A Novel Approach for Ovine Primary Alveolar Epithelial Type II Cell Isolation and Culture from Fresh and Cryopreserved Tissue Obtained from Premature and Juvenile Animals

The in vivo ovine model provides a clinically relevant platform to study cardiopulmonary mechanisms and treatments of disease; however, a robust ovine primary alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cell culture model is lacking. The objective of this study was to develop and optimize ovine lung tissue cryopreservation and primary ATII cell culture methodologies for the purposes of dissecting mechanisms at the cellular level to elucidate responses observed in vivo. To address this, we established in vitro submerged and air-liquid interface cultures of primary ovine ATII cells isolated from fresh or cryopreserved lung tissues obtained from mechanically ventilated sheep (128 days gestation—6 months of age). Presence, abundance, and mRNA expression of surfactant proteins was assessed by immunocytochemistry, Western Blot, and quantitative PCR respectively on the day of isolation, and throughout the 7 day cell culture study period. All biomarkers were significantly greater from cells isolated from fresh than cryopreserved tissue, and those cultured in air-liquid interface as compared to submerged culture conditions at all time points. Surfactant protein expression remained in the air-liquid interface culture system while that of cells cultured in the submerged system dissipated over time. Despite differences in biomarker magnitude between cells isolated from fresh and cryopreserved tissue, cells isolated from cryopreserved tissue remained metabolically active and demonstrated a similar response as cells from fresh tissue through 72 hr period of hyperoxia. These data demonstrate a cell culture methodology using fresh or cryopreserved tissue to support study of ovine primary ATII cell function and responses, to support expanded use of biobanked tissues, and to further understanding of mechanisms that contribute to in vivo function of the lung.     

SSB functions as a sliding platform that migrates on DNA via reptation

SSB proteins bind to and control the accessibility of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), likely facilitated by their ability to diffuse on ssDNA. Using a hybrid single-molecule method combining fluorescence and force, we probed how proteins with large binding site sizes can migrate rapidly on DNA and how protein-protein interactions and tension may modulate the motion. We observed force-induced progressive unraveling of ssDNA from the SSB surface between 1 and 6 pN, followed by SSB dissociation at ～10 pN, and obtained experimental evidence of a reptation mechanism for protein movement along DNA wherein a protein slides via DNA bulge formation and propagation. SSB diffusion persists even when bound with RecO and at forces under which the fully wrapped state is perturbed, suggesting that even in crowded cellular conditions SSB can act as a sliding platform to recruit and carry its interacting proteins for use in DNA replication, recombination and repair.     

优质高产桑树新品种川桑7431的育成

以苍溪49×6031人工杂交桑种子为材料,采用秋水仙碱和60Co-γ射线复合诱变,从诱变群体中选择出优良单株培育成优质、高产桑树新品种川桑7431,新品种经四川省桑品种区域性鉴定和农村生产试验表明:新品种川桑7431具有生长势旺、叶片大而厚、节间密、高产、优质、遗传性状稳定等特点。全年平均产叶量33034.25 kg/hm2,比对照湖桑32号增产20.26%。用该品种桑叶养蚕的试验成绩为:万蚕收茧量19.56 kg,万蚕茧层量4.61 kg,5龄50 kg桑产茧量3.75 kg,分别比对照湖桑32号提高10.37%、10.43%、8.32%。秋叶硬化迟。新品种适合在四川省的平坝、丘陵、特别是容易发生干旱的蚕区栽植。     

Micromorphological characterization and label-free quantitation of small rubber particle protein in natural rubber latex

Commercial natural rubber is traditionally supplied by Hevea brasiliensis, but now there is a big energy problem because of the limited resource and increasing demand. Intensive study of key rubber-related substances is urgently needed for further research of in vitro biosynthesis of natural rubber. Natural rubber is biosynthesized on the surface of rubber particles. A membrane protein called small rubber particle protein (SRPP) is a key protein associated closely with rubber biosynthesis; however, SRPP in different plants has been only qualitatively studied, and there are no quantitative reports so far. In this work, H. brasiliensis was chosen as a model plant. The microscopic distribution of SRPP on the rubber particles during the washing process was investigated by transmission electron microscopy–immunogold labeling. A label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor was developed to quantify SRPP in H. brasiliensis for the first time. The immunosensor was then used to rapidly detect and analyze SRPP in dandelions and prickly lettuce latex samples. The label-free SPR immunosensor can be a desirable tool for rapid quantitation of the membrane protein SRPP, with excellent assay efficiency, high sensitivity, and high specificity. The method lays the foundation for further study of the functional relationship between SRPP and natural rubber content.     

Adjuvant-dependent regulation of interleukin-17 expressing γδ T cells and inhibition of Th2 responses in allergic airways disease

Background

Th2 immune responses are linked primarily to mild and moderate asthma, while Th17 cells, Interleukin-17A (IL-17) and neutrophilia have been implicated in more severe forms of disease. How Th2-dependent allergic reactions are influenced by Th17 and IL-17-γδ T cells is poorly understood. In murine models, under some conditions, IL-17 promotes Th2-biased airway inflammatory responses. However, IL-17-γδ T cells have been implicated in the inhibition and resolution of allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (AHR).

Methods

We compared airway responses in Balb/c mice sensitized to OVA with (and without) a Th2-skewing aluminum-based adjuvant and the IL-17 skewing, complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). AHR was measured invasively by flexiVent, while serum OVA-IgE was quantified by an enzyme immunoassay. Airway inflammatory and cytokine profiles, and cellular sources of IL-17 were assessed from bronchoalveolar lavage and/or lungs. The role of γδ T cells in these responses was addressed in OVA/CFA sensitized mice using a γδ T cell antibody.

Results

Following OVA challenge, all mice exhibited mixed eosinophilic/neutrophilic airway inflammatory profiles and elevated serum OVA-IgE. Whereas OVA/alum sensitized mice had moderate inflammation and AHR, OVA/CFA sensitized mice had significantly greater inflammation but lacked AHR. This correlated with a shift in IL-17 production from CD4⁺ to γδ T cells. Additionally, OVA/CFA sensitized mice, given a γδ TCR stimulatory antibody, showed increased frequencies of IL-17-γδ T cells and diminished airway reactivity and eosinophilia.

Conclusions

Thus, the conditions of antigen sensitization influence the profile of cells that produce IL-17, the balance of which may then modulate the airway inflammatory responses, including AHR. The possibility for IL-17-γδ T cells to reduce AHR and robust eosinophilic inflammation provides evidence that therapeutic approaches focused on stimulating and increasing airway IL-17-γδ T cells may be an effective alternative in treating steroid resistant, severe asthma.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-014-0090-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

橡胶草的研究进展

天然橡胶是一种不可替代的重要战略工业原料, 用途广泛。巴西橡胶树作为天然橡胶的主要来源, 受种植面积限制, 难以满足全球日益增长的对天然橡胶的需求。而南美叶疫病也是巴西橡胶树(Hevea brasiliensis)安全的潜在威胁。蒲公英属产胶植物(橡胶草)最早发现于20世纪30年代, 可产生高质量的天然橡胶, 具有生长周期短、地理适应范围广、适合机械化生产等特点, 被认为是一种理想的产胶备选作物。该文从橡胶草种质资源、遗传改良、栽培技术及产胶生物学机制等方面综述了国内外橡胶草的研究进展和存在的问题, 并为我国开展橡胶草相关研究提出建议。     

产聚羟基脂肪酸酯细菌的筛选与鉴定

【目的】聚羟基脂肪酸酯(polyhydroxyalkanoates,PHAs)是一种生物可降解的天然高分子聚酯,本研究的目的是从广东省某啤酒厂废弃的活性污泥中分离筛选PHAs产生菌。【方法】首先,从活性污泥中分离PHAs产生菌。分离方法分3步:(1)富集培养PHAs产生菌;(2)通过苏丹黑B染色法进行初筛;(3)挑选PHAs产量较高的菌株,然后对细胞内提取产物进行分析,最后通过生理生化试验和16SrRNA基因序列分析法对该菌株进行鉴定。【结果】从广东省某啤酒厂的活性污泥样品中筛选获得PHAs产生菌HG-B-1,被鉴定为嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophlia)。细胞染色分析、胞内提取物的红外光谱分析表明HG-B-1胞内贮藏物为PHAs。该菌株在以蔗糖为碳源、牛肉膏为氮源的发酵培养基中,37℃振荡培养24h,PHAs产量可达细胞干重的23.4%。【结论】本文从广东省某啤酒厂的活性污泥中筛选得到PHAs产生菌,获得了一株新型的PHAs产生菌,为进一步研究和开发新型的PHAs产生菌提供了菌源和基础资料。     

蜗孢属两个新种和一个中国新记录

蜗孢属隶属于子囊菌门Ascomycota毛筒壳科Tubeufiaceae,它们形态特征独特,能够产生多种活性次级代谢产物,具有一定的应用前景。本研究从中国海南省采集的腐木标本上分离到3种卷旋型丝孢真菌,通过ITS、LSU、RPB2和TEF1α多基因系统发育分析证据结合形态学特征,确定了它们的分类地位。结果表明,其中2个物种为蜗孢属新种,1个物种为中国新记录。为纪念李玉院士在中国菌物学界做出的贡献,本文特将其中一个新物种命名为李玉蜗孢菌。     

Single molecule analysis of Thermus thermophilus SSB protein dynamics on single-stranded DNA

Single-stranded (ss) DNA binding (SSB) proteins play central roles in DNA replication, recombination and repair in all organisms. We previously showed that Escherichia coli (Eco) SSB, a homotetrameric bacterial SSB, undergoes not only rapid ssDNA-binding mode transitions but also one-dimensional diffusion (or migration) while remaining bound to ssDNA. Whereas the majority of bacterial SSB family members function as homotetramers, dimeric SSB proteins were recently discovered in a distinct bacterial lineage of extremophiles, the Thermus–Deinococcus group. Here we show, using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), that homodimeric bacterial SSB from Thermus thermophilus (Tth) is able to diffuse spontaneously along ssDNA over a wide range of salt concentrations (20–500 mM NaCl), and that TthSSB diffusion can help transiently melt the DNA hairpin structures. Furthermore, we show that two TthSSB molecules undergo transitions among different DNA-binding modes while remaining bound to ssDNA. Our results extend our previous observations on homotetrameric SSBs to homodimeric SSBs, indicating that the dynamic features may be shared among different types of SSB proteins. These dynamic features of SSBs may facilitate SSB redistribution and removal on/from ssDNA, and help recruit other SSB-interacting proteins onto ssDNA for subsequent DNA processing in DNA replication, recombination and repair.