Monoclonal antibodies targeting the HR2 domain and the region immediately upstream of the HR2 of the S protein neutralize in vitro infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

We have previously shown that an Escherichia coli-expressed, denatured spike (S) protein fragment of the severe acute respiratory coronavirus, containing residues 1029 to 1192 which include the heptad repeat 2 (HR2) domain, was able to induce neutralizing polyclonal antibodies (C. T. Keng, A. Zhang, S. Shen, K. M. Lip, B. C. Fielding, T. H. Tan, C. F. Chou, C. B. Loh, S. Wang, J. Fu, X. Yang, S. G. Lim, W. Hong, and Y. J. Tan, J. Virol. 79:3289-3296, 2005). In this study, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were raised against this fragment to identify the linear neutralizing epitopes in the functional domain and to investigate the mechanisms involved in neutralization. Eighteen hybridomas secreting the S protein-specific MAbs were obtained. Binding sites of these MAbs were mapped to four linear epitopes. Two of them were located within the HR2 region and two immediately upstream of the HR2 domain. MAbs targeting these epitopes showed in vitro neutralizing activities and were able to inhibit cell-cell membrane fusion. These results provide evidence of novel neutralizing epitopes that are located in the HR2 domain and the spacer region immediately upstream of the HR2 of the S protein.     

Production of 6-Phenylacetylene Picolinic Acid from Diphenylacetylene by a Toluene-Degrading Acinetobacter Strain

Several strategies for using enzymes to catalyze reactions leading to the synthesis of relatively simple substituted picolinic acids have been described. The goal of the work described here was to synthesize a more complex molecule, 6-phenylacetylene picolinic acid [6-(2-phenylethynyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid], for use as a potential endcapping agent for aerospace polymers. We screened 139 toluene-degrading strains that use a variety of catabolic pathways for the ability to catalyze oxidative transformation of diphenylacetylene. Acinetobacter sp. strain F4 catalyzed the overall conversion of diphenylacetylene to a yellow metabolite, which was identified as a putative meta ring fission product (2-hydroxy-8-phenyl-6-oxoocta-2,4-dien-7-ynoic acid [RFP]). The activity could be sustained by addition of toluene at a flow rate determined empirically so that the transformations were sustained in spite of the fact that toluene is a competitive inhibitor of the enzymes. The overall rate of transformation was limited by the instability of RFP. The RFP was chemically converted to 6-phenylacetylene picolinic acid by treatment with ammonium hydroxide. The results show the potential for using the normal growth substrate to provide energy and to maintain induction of the enzymes involved in biotransformation during preliminary stages of biocatalyst development.     

核型似近系数的聚类分析方法

本文根据近年来核型分析所积累的大量资料,以及谭远德(1991)提出的似近分析理论,提出了核型似近系数A聚类分析方法,确定了核型计算公式,井应用于lo种淡水鱼核型似近系数聚类分析,获得了与形态分类学非常一致的结果。此外,还提出了染色体带型计算公式,从而使核型公式和校型似近系数从核型的整体结构、染色体形态结构和染色体内部结构等三个层次上,较精确地刻画了物种核型特性和物种间校型的等同性或同源性。以此核型似近系数作为分类依据所获得的物种分类结果,能真实地和客观地反映物种的自然分类模式。     

季节性流感裂解疫苗在小鼠中针对同型与异型流感病毒的免疫保护效力

为了研究季节性流感裂解疫苗在小鼠中针对甲型流感病毒同型同株、同型异株、异型异株攻击的免疫保护效力及其与诱发的血凝抑制(HI)抗体滴度的关系,本研究使用我国2008~2009年度季节性流感裂解疫苗中不同剂量的甲1型流感病毒H1N1(疫苗株病毒A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like)和甲3型流感病毒的H3N2(疫苗株病毒A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2)-like)疫苗组分免疫BALB/c小鼠,首先确定了能在小鼠中诱发血HI抗体滴度达到40的疫苗免疫剂量;然后以此剂量免疫小鼠,分别使用同型同株流感病毒(鼠肺适应株A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus(MA))(简称A1)和同型异株流感病毒(鼠肺适应株A/Purto Rico/8/34(H1N1))(简称PR8)攻击H1N1疫苗免疫小鼠,使用异型异株流感病毒A1攻击H3N2疫苗免疫小鼠,通过体重变化和存活率情况,探讨季节性流感疫苗在小鼠中针对甲型流感病毒同型同株、同型异株、异型异株攻击的保护效力。结果显示,季节性流感裂解疫苗H1N1和H3N2组分按照HA不同剂量0.15μg、0.5μg、1.5μg、5μg和15μg免疫小鼠后,所诱发的HI抗体滴度随免疫剂量的增加而增强,1.5μgHA即可以诱发免疫小鼠HI抗体滴度达到40;以此剂量免疫小鼠,分别使用3LD50、10LD50、30LD50、100LD50、300LD50、1 000LD50和3 000LD50的同型同株流感病毒A1进行攻击,1.5μgH1N1疫苗可以100%保护小鼠抵御高至1000LD50同型同株流感病毒A1的攻击,15μg甚至可以100%保护3 000LD50同型同株流感病毒A1的攻击,但是这两个剂量免疫的小鼠在低至3LD50同型异株流感病毒PR8的攻击后都全部死亡;使用可以诱发HI抗体滴度达到140的15μg H3N2疫苗免疫小鼠,在低至3LD50异型异株流感病毒A1的攻击后亦全部死亡。以上结果表明,季节性流感疫苗可使小鼠HI抗体滴度达到40的疫苗免疫剂量为1.5μg,该免疫剂量可以有效保护小鼠抵御同型同株流感病毒的攻击,但是难以保护小鼠抵御同型异株与异型异株流感病毒的攻击,这一结果为建立以季节性流感疫苗为参考的免疫保护评价体系提供了实验依据。     

The gene expression profile of preclinical autoimmune arthritis and its modulation by a tolerogenic disease-protective antigenic challenge

Introduction  

Autoimmune inflammation is a characteristic feature of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. In the natural course of human autoimmune diseases, it is rather difficult to pinpoint the precise timing of the initial event that triggers the cascade of pathogenic events that later culminate into clinically overt disease. Therefore, it is a challenge to examine the early preclinical events in these disorders. Animal models are an invaluable resource in this regard. Furthermore, considering the complex nature of the pathogenic immune events in arthritis, microarray analysis offers a versatile tool to define the dynamic patterns of gene expression during the disease course.     

Enzymatic Characterization of Insecticide Resistance Mechanisms in Field Populations of Malaysian Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)

Background

There has been no comprehensive study on biochemical characterization of insecticide resistance mechanisms in field populations of Malaysian Culex quinquefasciatus. To fill this void in the literature, a nationwide investigation was performed to quantify the enzyme activities, thereby attempting to characterize the potential resistance mechanisms in Cx. quinquefasciatus in residential areas in Malaysia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Culex quinquefasciatus from 14 residential areas across 13 states and one federal territory were subjected to esterases, mixed function oxidases, glutathione-S-transferase and insensitive acetylcholinesterase assays. Enzyme assays revealed that α-esterases and β-esterases were elevated in 13 populations and 12 populations, respectively. Nine populations demonstrated elevated levels of mixed function oxidases and glutathione-S-transferase. Acetylcholinesterase was insensitive to propoxur in all 14 populations. Activity of α-esterases associated with malathion resistance was found in the present study. In addition, an association between the activity of α-esterases and β-esterases was also demonstrated.

Conclusions/Significance

The present study has characterized the potential biochemical mechanisms in contributing towards insecticide resistance in Cx. quinquefasciatus field populations in Malaysia. Identification of mechanisms underlying the insecticide resistance will be beneficial in developing effective mosquito control programs in Malaysia.     

Linking Laboratory and Field Approaches in Studying the Evolutionary Physiology of Biting in Bamboo Lemurs

A realistic understanding of primate morphological adaptations requires a multidisciplinary approach including experimental studies of physiological performance and field studies documenting natural behaviors and reproductive success. For primate feeding, integrative efforts combining experimental and ecological approaches are rare. We discuss methods for collecting maximum bite forces in the field as part of an integrated ecomorphological research design. Specifically, we compare maximum biting ability in 3 sympatric bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur simus, H. aureus, and H. griseus) at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar to determine if biting performance contributes to the observed partitioning of a shared bamboo diet. We assessed performance by recording maximum bite forces via jaw-muscle stimulations in anesthetized subjects from each species. Behavioral observations and food properties testing show that the largest species, Hapalemur simus, consumes the largest and most mechanically challenging foods. Our results suggest that Hapalemur simus can generate larger bite forces on average than those of the 2 smaller species. However, the overlap in maximum biting ability between Hapalemur simus and H. aureus indicates that biting performance cannot be the sole factor driving dietary segregation. Though maximum bite force does not fully explain dietary segregation, we hypothesize that size-related increases in both maximum bite force and jaw robusticity provide Hapalemur simus with an improved ability to process routinely its more obdurate diet. We demonstrate the feasibility of collecting physiological, ecological, and morphological data on the same free-ranging primates in their natural habitats. Integrating traditionally laboratory-based approaches with field studies broadens the range of potential primate species for physiological research and fosters improved tests of hypothesized feeding adaptations.     

Distinct gene subsets in pterygia formation and recurrence: dissecting complex biological phenomenon using genome wide expression data

Background

Pterygium is a common ocular surface disease characterized by fibrovascular invasion of the cornea and is sight-threatening due to astigmatism, tear film disturbance, or occlusion of the visual axis. However, the mechanisms for formation and post-surgical recurrence of pterygium are not understood, and a valid animal model does not exist. Here, we investigated the possible mechanisms of pterygium pathogenesis and recurrence.

Methods

First we performed a genome wide expression analysis (human Affymetrix Genechip, >22000 genes) with principal component analysis and clustering techniques, and validated expression of key molecules with PCR. The controls for this study were the un-involved conjunctival tissue of the same eye obtained during the surgical resection of the lesions. Interesting molecules were further investigated with immunohistochemistry, Western blots, and comparison with tear proteins from pterygium patients.

Results

Principal component analysis in pterygium indicated a signature of matrix-related structural proteins, including fibronectin-1 (both splice-forms), collagen-1A2, keratin-12 and small proline rich protein-1. Immunofluorescence showed strong expression of keratin-6A in all layers, especially the superficial layers, of pterygium epithelium, but absent in the control, with up-regulation and nuclear accumulation of the cell adhesion molecule CD24 in the pterygium epithelium. Western blot shows increased protein expression of beta-microseminoprotein, a protein up-regulated in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Gene products of 22 up-regulated genes in pterygium have also been found by us in human tears using nano-electrospray-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry after pterygium surgery. Recurrent disease was associated with up-regulation of sialophorin, a negative regulator of cell adhesion, and never in mitosis a-5, known to be involved in cell motility.

Conclusion

Aberrant wound healing is therefore a key process in this disease, and strategies in wound remodeling may be appropriate in halting pterygium or its recurrence. For patients demonstrating a profile of 'recurrence', it may be necessary to manage as a poorer prognostic case and perhaps, more adjunctive treatment after resection of the primary lesion.