[Improvement of Preparation Method of Rats Platelet-Rich Plasma and Quality Detection].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the single centrifugation preparation protocol of rat platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHODS: The arterial blood of rats obtained by carotid artery intubation was collected by heparin sodium anticoagulant tubes, and then the blood divided into sterile EP tubes, adjusting the red blood cell concentration with normal saline, while rat PRP was prepared by centrifugation under different conditions (the centrifugal force was 200×g-240×g, and the centrifugal time was 8-12 min). Subsequently, the blood cell count and quality evaluation of anticoagulat whole blood and PRP were performed by hematology analyzer and flow cytometry, respectively, and the differences between different groups were compared. RESULTS: The red blood cell concentration to (5.5-6.5)×1012/L after anticoagulation of rat whole blood was good for PRP extraction. When the blood samples was centrifuged at 220×g for 10 min, the platelet recovery rate was the highestï¼»(53.52±0.63)%ï¼½. The level of apoptosis and activation of plateles in PRP were not significantly different compared to whole blood(P>0.05), and the release level of growth factor was significantly increased(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It is a key to improve the PRP extraction efficiency by reducing the amount of mixed red blood cell, and this study successfully modified the preparation method of rat PRP, with platelets high recovery rate and stable quality.

[Factors Affecting the Preservation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells at 4 ℃].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preservation effect and related influencing factors of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells under serum-free condition at 4 ℃. METHODS: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, and stored at 4 ℃ under different cell concentrations, supplemented with human serum albumin, and glucose. The cell viability, total cell number, viable cell number and cell phenotype were detected during preservation of 72 h. RESULTS: With the prolongation of storage time, the number of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells gradually decreased(r=0.982). Compared with the cell concentration of (5-6)×106 cells/ml, the cell number decreased more slowly when the cell storage concentration was (1-2)×106 cells/ml; Adding human serum albumin and glucose can effectively improve the survival rate of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, among which 2% human serum albumin has a better preservation effect; Compared with the blank control group, the analysis results of cell subsets showed that the downward trends of NK cells and T cells were significantly slowed after adding albumin and glucose. CONCLUSION: The cell density of (1-2)×106/ml and 2% human serum albumin are more suitable for the preservation of PBMC, and 5% glucose can improve the preservation effect of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at 4 ℃.

A mouse model for studying the clearance of hepatitis B virus in vivo using a luciferase reporter.

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection remains a global problem, despite the effectiveness of the Hepatitis B vaccine in preventing infection. The resolution of Hepatitis B virus infection has been believed to be attributable to virus-specific immunity. In vivo direct evaluation of anti-HBV immunity in the liver is currently not possible. We have developed a new assay system that detects HBV clearance in the liver after the hydrodynamic transfer of a reporter gene and over-length, linear HBV DNA into hepatocytes, followed by bioluminescence imaging of the reporter gene (Fluc). We employed bioluminescence detection of luciferase expression in HBV-infected hepatocytes to measure the Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg)-specific immune responses directed against these infected hepatocytes. Only HBcAg-immunized, but not mock-treated, animals decreased the amounts of luciferase expression, HBsAg and viral DNA from the liver at day 28 after hydrodynamic infection with over-length HBV DNA, indicating that control of luciferase expression correlates with viral clearance from infected hepatocytes.

Noninvasive molecular imaging of interferon beta activation in mouse liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interferon beta (IFN-ß) is the priming cytokine in the interferons (IFNs) response that plays essential roles in innate immune system. Only very few studies on IFN activation in animals have been reported before, therefore, we embarked to develop a novel method to dynamically examine IFN-ß activation in mouse liver by noninvasive molecular imaging. METHODS: Interferon beta promoter-directed firefly luciferase gene was integrated into chromosomes of hepatocytes by hydrodynamic injection. Mouse hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV-3) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] were used to stimulate the activation of IFN-ß. Luciferase activity was used as an indicator of the IFN-ß promoter activity in vitro and in vivo. The expression level of IFN-ß in the sera and firefly luciferase in the liver was assessed by ELISA and bioluminescence imaging respectively. Western blot was used for detecting proteins expression. RESULTS: A rapid and elevated luciferase expression in the mouse liver induced by poly (I:C) and MHV-3 was detected by bioluminescence imaging. The detectable level of IFN-ß in the sera was not induced by MHV-3. Moreover, IFN-ß activation was significantly inhibited by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease in mouse liver. These results were consistent with IFN-ß production in the sera. Therefore, a novel visual method to monitor IFN-ß promoter activity was established in the current study. CONCLUSION: This novel sensitive method can be used for not only assessing IFN-ß activation or inhibition in the liver under different conditions, but also screening drug candidates of stimulating or inhibiting of IFN-ß production.