ABSTRACT
Objective:To discuss the effects of recombinant IFN-α-IL-18 fusion protein on chicken lymphocyte transformation and the chicken nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB ) activity.Methods: The recombinant plasmids pPICZ-IFN-α, pPICZ-IL-18 and pPICZ-IFN-α-IL-18 were constructed,and transformed into P.Pastoris X-33 strain by electroporation.The recombinant proteins were ex-pressed under the induction of 1% methanol,and detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.The biological activities of the expressed products were detected by the lymphocyte transformation test,the NF-κB concentration in chicken lymphocyte and lymphocytic nucleus were detected at different times with ELISA.Results:SDS-PAGE and Western blot showed that the expressed products existed in super-natant,and the molecular weights were about 22 kD,23 kD and 43 kD,respectively.The expressed products IL-18 and IFN-α-IL-18 could stimulate chicken lymphocyte transformation (P0.05).Compared with the control group,the total NF-κB concentration in chicken lymphocyte induced by IL-18 and IFN-α-IL-18 were increased (P0.05),but the NF-κB in lymphocytic nucleus showed the remarkable increase ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion: IFN-α-IL-18 and IL-18 can promote lymphocyte transformation significantly, the activity of IFN-αinduced lymphocyte transformation is imperfect.The biological activity of stimulating lymphocyte transformation is associated with the NF-κB expression,activation and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport.The study built foundation for the function of IFN-α-IL-18 fusion protein and the exploration of the role of controlling epidemic diseases.