Molecular Detection of Tick-borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Hainan Island, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Pathogens like bacteria and protozoa, which affect human and animal health worldwide, can be transmitted by vectors like ticks. To investigate the epidemiology and genetic diversity of bacteria and protozoans carried by ticks in Chengmai county of Hainan province, China, 285 adult hard ticks belonging to two species [

Péptido inmunomodulador CIGB-258 para el tratamiento de pacientes graves y críticos con la COVID-19 / An immunomodulatory peptide CIGB-258 for the treatment of critical and severe COVID-19 patients

Introducción: El CIGB-258 es un péptido inmunomodulador con propiedades antiinflamatorias. Objetivos: Establecer la frecuencia de dosis y el tiempo de tratamiento con el péptido CIGB-258, para pacientes críticos con COVID-19. Además, definir los criterios de uso y el esquema terapéutico del péptido, para pacientes graves con COVID-19. Métodos: Se incluyeron 9 pacientes críticos y 3 pacientes graves. Las evaluaciones clínicas, radiológicas y de laboratorio se registraron de acuerdo al protocolo establecido. Se obtuvieron muestras de suero antes y después del tratamiento con la CIGB-258, para la determinación de los biomarcadores de la inflamación. Resultados: Se estableció el protocolo de actuación con el péptido CIGB-258, el cual consiste en la administración intravenosa de 1 mg del péptido cada 12 horas a los pacientes críticos. La dosis debe aumentarse a 2 mg cada 12 horas, para los pacientes que no muestren mejoría clínica y radiológica en 24 horas. Después de la extubación, los pacientes deben recibir 1 mg de CIGB-258 al día, durante otros tres días. Los pacientes graves deben recibir 1 mg de CIGB-258 cada 12 horas, hasta que resuelvan su condición clínica. Conclusiones: CIGB-258 mostró un buen perfil de seguridad. El protocolo de actuación establecido contribuyó a que todos los pacientes críticos se recuperaran de la dificultad respiratoria y fueran extubados. Los pacientes graves mejoraron considerablemente. Los niveles de los biomarcadores asociados con hiperinflamación y las citocinas disminuyeron significativamente durante el tratamiento(AU)

Introduction: CIGB-258 is an immunomodulatory peptide with anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: To establish the therapeutic schedule with CIGB-258 peptide for COVID-19 critically ill patients. In addition, to define the criteria for use and schedule of this peptide for COVID-19 seriously ill patients. Methods: 9 critically ill patients and 3 seriously ill patients were included in this study. Clinical, radiological and laboratory evaluations were recorded according to the established protocol. Serum samples were obtained before and after treatment with CIGB-258, for the determination of the inflammation biomarkers. Results: The therapeutic protocol was established with the CIGB-258 peptide, which consists of intravenous administration of 1 mg of peptide every 12 hours for critically ill patients. The dose should be increased to 2 mg every 12 hours, for patients who do not show clinical and radiological improvement in 24 hours. After extubation, patients should receive 1 mg of CIGB-258 daily, for another three days. Seriously ill patients should receive 1 mg of CIGB-258 every 12 hours, until their clinical condition resolves. Conclusions: CIGB-258 showed an excellent safety profile. The established therapeutic protocol contributed to all critically ill patients recovering from respiratory distress and being extubated. Seriously ill patients improved considerably. The levels of the biomarkers associated with hyperinflammation and cytokines decreased significantly during treatment(AU)

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with suspected tuberculosis and the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium avium in the extreme south of Brazil / Micobactérias não tuberculosas em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose e a diversidade genética de Mycobacterium avium no extremo sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that are widely distributed in nature and associated with opportunistic infections in humans. The aims of this study were to identify NTM in patients with suspected tuberculosis who presented positive cultures and to evaluate the genetic diversity of strains identified as Mycobacterium avium. Methods: We studied pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples obtained from 1,248 patients. The samples that tested positive on culture and negative for the M. tuberculosis complex by molecular identification techniques were evaluated by detection of the hsp65 and rpoB genes and sequencing of conserved fragments of these genes. All strains identified as M. avium were genotyped using the eight-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat method. Results: We found that NTM accounted for 25 (7.5%) of the 332 mycobacteria isolated. Of those 25, 18 (72%) were M. avium, 5 (20%) were M. abscessus, 1 (4%) was M. gastri, and 1 (4%) was M. kansasii. The 18 M. avium strains showed high diversity, only two strains being genetically related. Conclusions: These results highlight the need to consider the investigation of NTM in patients with suspected active tuberculosis who present with positive cultures, as well as to evaluate the genetic diversity of M. avium strains.

RESUMO Objetivo: As micobactérias não tuberculosas (MNT) são um grupo heterogêneo de bactérias amplamente distribuídas na natureza e relacionadas com infecções oportunistas em seres humanos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar MNT em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose e culturas positivas e avaliar a diversidade genética de cepas identificadas como Mycobacterium avium. Métodos: Foram estudadas amostras pulmonares e extrapulmonares provenientes de 1.248 pacientes. As amostras que apresentaram resultado positivo em cultura e negativo para o complexo M. tuberculosis na identificação molecular foram avaliadas por meio da detecção dos genes hsp65 e rpoB e de sequenciamento de fragmentos conservados desses genes. Todas as cepas identificadas como M. avium foram genotipadas pelo método mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat com oito loci. Resultados: Das 332 micobactérias isoladas, 25 (7,5%) eram MNT. Dessas 25, 18 (72%) eram M. avium, 5 (20%) eram M. abscessus, 1 (4%) era M. gastri e 1 (4%) era M. kansasii. As 18 cepas de M. avium apresentaram alta diversidade, e apenas duas eram geneticamente relacionadas. Conclusões: Esses resultados mostram a necessidade de considerar a investigação de MNT em pacientes com suspeita de tuberculose ativa e culturas positivas e de avaliar a diversidade genética de cepas de M. avium.

Identification of proteins differentially expressed by glutamate treatment in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Glutamate leads to neuronal cell damage by generating neurotoxicity during brain development. The objective of this study is to identify proteins that differently expressed by glutamate treatment in neonatal cerebral cortex. Sprague-Dawley rat pups (post-natal day 7) were intraperitoneally injected with vehicle or glutamate (10 mg/kg). Brain tissues were isolated 4 h after drug treatment and fixed for morphological study. Moreover, cerebral cortices were collected for protein study. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were carried out to identify specific proteins. We observed severe histopathological changes in glutamate-exposed cerebral cortex. We identified various proteins that differentially expressed by glutamate exposure. Identified proteins were thioredoxin, peroxiredoxin 5, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1, proteasome subunit alpha proteins, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and heat shock protein 60. Heat shock protein 60 was increased in glutamate exposed condition. However, other proteins were decreased in glutamate-treated animals. These proteins are related to anti-oxidant, protein degradation, metabolism, signal transduction, and anti-apoptotic function. Thus, our findings can suggest that glutamate leads to neonatal cerebral cortex damage by regulation of specific proteins that mediated with various functions.

Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent kinase II delta B is essential for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and complement gene expression after LPS and HSP60 stimulation in vitro

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), suggesting that the immune system is a target of therapeutic interventions used for treating CVDs. This study evaluated mechanisms underlying inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy associated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or heat shock protein 60 (HSP60)-induced Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation and the effect of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) against Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II delta B (CaMKIIδB) on these outcomes. Our results showed that treatment with HSP60 or LPS (TLR agonists) induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and complement system C3 and factor B gene expression. In vitro silencing of CaMKIIδB prevented complement gene transcription and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy associated with TLR 2/4 activation but did not prevent the increase in interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alfa gene expression in primary cultured cardiomyocytes. Moreover, CaMKIIδB silencing attenuated nuclear factor-kappa B expression. These findings supported the hypothesis that CaMKIIδB acts as a link between inflammation and cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, the present study is the first to show that extracellular HSP60 activated complement gene expression through CaMKIIδB. Our results indicated that a stress stimulus induced by LPS or HSP60 treatment promoted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and initiated an inflammatory response through the complement system. However, CaMKIIδB silencing prevented the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy independent of inflammatory response induced by LPS or HSP60 treatment.

Immune Responses Induced by HSP60 DNA Vaccine against Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Kunming Mice

Toxoplasma gondii can infect all the vertebrates including human, and leads to serious toxoplasmosis and considerable veterinary problems. T. gondii heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is associated with the activation of antigen presenting cells by inducing initial immune responses and releasing inflammatory cytokines. It might be a potential DNA vaccine candidate for this parasite. A pVAX-HSP60 DNA vaccine was constructed and immune responses was evaluated in Kunming mice in this study. Our data indicated that the innate and adaptive immune responses was elicited by successive immunizations with pVAX-HSP60 DNA, showing apparent increases of CD3e+CD4+ and CD3e+CD8a+ T cells in spleen tissues of the HSP60 DNA-immunized mice (24.70±1.23% and 10.90±0.89%, P < 0.05) and higher levels of specific antibodies in sera. Furthermore, the survival period of the immunized mice (10.53±4.78 day) were significantly prolonged during the acute T. gondii infection. Decrease of brain cysts was significant in the experimental group during the chronic infection (P < 0.01). Taken together, TgHSP60 DNA can be as a vaccine candidate to prevent the acute and chronic T. gondii infections.

Recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: is it a good antigen for serological diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis?

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and P. lutzii are fungi that cause paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), the most prevalent systemic mycosis in South America. For serological diagnosis, although 43-kDa glycoprotein (gp43) is regarded as highly specific for PCM, the occurrence of false negative reactions in sera from patients infected with P. lutzii suggests that preparation with only one antigen is not recommended. Heat shock proteins are feasible alternatives as a second antigen because they are often highly immunogenic. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of recombinant 60-kDa heat shock protein from P. brasiliensis (rPbHsp60) for the serological diagnosis of PCM. Using western blotting assay, we observed that 77.3% of the sera from PCM patients were positive to rPbHsp60, with 90.9% positivity to recombinant gp43 (rgp43). More importantly, sera from healthy subjects had 27% positivity to rPbHsp60 and none to rgp43. When rPbHsp60 was used in ELISA, we did not observe significant differences between the reactions with sera from PCM patients and healthy subjects, while the difference was clearly evident when the antigen was rgp43. Furthermore, rPbHsp60 was recognized by sera from patients with histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, sporotrichosis or tuberculosis in an ELISA test. These results show that rPbHsp60 is not a good antigen for PCM diagnosis.

Production of the phospholipase D and heat-shock protein [HSP]-60 recombinant proteins from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Background: Caseous lymphadenitis, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable losses for herd owners. Phospholipase D [PLD] is a potent exotoxin produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and it has been considered as the major virulence factor for this bacterium, possibly contributing to the spread of the bacteria from the initial site of infection to secondary sites within the host. Heat shock proteins [HSPs] are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune re-sponses in mammals

Objectives: The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of the PLD and HSP genes of C. pseudotuberculosis

Methods: PLD and HSP[60] genes were cloned into pMAL-c2X vector and recombinant plasmids construct was transformed to DH[5] strain of E. coll. Expression of the proteins was shown by SDS-PAGE and accuracy of the cloned genes was confirmed by nucleo-tide sequence analysis

Results: The transformed E. coll strain DH[5] expressed PLD and HSP60 proteins effectively. The expressed fusion protein was found almost entirely in the soluble form

Conclusions: In the following studies the immunogenicity and protectivity of these recombinant proteins against C. pseudotuberculosis infections can be assessed

A potent multivalent vaccine for modulation of immune system in atherosclerosis: an in silico approach

PURPOSE: Atherosclerosis is classically defined as an immune-mediated disease characterized by accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol over intima in medium sized and large arteries. Recent studies have demonstrated that both innate and adaptive immune responses are involved in atherosclerosis. In addition, experimental and human models have recognized many autoantigens in pathophysiology of this disease. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins, beta2 glycoprotein I (beta-2-GPI), and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) are the best studied of them which can represent promising approach to design worthwhile vaccines for modulation of atherosclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In silico approaches are the best tools for design and evaluation of the vaccines before initiating the experimental study. In this study, we identified immunogenic epitopes of HSP60, ApoB-100, and beta-2-GPI as major antigens to construct a chimeric protein through bioinformatics tools. Additionally, we have evaluated physico-chemical properties, structures, stability, MHC binding properties, humoral and cellular immune responses, and allergenicity of this chimeric protein by means of bioinformatics tools and servers. RESULTS: Validation results indicated that 89.1% residues locate in favorite or additional allowed region of Ramachandran plot. Also, based on Ramachandran plot analysis this protein could be classified as a stable fusion protein. In addition, the epitopes in the chimeric protein had strong potential to induce both the B-cell and T-cell mediated immune responses. CONCLUSION: Our results supported that this chimeric vaccine could be effectively utilized as a multivalent vaccine for prevention and modulation of atherosclerosis.

Prevalence of Anaplasma and Bartonella spp. in Ticks Collected from Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus)

Deer serve as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens that impact on medical and veterinary health worldwide. In the Republic of Korea, the population of Korean water deer (KWD, Hydropotes inermis argyropus) has greatly increased from 1982 to 2011, in part, as a result of reforestation programs established following the Korean War when much of the land was barren of trees. Eighty seven Haemaphysalis flava, 228 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 8 Ixodes nipponensis, and 40 Ixodes persulcatus (21 larvae, 114 nymphs, and 228 adults) were collected from 27 out of 70 KWD. A total of 89/363 ticks (266 pools, 24.5% minimum infection rate) and 5 (1.4%) fed ticks were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum using nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene fragment sequences of 88/89 (98.9%) of positive samples for A. phagocytophilum corresponded to previously described gene sequences from KWD spleen tissues. The 16S rRNA gene fragment sequences of 20/363 (5.5%) of the ticks were positive for A. bovis and were identical to previously reported sequences. Using the ITS specific nested PCR, 11/363 (3.0%) of the ticks were positive for Bartonella spp. This is the first report of Anaplasma and Bartonella spp. detected in ticks collected from KWD, suggesting that ticks are vectors of Anaplasma and Bartonella spp. between reservoir hosts in natural surroundings.

Potential Interaction of Plasmodium falciparum Hsp60 and Calpain

After invasion of red blood cells, malaria matures within the cell by degrading hemoglobin avidly. For enormous protein breakdown in trophozoite stage, many efficient and ordered proteolysis networks have been postulated and exploited. In this study, a potential interaction of a 60-kDa Plasmodium falciparum (Pf)-heat shock protein (Hsp60) and Pf-calpain, a cysteine protease, was explored. Pf-infected RBC was isolated and the endogenous Pf-Hsp60 and Pf-calpain were determined by western blot analysis and similar antigenicity of GroEL and Pf-Hsp60 was determined with anti-Pf-Hsp60. Potential interaction of Pf-calpain and Pf-Hsp60 was determined by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assay. Mizoribine, a well-known inhibitor of Hsp60, attenuated both Pf-calpain enzyme activity as well as P. falciparum growth. The presented data suggest that the Pf-Hsp60 may function on Pf-calpain in a part of networks during malaria growth.

Evaluation of circulatory and salivary levels of heat shock protein 60 in periodontal health and disease.

Background: Self‑antigens such as heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60) have recently been implicated in the periodontal disease pathogenesis. There is scant evidence regarding HSP 60 levels in circulation and saliva following periodontal disease and its possible relation to systemic inflammation. Aim of the Study: The aim was to evaluate the circulatory and salivary levels of HSP 60 in periodontal health and disease and to correlate it with high sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hs‑CRP). Materials and Methods: Forty‑five peripheral blood samples were collected from two groups of patients (periodontally healthy ‑ Group A [22 patients] and periodontal disease ‑ Group B [23 patients]). Serum, cell lysates, and saliva samples were used to detect HSP 60 levels in both groups by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. Measurement of hs‑CRP was performed using an immunoturbidimetric assay. Statistical analysis was done using the student t‑test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Circulatory HSP 60 was significantly increased in periodontal disease compared to health (P ‑ 0.038). There was a significant correlation between the totals circulating HSP 60 and hs‑CRP (P ‑ 0.052), but there was no significant correlation between the salivary HSP 60 and hs‑CRP levels in periodontal disease. Conclusion: Circulating HSP 60 levels may play a role in the systemic inflammatory state produced by periodontal disease. Salivary HSP 60 may not be used as a surrogate to determine systemic inflammation.

Effects of long-term sleep deprivation on mitochondria stress in locus coeruleus and the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection in mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the changes of mitochondria stress in locus coeruleus and the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection after long-term sleep deprivation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sleep deprivation mice model was set up by employing "novel environments" method. The expression of NAD -dependent deacetylase Sirtuin type 3 (SIRT3), which regulates mitochondrial energy production and oxidative stress, and heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), a major biomarker of mitochondrial stress, and the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection from locus coeruleus were analyzed after a 5-day sleep deprivation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the control group, the expression of SIRT3 in locus coeruleus was significantly decreased in respouse to long-term sleep deprivation, while the expression of HSP60 was significantly increased. In addition, relative to control group, pereentage area of the tyrosine hydroxylasic projection to anterior cingulate cortex was substantial decreased in long-term sleep deprivation group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term sleep deprivation induced the decreased level of SIRT3 expression and the elevation of mitochondrial stress in locus coenileus, which may further lead to the loss of tyrosine hydroxylasic projection in mice.</p>

Human CD103+ dendritic cells promote the differentiation of Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein peptide-specific regulatory T cells

PURPOSE: Regulatory T cells (Tregs), expressing CD4 and CD25 as well as Foxp3, are known to play a pivotal role in immunoregulatory function in autoimmune diseases, cancers, and graft rejection. Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered the major antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for initiating these T-cell immune responses, of which CD103+ DCs are derived from precursor human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of these PBMC-derived CD103+ DCs to promote the differentiation of antigen-specific Tregs. METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs were induced from CD14+ monocytes from the PBMCs of 10 healthy subjects. Once the CD103+ DCs were purified, the cell population was enriched by adding retinoic acid (RA). Peptide numbers 14 and 19 of Porphyromonas gingivalis heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) were synthesized to pulse CD103+ DCs as a tool for presenting the peptide antigens to stimulate CD3+ T cells that were isolated from human PBMC. Exogenous interleukin 2 was added as a coculture supplement. The antigen-specific T-cell lines established were phenotypically identified for their expression of CD4, CD25, or Foxp3. RESULTS: When PBMCs were used as APCs, they demonstrated only a marginal capacity to stimulate peptide-specific Tregs, whereas CD103+ DCs showed a potent antigen presenting capability to promote the peptide-specific Tregs, especially for peptide 14. RA enhanced the conversion of CD103+ DCs, which paralleled the antigen-specific Treg-stimulating effect, though the differences failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that CD103+ DCs can promote antigen-specific Tregs from naive T cells, when used as APCs for an epitope peptide from P. gingivalis HSP60. RA was an effective reagent that induces mature DCs with the typical phenotypic expression of CD103 that demonstrated the functional capability to promote antigen-specific Tregs.

First Case of Mycobacterium longobardum Infection

Mycobacterium longobardum is a slow-growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium that was first characterized from the M. terrae complex in 2012. We report a case of M. longobardum induced chronic osteomyelitis. A 71-yr-old man presented with inflammation in the left elbow and he underwent a surgery under the suspicion of tuberculous osteomyelitis. The pathologic tissue culture grew M. longobardum which was identified by analysis of the 65-kDa heat shock protein and full-length 16S rRNA genes. The patient was cured with the medication of clarithromycin and ethambutol without further complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a M. longobardum infection worldwide.

Expression changes of major outer membrane protein antigens in Leptospira interrogans during infection and its mechanism / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine expression changes of major outer membrane protein(OMP) antigens of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Lai strain Lai during infection of human macrophages and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>OmpR encoding genes and OmpR-related histidine kinase (HK) encoding gene of L.interrogans strain Lai and their functional domains were predicted using bioinformatics technique. mRNA level changes of the leptospiral major OMP-encoding genes before and after infection of human THP-1 macrophages were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Effects of the OmpR-encoding genes and HK-encoding gene on the expression of leptospiral OMPs during infection were determined by HK-peptide antiserum block assay and closantel inhibitive assays.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The bioinformatics analysis indicated that LB015 and LB333 were referred to OmpR-encoding genes of the spirochete, while LB014 might act as a OmpR-related HK-encoding gene. After the spirochete infecting THP-1 cells, mRNA levels of leptospiral lipL21, lipL32 and lipL41 genes were rapidly and persistently down-regulated (P <0.01), whereas mRNA levels of leptospiral groEL, mce, loa22 and ligB genes were rapidly but transiently up-regulated (P<0.01). The treatment with closantel and HK-peptide antiserum partly reversed the infection-based down-regulated mRNA levels of lipL21 and lipL48 genes (P <0.01). Moreover, closantel caused a decrease of the infection-based up-regulated mRNA levels of groEL, mce, loa22 and ligB genes (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Expression levels of L.interrogans strain Lai major OMP antigens present notable changes during infection of human macrophages. There is a group of OmpR-and HK-encoding genes which may play a major role in down-regulation of expression levels of partial OMP antigens during infection.</p>

Prokaryotic expression of Leptospira interrogans groEL gene and immunoprotection of its products in hamsters / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a prokaryotic expression system of groEL gene of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagia serovar Lai strain Lai, and to determine the immunoprotective effect of recombinant GroEL protein (rGroEL) in LVG hamsters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The groEL gene was amplified by high fidelity PCR and the amplification products were then sequenced. A prokaryotic expression system of groEL gene was constructed using routine genetic engineering technique. SDS-PAGE plus Bio-Rad Gel Image Analyzer was applied to examine the expression and dissolubility of rGroEL protein while Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was used to extract the expressed rGroEL. The immunoprotective rate in rGroEL-immunized LVG hamsters was determined after challenge with L.interrogans strain Lai. The cross agglutination titers of sera from immunized hamsters with different L.interrogans serogroups were detected using MAT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the cloned groEL gene were the same as those reported in GenBank. The constructed prokaryotic expression system of groEL gene expressed soluble rGroEL. The immunoprotective rates of 100 and 200 μg rGroEL in LVG hamsters were 50.0 % and 75.0%, respectively. The sera from the rGroEL-immunized LVG hamsters agglutinated all the L.interrogans serogroups tested with different levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The GroEL protein is a genus-specific immunoprotective antigen of L.interrogans and can be used to develop an universal genetically engineering vaccine of Leptospira.</p>

Effect of MHSP65-TCL anti-melanoma vaccine on the activity of immunocytes / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of MHSP65-TCL on melanoma and its effect on the activity of the immunocytes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MHSP65-TCL was prepared by mixing MHSP65 with TCL derived from B16 melanoma cell lysate by repeated freezing and thawing. The MHSP65-TCL vaccine was administered in mice bearing B16 melanoma, and the changes in melanoma growth was observed. To investigate the influence of TCL in MHSP65-TCL on the activity of the immunocytes, we co-cultured TCL and mouse spleen cells in vitro, and analyzed CD69 expression on the cells, cell apoptosis, and levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ in the cell culture supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The MHSP65-TCL vaccine showed an anti-melanoma effect in the tumor-bearing mice. In the in vitro experiment, TCL in MHSP65-TCL strongly stimulated the activation of mouse spleen cells while causing apoptosis in some of the immunocytes and promoting cellular IL-10 secretion, but not IFN-γ.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MHSP65-TCL derived from B16 melanoma cells has an anti-melanoma effect mediated by the activation of immunocytes. TCL in MHSP65-TCL also has immunosuppressive effect on immunocytes possibly due to the presence of suppressive components in TCL, and identifying and eliminating these components may potentially improve the anti-tumor actovoty of MSHP65-TCL vaccine.</p>

Changes of CK-MB and HSP 60 in electrical-injuried rats / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the changes of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60) in rats without electric marks after electric injury, to identify the relationship of the CK-MB, HSP 60 and the time of electric injuries, and to evaluate the damage to cells after electric injury.@*METHODS@#The animal model of electric injury without electric marks was established by alternating current (voltage 110 V). Automatic biochemistry analyzer was used to detect the serum CK-MB and immunohistochemical staining technology was used to analyze the tissues of myocardium and left lobe of liver.@*RESULTS@#The amount of serum CK-MB was increased when the rats were injuried, and reached the peak at 30min. Then the amount of CK-MB began to decrease and showed a slight downward trend in 3-5 h after electric injury, and leveled off at 6 h. Immunohistochemistry staining also showed the changes of HSP 60 of rats' myocardial cells and hepatic cells regularly after electric injury.@*CONCLUSION@#The regular changes of serum CK-MB and tissular HSP 60 in rats can be used to diagnosis electric injury and assess the injury of internal organs after the electric injury without electric marks.

Recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing Hsp65-hIL-2 fusion protein and its influence on lymphocyte function in mice

OBJECTIVE@#To construct a strain of recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing the heat shock protein 65 (Hsp65) and human interleukin 2 (IL-2) fusion protein (rMS-Hsp65/IL-2) and to explore the effect of this construct on lymphocyte function in mice.@*METHODS@#The fusion gene encoding Hsp65-hIL-2 was cloned into shuttle vector pSMT3. The recombinant plasmid pSMT3-Hsp65-hIL-2 was transferred to Mycobacterium smegmatis by electroporation. Positive clones were selected by hygromycin and identified by PCR. The expression of fusion protein Hsp65-hIL-2 was verified using indirect immunofluorescence staining. Mice were immunized for two times by subcutaneously injection with 1×10(6) CFU rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 at a three-week interval. Two weeks after the second immunization, mice were sacrificed and the serum samples were collected for determination of anti-Hsp65 specific IgG. Splenic lymphocytes were isolated and treated with the rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 to determine lymphocytic proliferation activity by MTT assay. IFN-γ- and IL-2 in the medium of the treated cells were also determined by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#Successful construction of rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 was verified by PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Compared to the splenic lymphocytes isolated from mice immunized with Bacille Calmette-Guerin or mice immunized with Mycobacterium smegmatis alone, the splenic lymphocytes isolated from mice immunized with rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 showed a marked increase in the proliferation of lymphocytes, together with an increased production of important cytokines such as IFN-γ-and IL-2.@*CONCLUSIONS@#rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 markedly enhances lymphocyte function. Therefore, the fusion protein generated by rMS-Hsp65/IL-2 may be of potential value in generating an effective vaccine against tuberculosis.