C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL1)-targeted TRAIL augments the tumoricidal activity of granulocytes and potentiates therapeutic antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity

The therapeutic effect of anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies stems from their capacity to opsonize targeted cancer cells with subsequent phagocytic removal, induction of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) or induction of complement-mediated cytotoxicity (CDC). The major immune effector cells involved in these processes are natural killer (NK) cells and granulocytes. The latter and most prevalent blood cell population contributes to phagocytosis, but is not effective in inducing ADCC. Here, we report that targeted delivery of the tumoricidal protein tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) to granulocyte marker C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL1), using fusion protein CLL1:TRAIL, equips granulocytes with high levels of TRAIL. Upon CLL1-selective binding of this fusion protein, granulocytes acquire additional TRAIL-mediated cytotoxic activity that, importantly, potentiates antibody-mediated cytotoxicity of clinically used therapeutic antibodies (e.g., rituximab, cetuximab). Thus, CLL1:TRAIL could be used as an adjuvant to optimize the clinical potential of anticancer antibody therapy by augmenting tumoricidal activity of granulocytes.     

非酒精性脂肪肝病大鼠肝脏SOCS-3的表达与吡格列酮干预研究

目的：探讨SOCS-3在非酒精性脂肪肝病（NAFLD）发病中的作用以及吡格列酮的干预作用。方法：29只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（8只）,高脂饮食组（21只）。饲养8周后,从高质饮食组随机抽取5只大鼠证实造模成功后,将该组余下的16只大鼠继续以高脂饲料喂养,并随机分为NAFLD对照组（8只）;吡格酮干预组（8只）,予以吡格列酮3mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃。16周末,处死所有大鼠,检测血糖、血胰岛素、血脂、肝脏SOCS-3mRNA和SREBP-lcmRNA表达及肝脏病理学。结果：与正常对照组相比,NAFLD组血糖、血胰岛素、血脂、肝脏脂肪变水平及肝组织SOCS-3mRNA、SREBPlCmRNA表达显著上调。吡格列酮干预组sOCS．3mRNA、SREBP-1cmRNA表达较NAFLD组下调,且血糖、血胰岛素、血脂、肝脏脂肪变水平下降。SOCS-3mRNA表达水平与胰岛素抵抗指数、SREBP．1cmRNA表达水平、肝脂肪变成显著正相关。结论：SOCS-3可能通过胰岛素抵抗及上调肝组织SREBP-lcmRNA表达参与NAFLD发病,吡格列酮能抑制肝脏SOCS-3的表达,对NAFLD有一定治疗作用。     

妊娠对于父源性皮肤移植存活时间的影响

母胎耐受机制的阐明,将为器官移植免疫耐受方案的研究提供重要启示.本研究旨在阐明妊娠状态对父系来源移植皮片的存活是否有保护作用.2月龄雌性C57BL/6小鼠和2～4月龄BALB/c雄性小鼠同笼受孕.采用流式细胞技术确定妊娠过程中调节性T细胞（Treg）比例的时间变化规律.以单向混合淋巴细胞反应（MLR）手段比较研究妊娠对于父系来源脾细胞刺激后产生的增殖反应的影响.通过同种异体小鼠全厚皮片移植模型,观察妊娠对于父系来源移植皮片的存活是否具有保护作用.并用分子生物学技术研究此种效能的可能机制.结果显示,C57BL/6小鼠妊娠过程中,Treg占CD4＋T细胞的比例从妊娠前的4.2%逐渐上升,受孕8天左右达到高峰值（6.8%）,此后开始下降并逐渐回复至基线水平.MLR结果表明,针对父系来源脾细胞的刺激,妊娠组较对照组呈现显著的低反应性,其平均刺激指数分别是7.8和13.6（P〈0.05）.定量PCR研究表明,血红素加氧酶-1和吲哚胺2,3双加氧酶mRNA在胎盘高表达,在脾脏低表达（P〈0.05）.父系来源的移植皮片的平均存活时间在妊娠组和非妊娠组分别是7.67和7.08天,无统计学差异（P〉0.05）.由此认为,在小鼠妊娠过程中,尽管出现了具有免疫抑制功能的Treg的比例增加,尽管有针对父系来源刺激细胞的较低的MLR反应性,但是单次妊娠对于父系来源的移植皮片的存活,在本研究条件下,未能显示具有统计学意义的保护作用.     

大熊猫9个BAC的测序、注释和进化分析

本文构建了相当于大熊猫10倍基因组覆盖度的BAC文库, 并随机挑选了其中9个BAC进行测序和组装, 9个BAC的选择满足更多基因更少重复序列的原则. 这9个BAC的组装将为评估基于新一代Illumina GA测序技术的大熊猫全基因组测序及组装的准确性提供有效资源. 运用同源比对和从头预测的方法, 对9个BAC, 共约878 kb的序列进行了基因和重复序列的注释以及进化分析. 一共预测到12个蛋白编码基因, 其中, 7个基因匹配到同源基因的功能注释. 这7个基因平均大小约41 kb, 编码区平均大小约1.2 kb, 每个基因平均约含6个外显子. 同时预测到7个tRNA基因. 大约27%的序列被注释为重复序列. 同时, 基于邻接法, 构建了包含人、小鼠、狗、猫以及大熊猫5个物种的物种进化树, 结果显示狗的基因与其他4个物种相比距大熊猫最近. 本实验结果提供了大熊猫9个BAC的详细序列及注释信息, 为对大熊猫的研究提供了数据资源.     

Two redox-active beta-carotene molecules in photosystem II

Photosystem II (PS II) contains secondary electron-transfer paths involving cytochrome b(559) (Cyt b(559)), chlorophyll (Chl), and beta-carotene (Car) that are active under conditions when oxygen evolution is blocked such as in inhibited samples or at low temperature. Intermediates of the secondary electron-transfer pathways of PS II core complexes from Synechocystis PCC 6803 and Synechococcus sp. and spinach PS II membranes have been investigated using low temperature near-IR spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We present evidence that two spectroscopically distinct redox-active carotenoids are formed upon low-temperature illumination. The Car(+) near-IR absorption peak varies in wavelength and width as a function of illumination temperature. Also, the rate of decay during dark incubation of the Car(+) peak varies as a function of wavelength. Factor analysis indicates that there are two spectral forms of Car(+) (Car(A)(+) has an absorbance maximum of 982 nm, and Car(B)(+) has an absorbance maximum of 1027 nm) that decay at different rates. In Synechocystis PS II, we observe a shift of the Car(+) peak to shorter wavelength when oxidized tyrosine D (Y(D)*) is present in the sample that is explained by an electrostatic interaction between Y(D)* and a nearby beta-carotene that disfavors oxidation of Car(B). The sequence of electron-transfer reactions in the secondary electron-transfer pathways of PS II is discussed in terms of a hole-hopping mechanism to attain the equilibrated state of the charge separation at low temperatures.     

Studies on proinsulin and proglucagon biosynthesis and conversion at the subcellular level: I. Fractionation procedure and characterization of the subcellular fractions

Anglerfish islets were homogenized in 0.25 M sucrose and separated into seven separate subcellular fractions by differential and discontinuous density gradient centrifugation. The objective was to isolate microsomes and secretory granules in a highly purified state. The fractions were characterized by electron microscopy and chemical analyses. Each fraction was assayed for its content of protein, RNA, DNA, immunoreactive insulin (IRI), and immunoreactive glucagon (IRG). Ultrastructural examination showed that two of the seven subcellular fractions contain primarily mitochondria, and that two others consist almost exclusively of secretory granules. A fifth fraction contains rough and smooth microsomal vesicles. The remaining two fractions are the cell supernate and the nuclei and cell debris. The content of DNA and RNA in all fractions is consistent with the observed ultrastructure. More than 82 percent of the total cellular IRI and 89(percent) of the total cellular IRG are found in the fractions of secretory granules. The combined fractions of secretory granules and microsomes consistently yield >93 percent of the total IRG. These results indicate that the fractionation procedure employed yields fractions of microsomes and secretory granules that contain nearly all the immunoassayable insulin and glucagons found in whole islet tissue. These fractions are thus considered suitable for study of proinsulin and proglucagon biosynthesis and their metabolic conversion at the subcellular level.     

Studies on proinsulin and proglucagon biosynthesis and conversion at the subcellular level: II. Distribution of radioactive peptide hormones and hormone precursors in subcellular fractions after pulse and pulse- chase incubation of islet tissue

Anglerfish proinsulin and insulin were selectively labeled with [(14)C]isoleucine, while proglucagon, conversion intermediate(s), and glucagon were selectively labeled with[(3)H]tryptophan. After various periods of continuous or pulse-chase incubation, islet tissue was subjected to subcellular fractionation. Fraction extracts were analyzed by gel filtration for their content of precursor, conversion intermediate(s), and product peptides. Of the seven subcellular fractions prepared after each incubation, only the microsome and secretory granule fractions yielded significant amounts of labeled insulin-related and glucagon-related peptides. After short-pulse incubations, levels of both [(14)C]proinsulin and [(3)H]proglucagon (mol wt approximately 12,000) were highest in the microsome fraction. This fraction is therefore identified as the site of synthesis. With increasing duration of continuous incubation or during chase incubation in the absence of isotopes, proinsulin, proglucagon, and conversion intermediate(s) are transported to secretory granules. Conversion of proinsulin to insulin and proglucagon to a approximately 4,900 mol wt conversion intermediate and 3,500 mol wt glucagon occurs in the secretory granules. Converting activity also was observed in the microsome fraction. The recovery of most of the incorporated radioactivity in microsome and secretory granule fractions indicates that the newly synthesized islet peptides are relegated to a membrane-bound state soon after synthesis at the RER is completed. This finding supports the concept of intracisternal sequestration and intragranular maintenance of peptides synthesized for export from the cell of origin.