FMDV非结构蛋白2C主要表位区与3AB基因的组合表达与活性分析

近年的研究表明, 口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)非结构蛋白(NSP)2C在区分灭活疫苗免疫动物与自然感染动物方面具有潜在的价值, 为了建立敏感性更高的鉴别诊断方法, 将截取了2C蛋白N-端和C-端的主要B细胞表位区和完整3AB蛋白基因组合后, 进行了原核表达, 得到了分子量约为47.6 kD的目的蛋白2C￠3AB。通过Western blotting分析证明, 表达产物能被FMDV感染动物阳性血清识别, 具有很好的反应性。以通过电泳纯化的目的蛋白作抗原进行间接ELISA检测不同来源的动物血清, 结果表明, 该抗原仅与感染动物血清具有很好的反应活性, 而与健康动物与免疫动物血清无反应, 说明重组蛋白2C￠3AB可作为区分灭活疫苗免疫动物与感染动物的鉴别诊断抗原。用2C￠3AB和3ABC为抗原进行间接ELISA, 对比检测田间血清样品, 结果显示2C￠3AB-ELISA敏感性比3ABC-ELISA高。说明以重组蛋白2C￠3AB作为鉴别诊断抗原, 能进一步提高对临界值血清的检出率, 这对区分灭活疫苗免疫动物与FMDV隐性感染动物与带毒动物具有非常重要的意义。     

The Calcium-Dependent and Calcium-Independent Membrane Binding of Synaptotagmin 1: Two Modes of C2B Binding

The Ca²⁺-independent membrane interactions of the soluble C2 domains from synaptotagmin 1 (syt1) were characterized using a combination of site-directed spin labeling and vesicle sedimentation. The second C2 domain of syt1, C2B, binds to membranes containing phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylcholine in a Ca²⁺-independent manner with a lipid partition coefficient of approximately 3.0 × 10² M^− 1. A soluble fragment containing the first and second C2 domains of syt1, C2A and C2B, has a similar affinity, but C2A alone has no detectable affinity to phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylserine bilayers in the absence of Ca²⁺. Although the Ca²⁺-independent membrane affinity of C2B is modest, it indicates that this domain will never be free in solution within the cell. Site-directed spin labeling was used to obtain bilayer depth restraints, and a simulated annealing routine was used to generate a model for the membrane docking of C2B in the absence of Ca²⁺. In this model, the polybasic strand of C2B forms the membrane binding surface for the domain; however, this face of C2B does not penetrate the bilayer but is localized within the aqueous double layer when C2B is bound. This double-layer location indicates that C2B interacts in a purely electrostatic manner with the bilayer interface. In the presence of Ca²⁺, the membrane affinity of C2B is increased approximately 20-fold, and the domain rotates so that the Ca²⁺-binding loops of C2B insert into the bilayer. This Ca²⁺-triggered conformational change may act as a switch to modulate the accessibility of the polybasic face of C2B and control interactions of syt1 with other components of the fusion machinery.     

Demonstration of the hepatocyte growth factor signaling pathway in the in vitro neuritogenic activity of chondroitin sulfate from ray fish cartilage

Background

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a ubiquitous component of the cell surface and extracellular matrix and its sugar backbone consists of repeating disaccharide units: D-glucuronic acid (GlcUA)β1-3N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). Although CS participates in diverse biological processes such as growth factor signaling and the nervous system's development, the mechanism underlying the functions is not well understood.

Methods

CS was isolated from ray fish cartilage, an industrial waste, and its structure and neurite outgrowth-promoting (NOP) activity were analyzed to investigate a potential application to nerve regeneration.

Results

The major disaccharide unit in the CS preparation was GlcUA-GalNAc(6-O-sulfate) (61.9%). Minor proportions of GlcUA-GalNAc(4-O-sulfate) (27.0%), GlcUA(2-O-sulfate)-GalNAc(6-O-sulfate) (8.5%), and GlcUA-GalNAc (2.7%) were also detected. The preparation showed NOP activity in vitro, and this activity was suppressed by antibodies against hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met, suggesting the involvement of the HGF signaling pathway in the expression of the in vitro NOP activity of the CS preparation. The specific binding of HGF to the CS preparation was also demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy.

Conclusions and general significance

The NOP activity of CS from ray cartilage was demonstrated to be expressed through the HGF signaling pathway, suggesting that ray cartilage CS may be useful for studying the cooperative function of CS and HGF.     

支架置入技术治疗食道癌的临床疗效及预后

目的:观察支架置入法对食道癌患者的治疗效果及预后情况。方法:选取我院收治的食道癌患者共104例,根据治疗手段分为两组,其中对照组52例采用70 Gγ7/周治疗方案;实验组52例给予支架置入法治疗。对两组患者的梗阻改善情况、生存质量评分、并发症及生存情况进行统计分析。结果:1治疗后,两组患者的梗阻情况以及生存质量均得到有效改善,实验组患者的梗阻总缓解率为92.31%,生存质量评分为42.61±5.23分,均显著高于对照组,差异具有显著性(P0.05);2实验组患者的不良反应发生率(36.54%)与对照组(38.48%)比较无统计学差异(P0.05);3两组患者的3个月及6个月时的生存率相接近,但是实验组患者12个月生存率(71.7%)显著低于对照组(82.7%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:支架置入法能够显著改善食道癌患者的梗阻症状,提高患者生存质量,是较为安全可靠的缓解食道狭窄方法。     

Variable expression of lineage regulators in differentiated stromal cells indicates distinct mechanisms of differentiation towards common cell fate

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess a multi-lineage differentiation capacity that makes them important players in the field of regenerative medicine. MSC populations derived from different tissues or donors have been shown to exhibit variable gene expression patterns. Further, it is widely acknowledged that MSC isolates are heterogeneous mixtures of cells at different developmental stages. However, the heterogeneity of expression of lineage regulators has not been linked to differentiation potential of different MSC populations towards mesenchymal lineages. Here, we analyzed variation of expression of differentiation markers across whole population and between single differentiating cells of multipotent stromal cell populations derived from adipose tissue (AdMSCs) and skin (FBs) of seven donors. The results of the analyses show that all cell populations exhibit similar differentiation potential towards adipocyte, osteoblast and chondrocyte lineages despite tissue type- and donor-specific variations of expression of differentiation-associated genes. Further, we detected variable expression of lineage regulators in individual differentiating cells. Together, our data indicate that single cells of stromal cell populations could use distinct molecular mechanisms to reach a common cell fate.     

下肢动脉硬化闭塞症血管成形术的疗效观察

目的:探讨血管成形术治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症的临床应用价值。方法:对我院78例下肢动脉硬化闭塞患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。78例患者(98条血管)术前经CTA诊断后,行腔内血管成形术(PTA)和血管支架植入术治疗,治疗后随访1~18个月,分析踝/肱指数(ABI)、血管内径、皮温及足背动脉搏动的变化。结果:成功完成77例(98.7%)患者、97条(99.0%)患肢的PTA和支架植入术,除1例下肢动脉完全闭塞患者导丝未能成功通过病变导致介入失败外,其余病例经介入治疗后均开通,术中所有病例均未发生血肿、血管壁破裂、穿孔或内支架移位,远端血管血栓栓塞等并发症。术后,患者下肢缺血症状消失或明显减轻,踝/肱指数(ABI)由术前(0.39±0.23)恢复至(0.86±0.26),下肢血管内径及足背动脉搏动均明显改善。结论:PTA和血管支架植入术是一种治疗下肢动脉硬化闭塞症安全有效的方法,成功率高,并发症少,再狭窄率低。     

Computer modelling of maximal displacement forces in endoluminal thoracic aortic stent graft

The objective of this study was to determine the orientation and magnitude of maximal displacement forces (DFs) in the thoracic aortic aneurysm endograft (TAA endograft) in three-dimensional (3D) space. Theoretical computer model representing the anatomically worst-case scenario with respect to DF magnitude was used to calculate the magnitude and orientation of maximal DF. A patient-specific anatomical computer model of typically seen, average size anatomy was used to analyse the progression of DF throughout the cardiac cycle. Maximal DFs were 35.01 and 37.32 N in standing and supine position, respectively, in 46-mm diameter TAA graft with 90° bend. A patient-specific model shows that a maximal DF magnitude is achieved at the peak systolic flow. In both models, the orientation of the DF vector was perpendicular to the greater curvature of the aorta, with upward (cranial) and sideways components. The effect of shearing force on the total DF that acts on the TAA endograft was found negligible due to the several orders of magnitude stronger contribution of pressure forces to the total DF relative to the wall shear stress contribution, resulting in aortic diameters and angulation being the main drivers of DF. It was discovered that the TAA endografts can be subjected to much stronger DF than previously suspected. The magnitude of maximal DF in thoracic aorta in the worst-case scenario could be as high as 35.01 N (standing) and 37.32 N (supine). This new information should be used in the process of designing new generations of TAA endografts with better migration resistance properties.     

The Spleen Tyrosine Kinase (Syk) Regulates Alzheimer Amyloid-β Production and Tau Hyperphosphorylation

We have previously shown that the L-type calcium channel (LCC) antagonist nilvadipine reduces brain amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation by affecting both Aβ production and Aβ clearance across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nilvadipine consists of a mixture of two enantiomers, (+)-nilvadipine and (−)-nilvadipine, in equal proportion. (+)-Nilvadipine is the active enantiomer responsible for the inhibition of LCC, whereas (−)-nilvadipine is considered inactive. Both nilvadipine enantiomers inhibit Aβ production and improve the clearance of Aβ across the BBB showing that these effects are not related to LCC inhibition. In addition, treatment of P301S mutant human Tau transgenic mice (transgenic Tau P301S) with (−)-nilvadipine reduces Tau hyperphosphorylation at several Alzheimer disease (AD) pertinent epitopes. A search for the mechanism of action of (−)-nilvadipine revealed that this compound inhibits the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). We further validated Syk as a target-regulating Aβ by showing that pharmacological inhibition of Syk or down-regulation of Syk expression reduces Aβ production and increases the clearance of Aβ across the BBB mimicking (−)-nilvadipine effects. Moreover, treatment of transgenic mice overexpressing Aβ and transgenic Tau P301S mice with a selective Syk inhibitor respectively decreased brain Aβ accumulation and Tau hyperphosphorylation at multiple AD relevant epitopes. We show that Syk inhibition induces an increased phosphorylation of the inhibitory Ser-9 residue of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, a primary Tau kinase involved in Tau phosphorylation, by activating protein kinase A, providing a mechanism explaining the reduction of Tau phosphorylation at GSK3β-dependent epitopes following Syk inhibition. Altogether our data highlight Syk as a promising target for preventing both Aβ accumulation and Tau hyperphosphorylation in AD.     

Decreased Amyloid-β Pathologies by Intracerebral Loading of Glycosphingolipid-enriched Exosomes in Alzheimer Model Mice

Elevated levels of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the human brain are linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Recent in vitro studies have demonstrated that extracellular Aβ can bind to exosomes, which are cell-secreted nanovesicles with lipid membranes that are known to transport their cargos intercellularly. Such findings suggest that the exosomes are involved in Aβ metabolism in brain. Here, we found that neuroblastoma-derived exosomes exogenously injected into mouse brains trapped Aβ and with the associated Aβ were internalized into brain-resident phagocyte microglia. Accordingly, continuous intracerebral administration of the exosomes into amyloid-β precursor protein transgenic mice resulted in marked reductions in Aβ levels, amyloid depositions, and Aβ-mediated synaptotoxicity in the hippocampus. In addition, we determined that glycosphingolipids (GSLs), a group of membrane glycolipids, are highly abundant in the exosomes, and the enriched glycans of the GSLs are essential for Aβ binding and assembly on the exosomes both in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrate that intracerebrally administered exosomes can act as potent scavengers for Aβ by carrying it on the exosome surface GSLs and suggest a role of exosomes in Aβ clearance in the central nervous system. Improving Aβ clearance by exosome administration would provide a novel therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer disease.     

Alzheimer Presenilin-1 Mutations Dramatically Reduce Trimming of Long Amyloid β-Peptides (Aβ) by γ-Secretase to Increase 42-to-40-Residue Aβ

The presenilin-containing γ-secretase complex produces the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) through intramembrane proteolysis, and >100 presenilin mutations are associated with familial early-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). The question of whether these mutations result in AD through a gain or a loss of function remains highly controversial. Mutations in presenilins increase ratios of 42- to 40-residue Aβ critical to pathogenesis, but other Aβs of 38–49 residues are also formed by γ-secretase. Evidence in cells suggests the protease first cleaves substrate within the transmembrane domain at the ϵ site to form 48- or 49-residue Aβ. Subsequent cleavage almost every three residues from the C terminus is thought to occur along two pathways toward shorter secreted forms of Aβ: Aβ49 → Aβ46 → Aβ43 → Aβ40 and Aβ48 → Aβ45 → Aβ42 → Aβ38. Here we show that the addition of synthetic long Aβ peptides (Aβ45–49) directly into purified preparations of γ-secretase leads to the formation of Aβ40 and Aβ42 whether the protease complex is detergent-solubilized or reconstituted into lipid vesicles, and the ratios of products Aβ42 to Aβ40 follow a pattern consistent with the dual-pathway hypothesis. Kinetic analysis of five different AD-causing mutations in presenilin-1 revealed that all result in drastic reduction of normal carboxypeptidase function. Altered trimming of long Aβ peptides to Aβ40 and Aβ42 by mutant proteases occurs at multiple levels, independent of the effects on initial endoproteolysis at the ϵ site, all conspiring to increase the critical Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio implicated in AD pathogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that specific reduction of carboxypeptidase function of γ-secretase leads to the gain of toxic Aβ42/Aβ40.