Co-transfection and tandem transfection of HEK293A cells for overexpression and RNAi experiments

pIRES2-EGFP was employed and a non-target shRNA expressing plasmid was constructed to simulate overexpression and RNAi (RNA interference) experiments. Transfection of pIRES2-EGFP into HEK293A cells by cationic lipids VigoFect demonstrated that transfection efficiency increased in a dose-dependent manner with amount of DNA plasmid used, and optimal transfection time and cell density should be identified to reach a compromise of higher transfection efficiency and lower toxicity. Co-transfection experiments indicated that the two co-transfected plasmids were equivalently delivered into the same cells, and the co-transfection efficiency was rarely affected by cell density and proportion of the two plasmids. However, plasmid-receipted cells seemed indisposed to accept plasmid again during the second transfection, and very low co-transfection efficiency was observed in tandem transfection.     

Different multiwalled carbon nanotubes-enzyme system and enzymatic activity

The interactions between enzyme and nanoparticles (NPs) are governed by the key properties of NPs, such as structure, size, surface chemistry, charge, and surface shape. In this report, we compared the effect of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (OXWNT) and irradiated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (IRWNT) on the enzymatic activity of PchPipA. Both OXWNT and IRWNT decreased the biocatalytic activity of PchPipA to some extent when they were added in the reaction system, while OXWNT exhibited higher inhibition of the activity of PchPipA than IRWNT. These results suggested that the water solubility may be another property that can affect the interaction of bio-macromolecular products and nanoparticles.     

Association of PPARγ2 polymorphisms with carcass and meat quality traits in a Pietrain x Jinhua F2 population

The PPARγ2 gene is a key regulator of both proliferation and preadipocyte differentiation in mammals. Herein its genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using PCR-SSCP in eight pig breeds (N = 416). Two kinds of polymorphisms of the PPARγ2 gene were detected, including a previously reported shift SNP A177G (Met59Val) in exon 1 and a novel silent mutation G876A in exon 5. The results revealed that European pig breeds carry a higher allele A frequency at the A177G locus and a fixed GG genotype at the G876A locus. Allele A at the G876A locus was only found in Jinhua pigs. The association between haplotype (A177G/G876A) and carcass and meat quality traits was analyzed in a Pietrain x Jinhua F2 population (N = 248). The PPARγ2 gene was found to be significantly associated with backfat thickness at the shoulder (p < 0.05), 6-7(th) ribs (p < 0.01), last rib (p < 0.01), gluteus medius (p <0.05) and ham weight (p < 0.01). Significant effects of different haplotypes on ham weight and backfat thickness at the 6-7(th) ribs, last rib, and gluteus medius were also observed.     

Xylitol production from xylose mother liquor: a novel strategy that combines the use of recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida maltosa</Emphasis>

Background  

Xylose mother liquor has high concentrations of xylose (35%-40%) as well as other sugars such as L-arabinose (10%-15%), galactose (8%-10%), glucose (8%-10%), and other minor sugars. Due to the complexity of this mother liquor, further isolation of xylose by simple method is not possible. In China, more than 50,000 metric tons of xylose mother liquor was produced in 2009, and the management of sugars like xylose that present in the low-cost liquor is a problem.     

绵羊Myostatin基因敲除载体的构建

根据Myostatin基因突变可导致肌肉量激增而产生"双肌"表型的特点,构建绵羊Myostatin基因置换型敲除栽体.利用LA-PCR技术成功地扩增得到绵羊Myostatin基因同源臂序列,其中同源长臂4.9kb,包括全部的exonl,intronl,exon2及部分启动子和大部分intron2;同源短臂1.1kb,包括部分exon3和31非翻译区序列,将二者连入PloxpⅡ正负筛选敲除骨架载体,利用骨架载体上Neo基因替代Myostatin基因的exon3,从而成功构建专门针对Myostatin第3外显子区域缺失的置换型敲除载体PloxpⅡ-OVIS-MSTN.酶切和测序鉴定证明载体构建正确,为后续获得绵羊Myostatin基因缺失型体细胞株奠定试验基础.     

Effect of mechanical pressure on the thickness and collagen synthesis of mandibular cartilage and the contributions of G proteins

To investigate the role of mechanical pressure on cartilage thickness and type II collagen synthesis, and the role of G protein in that process, in vitro organ culture of mandibular cartilage was adopted in this study. A hydraulic pressure-controlled cellular strain unit was used to apply hydrostatic pressurization to explant cultures. The explants were compressed by different pressure values (0 kPa, 100 kPa, and 300 kPa) after pretreatment with or without a selective and direct antagonist (NF023) for the G proteins. After 4, 8 and 12 h of cell culture under each pressure condition, histological sections of the explants were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to investigate the thickness of the cartilage. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe type II collagen expressions. The results showed that a hydrostatic pressure of 100 kPa significantly reduced the thickness of the proliferative layer in condylar cartilage without affecting the thickness of the transitional layer. Hydrostatic pressures of 100 kPa and 300 kPa significantly enhanced the synthesis of type II collagen. G proteins are involved not only in the proliferation and differentiation of condylar cartilage regulated by prolonged pressure, but also in the process of collagen production in condylar cartilage stimulated by pressure.     

Immunosuppressive effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in inflammatory microenvironment favours the growth of B16 melanoma cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are studied for their potential clinical use in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and tumour therapy. However, the therapeutic application of MSCs in tumour therapy still remains limited unless the immunosuppressive role of MSCs for tumour growth in vivo is better understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of MSCs favouring tumour escape from immunologic surveillance in inflammatory microenvironment. We first compared the promotive capacity of bone marrow-derived MSCs on B16 melanoma cells growth in vivo, pre-incubated or not with the inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. We showed that the development of B16 melanoma cells is faster when co-injected with MSCs pre-incubated with IFN-γ and TNF-α compared with control groups. Moreover, tumour incidence increases obviously in allogeneic recipients when B16 melanoma cells were co-injected with MSCs pre-incubated with IFN-γ and TNF-α. We then demonstrated that the immunosuppressive function of MSCs was elicited by IFN-γ and TNF-α. These cytokine combinations provoke the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by MSCs. The impulsive effect of MSCs treated with inflammatory cytokines on B16 melanoma cells in vivo can be reversed by inhibitor or short interfering RNA of iNOS. Our results suggest that the MSCs in tumour inflammatory microenvironment may be elicited of immunosuppressive function, which will help tumour to escape from the immunity surveillance.     

Adaption of seasonal H1N1 influenza virus in mice

The experimental infection of a mouse lung with influenza A virus has proven to be an invaluable model for studying the mechanisms of viral adaptation and virulence. The mouse adaption of human influenza A virus can result in mutations in the HA and other proteins, which is associated with increased virulence in mouse lungs. In this study, a mouse-adapted seasonal H1N1 virus was obtained through serial lung-to-lung passages and had significantly increased virulence and pathogenicity in mice. Genetic analysis indicated that the increased virulence of the mouse-adapted virus was attributed to incremental acquisition of three mutations in the HA protein (T89I, N125T, and D221G). However, the mouse adaption of influenza A virus did not change the specificity and affinity of receptor binding and the pH-dependent membrane fusion of HA, as well as the in vitro replication in MDCK cells. Notably, infection with the mouse adapted virus induced severe lymphopenia and modulated cytokine and chemokine responses in mice. Apparently, mouse adaption of human influenza A virus may change the ability to replicate in mouse lungs, which induces strong immune responses and inflammation in mice. Therefore, our findings may provide new insights into understanding the mechanisms underlying the mouse adaption and pathogenicity of highly virulent influenza viruses.