TcVac1 vaccine delivery by intradermal electroporation enhances vaccine induced immune protection against Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice

The efforts for the development and testing of vaccines against Trypanosoma cruzi infection have increased during the past years. We have designed a TcVac series of vaccines composed of T. cruzi derived, GPI-anchored membrane antigens. The TcVac vaccines have been shown to elicit humoral and cellular mediated immune responses and provide significant (but not complete) control of experimental infection in mice and dogs. Herein, we aimed to test two immunization protocols for the delivery of DNA-prime/DNA-boost vaccine (TcVac1) composed of TcG2 and TcG4 antigens in a BALB/c mouse model. Mice were immunized with TcVac1 through intradermal/electroporation (IDE) or intramuscular (IM) routes, challenged with T. cruzi, and evaluated during acute phase of infection. The humoral immune response was evaluated through the assessment of anti-TcG2 and anti-TcG4 IgG subtypes by using an ELISA. Cellular immune response was assessed through a lymphocyte proliferation assay. Finally, clinical and morphopathological aspects were evaluated for all experimental animals. Our results demonstrated that when comparing TcVac1 IDE delivery vs IM delivery, the former induced significantly higher level of antigen-specific antibody response (IgG2a?+?IgG2b?>?IgG1) and lymphocyte proliferation, which expanded in response to challenge infection. Histological evaluation after challenge infection showed infiltration of inflammatory cells (macrophages and lymphocytes) in the heart and skeletal tissue of all infected mice. However, the largest increase in inflammatory infiltrate was observed in TcVac1_IDE/Tc mice when compared with TcVac1_IM/Tc or non-vaccinated/infected mice. The extent of tissue inflammatory infiltrate was directly associated with the control of tissue amastigote nests in vaccinated/infected (vs. non-vaccinated/infected) mice. Our results suggest that IDE delivery improves the protective efficacy of TcVac1 vaccine against T. cruzi infection in mice when compared with IM delivery of the vaccine.     

川芎嗪通过激活PKCα/Nrf2信号转导抑制七氟烷诱导的氧化损伤和血脑屏障破坏研究

目的:研究川芎嗪对七氟烷引起的氧化损伤以及血脑屏障(BBB)生理功能损伤的影响及其机制。方法:将新生幼鼠随机分组,设置对照组,并分别使用七氟烷、七氟烷和溶剂、七氟烷和川芎嗪处理小鼠,暴露于七氟烷中不同时长处死并收集小鼠大脑和海马组织,通过免疫酶联吸附检测ROS,SOD,MDA,GSH和S100β蛋白水平,制作小鼠大脑和海马组织切片并通过免疫化学染色和免疫荧光染色检测小鼠大脑和海马组织中MMP-2、MMP-9、TIMP-1、TIMP-2以及HO-1的表达,并检测Nrf2的核易位,HE染色后通过透射电子显微镜检查海马神经元损伤情况,通过蛋白质印迹分析PKC/Nrf2以及MMP-2、MMP-9表达情况,使用原位酶谱检测明胶酶活性并通过PCR检测ZO-1的表达。结果:与对照组相比,七氟烷组海马神经元损伤明显,而川芎嗪处理可以明显改善七氟烷诱导的海马神经元损伤; 与对照组相比,七氟烷处理后MMP-2、MMP-9表达和明胶酶活性明显增加,ZO-1表达明显减少,BBB通透性显著增加,而TIMP-1和TIMP-2表达无显著改变; 与七氟烷组相比,川芎嗪可以抑制明胶酶活性,促进ZO-1表达,改善BBB生理状态; 与溶剂组和七氟烷组相比,对照组和川芎嗪组ROS和BMD水平明显降低,MDA和GSH活性显著增加,PKCα、Nrf2和HO-1 的表达以及Nrf2的核易位显著增加。结论:川芎嗪可以通过PKCα/Nrf2信号通路以及抑制明胶酶活性,改善BBB通透性,保护海马免受氧化应激的伤害,改善海马体组织病理学结构。     

Formulation of the prefusion RSV F protein with a Th1/Th2-balanced adjuvant provides complete protection without Th2-skewed immunity in RSV-experienced young mice

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections among infants with most infections occurring in the first year of life. Multiple RSV exposures are required for children to mount adult-like immune responses. Although adult RSV immunity is associated with less severe disease, the protection induced through natural infection is short-lived. Therefore, vaccination of RSV-experienced young children may accelerate immunity and provide long-term protection from RSV reinfection. However, the extent to which different Th-biased vaccine regimens influence pre-existing humoral and cellular immunity in RSV-experienced young children is unknown. To address this question, infant BALB/c mice were RSV-infected and subsequently immunized with the prefusion RSV F (PreF) antigen formulated with either a Th2-skewing (Alum) or Th1/Th2-balanced (Advax-SM) adjuvant. These studies show that both adjuvants boosted neutralizing antibody and protected from RSV reinfection, but Advax-SM adjuvant prevented the Th2-skewed immunity observed in RSV-experienced young mice immunized with PreF/Alum.     

Electroporation enhances protective immune response of a DNA vaccine against Japanese encephalitis in mice and pigs

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a pathogenic cause of Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which is a zoonotic disease transmitted by mosquitoes and amplified by pigs. Infection of JEV may lead to severe neurological sequelae, even death in humans and reproductive disorders in pigs. Vaccination is the only way to control JEV infection in humans. For pigs play important role in the JEV transmission cycle, developing a new veterinary vaccine is considered as a useful strategy for cutting off the transmission route of JEV. We have previously reported that DNA vaccine pCAG-JME, expressing prM-E proteins of JEV, is effective in mice through intramuscular injection (IM). However, the poor immunogenicity, due to low expression of immunogen, is the major obstacle for the development of DNA vaccine in large animals. In the present study, therefore, we immunized mice and pigs with pCAG-JME intramuscularly accompanied with electroporation (EP) stimulation, the attractive gene delivery approach. As compared with IM, EP-mediated vaccination markedly increased the expression of immunogen in the injection site and induced a dose- and time-dependent immune response. 100% survival rate was observed in groups vaccinated with doses ranged from 10 to 100μg, indicating that 10μg of DNA with EP for individual was enough for inducing effective protection in mice. Surprisingly, survival rate and end-point titers of anti-JEV antibodies were higher in mice even at lower dose of DNA (5μg) than that in mice inoculated 100μg through IM. Notably, the prM-E antigens also induced high antibody response in pig, while the neutralizing antibody titer achieved 1:320. Our results suggested that EP-mediated DNA immunization might act as an effective strategy against JEV, at least in pig, and that EP has a potential application prospect in DNA vaccination.     

海莲叶提取物对胃癌细胞增殖的抑制作用及对小鼠急性毒性实验

目的:探究海莲叶提取物对胃癌细胞增殖的抑制作用及对小鼠急性毒性实验。方法:先通过实验证实海莲叶提取物可对患者的胃癌细胞SGC-7091、MGC80-3可起到促进作用,应对实验小鼠皮下建立移植瘤模型,随后对小鼠注射海莲叶提取物,观察对胃癌细胞增殖的抑制情况,随后对药物的毒性进行分析。结果:给药组与溶媒对照组急性毒性反应相比显著较高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:海莲叶提取物可对胃癌细胞增殖的抑制作用,并均已经在实验中得到了证实,海莲叶提取物可明显降低小鼠的急性毒性反应。     

从免疫炎性损伤角度探讨5种清热解毒药物抗流感的机制及其临床意义

目的探讨黄芩、板蓝根、白头翁、虎杖、白花蛇舌草5种清热解毒代表药物抗流感病毒感染所致免疫炎性损伤的作用机制。方法在流感病毒亚洲甲型鼠肺适应株FM1感染小鼠后的不同时相(初期、极期、后期),采用ELISA法,动态观察清热解毒代表药物对小鼠血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)5种炎性细胞因子含量的影响。结果黄芩在感染后第3日可显著降低血清TNF-α、IL-1、IL-6含量,并于感染后各时相均可增加IFN-γ含量,感染后第1~5日增加IL-10含量。板蓝根在感染后第3日能显著降低血清TNF-α含量,第3~5日降低IL-6含量,并在感染后第1天升高IL-10含量,在感染后第3~5日能升高IFN-γ含量。白头翁在感染后第3日能明显降低血清TNF-α、IL-1、IL-6含量,同时显著升高IL-10含量。虎杖在感染后第1日可显著升高血清IL-10含量,在感染后第5日升高IFN-γ含量。白花蛇舌草在感染后第3日降低血清IL-6含量,在感染后第5日升高IFN-γ含量。结论黄芩的抗流感作用主要表现在流感病毒感染引起的急性外感热病的极期;板蓝根在流感病毒感染的各个时相均有一定的治疗作用;白头翁在流感病毒感染的极期可抑制炎性损伤;虎杖在感染流感病毒的初期与后期均可减少促炎性细胞因子的分泌;白花蛇舌草在流感病毒感染的极期及后期均可起到一定的抗免疫炎性损伤。各药物均具有抑制炎性损伤、防止多脏器功能衰竭、防止休克、退热和抑制促炎性细胞因子的分泌,调节机体免疫,从而减轻炎症反应的作用。     

"肾脑相济"电针对阿尔茨海默病模型小鼠行为学及IL-1β、TNF-α表达的影响

目的观察"肾脑相济"电针对阿尔茨海默病(AD)模型小鼠行为学和大脑皮质炎性因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1b)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)表达的影响,探究"肾脑相济"电针疗法治疗阿尔茨海默病的作用机理。方法将7月龄雄性SAMP8小鼠随机分成模型组、西药组和电针组,每组6只;将SAMR1小鼠作为对照组。西药组给予盐酸多?哌齐灌胃,电针组电针百会、肾俞和三阴交。采用Morris水迷宫观察小鼠行为学,应用免疫组化法、Western Blot法测定大脑皮质区IL-1b、TNF-α的阳性细胞数和蛋白表达。结果与对照组比较,模型组小鼠学习记忆能力明显下降,IL-1b、TNF-α的表达升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与模型组比较,西药组和电针组小鼠学习记忆能力增强,IL-1b、TNF-α的表达降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与西药组比较,电针组小鼠学习记忆能力及IL-1b、TNF-α的表达变化不明显,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论"肾脑相济"电针疗法可以改善SAMP8模型小鼠的学习和记忆能力,降低大脑皮质区IL-1b、TNF-α的含量,从而对阿尔茨海默病达到治疗效果。     

小鼠pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP表达载体构建及CD69转基因小鼠的建立

目的构建携小鼠细胞表面活化蛋白CD69和增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)在细胞内核糖体切入位点(IRES)的表达载体pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP, 并基于此创建CD69转基因小鼠。方法首先通过小鼠肺组织提取RNA, 逆转录成为cDNA, 经过PubMed搜索设计PCR引物, PCR法扩增mCD69片断, 接着将该DNA片段经测序验证后接入pInsulater-LCK-IRES-EGFP质粒, 构建pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP转基因载体; 再将其转染到293T细胞中, 通过荧光显微镜技术确定其在293T细胞中的表达状况; 最后将载体显微注射入受精卵并移植入假孕母小鼠, 出生小鼠取尾经PCR鉴定获得阳性首建鼠, 并通过荧光显微镜和流式细胞术确定淋巴细胞上CD69的表达。结果经酶切、DNA测序鉴定证实pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP表达载体构建成功; 荧光倒置显微镜检查证实其在转染的293T细胞内的蛋白表达; 小鼠取尾PCR鉴定明确CD69转基因小鼠创建成功; CD69转基因小鼠有外周血淋巴细胞的减少及静息状态下CD69的表达。结论成功构建pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP表达载体及制备CD69转基因小鼠, 为CD69在炎症性疾病中作用的整体模型研究奠定了基础。     

健脾化湿解毒方对急性肝损伤小鼠肠屏障功能的影响

目的:探讨健脾解毒凉血方治疗肝损伤肠屏障功能障碍的作用靶点。方法:选取C57BL/6雄性小鼠32只,随机分为正常组、模型组、中药组、培菲康组,腹腔注射硫代乙酰胺100 mg/kg造模;中药组予以健脾解毒凉血方灌胃,培菲康组给予培菲康溶液灌胃;16 h后采集小鼠血清、肝组织、小肠组织,观察小鼠肝功能、肠道组织HE染色变化,免疫组织化学染色方法观察小肠闭锁小带蛋白-1表达。结果:模型组、中药组、培菲康组小鼠的ALT、AST均显著高于正常组,模型组、中药组、培菲康组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。小肠组织在光镜和电镜下均可观察到中药组病变轻于模型组和培菲康组,免疫组织化学染色在小肠上皮细胞上可见闭锁小带蛋白-1棕黄色阳性标记,模型组、中药组、培菲康组阳性标记均显著少于正常组,中药组阳性标记显著多于模型组(P0.05)。结论:健脾解毒凉血方治疗硫代乙酰胺诱导急性肝损伤小鼠,可维护肠上皮细胞紧密连接部闭锁小带蛋白-1表达,修复肠屏障功能。     

健脾益气法对结直肠炎病变后诱发结直肠癌小鼠的影响研究

目的:观察健脾益气中药对结直肠炎病变后诱发结直肠癌小鼠白细胞介素(Interleukin,IL)-6和表皮细胞生长因子(Epidermal Growth Factor,EGF)蛋白的影响。方法:将30只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和治疗组,每组10只。采用偶氮氧化甲烷/葡聚糖硫酸钠方法建立结直肠炎相关结直肠癌小鼠模型,治疗组以加减四君子汤颗粒加蒸馏水配成溶液,药物质量浓度19.92%,3.32 g/kg灌胃,模型组以蒸馏水灌胃。4周后处死各组小鼠并留取血液和结直肠组织组织标本,酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent method,ELISA)法检测血清IL-6浓度,苏木精-伊红染色法(Hematoxylin-eosin Staining,简称HE染色法)染色镜下观察小鼠结肠组织病理变化,Western-blot法检测EGF蛋白表达。结果:健脾益气治疗组小鼠的体质量较模型组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗组小鼠血清IL-6表达量比模型组显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗组小鼠的EGF蛋白表达显著降低,与模型组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:健脾益气中药能增加结直肠炎病变后诱发结直肠癌小鼠的体质量,减少炎症因子IL-6的表达和降低EGF蛋白表达,可为健脾益气中药抗结肠癌临床应用提供科学依据。