增加CpG基元的汉坦病毒核蛋白基因疫苗的免疫作用

以往的研究表明非甲基化胞嘧啶鸟嘌呤二核苷酸为基元构成的特定结构是一种很有希望的候选疫苗佐剂。为了研究增加CpG基元的汉坦病毒核蛋白基因疫苗的免疫作用,在本实验中,将重组真核表达质粒 pcDNA3.1 S(ISS)直接肌注免疫BALB/c 小鼠,分别用ELISA法检测血清特异性抗体的变化,MTT法检测 T细胞增殖反应,以及用ELISA kit检测免疫鼠脾细胞上清液中细胞因子IL 4和IFN γ的动态变化,从而了解免疫鼠的体液免疫反应和细胞免疫反应。结果显示 pcDNA3.1 S(ISS)接种组的小鼠血清抗体水平、T细胞增殖反应以及细胞因子IFN γ的产生水平较对照组 pcDNA3.1 S和空载体 pcDNA3.1 接种组的要高。而细胞因子 IL 4 较对照组却无明显变化。由此可见,增加CpG基元的质粒能够增强其所诱导的免疫反应,可用于那些需要借助强有力细胞免疫来清除病原体的疫苗研制中。     

汉坦病毒核蛋白基因疫苗的初步研究

探讨了汉坦病毒核蛋白(NP)S基因疫苗的免疫效果。构建重组真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1 S,直接肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠,分别用ELISA法检测血清特异性抗体的变化,MTT法检测T细胞增殖反应,以及用ELISAkit检测免疫鼠脾细胞上清液中细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的动态变化,从而了解免疫鼠的体液免疫反应和细胞免疫反应。pcDNA3.1 S接种组的小鼠血清抗体水平、T细胞增殖反应以及细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的产生水平均较对照组pcDNA3.1 空载体接种组的要高。编码核蛋白的S基因的核酸免疫可同时启动机体的细胞免疫和体液免疫反应,S基因是汉坦病毒核酸疫苗的一个比较理想的侯选抗原基因。     

西方马脑炎核酸疫苗表达载体构建及免疫原性研究

为构建西方马脑炎病毒(western equine encephalomyelitis virus,WEEV)结构基因C-E3-E2-6k-E1重组真核表达载体,并研究其作为核酸疫苗的免疫原性.采用PCR方法扩增目的基因,酶切之后连接到pcDNA3.1上构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-C-E,用酶切和测序分析方法鉴定正确后,重组质粒被转染到293T细胞,经电镜检测和间接免疫荧光方法证明基因可以表达后,用该重组质粒免疫小鼠,免疫后检测实验组小鼠外周血中CD4+T细胞/CD8+T细胞比例和血清中细胞因子IL-2、IL-4及IFN-γ浓度,以上实验组各项免疫指标与对照组相比差异均显著(P＜ 0.05);ELISA方法检测实验组小鼠血清中WEEV的IgG抗体效价是1∶16.研究结果表明重组质粒pcDNA3.1-C-E可在细胞中获得瞬时表达,并且重组质粒作为核酸疫苗能够刺激小鼠产生免疫反应,具有较强免疫原性,为今后WEEV核酸疫苗研制奠定了良好基础.     

幽门螺杆菌Lpp20-IL2核酸疫苗免疫活性

【目的】观察pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2免疫C57BL/6小鼠后所产生的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答水平,为研制高效、新型的幽门螺杆菌核酸疫苗提供实验依据。【方法】构建pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2重组载体,并转染HeLa细胞,用Western-blot观察鉴定其在真核细胞得到表达后免疫C57BL/6小鼠,ELISA间接法测定小鼠血清中抗Lpp20IgG抗体水平,ELISA双抗体夹心法检测脾淋巴细胞培养上清中IFN-γ、IL4水平,MTT比色法检测脾淋巴细胞增殖反应,免疫荧光组化法检测Lpp20蛋白在小鼠肌肉组织中的表达情况。【结果】成功构建了pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2真核表达载体,且重组质粒能在HeLa细胞内有效表达目的蛋白;小鼠接种pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2核酸疫苗后能产生特异性IgG抗体,8w后ELISA测定血清抗体A450值明显升高。核酸疫苗pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2免疫组小鼠脾淋巴细胞经特异性抗原刺激后,培养上清中IFN-γ、IL4含量明显升高。pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20-IL2和pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20核酸疫苗组小鼠脾淋巴细胞经特异性抗原刺激后,刺激指数明显高于空质粒组和PBS组。Lpp20蛋白在小鼠肌肉组织中能够有效表达。【结论】幽门螺杆菌Lpp20-IL2融合基因核酸疫苗和Lpp20单基因核酸疫苗均能刺激机体产生较强细胞免疫应答和体液免疫应答,且前者能诱导更强的细胞免疫应答。     

SARS病毒s1基因片段真核表达载体的构建及免疫效果

本研究根据GenBank登录的BJ01株SARS-CoV序列合成801bpS1基因片段,该片段被亚克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)得到重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/S1;转染Hela细胞,SDS-PAGE、Western-Blotting鉴定蛋白表达;肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠,利用ELISA法检测免疫后小鼠的抗SARS/CoVIgG及IFN-γ水平,MTT法检测T细胞增殖活性.结果显示,重组质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/S1可在Hela细胞内表达S1蛋白,免疫后小鼠的T细胞增殖活性增强,抗SARS-CoVIgG与IFN-γ水平升高.本实验说明pcDNA3.1(+)/S1可诱导小鼠产生一定的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答.     

SARS病毒s1基因片段真核表达载体的构建及免疫效果

本研究根据GenBank登录的BJ01株SARS-CoV序列合成801bpS1基因片段,该片段被亚克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3.1( )得到重组质粒pcDNA3.1( )/S1;转染Hela细胞,SDS-PAGE、Western-Blotting鉴定蛋白表达;肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠,利用ELISA法检测免疫后小鼠的抗SARS-CoVIgG及IFN-γ水平,MTT法检测T细胞增殖活性。结果显示,重组质粒pcDNA3.1( )/S1可在Hela细胞内表达S1蛋白,免疫后小鼠的T细胞增殖活性增强,抗SARS-CoVIgG与IFN-γ水平升高。本实验说明pcDNA3.1( )/S1可诱导小鼠产生一定的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答。     

共表达结核杆菌Ag85A-ESAT-6融合抗原与IL-21核酸疫苗的构建及免疫效果研究

目的：构建结核杆菌Ag85A-ESAT-6融合抗原与细胞因子IL-21共表达核酸疫苗pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6,研究其对小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法：用PCR方法分别扩增出Ag85A和IL-21编码基因,并先后插入质粒pIRES-ESAT-6中,构成共表达核酸疫苗pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6;免疫小鼠后,通过CTL和NK细胞杀伤活性和脾细胞增殖试验,以及小鼠血清抗体、IFN-γ和IL-4的检测,评价该核酸疫苗的免疫效果。结果：pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6核酸疫苗免疫鼠的CTL活性、脾细胞增殖反应、IFN-γ水平及血清抗体产生明显高于对照组,差异有显著性意义。结论：pIRES-IL-21-Ag85A-ESAT-6核酸疫苗能够诱导小鼠产生有效的免疫反应,可作为新型结核疫苗的候选组分。     

人乳头瘤病毒16型E5与IL-12联合基因疫苗的免疫活性

为了研制人乳头瘤病毒16型(HPV16)防治性疫苗,分析了HPV16 E5与IL-12联合基因疫苗的免疫活性。将构建的pcDNA3.1(+)/E5与pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12联合免疫BALB/c小鼠,以ELISA测定小鼠血清中抗HPV16 E5 IgG水平、小鼠脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-4含量;MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞增殖反应。结果显示末次免疫后,联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组血清IgG A450值分别明显高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组(P<0.01);且联合基因疫苗组显著高于单基因疫苗组(P<0.01)。联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组的IFN-γ和IL-4含量分别均明显高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组IFN-γ和IL-4含量(P<0.01),且联合基因疫苗组含量显著高于单基因疫苗组(P<0.01)。联合基因疫苗组和单基因疫苗组脾淋巴细胞刺激指数(SI)分别显著高于pcDNA3.1(+)组、pcDNA3.1(+)/IL-12组和PBS组(P<0.01);联合基因疫苗组与单基因疫苗组比较,SI差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结果表明HPV16 E5单基因疫苗以及与IL-12联合基因疫苗均能刺激机体产生较强的免疫应答,且联合基因疫苗优于单基因疫苗。     

HIV-1 gagpol病毒样颗粒疫苗免疫小鼠的实验研究

目的:为构建含中国流行株HIV*1核心蛋白(gag、pol)基因的病毒样颗粒疫苗(VIP疫苗),并评价其诱导的体液和细胞免疫反应效果.方法:将重组质粒pcDNA3.1/gagpol稳定转染HEK293细胞,上清液经蔗糖垫层超速离心纯化后,用收获的VLP疫苗免疫小鼠,通过ELLSA检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,通过乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)实验检测小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应.结果:VLP疫苗免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1 gp160抗体滴度和IFN-γ均升高(P<0.01).其特异性CTL活性均高于PBS对照组(P<0.01).结论:构建的VLP疫苗免疫小鼠可以诱导特异性体液和细胞免疫应答,为进一步研制HIV治疗性疫苗奠定基础.     

重组PA4复制子病毒颗粒疫苗免疫原性的分析

目的:构建携带炭疽毒素保护性抗原第四结构域(PA4)基因的重组Semliki森林病毒(SFV)复制子病毒颗粒,并对其免疫原性进行研究。方法:将编码炭疽PA4的SFV复制子DNA载体pSCAR-SPA4,与辅助SFV DNA载体pSHCAR共转染BHK21细胞,制备表达PA4的重组复制子病毒颗粒;用重组复制子病毒颗粒疫苗免疫小鼠,并采用ELISA法检测其血清抗体水平和细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-4。结果:免疫小鼠血清中检测到较高的抗体水平,免疫小鼠的脾淋巴细胞经特异性抗原刺激后产生了明显的T细胞增殖反应并分泌产生了IFN-γ和IL-4。结论:重组PA4复制子病毒颗粒疫苗免疫小鼠后能够产生特异性的抗体反应和细胞免疫反应。制备的重组PA4复制子病毒颗粒极有潜力作为人用炭疽候选疫苗,为进一步研究新型炭疽疫苗奠定了基础。     

Ectogenesis and the case against the right to the death of the foetus

Ectogenesis, or the use of an artificial womb to allow a foetus to develop, will likely become a reality within a few decades, and could significantly affect the abortion debate. We first examine the implications for Judith Jarvis Thomson’s violinist analogy, which argues for a woman’s right to withdraw life support from the foetus and so terminate her pregnancy, even if the foetus is granted full moral status. We show that on Thomson’s reasoning, there is no right to the death of the foetus, and abortion is not permissible if ectogenesis is available, provided it is safe and inexpensive. This raises the question of whether there are persuasive reasons for the right to the death of the foetus that could be exercised in the context of ectogenesis. Eric Mathison and Jeremy Davis have examined several arguments for this right, doubting that it exists, while Joona Räsänen has recently criticized their reasoning. We respond to Räsänen’s analysis, concluding that his arguments are unsuccessful, and that there is no right to the death of the foetus in these circumstances.     

On the diversity of the Cladocera in the tropics

The mythical concept of an impoverished tropical cladoceran fauna is refuted. On a planetary scale, around half of the cladoceran species presently known occur exclusively in the tropics-subtropics, often with considerable restriction to particular geographical subzones. On a regional (political) scale, the situation is often unclear because of the continued fragmentary nature of studies, and because political units are not a good basis for biogeographical comparisons. At the finest level of resolution (lake-perlake comparisons), there appears to be an upper limit of c. 50 cladoceran species per individual lake. No significant difference between lakes in the temperate zone and in the tropics could be established here. Daphnia is largely absent from the tropics, but is replaced by more Sidids, Moinids, and Bosminids, such that the average cladoceran community in the limnetic zone of a tropical lake is not characterized by less species but rather by lower population densities. This, in turn, is considered a consequence of higher prevalent predation levels in the tropics.     

Tubular networks in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human,the monkey,the cat and the dog

Summary A tubular network was found in the terminal endings of the visual receptor cells in the human, the monkey (Macaca mulatta), the cat and the dog. These tubules are arranged in close groups in the vicinity of the synaptic lamellae and the invaginated dendrites. According to the form, diameter, density of the tubules and to the consistence of the network formed by them one can distinguish at these places an initial type (type I), a transitory (type II) and a vesicular one (type III). In the the type III branching, bizarre forms are frequent. The diameter of all the tubules reaches 500–600 Å, their density and walls being the same as in the synaptic vesicles.Similar networks also occur in the axons of the visual receptor cells of the monkey.

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Zusammenfassung In den Endigungen der Photorezeptorzellen von Mensch, Affe (Macaca mulatta), Katze und Hund kommen aus Tubuli bestehende Komplexe vor. Organellenartig in geschlossenen Gruppen angeordnet, liegen sie in Nähe der synaptischen Lamellen und der invaginierten Dendriten. An diesen Stellen kann man nach Form, Durchmesser, Dichte und Konsistenz der von den Tubuli gebildeten Komplexe drei Typen unterscheiden: 1. einen initialen (Typus I), 2. einen Übergangstypus (Typus II) und 3. einen vesiculären Typus (Typus III). In letzterem kommen häufig verzweigte, bizarre Formen vor. Der Durchmesser sämtlicher Tubuli erreicht 500–600 Å. Ihre Dichte und ihre Wand gleicht denen der synaptischen Vesikel.Ähnliche Komplexe fanden wir auch in den Axonen der Photorezeptorzellen vom Affen.

     

Assessing the Physiological State of the Fucoids from the Barents Sea Littoral by the End of the Polar Night

Methods of amperometry and potentiometric titration were used to follow dark respiration (DR) and apparent photosynthesis (AP) in the fucoids Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol, Fucus vesiculosus L., and F. serratus L. from the Barents Sea littoral by the end of the 40-day-long polar night. The macroalgae were shown to manifest species-specific low rates of photosynthesis and respiration. However, in spite of their low photosynthetic status due to the effects of subzero temperature and prolonged low or zero illumination, the macroalgae have been able to restore DR and AP to the initial level already by the day 9; the ability to restore AP depended on the level of illumination. The study of the changes in the carbonate–bicarbonate system in the light and darkness demonstrated that the macroalgae grown in darkness, in contrast to those grown in twilight, could absorb bicarbonate in darkness; however, they lost this capacity after two-day-long illumination at an irradiance of 7 mol/(m² s). Bicarbonate uptake in darkness and the capacity to restore the systems of photosynthesis and respiration in fucoid cells are discussed in the context of algal energy metabolism under the polar night conditions.     

Arranging the elements of the potassium channel: the T1 domain occludes the cytoplasmic face of the channel

The voltage-gated potassium channel is currently one of the few membrane proteins where functional roles have been mapped onto specific segments of sequence. Although high-resolution structures of the transmembrane portions of three bacterial potassium channels, the tetramerization domain and the cytoplasmic ball are available, their relative spatial arrangement in mammalian channels remains a matter of ongoing debate. Cryo-electron microscopic images of the six transmembrane voltage-gated Kv channel have been reconstructed at up to 18 Å resolution, revealing that the T1 domain tetramerizes and is suspended below the transmembrane segments. However, the resolution of these images is insufficient to reveal the location of the third piece of the puzzle, the inactivating ball domain. We have used the aberrant interactions observed in a series of chimæric channels to establish that an assembled T1 domain restricts access to the cytoplasmic face of the channel, suggesting that the N-terminal ball and chain may be confined in the space between the T1 domain and the transmembrane portion of the channel.     

Feeding the vertebrate retina from the Cambrian to the Tertiary

The retina of the vertebrate eye is metabolically active and requires nutritive support. During the last 540 million years it has evolved into forms as complicated and nutritionally demanding as those found in avian or primate eyes. Diffusion from the choroid is generally able to supply the metabolic needs of thin retinae. However, when the thickness exceeds the limits of diffusion, structures are needed to supplement the vascular supply from the choroid. These supplemental nutritive devices include the choroidal gland, the falciform process and preretinal vascular plexus of fish, the conus papillaris of lizards, the pecten oculi of birds, the intraretinal vessels of mammals and a few novel systems that remain difficult to classify. These vascular systems are among the most variable features of the vertebrate eye. Here, we review classical and recent findings regarding such retinal nutrition systems, propose a three category classification for them based on histologic origins and speculate on the evolutionary forces which drove their development.     

Observations on the permeability of the choriocapillaris of the eye

Summary The choriocapillaris is a fenestrated capillary bed located posterior to the retinal pigment epithelium. It serves as the main source of supply to the photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, and other cells of the outer retina. The permeability of these capillaries to intravenously injected ferritin (MW — approx. 480,000; mol. diam. 11 nm) was examined in the mouse, rabbit, and guinea pig, each of which is characterized by a different type of retinal vascularization. In all three species, the bulk of the ferritin remained in the capillary lumina, where it appeared to be blocked at the level of the diaphragmed fenestrae. Some ferritin was present in endothelial cell vacuoles. The results confirm previous work on the rat choriocapillaris and indicate that the barrier function of the choriocapillary endothelium is present even among species in which the retinal circulation differs significantly.Supported by NIH grant EY03418     

Separation of the pineal vesicle from the wall of the third ventricle during the post-hatching development of the chicken

Summary According to light- and electron-microscopic observations the pineal organ of the 3-day-old chicken consists of a prominent end vesicle and a tapering parenchymal stalk. During this stage the pineal lumen is in open communication with the third ventricle. However, in the 40-day-old chicken, which still possesses a well-developed end vesicle, the proximal portion of the pineal stalk displays regressive changes leading to local fragmentation. At this stage the pineal stalk is reduced, and the pineal lumen is missing. In 1-year-old chickens the parenchyma of the proximal portion of the stalk is further diminished, and in 3-year-old domestic fowl is completely displaced by bundles of collagenous fibers, only some nerve fibers being present. This post-hatching pineal development may reflect the sequence of changes leading from pineal sense organs to pineal glands.This work was supported by a grant-in-aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan