信号肽和辅助性T细胞表位增强HBV核心抗原DNA疫苗诱导的免疫应答

为增强HBVDNA疫苗的免疫效率 ,于HBV核心抗原 (HBcAg)基因 5′末端引入人IL 2信号肽和一个通用型辅助性T淋巴细胞表位基因 ,并构建成DNA疫苗 ,转染COS7细胞后经ELISA检测出分泌型HBcAg。通过肌肉注射途径分别将这种DNA疫苗和编码天然HBcAg的DNA疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,检测小鼠的血清抗体、T细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应 ,结果表明前者诱导细胞和体液免疫应答的强度均明显超过后者 ,且更趋向于T辅助细胞 1(Th1)型免疫应答 ,故其对慢性HBV感染的治疗可能有潜在的应用价值     

Response of primed human PBMC to synthetic peptides derived from hepatitis B virus envelope proteins: a search for promiscuous epitopes

This investigation was aimed at identifying effective T helper cell epitopes to the hepatitis B virus in humans. A panel of synthetic peptides that represent the hepatitis B virus whole envelope proteins was examined for their capability to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells from human subjects infected with hepatitis B virus naturally. In addition, a large number of subjects were examined and their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II allele types were identified to determine whether the helper T cell epitope is specific for a particular HLA allele or 'promiscuous'. The peptides of the amino acid residues 52-67, 110-125, 190-205, and 228-243 appeared to be immunogenic, and particularly, the 52-67 residue was the most promiscuous epitope peptide. These results would contribute to the better understanding of the helper T cell responses to the hepatitis B virus and provide a useful way in designing epitope-based vaccines and future therapeutic strategies.     

Suppression of Cytokine Production in T Helper Type 2 Cells by Nitric Oxide in Comparison with T Helper Type 1 Cells

We examined the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on cytokine production in T helper (Th) cell subsets, using murine splenic CD4⁺ T cells and two types of Th clones. Interferon-gamma-treated murine peritoneal exudate cells (IFN-PEC) suppressed DNA synthesis to 60% of the control level in CD4⁺ T cells stimulated with the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. The production of IL-2 and IL-4 in the CD4⁺ T cells decreased to 63.2% and 9.2%, respectively, of the control value by co-culture with IFN-PEC. The addition of N^G-monomethyl-L -arginine (L-NMMA) partially recovered the suppression of DNA synthesis. In the presence of indomethacin, the suppression of DNA synthesis was partially inhibited and the reduction in the cytokine production caused by IFN-PEC was partially recovered. The simultaneous addition of N^G-monomethyl-L -arginine (L-NMMA) and indomethacin completely inhibited not only the suppression of DNA synthesis but also the reduction in the cytokine production caused by IFN-PEC. Moreover, DNA synthesis in the Th2 clone was suppressed to a greater extent than that in the Th1 clone by co-culture with IFN-PEC. This suppression in the Th1 clone was inhibited by the addition of L-NMMA, whereas the DNA synthesis in the Th2 clone was not recovered by L-NMMA. In addition, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) suppressed IL-4 production in the Th2 clone but had no effect on IL-2 production in the Th1 clone. In the experiment of the co-culture with IFN-PEC, the inhibitory-effect of NO on T cell activation was not clarified by the influence of prostaglandins. However, in conclusion, cytokine production in Th2 cells may be more susceptible to NO than that in Th1 cells.     

Peptide immunization restimulates the memory CD4 T cell response but fails to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cynomolgus monkeys

A potential strategy to induce peptide specific CTL in vivo was investigated. A synthetic vaccine consisting of an SIV-derived, HLA-A2.1-binding CTL epitope and a tetanus toxin-derived T helper epitope was evaluated for its capacity to induce peptide-specific CTL in monkeys. Thirteen animals were immunized and boosted twice with 150 μg of CTL plus 250 μg of the T helper peptide (p30). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were regularly analysed for cytotoxic and proliferative responses before, between, and after the immunizations, and the serum was tested for anti-peptide antibodies. No unequivocal induction of SIV peptide-specific CTL in any of the monkeys was observed. However, a wide pattern of mild and transient side reactions were observed, ranging from local redness at the injection site to generalized exanthema, myalgias, arthralgias, and fever. The side-effects were related to the T helper epitope, as they were similar to the side-effects experienced after tetanus immunization, correlated to the magnitude of the p30-specific in vitro proliferative response, and occurred only if p30 was co-injected. No antibody against the SIV-derived peptides nor against p30 was detectable in the serum after repeated immunizations. The data suggest that the CTL peptide, at the concentration used in this study, failed to induce a cytotoxic immune response in vivo, although the T helper peptide seems to be capable of restimulating the specific memory T cells.     

丙型肝炎病毒NS3蛋白辅助T细胞表位研究

对２例ＨＣＶ持续性感染者２个时间点ＮＳ３区Ｃ末端克隆测序,研究ＨＣＶ ＮＳ３蛋白一个辅助Ｔ细胞表位（氨基酸位１２４８－１２６１）在ＨＣＶ感染者体内的保守性;人工合成该表位进行淋巴细胞增殖试验和抑制试验,观察该表位引起免疫应答的水平和特点;通过“刺激－休息－刺激”多轮循环建立该表位特异性的Ｔ细胞系,并用流式细胞仪鉴定表型。结果发现该表位在２个病人２个时间点均未变化;观察的２例ＨＣＶ持续性感染者和１例     

Anti‐inflammatory and immune‐modulatory impacts of berberine on activation of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune inflammation

Autoreactive inflammatory CD4⁺ T cells, such as T helper (Th)1 and Th17 subtypes, have been found to associate with the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, CD4⁺ Foxp3⁺ T regulatory (Treg) cells are crucial for the immune tolerance and have a critical role in the suppression of the excessive immune and inflammatory response promoted by these Th cells. In contrast, dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are immune cells that through their inflammatory functions promote autoreactive T‐cell responses in autoimmune conditions. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to exploring effective immunomodulatory or anti‐inflammatory agents from the herbal collection of traditional medicine. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is one of the main active ingredients extracted from medicinal herbs and has been shown to exert various biological and pharmacological effects that are suggested to be mainly attributed to its anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Several lines of experimental study have recently investigated the therapeutic potential of berberine for treating autoimmune conditions in animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to seek mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects of berberine on autoreactive inflammatory responses in autoimmune conditions. Reported data reveal that berberine can directly suppress functions and differentiation of pro‐inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells, and indirectly decrease Th cell‐mediated inflammation through modulating or suppressing other cells assisting autoreactive inflammation, such as Tregs, DCs and macrophages.     

戊肝病毒Th表位肽免疫可增强其载体蛋白的体液免疫应答

戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白内包含一个强H-2^d限制性Th表位P34。以该表位肽免疫BALB/c鼠,其脾细胞能够在体外识别重组戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白,剔除实验表明应答细胞几乎完全是CD4⁺ T细胞,证明P34表位肽能有效诱导产生特异性Th细胞。以P34肽初免小鼠,再以包含该表位的重组戊型肝炎病毒抗原（E2）免疫,结果表明,10μg、 20μg E2免疫组在免疫后第1周即有部分小鼠产生抗体,到第3周所有小鼠均能够产生抗体;而对照肽P18初免的小鼠,以20μg E2加强免疫亦无法诱导小鼠产生抗体。这表明,Th表位肽P34初免诱导产生的Th细胞能够有效促进小鼠对携带该表位的载体蛋白的体液免疫应答。     

戊肝病毒Th表位肽免疫可增强其载体蛋白的体液免疫应答

戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白内包含一个强H-2d限制性Th表位P34。以该表位肽免疫BALB/c鼠,其脾细胞能够在体外识别重组戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白,剔除实验表明应答细胞几乎完全是CD4 T细胞,证明P34表位肽能有效诱导产生特异性Th细胞。以P34肽初免小鼠,再以包含该表位的重组戊型肝炎病毒抗原(E2)免疫,结果表明,10μg、20μgE2免疫组在免疫后第1周即有部分小鼠产生抗体,到第3周所有小鼠均能够产生抗体;而对照肽P18初免的小鼠,以20μgE2加强免疫亦无法诱导小鼠产生抗体。这表明,Th表位肽P34初免诱导产生的Th细胞能够有效促进小鼠对携带该表位的载体蛋白的体液免疫应答。     

戊型肝炎病毒颗粒性蛋白疫苗H-2d限制性Th表位的筛选

戊型肝炎病毒衣壳蛋白重组抗原HEV 239能形成类病毒颗粒,具备演变成多价疫苗的载体的潜力,此文旨在筛选、鉴定其内包含的H-2d限制性Th表位。以50μg HEV 239蛋白与完全弗式佐剂混合后皮下免疫BALB/c鼠,以覆盖HEV 239蛋白全长的15氨基酸肽库体外刺激其脾细胞,用IFN--γELISPOT方法检测其细胞免疫应答,并通过磁珠剔除脾细胞中CD4 T细胞或CD8 T细胞以分析筛选得到的T细胞表位的特性。结果显示:HEV 239中包含优势的T细胞表位P34(HEV PORF2 AA533~AA547,HSKTF FVLPL RGKLS)及数个较弱的T细胞表位,P34对HEV 239免疫的BALB/c鼠脾细胞的刺激效果与HEV 239蛋白相当,剔除实验表明该表位为CD4 T细胞表位,即Th表位。     

IRF3 deficiency impacts granzyme B expression and maintenance of memory T cell function in response to viral infection

The role of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in the innate immune response to infection has been well studied. However, less is known about IRF3 signaling in shaping the adaptive T cell response. To determine the role of IRF3 in the generation and maintenance of effective anti-viral T cell responses, mice deficient in IRF3 were infected with a potentially persistent virus, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) or with a model acute infection, influenza A virus (IAV). IRF3 was required to prevent TMEV persistence and induce robust TMEV specific effector T cell responses at the site of infection. This defect was more pronounced in the memory phase with an apparent lack of TMEV-specific memory T cells expressing granzyme B (GrB) in IRF3 deficient mice. In contrast, IRF3 had no effect on antigen specific T cell responses at the effector stage during IAV infection. However, memory T cell responses to IAV were also impaired in IRF3 deficient mice. Furthermore, addition of cytokines during peptide restimulation could not restore GrB expression in IRF3 deficient memory T cells. Taken together, IRF3 plays an important role in the maintenance of effective anti-viral T cell memory responses.     

Prepared and screened a modified TNF-alpha molecule as TNF-alpha autovaccine to treat LPS induced endotoxic shock and TNF-alpha induced cachexia in mouse

Overexpression of TNF-alpha in the body is critically involved in many diseases. A strategy to construct TNF-alpha autovaccine by introducing a T cell helper epitope to the protein has been developed and may be an alternative because it is cheaper and highly efficient. However, the induction of high level anti-TNF-alpha neutralizing autoantibodies by TNF-alpha autovaccine is depend on a proper T cell help epitope. In order to evaluate the effect of different T helper cell epitopes on the immunogenicity of mouse TNF-alpha (mTNF-alpha), three T helper cell epitopes, TT (QYIKANSKFIGITEL), HEL (NTDGSTDYGILQINSR), and PADRE (AKFVAAWTLKA), were chosen for this study. The sequence (amino acids 126-140) of mTNF-alpha was replaced with those of the T cell help epitopes, respectively. The three fusion proteins (mTNF-TT, mTNF-HEL, mTNF-PADRE) were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified with a simple strategy. The abilities of the proteins elicited TNF-alpha autoantibodies in BALB/c mice were investigated. The results showed that mTNF-PADRE is the most effective among the three modified TNF-alpha molecules. In the absence of adjuvant, the therapeutic effect of TNF-PADRE on LPS induced endotoxic shock mice and mTNF-alpha induced cachexia mice was observed. This study suggests that mTNF-PADRE may be a better candidate of mTNF-alpha autovaccine.     

Induction of multiple cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in mice by a multiepitope DNA vaccine against dengue virus serotype 1

Dengue virus (DENV) is still a major threat to human health in most tropical and subtropical countries and regions. In the present study, a multi‐epitope DNA vaccine that encodes 15 immunogenic and conserved HLA‐A*0201‐, HLA‐A*1101‐, HLA‐A*2402‐restricted CTL epitopes from DENV serotype 1 (DENV‐1) was constructed based on the eukaryotic expressing plasmid pcDNA^TM3.1/myc‐His(?) A. Immunization of HLA‐A*0201, HLA‐A*1101 and HLA‐A*2402 transgenic mice with the recombinant plasmid pcDNA^TM3.1/myc‐His(?) A‐DENV‐1‐Meg resulted in significantly greater IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell responses against most (14/15) CTL epitopes than occurred in mice immunized with the empty plasmid pcDNA^TM3.1/myc‐His(?) A. Additionally, the epitope‐specific T cells directed to some epitopes secreted not only IFN‐γ but also IL‐6 and/or TNF‐α. Finally, the induced epitope‐specific T cells also efficiently lysed epitope‐pulsed splenocytes and DENV‐1‐infected splenic monocytes. The present study confirms the immunogenicity of multi‐epitope DENV vaccine, suggesting that it may contribute to the development of a universal DENV vaccine.

     

Maintaining potent HTLV-I protease inhibition without the P3-cap moiety in small tetrapeptidic inhibitors

The human T cell lymphotropic/leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) causes adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia. The virus is also responsible for chronic progressive myelopathy and several inflammatory diseases. To stop the manufacturing of new viral components, in our previous reports, we derived small tetrapeptidic HTLV-I protease inhibitors with an important amide-capping moiety at the P₃ residue. In the current study, we removed the P₃-cap moiety and, with great difficulty, optimized the P₃ residue for HTLV-I protease inhibition potency. We discovered a very potent and small tetrapeptidic HTLV-I protease inhibitor (KNI-10774a, IC₅₀ = 13 nM).     

人类免疫缺陷病毒1型同性恋感染者与健康人群Th17/Treg平衡状况的比较研究

通过探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1)同性恋感染者外周血中辅助性T细胞17(Th17)与CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+调节性T细胞(Treg)比例及Th17/Treg平衡状态与疾病进展的关系,初步阐明Th17/Treg失衡在HIV发病机制中的作用和意义。选取54例未经抗病毒治疗的HIV感染者,另有32名健康志愿者作为正常对照。分离外周血单核细胞后,利用流式细胞技术检测Th17和Treg水平。结果表明,在HIV感染者外周血中Th17比例明显低于正常对照组(0.68±0.35vs1.42±0.86,P<0.001),Treg比例明显高于正常对照(6.15±2.12vs4.50±0.76,P<0.001),导致HIV感染者中Th17/Treg比例较正常对照显著降低(0.12±0.07vs0.31±0.17,P<0.001)。研究还发现,Th17/CD4比例与CD4+T细胞计数正相关(r=0.371,P<0.05),与病毒载量不相关;Treg/CD4比例与CD4+T细胞计数负相关,与病毒载量正相关(r=-0.402,P<0.05;r=0.447,P<0.001)。此外,Th17/Treg比例与CD4+T细胞计数正相关,与病毒载量负相关(r=0.525,P<0.001;r=-0.318,P<0.05)。结果提示,HIV感染中存在Th17/Treg失衡现象,与疾病进程密切相关,可能在HIV进展中具有重要作用。     

Analysis of an immunodominant epitope of topoisomerase I in patients with systemic sclerosis

Summary In this paper an immunodominant epitope of Topoisomerase I is described. An epitope expression sublibrary was constructed from Topoisomerase I cDNA. The subclones were screened with an antiserum from a patient with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The positive clones defined one immunodominant B cell epitope (epitope III), which was located at the carboxyterminal part of the protein. The epitope, 52 amino acids in length, neither contains the p 30^gag sequence nor the suggested active site Tyr-723, both presumed antibody recognition sites.More than 70% of our anti-TopoI sera recognize this epitope III, indicating that it is a major recognition site of the anti-TopoI autoantibodies in SSc sera. DNA relaxation experiments show that all sera that recognize epitope III and most sera with antibodies to other epitopes inhibit Topoisomerase I activity.Abbreviations used in this paper SSc Systemic sclerosis - Topol DNA Topoisomerase I (EC 5.99.1.2)     

Protective immune responses induced by a non-pathogenic simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) against a challenge of a pathogenic SHIV in monkeys

A simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-NM3n containing the human nef, but not the monkey nef, and vpr genes of SIV was inoculated into two cynomolgus monkeys, resulting in systemic infection with a minimum level of transient virus load. In order to study the nature of immune responses associated with the prevention of a pathogenic SHIV, the SHIV-NM3n-inoculated monkeys and three naive monkeys were intravenously challenged with a pathogenic SHIV containing the envelope gene of HIV-1 89.6. After the heterologous virus challenge, all of the SHIV-NM3n-inoculated animals completely avoided the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes in PBMC as well as lymphoid tissues compared to pathogenic SHIV-injected control animals. The inhibition of CD4+ cell depletion was associated with maintaining the proliferative response of helper T-cells against SIV p27 in the previously nonpathogenic virus-inoculated animals following the pathogenic virus challenge. Furthermore, the decline of CD28+ cells, the increase in CD95+ cells, and the enhancement of in vitro apoptosis in PBMC were inhibited in the non-pathogenic virus-inoculated animals. These results suggest that nonpathogenic SHIV-NM3n infection induces the protection of monkeys from heterologous pathogenic viruses that may be associated with blocking the change in immune responses and the cell loss induced by a pathogenic virus.     

Functional adaptation to oxidative stress by memory T cells: an analysis of the role in the cardiovascular disease process

T cells participate in combating infection and critically determine the outcomes in any given disease process. Impaired immune response occurs in a number disease processes such as in cancer and atherosclerosis although the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This article gives an up-to-date review of T cells development and functional adaptation to pathophysiological stimuli and participation in the cardiovascular disease process. In addition, we have discussed the signaling pathways controlled by the microenvironment that determine T cells function and resultant type of immune response. We have also discussed in detail how oxidative stress is a key component of the micro environmental interaction.     

Defining antigen targets to dissect vaccinia virus and monkeypox virus-specific T cell responses in humans

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