Simultaneous lipidation of a characterized peptide mixture by chemoselective ligation

The modification of a peptide antigen by a fatty acid such as palmitic acid is now recognized as a mean to induce cellular responses. Mixtures of lipopeptides, obtained by combining individually synthesized compounds, were shown to be promising synthetic vaccine candidates. Usually, in lipopeptide synthesis, the fatty acyl moiety is introduced on the crude peptide chain using solid-phase methods. The separation of the target compound from impurities by RP-HPLC is often complicated by the amphiphilic properties of lipopeptides and results in low overall yields. To overcome the difficulties associated with lipopeptide synthesis and mixture preparation, we have developed a method where the fatty acyl moiety is site-specifically and collectively introduced in solution onto a mixture of individually prepurified peptides. The lipidation is based on the quasistoichiometric and high-yielding ligation of a glyoxylyl lipid with hydrazinoacetyl peptides. The hydrazone constructs were prepared in a salt-free medium and could be isolated by direct lyophilization of the reaction mixture. This process is compatible with cysteinyl peptides, and no aggregation nor degradation could be observed.     

Cell mass of Mycobacterium bovis BCG estimated by gas chromatography

The presence of additives and large cellular aggregates in freeze-dried BCG vaccines precludes accurate measurement of total cell content by traditional methods. The possibility that extraction and quantitation of a cell membrane fatty acid may provide a suitable means of cell mass determination was tested. The palmitic acid methyl ester peak area determined by gas chromatography was directly proportional to the wet weight of freshly grown Tice-, Pasteur-, and Glaxo-substrain BCG, as well as the dry weight of the ampoule contents after removal of soluble material. Extraction of palmitic acid from Tice BCG vaccine was not appreciably affected by lyophilization and the calculated dry cell mass values of freeze-dried vaccine samples correlated well with particle number. This method, therefore, may be useful in measuring BCG cell mass during all stages of vaccine manufacture and storage.     

肾综合征出血热(I型)纯化疫苗防病效果及免疫持久性观察

卫生部兰州生物制品研究所生产的肾综合征出血热（ＨＦＲＳ）（Ｉ型）纯化疫苗在陕西、湖南,浙江的出血热流行区进行了人群免疫效果观察。基础免疫三针后,中和抗体阳转率平均５０％,荧光抗体阳转率为８４２６％,全程接种者２６４９２人,疑似发病１人,保护率平均为９６％。对陕西长安县不同年龄的３０人进行了免疫后２５年抗体水平观察,中和抗体阳转率为５７％,有良好的免疫效果,并具有一定的免疫持久性。     

Determination of lipid profile in meningococcal polysaccharide using reversed-phase liquid chromatography

A fast and sensitive HPLC method using fluorescence detection is developed to quantitate 1-pyrenyldiazomethane (PDAM) derivatized fatty acids derived from the lipid components of both the capsular meningococcal polysaccharide and other impurities such as endotoxin in various meningococcal vaccine samples. The HPLC method is capable of well resolving 13 relevant fatty acids within 40min by using a multi-stage acetonitrile/water gradient. Endotoxin values measured by HPLC well correlated with results from the standard Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Furthermore, the fatty acid profiles of various process intermediate samples as well as final purified polysaccharide products were determined to better understand and characterize the purification process.     

轮状病毒四价灭活疫苗的制备及在小鼠的免疫原性研究

制备轮状病毒四价灭活疫苗,观察其在小鼠体内的抗体应答情况。实验采用轮状病毒原液经凝胶过滤层析纯化,灭活后配制四价疫苗,肌肉注射免疫小鼠,ELISA法测定小鼠血清IgA、IgG。将单价G1、G2、G3、G4型灭活病毒原液及四价轮状病毒灭活疫苗免疫小鼠后,均可刺激产生针对RV的高水平的特异性IgG抗体,但IgA应答较弱。表明四价轮状病毒灭活疫苗在小鼠中具备很好的免疫原性。     

Regulation of the synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by growth temperature in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis synthesizes, almost exclusively, saturated fatty acids, when grown at 37° C. When cultures were transferred from 37° C to 20° C, a chloramphenicol- and rifampicin-sensitive synthesis of a C-16 unsaturated fatty acid was observed. Synthesis of this compound reached a plateau after 5 h at 20° C, reaching levels of 20% of the total fatty acid content. [¹⁴C]-labelled fatty acids attached as thioesters to acyl-carriers compounds, such as coenzyme A (CoA) or acyl-carrier protein (ACP) synthesized de novo by glycerol-requiring auxotrophs deprived of glycerol to arrest phospholipid synthesis, could not be desaturated at 20° C. Desaturation of these fatty acids was readily observed when glycerol was restored to the cultures allowing resumption of transfer of acyl-moieties from acyl-thioesters to phospholipid. It was also observed that depletion of the pools of CoA and ACP by starvation of pantothenate auxotrophs had no effect on the observed synthesis of unsaturated fatty acid at 20° C. The overall results indicate that synthesis of unsaturated fatty acids in B. subtilis is a cold-inducible process and that phospholipids are obligate intermediates in this fatty acid desaturation pathway.     

Changes in fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triglycerides of Musca domestica resulting from choline deficiency

The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids and triglycerides extracted from housefly larvae reared on diets containing no added fatty acids but containing differing concentrations of choline has been determined. Reducing the choline content of the diet resulted in a graded reduction of the percentage of phosphatidylcholine present in the phospholipids of the larvae. This was accompanied by changes in the fatty acid composition, choline deficiency causing an increased utilization of 16-C rather than 18-C acids by the phospholipids. Changes in the fatty acid composition of the triglyceride fraction were also observed but these were associated with insects containing very low levels of phosphatidylcholine. Examination of the fatty acids in the different classes of phospholipids showed that the major change resulting from choline deficiency was in the fatty acids of the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction—the phospholipid which increased as the phosphatidylcholine decreased.Although the fatty acid composition of the different classes of phospholipids was not completely fixed, some preferential utilization of certain fatty acids by certain classes was observed, in both larval and adult insects. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids extracted from larval gut, muscle, fat body, cuticle, trachea, nervous tissue, and haemolymph was determined. Changes resulting from choline deficiency similar to those seen in the whole larva were observed in all tissues except the nervous tissue. The effect of rearing larvae at temperatures between 24 and 35°C resulted in only minor changes in the fatty acid composition of both phospholipid and triglyceride fractions but the difference due to choline deficiency was observed at all temperatures. The possibility that the observed changes in the fatty acids of the phospholipids are compensatory to the changes in the proportion of the choline to the ethanolamine phospholipids is discussed.     

Stimulatory effect of calcitonin on fatty acid synthesis in the liver of fed rats

The effect of calcitonin (CT) on free fatty acid concentration in the serum and liver of fed rats was investigated. A single subcutaneous administration of CT (synthetic [Asu1,7] eel CT;80 MRC mu/100 g body weight) produced a significant increase in serum free fatty acid concentration. An appreciable effect of CT was observed at a dose of 5 MRC mU/100 g body weight. The hormonal effect was also observed in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. The effect of CT on serum free fatty acid was diminished by fasting. Free fatty acid content in the hepatic cytosol of fed rats was markedly increased by CT administration. The hormonal effect was observed at a dose of 5 MRC mU/100 g body weight. Furthermore, stimulation of fatty acid synthesis caused by intraperitoneal injection of alanine (1.122 mmoles/100 g body weight) was markedly enhanced by administration of CT (5, 20 and 80 MRC mU/100 g body weight). This effect of CT on the liver may be the cause of increased level of fatty acid in the serum. The present results suggest that CT may stimulate synthesis of free fatty acid in the liver of fed rats.     

Immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen derived from the baculovirus expression vector system: a mouse potency study

A standard mouse potency test was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced in the baculovirus/insect cell expression system. Groups of NIH Swiss mice were immunized with serial four-fold amounts of either baculovirus-derived HBsAg adsorbed to aluminum sulfate or a commercially available yeast-derived recombinant HBsAg vaccine preparation. Results from these experiments showed that the effective dose of baculovirus- and yeast-derived HBsAg vaccine preparations necessary to seroconvert 50% of the animals were similar. The duration of the antibody response to HBsAg was studied in mice immunized with the highest doses of the two recombinant vaccine preparations 3 and 6 months after injection. No decrease in the anti-HBs response was observed 6 months after injection. No decrease in the anti-HBs response was observed 6 months after immunization with either of the two vaccine preparations. These results indicate that the baculovirus-derived recombinant HBsAg could serve as an alternative vaccine candidate for hepatitis B virus.     

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase of fibroblasts by free fatty acids.

The membranous guanylate cyclase of Balb 3T3 fibroblasts was stimulated by a fraction of calf serum extracted by ether. Stimulation was observed with Mg2+ as the only bivalent cation in the presence of Lubrol PX. The activator co-chromatographed with free fatty acids, and several of these were found to stimulate guanylate cyclase. Among the saturated fatty acids, myristic acid had the highest activity. Stimulating activity diminished as the hydrocarbon chain of the fatty acid was lengthened or shortened. Introduction of an unsaturated bond enhanced the activation by the longer fatty acids. This pattern of specificity is similar to that observed for the effect of fatty acids on many other membranous functions. Under appropriate conditions fatty acids were found to stimulate guanylate cyclase activity in the absence of Lubrol PX. The relationship among the effects of Mg2+, Mn2+, Lubrol PX, and fatty acids on enzyme activity was examined. On the basis of these studies, it appears that fatty acids stimulate the enzyme by a mechanism different from nonionic detergents or Mn2+.     

Fatty acid synthetase as a thermoreceptor in Candida utilis

A partially purified fatty acid synthetase from Candida utilis synthesized fatty acids with varying chain lengths that depended on the assay temperature; the stearate/palmitate ratio decreased with decreasing temperature. This temperature-dependency was also observed in vivo for the newly synthesized fatty acids in cells incubated at various temperatures, although to a lesser extent than that observed in vitro. The difference in the temperature-dependencies observed in vivo and in vitro appeared to be due to the difference in the acceptors used in in vitro assays; a temperature-dependency comparable to that observed in vivo was reproduced in vitro on using microsomes rather than bovine serum albumin as the acceptor of the fatty acid synthetase products. Thus, the fatty acid synthetase was identified as a thermoreceptor in Candida cells known to possess a temperature-dependent, inducible desaturase system.     

Immune responses and protection induced in mice by an industrialized vaccine against American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

An industrialized vaccine against American cutaneous leishmaniasis was compared to a laboratory made vaccine in its ability to induce cellular and humoral immune responses in mice. No differences were observed between seric IgG levels or lymphoblastic proliferation response of mice immunized with either vaccine. Antigenic composition, evaluated by SDS-PAGE, was identical in both preparations. Protection induced in mice against a challenge with infective parasites was also compared. The level of protection obtained with the industrialized vaccine was comparable to that induced by the laboratory made preparation. The results showed that the industrialization process did not alter the efficacy of the vaccine.     

Morphological study of the organs and tissues of mice infected after a burn with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain and treated with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa polyvalent corpuscular vaccine and tobramycin

The effect of tobramycin and polyvalent corpuscular Ps. aeruginosa vaccine on the infectious process in mice with grade III burns inoculated with Ps. aeruginosa 1312 was studied. The highest percentage of the survival (100 per cent) among the animals was observed, when the vaccine was applied locally every day for 7 days. With the use of tobramycin administered intramuscularly for 2 times 95 per cent of the animals survived. When the vaccine was administered subcutaneously, 96.6 per cent of the animals survived. Morphological investigation of the organs and tissues of the mice showed that the vaccine applications to the infected burns promoted rapid elimination of microorganisms in the wounds and prevented development of sepsis due to Ps. aeruginosa. At the same time early epithelization of the wounds was observed (by the 4th-7th day). Intramuscular injections of tobramycin and subcutaneous injection of vaccine also prevented development of sepsis due to Ps. aeruginosa and protected the animals from death. Still no epithelization of the wounds by that period was observed. Microscopic examinations revealed necrosis of the epiderma and derma elements and microbial swarms on the skin surface.     

POLIOMYELITIS VACCINE—Epidemiologic Observations on the Safety and Effectiveness in California in 1955

During the past year California has participated with other states in a nationwide field evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of poliomyelitis vaccine. Among 227,000 children who received Cutter vaccine, and the household contracts of these children, the incidence of poliomyelitis was higher during the early postvaccinal period than in comparable age groups of the population at large. Among 238,000 children who received poliomyelitis vaccine made by other manufacturers early in 1955 no increase in poliomyelitis was observed in the inoculated children or their household contacts.Subsequent observation on over 500,000 additional children vaccinated in California alone since September 1955 with vaccine that was made under revised safety standards has uncovered no evidence of unsafe vaccine. In children who received a single inoculation of vaccine prior to the onset of the poliomyelitis season in 1955 the incidence of paralytic poliomyelitis was about 60 per cent less than in unvaccinated children. Among those who received two inoculations an 85 per cent reduction was observed. The average reduction in paralytic poliomyelitis for the entire vaccinated group was approximately 75 per cent. Data thus far on children vaccinated since September 1955 with poliomyelitis vaccine made by methods now approved indicate that a similar overall effectiveness is still being maintained.     

Vaccination against Influenza with Recombinant Hemagglutinin Expressed by Schizochytrium sp. Confers Protective Immunity

For the rapid production of influenza vaccine antigens in unlimited quantities, a transition from conventional egg-based production to cell-based and recombinant systems is required. The need for higher-yield, lower-cost, and faster production processes is critical to provide adequate supplies of influenza vaccine to counter global pandemic threats. In this study, recombinant hemagglutinin proteins of influenza virus were expressed in the microalga Schizochytrium sp., an established, fermentable organism grown in large scale for the manufacture of polyunsaturated fatty acids for animal and human health applications. Schizochytrium was capable of exporting the full-length membrane-bound proteins in a secreted form suitable for vaccine formulation. One recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) protein derived from A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) influenza virus was evaluated as a vaccine in a murine challenge model. Protective immunity from lethal challenge with homologous virus was elicited by a single dose of 1.7, 5 or 15 µg rHA with or without adjuvant at survival rates between 80–100%. Full protection (100%) was established at all dose levels with or without adjuvant when mice were given a second vaccination. These data demonstrate the potential of Schizochytrium sp. as a platform for the production of recombinant antigens useful for vaccination against influenza.     

Structure of a novel lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Caulobacter crescentus

Caulobacter crescentus CB15 is a dimorphic bacterium that is best known as a prokaryotic model for cell development. However, it is also being exploited in biotechnology, where the crystalline surface (S-layer) protein secretion system has been adapted for heterologous protein display or secretion. Because the S-layer attaches to the cell surface via lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and since the LPS represents a potential endotoxin contaminant of recombinant proteins, the lipid A component was examined in detail. LPS was acid hydrolyzed to obtain crude lipid A, which was methylated and purified by HPLC. HPLC peak fractions were analyzed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure of the major lipid A of C. crescentus comprised the tetrasaccharide backbone alpha-D-GalpA-(1-->4)-beta-D-DAG-(1-->6)-alpha-D-DAG-(1-->1)-alpha-D-GalpA substituted with six fatty acids, and a molecular mass of 1875 (GalpA, galactopyranuronic acid; DAG, 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxyglucopyranose). No phosphate residues were detected. The major lipid A component had 12:0[3-O[Delta(5)-12:1(3-OH)]] and 12:0[3-O(Delta(5)-12:1)] fatty acyl chains at either the 3'- or the 2' positions of the distal subunit DAG B, and 12:0(3-OH) and 12:0[3,6-(OH)( 2)] fatty acyl chains at 3- and 2- positions of the reducing end subunit DAG A, respectively. In addition, several other variations in the structure were observed. The LPS was evaluated for TNF-alpha inducing activity and consistent with its unusual lipid A structure (relative to that of enteric bacteria), the activity was reduced by greater than 100-fold as compared to Escherichia coli ReLPS. This and other evidence suggests the potential application of this lipid A as a vaccine adjuvant or the suitability of Caulobacter displaying antigens for formulation of whole cell vaccines.     

Vaccination activity of live influenza vaccine in different seasons of the year

Reactogenicity, immunogenicity and viability of the vaccine virus were studied during vaccination of adults with live allantoic influenza vaccines of the types A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B in different seasons of the year. Seasonal oscillations of reactogenicity of the vaccines (minimum in summer, maximum in winter) were demonstrated. A decrease in the re-isolation rate of vaccine viruses and in their content in the secretions of the upper respiratory passages was observed in summer. Seasonal oscillations of immunogenicity of the commercial live allantoic influenza vaccine with a marked reduction in its activity in summer were established. The administration of moderately attenuated influenza vaccine viruses in summer results in the production of antibodies up to the level observed in other seasons of the year. Theoretical problems and practical aspects of seasonal oscillations of vaccination activity of live influenza vaccines were studied in connection with the necessity of investigation new vaccine strains in varying seasons of the year.     

The efficacy of killed Trypanosoma evansi vaccines in mice.

Four strains of Trypanosoma evarsi (D3, D4, D5 and D6) isolated from German shepherd dogs were inoculated into mice, and infected blood was used to prepare 9 separate killed vaccines. White mice inoculated with 1:100 diluted PBS vaccine, 0.5% carbol vaccine, or 100% Lugol vaccine showed survival rates of more than 60%. Among these 3 vaccines PBS vaccine and 0.5% carbol vaccine showed higher survival rates at 1:500 and 1:1000 dilutions, respectively. When young mice (15-20 g) were immunized with PBS vaccine, they resisted challenge with homologous strains, D3 strain in single injection, D6 strain in double injections and all strains in 5 injections. Protection however was not observed in old mice (25-30 g) give the same vaccine preparation. When mice were vaccinated with a single injection of D3 vaccine and challenged with heterologous strains, only those challenged with D4 strain at 10-5 dilution showed a survival rate of more than 60%. There was no difference in protective ability among PBS vaccine, agar adjuvant and kaolin adjuvant vaccines. Agglutinating antibody was demonstrated in mice receiving 5 injections of PBS vaccine.