猪γ-干扰素在重组杆状病毒中的表达及其抗病毒活性的测定

研究利用Bac-To-Bac杆状病毒表达系统构建含有猪γ-干扰素(porcine interferon-γ,PoIFN-γ)完整开放阅读框的供体质粒pFastBacTM1-PoIFN-γ,转化DH10Bac感受态细胞获得重组穿梭质粒rBacmid-PoIFN-γ,转染sf9昆虫细胞救获表达PoIFN-γ的重组杆状病毒rBac-PoIFN-γ。以抗PoIFN-γ单克隆抗体为一抗进行Western blot、间接免疫荧光(IFA)及间接ELISA检测,结果表明PoIFN-γ在重组杆状病毒rBac-PoIFN-γ感染的昆虫细胞中获得正确表达。抗病毒活性试验显示,重组杆状病毒表达rPoIFN-γ能有效抑制水疱性口炎病毒(VSV)在猪肾细胞系(PK-15)的复制,rBac-PoIFN-γ感染昆虫细胞培养上清抗病毒活性为2×104抑制单位(IU)/mL,其抗病毒活性可以被鼠抗原核表达重组PoIFN-γ免疫血清有效阻断。结果表明rPoIFN-γ在重组杆状病毒rBac-PoIFN-γ在感染昆虫细胞获得有效表达,并具有高效抗病毒活性。     

猪γ干扰素的表达及其抗病毒活性的安全检测

为了提高干扰素抗病毒活性测定的生物安全性,本研究使用含有GFP的复制缺陷型水疱性口炎病毒(VSV△G*G)为指示病毒,分别对经原核表达系统和杆状病毒表达系统表达的重组猪γ干扰素(PoIFN-γ)在MDBK细胞上进行抗病毒活性测定。结果显示:由杆状病毒表达的重组PoIFN-γ具有高度抗病毒活性,其抗病毒活性为105IU/mL,原核表达的重组PoIFN-γ纯化后经缓慢复性也会产生一定的抗病毒活性,其抗病毒活性为32IU/mL。该方法与利用表达GFP的重组水疱性口炎病毒(VSV*GFP)所检测的干扰素抗病毒活性结果完全一致,表明复制缺陷型病毒VSV△G*G可作为复制型重组病毒的替代品,使得干扰素抗病毒活性检测更加安全、准确。     

鸡γ干扰素的可溶性表达及纯化产物的抗病毒活性

【目的】克隆鸡γ-干扰素（chIFN-γ）基因,大肠杆菌表达及产物纯化与活性检测。【方法】通过RT-PCR方法用ConA刺激的20日龄SPF鸡的脾脏淋巴细胞中扩增出chIFN-γ成熟蛋白基因cDNA,克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a (+),构建重组表达质粒pET-32a (+)-chIFN-γ,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中经IPTG诱导表达,利用镍柱亲和层析法纯化可溶性蛋白,并进行SDS-PAGE、Western blot鉴定。利用MDCK-VSV系统测定抗病毒活性。【结果】克隆得到456 bp 的chIFN-γ成熟蛋白编码基因,大肠杆菌中成功表达chIFN-γ蛋白,分子量约为31.0 kDa,能与抗His的单克隆抗体和兔源多抗血清发生特异性反应。表达蛋白一部分形成包涵体,另一部分以可溶形式存在,可溶性蛋白经镍柱在天然条件下的纯化得率为3.0 mg/mL。生物学活性试验表明,1:32 稀释纯化的重组chIFN-γ （rchIFN-γ）孵育MDCK细胞后能抵抗100TCID50的VSV攻击。【结论】通过镍柱天然纯化获得的rchIFN-γ具有较好的抗病毒活性,为研制新型抗病毒干扰素制剂奠定基础。     

牛γ-干扰素在重组杆状病毒中的表达及其抗病毒活性的测定

研究利用Bac-To-Bac杆状病毒表达系统构建含有牛γ-干扰素(Bovine interferon-γ,BoIFN-γ)完整开放阅读框的供体质粒pFastBacTM1-BoIFN-γ,转化DH10Bac感受态细胞获得重组穿梭质粒rBacmid-BoIFN-γ,转染sf9昆虫细胞救获表达BoIFN-γ的重组杆状病毒rBac-BoIFN-γ。采用抗BoIFN-γ单克隆抗体作为一抗进行间接免疫荧光(IFA)及间接ELISA检测,表明BoIFN-γ在重组杆状病毒rBac-BoIFN-γ感染的sf9昆虫细胞中获得正确表达。利用VSV*GFP-MDBK细胞系统测定rBoIFN-γ抗病毒活性,重组杆状病毒表达重组BoIFN-γ(rBoIFN-γ)能有效抑制水疱性口炎病毒(VSV)在牛肾细胞(MDBK)上的复制,rBac-BoIFN-γ感染sf9昆虫细胞上清抗病毒活性为2×105IU/mL,而且其抗病毒活性可以被鼠抗原核表达重组BoIFN-γ免疫血清阻断。结果表明:rBoIFN-γ在重组杆状病毒rBac-BoIFN-γ感染的sf9昆虫细胞中获得良好表达,并具有高效抗病毒活性。     

猪α-干扰素的原核表达及活性测定

目的：表达并纯化出具有生物学活性的重组猪α-干扰素。方法：根据前期合成的猪α-干扰素基因序列设计引物,用PCR方法扩增出猪α-干扰素基因,并将其定向克隆入原核表达载体pET28中,酶切及测序鉴定正确后,转化大肠杆菌BL21进行诱导表达,对表达产物通过镍琼脂糖凝胶柱亲和层析纯化、透析法复性后,采用微量细胞病变抑制法测定重组猪α-干扰素的活性。结果：测序结果表明构建了猪α-干扰素原核表达载体pET28-poIFN-α;诱导表达后经SDS-PAGE分析,在相对分子质量约21×10^3的位置出现明显的诱导蛋白条带,与目的蛋白大小相近;经分析表达产物主要以包涵体形式存在,约占菌体总蛋白的36%,纯化后的目的蛋白纯度约为90%;采用微量细胞病变抑制法测定其活性约为1.67×10^6U/mg。结论：获得了纯度较高并具有较高活性的重组猪α-干扰素,为下一步研究猪α-干扰素药物价值及其生物制剂的生产、应用奠定了基础。     

北极狐γ-干扰素cDNA的克隆、表达及活性测定

为研究狐γ-干扰素的生物学活性,应用反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)从北极狐外周血淋巴细胞中扩增出γ-干扰素(VuIFN-γ)cDNA.序列分析表明VuIFN-γcDNA全长501 bp,编码23个氨基酸的信号肽和144个氨基酸的成熟肽蛋白,与已发表的银黑狐和犬IFN-γ核苷酸序列同源性为99.8%和99.4%;氨基酸同源性均为100%.应用原核表达系统高效表达北极狐γ-干扰素成熟肽蛋白,SDS-PAGE和Western blotting分析表达的融合蛋白分子量约为19 kD,以不溶性的包涵体形式存在.重组蛋白经纯化和复性,在Vero和MDCK细胞上可明显抑制VSV病毒的复制,并测出北极狐重组γ-干扰素的活性单位分别为1.0×106 u/mg和1.56×105 u/mg,为进一步开发基因工程狐干扰素奠定基础.     

携带猪γ干扰素基因逆转录病毒载体的构建及其在猪肾细胞(PK-15)中的表达

将梅山猪γ干扰素基因定向插入逆转录病毒载体pLXSN(neor),构建逆转录病毒重组质粒,利用脂质体介导法将重组质粒转染逆转录病毒包装细胞系PA317,转染细胞经含G418(400μg/mL)培养基筛选一周后获得稳定产毒的PA317细胞系。从细胞培养上清中提取RNA,进行RT-PCR检测,扩增到目的片段;将上清感染猪肾细胞(PK-15),经含G418(400μg/mL、600μg/mL和800μg/mL)的DMEM筛选一周,间接免疫荧光表明表达的猪γ干扰素主要锚定于细胞膜。收取PK-15细胞上清,在牛肾细胞(MDBK)上进行干扰素抗病毒活性检测,结果显示重组病毒表达的猪γ干扰素抗水泡性口炎病毒(VSV)的活性为1200IU/106cells.48h。以表达的干扰素处理PK-15细胞后,经细胞病变抑制法测定,重组猪γ干扰素可以抵抗口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)感染。试验结果表明猪γ干扰素基因已成功插入逆转录病毒基因组并在PK-15细胞中表达,表达的重组猪γ干扰素具有较强的抗病毒生物活性。     

毕赤酵母表达猪干扰素-γ基因及其抑制蓝耳病病毒效果

为了研究和应用猪重组干扰素-γ（rPoIFN-γ）预防和治疗病毒性疫病,将大白猪PoIFN-γ基因插入到酵母整合载体pHIL-S1、构建了重组GS115工程菌（pHIL-S1/rPoIFN-γ）。经过SDSPAGE、Western blot分析和抗滤泡性口炎病毒（VSV）活性测定,证实rPoIFN-γ分子量为18 kD,在GS115中的表达量为18%;其抗VSV活性为450～540 u/mL。用rPoIFNγ处理猪肺巨噬细胞系Marc145后,经细胞病变抑制法（CPE50）测定,rPoIFNγ可以抵抗蓝耳病病毒（PRRSV）感染。结果显示酵母表达的rPoIFN-γ是有应用价值的抗病毒生物工程制剂。     

重组鲁西黄牛α干扰素融合蛋白的表达及其抗病毒活性研究

通过PCR从鲁西黄牛(Yellowcattle)基因组DNA中克隆了α干扰素(BoIFN-α)基因,并插入到pET32a 中,构建成重组原核表达质粒pET32a /BoIFN-α,进行测序和诱导表达。测序结果表明,鲁西黄牛IFN-α基因全长498个核苷酸,含一个开放阅读框(ORF),编码166个氨基酸的成熟蛋白,与已报道的牛α干扰素C亚型氨基酸组成同源性为97.6%。表达产物经SDS-PAGE分析,表达出40kD的融合蛋白,表达量占菌体总蛋白的26.7%。表达产物经镍离子螯合次氨基三乙酸(Ni-NTA)亲和层析纯化,纯化产物进行复性后在MDBK/VSV上的活性为5×105u/mg。重组牛IFN-α(rBoIFN-α)对牛轮状病毒(BRV)有一定的抑制作用,抗BRV病毒活性为1.5×105u/mg。结果显示从鲁西黄牛中克隆了IFN-α基因的一种新亚型,即BoIFN-αC2,并实现了高效表达,获得了具有较高抗病毒活性的重组干扰素产物,为重组牛干扰素的开发奠定了基础。     

猪干扰素-γ基因在毕赤酵母中的分泌表达

将去除信号肽的猪干扰素-γ（PoIFN-γ）基因置于酿酒酵母α因子分泌信号的DNA序列后, 构建成pPIC9K-α-PoIFN-γ分泌型重组表达载体, 电转化导入毕赤酵母GS115中,经G418筛选后获得2株多拷贝插入的重组子。SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析结果表明,所获得的重组子能够分泌表达出17kD和23kD左右的PoIFN-γ特异蛋白,其表达量为108mg/L,占培养液总蛋白的60%。实验首次在毕赤酵母表达系统中实现了PoIFN-γ基因的分泌表达。     

Regulation of macrophage growth and antiviral activity by interferon-gamma

Interferons, in addition to their antiviral activity, induce a multiplicity of effects on different cell types. Interferon (IFN)-gamma exerts a unique regulatory effect on cells of the mononuclear phagocyte lineage. To investigate whether the antiviral and antiproliferative effects of IFN-gamma in macrophages can be genetically dissociated, and whether IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma use the same cellular signals and/or effector mechanisms to achieve their biologic effects, we have derived a series of somatic cell genetic variants resistant to the antiproliferative and/or antiviral activities of IFN-gamma. Two different classes of variants were found: those resistant to the antiproliferative and antiviral effects of IFN-gamma against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and those resistant to the antiproliferative effect, but protected against VSV and encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) lysis by IFN-gamma. In addition, a third class of mutants was obtained that was susceptible to the growth inhibitory activity, but resistant to the antiviral activity of IFN-gamma. Analysis of these mutants has provided several insights regarding the regulatory mechanisms of IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha on the murine macrophage cell lines. The antiproliferative activity of IFN-gamma on these cells, in contrast to that of IFN-alpha, is mediated by a cAMP-independent pathway. The antiproliferative and antiviral activities of IFN-gamma were genetically dissociated. Variants were obtained that are growth resistant but antivirally protected, or are growth inhibited but not antivirally protected against VSV or EMCV. The genetic analysis indicated that IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma regulate the induction of the dsRNA-dependent P1/eIF-2 alpha protein kinase and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase enzymatic activities via different pathways. Finally, a unique macrophage mutant was obtained that was protected by IFN-gamma against infection by VSV, but not EMCV, suggesting that antiviral mechanisms involved in protection against these different types of RNA viruses must be distinct at some level.     

Recombinant porcine zona pellucida glycoproteins expressed in Sf9 cells bind to bovine sperm but not to porcine sperm

The zona pellucida, which surrounds the mammalian oocyte, consists of the ZPA, ZPB, and ZPC glycoproteins and plays roles in species-selective sperm-egg interactions via its carbohydrate moieties. In the pig, this activity is conferred by tri- and tetraantennary complex type chains; in cattle, it is conferred by a chain of 5 mannose residues. In this study, porcine zona glycoproteins were expressed as secreted forms, using the baculovirus-Sf9 insect cell system. The sperm binding activities of the recombinant proteins were examined in three different assays. The assays clearly demonstrated that recombinant ZPB bound bovine sperm weakly but did not bind porcine sperm; when recombinant ZPC was also present, bovine sperm binding activity was greatly increased, but porcine sperm still was not bound. The major sugar chains of ZPB were pauci and high mannose type chains that were similar in structure to the major neutral N-linked chain of the bovine zona. In fact, the nonreducing terminal alpha-mannose residues were necessary for the sperm binding activity. These results show that the carbohydrate moieties of zona glycoproteins, but not the polypeptide moieties, play an essential role in species-selective recognition of porcine and bovine sperm. Moreover, Asn to Asp mutations at either of two of the N-glycosylation sites of ZPB, residue 203 or 220, significantly reduced the sperm binding activity of the ZPB/ZPC mixture, whereas a similar mutation at the third N-glycosylation site, Asn-333, had no effect on binding. These results suggest that the N-glycans located in the N-terminal half of the ZP domain of porcine ZPB are involved in sperm-zona binding.     

Tetracycline-controlled expression of glycosylated porcine interferon-gamma in mammalian cells

Tetracycline-controlled expression plasmids that allow inducible expression of proteins in mammalian cells (Gossen & Bujard, 1992), have been used to express porcine interferon-gamma in the RK-13 rabbit kidney cell line. Following neomycin selection, stable clones produced recombinant, glycosylated porcine interferon-gamma (rGPoIFN-gamma) only after removal of tetracycline (Tc). Southern blot analysis of one clone showed that approximately 50 copies of IFN-gamma cDNA were present in the cell genome. In the absence of Tc, stable clones secreted large amounts of rGPoIFN-gamma (up to 16 microg/ml) into the medium supplemented with 10% FCS and high glucose concentration. Molecular weight comparison of 35S-Methionine, labelled rGPoIFN-gamma with natural leukocytic IFN-gamma after immunoprecipitation, revealed 4 major glycoforms with apparent Mr of 27,000; 25,000; 20,000 and 18,500, that are almost identical in both IFN-gamma species. In both cases, all 4 glycoforms resolved into 2 polypeptide monomers with apparent Mr of 16,500 and 14,500 upon deglycosylation with N-glycosydase F. The biological activity of rGPoIFN-gamma was in the same range as that of natural leukocytic PoIFN-gamma (2 x 10(6) U/mg). Eventually, this recombinant mammalian IFN-gamma should constitute a very useful substitute for leukocyte PoIFN-gamma in in vitro or in vivo experiments.     

Recombinant human prorenin from CHO cells: Expression and purification

The gene for human preprorenin was obtained from total RNA prepared from primary human chorion cells. An expression vector was constructed containing an SV40 early promoter, a human preprorenin cDNA, bovine growth hormone poly-A addition signal, and a dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) expression cassette. This vector was inserted into the DXB-11 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line. The recombinant protein was exported by CHO cells into the tissue culture media. At harvest the prorenin levels ranged from 1–5 mg/L. For prorenin isolation the cell culture supernatants were processed by filtration, concentration, dialysis, and batch extraction. Preparative-scale isolation of prorenin was accomplished using blue-dye chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography. The isolated prorenin yielded a single SDS-gel band with Mr 40,000. The proprotein was characterized with respect to N-terminal sequence and N-linked sugar composition. Trypsin-activated renin prepared from the proprotein was characterized with respect to N-terminal sequence andpH-activity profile. Enzyme activity was measured with a newly developed fluorogenic peptide substrate containing the P₆-P₃ sequence of human angiotensinogen.     

Protein synthesis-dependent potentiation by thyroxine of antiviral activity of interferon-gamma

We have studiedthe prenuclear signal transduction pathway by which thyroid hormonepotentiates the antiviral activity of human interferon- (IFN-) inHeLa cells, which are deficient in thyroid hormone receptor (TR). Theaction of thyroid hormone was compared with that of milrinone, whichhas structural homologies with thyroid hormone.L-Thyroxine(T₄),3,5,3'-L-triiodothyronine (T₃), and milrinone enhanced theantiviral activity of IFN- up to 100-fold, a potentiation blocked bycycloheximide. The 5'-deiodinase inhibitor6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil did not blockthe T₄ effect. 3,3',5,5'-Tetraiodothyroacetic acid prevented the effect ofT₄ but not of milrinone. Theeffects of T₄ and milrinone wereblocked by inhibitors of protein kinases C (PKC) and A (PKA) andrestored by PKC and PKA agonists; only the effect ofT₄ was blocked by genistein, atyrosine kinase inhibitor. In separate models, milrinone was shown notto interact with nuclear TR-.T₄ potentiation of the antiviralactivity of IFN- requires PKC, PKA, and tyrosine kinase activitiesbut not traditional TR.

     

Biochemical characterization of rhEpo-Fc fusion protein expressed in CHO cells

One challenge in biotechnology industry is to produce recombinant proteins with prolonged serum half-life. One strategy for enhancing the serum half-life of proteins includes increasing the molecular weight of the protein of interest by fusion to the Fc part of an antibody. In this context, we have expressed a homodimer fusion protein in CHO cells which consists of two identical polypeptide chains, in which our target protein, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo), is N-terminally linked with the Fc part of a human IgG₁ molecule. In the present study, culture supernatant of a stable clone was collected and purified by affinity chromatography prior characterization. We emphasized product quality aspects regarding the fusion protein itself and in addition, post-translational characterization of the subunits in comparison to human antibodies and rhEpo. However, overproduction of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells is well established, analysis of product quality of complex products for different purposes, such as product specification, purification issues, batch to batch consistency and therapeutical consequences, is required. Besides product quantification by ELISA, N-acetylneuraminic acid quantification in microtiterplates, quantitative isoform pattern and entire glycan profiling was performed. By using these techniques for the characterization of the recombinant human Epo-Fc (rhEpo-Fc) molecule itself and furthermore, for the separate characterization of both subunits, we could clearly show that no significant differences in the core glycan structures compared to rhEpo and human antibody N-glycans were found. The direct comparison with other rhEpo-Fc fusion proteins failed, because no appropriate data were found in the literature.     

Recombinant human interferon-gamma inhibits formation of human osteoclast-like cells

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro, but the mechanism responsible for this inhibition is unknown. We have used a long-term human marrow culture system that forms multinucleated cells (MNC) with osteoclast characteristics to test the effect of recombinant human IFN-gamma on MNC formation. The addition of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25D3) at 10(-8) M to these cultures significantly increased both MNC formation and the number of nuclei per MNC. IFN-gamma at 100 U/ml strongly inhibited both of these effects of 1,25D3 in this system. IFN-gamma significantly inhibited MNC formation at very low concentrations (4 U/ml), with 10 U/ml inhibiting 1,25D3-stimulated MNC formation by 50%. In contrast, 100 U/ml of IFN-gamma were required to inhibit the growth of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells, the probable progenitor for MNC, by 50%. Treatment of cultures with IFN-gamma for only the first or last week of culture significantly inhibited MNC formation stimulated by 1,25D3. Autoradiographic studies with [3H]thymidine showed that IFN-gamma did not inhibit proliferation of precursors for MNC. Additionally, IFN-gamma inhibited MNC formation stimulated by parathyroid hormone or interleukin 1. These results suggest that IFN-gamma inhibits MNC formation, and that IFN-gamma inhibits bone resorption in part by inhibiting osteoclast formation.     

Differences in the glycosylation of recombinant proteins expressed in HEK and CHO cells

Glycosylation is one of the most common posttranslational modifications of proteins. It has important roles for protein structure, stability and functions. In vivo the glycostructures influence pharmacokinetics and immunogenecity. It is well known that significant differences in glycosylation and glycostructures exist between recombinant proteins expressed in mammalian, yeast and insect cells. However, differences in protein glycosylation between different mammalian cell lines are much less well known. In order to examine differences in glycosylation in mammalian cells we have expressed 12 proteins in the two commonly used cell lines HEK and CHO. The cells were transiently transfected, and the expressed proteins were purified. To identify differences in glycosylation the proteins were analyzed on SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing (IEF), mass spectrometry and released glycans on capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE-LIF). For all proteins significant differences in the glycosylation were detected. The proteins migrated differently on SDS-PAGE, had different isoform patterns on IEF, showed different mass peak distributions on mass spectrometry and showed differences in the glycostructures detected in CGE. In order to verify that differences detected were attributed to glycosylation the proteins were treated with deglycosylating enzymes. Although, culture conditions induced minor changes in the glycosylation the major differences were between the two cell lines.     

Purification and characterization of soluble human IL-6 receptor expressed in CHO cells

An immunosorbent assay system to detect genetically engineered IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) was established, whereby soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) was detected in the culture medium when sIL-6R cDNA was transfected into COS1 cells. A stably transformed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line constitutively expressing sIL-6R has been established. The recombinant sIL-6R was purified to homogeneity by sequential filtration and chromatography of the culture medium. The recombinant sIL-6R augmented the sensitivity of M1 cells to IL-6 in growth inhibition assay in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a radioisotope immunosorbent assay (RIA) utilizing recombinant sIL-6R was established which could detect IL-6 in a quantity as low as 10 ng/ml.