Early Pleistocene Equus (Equidae,Perissodactyla) from Andersson Loc. 32 in Qixian,Shanxi, China

The Equus specimens of Andersson Loc. 32 in Qixian, Shanxi previously identified as Equus cf. sanmeniensis are rediscovered in this research. The skull has moderate size, deep nasal notch, clear preorbital fossa, undulated lateral outline, upper cheek tooth with simple fossette and incisor with incomplete cup, should be identified as Equus teilhardi. The mandible has cheek tooth with V-shaped linguaflexid, incisor with incomplete cup, moderate size, strong pli caballinid and deep ectoflexid on molar, should be identified as Equus qingyangensis. This skull is first record of a complete cranial material of E. teilhardi, reveals many important cranial features of E. teilhardi, supports anatomical comparison and phylogenetic discussion with other stenonid horses. The morphological differences between E. teilhardi and E. qingyangensis show their different niches, further explain the reason of their coexistence. Incomplete cup on incisor is an unstable feature. It has been found in several species of stenonid horses, likely a remaining feature derived from the most primitive Equus, Equus simplicidens. The small-sized stenonid horses with short limbs and incisors with incomplete cups likely have relation with E. teilhardi, such as Equus yunnanensis and Equus stehlini. E. qingyangensis has most primitive features in Eurasian stenonid horses.     

IL28B基因多态性检测的质粒标准品构建

人类白介素28b（IL28b）的SNP位点rs12980275的多态性（AA、AG和GG）与聚乙二醇干扰素、利巴韦林联合治疗的效果具有显著相关性。为了确保rs12980275预测丙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗效果的价值,需要构建标准品作为rs12980275检测的标准对照。提取人类外周血基因组DNA,以IL28B SNP rs12980275为目的基因片段设计引物,进行PCR扩增;纯化目的片段与pGM-T Vector连接并转化到大肠杆菌中;提取重组质粒DNA,并进行PCR、测序鉴定。结果 IL28B SNP rs12980275目的片段制备成功,获得稳定的重组质粒,保证了目的片段的特异性与序列完整性。成功构建了IL28B基因SNP rs12980275突变检测的AA、AG和GG 3种质粒标准品,可作为预测丙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗效果rs12980275突变检测的阳性质控物。     

IL28B基因在乙型肝炎病毒感染中的作用

乙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染是引发乙型肝炎的病因,慢性化程度较高,后期可诱发肝硬化甚至肝癌。IL28B基因属于新型干扰素λ家族,已有研究报道其遗传多态性与HBV感染者的治疗效果和病毒自然清除率具有相关性。通过探讨IL28B基因遗传易感性与HBV感染、患者治疗应答和病毒清除的关系,可以进一步了解宿主基因多态性在HBV感染治疗和病毒自然清除中的作用机制,为乙肝患者个体化医疗提供一定的理论基础。     

Association of polymorphisms of cytokine genes (IL1B, IL1RN, TNFA, LTA, IL6, IL8, and IL10) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

To assess the role that polymorphisms of cytokine genes play in genetic predisposition to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the allele and genotype distributions of IL1B, IL1RN, TNFA, LTA, IL6, IL8, and IL10 were studied in COPD patients (N = 319) and healthy individuals (N = 403), residents of Ufa, Bashkortostan. Genotype IL1RN*2/IL1RN*2 of IL1RN was identified as a risk factor for COPD, its frequency being 9.80% in the COPD patients and 4.67% in the healthy subjects (x ² = 5.45, df = 1, P = 0.02, OR = 2.21). Genotype GG of the LTA polymorphism A252G was significantly more common in the COPD patients than in the controls (7.84% vs. 3.72%; x ² = 5.00, df = 1, P = 0.026). In patients with COPD stage IV, the frequency of this genotype was twice as high as in those with COPD stages II and III (11.18% vs. 4.79%; x ² = 3.08, df = 1, P = 0.08). Genotype GG of the TNFA polymorphism G(?308)A in combination with genotype AA of the LTA polymorphism A252G was significantly less frequent in the COPD patients than in the healthy subjects (38.55% vs. 46.93%; x ² = 8.82, df = 1, P = 0.0039). Genotype GG of the IL6 polymorphism G(?174)C was more frequent in the patients with COPD stage IV (43.75% vs. 31.54% in the patients with COPD stages II and III, x ² = 4.15, P = 0.042). No significant differences were found between the groups of COPD patients and healthy subjects concerning the genotype frequencies of the polymorphisms T(?511)C and T3953C of IL1B, G(?308)A of TNFA, G(?174)C of IL6, A(?251)C of IL8, and C(?627)A of IL10.     

Adaptive explanation in socio-ecology: lessons from the Equidae

Socio-ecological explanations for intra- and interspecific variation in the social and spatial organization of animals predominate in the scientific literature. The socio-ecological model, developed first for the Bovidae and Cervidae, is commonly applied more widely to other groups including the Equidae. Intraspecific comparisons are particularly valuable because they allow the role of environment and demography on social and spatial organization to be understood while controlling for phylogeny or morphology which confound interspecific comparisons. Feral horse (Equus caballus Linnaeus 1758) populations with different demography inhabit a range of environments throughout the world. I use 56 reports to obtain 23 measures or characteristics of the behaviour and the social and spatial organization of 19 feral horse populations in which the environment, demography, management, research effort and sample size are also described. Comparison shows that different populations had remarkably similar social and spatial organization and that group sizes and composition, and home range sizes varied as much within as between populations. I assess the few exceptions to uniformity and conclude that they are due to the attributes of the studies themselves, particularly to poor definition of terms and inadequate empiricism, rather than to the environment or demography per se. Interspecific comparisons show that equid species adhere to their different social and spatial organizations despite similarities in their environments and even when species are sympatric. Furthermore, equid male territoriality has been ill-defined in previous studies, observations presented as evidence of territoriality are also found in non-territorial equids, and populations of supposedly territorial species demonstrate female defence polygyny. Thus, territoriality may not be a useful categorization in the Equidae. Moreover, although equid socio-ecologists have relied on the socio-ecological model derived from the extremely diverse Bovidae and Cervidae for explanations of variation in equine society, the homomorphic, but large and polygynous, and monogeneric Equidae do not support previous socio-ecological explanations for relationships between body size, mating system and sexual dimorphism in ungulates. Consequently, in spite of the efforts of numerous authors during the past two decades, functional explanations of apparent differences in feral horse and equid social and spatial organization and behaviour based on assumptions of their current utility in the environmental or demographic context remain unconvincing. Nevertheless, differences in social cohesion between species that are insensitive to intra- and interspecific variation in habitat and predation pressure warrant explanation. Thus, I propose alternative avenues of inquiry including testing for species-specific differences in inter-individual aggression and investigating the role of phylogenetic constraints in equine society. The Equidae are evidence of the relative importance of phylogeny and biological structure, and unimportance of the present-day environment, in animal behaviour and social and spatial organization.     

Genotype-specific IL8RA gene expression in bovine neutrophils in response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide challenge

Associations between the AC150887.4:c.-1768T>A SNP (rs41255711), which is located in the 5' upstream region of the IL8RA gene (also known as CXCR1), and the estimated breeding values for somatic cell score in the first (P = 0.019) and second (P = 0.035) lactations were previously reported in a population of Canadian Holstein bulls. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of this SNP on the expression of IL8RA by qRT-PCR. Neutrophils were isolated from whole blood samples from a group of cows with genotypes c.-1768AA (n = 4), c.-1768AT (n = 5) and c.-1768TT (n = 5) after the cows had been challenged in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study demonstrated that LPS-induced expression of IL8RA in cows with the c.-1768AA genotype was significantly greater when compared with the c.-1768AT and c.-1768TT genotypes (P < 0.05) before as well as after in vitro LPS challenge.     

MicroRNA-451 suppresses tumor cell growth by down-regulating IL6R gene expression

The miR-451 was found to be frequently down-regulated in tumors, indicating that miR-451 could play an important role in carcinogenesis. This study uncovered the mechanism by which the miR-451 functions as a tumor suppressor. The target genes of miR-451 were determined using target gene prediction softwares. Then the miR-451 mimics were introduced into RKO and Hela cells respectively. The proliferation and invasion of cells were monitored by MTT, cell cycle and in vitro extracellular matrix invasion assays. Also the angiogenesis of HUVEC cells transfected with miR-451 mimics was examined. Subsequently, IL6R, a predicted target gene of miR-451, was studied by real time PCR, Western blotting, and siRNA technologies. The mRNA and protein levels of IL6R gene were found to be down-regulated in the RKO and Hela cells transfected with miR-451 mimics. Consequently, the cell proliferation was inhibited. Also, the invasion of RKO cells was suppressed. Furthermore, the angiogenesis of HUVEC cells transfected with miR-451 mimics was assayed and the decreased angiogenic ability was detected compared to the controls. All these results were validated by IL6R siRNA experiments. The IL6R gene is a target gene of miR-451. The miR-451 behaves as a tumor suppressor, probably by targeting the IL6R pathway.     

Cloning and expression analysis of p26 gene in Artemia sinica

The protein p26 is a small heat shock protein that functions as a molecular chaperone to protect embryos by preventing irreversible protein damage during embryonic development. A 542 bp fragment of the p26 gene was cloned and sequenced. The fragment encoded 174 amino acid residues and the amino acid sequence contained the α-crystallin domain. Phylogenetic analysis showed that eight Artemia populations were divided into four major groups. Artemia sinica (YC) belonged to the East Asia bisexual group. Expression of the p26 gene at different developmental stages ofA. sinica was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction followed by cloning and sequencing. The relationship between the quantity of p26 gene expression and embryonic development was analyzed. The results indicated that massive amounts of p26 were expressed during the development of A. sinica. At the developmental stage of 0 h, A. sinica expressed the highest level of p26. As development proceeded, expression levels of the p26 gene reduced significantly. There was a small quantity of p26 gene expression at the developmental stages of 16 h and 24 h. We concluded that p26 might be involved in protecting the embryo from physiological stress during embryonic development.     

The interleukin 4 receptor gene and its role in recurrent airway obstruction in Swiss Warmblood horses

Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) in horses is the result of an interaction of genetic and environmental factors and shares many characteristics with human asthma. Many studies have suggested that the interleukin-4 receptor gene (IL4R) is associated with this disease, and a QTL region on chromosome 13 containing IL4R was previously detected in one of the two Swiss Warmblood families. We sequenced the entire IL4R gene in this family and detected 93 variants including five non-synonymous protein-coding variants. The allele distribution at these SNPs supported the previously detected QTL signal. Subsequently, we investigated IL4R mRNA expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells. During exacerbation, IL4R expression was increased in RAO-affected offspring in the implicated family, but not in the other family. These findings support that IL4R plays a role in some cases of RAO.     

IL-5在非复制重组痘苗病毒中的表达及其对重组病毒免疫效果的影响

利用非复制型痘苗病毒表达载体 pNEOCK11β75IL5和重组病毒RVJ12 3,通过两步重组构建了能同时表达IL 5和乙型肝炎病毒HBsAg的非复制型重组痘苗病毒RVJ12 3Δ11β75IL5。Southern blot证实 ,痘苗病毒C K片段间基因缺失的同时伴有IL 5基因的插入。鼻腔吸入分别免疫Balb/c小鼠和新西兰白兔 ,ELISPOT实验证实 ,免疫后两周小鼠肺淋巴细胞的抗HBsAgIgA抗体分泌细胞 (ASC)数比对照组 (RVJ12 3Δ11β75 )增加约 2倍 ,而同时小鼠肺淋巴细胞的抗HBsAgIgG抗体分泌细胞 (ASC)数与对照组无差别。可在小鼠血液、肺浸出液以及新西兰白兔血液、肺浸出液、其它分泌液样品中检测到抗乙型肝炎病毒HBsAg的特异性的IgA、IgG抗体 ,与对照组相比 ,IgA抗体阳转率及抗体滴度提高 ,而IgG则无差异。本实验说明 :IL 5可在体内选择性地增强机体的粘膜IgA反应。提示非复制载体疫苗中 ,表达的该细胞因子可有效的增强疫苗的粘膜免疫反应 ,为粘膜疫苗的发展策略提供了新的途径     

与精神发育迟滞有关的IL1RAPL1基因研究进展

IL1RAPL1基因缺失、倒置以及突变会导致非特异性精神发育迟滞,因而与人类认知能力密切相关。研究该基因的生物学功能与认知功能将为临床诊断和防治精神发育迟滞提供参考。本文综述了IL1RAPL1基因产物、基因的生理功能与认知功能的研究现状,并对今后的进一步研究工作进行了展望。     

Soluble OX40L favors tumor rejection in CT26 colon carcinoma model

OX40 receptor-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) populate tumors and suppress a variety of immune cells, posing a major obstacle for cancer immunotherapy. Different ways to functionally inactivate Tregs by triggering OX40 receptor have been suggested, including anti-OX40 antibodies and Fc:OX40L fusion proteins. To investigate whether the soluble extracellular domain of OX40L (OX40Lexo) is sufficient to enhance antitumor immune response, we generated an OX40Lexo-expressing CT26 colon carcinoma cell line and studied its tumorigenicity in immunocompetent BALB/c and T cell deficient nu/nu mice.We found that soluble OX40L expressed in CT26 colon carcinoma favors the induction of an antitumor response which is not limited just to cells co-expressing EGFP as an antigenic determinant, but also eliminates CT26 cells expressing another fluorescent protein, KillerRed. Tumor rejection required the presence of T lymphocytes, as indicated by the unhampered tumor growth in nu/nu mice. Subsequent re-challenge of tumor-free BALB/c mice with CT26 EGFP cells resulted in no tumor growth, which is indicative of the formation of immunological memory. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from mice that successfully rejected CT26 OX40Lexo EGFP tumors to naïve mice conferred 100% resistance to subsequent challenge with the CT26 EGFP tumor.     

IL28B基因在HCV感染中的作用和应用前景

丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C virus, HCV)是造成慢性肝炎、肝硬化乃至肝癌的主要原因之一, 严重威胁人类健康。宿主因素可影响HCV的感染、治疗效果和自然清除率。近期, 欧美多个研究组对自愈和经过治疗的慢性丙型肝炎患者进行了全基因组关联分析(Genome-wide association study, GWAS), 证明IL28B基因(编码IFN-λ3)的单核苷酸多态位点(Single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP)影响HCV患者的治疗效果和自然清除率。IFN-λ3通过与其异源二聚受体IFN-λR1·IL-10R2结合进行信号传导, 上调干扰素刺激基因的表达, 进而发挥抗病毒、抑制肿瘤细胞生长以及免疫调节等生物学功能, 有望成为一种新型抗HCV药物。虽然IL28B基因SNP影响病毒清除的机制尚未清楚, 但其关联分析结果可作为HCV患者临床治疗的辅助指导, 对HCV患者进行IL28B基因遗传易感和功能研究将有助于该病的预防和治疗。     

Cytokine gene polymorphisms in endemic pemphigus foliaceus: a possible role for IL6 variants

Endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1, which lead to the loss of adhesion among keratinocytes (acantholysis). Variants of HLA class II genes have been the only genetic factors found to modulate susceptibility to EPF. This study aims at investigating the influence of cytokine genetic variants in the pathogenesis of EPF, since they may affect the expression levels of these immunomodulatory molecules. The sample included 168 patients and 189 controls and was comprised of mostly Caucasoids and Mulattos. The approach consisted of a case-control association study and the alleles were identified by mismatched PCR-RFLP. No associations were found with variants of IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, IL4R and IL10. There was a weak negative association with the haplotype -1082G -592C (OR=0.49) of the IL10 gene in Mulattos. In regard to polymorphism -590 of the IL4 gene, a positive association with the T/T genotype (OR=2.71) and a negative association with the C variant (OR=0.37) were found. Associations with IL6 -174 variants suggest that the C/C genotype has a protective effect (OR=0.13) while carriers of the G allele are more susceptible (OR=7.66) to EPF.     

Molecular cloning and expression of a novel CYP26 gene (cyp26d1) during zebrafish early development

Proper restriction of retinoid signaling by Cyp26s is essential for development of vertebrate embryos while inappropriate retinoid signaling can cause teratogenesis. Here, we report cloning and expression analysis of a novel cyp26 gene (cyp26d1) isolated from zebrafish. The predicted protein encoded by cyp26d1 consists of 554 amino acids. It exhibits 54% amino acid identity with human Cyp26C1, 50% with zebrafish Cyp26B1 and 38% with zebrafish Cyp26A1. Whole-mount in situ hybridization shows that cyp26d1 is first expressed in sphere stage, then disappears at 50% epiboly and resumes its expression at 75% epiboly. During segmentation period, cyp26d1 message is found at presumptive hindbrain. Double in situ hybridization with krox20 and cyp26d1 reveals that cyp26d1 is expressed in presumptive rhombomere 2-4 (r2-r4) at 2-somite stage. At 3-somite stage, cyp26d1 gene is expressed in r6 and pharyngeal arch (pa) one in addition to its expression at r2 and r4. At 6-somite stage, cyp26d1 message is present in continuous bands at r2-r6 and in pa1. This expression pattern is maintained from 10-somite stage through 21-somite stage except that the expression level is greatly reduced at r2 and r4. At 21-somite stage, cyp26d1 is also found in a group of cells in telencephalon and diencephalons. At 25-31h post-fertilization (hpf), the zebrafish cyp26d1 expression domain is extended to eyes, otic vesicles and midbrain in addition to its expression in hindbrain, telencephalon, diencephalons, and pharyngeal arches. At 35-48hpf, the expression of cyp26d1 is mainly restricted to otic vesicles, pharyngeal arches and pectoral fins and the expression level is greatly reduced.     

促炎因子在心脏修复中的作用

肿 瘤 坏死 因 子 TN F)、白介 素 -1(IL-1)、白 介 素 -2(IL-2)以 及 白介 素 -6(IL-6)等 分子 ,叫 作 促 炎细 胞 因 (子 .一 般 认为 它 们不 属于 免 疫系 统,而 只是 与 组织 炎症 的起 始 有关 .促 炎因 子在 心 脏中 也 有表 达,它 的短 期表 达可 以 帮助 心 脏适 应外 界 压力 的损 伤 ,而其 长期 的 表达 却会 引 起明 显的 心 脏代 谢失 常 .主要 就 促炎 因子 在心 脏中 的 作用 作 一综 述 .     

Citrate permease gene expression in Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strains IL1403 and MG1363

Abstract Citrate permease gene expression in the plasmid-free Lactococcus lactis strains IL1403 and MG1363 was studied. The ability to transport citrate results in diacetyl and acetoin production in IL1403 but not in MG1363. Citrate lyase, α-acetolactate decarboxylase, diacetyl and acetoin reductase were detected in IL1403. These data show that L. lactis ssp. lactis strain IL1403 is a citrate permease mutant of the biovar. diacetylactis . Immunological analysis revealed the α-and β-subunits of citrate lyase not only in IL1403 but also in MG1363 where no citrate lyase activity was found.