A Three-Dimensional Comparison of Tick-Borne Flavivirus Infection in Mammalian and Tick Cell Lines

Tick-borne flaviviruses (TBFV) are sustained in nature through cycling between mammalian and tick hosts. In this study, we used African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and Ixodes scapularis tick cells (ISE6) to compare virus-induced changes in mammalian and arthropod cells. Using confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron tomography (ET), we examined viral protein distribution and the ultrastructural changes that occur during TBFV infection. Within host cells, flaviviruses cause complex rearrangement of cellular membranes for the purpose of virus replication. Virus infection was accompanied by a marked expansion in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) staining and markers for TBFV replication were localized mainly to the ER in both cell lines. TEM of Vero cells showed membrane-bound vesicles enclosed in a network of dilated, anastomosing ER cisternae. Virions were seen within the ER and were sometimes in paracrystalline arrays. Tubular structures or elongated vesicles were occasionally noted. In acutely and persistently infected ISE6 cells, membrane proliferation and vesicles were also noted; however, the extent of membrane expansion and the abundance of vesicles were lower and no viral particles were observed. Tubular profiles were far more prevalent in persistently infected ISE6 cells than in acutely infected cells. By ET, tubular profiles, in persistently infected tick cells, had a cross-sectional diameter of 60–100 nm, reached up to 800 nm in length, were closed at the ends, and were often arranged in fascicle-like bundles, shrouded with ER membrane. Our experiments provide analysis of viral protein localization within the context of both mammalian and arthropod cell lines as well as both acute and persistent arthropod cell infection. Additionally, we show for the first time 3D flavivirus infection in a vector cell line and the first ET of persistent flavivirus infection.     

Adherence of Yersinia enterocolitica to Mammalian Epithelial Cell Lines

Yersinia enterocolitica RIMD 2501003 grown at 25 C avidly adhered to various kinds of cultured epithelial cell lines (HeLa, FL, Y-1 adrenal, human intestine, human conjunctiva) but the bacteria grown at 37 C did not adhere. This phenomenon paralleled the temperature-dependent motility of the bacteria. To clarify the adherence mechanism, we obtained two kinds of mutants, an immobile mutant and a nonadherent mutant, by treatment with A-methyl-A-nitro-A-nitrosoguanidine. The immobile mutant did not move on soft agar but retained the capacity to adhere to cultured epithelial cells when grown at 25 C. The nonadherent mutant did not adhere to cultured epithelial cells but retained the ability to move on soft agar when grown at 25 C. When the bacteria were killed by heat, ultraviolet light irradiation or formaldehyde they lost their capacity to adhere to the cultured epithelial cells. Antiserum against Y. enterocolitica RIMD 2501003 grown at 25 C was absorbed with the bacteria grown at 37 C, with the bacteria grown at 25 C, with the nonadherent mutant grown at 25 C and with the bacteria killed by various means. Only the antiserum absorbed with bacteria grown at 37 C inhibited the adherence of bacteria. These data indicate that motility does not correlate with adherence of Y. enterocolitica. It appears that the adherence factor involves both a temperature-dependent surface factor and a factor synthesized de novo during the interaction of susceptible cells with the bacteria.     

稳定表达乙脑病毒结构蛋白的细胞系的建立

以乙型脑炎病毒SA14-14-2疫苗株全长基因组克隆质粒pBR-JTF为模板,通过PCR分别扩增prM-E及C-prM-E基因片段,构建表达乙型脑炎病毒结构蛋白的真核表达质粒pCJE-ME及pCJE-CME。将这2种重组质粒用脂质体法转染BHK-21细胞后,质粒pCJE-ME表现明显的细胞毒性,转染细胞不能存活;质粒pCJE-cME可导致筛选到表达JEV结构蛋白的稳定细胞系,这种稳定表达JEV结构蛋白的细胞系通过PCR扩增细胞系基因组、ELISA、Western Blot、间接免疫荧光等方法得到鉴定。研究结果表明在C蛋白存在下,乙型脑炎病毒C-prM-E蛋白可以在BHK细胞中稳定表达,为研制JEV新型复制子颗粒疫苗提供了便利工具。     

不同固定液对体外细胞系荧光蛋白淬灭及对胞内蛋白荧光染色的影响

目的:比较不同细胞固定液对荧光蛋白淬灭情况以及核内、胞浆蛋白免疫荧光染色的影响。方法:分别对融合了RFP和GFP基因的鼻咽癌HK1细胞采用95%乙醇、75%乙醇、甲醇、丙酮:甲醇=1:1、5%冰乙酸、Carnoy固定液进行固定,然后采用免疫荧光法对细胞进行免疫染色。结果:六种固定液均能使荧光蛋白猝灭。免疫荧光染色方面,对于核蛋白染色,75%乙醇、95%乙醇、丙酮:甲醇=1:1、Carnoy固定液固定后核区获得明显的荧光染色,而采用甲醇、5%冰乙酸固定后荧光染色不明显。对于胞质蛋白染色,按荧光染色的清晰程度分为固定于Carnoy固定液丙酮:甲醇=1:1甲醇5%冰乙酸75%乙醇95%乙醇,前四者固定可见分布于胞质,75%乙醇或95%乙醇固定的目标蛋白定位不清。结论:六种不同的固定液在有效失活荧光蛋白的情况下对核蛋白及胞浆蛋白抗原性的影响略有不同,可根据研究目的蛋白表达的部位及特点来选用合适的固定液。     

A Small Infrared Thermometer for Measuring Leaf Temperature in Leaf Chambers

A small, inexpensive infrared thermometer is described. Thisinstrument is easily used and is more accurate than thermocouplesfor leaf temperature measurements. Errors are estimated to beless than 0.2 °C when measuring leaf temperatures in a typicalleaf chamber. Key words: Infrared thermometer, Leaf temperature, Leaf chamber     

稳定表达流感病毒基质蛋白2的哺乳动物细胞系的建立

本研究构建了稳定表达甲型流感病毒基质蛋白2(M2)的哺乳动物细胞系。应用PCR方法扩增A/PR/8/34(H1N1)株流感病毒M2基因,将其克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA5/FRT(pDF)上,构建出pDF-M2重组质粒。将鉴定正确的pDF-M2与表达Flp重组酶的pOG44质粒共转染Flp-In-CHO细胞,通过体内同源重组使目的基因整合到宿主细胞染色体上。筛选具有Hygromycin B抗性的重组细胞株命名为CHO-M2。以间接免疫荧光法(IFA)和Western blot法检测M2的表达,共获得15株高表达M2蛋白的重组细胞株。这些重组细胞株在连续培养10代后,PCR方法仍可检测到M2基因的存在,IFA也检测到蛋白的稳定表达。本研究成功获得了稳定表达甲型流感病毒M2的哺乳动物细胞系,为M2蛋白的功能研究和非复制型流感病毒疫苗的研制提供了新的工具。     

狂犬病病毒糖蛋白哺乳动物细胞稳定表达细胞系建立

试验首先根据GenBank上所发表的狂犬病病毒CVS-24株糖蛋白基因序列,设计并合成一对特异性引物,通过反转录 聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）,获得糖蛋白全长cDNA,连接在pMD18-T载体上,测序证明克隆的正确性后,将其插入真核表达载体pIRES1neo,构建了糖蛋白单一表达载体pICG,表达质粒通过脂质体转染BHK-21细胞,在G418抗性压力下出现细胞克隆,通过PCR检测,确定启动子与糖蛋白基因在细胞基因组中共同整合。借助Western blot检测,证明所表达的糖蛋白与狂犬病抗血清有特异的反应性。采用间接ELISA法,筛选出3株高效表达糖蛋白的细胞株,分别命名为ICG1、ICG2、ICG3。     

A High-throughput End-point Assay for Viable Mammalian Cell Estimation

A single wavelength colorimetric microplate-based assay was developed using non-cytotoxic dye resazurin for the estimation of viable cell concentrations of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and hybridoma cells. Experimental results showed variations in pH and temperature caused by cell cultivation and assay operations were well tolerated. Cell concentrations can be effectively determined in the range of 10⁵–10⁷ cells ml⁻¹ using a microplate reader at the wavelength of 605 nm. This assay can be performed in a high-throughput manner such that a large number of cell culture samples can be screened within a relatively short time frame. When used together with a cell culture system of high-throughput format, it may have potential utilities in applications such as cell culture medium formulation and optimization.     

Low Temperature Stimulates Cell Enlargement and Intracellular Calcification of Coccolithophorids

Temperature effect on growth, cell size, calcium uptake activity, coccolith production was studied in coccolith-producing haptophytes, Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay & Mohler (strain EH2) and Gephyrocapsa oceanica Kamptner (strain GO1) (Coccolithophorales, Prymnesiophyceae). E. huxleyi grew at a wider temperature range (10°–25°C), while G. oceanica growth was limited to warmer temperatures (20°–25°C). Cell size was inversely correlated with temperature. At low temperature, the enlargement of chloroplasts and cells and the stimulation of coccolith production were morphologically confirmed under fluorescent and polarization microscopes, respectively. ⁴⁵ Ca uptake by E. huxleyi at 10°C was greatly increased after a 5-day lag and exceeded that at 20°C. These results clearly showed that low temperature suppressed coccolithophorid growth but induced cell enlargement and as stimulated the intracellular calcification that produces coccoliths.     

Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins Increase Intracellular Calcium Levels in Two Different Cell Lines

Background

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) are six related secreted proteins that share IGF-dependent and -independent functions. If the former functions begin to be well described, the latter are somewhat more difficult to investigate and to characterize. At the cellular level, IGFBPs were shown to modulate numerous processes including cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the molecular mechanisms implicated remain largely unknown. We previously demonstrated that IGFBP-3, but not IGFBP-1 or IGFBP-5, increase intracellular calcium concentration in MCF-7 cells (Ricort J-M et al. (2002) FEBS lett 527: 293–297).

Methodology/Principal Findings

We perform a global analysis in which we studied, by two different approaches, the binding of each IGFBP isoform (i.e., IGFBP-1 to -6) to the surface of two different cellular models, MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells and C2 myoblast proliferative cells, as well as the IGFBP-induced increase of intracellular calcium concentration. Using both confocal fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, we showed that all IGFBPs bind to MCF-7 cell surface. By contrast, only four IGFBPs can bind to C2 cell surface since neither IGFBP-2 nor IGFBP-4 were detected. Among the six IGFBPs tested, only IGFBP-1 did not increased intracellular calcium concentration whatever the cellular model studied. By contrast, IGFBP-2, -3, -4 and -6, in MCF-7 cells, and IGFBP-3, -5 and -6, in C2 proliferative cells, induce a rapid and transient increase in intracellular free calcium concentration. Moreover, IGFBP-2 and -3 (in MCF-7 cells) and IGFBP-5 (in C2 cells) increase intracellular free calcium concentration by a pertussis toxin sensitive signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that IGFBPs are able to bind to cell surface and increase intracellular calcium concentration. By characterizing the IGFBPs-induced cell responses and intracellular couplings, we highlight the cellular specificity and complexity of the IGF-independent actions of these IGF binding proteins.     

3个不同品系小鼠ES细胞的绿色荧光蛋白标记

用电穿孔法将线性化的质粒pEGFP—N3分别导入来自129／ter、C57BL/6J和BALB／c3个品系的小鼠胚胎干细胞：MESPU—13、MESPU—35和MESPU—62中,经G418筛选、荧光显微镜镜检、阳性克隆扩增、流式细胞仪分选、再扩增以及核型分析等过程,分别得到核型大于85％的被EGFP稳定标记的细胞株5个(129／ter2个、C57BL/6J1个、BALB／c2个),分别命名为MESPU—13／G1和MESPU—13／G2、MESPU—35／G1、MESPU—62／G1和MESPU—62／G2。从不同品系中各选一个增殖生长快、形态典型的标记细胞株,进行碱性磷酸酶染色、oct4群基因产物的表达检测、类胚形成和体内分化鉴定,结果表明所得到的核型正常的、稳定标记的ES细胞系具有原ES细胞的典型特征。     

Kinetics of Experimental Infection of Sheep with Ehrlichia ruminantium Cultivated in Tick and Mammalian Cell Lines

Inoculation of sheep with Ehrlichia (previously Cowdria) ruminantium which has been cultivated in mammalian endothelial cell cultures is almost always followed by a severe clinical reaction, whereas inoculation of the agent cultivated in tick cell lines usually does not provoke a clinical response, but may result in seroconversion and/or protection against subsequent challenge with virulent stabilates. A quantitative, real-time PCR assay was developed to determine the kinetics of infection (rickettsaemia) in sheep inoculated with tick cell- and mammalian cell-derived E. ruminantium (Gardel isolate). The method and initial results are described, and the significance of the findings is discussed in relation to the clinical responses of the sheep. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A New Low Cost Wide-Field Illumination Method for Photooxidation of Intracellular Fluorescent Markers

Analyzing cell morphology is crucial in the fields of cell biology and neuroscience. One of the main methods for evaluating cell morphology is by using intracellular fluorescent markers, including various commercially available dyes and genetically encoded fluorescent proteins. These markers can be used as free radical sources in photooxidation reactions, which in the presence of diaminobenzidine (DAB) forms an opaque and electron-dense precipitate that remains localized within the cellular and organelle membranes. This method confers many methodological advantages for the investigator, including absence of photo-bleaching, high visual contrast and the possibility of correlating optical imaging with electron microscopy. However, current photooxidation techniques require the continuous use of fluorescent or confocal microscopes, which wastes valuable mercury lamp lifetime and limits the conversion process to a few cells at a time. We developed a low cost optical apparatus for performing photooxidation reactions and propose a new procedure that solves these methodological restrictions. Our “photooxidizer” consists of a high power light emitting diode (LED) associated with a custom aluminum and acrylic case and a microchip-controlled current source. We demonstrate the efficacy of our method by converting intracellular DiI in samples of developing rat neocortex and post-mortem human retina. DiI crystals were inserted in the tissue and allowed to diffuse for 20 days. The samples were then processed with the new photooxidation technique and analyzed under optical microscopy. The results show that our protocols can unveil the fine morphology of neurons in detail. Cellular structures such as axons, dendrites and spine-like appendages were well defined. In addition to its low cost, simplicity and reliability, our method precludes the use of microscope lamps for photooxidation and allows the processing of many labeled cells simultaneously in relatively large tissue samples with high efficacy.     

Characterization of Two Mammalian Cortical Collecting Duct Cell Lines with Hopping Probe Ion Conductance Microscopy

We morphologically and physiologically characterized Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell and mouse principal cell of kidney in cortical collecting duct (mpkCCD) via hopping probe ion conductance microscopy, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, and single-channel recordings. The specific membrane structures of microvilli and tight junctions were clearly observed in MDCK and mpkCCD cell monolayers. The electrophysiological functions of epithelial Na⁺ channel in MDCK and mpkCCD cells were further characterized by measuring amiloride-sensitive TEER values for the whole-cell monolayer and detecting the ion channel activities with patch clamping. Our results provide more morphological and functional information to help better utilize these two mammalian CCD cell lines for mechanism studies of sodium absorption and reabsorption in the distal nephron.     

人Lrp蛋白在细胞中的定位及LPS对其表达的影响

为了对脂多糖应答基因(lrp)的功能进行深入的研究,用镍离子螯合柱(Ni-NT)纯化后的 全长Lrp蛋白免疫新西兰大白兔制备多克隆抗体并吸附去除非特异性反应成分.Western 印迹表明,吸附纯化后的抗体可以与Lrp蛋白特异结合,并有较高免疫印迹滴度,为Lrp功能研究提供了重要的工具.激光共聚焦扫描荧光显微镜检测显示Lrp主要位于细胞核膜周围.Western印迹、RT-PCR以及细胞免疫组化染色结果都表明,用LPS刺激后,lrp在人HEK293 和U937细胞内的表达均有明显的上升.结果提示,Lrp可能与对Lrp介导的反应有关.