ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a cell model expressing the Langerhans cell-specific C type lectin receptor Langerin in vitro.Methods The cDNA of Langerin was obtained by PCR and cloned into a eukauotic green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression vector pEGFP-C 1 with EGFP located in the N terminal region of the Langerin gene.Then,the recombinant plasmid was transfected into a human embryonic kidney carcinoma cell line HEK293T.Subsequently,laser confocal microscopy was performed to observe the expression of EGFP-Langerin fusion protein,and flow cytometry to measure the expression of Langerin.Laser confocal microscopy was also conducted to visualize the recognition and endocytosis of dust mite antigen (nDer p 2) by Langerin.Results PCR and Western blot confirmed the successful transfection of HEK293T cells with the recombinant plasmid as well as the expression of Langerin in the transfected cells.As flow cytometry revealed,the expression level of Langerin in transfected HEK293T cells was increased by 43％ compared with untransfected cells.Laser confocal microscopy showed that green fluorescein-labeled Langerin was successfully expressed,and could bind to and endocytose the red fluorescein-labeled antigen nDer p 2.Conclusions The fusion protein EGFP-Langerin expressed in HEK293T cells showed the distribution characteristic of cell surface receptors,and could bind to and endocytose allergens.
ABSTRACT
Objective To establish a cellular model for the expression of the C-type lectin dendritic cellspecific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN),and to provide a basis for the functional analysis of DC-SIGN.Methods The cDNA of DC-SIGN was obtained via PCR,and cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector porcine cytomegalovirus-enhanced green fluorescent protein (PCMV-EGFP) with EGFP at the N terminal of DC-SIGN.Then,the recombinant PCMV-EGFP-DC-SIGN plasmid was transfected into HEK293T cells followed by the detection of DC-SIGN expression using PCR,Western blot and flow cytometry.Confocal microscopy was performed to localize the expression of DC-SIGN-EGFP and visualize the recognization and internalization of the Derp2 allergen by DC-SIGN.Results The recombinant fluorescent fusion protein-expressing plasmid was successfully constructed.Both PCR and Western blot confirmed the expression of DC-SIGN.Flow cytometry showed that the expression of DC-SIGN was increased by approximately 50％ in HEK293T cells transfected with the recombinant expression plasmid compared with those untransfected.As confocal microscopy showed,the green fluorescence-labelled DC-SIGN was located on the cell membrane,which could bind to the red fluorescence-labelled antigen Derp2 and internalize it into the cells.Conclusions The recombinant DC-SIGN-EGFP fusion protein is characteristically located on the surface of 293T cells,which can be recognized by the DC-SIGN-specific antibody and is capable of internalizing the allergen Derp2,and may serve as an ideal cell model for further studies on molecular function of DC-SIGN.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the relationship between expressions of C-type lectin receptors on natural killer(NK) cells and infant human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. Methods Seventynine cases of HCMV infection infants and 39 cases of HCMV non-infection control infants admitted during January 2006 to June 2008 were recruited in this study. According to HCMV pp65 antigenemia levels in the peripheral blood, 79 cases of HCMV infection infants were divided into two groups: 48cases of active HCMV infection and 31 cases of inactive HCMV infection. The 48 cases of infants with active HCMV infection were treated with ganciclovir for 2 weeks. The expressions of NKG2A,NKG2C, and NKG2D receptors on NK cells in the peripheral blood were examined by flow cytometry.Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 software. Comparisons among 3 groups were performed by Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test for independent samples and comparisons between groups were done by Mann-Whiteney nonparametric test for paired samples. Results There was no difference of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A expression on NK cells among groups of active HCMV infection, inactive HCMV infection and HCMV non-infection controls (x2 = 3. 95, P＞0. 05). However, there was obvious difference of activating receptors of NKG2C and NKG2D expressions on NK cells among the three groups (x2 =24.91 and x2 =47. 80, respectively; both P＜0.01). The expressions of NKG2C and NKG2D on NK cells in the HCMV infection group were both higher than the control group (Z=-4.72 and Z=-5.15, respectively; both P＜0.01). The expression of NKG2D on NK cells in the active HCMV infection group was higher than that in the inactive HCMV infection group (Z= -5.08,P＜0.01). The expression of NKG2D on NK cells decreased after ganciclovir treatment (Z= - 1.34,P=0. 07). Conclusion Expressions of NKG2C and NKG2D on NK cells might play a significant role in regulating NK cell function and anti-HCMV immunity in infants.