猪细小病毒NS1基因的原核表达及重组蛋白的复性

利用PCR技术扩增出PPVNS1基因抗原区。将目的基因与原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1进行连接并转化,重组质粒经鉴定并测序。测序结果表明,目的基因插入的位置、大小和读码框均正确,通过试验摸索并确定了表达NS1基因的最佳诱导条件:IPTG终浓度为1.0mmol/L,诱导时间为10h,温度为37℃,其表达量占全菌蛋白的29.8%。表达产物经SDS-PAGE分析,得到分子量约为52kDa的重组蛋白且以包涵体形式存在。重组蛋白经Westernblot检测,结果证明重组蛋白可被PPV阳性血清识别。用8mol/L尿素变性溶解包涵体,再用稀释方法和还原型、氧化型谷胱甘肽系统相结合的方法对重组蛋白进行复性。ELISA检测表明,复性后的重组蛋白有良好的生物活性。     

抗金黄色葡萄球菌单链抗体(scFv)的原核表达及蛋白纯化

旨在将来源于鸡的金黄色葡萄球菌单链抗体(scFv)进行原核诱导表达,获得有抗体活性的目的蛋白。构建含有目的抗体基因的重组质粒,将此质粒进行原核诱导表达并鉴定所获得蛋白的生物活性。结果显示,(1)成功构建了含有金黄色葡萄球菌单链抗体(scFv)的重组质粒p Cold I-scFv,质粒成功转化到大肠杆菌表达菌株中;(2)经过诱导表达后,目的蛋白主要以包涵体的形式存在于沉淀中;(3)使用4 mol/L尿素成功地将包涵体变性溶出;(4)通过柱层析法及透析法获得了纯化及复性效果较好的目的蛋白;(5)间接ELISA鉴定证实所获蛋白具有金黄色葡糖球菌抗体活性。通过质粒构建及原核诱导表达、包涵体溶出和复性等步骤,最终获得了有金黄色葡萄球菌抗体活性的目的蛋白。     

人血小板衍生生长因子BB的原核高表达及其包涵体复性

目的:在原核系统内获得高表达的人血小板衍生生长因子BB(PGDF-BB),并对形成的包涵体进行复性。方法:对PGDF-BB核酸编码序列进行优化,构建pET-22b-PGDF-BB表达载体,以提高PCDF-BB的表达量;优化PGDF-BB包涵体复性条件,提高蛋白复性率和生物活性。结果:构建了pET-22b-PGDF-BB高效表达载体,原核表达的重组人PGDF-BB占细菌总蛋白的25%,PGDF-BB包涵体复性率达到15%。结论:对表达序列的优化设计可显著提高蛋白的表达量,复性方法的改良提高了蛋白的复性率和生物活性。     

HER2胞外段的克隆与原核表达

应用RT-PCR技术从人乳腺癌细胞系SK-BR-3中克隆出人表皮生长因子受体2(human epidermal growth factorreceptor 2,HER2)基因的胞外段,并插入到表达载体pET-30a中,得到重组表达载体pET30-HER2(Ex)。将该载体转化至大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)细胞中,加入IPTG进行诱导表达,成功获得HER2胞外段蛋白。分别提取培养液上清、大肠杆菌周质腔、细胞质可溶性及不可溶性组分蛋白进行SDS-PAGE电泳分析,确定目的蛋白定位于大肠杆菌细胞质包涵体中。通过改变诱导温度、诱导物浓度、诱导起始菌体密度和诱导时间,寻找最佳表达条件,使目的蛋白的表达量达到最高。结果表明,在37℃下,OD600达到1.0时,经终浓度为0.1 mmol/L的IPTG诱导4 h,目的蛋白的表达量最高。将重组表达菌进行超声破碎,分离出包涵体组分,经Ni2+亲和层析纯化后获得了纯度>90%的HER2胞外段蛋白,从而为抗HER2抗体的制备及肿瘤疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

功能性包涵体的研究进展

利用原核系统表达外源重组蛋白的一个特点是表达蛋白多以包涵体形式存在。在过去人们一直认为包涵体是错误折叠、无生物活性的蛋白,需要经过变复性的过程重新获得有生物活性、可溶的蛋白,因而变复性条件的摸索迄今仍然是该领域的难点。但近几年的研究表明包涵体并非都是无生物活性的,功能性包涵体(或者称为非传统意义包涵体) 概念的提出是该领域的一个重大研究进展。由于功能性包涵体本身具有生物活性,可在非变性条件下提取,目前已经在生命科学的基础研究、生物制药、生物材料、生物催化等领域展现出良好的应用前景。重点从功能性包涵体的定义、形成机理、提取条件等近期研究进展进行综述,以期为原核细胞表达和工业生产重组蛋白药物提供新的思路。     

人表皮生长因子的原核优势表达与复性

目的:在原核系统中获得具有活性和高表达量的重组人表皮生长因子(rh EGF)。方法:对h EGF编码全序列进行优化,构建原核表达载体p ET-24b-h EGF,在大肠杆菌中表达rh EGF;对rh EGF包涵体进行复性,获得具有较高生物活性的重组蛋白。结果:构建了携带159 bp h EGF基因的表达载体p ET-24b-h EGF,rh EGF在原核系统内得到高表达,重组蛋白相对分子质量为6×103,表达量可占细菌总蛋白的15%,包涵体复性率达90%。结论:对h EGF的编码序列进行了优化,实现了其在原核系统内的高表达,通过复性获得了具有良好生物活性的rh EGF。     

p65蛋白的诱导表达及电子显微镜观察其显微结构

目的:构建重组原核表达载体pGEX-5x-1-p65,诱导GST-p65融合蛋白的表达并观察其包涵体的显微结构.方法:应用PCR技术扩增得到p65全长序列,并亚克隆至带有GST标签的pGEX-5x-1载体中.经酶切、测序鉴定后,在原核细胞中诱导表达GST-p65融合蛋白并将诱导后的菌体制作透射电镜标本,观察菌体内部显微结构.结果:成功构建表达载体pGEX-5x-1-p65,原核细胞中诱导表达、凝胶电泳后未见可溶性融合蛋白的高效表达.透射电镜观察到在承载有重组载体的菌体内部出现大量高电子密度的包涵体.结论:成功构建了原核表达载体pGEX-5x-1-p65,电子显微镜观察并证实在原核细胞内p65蛋白诱导表达形成包涵体.     

人血小板衍生生长因子BB亚型包涵体复性与纯化

目的:优化人血小板衍生生长因子BB亚型(PGDF-BB)包涵体复性方法与纯化条件,获得具有较好生物活性的重组PGDF-BB蛋白。方法:对PGDF-BB包涵体以梯度尿素进行变性,选择最佳包涵体变性浓度;比较不同复性条件下的复性率,稳定PGDF-BB包涵体复性方法;参照该蛋白的理化性质,选择适合PGDF-BB重组蛋白的纯化方法。结果:原核系统内实现了PGDF-BB的高表达;通过优化包涵体复性方法,重组蛋白的包涵体复性率可达40%以上;经过多个纯化方法相结合,PGDF-BB的纯度达到95%。结论:通过实验条件的优化,提高了PGDF-BB包涵体复性率,获得高纯度、高生物活性的重组PGDF-BB蛋白。     

sFGFR1Ⅲc的原核表达及其抑制NIH3T3增殖的作用

目的:克隆sFGFR1Ⅲc胞外段进行原核表达和纯化。方法:将sFGFR1Ⅲc胞外段基因转入pET3c载体后转化BL21工程菌,以包涵体形式表达胞外段。经凝胶层析法复性(复性率为20%)和肝素亲和层析纯化后得到纯度95%以上的目的蛋白。通过电泳鉴定其纯度以及MTT法检测其生物学活性。结果:成功获得大小为660bp的人sFGFR1Ⅲc基因片段,转化菌诱导表达了24kDa的sFGFR1Ⅲc胞外段并通过MTT证实它对小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(NIH3T3)的增殖具有明显的抑制作用,其抑制FGF2引起的细胞增殖呈剂量依赖性,其中作用最为明显的是80ng/ml。结论:成功获得了高纯度的sFGFR1Ⅲc胞外段,该胞外段具备较好的生物学活性,为下一步的研究工作奠定了良好的物质基础。     

人白介素-4与大肠杆菌二硫键异构酶DsbC在大肠杆菌中的融合表达及羟胺切割后共复性

目的:通过融合表达、羟胺切割、与二硫键异构酶共复性,获得高表达、高纯度、高生物活性的重组人白细胞介素-4(rhIL-4)。方法:将5端引入了羟胺切割位点的hIL-4基因克隆到大肠杆菌二硫键异构酶DsbC的原核表达载体pET-DsbC中,IPTG诱导表达,对包涵体进行纯化,然后在变性条件下经羟胺切割,利用DsbC的分子伴侣功能与hIL-4进行共复性,最后利用阳离子交换层析纯化获得rhIL-4蛋白。结果:融合蛋白DsbC-hIL-4的表达量占细菌总蛋白的40%以上,以包涵体形式存在;纯化后得到的rhIL-4的相对分子量为15×103,与预期一致,电泳纯度达95%;细胞学实验测定其具有良好的生物学活性。结论:通过融合表达的方法可以提高hIL-4的原核表达量;利用共复性的方式极大地提高了hIL-4的复性率和生物活性。     

Evaluating combinations of costimulatory antibody–ligand fusion proteins for targeted cancer immunotherapy

Combinatory strategies are becoming of increasing interest in cancer immunotherapy. Costimulation by individual members of the immunoglobulin-like (Ig)- and TNF superfamily have already shown promising antitumor potential, thus prompting the exploration of their synergistic abilities in combinatorial approaches. Here, we pursued a targeted strategy with antibody-fusion proteins composed of a tumor-directed antibody and the extracellular domain of the costimulatory ligand B7.1, 4-1BBL, OX40L, GITRL or LIGHT, respectively. Costimulatory activity was assessed in an experimental setting where initial T cell activation was induced by a bispecific antibody (tumor-related antigen × CD3). Advantage of combined targeted costimulation was shown for either B7.1 or 4-1BBL with OX40L, GITRL, LIGHT and 4-1BBL in terms of T cell proliferation and IFN-γ release. Since encouraging results were obtained by the combination of B7.1 and 4-1BBL, we adapted the model system for a time-shift setting. Here, enhanced proliferation and granzyme B expression as well as reduced PD-1 expression on the T cell population demonstrated the benefit of costimulation-assisted restimulation. Finally, the antitumor potential of this combinatorial setting was confirmed in vivo in a lung metastasis mouse model. Thus, combinatorial approaches with costimulatory antibody–ligand fusion proteins seem a promising strategy to be further investigated for cancer immunotherapy.     

Cell-specific and context-dependent effects of GITR in cancer,autoimmunity, and infection

A breadth of studies have demonstrated the importance of GITR–GITRL in diverse immune processes. However, only a limited number of studies to date have attributed the effects of GITR/GITRL to specific cell types. Moreover, the context-dependent role of GITR/GITRL in different models makes the consequences of GITR ligation difficult to generalize. There is a significant interest in the therapeutic application of GITR agonists and antagonists in human disease. Thus, the field must come to a consensus regarding the cell type-specific and physiological effects of GITR in different disease states. Here we attempt to summarize the extensive literature on GITR, to synthesize a more cohesive picture of the role of GITR/GITRL in immunity, and to identify areas that require clarification.     

GITR ligand provided by thrombopoietic cells inhibits NK cell antitumor activity

Thrombocytopenia inhibits tumor growth and especially metastasis in mice, whereas additional depletion of NK cells reverts this antimetastatic phenotype. It has therefore been speculated that platelets may protect hematogenously disseminating tumor cells from NK-dependent antitumor immunity. Tumor cells do not travel through the blood alone, but are rapidly coated by platelets, and this phenomenon has been proposed to shield disseminating tumor cells from NK-mediated lysis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we show that megakaryocytes acquire expression of the TNF family member glucocorticoid-induced TNF-related ligand (GITRL) during differentiation, resulting in GITRL expression by platelets. Upon platelet activation, GITRL is upregulated on the platelet surface in parallel with the α-granular activation marker P-selectin. GITRL is also rapidly mobilized to the platelet surface following interaction with tumor cells, which results in platelet coating. Whereas GITRL, in the fashion of several other TNF family members, is capable of transducing reverse signals, no influence on platelet activation and function was observed upon GITRL triggering. However, platelet coating of tumor cells inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production that could partially be restored by blocking GITR on NK cells, thus indicating that platelet-derived GITRL mediates NK-inhibitory forward signaling via GITR. These data identify conferment of GITRL pseudoexpression to tumor cells by platelets as a mechanism by which platelets may alter tumor cell immunogenicity. Our data thus provide further evidence for the involvement of platelets in facilitating evasion of tumor cells from NK cell immune surveillance.     

Reverse signaling through GITR ligand enables dexamethasone to activate IDO in allergy

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) on T cells and its natural ligand, GITRL, on accessory cells contribute to the control of immune homeostasis. Here we show that reverse signaling through GITRL after engagement by soluble GITR initiates the immunoregulatory pathway of tryptophan catabolism in mouse plasmacytoid dendritic cells, by means of noncanonical NF-kappaB-dependent induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone administered in vivo activated IDO through the symmetric induction of GITR in CD4(+) T cells and GITRL in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The drug exerted IDO-dependent protection in a model of allergic airway inflammation. Modulation of tryptophan catabolism via the GITR-GITRL coreceptor system might represent an effective therapeutic target in immune regulation. Induction of IDO could be an important mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory action of corticosteroids.     

Identification of a ligand for glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor constitutively expressed in dendritic cells

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis receptor (GITR) has been implicated in regulation of T cell suppression by CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). We isolated a cDNA encoding GITR ligand (GITRL) from mouse endothelioma cells. When stably expressed in HEK293 cells, its specific interaction with GITR was confirmed by flow cytometry with the use of GITR-Fc. The interaction was greatly diminished by the addition of soluble GITRL. Consistent with this, soluble GITRL bound to the cell surface of the GITR-expressing HEK293 cells. Coexpression of GITR with GITRL or stimulation of the GITR-expressing cells with soluble GITRL led to activation of NF-kappaB, which was significantly reduced by anti-GITR. More importantly, GITRL was expressed by both immature and mature dendritic cells, suggesting that the interaction between GITR and GITRL may contribute to immune regulation of Tregs by dendritic cells. This isolated TNFRL represents a bona fide GITRL whose presence has been elusive until this time.     

Serum Levels of TNF Receptor Ligands Are Dysregulated in Sepsis and Predict Mortality in Critically Ill Patients

IntroductionTNF superfamily members, including TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein Ligand (GITRL) have been described as serum based biomarkers for inflammatory and immune mediated diseases. However, up to now the role of TWEAK and GITRL has not been analyzed in critical illness and sepsis.MethodsGITRL and TWEAK serum concentrations were measured in 121 critically ill patients (84 fulfilled with septic disease), in comparison to 50 healthy controls. Results were correlated with clinical data.ResultsSerum levels of TWEAK and GITRL were strongly decreased in critically ill patients compared with healthy controls. Concentrations of TWEAK (but not GITRL) were further decreased in patients with sepsis and correlated with routinely used markers of inflammation and bacterial infection such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and Interleukin-6. Notably, we failed to detect a correlation to other TNFR ligands such as TNF or APRIL. Finally, TWEAK levels of the upper quartile of the cohort were prognostic for mortality during ICU treatment.ConclusionTWEAK and GITRL levels were lower in intensive care unit medical patients. Levels of TWEAK were further decreased in septic patients, and alterations in TWEAK concentrations were linked to an unfavorable outcome. Together with recently published results on other TNFR ligands, these data indicate specific functions of the different TNFR ligands in septic diseases.     

Up-Regulation of GITRL on Dendritic Cells by WGP Improves Anti-Tumor Immunity in Murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma

Background

β-Glucans have been shown to function as a potent immunomodulator to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, which contributes to their anti-tumor property. However, their mechanisms of action are still elusive. Glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor ligand (GITRL), a member of the TNF superfamily, binds to its receptor, GITR, on both effector and regulatory T cells, generates a positive co-stimulatory signal implicated in a wide range of T cell functions, which is important for the development of immune responses.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we found that whole β-glucan particles (WGPs) could activate dendritic cells (DCs) via dectin-1 receptor, and increase the expression of GITRL on DCs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the increased GITRL on DCs could impair the regulartory T cell (Treg)-mediated suppression and enhance effector T cell proliferation in a GITR/GITRL dependent way. In tumor models, DCs with high levels of GITRL were of great potential to prime cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses and down-regulate the suppressive activity of Treg cells, thereby leading to the delayed tumor progression.

Conclusions/Significance

These findings suggest that particulate β-glucans can be used as an immunomodulator to stimulate potent T cell-mediated adaptive immunity while down-regulate suppressive immune activity via GITR/GITRL interaction, leading to a more efficient defense mechanism against tumor development.     

小鼠GITRL基因真核表达质粒的构建转染及其在Kupffer细胞中的表达

目的构建含小鼠GITRL基因的真核表达质粒pEGFP-N1-GITRL,体外转入小鼠Kupffer细胞。方法利用PCR方法扩增GITRL基因,克隆至pEGFP-N1载体,选择阳性克隆并进行序列测定。以脂质体化学法转染至Kupffer细胞中。结果构建了真核表达质粒pEGFP-N1-GITRL,基因测序与GenBank中发表的序列完全一致,体外瞬时转染Kupffer细胞,RT-PCR及WB检测该Kupffer细胞表达GITRL。结论成功构建了真核表达质粒pEGFP-N1-GITRL,并在小鼠Kupffer细胞成功表达,为进一步研究GITRL在Kupffer细胞中的的生物学功能提供研究基础。     

GITR/GITRL reverse signalling modulates the proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells by recruiting ANXA2 to phosphorylate ERK1/2 and Akt

Hepatic stem/progenitor cells are the major cell compartment for tissue repair when hepatocyte proliferation is compromised in chronic liver diseases, but the expansion of these cells increases the risk of carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is essential to explore the pathways restricting their expansion and abnormal transformation. The ligand of glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor (GITRL) showed the most highly increased expression in hepatic progenitor cells treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. If overexpressed by hepatic progenitor cells, GITRL stimulated cell proliferation by activating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathway and enhancing ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation via GITRL binding to ANXA2. However, GITR, the specific GITRL receptor, suppressed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathway of GITRL-expressing cells and decreased their growth by dissociating ANXA2 from GITRL and reducing downstream ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. This study identifies GITR/GITRL reverse signalling as a cross-interaction pathway between immune cells and hepatic stem/progenitor cells that restricts the expansion of hepatic stem/progenitor cells and reduces the possibility of carcinogenesis.Subject terms: Cell growth, Liver fibrosis     

Enhanced CD8 T Cell Responses through GITR-Mediated Costimulation Resolve Chronic Viral Infection

Chronic infections are characterized by the inability to eliminate the persisting pathogen and often associated with functional impairment of virus-specific T-cell responses. Costimulation through Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR) can increase survival and function of effector T cells. Here, we report that constitutive expression of GITR-ligand (GITRL) confers protection against chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, accelerating recovery without increasing pathology. Rapid viral clearance in GITRL transgenic mice coincided with increased numbers of poly-functional, virus-specific effector CD8+ T cells that expressed more T-bet and reduced levels of the rheostat marker PD-1. GITR triggering also boosted the helper function of virus-specific CD4 T cells already early in the infection, as was evidenced by increased IL-2 and IFNγ production, and more expression of CD40L and T-bet. Importantly, CD4-depletion experiments revealed that the expanded pool of virus-specific effector CD8 T cells and the ensuing viral clearance in LCMV-infected GITRL tg mice was entirely dependent on CD4 T cells. We found no major differences for NK cell and regulatory T cell responses, whereas the humoral response to the virus was increased in GITRL tg mice, but only in the late phase of the infection when the virus was almost eradicated. Based on these findings, we conclude that enhanced GITR-triggering mediates its protective, anti-viral effect on the CD8 T cell compartment by boosting CD4 T cell help. As such, increasing costimulation through GITR may be an attractive strategy to increase anti-viral CTL responses without exacerbating pathology, in particular to persistent viruses such as HIV and HCV.