携带小鼠白细胞介素-12 siRNA基因重组腺病毒载体的构建及其在树突状细胞中的表达

目的:构建载有白细胞介素-12干扰RNA(IL-12si RNA)基因的,能在树突状细胞(DC)表达的重组腺病毒载体,为免疫耐受提供基础。方法:将IL-12p35si RNA和IL-12p40si RNAcDNA克隆于腺病毒穿梭质粒pShuttle2,得到重组质粒,并与腺病毒骨架质粒BD Adeno-XTM体外连接后代共转化大肠杆菌DH5α菌株,重组腺病毒质粒经过293细胞的包装扩增及氯化铯(CsCl)纯化,生成带有IL-12p35和IL-12p40si RNA基因的重组腺病毒载体,感染DC细胞。结果:经形态学、病毒DNA酶切、聚合酶链反应(PCR)和逆转录(RT)等方法的鉴定,证实了载体构建的正确性;经测定,病毒滴度为2.5×1010efu/ml。结论:成功构建带有IL-12p35si RNA和IL-12p40si RNAcDNA的重组腺病毒载体,其所携带的载体能够转染小鼠DC并干扰其在DC中表达,为进一步的研究奠定了基础。     

人IL-12的克隆、表达及生物活性的鉴定

目的：克隆中国人ＩＬ－２ｐ４０基因,构建ＩＬ－１２的真核基因表达载体。方法：采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ从北京地区人脐血树突状细胞（ＤＣ）中克隆ＩＬ－１２ｐ４０ｃＤＮＡ基因,并进行序列分析。利用ｐｃＤＮＡ３．１和ｐＬＸＰＸＳＮ构建ＩＬ－１２表达载体,转染人肝癌细胞后对其进行生物学和免疫学分析。结果：北京地区人ＤＣ中ＩＬ－１２ｐ４０ｃＤＮＡ基因２１０位密码子有独特的结构,为ＧＣＣ（Ａｌａ）。并且２３９和２９１位     

Interleukin-12 p40-homodimer production in sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons

Recently, the reports that sensory nerves contribute to induction and development of peripheral inflammation have been accumulating. Although neuropeptides have been thought to participate in modulation of inflammation, we supposed the involvement of cytokines. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key regulator of cell-mediated immunity. IL-12 is heterodimer cytokine consisting of a p35 and a p40 subunit, but the results that some of immune cell types secrete p40-homodimer have been reported. In this study, we investigated the expression and secretion of IL-12 in mouse sensory neurons in order to evaluate the involvement of sensory neurons in cell-mediated immunity. Expression of IL-12 p40 mRNA was detected and enhanced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), but another subunit of IL-12 p35 mRNA was not detected in sensory dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture. IL-12 p40 molecule was detected in DRG neurons by immunocytochemistry. In addition, cultured DRG neurons secreted p40-homodimer that inhibited IL-12-induced STAT4 phosphorylation in T cells. p40 mRNA expression was accumulated in DRG after administration of IFN-gamma into mouse footpad, and this enhancement was eliminated by a cut of sciatic nerve. These results suggest the possibility that p40-homodimer derived from sensory nerves suppresses the excessive peripheral inflammation.     

Contrasting roles of IL-12p40 and IL-12p35 in the development of hapten-induced colitis.

IL-12(p70), a heterodimer composed of two subunits (p35 and p40), is a key cytokine for Th1 mediated inflammatory responses. We dissected the role of IL-12 in the development of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis by studying mice deficient in IL-12p40, IL-12p35, or IL-12Rbeta1. TNBS-treated IL-12Rbeta1(-/-) and IL-12p35(-/-) mice developed only a mild disease associated with low level IL-18 expression in IL-12p35(-/-) mice. In contrast, IL-12p40(-/-) mice developed more severe colitis than wild-type mice associated with high level colonic IL-18 expression. Administration of IL-12p40 neutralizing mononuclear antibody dramatically increased pathology in IL-12p35(-/-) mice similar to disease scored in IL-12p40(-/-) mice. Numbers of IFN-gamma-producing cells infiltrating the lamina propria were comparably augmented in the different groups of IL-12-mutant and wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that IL-12p40, in contrast to IL-12p70, inhibits TNBS-induced colitis and IL-18 expression independent of IFN-gamma.     

The interleukin-12 subunit p40 specifically inhibits effects of the interleukin-12 heterodimer

The recently discovered cytokine interleukin (IL)-12 is a heterodimeric protein of two disulfide-bonded subunits of 35 and 40 kDa. IL-12 has multiple effects on T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. In particular it appears to be a major factor for the development of cellular immunity. So far activity of the single subunits alone has not been described, however their expression is regulated independently. In this report we demonstrate for the first time that the mouse IL-12 subunit p40 (IL-12p40) specifically antagonizes the effects of the IL-12 heterodimer in different assay systems. The proliferation of mouse splenocytes activated by phorbol ester and IL-12 was inhibited by IL-12p40, whereas the proliferation induced by phorbol ester and IL-2 was not affected. Furthermore, the synthesis of interferon (IFN)-γ by mouse splenocytes activated with IL-2 and IL-12 was suppressed by IL-12p40. Purified mouse splenic CD4⁺ T cells produced IFN-γ upon activation with plate-bound anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody which was enhanced more than tenfold in the presence of IL-12. In this system IL-12p40 inhibited only the enhancement caused by IL-12 but not IFN-γ synthesis of CD4⁺ T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 alone. Moreover, IL-12p40 inhibited the effects of IL-12 on differentiated T helper type 1 (T_h1) cells. IFN-γ production by T_h1 cells induced in a T cell receptor-independent way by macrophages and IL-2 or macrophages and IL-12 was greatly reduced by IL-12p40 providing evidence for the endogenous synthesis of IL-12 in the Th1 cell, macrophage and IL-2 co-cultures. The specificity of inhibition was clearly demonstrated in the homotypic aggregation assay of Th1 cells. Incubation of Th1 cells with either IL-2 and IL-12 or IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor induces LFA-1/ICAM-1-dependent aggregation. Only IL-2 + IL-12 but not IL-2 + tumor necrosis factor-induced aggregation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by IL-12p40. Thus, the IL-12 subunit p40 appears to be a specific inhibitor for the IL-12 heterodimer.     

The power of combinatorial immunology: IL-12 and IL-12-related dimeric cytokines in infectious diseases

Appropriate induction of a Th1 immune response is required for effective antimicrobial immunity. However, dysregulated Th1 immune responses after infection may also lead to immunopathology. Thus, cell-mediated immune responses have to be tightly regulated. Upon infection, the production of interleukin (IL)-12, a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a p35 and a p40 subunit, is the dominant factor in Th1 cell development. The recent discovery of novel dimeric cytokines closely related to IL-12 add now to our understanding of cellular immunity and the fine tuning of T cell responses. At the onset of infection, IL-27, a heterodimer composed of the IL-12p40-related protein EBI-3 (Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3) and the IL-12p35-related protein p28 induces the expression of a functional IL-12 receptor in naive CD4⁺ T cells, making these cells sensitive to IL-12-mediated Th cell development. Later during infection, IL-23, a heterodimer composed of the IL-12p40 subunit and the IL-12p35-related molecule p19, preferentially acts on Th1 effector/memory CD4⁺ T cells. The IL-12p40 subunit can also form a homodimer, IL-12p80, which act as an IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist by competing at their receptors. This review focuses on these IL-12-related cytokines contributing to fine tuning of T cell responses after infection with intracellular pathogens.     

CD40 triggering of heterodimeric IL-12 p70 production by dendritic cells in vivo requires a microbial priming signal

CD40 ligation triggers IL-12 production by dendritic cells (DC) in vitro. Here, we demonstrate that CD40 cross-linking alone is not sufficient to induce IL-12 production by DC in vivo. Indeed, resting DC make neither the IL-12 p35 nor IL-12 p40 subunits and express only low levels of CD40. Nevertheless, after DC activation by microbial stimuli that primarily upregulate IL-12 p40 and augment CD40 expression, CD40 ligation induces a significant increase in IL-12 p35 and IL-12 p70 heterodimer production. Similarly, IL-12 p70 is produced during T cell activation in the presence but not in the absence of microbial stimuli. Thus, production of bioactive IL-12 by DC can be amplified by T cell-derived signals but must be initiated by innate signals.     

Differential expression of mRNA encoding interleukin-12 p35 and p40 subunits in situ

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a heterodimeric cytokine that plays an important role in the regulation of the immune response. For biological activity the expression of both subunits of IL-12, p35 and p40, is required. Moreover, in the mouse the p40 chain of IL-12 specifically inhibits the effects of the IL-12 heterodimer. In the present study we have analyzed by in situ hybridization the expression of the p35 and p40 mRNA in the spleens of BALB/c and mutant (SCID, nude, beige) mice, unstimulated and after in vivo stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). In unstimulated spleens of BALB/c mice, p35 and p40 mRNA were only detectable in a few strongly stained single cells, p35 mRNA was expressed in addition weakly in the B cell areas. After injection of LPS or SEB, p40 mRNA was strongly induced in the T cell areas all over the spleen, whereas expression of p35 mRNA and its distribution pattern did not change. Surprisingly, most of the mRNA for p35 and p40 was localized in different areas of the spleen and was apparently produced by different cells. In macrophage-depleted spleens the increased expression of p40 mRNA in response to LPS was reduced but still detectable, demonstrating that other cells besides macrophages can up-regulate IL-12 p40 mRNA. Nude mice showed a stronger expression of p35 mRNA, SCID mice lacked the weak p35 staining of the B cell areas but showed a strong basal expression of both p35 and p40 mRNA and a focal response to LPS. The pattern of IL-12 mRNA expression in beige mice was the same as in normal mice. These data demonstrate a spatial dissociation of expression of the two chains of IL-12 and are compatible with a regulatory role of the isolated IL-12 p40 chain in vivo. In addition, they indicate that the demonstration of mRNA for both chains of IL-12 in whole tissues or cell mixtures is not necessarily indicative of functional IL-12.     

IL-12双亚基共表达载体的构建及在人骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

 目的 构建人 IL-12（hIL-12）p40 和 p35 双亚基真核共表达载体并转染人骨髓间充质干细胞（hMSC）。方法 根据 hIL-12 p40 和 p35 亚基全长 cDNA 序列分别设计合成引物行 PCR 扩增，将扩增所得 p40 和 p35 片段采用 overlap PCR 法拼接，获得的 rhIL-12 融合基因与 pGEM-T Easy 质粒连接，将鉴定正确的 pGEM-T/rhIL-12 重组质粒克隆至 pcDNA3.1（+）真核表达质粒中，构建 pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12 真核表达载体，并进行测序鉴定。将鉴定正确的 pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12 经脂质体介导转染 hMSC，同时以转染 pcDNA3.1（+）空质粒作为对照组，在倒置显微镜下观察细胞生长形态；在转染后第 4 天采用蛋白质印迹法检测细胞培养上清液中 rhIL-12 融合基因的表达；另分别在转染后第 2、4、6、8、10、12、14 天，采用 ELISA 方法检测细胞培养上清液中 rhIL-12 融合基因的表达水平。 结果 PCR 扩增结果显示特异性扩增出 p40（1000 bp）、p35（600 bp）、rhIL-12（1600 bp）片段，均与预期 DNA 表达片段大小一致。pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12 测序显示克隆的 rhIL-12 基因序列与报告序列完全相同。倒置显微镜下观察，可见转染 pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12 的 hMSC 生长形态和生长速度与对照组 hMSC 相比均无明显差异。蛋白质印迹和 ELISA 检测显示，转染 pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12 的 hMSC 培养上清液中可见 rhIL-12 融合蛋白的持续表达；而对照组中均未检测到 rhIL-12 融合蛋白表达。 结论 成功构建了 hIL-12 p40 和 p35 双亚基真核共表达载体 pcDNA3.1（+）/rhIL-12，为利用 hIL-12 进行非病毒载体抗肿瘤基因治疗奠定了基础。     

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of guinea pig IL-12

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that plays a central role in cell-mediated immunity. We cloned complete cDNAs of guinea pig homologues of IL-12 p35 and p40 subunits, and compared their functional properties with human IL-12. Both p35 and p40 mRNA were constitutively expressed in the testis and peritoneal macrophages. On immunoblotting, anti-guinea pig p40 antibody detected the constitutive expression of p40 protein in the testis, while in macrophages it was induced in response to lipopolysaccharide. An unidentified 200-kDa macromolecule was also expressed in the testis. All recombinant hybrid heterodimer p70 (guinea pig p70, human p70 and two interspecies heterodimers) exerted proliferative activity toward concanavalin A-primed guinea pig and human lymphoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. A similar tendency was observed in IFN-gamma production in IL-2-treated human lymphocytes. All hybrid heterodimers also induced IFN-gamma mRNA from IL-2-treated guinea pig splenocytes. Thus, unlike the current concept that the p35 subunit determines the species incompatibility of IL-12 in humans and mice, p35 has marginal ability to define its species-specific functional expression between humans and guinea pigs. In addition, constitutive expression of IL-12 or related molecules in the testis indicated a potential role of this molecule in regulation of physiological or pathophysiological conditions in the reproductive system.     

IL-12双亚基共表达载体的构建及其在人骨髓间充质干细胞中的表达

目的构建人IL-12（hIL-12）p40和p35双亚基真核共表达载体并转染人骨髓间充质干细胞（hMSC）。方法根据hIL-12p40和p35亚基全长cDNA序列分别设计合成引物行PCR扩增，将扩增所得p40和p35片段采用overlap PCR法拼接，获得的rhIL-12融合基因与pGEM—TEasy质粒连接，将鉴定正确的pGEM—T／rhIL-12重组质粒克隆至pcDNA3．1（＋）真核表达质粒中，构建pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12真核表达载体，并进行测序鉴定。将鉴定正确的pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12经脂质体介导转染hMSC，同时以转染pcDNA3．1（＋）空质粒作为对照组，在倒置显微镜下观察细胞生长形态；在转染后第4天采用蛋白质印迹法检测细胞培养上清液中rhIL-12融合基因的表达；另分别在转染后第2、4、6、8、10、12、14天，采用ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清液中rhIL-12融合基因的表达水平。结果PCR扩增结果显示特异性扩增出p40（1000bp）、p35（600bp）、rhIL-12（1600bp）片段，均与预期DNA表达片段大小一致。pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12测序显示克隆的rhlL-12基因序列与报告序列完全相同。倒置显微镜下观察，可见转染pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12的hMSC生长形态和生长速度与对照组hMSC相比均无明显差异。蛋白质印迹和ELISA检测显示，转染pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12的hMSC培养上清液中可见rhIL-12融合蛋白的持续表达；而对照组中均未检测到rhIL-12融合蛋白表达。结论成功构建了hIL-12p40和p35双亚基真核共表达载体pcDNA3．1（＋）／rhIL-12，为利用hIL-12进行非病毒载体抗肿瘤基因治疗奠定了基础。     

Novel IL-12 family members shed light on the orchestration of Th1 responses

Interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is composed of a p35 and a p40 subunit, is a proinflammatory natural-killer (NK) cell-stimulating, Th1-inducing and Th1-maintaining cytokine, which promotes cell-mediated immunity. On activation, heterodimeric IL-12 is found in small amounts, whereas free p40 is produced in excess. Besides IL-12, other p40-dependent molecules exist that orchestrate Th1 responses. Homodimeric p40 can act as an IL-12 antagonist by competing for its receptor. Recent data also reveal potential immunostimulatory functions of p40. In addition, p40 can be covalently linked to a p35-related protein p19. This heterodimer is known as IL-23 and has activities on memory T cells. Finally, IL-27, the latest addition to this family, is a heterodimer composed of the p40-related protein EBI3 (Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3) and the p35-related protein p28. IL-27 is involved in early Th1 initiation.     

CpG ODN-mediated regulation of IL-12 p40 transcription

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs activate RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages and RPMI 8226 human myeloma cells to produce IL-12 p40. Using deletion and site-directed mutagenesis, the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB half-site and the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) recognition site were identified as potent cis-acting elements in CpG ODN-mediated IL-12 p40 promoter activation. Several NF-kappaB/Rel proteins competed for binding to the NF-kappaB half-site. The p65/c-Rel and p65/p50 heterodimer occupied this site shortly after CpG ODN administration (0.5-2 h), while the p50/c-Rel heterodimer dominated binding in the late stage (8-12 h). The induction of p50/c-Rel heterodimer was associated with a significant expression of IL-12 p40 mRNA. C/EBPbeta also contributed to CpG ODN-mediated IL-12 p40 promoter activation.