膜型Tim-3分子促进荷瘤小鼠抗肿瘤免疫应答的研究

目的 研究膜型Tim-3分子对H22肝癌细胞生长的抑制效应,探讨膜型Tim-3分子对荷瘤小鼠免疫系统的影响.方法 以H22肝癌细胞接种于BALB/c小鼠大腿肌肉建立小鼠实体瘤模型,采用原位注射裸DNA的方法在小鼠体内表达膜型Tim-3进行基因治疗,观察Tim-3对肿瘤生长的抑制作用;采用RTPCR技术在肿瘤生长不同时期检测Tim-3对4-1BB、IFN-γ、galectin-9等免疫相关基因表达的影响;流式细胞术检测膜型Tim-3对脾细胞增殖活性及细胞毒活性的影响;观察Tim-3 ＋4-1 BBL协同抗肿瘤作用.结果 体内转染表达Tim-3对肿瘤的生长有明显的抑制作用.流式细胞术结果显示,在小鼠荷瘤早期,Tim-3可提高脾细胞在特异性抗原刺激下的增殖反应和对H22肿瘤细胞的细胞毒作用;Tim-3与4-1BBL协同作用时抗肿瘤作用更加明显.结论 膜型Tim-3可在免疫启动阶段作为正向免疫调节因子增强抗肿瘤免疫应答,并可与4-1 BBL协同产生更强的抑瘤效应.     

采用sPD-1协同4-1BBL进行肿瘤免疫基因治疗的研究

目的 探讨采用sPD-1协同4-1 BBL进行肿瘤免疫基因治疗的效果及相关的免疫学机制.方法 以不同剂量的H22肝癌细胞接种于BALB/c小鼠右后腿肌肉内,建立小鼠肿瘤模型;采用可溶性PD-1 （sPD-1）和4-1 BBL真核表达质粒体内转染进行基因治疗;观察接种不同剂量肿瘤细胞、不同治疗时间小鼠的成瘤率及肿瘤治疗效果;RT-PCR检测肿瘤微环境中免疫调控相关基因的表达;组织切片检测肿瘤细胞浸润肌肉组织的组织学变化;流式细胞仪检测脾脏细胞毒性T细胞（CTLs）的杀瘤效率.结果 转染4-1 BBL/sPD-1基因治疗后,接种低剂量（1 × 104个/ml） H22肿瘤细胞的小鼠肿瘤生长完全受到抑制;接种高剂量（1×105个/ml） H22肿瘤细胞的小鼠肿瘤也受到显著抑制.通过延长基因治疗,荷瘤小鼠的成瘤率随着治疗时间的延长逐渐递减,至8周时成瘤率为0;基因治疗不仅促进IFN-γ和IL-2基因表达上调,而且也使TGF-p、IL-10的表达下调;瘤组织中CD8＋ T淋巴细胞数量增多和脾淋巴细胞的杀瘤效率显著增加.结论 利用体内存在的少量肿瘤可作为抗原刺激淋巴细胞的激活;基因治疗适用于对手术、化疗、放疗后体内残存的少量肿瘤细胞的清除;当体内存在大量肿瘤细胞时,适当延长基因治疗时间可获得较好的治疗效果.     

PVAX-MAGE-1基因疫苗延缓小鼠肝癌细胞H22腹水瘤和实体瘤的生长

为观察重组基因疫苗PVAX-MAGE-1的抑瘤效应,构建黑色素瘤抗原-1(melanoma antigen-1,MAGE-1)真核基因表达载体--PVAX-MAGE-1.以重组质粒免疫C57BL/6小鼠后,ELISA法检测表明,与对照鼠(PVAX-1和生理盐水注射小鼠)比较,免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞上清液中的细胞因子IL-2和IFN-γ明显升高(P0.05);淋巴细胞-肿瘤细胞混合培养证明,免疫小鼠外周血CD8+T细胞对靶细胞的特异性杀伤作用明显增强(P0.05).体内实验证明,PVAX-MAGE-1免疫C57BL/6小鼠,可显著延缓移植性H22腹水瘤及实体瘤在小鼠体内的生长.实验结果提示,重组基因疫苗PVAX-MAGE-1有明显的延缓肿瘤生长的作用,其抑瘤作用与提高T淋巴细胞IL和IFN表达,增强对肿瘤杀伤作用直接相关.     

CH50真核表达载体pCH503的构建及小鼠体内表达的趋化与抗肿瘤活性

构建重组 FN多肽 CH50真核表达载体并在小鼠体内表达 ,研究其趋化与抗肿瘤作用 .采用重组 DNA技术构建表达质粒 ;体内进行基因转染 ,采用 RT- PCR鉴定导入基因的表达 ;通过肝素亲和层析、SDS- PAGE和 Western blot鉴定表达产物 ;腹腔细胞计数、Giemsa染色分析以及肌肉组织切片与染色观察体内基因转染后的趋化作用 ;小鼠黑色素瘤模型研究基因转染抑制肿瘤的作用 .从 CH50原核表达载体获得重组多肽的 c DNA,5′端加上小鼠 IFN- 5′端非编码区和信号肽编码区的 c DNA,3′端加上人 FN c DNA的 3′端非编码区 ;将重组 c DNA插入 p REP8质粒 ,即构建出p CH50 3质粒 .巨噬细胞在体内经 p CH50 3转染 ,然后在体外培养 ,能够产生 CH50多肽 .以p CH50 3分别进行腹腔基因转染和肌肉内基因转染 ,均可对免疫细胞产生趋化作用 ;p CH50 3体内转染可以使小鼠腹腔内黑色素肿瘤结节数降低 50 %～ 60 % . CH50真核表达载体 p CH50 3可在小鼠体内表达 ,体内基因转染可趋化免疫细胞和抑制肿瘤结节形成 ,在肿瘤综合治疗中有重要意义 .     

CH50真核表达载体pCH503的构建及小鼠体内表达的趋化与抗肿瘤活性

构建重组 FN多肽 CH50真核表达载体并在小鼠体内表达 ,研究其趋化与抗肿瘤作用 .采用重组 DNA技术构建表达质粒 ;体内进行基因转染 ,采用 RT- PCR鉴定导入基因的表达 ;通过肝素亲和层析、SDS- PAGE和 Western blot鉴定表达产物 ;腹腔细胞计数、Giemsa染色分析以及肌肉组织切片与染色观察体内基因转染后的趋化作用 ;小鼠黑色素瘤模型研究基因转染抑制肿瘤的作用 .从 CH50原核表达载体获得重组多肽的 c DNA,5′端加上小鼠 IFN- 5′端非编码区和信号肽编码区的 c DNA,3′端加上人 FN c DNA的 3′端非编码区 ;将重组 c DNA插入 p REP8质粒 ,即构建出p CH50 3质粒 .巨噬细胞在体内经 p CH50 3转染 ,然后在体外培养 ,能够产生 CH50多肽 .以p CH50 3分别进行腹腔基因转染和肌肉内基因转染 ,均可对免疫细胞产生趋化作用 ;p CH50 3体内转染可以使小鼠腹腔内黑色素肿瘤结节数降低 50 %～ 60 % . CH50真核表达载体 p CH50 3可在小鼠体内表达 ,体内基因转染可趋化免疫细胞和抑制肿瘤结节形成 ,在肿瘤综合治疗中有重要意义 .     

大鼠白介素10真核表达质粒在大鼠体内外肝细胞中的表达及影响

目的探讨体外重组的大鼠白介素10（rIL-10）真核表达质粒能否在大鼠体内外肝细胞中表达及表达产物对肝细胞的影响。方法通过受体介导的脂介体转染法及尾静脉大容量注射法将rIL-10真核表达质粒分别转入大鼠BRL细胞及体内大鼠肝细胞中,采用RT—PCR法、ELISA法和免疫组织化学法检测体内外肝细胞rIL-10的表达情况,MTT法及流式细胞术检测rIL-10真核表达质粒转染对BRL细胞增殖与凋亡的影响。结果转染rIL-10真核表达质粒的BRL细胞及大鼠肝组织高表达rlL-10基因,BRL细胞培养上清与大鼠血清中rIL-10浓度分别为（12．78±O．94）ng／ml,（61．68±3．60）．g／ml。MTT法及流式细胞术显示rIL-10的表达对肝细胞有-定的保护作用。结论rIL-10真核表达质粒可在大鼠体内外肝细胞中表达并对肝细胞有-定的保护作用。     

注射突变p53基因CRISPR/Cas9质粒和肝癌细胞建立肝癌小鼠模型

目的 采用尾静脉注射突变p53基因CRISPR/Cas9质粒和H22细胞建立肝癌模型.方法 将健康雄性BALB/c小鼠随机空白组(生理盐水)、质粒组(质粒)、对照组(H22细胞+盐水)、实验组(H22细胞+质粒),每组25只.尾静脉注射建立肝癌模型.分别在注射后的2、3、4、5周中取材,眼眶采血检测小鼠血清转氨酶(AL...     

PPARγ基因真核表达载体的构建及其在乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞中的表达

目的:构建以绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)为报告基因的重组表达质粒pEGFP-C1-PPARγ,观察小鼠PPARγ基因在MDA-MB-231细胞中的表达及定位.方法:采用克隆和亚克隆技术构建小鼠PPARγ基因真核表达栽体,脂质体Lip2000介导转染MDA-MB-231细胞,real-time PCR和western-blot验证其mRNA和蛋白的表达,荧光显微镜观察该基因亚细胞定位.结果:酶切和测序结果证实重组质粒含有PPARγ编码区序列且插入方向正确,转染后观察该基因亚细胞定位于胞核,胞质有弥散分布.结论:成功构建了小鼠PPARγ基因真核表达载体,该基因在MDA-MB-231细胞中成功表达,PPARγ基因主要集中表达于胞核.     

体外实时动态监测水动力注射分泌型荧光素酶基因的表达

为了建立体外实时动态监测转导基因的体内表达,本研究选择分泌型的荧光素酶基因Gluc作为报告基因,对其体内外表达特性和检测方法进行了研究。首先构建了Gluc表达质粒pAAV2neo-Gluc。将pAAV2neo-Gluc转染体外培养的Huh7、HepG2细胞后,细胞培养上清和细胞裂解液中分别检测到Gluc的活性,而上清比细胞中的含量高约100倍。表明表达的Gluc以分泌形式为主。用水动力法经小鼠尾静脉注射pAAV2neo-Gluc质粒,活体成像表明Gluc在小鼠体内呈全身分布,而注射了萤火虫荧光素酶质粒pAAV2neo-Fluc的对照小鼠则主要在肝脏显像。将剂量分别为0.1、1、10、50μg每只的pAAV2neo-GlucDNA用水动力法尾静脉注射小鼠,不同时间点连续尾静脉采血测定其中的Gluc酶活性,观察其Gluc体内表达和分泌的动态变化。结果显示,各剂量组的Gluc表达变化规律高度一致:注射后2h即可检测到Gluc表达,10h后达到高峰,之后逐渐下降;Gluc的表达水平与注射质粒DNA的量呈正相关;为了进一步观察Gluc检测的灵敏性,本研究又比较了注射更低的质粒剂量(包括0.001、0.01和0.1μg每...     

水压转染法在小鼠不同肝叶的表达效率

为了解水压转染法(hydrodynamics-based transfection,HDT)在小鼠肝脏不同肝叶的转染效率,将容量为小鼠体重的10%,绿色荧光蛋白基因质粒pEGFP-C1含量为35μg/只的生理盐水溶液以0.4 mL/s的速度从小鼠尾静脉注射,于注射后不同时间取小鼠各肝叶制备冰冻切片,在荧光显微镜下观察,计数各肝叶的绿色荧光蛋白表达情况。结果显示注射后12 h,绿色荧光蛋白阳性细胞比例最高,从24 h起表达量逐渐减少,至48 h时各肝叶均基本难以检测出绿色荧光蛋白阳性细胞。在12 h观察各肝叶的转染效率如下:右叶、蒂状叶的绿色荧光蛋白阳性细胞约为22%,左叶、中叶、尾状叶约为15%取材部位不同会造成数据分析的极显著差异。     

Regulation of IFN-γ and IL-10 synthesis in vivo, as well as continuous antigen exposure, is associated with tolerance to murine skin allografts

C3H/HEJ mice are rendered hyporesponsive to multiple minor incompatible (B10.BR) skin allografts by pretreatment with irradiated B10.BR lymphoid cells injected via the portal vein, but not the lateral tail vein. As assessed by PCR with lymphocytes taken from grafted mice, or by measuring cytokines in vitro from antigen-restimulated cells, this hyporesponsiveness is associated with decreased mRNA for IFN-γ and IL-2 production, but enhanced mRNA for IL-4 and IL-10 production. In mice given B10.BR cells via the tail vein, but in addition injected every second day with anti-IFN-γ antibody, similar enhanced graft survival (with diminished IFN-γ/IL-2 and enhanced IL-4/IL-10 production) was seen. In a separate study spleen cells from pretreated mice were “parked” in lethally irradiated syngeneic mice for 21 days, along with B10.BR skin grafts to some of the recipients. Only when recipients received this reexposure to B10.BR antigen did adoptively transferred spleen cells show “persistence” of the ability to produce delayed graft rejection and preferential IL-4 production in vitro.     

IFN-γ production depends on IL-12 and IL-18 combined action and mediates host resistance to dengue virus infection in a nitric oxide-dependent manner

Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by one of four serotypes of Dengue virus (DENV-1-4). Severe dengue infection in humans is characterized by thrombocytopenia, increased vascular permeability, hemorrhage and shock. However, there is little information about host response to DENV infection. Here, mechanisms accounting for IFN-γ production and effector function during dengue disease were investigated in a murine model of DENV-2 infection. IFN-γ expression was greatly increased after infection of mice and its production was preceded by increase in IL-12 and IL-18 levels. In IFN-γ(-/-) mice, DENV-2-associated lethality, viral loads, thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, and liver injury were enhanced, when compared with wild type-infected mice. IL-12p40(-/-) and IL-18(-/-) infected-mice showed decreased IFN-γ production, which was accompanied by increased disease severity, higher viral loads and enhanced lethality. Blockade of IL-18 in infected IL-12p40(-/-) mice resulted in complete inhibition of IFN-γ production, greater DENV-2 replication, and enhanced disease manifestation, resembling the response seen in DENV-2-infected IFN-γ(-/-) mice. Reduced IFN-γ production was associated with diminished Nitric Oxide-synthase 2 (NOS2) expression and NOS2(-/-) mice had elevated lethality, more severe disease evolution and increased viral load after DENV-2 infection. Therefore, IL-12/IL-18-induced IFN-γ production and consequent NOS2 induction are of major importance to host resistance against DENV infection.     

IL-27 and IL-21 are associated with T cell IL-10 responses in human visceral leishmaniasis

IL-10 is believed to underlie many of the immunologic defects in human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). We have identified CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(-) T cells as the major source of IL-10 in the VL spleen. IL-27, a member of the IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family, has been shown to promote development of IL-10-producing T cells, in part by upregulating their production of autocrine IL-21. We investigated whether IL-27 and IL-21 are associated with human VL. IL-27 was elevated in VL plasma, and at pretreatment, spleen cells showed significantly elevated mRNA levels of both IL-27 subunits, IL-27p28 and EBI-3, as well as IL-21, compared with posttreatment biopsies. CD14(+) spleen cells were the main source of IL-27 mRNA, whereas CD3(+) T cells were the main source of IL-21. IL-27 mRNA could be strongly upregulated in normal donor macrophages with IFN-γ and IL-1β, conditions consistent with those in the VL spleen. Last, a whole-blood assay revealed that most VL patients could produce Ag-specific IFN-γ and IL-10 and that the IL-10 could be augmented with recombinant human IL-21. Thus, proinflammatory cytokines acting on macrophages in the VL spleen have the potential to upregulate IL-27, which in turn can induce IL-21 to expand IL-10-producing T cells as a mechanism of feedback control.     

Interferon gamma-dependent intestinal pathology contributes to the lethality in bacterial superantigen-induced toxic shock syndrome

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) caused by the superantigen exotoxins of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes is characterized by robust T cell activation, profound elevation in systemic levels of multiple cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ), followed by multiple organ dysfunction and often death. As IFN-γ possesses pro- as well as anti-inflammatory properties, we delineated its role in the pathogenesis of TSS. Antibody-mediated in vivo neutralization of IFN-γ or targeted disruption of IFN-γ gene conferred significant protection from lethal TSS in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice. Following systemic high dose SEB challenge, whereas the HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(+/+) mice became sick and succumbed to TSS, HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) mice appeared healthy and were significantly protected from SEB-induced lethality. SEB-induced systemic cytokine storm was significantly blunted in HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) transgenic mice. Serum concentrations of several cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p40 and IL-17) and chemokines (KC, rantes, eotaxin and MCP-1) were significantly lower in HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) transgenic mice. However, SEB-induced T cell expansion in the spleens was unaffected and expansion of SEB-reactive TCR Vβ8(+) CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells was even more pronounced in HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) transgenic mice when compared to HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(+/+) mice. A systematic histopathological examination of several vital organs revealed that both HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(+/+) and HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) transgenic mice displayed comparable severe inflammatory changes in lungs, and liver during TSS. Remarkably, whereas the small intestines from HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(+/+) transgenic mice displayed significant pathological changes during TSS, the architecture of small intestines in HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) transgenic mice was preserved. In concordance with these histopathological changes, the gut permeability to macromolecules was dramatically increased in HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(+/+) but not HLA-DR3.IFN-γ(-/-) mice during TSS. Overall, IFN-γ seemed to play a lethal role in the immunopathogenesis of TSS by inflicting fatal small bowel pathology. Our study thus identifies the important role for IFN-γ in TSS.     

益生菌对感染小鼠早期IFN-γIL-4的影响

目的研究口服益生菌对鼠伤寒沙门菌（STM）感染小鼠Th细胞因子的影响,以探讨益生菌抗沙门菌感染的免疫学机制。方法将95只Balb／c小鼠分为4组,分别为益生菌组（P）、益生菌对照组（Pc）、正常感染组（I）和对照组（C）。P组口服益生菌,I组口服生理盐水,均予等剂量STM口服感染,Pc组接种益生菌但不感染STM,C组不作任何处理。各组动物在11个不同时点处死,观察小肠、肝脏、脾脏病理改变,ELISA测量血清IFN-γ、IL-4表达。结果益生菌组器官组织的病理改变轻微,IFN-γ较正常感染组明显增加（Xp-1=66．52,P=0．001）,且其表达在感染最初的1h和后期的72h分别出现两个高峰;IL-4明显降低（Xp-1=-29．02,P〈0．001）,且较稳定。IFN-γ／IL4比值扩大（Xp-1=2．64,P〈0．001）。结论口服益生菌使小鼠保持有利于抗STM感染的Th1型反应,减轻了STM对机体的免疫损伤。     

常规实验操作对Wistar大鼠的影响

目的常规实验操作对Wistar大鼠的影响。方法采用Wistar大鼠,分别进行腹腔注射、肌内注射、灌胃、尾静脉切割采血、剪尾采血和固定操作,连续处理7d后,测定各组大鼠神经内分泌、免疫、血液系统主要指标及肝脏hsp72mRNA表达量,并与对照组比较,分析这些操作的影响。结果与对照组相比,腹腔注射组、肌内注射组和灌胃组的皮质酮(CORT)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、γ-干扰素/白介素-4(IFN-γ/IL-4)比值极显著升高,白细胞总数(WBC)、中性粒细胞比例(WLCR)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、β-内啡肽(β-EP)及白介素-2(IL-2)有不同程度的显著降低。与对照组相比,尾静脉切割采血组的CORT、IFN-γ、IFN-γ/IL-4比值极显著升高,WBC、β-EP有不同程度的显著降低;剪尾采血组的CORT、IFN-γ、IFN-γ/IL-4比值有不同程度的显著升高,β-EP、IL-2、CRP极显著降低;固定组的CORT、IFN-γ/IL-4比值、IL-2、CRP极显著升高,WBC、β-EP、IL-4有不同程度的显著降低。与对照组相比,所有实验操作均使热休克蛋白(HSP)hsp72mRNA表达极显著升高。此外,与对照组相比,肌内注射组的红细胞数(RBC)和血红蛋白含量(HGB)显著升高,尾静脉切割和剪尾采血组的HGB和红细胞压积(HCT)极显著降低,固定组的RBC、HGB和HCT均极显著升高。结论本研究中涉及的常规实验操作均引起了大鼠极显著的应激反应,并造成了大鼠神经内分泌系统的紊乱及免疫功能的抑制,从而对动物造成了恶性应激。同时这些操作可能会对涉及的神经内分泌及血液学指标的相关研究产生背景性干扰。     

Stimulation of IFN-γ production by garlic lectin in mouse spleen cells: Involvement of IL-12 via activation of p38 MAPK and ERK in macrophages

Several lectins, present in beans and edible plant products, have immuno-potentiating and anti-tumor activities. We here report the effects of garlic lectin purified from garlic bulbs on the production of cytokines such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the mouse. Garlic lectin induced IFN-γ production in spleen cells in a bell-shaped time (24-60 h)- and concentration (0.25-2.0 mg/ml)-dependent manner. The maximal enhancement was observed at 36 h with 0.5 mg/ml of garlic lectin. The stimulatory effect of garlic lectin on IFN-γ production was completely inhibited by both actinomycin D and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of ribosomal protein synthesis and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, respectively, and was associated with an increase in IFN-γ mRNA level. Garlic lectin also induced IL-12 production in mouse peritoneal macrophages in a concentration (0.25-1.0 mg/ml)- and bell-shaped time (3-24 h)-dependent manner. The lectin increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in macrophages. Furthermore, specific pharmacological inhibitors of ERK kinase (U0126) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) also suppressed the production of IL-12 induced by garlic lectin. The present findings suggest that garlic lectin induces IL-12 production via activation of p38 MAPK and ERK in mouse macrophages, which, in turn, stimulates IFN-γ production through an increase in IFN-γ mRNA in the spleen cells.     

The extract of Japanese soybean, Kurosengoku activates the production of IL-12 and IFN-γ by DC or NK1.1(+) cells in a TLR4- and TLR2-dependent manner

During the search for immuno-improving foods, we found that a variety of the Japanese soybean, Glycine max cv. Kurosengoku (Kurosengoku), which activated Type-1 immunity in a Toll-like receptor (TLR)4- and TLR2-dependent manner. Namely, the extract of Kurosengoku first caused production of IL-12 from DC and sequentially induced IFN-γ production by NK1.1⁺ NK cells and NKT cells. The IFN-γ production was significantly blocked by neutralizing mAb against IL-12 or TLR4- and TLR2-deficient condition, indicating that TLR4- and TLR2-dependent activation of DC to produce IL-12 was essential for the production of IFN-γ from spleen cells by Kurosengoku. Moreover, the extract of Kurosengoku also enhanced production of IFN-γ from human PBMC by co-stimulation with anti-CD3 mAb in a TLR2- and TLR4-dependent manner. Thus, our findings strongly suggest that Kurosengoku might a novel immuno-improving food, which would be a useful tool for preventing the tip of immune balance in developed countries.     

LysGH15 reduces the inflammation caused by lethal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in mice

The endolysin LysGH15, derived from staphylococcal phage GH15, has a wide lytic spectrum and strong lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), in vitro and in vivo. Here, the ability of lethal MRSA to induce mRNA levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in spleen tissues of mice was studied. A large number of bacteria were detected in spleens. The bacteria caused elevated expression levels of these three cytokines. Administration of LysGH15 significantly reduced the number of bacteria and the levels of IL-6, IL-4, and IFN-γ mRNA in spleen cells compared with those in untreated mice at 24 h (P < 0.05). LysGH15 can eliminate a large number of bacteria and effectively alleviate inflammation induced by infection with lethal MRSA.     

Promoting effect of IFN-γ on the expression of LPS-induced IL-12 p40 and p35 mRNA in murine suppressor macrophages

We detected the expression of IL-12 p40/p35 mRNA by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and silver staining, and studied the molecular interaction between the IL-12 expression and the NF-kB activation induced by LPS and IFN-γ/LPS in murine peritoneal suppressor macrophages (MPSMs). It was found that IFN-γ strongly enhanced the LPS-induced IL-12 p40 and p35 mRNA expression. Both p40 and p35 mRNA levels were approximately equal. IFN-γ also greatly promoted the LPS-induced secretion of IL-12 p70 in MPSMs. The Proteasome Inhibitor I (PSI) could block the expres-sion of IL-12 p40 and p35 mRNA, and the degradation of IkBα induced by LPS or LPS/IFN-γ. EM-SA showed that LPS could augment the NF-kB binding activity to p40 promoter DNA. However, IFN-γ could neither enhance the LPS-induced NF-kB activity nor promote the degradation of IkBα. Taken together, the data suggest: (i) IFN-γ/LPS could strongly induce the expression of IL-12 p40 and p35 mRNA; both the expression levels were equal; this phenomenon coincided with the high-level secretion of IL-12 p70 induced by IFN-γ/LPS; (ii) NF-kB signal pathway is essential for IFN-γ/LPS to induce IL-12 mRNA expression; (iii) by blocking the degradation of IkB, the PSI sup-presses the IL-12 p40/p35 mRNA expression induced by LPS and IFN-γ/LPS; (iv) NF-kB signal may not be involved in the mechanism by which IFN-γ enhanced the expression of the LPS-induced IL-12 p40/p35 mRNA.