Immunological mechanisms of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection: An update / 中华男科学杂志

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), as a pathogen of gonorrhea, is strictly limited to growth on the human host. In case of gonococcal infection, the body may recruit such inflammatory cells as neutrophils to resist the invasion of NG or initiate its adaptive immune response by antigen presentation to eliminate the pathogen. However, a series of immune escape mechanisms of NG make it difficult to clear up the infection. In the innate immune system, NG can not only secrete thermonuclease to degrade neutrophile granulocytes, inhibit respiratory burst to resist killing by neutrophils, activate NLRP3 to prompt the pyronecrosis of inflammatory cells, but also regulate the differentiation of macrophages to reduce the inflammatory response, combine with factor H to evade complement-mediated killing. NG infection can hardly give rise to effective adaptive immune response and immune memory, but can promote TGF-β production to inhibit Th1/Th2-mediated adaptive immune response, bind to CEACAM1 on the B cell surface to promote apoptosis in B cells, and combine with CEACAM1 on the T cell surface to inhibit helper T cell proliferation, which makes it difficult for B cells to produce high-affinity specific antibodies. With the increasing drug-resistance of NG, immunological studies may play a significant role in the development of novel therapies and effective vaccines against the infection.

Plant growth-promoting traits of yeasts isolated from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of Drosera spatulata Lab.

Microorganisms can promote plant growth through direct and indirect mechanisms. Compared with the use of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, the use of yeasts as plant growth-promoting (PGP) agents has not been extensively investigated. In this study, yeast isolates from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of the medicinally important plant Drosera spatulata Lab. were assessed for their PGP traits. All isolates were tested for indole-3-acetic acid-, ammonia-, and polyamine-producing abilities, calcium phosphate and zinc oxide solubilizing ability, and catalase activity. Furthermore, the activities of siderophore, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase, and fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes were assessed. The antagonistic action of yeasts against pathogenic Glomerella cingulata was evaluated. The cocultivation of Nicotiana benthamiana with yeast isolates enhanced plant growth, indicating a potential yeast-plant interaction. Our study results highlight the potential use of yeasts as plant biofertilizers under controlled and field conditions.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a parthenogenetic subterranean termite, Reticulitermes aculabialis Tsai et Hwang (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of a parthenogenetic termite Reticulitermes aculabialis was assembled and analyzed. The mitogenome is 16,475 bp long and contains the same gene repertoire and gene order as other Reticulitermes species (13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and control region). Coding genes (PCGs, tRNAs and rRNAs) are 14,688 bp in length, occupying 89.15% of the total genomic size. The A + T content of the mitogenome is 65.78%.

Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with secondary syphilis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To analyze the gene expression profiling characteristics of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with secondary syphilis, and gain an insight into the host molecular immune mechanisms involved in Treponema pallidum infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using genome-based high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology, we comprehensively determined the transcriptional difference in PBMCs from 4 secondary syphilis patients and 4 healthy controls, followed by real time PCR to validate the results of Illumina sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 78 differentially expressed genes were found in the PBMCs of the secondary syphilis patients, among which 16 were associated with the immune system. Significant upregulation was observed in the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and related receptors, such as TNF receptor super-family member 17 (TNFRSF17), IL-17C, IL-21, IL-31 receptor A (IL-31RA), chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 1 (CCL1), as well as the transcripts for the CD4+ T lymphocytes activation markers CD38, Fc-mediated phagocytosis receptors (FcγR1A, FcγR3B), and complement (C2, SERPING1).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Systemic innate and adaptive immune effecter molecules are involved in the host clearance mechanism of secondary syphilis.</p>

Epidemiological and bacteriological characteristics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in China / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility,auxotype, and plasmid profile of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in China and to provide evidence for the development of treatment guideline and policy for control.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Agar dilution was used to detect antimicrobial susceptibility. The auxotype was determined by GC genetic medium. The plasmid was extracted by alkaline cleavage and electrophoresed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 4,976 gonococcal isolates were tested in the last 8 years. The resistant rate for penicillin was 71.60% with PPNG being 15.54%. Tetracycline-resistant (TRNG) isolates accounted for 93.02% with 10.48% high level tetracycline-resistant. The resistant rate for ciprofloxacin was also relatively high (31.78%). The resistant rates for spectinomycin and ceftriaxone were 0.36% and 0.46%. The predominant auxotypes of gonococcal isolates were proto and pro(-) during 1995 - 1996 in Nanjing, accounted for 46.4% and 47.53%, 48.4% and 50.22%, respectively. There were 8 strains harboring 4.2, 5.4, 39.5 kb plasmids and 2 harboring 4.2, 4.9, 5.4, 39.5 kb plasmids in 10 PPNG strains; 2 harboring no plasmid, 28 harboring 4.2, 4.9, 5.4, 39.5 kb plasmids in 30 non-PPNG strains. The 5.4 kb plasmid of PPNG could be digested with restriction endonuclease BamHI while the 5.4 kb plasmid of non-PPNG could not.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The gonococcal isolates were highly resistant to penicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, while were still sensitive to spectinomycin and ceftriaxone. No significant auxotyping change was found in terms of predominant gonococcal strains in the last two years in Nanjing while 5.4 kb plasmid might be the most prevalent resistant plasmid in Nanjing.</p>