNOS/VEGF信号通路诱导肺上皮细胞铁死亡的机制

【背景】已发现A型流感病毒（influenza A virus,IAV）可激活多种程序性细胞死亡途径,这些途径在宿主细胞防御系统中起着重要作用。铁死亡是一种新型的非凋亡细胞死亡,主要由铁依赖性脂质过氧化介导。【目的】探讨HIF-1α/iNOS/VEGF信号通路在IAV感染诱导的细胞铁死亡中的作用机制。【方法】使用IAV感染小鼠肺上皮细胞（MLE-12）构建细胞损伤模型后检测细胞病毒滴度和炎性因子分泌;使用荧光探针法和比色法检测细胞活性氧（reactive oxygen species,ROS）、超氧化物歧化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）、总铁离子和亚铁离子;透射电镜观察细胞超微结构;检测细胞铁死亡标志物mRNA和蛋白表达;生物信息学预测流感病毒诱导铁死亡潜在作用机制;激光共聚焦观察IAV对细胞缺氧诱导因子-1α（hypoxia inducible factor-1α,HIF-1α）表达影响,并检测其信号通路相关元件mRNA和蛋白表达;构建HIF-1α敲低模型,探讨HIF-1α/iNOS/VEGF信号通路在IAV诱导细胞铁死亡中的作用。【结果】铁死亡抑制剂能降低IAV感染细胞的病毒载量和炎性因子的分泌,并能抑制细胞ROS、总铁离子和亚铁离子含量,促进细胞SOD活性,修复细胞线粒体损伤,逆转铁死亡标志物mRNA和蛋白表达;生物信息学预测发现HIF-1α/iNOS/VEGF信号通路在IAV诱导的铁死亡中具有重要的相关性;试验验证IAV感染能促进细胞HIF-1α的激活和易位入核,并激活HIF-1α、血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS）的mRNA和蛋白表达。【结论】IAV感染可以诱导细胞发生铁死亡,其作用机制可能是通过激活HIF-1α/iNOS/VEGF信号通路发挥作用。     

高效构建卵清白蛋白scFv噬菌体文库及其筛选

目的:建立一种高效噬菌体文库构建方法,获得抗鸡卵清蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)的单链抗体(scFv)噬菌体展示文库,筛选鉴定获得OVA单链抗体。方法:用OVA蛋白免疫Balb/C小鼠,选取血清抗体效价高的小鼠提取脾脏RNA,利用RT-PCR方法扩增获得小鼠重链和小鼠轻链基因。通过无缝连接酶一步将小鼠重链基因、轻链基因和linker DNA连接起来,插入噬菌体表达载体中,构建OVA scFv噬菌体展示文库。测定文库容量,对文库进行富集筛选,ELISA鉴定阳性克隆,测序后构建真核表达载体,转入Expi-CHO悬浮细胞进行真核表达,利用Western blot进行鉴定。结果:成功获得库容量为1. 2×10~7cfu的OVA scFv噬菌体展示文库,并从中筛选出8个阳性克隆,选取效价最高的2号克隆,在Expi-CHO悬浮细胞中表达获得可溶性抗体。结论:建立了一种高效构建scFv噬菌体文库的方法,筛选获得高结合活性的OVA单链抗体,并成功进行了真核表达,为OVA ELISA检测试剂盒的研制奠定了基础。     

microRNAs与TP53基因调控网络研究进展

TP53基因(编码p53蛋白)作为一个重要的抑瘤基因,通过调控一系列信号转导通路广泛参与了多种恶性肿瘤的发生发展,一直是肿瘤分子生物学研究领域的热点.最近的研究发现,microRNAs(miRNAs)参与了TP53的信号通路,它们之间存在着复杂的调控网络.一方面,p53通过调控一些miRNAs的转录及转录后成熟,促进细胞周期阻滞、诱导细胞凋亡和衰老,抑制肿瘤发生.另一方面,许多miRNAs,如miR-25、miR-30d、miR-125b和miR-504等可直接调控p53的表达与活性,参与TP53信号通路的调节,还有一些miRNAs则通过调节p53上下游基因,发挥重要的生物学功能.其中,最具有代表性的是miR-34家族,它们受p53直接调控并参与TP53信号通路,通过靶向抑制多个TP53信号通路关键分子的表达,发挥抑瘤作用.此外,它们还可以通过抑制沉默信息调节子,增强p53的活性,反馈调节TP53信号通路.miRNAs与TP53之间调控网络的研究,是对TP53抑瘤机制的重要补充.     

重组鹅β-防御素12蛋白的原核表达及生物学特性

【目的】研究重组鹅β-防御素12蛋白的原核表达并探究其生物学特性。【方法】采用His标签蛋白原核表达系统,将鹅防御素12(Av BD12)基因亚克隆到表达载体p Pro EX-HTa上,构建重组表达质粒。将重组表达质粒转化到大肠杆菌Rosseta感受态中,用IPTG进行诱导表达,并对该重组蛋白进行纯化。进一步采用菌落计数法测定其体外抗菌活性和盐离子稳定性。【结果】经Tricine-SDS-PAGE电泳分析,诱导表达的鹅Av BD12重组蛋白分子量约为12 k D,大部分以包涵体形式存在。该重组蛋白对大肠杆菌、鸡白痢沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、四联球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌均具有抗菌活性,高浓度盐离子显著抑制重组蛋白的抗菌活性。此外,该重组蛋白对鸡红细胞没有溶血活性。【结论】该重组蛋白具有广谱抗菌活性,高浓度盐离子显著降低其抗菌活性,且该重组蛋白不具有溶解鸡红细胞的活性。     

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.