TNF-α/TNFR1 Signaling is Required for the Full Expression of Acute and Chronic Itch in Mice via Peripheral and Central Mechanisms / 神经科学通报·英文版

Increasing evidence suggests that cytokines and chemokines play crucial roles in chronic itch. In the present study, we evaluated the roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its receptors TNF receptor subtype-1 (TNFR1) and TNFR2 in acute and chronic itch in mice. Compared to wild-type (WT) mice, TNFR1-knockout (TNFR1-KO) and TNFR1/R2 double-KO (DKO), but not TNFR2-KO mice, exhibited reduced acute itch induced by compound 48/80 and chloroquine (CQ). Application of the TNF-synthesis inhibitor thalidomide and the TNF-α antagonist etanercept dose-dependently suppressed acute itch. Intradermal injection of TNF-α was not sufficient to evoke scratching, but potentiated itch induced by compound 48/80, but not CQ. In addition, compound 48/80 induced TNF-α mRNA expression in the skin, while CQ induced its expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. Furthermore, chronic itch induced by dry skin was reduced by administration of thalidomide and etanercept and in TNFR1/R2 DKO mice. Dry skin induced TNF-α expression in the skin, DRG, and spinal cord and TNFR1 expression only in the spinal cord. Thus, our findings suggest that TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling is required for the full expression of acute and chronic itch via peripheral and central mechanisms, and targeting TNFR1 may be beneficial for chronic itch treatment.

Construction,expression and identification of eukaryotic expression vector carrying Schistosoma japonicum gene coding lysophospholipase / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective Schistasoma japonicum(S.japonicum)lysophospholipase gene(Sjl539)from cDNA of S japonicum adult worms was amplified and subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)for expression of recombinant antigen and immunogenicity analysis.Methods Total RNA of S.japonicum was extracted to generato cDNA by RT-PCR.The Sj1539 gent was amplified.The DNA fragment was subcloned into eukaryofic expression vector pcDNA3.1(+)following insertion and amplification in pGEM-T.The recombinant plasmid was transfected into human cervical carcinoma cell strain(Hela cells)and expression products were identified by Western blotting.Results The size of PCR product was approximately 684 bp.It was confirmed that Sj1539 gene had been inserted successfully by the recombinant plasmid digested with two enzymes and PCR.It was verified that the expression product could react with S.japonicum-infected rabbit serum by Western blotting and the molecular weight was approximately 25×103.Conclusions The eukaryotie expression vector carrying Sj1539 gene has been established and the expression product has been obtained.

Prokaryotic expression of surface membrane antigen SAG1 gene from Toxoplasma Gondii and the diagnostic value of the recombinant protein / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of the recombinant surface antigen 1 (rSAG1) in immunodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Methods Isopropyl β-D- 1 -thio-galaetopyranoside (IPTG) was used to induce the expression of recombinant plasmid pET28a-SAG1 of Escherich coli(pET28a-SAG1/BL21 ). The expression products (rSAG1) of pET28a-SAG1/BL21 were identified by Western blotting. The serum of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, normal mouse serum and the serum from 10 toxoplasma gondii patients were used as primary anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, and the rSAG1 gene products were identified by Western blotting, by which the diagnostic value of rSAG1 in Toxoplasmosis was compared. Results After induction and purification, rSAG1 protein was obtained and its relative molecular mass was 38.5 × 103. The fusion protein could be recognized by the serum of mouse infected with Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites, rSAG1 of expression products of surface membrane antigen SAG1 gene from Toxoplasma Gondii could be detected in 4 cases from 10 patients by Westem blotting.Conclusion The rSAG1 has a potential value in the immunodiagnosis of Toxoplasmosis.

Influence of immunization dose schemes on immunoprotective response to recombinant signaling protein 14-3-3 of Schistosoma japonicum / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the optimal immunization dose by observing the immunoprotective effects of different doses of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) signaling protein 14-3-3 (rSj14-3-3).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sj14-3-3 gene was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28a, then transformed into E.coli to express by inducing. Purified rSj14-3-3 was prepared through SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), electroelution, dialysis, then BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups and immunized in rSj14-3-3 protein followed by challenging infection (the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd groups were immunized in 50 microg, 100 microg and 300 microg antigen, respectively. The 4th, 5th groups were immunized in Freund's adjuvant and normal saline controls). After 6 weeks of challenging infection, the mice were killed and the worm and egg reduction rates were calculated. And the mice sera in different time were taken to examine the specific anti-Sj14-3-3 IgG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>rSj14-3-3 protein was expressed successfully. After immunizing and challenging, worm reduction was found to be 28.20% in the 1st group, 43.10% in the 2nd group, 40.00% in the 3rd group, respectively. Number of eggs in liver tissue was reduced by 41.80%, 57.50%, 55.70%, respectively. Compared the results of the tested groups to the controls, the differences were of significance by t-test (worm reduction rate: t = 6.8 in the 1st group, t = 8.7 in the 2nd group, t = 7.3 in the 3rd group, P < 0.01 in all tested groups. Egg reduction rate at the group's number above: t = 11.23, t = 11.54, t = 7.99, P < 0.01 in all tested groups). As compared the results between the tested groups by chi(2), the differences were of significance between the 1st and the 2nd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 8.96, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 15.69, P < 0.05), between the 1st and the 3rd groups, the differences were also of significance (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 6.52, P < 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 12.52, P < 0.05). The difference was not of significance between the 2nd and the 3rd groups (worm reduction rate: chi(2) = 1.20, P > 0.05; egg reduction rate: chi(2) = 0.93, P > 0.05). In all tested groups, total anti-Sj14-3-3 specific IgG rose markedly. IgG(1) and IgG(2a) subtypes were high, but IgG(2b) and IgG(3) were near the background in four subtypes tested.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Immunoprotection of rSj14-3-3 should have some relations with immunization dose, and the protection obtained from immunizing mice by using 100 microg antigen was the best.</p>