Retrofitting BACs with G418 resistance, luciferase, and oriP and EBNA-1 – new vectors for in vitro and in vivo delivery

Background  

Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) have been used extensively for sequencing the human and mouse genomes and are thus readily available for most genes. The large size of BACs means that they can generally carry intact genes with all the long range controlling elements that drive full levels of tissue-specific expression. For gene expression studies and gene therapy applications it is useful to be able to retrofit the BACs with selectable genes such as G418 resistance, reporter genes such as luciferase, and oriP/EBNA-1 from Epstein Barr virus which allows long term episomal maintenance in mammalian cells.     

Comparison of expression systems for the production of human interferon-α2b

The production of human interferon alpha2b (IFN-α2b) in two expression systems, tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) and Escherichia coli, was compared in various aspects such as safety, yield, quality of product and productivity. In the E. coli system, IFN-α2b was expressed under a pelB signal sequence and a T7lac promoter in a pET 26b(+) vector. The same gene was also cloned in expression plant vector (pCAMBIA1304) between cauliflower mosaic virus promoter (CaMV35S) and poly A termination region (Nos) and expressed in transgenic tobacco plants. The expression of protein in both systems was confirmed by western immunoblotting and the quantity of the protein was determined by immunoassay. The amount of periplasmic expression in E. coli was 60 μg/L of culture, while the amount of nuclear expression in the plant was 4.46 μg/kg of fresh leaves. The result of this study demonstrated that IFN-α2b was successfully expressed in periplasm of bacterial and plant systems. The limitations on the production of IFN-α2b by both systems are addressed and discussed to form the basis for the selection of the appropriate expression platform.     

α1-antitrypsin and its C-terminal fragment attenuate effects of degranulated neutrophil-conditioned medium on lung cancer HCC cells, in vitro

Background  

Tumor microenvironment, which is largely affected by inflammatory cells, is a crucial participant in the neoplastic process through promotion of cell proliferation, survival and migration. We measured the effects of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) conditioned medium alone, and supplemented with serine proteinase inhibitor α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) or its C-terminal fragment (C-36 peptide), on cultured lung cancer cells.     

Human mast cells decrease SLPI levels in type II – like alveolar cell model, in vitro

Background  

Mast cells are known to accumulate at sites of inflammation and upon activation to release their granule content, e.g. histamine, cytokines and proteases. The secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is produced in the respiratory mucous and plays a role in regulating the activity of the proteases.     

Secretion of human interferon-β 1b by recombinant Lactococcus lactis

Interferon-beta has anti-viral, anti-proliferation and multifunctional immunomodulatory activities and shows promising clinical effects for treatment of inflammatory disorders. The recombinant human interferon-beta (huIFN-beta) 1b was expressed in the food-grade lactic acid bacterium, Lactococcus lactis, using a nisin-controlled gene expression system. huIFN-beta production from recombinant strains (with and without LEISSTCDA propeptide) was approximately 21 and 7 mug l(-1), respectively. Moreover, 95% (former strain) and 88% (latter strain) of total recombinant proteins were secreted into the culture medium. The biological activities of huIFN-beta from recombinant strains revealed similar antiviral activities of 10(7) I.U. mg(-1). These results demonstrate the potential application of recombinant strains as a food grade vehicle to deliver bioactive huIFN-beta in vivo.     

Recombinant human α2-HS glycoprotein inhibits insulin-stimulated mitogenic pathway without affecting metabolic signalling in Chinese hamster Ovary cells overexpressing the human insulin receptor

Insulin acts on its target tissues by specific interaction with the cell surface insulin receptor (IR). The IR possesses an intrinsic tyrosine kinase (TK) activity which is stimulated by insulin binding. This TK activity is required for many aspects of insulin signalling. We had earlier reported that human plasma α₂-HS glycoprotein (α₂-HSG) inhibits insulin-stimulated mitogenesis at the level of IR-TK (Mol Endo 7: 1445–1455, 1993). In the present study, using recombinant α₂-HSG, which possesses 50–100 times the specific activity of plasma α₂-HSG, we have further investigated the molecular basis of this effect. We examined the insulin-stimulated Ras signalling pathway in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells overexpressing the human IR, α₂-HSG inhibits insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the subsequent association of GRB2, as well as Sos, with IRS-1. This inhibition results in reduced guanine nucleotide exchange in p21^ras. α₂-HSG also inhibits the stimulation of Raf phosphorylation, in response to insulin, leading to inhibition of MEK activity. In a parallel pathway, α₂-HSG also inhibits insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc. However, α₂-HSG does not affect any of the metabolic actions of insulin tested in these cells. These results suggest that, while insulin's mitogenic effects can be abolished by inhibition of insulin-induced IR-TK, propagation of signals for metabolic activities might utilize alternate or rescue mechanisms.     

Human intervertebral disc-derived cells are recruited by human serum and form nucleus pulposus-like tissue upon stimulation with TGF-β3 or hyaluronan in vitro

The aims of this work were to test whether human intervertebral disc-derived nucleus pulposus cells (hNP-cells) are attracted by human serum and to analyze if matrix generation from hNP-cells is promoted under the influence of transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) or hyaluronan (HA) in vitro. Using the multi-well chemotaxis assay to determine cell migration under the influence of different concentrations of human serum, it was demonstrated that dedifferentiated hNP-cells are able to migrate towards a serum fraction gradient in a concentration-dependent manner. Re-differentiation capacity of hNP-cells in 3D micro-masses under the influence of TGF-β3 or hyaluronan was also tested. Gene expression analysis of types I, II, III and IX collagen, as well as aggrecan, COMP and LINK of hNP-cells in 3D-micro-mass cell-culture revealed a strong increase of these markers in TGF-β3 treated cells. Furthermore, histochemical and immuno-histochemical staining after 28d showed proteoglycan and type II collagen-rich matrix for both, the TGF-β3 and the hyaluronan treated cells. These findings show that TGF-β3 or hyaluronan are able to induce the differentiation and that human serum stimulates the migration of hNP-cells in vitro. Therefore, hyaluronan and serum are suited for cell-free biomaterials as cell migration and differentiation inducing factors intended for biological treatment strategies of the intervertebral disc.     

Recombinant human hemoglobin: Expression and refolding of β-globin fromEscherichia coli

A plasmid analogous to the one described by Nagai and Thogersen (Nature,309, 810–812, 1984) has been constructed for the expression of globins inE. coli. Induction with nalidixic acid produces high yields of a fusion protein, NS1-FX--globin, where NS1 represents 81 residues of a flu virus protein and FX represents a blood-clotting Factor Xa recognition sequence, Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg. This fusion protein is readily solubilized in 50 mM NaOH and remains in solution when thepH is adjusted to 8.6. Under these conditions, the fusion protein is hydrolyzed by activated Factor X, giving authentic -globin which can be folded in the presence of cyanohemin and native -chains to produce a tetrameric hemoglobin with the functional properties of natural human hemoglobin.     

in vitro generation of IFN-γ-producing Listeria-specific T cells is dependent on IFN-γ production by non-NK cells

In vitro 5-day cultures of naive spleen cells with viable Listeria monocytogenes (VLM), but not heat-killed L. monocytogenes, induced CD4⁺ T cells that produced IFN-γ upon secondary antigen stimulation. The VLM-induced Listeria-specific T cells produced IFN-γ but lacked expression of IL-2 and IL-4. To study the role of IFN-γ in the induction of the IFN-γ-producing T cells, we added anti-IFN-γ mAb to the primary culture and analyzed IFN-γ production upon secondary antigen stimulation. Addition of anti-IFN-γ mAb to the culture suppressed generation of IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells, suggesting that IFN-γ is important in the induction of IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells. Furthermore, our results showed that depletion of NK cells from spleen cells by anti-asialo GM1 antibody plus complement before culture enhanced induction of IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells. Although NK cells are known to produce IFN-γ, the results indicate that NK cell-derived IFN-γ may not be important in induction of the Listeria-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells in the culture system. In addition, we demonstrated that IFN-γ expression was high in CD4⁺ T cells from cultures of spleen cells with VLM at the primary culture level. These results suggest that IFN-γ derived from T cells may enhance production of IFN-γ by CD4⁺ T cells, while NK cells rather suppress the induction of IFN-γ-producing CD4⁺ T cells.     

香菜CsEF 1α基因克隆与表达分析

翻译延伸因子EF 1α(elongation factor 1 alpha)是细胞中最丰富的蛋白质之一,其在确保mRNA正确解码以产生细胞蛋白质方面发挥重要作用。该研究采用RT PCR扩增方法克隆香菜CsEF 1α基因序列,利用生物信息学对CsEF 1α基因结构、序列特征及系统进化等进行分析,并采用qPCR探究CsEF 1α基因在香菜不同生长时期和非生物胁迫下的表达模式,为进一步揭示EF 1α基因调控机制的研究奠定基础。结果显示：(1)成功克隆获得香菜CsEF 1α基因序列;CsEF 1α基因包含1个1 344 bp的开放阅读框,编码447个氨基酸,分子式为C₂₂₀₂H₃₅₄₄N₅₉₄O₆₄₄S₂₀,蛋白质分子量为49.29 kD,等电点为9.12;氨基酸序列组成中赖氨酸数量最多(49个,占11.0%),色氨酸数量最少(3个,占0.7%);属碱性蛋白。(2)CsEF 1α蛋白主要由无规则卷曲(36.91%)和α 螺旋(30.43%)构成,定位于细胞质;系统进化树分析显示,CsEF 1α与胡萝卜、野生番茄、青蒿素和非洲菊的亲缘关系较接近;启动子分析包括4种植物生长发育元件、3种激素响应元件和3种胁迫响应元件。(3)qRT PCR结果显示,CsEF 1α基因的表达量随着香菜生长发育时间的延长而升高,并且与转录丰度的变化一致;CsEF 1α基因对4种不同非生物胁迫的响应表达模式有所差异;随着胁迫时间的延长,在盐胁迫下CsEF 1α基因表现出先升高后降低趋势,而在低温、高温和干旱胁迫下表现出先降低再升高的趋势。研究表明,CsEF 1α基因参与了香菜对非生物胁迫的应答,在香菜生长发育和非生物胁迫中具有重要调控作用。     

ITS1: a DNA barcode better than ITS2 in eukaryotes?

A DNA barcode is a short piece of DNA sequence used for species determination and discovery. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS/ITS2) region has been proposed as the standard DNA barcode for fungi and seed plants and has been widely used in DNA barcoding analyses for other biological groups, for example algae, protists and animals. The ITS region consists of both ITS1 and ITS2 regions. Here, a large‐scale meta‐analysis was carried out to compare ITS1 and ITS2 from three aspects: PCR amplification, DNA sequencing and species discrimination, in terms of the presence of DNA barcoding gaps, species discrimination efficiency, sequence length distribution, GC content distribution and primer universality. In total, 85 345 sequence pairs in 10 major groups of eukaryotes, including ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, liverworts, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, monocotyledons, eudicotyledons, insects and fishes, covering 611 families, 3694 genera, and 19 060 species, were analysed. Using similarity‐based methods, we calculated species discrimination efficiencies for ITS1 and ITS2 in all major groups, families and genera. Using Fisher's exact test, we found that ITS1 has significantly higher efficiencies than ITS2 in 17 of the 47 families and 20 of the 49 genera, which are sample‐rich. By in silico PCR amplification evaluation, primer universality of the extensively applied ITS1 primers was found superior to that of ITS2 primers. Additionally, shorter length of amplification product and lower GC content was discovered to be two other advantages of ITS1 for sequencing. In summary, ITS1 represents a better DNA barcode than ITS2 for eukaryotic species.     

A selective estrogen receptor modulator inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in human chondrocytes

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine mediating inflammatory as well as cell death activities, and is thought to induce chondrocytic chondrolysis in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as raloxifene, which are commonly used in clinical settings act as estrogen agonists or antagonists. It is assumed that estrogens have a potential role in cartilage protection; however, the precise molecular mechanism for the protective effects of estrogens is unclear. This study was designed to examine whether raloxifene inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis in human chondrocytes and to clarify the mechanisms involved. We also investigated the signaling pathways responsible for the anti-apoptotic effect of raloxifene. Apoptosis in chondrocytes was determined by DNA fragmentation assay and caspase-3 activation. Raloxifene significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced caspase-3 activation and cell DNA fragmentation levels in chondrocytes. The inhibitory effect of raloxifene was abolished by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) regulates apoptosis, acting as an apoptotic or anti-apoptotic signal. TNF-α-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by the ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059. Raloxifene stimulated a further increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in TNF-α-treated chondrocytes. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effects of raloxifene were inhibited by PD98059. In addition, the anti-apoptotic effects of raloxifene were completely abolished in ERK1/2 siRNA-treated chondrocytes. These results suggest that raloxifene prevents caspase-3-dependent apoptosis induced by TNF-α in human chondrocytes by activating estrogen receptors and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.     

人干扰素α1b突变体IFNα1b/31K的构建及其生物学评价

目的:构建干扰素α1b突变体IFNα1b/31K,以期获得高效低毒的新型药物分子。方法:根据合理药物设计,采用定点突变技术,将干扰素α1b第31位氨基酸残基突变为K,并构建表达IFNα1b/31K重组蛋白。纯化后,对其抗病毒活性、抗肿瘤细胞增殖活性和动物体内急性毒性进行考察。结果:IFNα1b/31K表达量占菌体总蛋白的30%以上。纯化后的IFNα1b/31K纯度大于95%,比活性约为IFNα1b的1.7倍,抗肿瘤增殖活性比IFNα1b降低,未见对实验动物的急性毒性作用。结论:成功设计构建并表达了高效低毒的IFNα1b突变蛋白分子。     

胸腺素α1/干扰素α-2b融合基因表达载体的构建与表达

通过PCR人工合成模板的方法获得牛Tα1基因,与含IFNα-2b基因的pAG-IFN重组质粒,构建Tα1/IFNα-2b融合基因重组质粒pUC18-Tα1/IFN,经序列分析证实,融合基因Tα1和IFNα-2b与GenBank登录基因的序列一致性分别为100%和98.5%,仅IFNα-2b有两处碱基发生无义突变.再将融合基因亚克隆入pBV220,构建融合表达载体pBV220-Tα1/IFN,转化到E.coli M15经IPTG诱导,实现了Tα1-IFNα-2b融合蛋白的高表达,约占菌体总蛋白的24.5%,为包涵体形式.这为研制Tα1-IFNα-2b双重活性的融合蛋白奠定了基础.     

YPS1/YPS2失活改进酿酒酵母An-α菌株β-葡萄糖苷酶分泌表达

[背景] 工业酵母菌株的蛋白质表达通常存在表达量低、分泌效率低的问题。[目的] 考察失活Yapsin蛋白酶Yps1p和Yps2p对β-葡萄糖苷酶在酿酒酵母An-α菌株中表达的影响。[方法] 利用CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑技术,首先构建得到未折叠蛋白响应（Unfolded Protein Response,UPR）指示菌株An-α（leu2：：UPRE-lacZ）即An-αL,然后分别失活其YPS1和YPS2基因,导入以YEplac195为载体的β-葡萄糖苷酶表达质粒（简称BG）,进行生长和酶活分析评价。[结果] 菌株An-αL的YPS1和YPS2基因失活对其在酵母浸出粉胨葡萄糖（Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose,YPD）培养基中的生长未造成明显的不利影响;导入质粒BG后将在酵母浸出粉胨纤维二糖（Yeast Extract Peptone Cellobiose,YPC）培养基中生长的最大OD₆₀₀分别提高了21.9%和7.4%;最大总酶活值为0.087 5和0.068 6 U/（mL·OD₆₀₀）,是对照菌株相应值的2.268倍和1.778倍;分泌比例提高了19.4%和22.2%;β-葡萄糖苷酶表达水平与β-半乳糖苷酶酶活水平所代表的UPR信号响应值之间呈现良好的相关性。[结论] YPS1和YPS2基因失活有助于改进酿酒酵母An-α菌株中β-葡萄糖苷酶的分泌表达。     

α-MSH inhibits TNF-α-induced maturation of human dendritic cells in vitro through the up-regulation of ANXA1

α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory neuropeptide, has been shown to be effective in the experimental treatment of autoimmune diseases and allograft rejection. However, its regulatory mechanism is still unclear. Mature dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal initiators of immune response and inflammation. We hypothesized that the regulatory role of α-MSH in DC maturation would contribute to the effects of α-MSH in immune-response-mediated disease models. It was found that α-MSH inhibited tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced maturation of human peripheral-monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs), both phenotypically and functionally. This occurred through the down-regulation of the expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD83 and CD86, the production of IL-12, the promotion of IL-10 secretion, and the MoDC phagocytic activity, suggesting that the inhibition of DC maturation by α-MSH could contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect of this neuropeptide. Furthermore, increased expression of annexin A1 (ANXA1) was found to be responsible for the α-MSH inhibiting effect on TNF-α-induced MoDC maturation, which could be abolished by the treatment of MoDCs with specific, small interfering RNAs targeting ANXA1 (ANXA1-siRNA), suggesting that α-MSH-induced ANXA1 mediates the inhibition. Therefore, α-MSH inhibits TNF-α-induced maturation of human DCs through α-MSH-up-regulated ANXA1, suggesting that inhibition of the maturation of DCs by α-MSH could mediate the anti-inflammatory effect of the neuropeptide. Furthermore, ANXA1 could be identified as a new therapeutic drug target based on the role of DCs in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.     

HIV-1gag/IFNα-2b表达产物的生物活性研究

目的:将艾滋病病毒核心蛋白(gag)与干扰素(IFNα-2b)融合基因表达的融合蛋白作为免疫原免疫小鼠,动态观察小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫与CTL应答.方法:将IFNα-2b基因片段插入到gag基因的nt531位点,经脂质体转染与血凝素阴性蚀斑筛选,挑出重组痘苗病毒.经SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定表达产物.以小鼠为实验对象,用重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα-2b免疫小鼠,用ELISA方法检测血清IgG抗体含量.用流式细胞仪测定小鼠外周血CD+4、CD+8T淋巴细胞计数.3H-TdR掺入法检测细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤活性.结果:血清IgG抗体含量逐渐增高,实验组与对照组比较差异有显著性意义(p＜0.05).CD+4、CD+8T淋巴细胞计数、CTL检测实验组与对照组比较差异均有显著性意义(p＜0.05).结论:重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα-2b能增强小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫和CTL应答.IFNα-2b可以作为免疫佐剂增强机体的免疫状态.     

HIV-1gag/IFNα-2b的构建与表达鉴定

目的：构建艾滋病病毒核心蛋白(gag)与干扰素(IFNα-2b)融合基因表达质粒,观察其在痘苗病毒中共表达结果,研究其意义。方法：利用基因重组技术,将IFNα-2b基因片段插入到gag基因的nt531位点,经脂质体转染与血凝素阴性蚀斑筛选,挑出重组痘苗病毒。经免疫荧光、Western blot和Dot-ELISA鉴定表送产物。结果：间接免疫荧光实验结果显示,转染重组质粒的细胞表面有绿色荧光。免疫印迹实验与Dot-EILSA结果均显示重组质粒转染细胞的裂解物中存在表达的gag／IFNα-2b蛋白。结论：成功地构建了重组真核细胞表达质粒,表达的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性与免疫反应性。     

Effect of interferon-α 2b on cells from human embryonic nerve tissue in the early stages of neurogenesis

We studied the effects of interferon (IFN)- 2b on cells obtained from the brain of human embryos (4 to 12 weeks of gestation). It was demonstrated that IFN exerts modulatory effects on biochemical and physico-chemical properties of cells of embryonic nerve tissue in the early stages of embryonic development (from 4 weeks of gestation). IFN decreased the content of protein, inhibited the activity of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, and induced changes in the superficial charge of the plasma membrane. Based on the obtained experimental data, we suppose that IFN- 2b is involved in regulation of neurogenesis.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 36, Nos. 5/6, pp. 363–369, September–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date and copyright year.