Synergistic induction of hepatocyte growth factor in human skin fibroblasts by the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and interferon-gamma

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the vital factors for wound healing. HGF expression markedly increases in wounded skin and is mainly localized in dermal fibroblasts. HGF expression level in human dermal fibroblasts in vitro, however, is low and thus may be stimulated by some factors in the process of wound healing. Candidates of the factors are inflammatory cytokines released by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells infiltrating the wounded area, but HGF production in human dermal fibroblasts is only slightly induced by interleukin (IL)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or interferon (IFN)-gamma. We here report that a combination of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma or a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma very markedly induced HGF production. The synergistic effect of the former was more marked than that of the latter. Synergistic effects of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma were observed at more than 10 pg/ml and 10 IU/ml, respectively, and were detectable as early as 12 h after addition. Neither IFN-alpha nor IFN-beta was able to replace IFN-gamma. HGF mRNA expression was also synergistically upregulated by IL-1beta and IFN-gamma. IL-1beta plus IFN-gamma-induced synergistic production of HGF was potently inhibited by treatment of cells with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor PD98059 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 but not by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125. Taken together, our results indicate that a combination of IL-1beta and IFN-gamma synergistically induced HGF production in human dermal fibroblasts and suggest that activation of ERK and p38 but not of JNK is involved in the synergistic effect.     

Relationships between burn size,immunosuppression, and macrophage hyperactivity in a murine model of thermal injury

Burn injury induces immune dysfunction and alters numerous physiological parameters. While clinical studies indicate that burn injury size profoundly impacts patient immune status, only limited experimental studies have systematically addressed its impact on immune functional parameters. In the present study, mice were subjected to burn injuries of varying sizes and splenic immune cells (splenocytes and macrophages) were isolated 7 days thereafter. Burn injury suppressed splenic T-cell proliferation in an injury size-dependent manner that correlated with the release of the immunosuppressive mediators PGE(2) and nitric oxide. In addition, a shift towards an immunosuppressive Th-2 cytokine profile and a hyperactive macrophage phenotype (increased release of inflammatory mediators) was observed post-injury, however, this effect was in part independent of burn size. Thus, unlike patient survival data, burn injury-induced changes in immune function do not necessarily correlate with the size of the injury.     

巴氏蘑菇多糖对铅中毒大鼠脾脏细胞因子mRNA表达的影响

为了研究巴氏蘑菇Agaricus blazei多糖对铅中毒大鼠脾脏细胞因子mRNA表达的影响,进而探索巴氏蘑菇多糖对铅中毒大鼠的免疫调节作用。选用45日龄SD大鼠,随机分为6组,每组8只,雌雄各半。分别为正常对照组、多糖组、铅中毒模型组、铅+50mg/kg·d多糖试验组、铅+100mg/kg·d多糖试验组、铅+200mg/kg·d多糖试验组。铅中毒模型组、铅+多糖试验组分别给予含0.2%醋酸铅饮水,自由饮用。饲养60d后,采集脾脏,荧光定量RT-PCR对其细胞因子IL-1β、IL-2、IL-6、TNF-α     

Deficient heat shock protein 70 response to stress in leukocytes at onset of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Animal models of the disease demonstrate an increased susceptibility of beta cells to immunological attacks due to their defective stress-responsiveness. To investigate the stress-responsiveness in human type 1 diabetes we analyzed the heat-inducibility of the dominant stress protein heat shock protein (Hsp)70 in diabetic patients at different disease stages. At diabetes-manifestation heat-induced Hsp70 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) reached only about 25% of the levels expressed by heat-treated PBMC from non-diabetic subjects (p < 0.05). Heat-responsiveness improved with disease duration and was re-established at more than eight months after disease-manifestation. Hyperthermia-induced Hsp70 expression was decreased by the T-helper 1-associated cytokine interferon-γ and increased by the T-helper 2-associated transforming growth factor-β. We conclude that impaired cellular stress-responsiveness, aggravated by the inflammatory milieu at the onset of type 1 diabetes, contributes to disease manifestation.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the first complete hepatitis E virus (HEV) genome from Africa

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is globally distributed, transmitted enterically and between humans and animals. Phylogenetic analysis has identified five distinct HEV genotypes. The first full-length sequence of an African strain (Chad) is presented and compared to 31 complete HEV genomes available, including the fulminant hepatitis strain from India, swine strains and a strain from Morocco. The two African strains are more closely related to genotype 1 than to any other genotypes and together they possibly form a sub-genotype or sixth genotype. The first evidence for recombination between divergent HEV strains is presented.     

Immunomodulatory effect of human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on lymphocytes

Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have low immunogenicity and immune regulation. Human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly provides a new source for MSCs that are highly proliferative and have multi-differentiation potential. To investigate immunomodulatory effects of human Wharton’s jelly cells (WJCs) on lymphocytes, we successfully isolated MSCs from human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly. WJCs expressed MSC markers but low levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC and no HLA-DR. These results indicate that WJCs have low immunogenicity. Both WJCs and their culture supernatant could inhibit the proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and mouse splenocytes. Additionally, WJCs suppressed secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 and interferon-γ by human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We conclude that the immunomodulatory effect of WJCs may be related to direct cell contact and inhibition of cytokine secretion by human peripheral blood lymphocytes.     

不同人类免疫缺陷病毒感染途径群体中戊型肝炎病毒的流行情况

本研究旨在了解不同人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)感染途径群体中戊型肝炎病毒(hepatitis E virus,HEV)抗体情况,探讨HEV疫苗接种的必要性。采集HIV感染者的血清或血浆,利用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测HEV IgG抗体、IgM抗体及抗原,荧光定量聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)检测HEV核酸,Roche高纯化HIV-1核酸定量检测试剂盒(PCR荧光法)检测HIV感染者的HIV载量。比较分析不同HIV感染途径群体中HEV流行率的差别。结果显示,HIV感染者中HEV IgG抗体的阳性率为37.4%,静脉吸毒、成分献血和传播途径不明HIV感染群体的HEV IgG抗体阳性率分别为49.3%、39.5%和30.4%。HEV核酸荧光PCR检测结果均为阴性。3种HIV感染群体之间HEV IgG抗体阳性率差异无统计学意义(χ~2=2.978,P0.05)。HEV IgG阳性与阴性感染者之间HIV载量差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结果提示,为保护HIV感染者免受HEV感染,应考虑接种HEV疫苗。     

CD63在戊型肝炎病毒感染中的作用机制

本研究旨在寻找戊型肝炎病毒(hepatitis E virus,HEV)衣壳蛋白ORF2的相互作用蛋白,探讨其在HEV感染中的作用。采用酵母双杂交方法从人肝细胞文库中筛选与HEV ORF2相互作用的蛋白,结果显示CD63与HEV ORF2相互作用。Pull-down实验提示原核表达的ORF2与CD63结合较弱,而免疫共沉淀实验提示真核表达的ORF2能与CD63结合。流式细胞术检测结果显示,HEV易感细胞PLC/PRF/5细胞膜表面的CD63表达水平普遍低于HEV非易感细胞。过表达CD63抑制PLC/PRF/5细胞的HEV感染,而小干扰RNA(small interfering RNA,siRNA)干扰CD63表达则促进HEV感染。结果提示,CD63能与HEV ORF2相互作用,可能抑制HEV感染肝细胞。     

乙型肝炎患者体液免疫功能、肝纤维化指标及α1-MG、TGF-β1水平分析

目的:探讨乙型肝炎患者体液免疫功能、肝纤维化程度及血清中α1-MG、TGF-β1水平的变化。方法:选取2016年1月~2018年10月我院收治的轻度乙型肝炎患者60例为轻度组,重度乙型肝炎患者60例为重度组及同期来我院体检的健康志愿者60例为对照组。检测并比较三组患者血清中补体C3、补体C4、肝纤维化指标及α1-微球蛋白(α1-MG)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)水平。结果:乙型肝炎患者血清中补体C3及补体C4水平明显低于对照组;重度组患者血清中补体C3及补体C4水平明显低于轻度组患者(P<0.05)。乙型肝炎患者血清中各肝纤维化指标水平明显高于对照组;重度组患者血清中各肝纤维化指标水平明显高于轻度组患者(P<0.05)。乙型肝炎患者血清中α1-MG水平明显低于对照组,TGF-β1水平明显高于对照组;重度组患者血清中α1-MG水平明显低于轻度组,TGF-β1水平明显高于轻度组(P<0.05)。结论:乙型肝炎病毒感染可导致患者免疫功能水平下降,肝脏纤维化及细胞因子水平紊乱,且上述指标水平的变化与疾病进展程度密切相关,临床治疗时需加强对上述指标的监测。     

三株散发性戊型肝炎病毒变异株的部分序列比较

对三株散发性戊型肝炎病毒Ch-T11、Ch-T21、Ch-T40的部分基因组做克隆测序,经比较发现与其它国内外HEV株ORF2部分相应核苷酸序列同源性在78.3-81.3%,Ch-T21与Ch-T40的核苷酸同源性为98.8%,而Ch-T11与前两者的同源性则分别为89.8%和90.2%.Ch-T11、Ch-T21、Ch-T40与其它HEV株相应氨基酸序列同源性在95.8-97.9%,它们之间的氨基酸同源性则为100%.系统进化树分析显示,这三株HEV可能代表着一新型HEV.     

广西地区野鼠戊型肝炎病毒感染情况调查

从广西壮族自治区5个市采集256份野鼠肝脏和对应的血清211份,采用HEV抗体(HEV-Ab)酶联免疫试剂盒(双抗原夹心法)对血清样本进行抗-HEV检测,并对不同地区HEV抗体阳性率进行χ2检验。采用HEV核酸荧光PCR试剂盒对肝脏样本进行HEV核酸检测。结果显示,211份野鼠血清抗-HEV的抗体阳性率为6.6%,其中百色市的抗体阳性率最高,为14.1%,其他地区抗体阳性率均在10%以下。256份野鼠肝脏中未检测到HEV核酸。由此可见,广西壮族自治区5个市的野鼠中存在HEV感染,但其是否为HEV的自然宿主及在戊型肝炎传播中起何作用需进一步研究。     

三株散发性戊型肝炎病毒变异株的部分序列比较

对三株散发性戊型肝炎病毒Ｃｈ－Ｔ１１、Ｃｈ－Ｔ２１、Ｃｈ－Ｆ４０的部分基因组做克隆测序,经比较发现与其它国内外ＨＥＶ株ＯＲＦ２部分相应核苷酸序列同源性在７８．３－８１．３,Ｃｈ－Ｔ２１与Ｃｈ－Ｔ４０的核苷酸同源性９８．８％,而Ｃｈ－Ｔ１１与前两者的同源性则分别为８９．８％和９０．２％。Ｃｈ－Ｔ１１、Ｃｈ－Ｔ２１、Ｃｈ－Ｔ４０与其它ＨＥＶ株相应氨基酸序列同源性在９５．８－９７．９％,它们之间的氨基酸     

中国西藏部分地区猪戊型肝炎病毒流行病学调查

戊型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis E Virus,HEV)感染是一个重要的全球公共卫生问题,而猪被认为是HEV的天然宿主。HEV可以跨种间传播,且已经证实生吃感染的猪肉会导致人感染。在中国西藏许多地区仍然有生吃猪肉、猪肝等的习惯,且不同种家畜混合饲养,极易造成HEV感染和传播。然而中国西藏地区猪HEV流行情况报道甚少。文中对中国西藏5个地区市(拉萨、日喀则、山南、那曲和昌都)猪血清进行HEV Immunoglobulin-M(Ig M)和Ig G抗体检测,并通过逆转录巢氏PCR(RT-n PCR)进行HEV RNA检测和定量RT-PCR(q RT-PCR)进行病毒拷贝计算,首次报道了藏猪血清HEV RNA阳性率。结果显示,在西藏猪中HEV有较高的流行趋势。猪血清HEV Ig M抗体阳性率高达7.6%(26/340),HEV Ig G抗体阳性率为1.8%(6/340),HEV RNA阳性率高达7.6%(26/340),血清中病毒拷贝高达1.7×107 copies/m L,而且5个地区有不同的流行趋势。结果表明西藏猪HEV感染情况严重。有关部门应加强管理,以避免人与动物之间的交叉感染和暴发。     

Molecular biology and pathogenesis of hepatitis E virus

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a small RNA virus and the etiological agent for hepatitis E, a form of acute viral hepatitis. The virus has a feco-oral transmission cycle and is transmitted through environmental contamination, mainly through drinking water. Recent studies on the isolation of HEV-like viruses from animal species also suggest zoonotic transfer of the virus. The absence of small animal models of infection and efficient cell culture systems has precluded virological studies on the replication cycle and pathogenesis of HEV. A vaccine against HEV has undergone successful clinical testing and diagnostic tests are available. This review describes HEV epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, molecular virology and the host response to HEV infection. The focus is on published literature in the past decade. Equal contribution     

戊型肝炎病毒第4基因型中国株ORF2编码蛋白的抗原表位分析

以戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)第4基因型中国株ORF2编码蛋白p166Chn制备单克隆抗体(McAbs), 同时制备20个N端或C端逐渐截短的p166Chn截短蛋白, 与7种不同基因型和亚型的p166蛋白一起, 通过ELISA、免疫印迹(Western blot)以及竞争抑制实验对主要存在于我国的HEV第4基因型毒株进行抗原表位分析。结果发现所制备的McAbs与p166Chn截短蛋白的免疫反应有两种类型, 以1G10为代表的McAbs能与N端不短于aa477、C端不短于aa613的截短蛋白反应, 其针对的抗原表位是构象依赖型表位, 依赖于aa477~aa613肽链区段; 而McAb 2F11则能与N端不短于aa474、C端不短于aa617的截短蛋白反应, 其针对的抗原表位也是构象表位, 但需依赖于较长的肽链区段(aa474~aa617)。竞争抑制实验显示两类McAbs互不抑制, 进一步证实了所发现的两个抗原表位在空间位置上的不同。更有意义的是, 两类McAbs均能与其他不同HEV基因型和亚型来源的p166重组蛋白发生阳性反应, 表明这两个抗原表位是HEV基因型共同性的, 可以在世界各国分布的不同基因型HEV毒株中诱导交叉免疫。     

Blocking of alpha 5 integrin stimulates production of TGF-beta and PAI-1 by human mesangial cells

Expression of integrin, which mediates cell-matrix interaction, is affected by several cytokines, in particular by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). However, it is unknown whether, in an opposite way, a specific integrin is involved in cytokine synthesis. We tested this hypothesis. Function-blocking anti-alpha 5 integrin (fibronectin receptor) antibody increased TGF-beta secretion in growth-arrested human mesangial cells (2.3-fold) compared with control IgG or anti-alpha v beta 3 integrin (receptor for several matrix proteins) antibody. It also increased the secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a protein associated with matrix increase, by 3.2-fold. The increase in PAI-1 secretion induced by anti-alpha 5 integrin antibody was not abrogated by anti-TGF-beta neutralizing antibody. These results indicate that function-blocking of anti-alpha 5 integrin stimulates TGF-beta as well as PAI-1 production, suggesting that alpha 5 integrin is involved in fibrotic process. Function-modulation of a specific integrin thus appears to play a role in glomerular remodeling.     

Determinants of CD81 dimerization and interaction with hepatitis C virus glycoprotein E2

The tetraspanin CD81 plays an essential role in diverse cellular processes. CD81 also acts as an entry receptor for HCV through an interaction between the large extracellular loop (LEL) of CD81 and HCV glycoprotein E2. The E2-CD81 interaction also results in immunomodulatory effects in vitro. In this study, we examined the relationship between the dimeric crystal structure of the CD81 LEL and intact CD81. Using random mutagenesis, amino acids were identified that abolished dimerization of recombinant LEL in regions that were important for intermonomer contacts (F150S and V146E), salt bridge formation (K124T), and intramonomer disulfide bonding (T166I, C157S, and C190R). Two monomeric LEL mutants retained the ability to bind E2, K124T, and V146E, whereas F150S, T166I, C157S, and C190R did not. Introduction of K124T, V146E, and F150S mutations in full-length CD81 did not affect its oligomerization and the effects on E2 binding were less severe than for isolated LEL. These results suggest that the LEL has a more robust structure in the intact tetraspanin with regions outside the LEL contributing to CD81 dimerization.