Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis associated with paracoccidioidomycosis in a patient with mannose receptor deficiency: First case reported in the literature

Abstract We describe the first report of a patient with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis associated with disseminated and recurrent paracoccidioidomycosis. The investigation demonstrated that the patient had a mannose receptor deficiency, which would explain the patient's susceptibility to chronic infection by Candida spp. and systemic infection by paracoccidioidomycosis. Mannose receptors are responsible for an important link between macrophages and fungal cells during phagocytosis. Deficiency of this receptor could explain the susceptibility to both fungal species, suggesting the impediment of the phagocytosis of these fungi in our patient.

D-mannose-conjugated polymeric micelles for targeted drug delivery / 生物工程学报

Polymeric micelles have exhibited attractive properties as drug carriers, such as high stability in vivo and good biocompatibility, and been successfully used to dissolve various drugs of poor aqueous solubilities. In this study, we developed a new type of polymeric micelles with mannose-mediated targeting and pH-responsive drug release properties for anticancer drug delivery. The polymeric micelles were prepared from an amphiphilic polymer, poly (glycidyl methacrylate)-g-mannose (PGMA-Mannose). An anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), was encapsulated into the micelles during the micellization, and could be released rapidly under acidic condition. The specificity of cellular uptake of the micelles by two different cell lines was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the MTT assay. DOX-loaded micelles were efficiently trapped by mannose-receptor-overexpressing cancer cells MDA-MB-231, whereas mannose- receptor-poor cells HEK293 showed much lower endocytosis towards the micelles under the same conditions. Thus, DOX-loaded micelles displayed higher cytotoxicity to MDA-MB-231 cancer cells as compared with free DOX. The present study demonstrates that PGMA-Mannose micelles are a promising targeted drug delivery system for cancer therapy.

Effect of low-selenium diet on expressions of CCR7, CD206 and CD163 in the liver and kidney of rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of low-selenium diet on the liver and kidneys of rats and explore the role of macrophage polarization into M1 and M2 phenotypes in liver and kidney injuries.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four rats (12 female and 12 male) were randomly divided into control group and low-selenium group and fed with normal chow (dietary selenium of 0.18 mg/kg) and low-selenium diet (dietary selenium of 0.02 mg/kg) for 109 days. After the feeding, the rats were sacrificed for HE staining to observe liver and kidney pathologies, and immunohistochemistry was performed for analyzing CCR7, CD206, CD163-positive cell numbers in the liver and kidneys.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rats in low-selenium group showed severer fibrosis in the liver and kidney than the control group. In either male or female rats in low-selenium group, CCR7 and CD206 expressions in the liver were comparable with those in control group, but CD163 expression was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05 for both female and male rats). In the kidney, the proximal tubule showed a slightly higher while the distal tubule showed a slightly lower CCR7 expression in low selenium group than in the control group (P>0.05). In low-selenium group, a significantly lower CD163 expression in the distal tubule and a significantly higher CD206 expression in the proximal tubule were noted as compared with the control group (P<0.05 in both female and male rats). Compared with the control rats, the male rats in low-selenium group, but not the female rats, showed a significantly lower CD163 expression in the proximal tubule of the kidney (P<0.05); the female but not the male rats in low-selenium group show a higher CD206 expression in the distal tubule (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low-selenium diet can cause liver and kidney fibrosis in rats and may inhibit macrophage activation into the M2 phenotype.</p>

Improvement of acetic acid tolerance and fermentation performance of industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae by overexpression of flocculent gene FLO1 and FLO1c / 生物工程学报

Flocculent gene FLO1 and its truncated form FLO1c with complete deletion of repeat unit C were expressed in a non-flocculent industrial strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae CE6 to generate recombinant flocculent strains 6-AF1 and 6-AF1c respectively. Both strains of 6-AF1 and 6-AF1c displayed strong flocculation and better cell growth than the control strain CE6-V carrying the empty vector under acetic acid stress. Moreover, the flocculent strains converted glucose to ethanol at much higher rates than the control strain CE6-V under acetic acid stress. In the presence of 0.6% (V/V) acetic acid, the average ethanol production rates of 6-AF1 and 6-AF1c were 1.56 and 1.62 times of that of strain CE6-V, while the ethanol production rates of 6-AF1 and 6-AF1c were 1.21 and 1.78 times of that of strain CE6-V under 1.0% acetic acid stress. Results in this study indicate that acetic acid tolerance and fermentation performance of industrial S. cerevisiae under acetic acid stress can be improved largely by flocculation endowed by expression of flocculent genes, especially FLO1c.

Genetic characterisation of Langerin gene in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected women from Bahia, Brazil

Studies on human genetic variations are a useful source of knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. The Langerin protein, found at the surface of Langerhans cells, has an important protective role in HIV-1 infection. Differences in Langerin function due to host genetic factors could influence susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. To verify the frequency of mutations in the Langerin gene, 118 samples from HIV-1-infected women and 99 samples from HIV-1-uninfected individuals were selected for sequencing of the promoter and carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD)-encoding regions of the Langerin gene. Langerin promoter analysis revealed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one mutation in both studied groups, which created new binding sites for certain transcription factors, such as NFAT5, HOXB9.01 and STAT6.01, according to MatInspector software analysis. Three SNPs were observed in the CRD-encoding region in HIV-1-infected and uninfected individuals: p.K313I, c.941C>T and c.983C>T. This study shows that mutations in the Langerin gene are present in the analysed populations at different genotypic and allelic frequencies. Further studies should be conducted to verify the role of these mutations in HIV-1 susceptibility.

Avaliação do efeito da lectina Artin M na expressão de fatores de crescimento e citocinas inflamatórias relacionadas ao processo de repação tecidual: estudo in vitro em macrófagos e fibroblastos gengivais de ratos / Evaluation the effect of lectin Artin M in the expression of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines related to the healing process: in vitro study on rat macrophages and gingival fibroblasts

Atualmente diversas pesquisas em Periodontia e Implantodontia visam estudar novos procedimentos e materiais que otimizem o processo cicatricial. O reparo envolve a proliferação de várias células que atuam sob a coordenação de proteínas chamadas fatores de crescimento e/ou citocinas, nos quais muitos estudos têm se concentrado e confirmado seu papel especial no processo de reparação. Artin M é uma lectina isolada de sementes de Artocarpus integrifólia e foi utilizado no tratamento tópico de lesões por queimadura de pele proporcionando aceleração da cicatrização, e redução da necrose. Em estudos recentes, foi demonstrado que o Artin M também estimulou a proliferação de fibroblastos e a reparação tecidual de lesões em mucosa palatina de ratos. Buscando um melhor entendimento da forma de atuação desta lectina, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do Artin M na expressão gênica e produção proteica de citocinas e fatores de crescimento envolvidos no processo de reparo tecidual. Culturas primárias de fibroblastos gengivais e macrófagos de rato foram tratadas com Artin M nas concentrações de 1 ; 2,5 e 5,0 µg/ml por 4, 8, 12 e 24 h para análise da expressão gênica através da reação em cadeia da polimerase após transcrição reversa de maneira quantitativa, em tempo real (RT-qPCR) e, nas mesmas concentrações por 48 e 72h após estímulo para análise quantitativa da concentração proteica dos fatores de crescimento (VEGF e TGFß) e das citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-1, IL-6 e TNFα) em sobrenadante de culturas de células por meio de kits ELISA (Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay). Os resultados demonstraram um estímulo significativo (p<0,05; ANOVA) na expressão gênica das citocinas IL-1 e TNFα tanto pelos macrófagos como os fibroblastos. A secreção proteica dos fibroblastos gengivais demonstrou aumento nos níveis de TGFß, enquanto nos macrófagos houve aumento para TNFα. Os resultados sugerem que o Artin M atua aumentando a expressão gênica e proteica de citocinas relevantes no processo de reparação

Currently, several studies in Periodontics and Implantology seek for new procedures and material that optimize the healing process. The healing process involves the proliferation of various cells that act under the coordination of proteins called growth factors and/or cytokines, which have been focused by many researches that have confirmed their special role in the repair process. Artin M is a lectin isolated from Artocarpus integrifolia seed and used in the topical treatment of skin burn injuries, providing accelerated healing and necrosis reduction. Recently, some studies demonstrated that Artin M also stimulates fibroblast proliferation and wound healing in rat oral mucosa. Seeking a better understanding of the lectin action, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Artin M on gene expression and protein production of cytokines and growth factors involved in tissue repair. Primary cultures of rat gingival fibroblasts and macrophages were treated with Artin M at concentrations of 1, 2.5, and 5.0 µg / ml for 4, 8, 12 and 24 h for gene expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and at the same concentrations for 48 and 72h for quantitative analysis of protein concentration of growth factors (VEGF and TGFß ) and inflammatory cytokines ( IL-1 , IL-6 and TNFα ) in culture supernatants by ELISA (Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay). The results demonstrated significant (p < 0.05, ANOVA ) expression of IL-1 and TNF-α by macrophages as well as fibroblasts. In relation to the protein levels, gingival fibroblasts produced increased levels of TGFß, while macrophages synthesized significant levels of TNF-α. The results suggest that Artin M has a role in the increasing gene and protein expression of relevant cytokines in the repair process

Display cellulolytic enzymes on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell surface by using Flo1p as an anchor protein for cellulosic ethanol production / 生物工程学报

In this study, we constructed a yeast consortium surface-display expression system by using Flo1 as an anchor protein. Endoglucanase II (EGII) and cellobiohydrolase II (CBHII) from Trichoderma reesei, and β3-glucosidase 1 (BGLI) from Aspergillus aculeatus were immobilized on Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y5. We constructed the cellulose-displaying expression yeast consortium (Y5/fEGII:Y5/fCBHII:Y5/fBGLI = 1:1:1) and investigated the enzymatic ability and ethanol fermentation. The displayed cellulolytic enzymes was stabile during the 96-h fermentation. The yeast consortium produced 0.77 g/L ethanol from 10 g/L phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) within 96 h. The yield (in grams of ethanol produced per gram of carbohydrate consumed) was 0.35 g/g, which correspond to 68.6% of the theoretical yield.

Anti-inflammatory effects of apoprotein AI are mediated via modulating macrophage polarity / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of high density lipoprotein (HDL) by observing the effects of apoprotein (apo)AI, a major protein component of HDL, on the inflammatory macrophage cell polarity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured mice marrow-derived macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and interferon after 10 µg/ml of apoAI were added to the macrophages for 24 hours. The expression of membrane molecules CD16/32, CD206 were detected by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). ELISA was used to detect the secretion of IL-10 and IL-12. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88 and IRF5.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to macrophages stimulated by interferon and lipopolysaccharide but without pretreatment with apoAI, pre-incubation with apoAI significantly downregulated the expression of CD16/32 (91.17% ± 1.99% vs.50.47% ± 1.02%, P < 0.05), IL-12 [(747.27 ± 3.74)pg/ml vs. (73.80 ± 4.56)pg/ml, P < 0.05], upregulated the expression of CD206(0.33% ± 0.12% vs. 3.00% ± 0.36%, P < 0.05), IL -10 expression [(23.56 ± 4.30) pg/ml vs.(32.91 ± 2.47) pg/ml, P < 0.05], and reduced the mRNA expression of TLR4 (1.000 ± 0.025 vs.0.708 ± 0.003, P < 0.05) , MyD88 (1.591 ± 0.005 vs. 1.341 ± 0.005, P < 0.05) , IRF5 (0.954 ± 0.005 vs. 0.463 ± 0.003, P < 0.05) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ApoAI enhances the switch of inflammatory macrophages to anti-inflammatory macrophages possibly through inhibiting TLR4-MyD88-IRF5 pathway.</p>

Expression of non-TLR pattern recognition receptors in the spleen of BALB/c mice infected with Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS

The spleen plays a crucial role in the development of immunity to malaria, but the role of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) in splenic effector cells during malaria infection is poorly understood. In the present study, we analysed the expression of selected PRRs in splenic effector cells from BALB/c mice infected with the lethal and non-lethal Plasmodium yoelii strains 17XL and 17X, respectively, and the non-lethal Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS strain. The results of these experiments showed fewer significant changes in the expression of PRRs in AS-infected mice than in 17X and 17XL-infected mice. Mannose receptor C type 2 (MRC2) expression increased with parasitemia, whereas Toll-like receptors and sialoadhesin (Sn) decreased in mice infected with P. chabaudi AS. In contrast, MRC type 1 (MRC1), MRC2 and EGF-like module containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like sequence 1 (F4/80) expression decreased with parasitemia in mice infected with 17X, whereas MRC1 an MRC2 increased and F4/80 decreased in mice infected with 17XL. Furthermore, macrophage receptor with collagenous structure and CD68 declined rapidly after initial parasitemia. SIGNR1 and Sn expression demonstrated minor variations in the spleens of mice infected with either strain. Notably, macrophage scavenger receptor (Msr1) and dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin 2 expression increased at both the transcript and protein levels in 17XL-infected mice with 50% parasitemia. Furthermore, the increased lethality of 17X infection in Msr1 -/- mice demonstrated a protective role for Msr1. Our results suggest a dual role for these receptors in parasite clearance and protection in 17X infection and lethality in 17XL infection.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 258 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To observe the clinicopathologic features of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), and to evaluate the values of langerin, CD1a and S-100 protein expression in diagnosis of the tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Total 258 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in the past 18 years (from 1992 to 2008) were collected, morphologic review and immunohistochemical staining were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In all 258 cases, the ages of patients older than 16 years or younger than 2 years were 126 (48.8%) and 37 (14.3%), respectively, in the remaining 95 (36.8%) of the cases, the age of the patients ranged from 2 to 16 years. For all of 258 cases, there were 364 diseased sites. Bony lesions accounted for 77.2% (281 cases), especially the skull (112 cases, 39.9%), followed by lymph node (25 cases, 6.9%) and skin (14 cases, 3.8%). Clinically, unisystem or unifocal disease was predominant (201 cases, 77.9%), followed by unisystem and multifocal disease (21 cases, 8.1%), multi-system disease (26 cases, 10.1%), isolated pulmonary LCH (2 cases, 0.8%), and unclassified (8 cases, 3.1%). Histologically, variable number of Langerhans cells was present in 265 samples of 258 cases. Multinucleated giant cells were found in 166 (62.6%) of the samples. Eosinophils were the major infiltrating non-neoplastic cells, and eosinophilic abscess was seen in 57 cases (21.5%). Coagulative necrosis and dead bone were detected in 29 (10.9%) and 124 (46.8%) of the cases, respectively. Immunohistochemically, the expression of S-100 protein, CD1a and langerin was 99.1% (209/211), 100% (206/206) and 98.5% (193/196), respectively, and the sensitivity of them had no statistical difference.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In this group of LCH cases, the ratio of adult patients is high, but the proportion of multi-organ lesion is low. No significant difference of the sensitivity is found among langerin, CD1a and S-100 expression in diagnosis of LCH.</p>

Combined deficiency of factors V and VIII caused by a novel compound heterozygous mutation of gene Lman1 / 中国实验血液学杂志

Combined deficiency of factor V and VIII (F5F8D) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations of either lman1 or mcfd2. To identify mutations of these two genes in a Chinese F5F8D family, the samples of peripheral blood were collected from the proband and her parents. Coagulation tests were carried out, including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fg) and coagulate activity of FV, FVIII (FV:C, FVIII:C). The genomic DNA was extracted, then all the exons and intron/exon boundaries of these two genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The products were finally analyzed by direct sequencing. The results showed that the proband's APTT, PT, TT, Fg, FV:C and FVIII:C were 82.2 sec, 19.6 sec, 18.6 sec, 2.9 g/L, 7.1% and 18.7% respectively, while those parameters of the parents were all within the normal range. Two pathogenic mutations were identified in lman1 gene of the proband: one was the heterozygous c.912_913insA in exon 8 resulting in a frameshift of p.Glu305fsX20; the other was the heterozygous c.1366C > T in exon 11 resulting in p.Arg456X. The proband's father and mother were heterozygous for c.1366C > T and c.912_913insA respectively. It is concluded that F5F8D of the proband is caused by a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the lman1 gene, which has never been reported.

Polysaccharide-rich fraction of Agaricus brasiliensis enhances the candidacidal activity of murine macrophages

A polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of medicinal mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis was evaluated on the candidacidal activity, H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO) production, and expression of mannose receptors by murine peritoneal macrophages. Mice received three intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of ATF and after 48 h their peritoneal resident macrophages were assayed against Candida albicans yeast forms. The treatment increased fungicidal activity and it was associated with higher levels of H2O2, whereas NO production was not affected. We also found that the treatment enhances mannose receptor expression by peritoneal macrophages, which are involved in the attachment and phagocytosis of non-opsonized microorganisms. Treatment of animals with ATF was able to enhance the clearance of C. albicans during the first 6 h after the experimental i.p. infection. Our results suggest that this extract can increase host resistance against some infectious agents through the stimulation of microbicidal activity of macrophages.

Effects of millimeter wave on gene expression in human keratinocytes / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of millimeter wave exposure at low power density on gene expression in human keratinocytes (HaCaT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HaCaT keratinocytes were exposed to 30.16 GHz millimeter wave with power densities of 1.0 or 3.5 mW/cm2 for 30 min per day. Gene expression profiles were obtained using the Affymetrix human genome U95A GeneChip. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to confirm the differential expression of genes obtained from Genechip analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>PAR-2 and ERGIC-53 genes in HaCaT cells were up-regulated by 3.5 mW/cm2 millimeter wave exposure for 4 times. ERGIC-53 gene was also up-regulated by 1.0 mW/cm2 millimeter wave exposure for 4 times. However, no significant change for PAR-2 expression was found after the same exposure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Millimeter wave exposure could affect gene expression in human keratinocytes, which might be related to the intensity and the times of exposure.</p>

FRIL maintains quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells through regulation of cell cycle related factors / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin (FRIL) maintains quiescence of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cord blood CD34+ cells were cultured in suspension medium supplemented with or without FRIL and FL. Cells were collected at different time points and the expression of some cell cycle regulators, especially those involved in G0/G1 phase regulation were detected on mRNA and protein level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expressions of G0/G1 phase related cyclins or CDKs were undetectable in the newly isolated CD34+ cells, expressions of Cyclin D3, CDK6 and P27 were the lowest in FRIL cultured group after 3d's culture (FRIL group: 483 +/- 63, 553 +/- 39, 0.312 +/- 0.030; FL group: 2437 +/- 52, 3209 +/- 98, 0.787 +/- 0.024; BLANK: 914 +/- 105, 1497 +/- 55, 0.616 +/- 0.029, respectively), but the expression of P53 was the highest in FRIL group (FRIL group: 4.476 +/- 0.159; FL group: 0.581 +/- 0.099, BLANK: 2.167 +/- 0.114). The expression of positive regulators of cell cycle in FRIL group were the same as that of FL group and blank group or lower.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FRIL preserves HSCs effectively in vitro through the mechanisms of down-regulation of cyclin D3 and CDK6 and activation of P53. P27 is mostly involved in the differentiation of HSCs.</p>

Increased endocytic activity in monocyte-derived dendritic cells in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The understanding of the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris has focused on T cell mediated immune disorder for many years. Recent studies provide evidence that dendritic cells may be of major importance as regulatory cells driving the psoriasis tissue reaction, and they are one of the therapeutic targets. In order to further characterize the role of dendritic cells in psoriasis, this study was designed to assess the differentiation of dendritic cells from monocytes (MoDC), the expression of phagocytosis related receptors by MoDC, their endocytic activity for fluorescent beads and lucifer yellow as well as their superoxide generation in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: Twenty eight patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 12 healthy controls were included in the study. MoDC were obtained by culturing monocytes with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) for 5 days. Cell surface expression of CD1a, CD14, CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-DR, mannose receptor (MR) and Fcg receptors by MoDC and their endocytosis of dextran and lucifer yellow were analyzed by flow cytometry. Zymosan ingestion was measured to access the phagocytosis of MoDC. RESULTS: Differentiation of monocytes to dendritic cells was upregulated in patients manifested as significantly increased expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR compared with that in healthy controls (P<0.01). Expression of MR and Fcg receptor II (CD32) by MoDC was significantly increased in patients with psoriasis as well (P<0.01). Endocytosis of dextran but not lucifer yellow in patients was significantly higher than controls (P<0.01), and significantly enhanced phagocytosis by increasing zymosan ingestion was also observed (P<0.01) in patients. Taken together, endocytic and phagocytic activity of MoDC in psoriasis was increased than normal persons. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Enhanced activity of dendritic cells binding and capturing foreign antigens for subsequent antigen presentation and the initiation of immune responses in psoriasis may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The upregulated expression of MR and the enhanced endocytic activity of DC might be an explanation for the absence of skin infection observed in psoriasis.

Mechanism of oligochitosan-induced macrophage activation / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of oligochitosan-induced macrophage activation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Oligochitosan was chemically modified with fluorophore 2-aminoacridone (2-AMAC). The cellular events of 2-AMAC-oligochitosan-macrophage interaction were analyzed with confocal laser microscopy and the fluorescence intensity of cells was analyzed by BD LSR flow cytometer. The mechanism of oligochitosan uptake by macrophages was studied by competitive inhibition test and the effect of calcium, trypsin and colchicine on oligochitosan recognition and internalization were also determined. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the level of TNF-alpha secretion.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Macrophage could bind and uptake oligochitosan, which was dependent on the temperature: the uptake proceeded rapidly at 37 degrees C and at 4 degrees C macrophage could only bind oligochitosan. EDTA decreased oligochitosan uptake. Trypsin treatment significantly reduced the internalization, and uptake was recovered by trypsin termination. Colchicine significantly inhibited the internalization process and was dose dependent. 0.1 mol/L mannose inhibited TNF-alpha expression induced by oligochitosan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Macrophage could uptake oligochitosan via mannose receptor mediated pinocytosis. Mannose receptor is crucial for the oligochitosan-induced macrophages activation.</p>

Enhancement of resistance to aphids by introducing the snowdrop lectin gene gna into maize plants.

In order to enhance the resistance to pests, transgenic maize (Zea mays L.) plants from elite inbred lines containing the gene encoding snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis L. agglutinin; GNA) under control of a phloem-specific promoter were generated through the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method. The toxicity of GNA-expressing plants to aphids has also been studied. The independently derived plants were subjected to molecular analyses. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses confirmed that the gna gene was integrated into maize genome and inherited to the following generations. The typical Mendelian patterns of inheritance occurred in most cases. The level of GNA expression at 0.13%-0.28% of total soluble protein was observed in different transgenic plants. The progeny of nine GNA-expressing independent transformants that were derived separately from the elite inbred lines DH4866, DH9942, and 8902, were selected for examination of resistance to aphids. These plants synthesized GNA at levels above 0.22% total soluble protein, and enhanced resistance to aphids was demonstrated by exposing the plants to corn leaf aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch) under greenhouse conditions. The nymph production was significantly reduced by 46.9% on GNA-expressing plants. Field evaluation of the transgenic plants supported the results from the inoculation trial. After a series of artificial self-crosses, some homozygous transgenic maize lines expressing GNA were obtained. In the present study, we have obtained new insect-resistant maize material for further breeding work.

Isolation and characterization of a new mannose-binding lectin gene from Taxus media.

In this paper, we report the cloning and characterization of the first mannose-binding lectin gene from a gymnosperm plant species, Taxus media. The full-length cDNA of T. media agglutinin (TMA) consisted of 676 bp and contained a 432 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 144 amino acid protein. Comparative analysis showed that TMA had high homology with many previously reported plant mannose-binding lectins and that tma encoded a precursor lectin with a 26-aa signal peptide. Molecular modelling revealed that TMA was a new mannosebinding lectin with three typical mannose-binding boxes like lectins from species of angiosperms. Tissue expression pattern analyses revealed that tma is expressed in a tissue-specific manner in leaves and stems, but not in fruits and roots. Phylogenetic tree analyses showed that TMA belonged to the structurally and evolutionarily closely related monocot mannose-binding lectin superfamily. This study provides useful information to understand the molecular evolution of plant lectins.

The maintenance of cord blood CD34+ progenitor cells with plant lectin FRIL in vitro and the expression of related cell cycle modulator HTm4 and HTm4S / 生理学报

Ex vivo maintainance of human stem cells is crucial for many clinical applications. Current culture conditions provide some level support but cytokines induce most quiescent stem cells to proliferate and differentiate. Better control of primitive cells is needed to extend the time and range of manipulation of such cells. A recently identified plant lectin Flt3 receptor-interacting lectin (FRIL) present may a special ability to preserve primitive CB progenitors for extended periods in culture without exogenous cytokines. But the mechanisms of FRIL preserving quiescent primitive cells are still unknown. Recently a novel protein HTm4 and its alternatively spliced variant HTm4S, which serve as hematopoietic cell cycle regulators, have been identified. In this report we studied the effect of FRIL on the in vitro maintenance of quiescent human cord blood stem cells and the expression of the novel hematopoietic cell cycle regulator HTm4 and HTm4S in progenitor cells cultured in FRIL. We analyzed the proliferation and the HPP-CFC proportion of CD34(+) cells treated with FRIL. The human HTm4 and HTm4S mRNA expression was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, and the cell cycle status of CB CD34(+) cells was analyzed by FACS. The results showed that incubation of CD34(+) cells in FRIL resulted in a low proliferation of progenitor cells and fewer cycling cells, but FRIL selectively maintained a higher number of primitive cells with proliferative potential in suspension culture. CB CD34(+) cells cultured in FRIL showed significant diversity in the expression of HTm4 and HTm4S during 0~14 d. On d 0, HTm4 was detected at high level, downregulated on d 1, but upregulated during d 3 to d 14, and reaching the highest level on d 7. But the expression levels of HTm4S changed little in the cells cultured in FRIL except the obviously increased expression on d 7. Exogenous expression showed that HTm4 was localized around the karyon while HTm4S scatted in the cytoplasm, respectively, which may be responsible for their difference in function. Thus, FRIL can preserve quiescent primitive CD34(+), and FRIL's ability to preserve quiescent primitive cells in a reversible manner may significantly expand the time and range of ex vivo manipulations of human stem cells for clinical applications. In other words, HTm4 and HTm4S may play a crucial role in the cell cycle modulation of CD34(+) progenitor cells maintained with FRIL in vitro.

1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogues modulate the phagocytosis of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the role of 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) and its analogues tacalcitol and 24, 25(OH)2D3 on the phagocytosis of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MoDC were generated in vitro by differentiating monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for 5 days. Expression of mannose receptor (MR) and Fc gamma receptors (Fc gamma Rs) by MoDC was analysed by flow cytometry. Zymosan ingestion was measured to assess the phagocytosis of MoDC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MoDC expressed high level of MR and Fc gamma Rs and showed the capacity of zymosan ingestion. Calcitriol and tacalcitol but no 24, 25(OH)2D3 not only upregulated the expression of MR and Fc gamma Rs on MoDC but also correspondingly enhanced their phagocytosis by increasing zymoasan ingestion. Furthermore, the upregulatory role occurred in the early stage of MoDC differentiation and was irreversible. The upregulatory role of calcitriol was dose dependent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Calcitriol and its analogue tacalcitol may play an important role in dendritic cell binding and capturing foreign antigens at the initiation of immune response.</p>