Th2 polarization in target organs is involved in the alleviation of pathological damage mediated by transplanting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-primed donor T cells

Acute graft-versus-host disease(a GVHD) is caused by allo-activated donor T cells infiltrating target organs. As a regulator of immune function, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF) has been demonstrated to relieve the a GVHD reaction.However, the role of G-CSF-primed donor Tcells in specific target organs is still unknown. In this study, we employed a classical MHC-mismatched transplantation mouse model(C57BL/6 into BALB/c) and found that recipient mice transplanted with GCSF-primed T cells exhibited prolonged survival compared with that of the PBS-treated group. This protective function against GVHD mediated by G-CSF-primed donor T cells was further confirmed by decreased clinical and pathological scores in this a GVHD mouse model, especially in the lung and gut. Moreover, we found that Tcells polarized towards Th2 cells and regulatory T cells were increased in specific target organs. In addition, G-CSF treatment inhibited inducible co-stimulator(ICOS) expression and increased the expression of tolerance-related genes in recipient mice. Our study provides new insight into the immune regulatory effects of G-CSF on T cell-mediated a GVHD, especially for its precise regulation in GVHD target organs.     

Net sodium fluxes change significantly at anatomically distinct root zones of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings

Casparian bands of endodermis and exodermis play crucial roles in blocking apoplastic movement of ions and water into the stele of roots through the cortex. These apoplastic barriers differ considerably in structure and function along the developing root. The present study assessed net Na⁺ fluxes in anatomically distinct root zones of rice seedlings and analyzed parts of individual roots showing different Na⁺ uptake. The results indicated that anatomically distinct root zones contributed differently to the overall uptake of Na⁺. The average Na⁺ uptake in root zones in which Casparian bands of the endo- and exo-dermis were interrupted by initiating lateral root primordia (root zone III) was significantly greater than that at the root apex, where Casparian bands were not yet formed (root zone I), or in the region where endo- and exo-dermis with Casparian bands were well developed (root zone II). The measurement of net Na⁺ fluxes using a non-invasive scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) demonstrated that net Na⁺ flux varied significantly in different positions along developing rice roots, and a net Na⁺ influx was obvious at the base of young lateral root primordia. Since sodium fluxes changed significantly along developing roots of rice seedlings, we suggest that the significantly distinct net Na⁺ flux profile may be attributed to different apoplastic permeability due to lateral root primordia development for non-selective apoplastic bypass of ions along the apoplast.     

杠柳橡胶合成关键基因CPT、SRPP和REF启动子克隆与表达特性分析

巴西橡胶树（Hevea brasiliensis）是天然橡胶的主要来源。受热带气候条件限制,我国巴西橡胶树种植面积有限,天然橡胶自给率低。杠柳（Periploca sepium）可以合成顺式-1,4-聚异戊二烯（天然橡胶的主要成分）,是一种天然橡胶的新型替代植物,但其合成调控机理尚不明确。本研究利用染色体步移方法,克隆获得了杠柳顺式-1,4-聚异戊二烯合成关键酶顺式-异戊烯基转移酶（cis-prenyltransferase,CPT）、小橡胶粒子蛋白（small rubber particle protein,SRPP）和橡胶延长因子（rubber elongation factor,REF）基因的启动子序列。以β-葡糖醛酸酶（β-glucuronidase,GUS）基因为报告基因,利用农杆菌（Agrobacterium）介导稳定遗传转化法解析了这3个启动子的组织表达特性。结果显示,这三者在杠柳的叶片和茎中均有表达,特别是在叶脉和维管束位置共同表达,提示在这些部位REF和SRPP与CPT可能相互作用,共同完成天然橡胶的主要成分顺式-1,4-聚异戊二烯的聚合。本研究为解析杠柳中天然橡胶的生物合成机制以及培育高产天然橡胶新品种提供了理论基础。