Engineering imaging probes and molecular machines for nanomedicine

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that integrates nanotechnology, biomolecular engineering, life sciences and medicine; it is expected to produce major breakthroughs in medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to the size-compatibility of nano-scale structures and devices with proteins and nucleic acids, the design, synthesis and application of nanoprobes, nanocarriers and nanomachines provide unprecedented opportunities for achieving a better control of biological processes, and drastic improvements in disease detection, therapy, and prevention. Recent advances in nanomedicine include the development of functional nanoparticle based molecular imaging probes, nano-structured materials as drug/gene carriers for in vivo delivery, and engineered molecular machines for treating single-gene disorders. This review focuses on the development of molecular imaging probes and engineered nucleases for nanomedicine, including quantum dot bioconjugates, quantum dot-fluorescent protein FRET probes, molecular beacons, magnetic and gold nanoparticle based imaging contrast agents, and the design and validation of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and TAL effector nucleases (TALENs) for gene targeting. The challenges in translating nanomedicine approaches to clinical applications are discussed.     

外来入侵种--紫茎泽兰花芽分化和胚胎学研究

应用石蜡切片法对紫茎泽兰(Eupatorium adenophorum)从花芽分化到胚胎形成的全过程进行系统观察,结果表明:紫茎泽兰从刚孕花序至头状花序的直径(d)大小为1.6～1.8 mm时为花芽分化期;d在1.8～2.0和3.8～4.0 mm范围内为大小孢子及雌雄配子体发育期,其中d在2.3～3.5 mm之间时为减数分裂的主要过程;药壁分化过程为双子叶型,胞质分裂为同时型,绒毡层发育属腺质绒毡层,成熟花粉粒为3-细胞型;胚囊发育属蓼形,胚珠倒生,单珠被,薄珠心;胚胎发育过程中有双胚现象.     

Human umbilical cord-derived MSC culture: the replacement of animal sera with human cord blood plasma

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) hold great potential for their therapeutic use in various clinical diseases. Many publications have reported on human blood-derived alternatives to animal serum for culturing mesenchymal stem cells, such as human serum, allogenic umbilical cord blood serum, and human platelet derivatives. However, it is not clear whether human umbilical cord blood plasma (UCBP), as the surplusage of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell extraction, could be used. In this study, in order to make the best of umbilical cord blood, the human UCBP was dialyzed to replace fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the culture medium. hUC-MSCs were cultured in the new medium. Cell growth rate, specific biomarkers, and differentiation properties were detected to characterize the cell proliferation and MSC-specific properties. The hUC-MSCs cultured in such derived medium were verified with proliferation rate, cluster differentiation markers, cell cycle, as well as differentiation capabilities. Such dialyzed human UCBP is fully comparable with, if not superior to, FBS in deriving and culturing hUC-MSCs.     

Disruption of YPS1 and PEP4 genes reduces proteolytic degradation of secreted HSA/PTH in Pichia pastoris GS115

Human serum albumin (HSA) and human parathyroid hormone (1-34) [PTH (1-34)] fusion protein [HSA/PTH (1-34)] is a promising long-acting form of PTH (1-34) for osteoporosis treatment. Secretory expression of intact HSA/PTH (1-34) in Pichia pastoris GS115 was accompanied by two degradation fragments, with molecular weights around 66 kDa, in addition to the well-known ~45 kDa HSA-truncated fragment, resulting in a low yield of intact protein. In this study, two internal cleavage sites were identified in the PTH (1-34) portion of the fusion protein by Western Blot analysis. To minimize proteolytic cleavages, several protease genes including PEP4 (encoding proteinase A), PRB1 (proteinase B) and seven YPSs genes (yapsin family members) were knocked out respectively by disruption of the individual genes and the selective combinations. Reduced degradation was observed by single disruption of either PEP4 gene or YPS1 gene, and the lowest level of degradation was observed in a pep4△yps1△ double disruptant. After 72 h of induction, more than 80 % of the HSA/PTH (1-34) secreted by the pep4△yps1△ double disruptant remained intact, in comparison to only 30 % with the wild-type strain.     

Reconstitution of the peptidoglycan cytoplasmic precursor biosynthetic pathway in cell-free system and rapid screening of antisense oligonucleotides for Mur enzymes

Bacterial peptidoglycan is the cell wall component responsible for various biological activities. Its cytoplasmic precursor UDP-N-acetylmuramyl pentapeptide is biosynthesized by the first six enzymes of peptidoglycan synthetic pathways (Mur enzymes), which are all proved to be important targets for antibiotic screening. In our present work, the genes encoding Mur enzymes from Escherichia coli were co-expressed in the cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system, and the activities of Mur enzymes derived from CFPS system were validated by the synthesis of the final product UDP-N-acetylmuramyl pentapeptide. Then this in vitro reconstituted Mur biosynthetic pathway was used to screen a panel of specific antisense oligonucleotides for MurA and MurB. The selected oligonucleotides were proved to eliminate the expression of Mur enzymes, and thus inhibit the Mur biosynthetic pathway. The present work not only developed a rapid method to reconstruct and regulate a biosynthetic pathway in vitro, but also may provide insight into the development of novel antibiotics targeting on peptidoglycan biosynthetic pathway.     

New mechanism of nerve injury in Alzheimer’s disease: β‐amyloid‐induced neuronal pyroptosis

The present study was designed to investigate the role of β‐amyloid (Aβ_1‐42) in inducing neuronal pyroptosis and its mechanism. Mice cortical neurons (MCNs) were used in this study, LPS + Nigericin was used to induce pyroptosis in MCNs (positive control group), and Aβ_1‐42 was used to interfere with MCNs. In addition, propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to examine cell permeability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay was employed to detect cytotoxicity, immunofluorescence (IF) staining was used to investigate the expression level of the key protein GSDMD, Western blot was performed to detect the expression levels of key proteins, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to determine the expression levels of inflammatory factors in culture medium, including IL‐1β, IL‐18 and TNF‐α. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to silence the mRNA expression of caspase‐1 and GSDMD, and Aβ_1‐42 was used to induce pyroptosis, followed by investigation of the role of caspase‐1‐mediated GSDMD cleavage in pyroptosis. In addition, necrosulfonamide (NSA), an inhibitor of GSDMD oligomerization, was used for pre‐treatment, and Aβ_1‐42 was subsequently used to observe the pyroptosis in MCNs. Finally, AAV9‐siRNA‐caspase‐1 was injected into the tail vein of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice (Alzheimer's disease mice) for caspase‐1 mRNA inhibition, followed by observation of behavioural changes in mice and measurement of the expression of inflammatory factors and pyroptosis‐related protein. As results, Aβ_1‐42 could induce pyroptosis in MCNs, increase cell permeability and enhance LDH release, which were similar to the LPS + Nigericin‐induced pyroptosis. Meanwhile, the expression levels of cellular GSDMD and p30‐GSDMD were up‐regulated, the levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD‐cleaved protein caspase‐1 were up‐regulated, and the levels of inflammatory factors in the medium were also up‐regulated. siRNA intervention in caspase‐1 or GSDMD inhibited Aβ_1‐42‐induced pyroptosis, and NSA pre‐treatment also caused the similar inhibitory effects. The behavioural ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice was relieved after the injection of AAV9‐siRNA‐caspase‐1, and the expression of pyroptosis‐related protein in the cortex and hippocampus was down‐regulated. In conclusion, Aβ_1‐42 could induce pyroptosis by GSDMD protein, and NLRP3‐caspase‐1 signalling was an important signal to mediate GSDMD cleavage, which plays an important role in Aβ_1‐42‐induced pyroptosis in neurons. Therefore, GSDMD is expected to be a novel therapeutic target for AD.     

Precise Reconstruction of Veins and Bile Ducts in Rat Liver Transplantation

Rat orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) remains a technically demanding procedure, especially regarding the reconstruction of the suprahepatic vena cava (SHVC). In this study, a new microsuture technique was developed for anastomosis of the SHVC, and a special single-groove cuff and blade-cut stent were introduced. With these modified techniques, we aimed to make a precise anastomosis of the SHVC and to provide optimal cuffs and stents for the reconstruction of the veins and bile ducts. According to different microsuture techniques for the SHVC and different types of cuffs and stents, three ROLT groups were created to compare the operation times and prognoses. Sham operations were performed as controls in the fourth group. The time expenditures with each step were compared among the transplantation groups. Biochemical parameters were tested at the end of a 1-month observation period. The short- and long-term survival rates of the transplantation groups were recorded and compared. Our new microsuture technique was faster than the conventional continuous suture technique for SHVC anastomosis (P < 0.05). The use of a single-groove cuff for reconstruction of the portal vein and the infrahepatic vena cava shortened the anastomotic time (P < 0.05). The use of blade-cut stents resulted in fewer biliary complications and better survival over the short and long terms (P < 0.05). Our new microsuture technique and the single-groove cuffs proved to be a precise method for venous reconstruction which shortened the anhepatic time and the anastomotic time significantly. The blade-cut stents apparently reduced the incidence of biliary complications. In summary, with this precise microsuture technique and delicate cuffs and stents, excellent long-term survival can be achieved easily and stably for ROLT.     

Improvement of xylose utilization in Clostridium acetobutylicum via expression of the talA gene encoding transaldolase from Escherichia coli

Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was metabolically engineered for improved xylose utilization. The gene talA, which encodes transaldolase from Escherichia coli K-12, was cloned and overexpressed in C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Compared with C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824 (824-WT), the transformant bearing the E. coli talA gene (824-TAL) showed improved ability on xylose utilization and solvents production using xylose as the sole carbon source. During the fermentation of xylose and glucose mixtures with three xylose/glucose ratios (approximately 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1), the rate of xylose consumption and final solvents titers of 824-TAL were all higher than those of 824-WT, despite glucose repression on xylose uptake still existing. These results suggest that the insufficiency of transaldolase in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) of C. acetobutylicum is one of the bottlenecks for xylose metabolism and therefore, overexpressing the gene encoding transaldolase is able to improve xylose utilization and solvent production.     

树载脂蛋白CIcDNA序列及其组织表达

分离提取树（ｔｒｅｅｓｈｒｅｗ,ＴＳ）肝组织ｍＲＮＡ,以此为模板,反转录构建了ＴＳ肝组织ｃＤＮＡ文库。利用制备的兔抗ＴＳ载脂蛋白ＣＩ多抗血清为探针筛选该文库,获得两个阳性克隆。测序及序列分析表明：两个克隆均为ＴＳａｐｏＣＩｃＤＮＡ基因。大的克隆由３８０个核苷酸构成,包括２１ｂｐ、９５ｂｐ组成的５′和３′非编码区,２６４ｂｐ组成的一个完整开放阅读框架,编码８８个氨基酸的ａｐｏＣＩ前体,含２６个氨基酸构成的信号肽和６２肽的成熟蛋白。其成熟肽长度与大鼠、小鼠和狗的相应结构一致,但较人和狒狒ａｐｏＣＩ的成熟肽多５个氨基酸。并对其功能域进行了初步预测。ＲＮＡ印迹显示ＴＳａｐｏＣＩｍＲＮＡ不仅主要在肝组织表达;而且不同于人和其他哺乳类动物,亦可少量在小肠表达。上述结果为进一步研究ＴＳａｐｏＣＩ基因组结构、功能和体外表达奠定了基础。     

贵州赤水桫椤国家级自然保护区野猪危害特征与居民态度分析

野猪对农作物的危害是当前人与野生动物冲突的典型案例,分析其危害特征,掌握当地居民对野猪危害与保护管理的态度,对于自然保护区社区共管与野生动物保护管理决策尤为重要。对贵州赤水桫椤国家级自然保护区的调查研究发现,野猪一年四季均危害农作物,危害高峰期在 2-4 月与10-12 月,主要受作物收获期影响;农耕地在保护区的位置、距道路距离及距水源距离显著影响野猪对农耕地的危害,农耕地距道路(< 55 m)和水源越近(< 270 m),遭受危害程度越高。保护区的实验区和周边区域人居活动强烈,但野猪危害较其他区域严重,野猪危害农地时对水源因素较距居民点距离、距林缘距离、隐蔽因素更为敏感。70% 的当地居民认为野猪危害是由于种群数量过多引起。55% 的当地居民不赞同国家保护野猪的政策,62% 的赞同猎杀野猪控制其种群数量增长。受访者年龄与野猪危害程度两因素显著影响居民对野猪的容忍度,50 - 70 岁是当地社区居民的主要人群,也是态度中立及容忍度较高的人群。为有效减少野猪危害损失,调和人与野生动物冲突矛盾,建议保护区管理者根据野猪危害特征,帮助当地居民建立有效防控措施和有效快速的危害评估与损失补偿机制,同时根据当地居民的态度特征,做好保护政策的宣教工作。