Expression, localization, and functional activity of TL1A, a novel Th1-polarizing cytokine in inflammatory bowel disease

TL1A is a novel TNF-like factor that acts as a costimulator of IFN-gamma secretion through binding to the death domain-containing receptor, DR3. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that TL1A may play an important role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by functioning as a Th1-polarizing cytokine. The expression, cellular localization, and functional activity of TL1A and DR3 were studied in intestinal tissue specimens as well as isolated lamina propria mononuclear cells from IBD patients and controls. TL1A mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated in IBD, particularly in involved areas of Crohn's disease (CD; p < 0.03 vs control). TL1A production was localized to the intestinal lamina propria in macrophages and CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes from CD patients as well as in plasma cells from ulcerative colitis patients. The amount of TL1A protein and the number of TL1A-positive cells correlated with the severity of inflammation, most significantly in CD. Increased numbers of immunoreactive DR3-positive T lymphocytes were detected in the intestinal lamina propria from IBD patients. Addition of recombinant human TL1A to cultures of PHA-stimulated lamina propria mononuclear from CD patients significantly augmented IFN-gamma production by 4-fold, whereas a minimal effect was observed in control patients. Our study provides evidence for the first time that the novel cytokine TL1A may play an important role in a Th1-mediated disease such as CD.     

Flp recombinase transgenic mice of C57BL/6 strain for conditional gene targeting

We constructed an expression vector of Flp recombinase modified by adding a nuclear localization signal. Injection of the expression vector into fertilized eggs of the C57BL/6 strain yielded transgenic mouse lines expressing the Flp recombinase transgene in the testis. We crossed the transgenic mice to reporter mice carrying the neomycin phosphotransferase gene flanked by target sites of Flp recombinase. Examination of the deletion of the neomycin phosphotransferase gene in the progeny showed that Flp-mediated recombination took place efficiently in vivo in FLP66 transgenic mouse line. These results suggest that the Flp recombinase system is effective in mice and in combination with the Cre recombinase system extends the potentials of gene manipulation in mice. One of the useful applications of FLP66 transgenic mouse line is the removal of marker genes from mice manipulated for the conditional gene targeting with the Cre/loxP system in the pure C57BL/6 genetic background.     

The protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPMEG interacts with glutamate receptor delta 2 and epsilon subunits

Glutamate receptor (GluR) delta2 is selectively expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and plays a crucial role in cerebellum-dependent motor learning. Although GluRdelta2 belongs to an ionotropic GluR family, little is known about its pharmacological features and downstream signaling cascade. To study molecular mechanisms underlying GluRdelta2-dependent motor learning, we employed yeast two-hybrid screening to isolate GluRdelta2-interacting molecules and identified protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPMEG. PTPMEG is a family member of band 4.1 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatases and is expressed prominently in brain. Here, we showed by in situ hybridization analysis that the PTPMEG mRNA was enriched in mouse thalamus and Purkinje cells. We also showed that PTPMEG interacted with GluRdelta2 as well as with N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor GluRepsilon1 in cultured cells and in brain. PTPMEG bound to the putative C-terminal PDZ target sequence of GluRdelta2 and GluRepsilon1 via its PDZ domain. Examination of the effect of PTPMEG on tyrosine phosphorylation of GluRepsilon1 unexpectedly revealed that PTPMEG enhanced Fyn-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of GluRepsilon1 in its PTPase activity-dependent manner. Thus, we conclude that PTPMEG associates directly with GluRdelta2 and GluRepsilon1. Moreover, our data suggest that PTPMEG plays a role in signaling downstream of the GluRs and/or in regulation of their activities through tyrosine dephosphorylation.     

Topology and transport of membrane lipids in bacteria

The last two decades have witnessed a break-through in identifying and understanding the functions of both the proteins and lipids of bacterial membranes. This development was parallelled by increasing insights into the biogenesis, topology, transport and sorting of membrane proteins. However, progress in research on the membrane distribution and transport of lipids in bacteria has been slow in that period. The development of novel biochemical in vitro approaches and recent genetic studies have increased our understanding of these subjects. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the current knowledge of the distribution and transport of lipids in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Special attention is paid to recently obtained results, which are expected to inspire further research to finally unravel these poorly understood phenomena.     

根黄酮在植物生长和营养中的作用

 本文简要综述了80年代以来国际上对根黄酮在调节植物根生长、完善根功能、影响氮素循环及在施加他感作用方面的研究进展,并对有关方面作了一些展望,以期引起植物营养工作者对植物次生物质的注意。     

Bmp2 and Bmp4 genetically interact to support multiple aspects of mouse development including functional heart development

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have multiple roles during embryogenesis. Current data indicate that the dosage of BMPs is tightly regulated for normal development in mice. Since Bmp2 or Bmp4 homozygous mutant mice show early embryonic lethality, we generated compound heterozygous mice for Bmp2 and Bmp4 to explore the impact of lowered dosage of these BMP ligands. Genotyping pups bred between Bmp2 and Bmp4 heterozygous mice revealed that the ratio of adult compound heterozygous mice for Bmp2 and Bmp4 is much lower than expected. During embryogenesis, the compound heterozygous embryos showed several abnormalities, including defects in eye formation, body wall closure defects, and ventricular septal defects (VSD) in the heart. However, the ratio of the compound heterozygous embryos was the same as expected. Caesarean sections at E18.5 revealed that half of the compound heterozygotes died soon after birth, and the majority of the dead individuals exhibited VSD. Survivors were able to grow to adults, but their body weight was significantly lower than control littermates. They demonstrated progressive abnormalities in the heart, eventually showing a branched leaflet in atrioventricular valves. These results suggest that the dosage of both BMP2 and 4 is critical for functional heart formation during embryogenesis and after birth. genesis 47:374–384, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

鄂西南五种野生荚蒾属植物种群结构与动态特征研究

为探明鄂西南地区野生荚蒾属(Viburnum)植物的种群数量特征及区域分布状况，并揭示宜昌荚蒾(V.erosum)、桦叶荚蒾(V.betulifolium)、合轴荚蒾(V.sympodiale)、茶荚蒾(V.setigerum)、荚蒾(V.dilatatum)5种荚蒾属植物种群的生存现状及发展趋势，在鄂西南金子山国有林场、木林子国家级自然保护区及七姊妹山国家级自然保护区，共布设27 hm²固定动态监测样地对荚蒾属植物进行调查，通过对5种荚蒾属植物种群进行年龄结构、动态量化分析和静态生命表以及相关曲线等研究，探讨荚蒾属植物种群结构与动态特征及未来发展潜力。结果表明：(1)鄂西南荚蒾属植物在分布区域及种群数量大小上均存在明显差异。(2)种群结构与动态分析显示，5种荚蒾属植物种群年龄结构呈现为金字塔型，幼龄阶段种群个体数量较多，具有较强的增长潜力，但对外界干扰均具有较强的敏感性。(3)静态生命表显示，5种荚蒾属植物存活量均随着龄级的增加而单调递减；消失率与死亡率曲线变化趋势相似，但不同植物消失率与死亡率曲线波动具有差异性；种群存活曲线均趋近于Deevey-Ⅱ型。(4)4...     

HBV pre-c-Fc融合蛋白在杆状病毒表达系统中的表达及其生物学活性研究

目的:在杆状病毒表达系统中表达融合蛋白乙型肝炎病毒前C蛋白-小鼠IgG Fc蛋白(HBV precore protein-mouse IgG Fc,HBV pre-c-Fc),并鉴定其免疫原性。方法:目的基因HBV prec-Fc连接到pFastBac1载体,获得的pFastBac1-HBV pre-c-Fc质粒转化DH10Bac感受态,通过Tn7转座子将目的基因转座到Bacmid中,得到Bacmid-HBV pre-c-Fc穿梭载体,脂质体包被后转染Sf9昆虫细胞获得P1代病毒,重复转染Sf9获得高滴度病毒。收集细胞上清超滤后通过Protein G亲和层析柱纯化得到目的蛋白HBV pre-c-Fc。纯化的蛋白大腿内侧肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠并检测血清中乙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白抗体产生量。结果:HBV pre-c-Fc在昆虫细胞中成功表达,纯化后蛋白纯度达90%以上,蛋白产量约为3.03mg/L,纯化蛋白能有效刺激BALB/c小鼠产生特异抗体。结论:成功地在杆状病毒表达系统中表达了具有免疫原性的HBV pre-c-Fc蛋白,为生产乙肝治疗性疫苗奠定了基础。     

Direct Mouse Trauma/Burn Model of Heterotopic Ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is the formation of bone outside of the skeleton which forms following major trauma, burn injuries, and orthopaedic surgical procedures. The majority of animal models used to study HO rely on the application of exogenous substances, such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), exogenous cell constructs, or genetic mutations in BMP signaling. While these models are useful they do not accurately reproduce the inflammatory states that cause the majority of cases of HO. Here we describe a burn/tenotomy model in mice that reliably produces focused HO. This protocol involves creating a 30% total body surface area partial thickness contact burn on the dorsal skin as well as division of the Achilles tendon at its midpoint. Relying solely on traumatic injury to induce HO at a predictable location allows for time-course study of endochondral heterotopic bone formation from intrinsic physiologic processes and environment only. This method could prove instrumental in understanding the inflammatory and osteogenic pathways involved in trauma-induced HO. Furthermore, because HO develops in a predictable location and time-course in this model, it allows for research to improve early imaging strategies and treatment modalities to prevent HO formation.