Localization of the HIV-1 gp120 Conformational Epitope Recognized by Virus-Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies 2G12

A phage peptide library was used to select peptides interacting with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2G12 which recognize a discontinuous surface epitope of HIV-1 gp120. With the published X-ray data, gp120 regions involved in the antigenic determinant were predicted. Binding with mAb 2G12 was ascribed to Thr297, Phe383, Tyr384, Arg419, Ile240, Thr415, Leu416, Pro417, Lys421, and Trp112. Though distant in the gp120 sequence, these residues are close in space and form the 2G12 epitope on the gp120 surface.     

A Vibrio cholerae ghost-based subunit vaccine induces cross-protective chlamydial immunity that is enhanced by CTA2B, the nontoxic derivative of cholera toxin

The Vibrio cholerae ghost (rVCG) platform is an effective carrier and delivery system for designing efficacious Chlamydia vaccines. We investigated whether CTA2B, the nontoxic derivative of cholera toxin, can augment protective immunity conferred by an rVCG-based chlamydial vaccine and enhance cross-protection against heterologous chlamydial strains. An rVCG vaccine coexpressing chlamydial major outer membrane protein and CTA2B was genetically constructed and antigens were targeted to the inner membrane of V. cholerae before ghost production by gene E -mediated lysis. Effective immunomodulation by CTA2B was demonstrated by the ability of the vaccine construct to enhance the activation and maturation of dendritic cells in vitro . Also, C57BL/6 mice immunized via mucosal and systemic routes showed increased specific mucosal and systemic antibody and T-helper type-1 (Th1) responses, irrespective of the route. The enhanced production of IFN-γ, but not IL-4 by genital mucosal and splenic T cells, indicated a predominantly Th1 response. Clearance of the Chlamydia muridarum vaginal infection was significantly enhanced by codelivery of the vaccine with CTA2B, with the intravaginal route showing a moderate advantage. These results indicate that the rVCG-based vaccine is capable of inducing cross-protection against heterologous chlamydial serovars and that incorporation of mucosal adjuvants, such as CTA2B in the rVCG delivery platform, may enhance protective immunity.     

Equine antisperm antibodies (EASA): Preliminary study of the clinical response following breeding in immunized mares

Maiden mares (n=6), previously injected with stallion sperm cells (SC group, N=2), stallion seminal plasma (SP group, N=2), or phosphate-buffered saline as a control (C group, N=2) were followed through 5 consecutive estrous cycles to evaluate their clinical response when exposed to stallion sperm cells via breeding. Management was similar to that expected on typical breeding farms. The mares were teased daily and bred by artificial insemination (AI) in all 5 cycles. Differences in serum and uterine flushing equine antisperm antibody (EASA) levels, endometrial culture and cytology results, endometrial biopsy score and fertility were evaluated between treatment groups. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was used to determine serum and uterine IgG and IgA levels specific for sperm cell or seminal plasma antigens. Serum IgG specific for sperm cell antigen was higher in the SC group than in the SP and C groups following exposure to sperm cells via breeding (P<0.05). All other EASA levels were not different between groups (P>0.05); however, uterine IgA levels in one of the SC treated mares did rise over all 5 cycles. No differences were detected in culture, cytology, biopsy or fertility results between groups (P>0.05). Changes in EASA levels were detected after breeding mares previously immunized with stallion sperm cells, however an associated clinical response was not apparent.     

Cross‐reactivity of a human IgG1 anticitrullinated fibrinogen monoclonal antibody to a citrullinated profilaggrin peptide

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune rheumatic disease. It is characterized by persistent joint inflammation, resulting in loss of joint function, morbidity and premature mortality. The presence of antibodies against citrullinated proteins is a characteristic feature of RA and up to 70% of RA patients are anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) positive. ACPA responses have been widely studied and are suggested to be heterogeneous, favoring antibody cross‐reactivity to citrullinated proteins. In this study, we examined factors that may influence cross‐reactivity between a commercial human anticitrullinated fibrinogen monoclonal antibody and a citrullinated peptide. Using a citrullinated profilaggrin sequence (HQCHQEST‐ Cit‐GRSRGRCGRSGS) as template, cyclic and linear truncated peptide versions were tested for reactivity to the monoclonal antibody. Factors such as structure, peptide length and flanking amino acids were found to have a notable impact on antibody cross‐reactivity. The results achieved contribute to the understanding of the interactions between citrullinated peptides and ACPA, which may aid in the development of improved diagnostics of ACPA.     

Acute necrotic stomatitis (noma) associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in a newly acquired rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

Backgroud A newly acquired rhesus macaque was suffering from rapid destruction of the left cheek caused by necrotizing stomatitis. Methods To restore reconstructive surgery and intensive care with antibiotics, wound protection, wound healing agents, and debridement were applied. Results Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated from the culture of the lesion, and the antibiotic susceptibility test revealed methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Vancomycin and ampicillin‐sulbactam effectively treated the bacterial infections, and reconstructive surgery was performed once the infection was cleared. Topical application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) was useful to treat exposed wound of the noma lesion. Conclusions Simian noma associated with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) had not previously been reported in non‐human primates. Although noma associated with MRSA is hard to cure because of its rapid and destructive progress, the aggressive therapy used in this study led to the successful resolution of an acute necrotic stomatitis lesion in a rhesus macaque.     

汉滩病毒S基因免疫小鼠的细胞免疫应答的初步观察

将汉滩病毒Ｓ片段编码区基因插入到含ＣＭＶ启动了／增强子（ｐｒｏｍｏｔｅｒ／ｅｎｈａｎｃｅｒ）的真核表达载体ｐＶＲ１０１２中,构建成真核表达质粒ｐＶＲＳ２２。质粒ＤＮＡ经纯化后,注射经布比卡因预处理的Ｂａｌｂ／ｃ小鼠的股四头肌,多次免疫后,免疫小鼠淋巴细胞增殖功能的检测结果显示：免疫鼠的脾细胞能够对体处抗原刺激产生增殖反应;ＣＴＬ活性检测结果表明：靶细胞＾５１Ｃｒ的释放是疚细胞依赖性的,并且与病毒感     

重组人促红细胞生成素纯化工艺的优化

采用堆积床生物反应器,用无血清培养基培养分泌重组人促红细胞生成素（rhEPO）的工程细胞株ZK9703.所收集的上清,采用阴离子交换层析－反相层析－分子筛层析三步纯化工艺路线,分别用Q－Sepharose XL-C4-S-200（方法Ⅰ）和DEAE Sepharose FF-Source-S-200(方法Ⅱ）纯化3批产品,所得EPO纯度达98％以上,体外比活性大于1.3^10^5IU/mg。方法Ⅰ、方法Ⅱ纯化过程的EPO体外活性回收率分别为23.56%和28.57%。本纯化方法Ⅱ工艺纯化日程短,分离效果好,EPO体内、体外活性回收率较高,更适合于大规模生产重组人促红细胞生成素。     

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is associated with prostate cancer metastasis and chemo/radioresistance via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the second leading malignancy in men. The role of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), also known as CD326, in CaP progression and therapeutic resistance is still uncertain. Here, we aimed to investigate the roles of EpCAM in CaP metastasis and chemo/radioresistance. Expression of EpCAM in CaP cell lines and human CaP tissues was assessed using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, respectively. EpCAM was knocked down (KD) in PC-3, DU145 and LNCaP-C4-2B cells using small interfering RNA (siRNA), and KD results were confirmed by confocal microscope, Western blotting and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell growth was evaluated by proliferation and colony formation assays. The invasive potential was assessed using a matrigel chamber assay. Tumorigenesis potential was measured by a sphere formation assay. Chemo-/radiosensitivity were measured using a colony formation assay. Over-expression of EpCAM was found in primary CaP tissues and lymph node metastases including cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells. KD of EpCAM suppressed CaP proliferation and invasive ability, reduced sphere formation, enhanced chemo-/radiosensitivity, and down-regulated E-cadherin, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-4EBP1 and p-S6K expression in CaP cells. Our findings suggest that EpCAM plays an important role in CaP proliferation, invasion, metastasis and chemo-/radioresistance associated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and is a novel therapeutic target to sensitize CaP cells to chemo-/radiotherapy.     

重组家蚕病毒表达传染性法氏囊病病毒VP2蛋白

将传染性囊病病毒ＨＺ９６株主要宿主保护性抗原ＶＰ２的ｃＤＮＡ基因克隆到杆状病毒转移载体ｐＢａｃ－ＰＡＫ８中,获得重组转移载体ｐＢａｃＰＡＫ－ＶＰ２,载体ｐＢａｃＰＡＫ－ＶＰ２与修饰病毒Ｂｍ－ＢａｃＰＡＫ６线性化基因组ＤＮＡ共转染单层家蚕Ｂｏｍｂｙｘ ｍｏｒｉ（Ｂｍ）Ｎ细胞,经细胞内同源重组,筛选到重组病毒。ＥＬＩＳＡ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ免疫鲩迹结果表明,ＶＰ２在家蚕培养细胞和家蚕幼虫中均得到了表达。