Isolation and Characterization of A Metal-resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Strain

Summary The use of microorganisms to remove heavy metals from industrial effluent is an area of extensive research and development. Attempts have been made to isolate and characterize metal-resistant microorganisms from treated oil mill industry effluent wastewater samples. The metal-resistant organisms that showed values of minimum inhibitory concentration towards metals (Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb) ranging from 100 to 800 ppm level were screened. A potent metal-resistant organism, isolate BC15 from the wastewater samples was tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. Detailed analysis of morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence of the isolate revealed that it is closely related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (94%). Pseudomonas BC15 was capable of absorbing 93% Ni, 65% Pb, 50% Cd and 30% Cr within 48 h from the medium containing 100 mg of each heavy metal per liter. The multiple metal tolerance of this strain was also associated with resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, kanamycin and streptomycin.     

TNT Biotransformation and Detoxification by a Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Strain

Successful microbial-mediated remediation requires transformationpathways that maximize metabolism and minimize the accumulation of toxic products. Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain MX, isolated from munitions-contaminated soil, degraded 100 mg TNT L^-1 in culture medium within 10 h under aerobic conditions. The major TNT products were 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2ADNT, primarily in the supernatant) and 2,2'-azoxytoluene (2,2'AZT, primarily in the cell fraction), which accumulated as major products via the intermediate2-hydroxylamino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2HADNT). The 2HADNT and2,2'AZT were relatively less toxic to the strain than TNT and 2ADNT. Aminodinitrotoluene (ADNT) production increased when yeast extract was added to the medium. While TNT transformation rate was not affected by pH, more HADNTs accumulated at pH 5.0 than at pH 8.0 and AZTs did not accumulate at the lower pH. The appearance of 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene (2,6DANT) and 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4DANT); dinitrotoluene (DNT) and nitrotoluene (NT); and 3,5-dinitroaniline (3,5DNA) indicated various routes of TNT metabolism and detoxification by P. aeruginosa strain MX.     

HIV-1结构蛋白gag-gp120与白细胞介素2联合基因免疫

在真核表达载体pVAX1中的CMV启动子下游插入IL-2基因,构建真核表达质粒pVAXIL2.将它与表达I型人免疫缺陷病毒(Human immunodeficiency virus 1, HIV-1) gag-gp120的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE共同肌肉注射BALB/c小鼠,免疫3次后,以ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中抗HIV-1抗体水平,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠在免疫2周后已有抗体产生,6周后进入高峰.乳酸脱氢酶释放法检测免疫小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性显著高于pVAXGE单独免疫组(P<0.05)和载体质粒pVAX1对照组(P<0.01).以上结果表明HIV-1核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE与真核表达质粒pVAXIL2联合免疫可诱导特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,且免疫应答水平高于pVAXGE单独免疫组,IL-2发挥了免疫佐剂的作用,增强了核酸疫苗的免疫原性.     

HIV-1结构蛋白gag-gp120与白细胞介素2联合基因免疫

在真核表达载体pVAX1中的CMV启动子下游插入IL-2基因,构建真核表达质粒pVAXIL2。将它与表达I型人免疫缺陷病毒(Humanimmunodeficiencyvirus1,HIV-1)gag-gp120的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE共同肌肉注射BALB/c小鼠,免疫3次后,以ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中抗HIV-1抗体水平,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠在免疫2周后已有抗体产生,6周后进入高峰。乳酸脱氢酶释放法检测免疫小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性,结果显示联合免疫组小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性显著高于pVAXGE单独免疫组(P<0.05)和载体质粒pVAX1对照组(P<0.01)。以上结果表明:HIV-1核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE与真核表达质粒pVAXIL2联合免疫可诱导特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,且免疫应答水平高于pVAXGE单独免疫组,IL-2发挥了免疫佐剂的作用,增强了核酸疫苗的免疫原性。     

中国HIV-1流行毒株的DNA疫苗的初步研究

为研制针对我国ＨＩＶ－１流行毒株的艾滋病毒疫苗,构建了具有代表性的ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０核酸疫苗,进行了初步的小鼠免疫实验。结果初步显示：（１）免疫Ｂａｌｂ／Ｃ小鼠可以产生ＨＩＶ－１特异性的体液和细胞免疫;（２）ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０基因联合免疫可以同时诱发针对ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０的细胞和体液免疫反应,而且效果比各自单独免疫要好;（３）Ｂ亚型ｇｐ１２０基因免疫可以诱发识别Ｃ亚型ｇｐ１２０抗原的ＣＴＬ反应。本     

Genetic Control of Immune Responses to HIV-1 env DNA Vaccine

We investigated the genetic control of immunoglobulin production and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response produced by an HIV-specific DNA vaccine using several strains of mice. Murine antigen-specific immunoglobulin production was determined by ELISA. The DTH response was assessed in terms of the footpad swelling reaction. All strains of mice, except for B10.RIII and B10.T(6R), exhibited strong immunoglobulin production and footpad swelling in response to the DNA vaccine. In vitro treatment of lymphoid cells with monoclonal antibodies showed that the footpad swelling response was mediated by CD4⁺8^? and Ia— T cells. However, CD8⁺ T cells did not suppress footpad swelling. There was no difference in the induction of HIV-specific immunoglobulin production or DTH response induced by the DNA vaccine among the strains, suggesting that HIV-specific DNA vaccine is useful for immunizing various populations against HIV-1.     

Safety and Immunogenicity Study of Multiclade HIV-1 Adenoviral Vector Vaccine Alone or as Boost following a Multiclade HIV-1 DNA Vaccine in Africa

Background

We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase I study of a recombinant replication-defective adenovirus type 5 (rAd5) vector expressing HIV-1 Gag and Pol from subtype B and Env from subtypes A, B and C, given alone or as boost following a DNA plasmid vaccine expressing the same HIV-1 proteins plus Nef, in 114 healthy HIV-uninfected African adults.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Volunteers were randomized to 4 groups receiving the rAd5 vaccine intramuscularly at dosage levels of 1×10¹⁰ or 1×10¹¹ particle units (PU) either alone or as boost following 3 injections of the DNA vaccine given at 4 mg/dose intramuscularly by needle-free injection using Biojector® 2000. Safety and immunogenicity were evaluated for 12 months. Both vaccines were well-tolerated. Overall, 62% and 86% of vaccine recipients in the rAd5 alone and DNA prime - rAd5 boost groups, respectively, responded to the HIV-1 proteins by an interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) ELISPOT. The frequency of immune responses was independent of rAd5 dosage levels. The highest frequency of responses after rAd5 alone was detected at 6 weeks; after DNA prime - rAd5 boost, at 6 months (end of study). At baseline, neutralizing antibodies against Ad5 were present in 81% of volunteers; the distribution was similar across the 4 groups. Pre-existing immunity to Ad5 did not appear to have a significant impact on reactogenicity or immune response rates to HIV antigens by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Binding antibodies against Env were detected in up to 100% recipients of DNA prime - rAd5 boost. One volunteer acquired HIV infection after the study ended, two years after receipt of rAd5 alone.

Conclusions/Significance

The HIV-1 rAd5 vaccine, either alone or as a boost following HIV-1 DNA vaccine, was well-tolerated and immunogenic in African adults. DNA priming increased the frequency and magnitude of cellular and humoral immune responses, but there was no effect of rAd5 dosage on immunogenicity endpoints.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00124007","term_id":"NCT00124007"}}NCT00124007     

亚胺培南对铜绿假单胞菌敏感和耐药菌株DNA释放的影响

目的：观察亚胺培南对铜绿假单胞菌标准菌株和耐药菌株体外培养释放DNA的影响。方法：选择铜绿假单胞菌的标准菌株和临床分离耐药菌株作为实验菌株,检测其亚胺培南的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）,琼脂糖凝胶电泳法观察不同浓度亚胺培南作用下铜绿假单胞菌的DNA释放情况,并用Quantity One软件分析所释放DNA片段的分子量和含量。结果：亚胺培南作用下铜绿假单胞菌从1／2MIC开始释放小片段DNA,大于1／2MIC仅释放l条大片段DNA,且含量少,等于1／2MIC可释放3条DNA,但无小片段DNA,小于1／2MIC可释放4．5条DNA,且含量多。1／16MIC时,标准菌株释放的第1、5条DNA片段含量偏少,3、4条DNA片段含量偏多,而耐药菌株相反。耐药菌株与标准菌株相比释放的DNA片段有所不同,耐药菌株比标准菌株多释放一条DNA片段（第2条）,分子量为2784bp,耐药菌株的第1、3、4、5条DNA片段分子量均比标准菌株小。耐药菌株释放的第3、4、5条DNA含量明显高于标准菌株,P〈0．01,其统计有显著学意义。结论：不同亚胺培南浓度作用下,铜绿假单胞菌会释放不同片段大小和含量的DNA分子,耐药菌株与标准菌株释放的DNA片段数量和含量有明显差异,其与耐药机制的关系值得进一步研究。     

HIV-1中和抗体和基于抗体的疫苗设计

研制一种安全有效并能广泛使用的HIV疫苗对于预防和控制HIV的流行具有重要的意义。尽管人类在HIV-1病原学和免疫学方面的认识不断取得新的进步,对于HIV-1而言,普遍认为诱导保护性中和抗体的科学障碍很难逾越。在抗击HIV-1的感染中传统的疫苗策略不能提供保护。然而,近来的研究揭示在小部分HIV-1感染病人的血清中存在的某些抗体能够中和大多数的HIV-1毒株,对这些血清抗体的深入分析有助于人们揭示抗体识别的病毒表位,这些研究表明自然产生的能够中和HIV-1的中和抗体的发现可能引导未来疫苗设计的思路。高分辨率的结构信息将揭示Env 和中和抗体(Nab)结合区原子水平的结构,这些信息能够帮助设计更好的免疫原。     

Enhanced infectivity of HIV-1 by X4 HIV-1 coinfection

Two strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) expressing different reporters, human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and murine heat stable antigen (HSA, CD24), were used for dual infection. Flow cytometric analysis enabled us to distinguish cells not only infected with individual reporter virus but also superinfected with both reporter viruses. When the CD4 positive T cell line, PM1, was dually infected by both reporter viruses with different coreceptor utilization, coinfection with CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 (X4 HIV-1) expressing one reporter increased the rate of cells infected with HIV-1 expressing another reporter. This enhancement was accompanied by an increased level of p24 antigen Gag in culture supernatant, indicating that infectivity of HIV-1 was augmented by X4 HIV-1 coinfection. The CXCR4 antagonist, T140 eliminated this enhancement, suggesting the role of X4 envelope via CXCR4. These results imply the role of X4 HIV-1 at the late stage of infection.     

HIV-1壳体蛋白的结构及其病毒样颗粒疫苗

人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)的壳体蛋白(CA)在HIV病毒的组装和成熟过程中起着至关重要的作用。近年来,壳体蛋白的体外表达及其疫苗的研制成了HIV各项研究的焦点。由于壳体蛋白具有较好的的保守性,用其制得的疫苗也会提供比包膜蛋白更为广泛的免疫保护力。另外若将CA在体外表达成一个颗粒状结构,会增强其免疫原性,可以使疫苗发挥出更大的效力。     

Combined TLR7/8 and TLR9 Ligands Potentiate the Activity of a Schistosoma japonicum DNA Vaccine

Background

Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands have been explored as vaccine adjuvants for tumor and virus immunotherapy, but few TLR ligands affecting schistosoma vaccines have been characterized. Previously, we developed a partially protective DNA vaccine encoding the 26-kDa glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma japonicum (pVAX1-Sj26GST).

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, we evaluated a TLR7/8 ligand (R848) and a TLR9 ligand (CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, or CpG) as adjuvants for pVAX1-Sj26GST and assessed their effects on the immune system and protection against S. japonicum. We show that combining CpG and R848 with pVAX1-Sj26GST immunization significantly increases splenocyte proliferation and IgG and IgG2a levels, decreases CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg) frequency in vivo, and enhances protection against S. japonicum. CpG and R848 inhibited Treg-mediated immunosuppression, upregulated the production of interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-2, and IL-6, and decreased Foxp3 expression in vitro, which may contribute to prevent Treg suppression and conversion during vaccination and allow expansion of antigen-specific T cells against pathogens.

Conclusions

Our data shows that selective TLR ligands can increase the protective efficacy of DNA vaccines against schistosomiasis, potentially through combined antagonism of Treg-mediated immunosuppression and conversion.     

抗菌肽人beta防御素3 对铜绿假单胞菌PAO-1 株的抑制作用

目的:分析抗菌肽人β防御素3(humanβdefensin 3,hBD3)对铜绿假单胞菌PAO-1株的抑制作用。方法:合成抗菌肽hBD3,分别通过最低抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration,MIC)检测、直接杀菌试验、重要功能基因检测分析其对PAO-1的直接抑制作用;并将其与阿奇霉素、四环素、利福平、氯霉素、链霉素、环丙沙星联合施用,观察对抗生素MIC的影响。结果:HBD3对PAO-1的MIC为32μg/mL;在浓度达到8μg/mL时即有明显杀菌作用。HBD3上调PAO-1株的ahpF基因表达,下调aprA和rhlR基因表达。在联用5μg/mL的hBD3后,四环素、利福平、氯霉素、链霉素、环丙沙星的MIC值均有降低。结论:抗菌肽hBD3对铜绿假单胞菌PAO-1株有显著的抑制作用。     

IL-18 DNA免疫对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应.酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01).IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用.     

IL—18DNA免疫对HIV—1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应。酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01)。IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用。     

The HIV-1 Envelope Transmembrane Domain Binds TLR2 through a Distinct Dimerization Motif and Inhibits TLR2-Mediated Responses

HIV-1 uses a number of means to manipulate the immune system, to avoid recognition and to highjack signaling pathways. HIV-1 infected cells show limited Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) responsiveness via as yet unknown mechanisms. Using biochemical and biophysical approaches, we demonstrate that the trans-membrane domain (TMD) of the HIV-1 envelope (ENV) directly interacts with TLR2 TMD within the membrane milieu. This interaction attenuates TNFα, IL-6 and MCP-1 secretion in macrophages, induced by natural ligands of TLR2 both in in vitro and in vivo models. This was associated with decreased levels of ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, mutagenesis demonstrated the importance of a conserved GxxxG motif in driving this interaction within the membrane milieu. The administration of the ENV TMD in vivo to lipotechoic acid (LTA)/Galactosamine-mediated septic mice resulted in a significant decrease in mortality and in tissue damage, due to the weakening of systemic macrophage activation. Our findings suggest that the TMD of ENV is involved in modulation of the innate immune response during HIV infection. Furthermore, due to the high functional homology of viral ENV proteins this function may be a general character of viral-induced immune modulation.     

HIV-1 gagpol重组腺病毒疫苗的构建及其免疫原性的研究

目的：构建HIV-1重组腺病毒疫苗并初步鉴定其免疫原性。方法：用Adeno-XExpressionSystem试剂盒将HIV—lgagpol基因片段插入到腺病毒载体上,通过脂质体介导将获得的重组腺病毒质粒Adeno—X-gagpol转染至293细胞,使之自主包装成有感染活性的重组腺病毒tad—gagpol,用western-blotting法鉴定其表达情况;用CsCl密度梯度离心法纯化该重组腺病毒,以5×10^8 pfu／mL的滴度lmL单次免疫小鼠,15天后测小鼠体液免疫效果。结果：克隆序列与设计相符,重组腺病毒疫苗能稳定表达gag—pol蛋白,体液免疫中检测出抗p55和p24的特异性抗体。结论：HIV—lgagpol重组腺病毒构建成功,具有一定的体液免疫原性。