亚致死剂量吡虫啉胁迫对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂免疫解毒相关基因表达及免疫解毒酶系活力的影响

摘要: 【目的】吡虫啉(imidaclorprid)是广泛使用的新烟碱类杀虫剂之一。大量研究表明亚致死剂量吡虫啉影响意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica(简称“意蜂”)幼虫的发育和成年蜜蜂的采集、学习等行为。本实验旨在探究亚致死剂量吡虫啉对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂(1日龄成年工蜂)与外勤蜂(21日龄成年工蜂)免疫解毒相关基因表达及免疫解毒酶系活力的影响,进而为蜜蜂健康的维护提供科学依据。【方法】测定饲喂含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液不同时间后意蜂成年工蜂的存活率;利用荧光定量PCR检测饲喂含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液6 d后其体内免疫基因多酚氧化酶基因(PPOA3, GenBank登录号： GB43738), Abaecin类抗菌肽基因(ABA, GenBank登录号： GB18323),葡萄糖脱氢酶基因(GLD, GenBank登录号： GB43007)和解毒基因细胞色素P450基因(CYP450 6a2, GenBank登录号： GB49876)的表达,并采用双抗体一步夹心法酶联免疫吸附试验测定其体内细胞色素P450酶(cytochrome P450, CYP450)含量和多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)活力。【结果】1日龄和21日龄意蜂成年工蜂连续饲喂6 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液后,其存活率与对照组(饲喂含0.1 ng/μL丙酮的50%蔗糖溶液)无显著差异;连续饲喂9 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液后,1日龄意蜂成年工蜂存活率与对照组无显著差异,而21日龄意蜂成年工蜂存活率与对照组有显著差异。1日龄意蜂成年工蜂自由取食含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的蔗糖溶液6 d后, PPOA3, CYP450 6a2, ABA和GLD表达水平,细胞色素P450含量以及多酚氧化酶活力与对照组相比均有显著下调趋势;而21日龄意蜂成年工蜂取食该药液6 d后,CYP450 6a2, ABA和GLD表达水平及多酚氧化酶活力与对照组相比均有显著下调趋势,PPOA3表达水平和细胞色素P450含量有显著上调趋势。【结论】亚致死剂量吡虫啉影响意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂免疫解毒相关基因的表达及免疫解毒酶系活力;吡虫啉短期胁迫对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂的存活无显著影响,长期胁迫则会影响意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂的存活。     

意大利蜜蜂职能相关的两个细胞色素P450基因在附肢中的表达分析

[目的]本研究分析意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica中细胞色素P450基因CYP6BD1和CYP49A1在不同日龄工蜂及相同日龄不同职能工蜂的附肢中的表达模式,旨在更好了解细胞色素P450基因在不同职能工蜂处理外源物质过程中的作用.[方法]通过组建蜂群收取3日龄工蜂、10日龄哺育蜂、21日龄采集蜂和21日龄哺育蜂样本,利用荧光定量PCR技术分别检测细胞色素P450基因CYP6BD1和CYP49A1在附肢(触角、前足、中足、后足)中表达情况.[结果]基因CYP6BD1在3日龄工蜂、10日龄哺育蜂、21日龄采集蜂各附肢中的表达量均依次显著增加,且该基因在21日采集蜂各附肢中的表达量显著高于21日哺育蜂;与CYP6BD1基因相比,基因CYP49A1在不同职能工蜂附肢中的表达量均较低,但在3日龄工蜂各附肢中表达相对较高.[结论]基因CYP6BD1和CYP49A1分别在采集蜂和3日龄工蜂各附肢中高量表达,2个基因在降解蜂群外和蜂群内部外源性物质中发挥重要作用,为进一步研究膜翅目昆虫的职能分工提供新的视角.     

中华蜜蜂细胞色素CYP9E2基因克隆及其表达分析

【目的】克隆中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana细胞色素CYP9E2基因的完整编码区序列,分析CYP9E2基因在工蜂体内的表达特征,为研究该基因的生物学功能提供理论基础。【方法】以解剖获得的中华蜜蜂采集蜂中肠组织为材料,提取总RNA。利用RT-PCR技术克隆中华蜜蜂CYP9E2基因的编码区。采用多种生物信息学软件分析该基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列,利用荧光定量PCR技术(quantitative real-time PCR)分析其在中华蜜蜂工蜂成虫期不同阶段(初生蜂、哺育蜂、守卫蜂以及采集蜂)头部和中肠组织中的相对表达量及在饲喂氟氯苯菊酯后工蜂中肠组织中的表达变化。【结果】克隆获得中华蜜蜂CYP9E2基因(命名为Ac CYP9E2)mRNA序列,长度为1 600 bp(Gen Bank登录号:KX394629),编码区长1 494 bp,编码497个氨基酸,其蛋白质分子量为57.026k D,等电点为8.32。系统发育树显示,中华蜜蜂Ac CYP9E2与西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera、小蜜蜂Apis florea CYP9E2基因聚成一支。对中华蜜蜂工蜂成虫期不同阶段头部和中肠组织Ac CYP9E2相对表达量测定发现,该基因在中华蜜蜂工蜂成虫期不同阶段的表达量存在一定差异,其中,采集蜂头部和中肠组织中Ac CYP9E2相对表达量均显著高于初生蜂、哺育蜂以及守卫蜂(P0.05),而且4个阶段工蜂中肠组织中的Ac CYP9E2相对表达量均显著高于其头部(P0.05)。饲喂氟氯苯菊酯后,工蜂中肠组织中Ac CYP9E2的相对表达量显著高于对照组(P0.05)。【结论】推测Ac CYP9E2可能参与了中华蜜蜂机体外源物质的代谢与解毒过程。     

灰飞虱唾液腺三大解毒酶家族的转录组分析

灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus （Fallén）是危害多种禾本科经济作物的重要刺吸式害虫。唾液腺对刺吸式口器昆虫取食植物尤其重要, 其分泌的唾液可以帮助刺吸式口器昆虫刺穿植物、 消化食物、 解毒植物的次生物质。细胞色素P450单加氧酶（cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, P450）、 谷胱甘肽S 转移酶（glutathione S transferase, GST）和羧酸酯酶（carboxylesterase, CarE）是昆虫主要的解毒酶系。为了分析解毒酶基因在灰飞虱唾液腺中的表达谱, 本研究对灰飞虱成虫唾液腺进行转录组测序、 重头组装和注释, 并与豌豆蚜Acyrthosiphon pisum和西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera的同源蛋白进行系统发育分析。发现有9个谷胱甘肽S 转移酶（glutathione S transferase, GST）基因、 22个羧酸酯酶（carboxylesterase, CarE）基因和39个细胞色素P450单加氧酶（cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, P450）基因在灰飞虱唾液腺中表达。通过对同源蛋白进行系统发育分析, 发现灰飞虱唾液腺大部分的CarE是参与消化/解毒和激素/信息素的加工, 而参与神经/发育的CarE很少; 灰飞虱唾液腺表达的P450基因远远少于豌豆蚜和西方蜜蜂基因组的P450基因数, 且只有CYP6和CYP4家族的成员; GST家族在3种昆虫的保守性最高。研究结果为灰飞虱对寄主植物和杀虫剂的适应性研究奠定了基础。     

不同寄主植物继代饲养后草地贪夜蛾幼虫生理酶活性差异

为了明确继代饲喂不同寄主植物对草地贪夜蛾幼虫体内生理酶活性的影响,在室内分别用3种寄主植物叶片饲养草地贪夜蛾多代,测定其F3代5龄幼虫体内保护酶（SOD,POD,CAT）、消化酶（脂肪酶、胃蛋白酶和α-淀粉酶）和解毒酶（GSTs,CarEs,CYP450s）活性差异,并分析不同寄主植物次生代谢物含量与幼虫体内酶活及其生长发育的相关性。结果表明,取食马铃薯叶片的F3代幼虫总发育历期最长,取食小麦的最短,两者间差异显著;小麦叶片中的单宁、总酚、类黄酮和生物碱含量均显著低于玉米和马铃薯;草地贪夜蛾幼虫体内保护酶活性均为取食小麦叶片的最低,取食马铃薯叶片的最高,其中取食马铃薯叶片的草地贪夜蛾体内POD和SOD酶活性达取食小麦的1.34和1.26倍;以3种寄主为食的F3代幼虫脂肪酶和α-淀粉酶活性变化不大,但持续饲喂马铃薯叶片3个世代可导致草地贪夜蛾幼虫体内胃蛋白酶活性显著升高,达10.502 U/mg. prot,为持续饲喂玉米叶片幼虫（1.508 U/mg. prot）的6.96倍以上。连续饲喂3种寄主叶片后的幼虫GSTs和CarEs活性无显著性差异,但取食玉米叶片的幼虫体内细胞色素P450s（CYP450s）活性显著高于取食小麦和马铃薯的幼虫。可见,连续多代取食次生物质含量不同的寄主植物会使草地贪夜蛾体内部分酶活性发生变化,并对幼虫的生长发育产生影响。     

噻虫嗪对意大利蜜蜂6种CYP6AS基因表达的影响

细胞色素P450单氧酶(cytochrome P450 monooxygenase,CYP)是昆虫体内重要的解毒酶。CYP6AS亚家族基因特异性的存在于膜翅目昆虫中,一些特异性的CYP6AS基因已经被证实参与到蜜蜂对某些外源物质和杀虫剂的解毒和代谢过程中。本研究主要探测了亚致死浓度噻虫嗪对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica CYP单氧酶活性及CYP6AS亚家族基因表达水平的影响。首先测定了噻虫嗪LC_(10)和LC_5经口处理4日龄意大利蜜蜂后48 h CYP酶活性,然后应用荧光定量PCR技术检测了6种CYP6AS基因(CYP6AS3,CYP6AS4,CYP6AS5,CYP6AS10,CYP6AS14和CYP6AS15)表达变化情况。结果表明,噻虫嗪LC_(10)和LC_5处理后,意大利蜜蜂CYP酶活性均极显著增加(P0.01)。噻虫嗪LC_(10)和LC_5处理对意大利蜜蜂CYP6AS4,CYP6AS10和CYP6AS15基因表达没有显著影响;LC_(10)和LC_5处理后CYP6AS3基因表达量显著增加(P0.05); LC_(10)处理能够显著诱导CYP6AS5基因上调表达(P0.05);而LC_(10)和LC_5处理极显著抑制CYP6AS14基因的表达(P0.01)。这为进一步探究蜜蜂对噻虫嗪的解毒机制提供了新的线索。     

西方蜜蜂采集蜂上颚腺中高表达基因的筛选与表达分析

【目的】本研究旨在筛选西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera采集蜂上颚腺中高表达基因,为进一步筛选和研究蜜蜂采集行为相关基因提供依据。【方法】基于前期测序的西方蜜蜂5种不同职能工蜂(3日龄工蜂、10日龄哺育蜂、10日龄采集蜂、21日龄哺育蜂和21日龄采集蜂)上颚腺转录组数据,筛选采集蜂上颚腺的差异表达基因(differentially expressed genes, DEGs),并对这些DEGs进行GO和KEGG分析;qRT-PCR检测随机选取的8个DEGs在10日龄哺育蜂和10日龄采集蜂上颚腺以及两个关键DEGs(Δ-1-吡咯啉-5-羧酸合成酶基因Amp5cs和细胞色素P450 9e2基因CYP9Q3)在工蜂不同发育时期和采集蜂各组织中的表达量。【结果】筛选到22个DEGs在21日龄采集蜂上颚腺中的表达量显著高于在3日龄工蜂、10日龄哺育蜂和21日龄哺育蜂上颚腺中的表达量,同时在10日龄采集蜂上颚腺中的表达量也显著高于在10日龄哺育蜂上颚腺中的表达量。GO和KEGG富集分析显示这些DEGs主要富集在胆固醇代谢、半乳糖代谢、淀粉和蔗糖代谢、精氨酸和脯氨酸代谢、细胞凋亡-果蝇、氨基酸生物合成等方面。qRT-PCR结果表明,8个DEGs(LOC100576395, LOC411983, LOC410235, LOC725581, LOC410527, LOC406131, LOC408453和LOC410253)的表达模式与转录组数据的表达模式一致;2个关键DEGs Amp5cs和CYP9Q3在工蜂各发育阶段均有表达,且在采集蜂中表达量最高;Amp5cs在采集蜂腹、胸、上颚腺和触角中高量表达,P450 9e2在采集蜂触角 和足中表达量显著高于在其他组织中的。【结论】本研究在减小日龄因素干扰下筛选了西方蜜蜂采集蜂上颚腺中22个高表达的DEGs,这些DEGs可能主要参与采集蜂上颚腺生理发育以及能量供应、外源性物质解毒、花蜜转化等代谢通路,进而影响蜜蜂的采集行为。这些结果为西方蜜蜂上颚腺的功能研究提供理论参考,同时也为采集力强的新品种培育奠定了基础。     

苹果蠹蛾细胞色素P450基因CYP332A19和CYP337B19的克隆及表达分析

【目的】本研究旨在通过克隆苹果蠹蛾Cydia pomonella细胞色素P450基因CYP332A19和CYP337B19,并对其进行序列和表达分析,以更好地了解这两个P450基因在植物次生物质解毒方面的作用,为进一步的功能研究提供依据。【方法】采用本地BLAST搜索苹果蠹蛾转录组数据库获得细胞色素P450基因cDNA序列,采用RT-PCR技术克隆目的基因的编码区。利用生物信息学软件分析目的基因的序列特征及与其他近缘物种的P450基因的系统进化关系。采用RT-qPCR技术测定目的基因在苹果蠹蛾不同发育阶段(卵、1-5龄幼虫、蛹和成虫)、4龄幼虫不同组织(头部、表皮、脂肪体、中肠和马氏管)以及4龄幼虫分别取食添加0.1%香豆素和0.5%槲皮素的人工饲料2 d后的表达水平。【结果】克隆获得苹果蠹蛾细胞色素P450基因CYP332A19(GenBank登录号: MF574708)和CYP337B19(GenBank登录号: MF574697)的全长cDNA序列,开放阅读框(ORF)分别长1 518和1 491 bp,分别编码505和496个氨基酸,其蛋白质分子量分别为58.586和57.734 kD,理论等电点分别为8.99和7.61。结构域分析显示,CYP332A19和CYP337B19中均包含包括血色素结合区在内的5个保守的细胞色素P450结构域。系统发育树显示,苹果蠹蛾CYP332A19与苹淡褐卷蛾Epighyas postvittana CYP332A9等CYP332A基因聚在一枝,而CYP337B19与稻纵卷叶螟Cnaphalocrocis medinalis CYP337B12和六星灯蛾Zygaena filipendulae CYP337B11等CYP337B基因聚在另一枝。RT-qPCR分析结果表明,CYP332A19和CYP337B19在苹果蠹蛾幼虫期的表达水平高于卵期的,分别在4龄幼虫脂肪体和中肠中的表达量最高。取食分别含0.1%香豆素和0.5%槲皮素的人工饲料2 d后,4龄幼虫体内的CYP332A19和CYP337B19相对表达量显著高于对照组(取食含2%DMSO的人工饲料)。【结论】CYP332A19和CYP332B19分别在苹果蠹蛾幼虫脂肪体和中肠中高表达,且在取食含香豆素和槲皮素的人工饲料的苹果蠹蛾幼虫体内表达量升高,说明这两个基因可能参与苹果蠹蛾对外源物质的解毒代谢过程。本研究的结果有助于我们了解苹果蠹蛾对寄主次生物质解毒代谢机理,为苹果蠹蛾防治提供新思路。     

细胞色素P450：肿瘤研究中的新热点

细胞色素P450（CYP450）是体内重要的Ⅰ相代谢酶,与许多前致癌物和致癌物的活化有关。CYP450是目前肿瘤研究中新的热点之一。深入研究CYP450在肿瘤发生、发展过程中的作用机制及基因多态性与肿瘤易感性的关系,对肿瘤防治有积极作用。现就近年来CYP450在肿瘤领域的研究进展进行综述。     

氯虫苯甲酰胺诱导甜菜夜蛾细胞色素P450基因上调表达

【目的】明确氯虫苯甲酰胺对甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)细胞色素P450基因的诱导表达作用。【方法】采用O-脱乙基香豆素法研究了低剂量氯虫苯甲酰胺处理对甜菜夜蛾幼虫中肠P450s酶活性的影响,应用Real-time PCR方法测定了其对P450基因(CYP9A9, CYP4G37,CYP4S11和CYP6B)和NADPH细胞色素P450还原酶基因(HQ852049)表达的影响。【结果】氯虫苯甲酰胺对甜菜夜蛾P450酶及相关基因的诱导作用均表现出时间效应和剂量效应,。甜菜夜蛾4龄幼虫取食0.02 mg/kg氯虫苯甲酰胺饲料至5龄, 在蜕皮后6-36 h内, 其P450s酶活性增加为对照组的1.90~2.92倍, 诱导效应高于0.01 mg/kg氯虫苯甲酰胺处理组（其P450s酶活性为对照组的1.11~1.62倍）。同时, 0.02 mg/kg氯虫苯甲酰胺处理组甜菜夜蛾中肠P450基因CYP9A9, CYP4G37和CYP6B mRNA的相对表达量分别上升为对照组的1.97~3.95, 2.46~4.29及1.53~4.48倍, NADPH细胞色素P450还原酶基因 HQ852049 的相对表达量亦增加为对照的1.85~4.08倍。【结论】结果提示,氯虫苯甲酰胺可能通过诱导3种P450基因及细胞色素P450还原酶基因 HQ852049 基因mRNA的上调表达而增强了甜菜夜蛾幼虫中肠P450s酶活性。     

Assessment of mucosal immune response in genitourinary tract using urine.

A novel method to assess mucosal immune response in the genitourinary mucosa after immunization with a mucosal vaccine has been developed. In this method, secretory IgA antibody is measured by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay (immune-complex transfer enzyme immunoassay) using urine as a specimen. The urinary IgA antibody response could be detected by the immune-complex transfer enzyme immunoassay. In contrast, a conventional enzyme immunoassay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) could not detect this response because of its low sensitivity. Because urine samples can be collected easily and nontraumatically, not only from experimental animals but also from humans, both males and females, the present method may be applicable for assessing the protective efficacy of candidates for mucosal vaccines against sexually transmitted microorganisms, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Furthermore, the usefulness of this method for novel mucosal vaccine formulae was shown for a model in which vaccine antigen and Bordetella pertussis adjuvant were adsorbed onto CaCO, and enclosed in enteric coated capsules.     

MCP-1-induced protein-1, an immune regulator

MCP-1-induced protein-1 (MCPIP1) is a newly identified protein that is crucial to immune regulation. Mice lacking MCPIP1 gene suffer from severe immune disorders, and most of them cannot survive longer than 12 weeks. Considerable progress has been made in revealing the mechanism underlying the immune regulatory function of MCPIP1. MCPIP1 can act as an RNase to promote the mRNA degradation of some inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-1. Pre-microRNAs are also confirmed to be the substrate of MCPIP1 RNase. The structure of MCPIP1 N-terminal conserved domain shows a PilT N-terminus-like RNase structure, further supporting the notion that MCPIP1 has RNase activity. MCPIP1 can also deubiquitinate TNF receptor-associated factor family proteins, which are known to mediate immune and inflammatory responses. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the immune regulatory role of MCPIP1 and discuss the mechanisms underlying its function.     

蛋白修饰途径中结合酶在免疫应答中的功能

泛素化途径和SUMO化途径是真核生物细胞内两种很重要的蛋白修饰途径,结合酶为蛋白修饰途径中的第二个酶,对于靶蛋白的修饰具有十分重要的作用。近年来,在研究细胞遭受病原体入侵时产生的免疫应答中屡次鉴定出结合酶的参与。对于结合酶在免疫反应中的功能多样性从病毒和细菌引起的免疫应答两个方面,对泛素结合酶进行了总结,同时也介绍了SUMO结合酶在免疫反应中的研究进展。     

Effect of serotonin-acting agents on the serotonin content of immune cells. A peculiar observation

The effect of the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, PCPA methylester, the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine and MAO-A inhibitor clorgyline on the serotonin content of rat immune cells was studied, using labelled antibodies and flow cytometry. Each molecule significantly increased in males the serotonin concentration of peritoneal lymphocytes and the monocyte-macrophage-granulocyte group (mo-gran), however the agents were ineffective towards mast cells. In females fluoxetine and clorgyline increased the serotonin concentration in peritoneal lymphocytes and mo-gran. Fluoxetine also increased the serotonin level in mast cells. Thymus was absolutely resistant to the drugs in both genders. The results call attention (1) to the reverse effect of serotonin-acting agents on immune cells, (2) to the influence of the milieu where the cell is located and (3) the effect of gender.     

Changes in immune functions during a peaking period in male university soccer players

The concept of peaking ensures that athletes have trained to attain their absolute peak performance levels prior to a competition. This study investigates the effects of peaking on the functions of neutrophils and lymphocytes in university soccer players during a five‐day soccer training camp followed by two weeks of tapering. The study subjects were 22 soccer players who were members of a university soccer club. We carried out our investigation during a five‐day training camp and two weeks after the training camp (i.e. the tapering period). We measured body composition, immune‐related parameters (leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, immunoglobulins and complements), myogenic enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and neutrophil functions [reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytic activity, serum opsonic activity and lymphocyte subtypes]. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts tend to increase after the training camp compared with values before the training camp, and recovered during the conditioning period, although the final values were still lower than those before the training camp. The amount of ROS production per neutrophil and level of SOD decreased significantly during the conditioning period compared with before the training camp (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Levels of Th1 cells decreased significantly during the conditioning period compared with the training camp (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the period of two weeks for the tapering period was considered insufficient to allow the athletes’ immune function to recover completely after an intensive training camp. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Histology and histochemical enzyme‐staining patterns of major immune organs in Epinephelus malabaricus

The histological architecture of major immune organs in the Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus was investigated. The novel characteristics such as melanomacrophage centres (MMCs) appeared in the thymus and lymphopoietic tissue formed as foci in the head kidney. Leukocyte distribution in organs was identified by enzyme histochemistry. β‐glucuronidase (BG) reactive cells in the cortex region of the thymus were botryoidally aggregated. Both acid phosphatase (AcP) and BG reactive cells concentrated within the specialized lymphopoietic foci in the head kidney, suggesting that the foci might be functional. Primitive histological characters of immunity were observed in the spleen. Although leukocyte aggregation was demonstrated in the spleen, additional enzyme histochemistry indicated that the aggregate might not be the equivalent of white pulp found in other vertebrates. The histological evidence did not support intestinal involvement in the immune system: there was no demonstrable gut associated lymphoid tissue. The limited distribution in the cortex and medulla boundary and the condensed format of the lymphocytes suggests a functional role for the MMC in the thymus of E. malabaricus . The MMC appearance in the thymus of a teleost was unusual.     

Activity modulation of microbial enzymes by llama (Lama glama) heavy-chain polyclonal antibodies during in vivo immune responses

Since they were first described in 1993, it was found that recombinant variable fragments (rVHHs) of heavy-chain antibodies (HCAbs) from Camelidae have unusual biophysical properties, as well as a special ability to interact with epitopes that are cryptic for conventional Abs. It has been assumed that in vivo raised polyclonal HCAbs (pHCAbs) should behave in a similar manner than rVHHs; however, this assumption has not been tested sufficiently. Furthermore, our own preliminary work on a single serum sample from a llama immunized with a β-lactamase, has suggested that pHCAbs have no special ability to down-modulate catalytic activity. In this work, we further explored the interaction of pHCAbs from four llamas raised against two microbial enzymes and analyzed it within a short and a long immunization plan. The relative contribution of pHCAbs to serum titer was found to be low compared with that of the most abundant conventional subisotype (IgG(1)), during the whole immunization schedule. Furthermore, pHCAbs not only failed to inhibit the enzymes, but also activated one of them. Altogether, these results suggest that raising high titer inhibitory HCAbs is not a straightforward strategy - neither as a biotechnological strategy nor in the biological context of an immune response against infection - as raising inhibitory rVHHs.     

Fermented soybean meal increases nutrient digestibility via the improvement of intestinal function,anti-oxidative capacity and immune function of weaned pigs

The nutritional components of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) vary because of the complex process of microbial fermentation. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of FSBM from two sources and explore the mode of actions of FSBM on the improvement of nutrient digestibility with the measurements of digestive enzymes and serum biomarkers. Eight weaned barrows (initial BW: 14.12 ± 0.24 kg) equipped with T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design with four experimental diets and four periods. Four experimental diets included a soybean meal control diet, two FSBM diets, and a nitrogen-free diet. The two sources of FSBM increased the contents of CP, amino acid and lactic acid, while decreased the levels of anti-nutritional factors, including glycinin, β-conglycinin and trypsin inhibitors. Compared to soybean meal control diet, both FSBM diets significantly increased the apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of CP and amino acids (P < 0.05), increased the activities of lipase, maltase and invertase in digesta (P < 0.05), increased total antioxidant capacity, activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, the levels of interleukin-4, IgA, IgG and IgM in serum (P < 0.05), while decreased the levels of diamine oxidase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and interleukin-2 in serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids were highly correlated with the aforementioned digestive enzymes and health-related serum biomarkers. In summary, FSBM diets showed an improved nutritional value evidenced by the higher nutrient digestibility, which may be partially derived from its beneficial effects on intestinal integrity, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function.     

Phosphatidylserine externalization by apoptotic cells is dispensable for specific recognition leading to innate apoptotic immune responses

Surface determinants newly expressed by apoptotic cells that are involved in triggering potent immunosuppressive responses, referred to as “innate apoptotic immunity (IAI)” have not been characterized fully. It is widely assumed, often implicitly, that phosphatidylserine, a phospholipid normally cloistered in the inner leaflet of cells and externalized specifically during apoptosis, is involved in triggering IAI, just as it plays an essential role in the phagocytic recognition of apoptotic cells. It is notable, however, that the triggering of IAI in responder cells is not dependent on the engulfment of apoptotic cells by those responders. Contact between the responder and the apoptotic target, on the other hand, is necessary to elicit IAI. Previously, we demonstrated that exposure of protease-sensitive determinants on the apoptotic cell surface are essential for initiating IAI responses; exposed glycolytic enzyme molecules were implicated in particular. Here, we report our analysis of the involvement of externalized phosphatidylserine in triggering IAI. To analyze the role of phosphatidylserine, we employed a panel of target cells that either externalized phosphatidylserine constitutively, independently of apoptosis, or did not, as well as their WT parental cells that externalized the phospholipid in an apoptosis-dependent manner. We found that the externalization of phosphatidylserine, which can be fully uncoupled from apoptosis, is neither sufficient nor necessary to trigger the profound immunomodulatory effects of IAI. These results reinforce the view that apoptotic immunomodulation and phagocytosis are dissociable and further underscore the significance of protein determinants localized to the cell surface during apoptosis in triggering innate apoptotic immunity.     

Detoxification,antioxidant, and digestive enzyme activities and gene expression analysis of Lymantria dispar larvae under carvacrol

Carvacrol is a terpene compound with various biological activities. However, few studies have specifically focused on its insecticidal activity and mechanism of carvacrol. The larvae of Lymantria dispar are seriously harmful herbivorous insect. This study measured the antifeedant, growth-inhibitory, and toxic effects of carvacrol on L. dispar larvae. To further clarify the insecticidal mechanism of carvacrol, the effects of carvacrol on detoxifying enzymes, antioxidative enzymes, digestive enzyme activities, and the mRNA expression of the above-mentioned enzyme genes were investigated. The results of the study showed that the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) and the sublethal concentration (LC₂₀) of carvacrol were 1.120 mg/mL and 0.297 mg/mL, respectively, at 72 h. After LC₂₀ treatment of L. dispar larvae for 72 h, food intake and weight gain were significantly lower compared with the control. Enzyme activity assays showed that carvacrol significantly inhibited the activities of carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and the inhibition rate of AchE activity was highest (66.51%). Carvacrol also activated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while it inhibited the activities of lipase (LIP) and amylase (AMS), and first inhibited and then activated protease. In addition, qRT-PCR tests showed that carvacrol affected the mRNA expression levels of CarE, GST, AchE, SOD, CAT, LIP, AMS, and protease. This study helps to clarify the insecticidal mechanism of carvacrol on L. dispar larvae.