小鼠Atrogin-1基因真核表达载体的构建及其在293T细胞中的表达

目的：构建小鼠Atrogin-1基因真核表达载体,研究其功能,并探讨其在癌性恶液质骨骼肌萎缩中的作用机制。方法：提取小鼠C2C12细胞RNA,反转成cDNA,PCR合成含有酶切位点的Atrogin-1 cDNA全长,酶切后连接到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1,构建重组真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-Atrogin-1,经鉴定及测序证实cDNA片段大小和序列正确,然后用其转染293T细胞,Western blot法检测Atrogin-1蛋白的表达。结果：pcDNA3.1-Atrogin-1含大小、序列正确的Atrogin-1cDNA片段,转染pcDNA3.1-Atrogin-1的293T细胞裂解液中能检测到Atrogin-1蛋白高表达。结论：成功构建了Atrogin-1基因真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-Atrogin-1,并在真核细胞中表达了目的蛋白,其是研究癌性恶液质的重要工具。     

大鼠Delta1基因真核表达载体的构建与鉴定

背景:最近有数据表明,Notch信号通路在外周移植免疫应答反应中发挥重要的调节作用,可以促进调节性T的分化,诱导抗原特异性的免疫耐受.推测Notch/Notch配体可能在MHC:TCR界面发挥作用.目的:构建大鼠Deltal基因(Notch配体)真核表达载体,并观察其在树突状细胞中的表达.方法:应用RT-PCR方法从大鼠骨髓细胞中获得全长Delta1基因片段,并将此基因片段构建在pcDNA3.1(+)真核表达载体上.利用脂质体基因转染技术将含大鼠Delta1基因片段的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)/Delta1转染入树突状细胞中,观察Delta1基因在树突状细胞中的表达.结果与结论:双酶切鉴定结果显示,Delta1已成功构建在pcDNA3.1的Hindlll和Xbal双酶切位点之间,任选一个酶切阳性克隆pcDNA3.1/Deltal送上海生工生物公司进行序列测定,测序结果与Genebank中Delta1基因序列完全一致,阅读框正确.转染Delta1基因的树突状细胞形态与其亲本细胞类似,蛋白免疫印迹法检测到细胞内Deltal的表达显著增高.实验成功利用基因转染方法将Delta1基因导入树突状细胞,构建了真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)/Delta1,并使之高效表达并分泌Delta1蛋白.     

MAGE-3-HSP70融合基因真核表达载体的构建与鉴定

背景:疫苗诱导的抗肿瘤CD8+T细胞反应被认为在增加机体对肿瘤抵抗力方面起重要作用.研究发现,抗原递呈细胞摄取热休克蛋白70与肿瘤相关抗原的融合蛋白,并在MHC Ⅰ类分子上处理提呈有此热休克蛋白为伴侣的肽后,会启动CD8+细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应.目的:构建黑色素瘤抗原3(MAGE-3)、人热休克蛋白70(HSP70)融合基因的真核表达载体.设计、时间及地点:单一样本观察,于2008-06/12在国家卫生部纳米生物技术重点实验室完成.材料:pcDNA3.1(-)Vector为BD公司产品,pINCY/MAGE-3,pOTB7/HSP70为Open Biosystems公司产品,DH5α由纳米生物技术重点实验室保存.方法:设计含Xho Ⅰ酶切位点MAGE-3引物及含Kpn Ⅰ酶切位点人热休克蛋白70引物,以pINCY/MAGE-3和pOTB7/HSP70为模板扩增黑色素瘤抗原3和人热休克蛋白70基因片段,以基因片段为模板,采用MAGE-3上游引物(含Xho Ⅰ酶切位点)及人热休克蛋白70下游引物(含Kpn Ⅰ酶切位点),PCR扩增MAGE-3-HSP70融合基因片段,Kpn Ⅰ和Xho Ⅰ双酶切并连接至pcDNA3.1(-),转化感受态大肠杆菌DH5α,获得阳性克隆进行双酶切和测序鉴定.主要观察指标:真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(-)IMAGE-3+HSP70的鉴定.结果:测序结果显示黑色素瘤抗原3与Gene Bank上公布的序列完全一致,人热休克蛋白70有3处同义突变.结论:成功构建MAGE-3-HSP70融合基因真核表达载体.     

IL-21重组载体的构建及其诱导T细胞活化增殖的研究

目的构建小鼠IL-21基因真核重组表达载体,为IL-21基因治疗肿瘤奠定基础。方法分离BALB/c小鼠脾细胞,提取总RNA,经RT-PCR扩增IL-21基因片段,构建重组质粒pcDNA3.1(-)-IL-21,分组免疫小鼠,检测其脾细胞膜表面CD分子。结果重组质粒测序结果与GenBank中序列一致,大小为490 bp。核酸疫苗免疫组小鼠脾细胞表面CD分子表达量明显高于PBS和pcDNA3.1(-)空质粒组。结论成功的构建了重组质粒pcDNA3.1(-)-IL-21,该核酸疫苗免疫小鼠后,可有效地诱导其体内T细胞的活化增殖。     

KiSS-1基因对膀胱癌细胞系T24生物学行为影响的研究

目的 探讨肿瘤转移抑制基因KiSS-1对膀胱癌细胞T24的生物学影响.方法 将构建好的含771 bp大小的基因片段的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/KiSS-1及空载体pcDNA3.1(+)用阳离子脂质体介导采用基因转染技术转染膀胱癌细胞T24,观察KiSS-1mRNA的表达、细胞生长能力、增殖情况及细胞侵袭力的变化.结果 pcDNA3.1(+)/KiSS-1 成功转染T24细胞,KiSS-1 mRNA 表达阳性,而正常细胞和空载体组为阴性;转染目的基因后细胞生长曲线、平板克隆形成率与正常细胞及转染空质粒细胞组无显著性差异( P＞0.05);转染目的基因后的细胞组穿透Millicell-PCF膜的细胞数较转染空质粒组及正常细胞组明显减少( P＜0.05),细胞侵袭能力明显下降(P＜0.05).结论 KiSS-1基因对膀胱癌细胞T24的生长、增殖无影响,但可抑制其侵袭力.     

Glypican3 N端融合基因构建及鉴定

目的 构建人磷酯酰肌醇蛋白聚糖3(glypican3,GPC3)N端融合基因.方法 采用RT-PCR技术,从人肝癌细胞株HepG2 mRNA中扩增GPC3 N端基因片段,经双酶切后,T4DNA连接酶将此片段定向连接至质粒pcDNA3.1,并转化大肠埃希菌DH5a,增菌培养后提取质粒并PCR扩增、酶切鉴定及序列测定.结果 GPC3 N端基因片段正确插入质粒pcDNA3.1,片段大小及序列正确.结论 成功构建重组质粒pcDNA3.1-GPC3N.     

丙肝核心抗原-CD40L胞外段真核表达载体的构建及其免疫原性分析

目的构建丙肝核心抗原-CD40L胞外段融合蛋白真核表达载体,并探讨其免疫原性。方法应用基因重组技术在原有载体的基础上构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-core-CD40L并加以鉴定。该表达质粒肌肉内注射免疫小鼠,ELISA法检测小鼠外周血中抗丙肝核心抗体,流式细胞仪检测小鼠外周血T淋巴细胞亚型,real time PCR法检测外周血单个核细胞内细胞因子,CTL杀伤实验检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞的杀伤活性。结果构建了真核表达载体pcD-NA3.1-core-CD40L,该载体能诱发小鼠产生高滴度的抗丙肝核心抗原的抗体,流式和real time结果证实该质粒能诱使小鼠T淋巴细胞由T0期向Th1和Th2转换,并以Th1为主,CTL杀伤结果显示该表达质粒能诱使小鼠产生高水平的细胞杀伤能力。结论成功构建了真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-core-CD40L,该质粒能够在小鼠体内正确表达,并能诱发高水平的细胞杀伤活性。     

SARS病毒S蛋白编码基因表达载体的构建及在Vero细胞中的表达

目的构建含SARS病毒S蛋白编码基因片段的表达载体,并将其置于Vero细胞中表达。方法设计1对PCR引物,在其下游引入Flag序列,通过PCR方法从质粒pGEX-6P-1-SARS-S中扩增出S蛋白编码基因,PCR产物经酶切后,插入表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)中,构建重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1(+)-SARS-S。重组质粒经酶切鉴定及核苷酸序列测定和分析后转染Vero细胞,用抗Flag单克隆抗体通过Western blot检测S蛋白片段在Vero细胞中的表达。结果酶切鉴定及核苷酸序列测定和分析示重组质粒构建完全正确;Western blot证实重组S蛋白片段能够在Vero细胞表达。结论融合Flag序列的SARS病毒S蛋白片段在Vero细胞中获得了正确表达。     

HSV-TK单基因及其与hIL-12融合基因表达载体的构建

目的构建HSV-TK单基因和TK/hIL12融合基因的真核表达载体。方法 PCR扩增质粒pGT60-hIL12中HSV-TK与hIL12治疗基因片段,同时引入pcDNA3.1(+)多克隆酶切位点,构建HSV-TK单基因及其与hIL12融合基因的真核表达载体。结果 DNA测序分析、限制性双酶切鉴定证实构建的真核表达载体中治疗基因的序列、大小和方向正确。结论成功构建了pcDNA3.1-TK和pcDNA3.1-TK/hIL12真核表达载体,为进一步探索HSV-TK与hIL12基因的协同抗瘤作用提供实验基础。     

弓形虫致密颗粒蛋白GRA4真核表达质粒的构建

目的构建弓形虫致密颗粒蛋白GRA4的真核表达重组质粒。方法设计合成GRA4引物,运用PCR方法扩增其基因片段,经克隆至pMD18-T载体后,亚克隆至真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1(-)而构建重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1-GRA4。结果PCR扩增GRA4基因序列正确,构建的重组表达质粒pcDNA3.1-GRA4经PCR、EcoRⅠ/HindⅢ双酶切和测序鉴定正确。结论成功获得真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-GRA4,为进一步研究弓形虫疫苗的免疫保护性奠定基础。     

Identification of overlapping HLA class I-restricted cytotoxic T cell epitopes in a conserved region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoprotein: definition of minimum epitopes and analysis of the effects of sequence variation.

Although the immunologic basis of protective immunity in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has not yet been defined, virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are likely to be an important host defense and may be a critical feature of an effective vaccine. These observations, along with the inclusion of the HIV-1 envelope in the majority of vaccine candidates presently in clinical trials, underscore the importance of the precise characterization of the cellular immune responses to this protein. Although humoral immune responses to the envelope protein have been extensively characterized, relatively little information is available regarding the envelope epitopes recognized by virus-specific CTL and the effects of sequence variation within these epitopes. Here we report the identification of two overlapping CTL epitopes in a highly conserved region of the HIV-1 transmembrane envelope protein, gp41, using CTL clones derived from two seropositive subjects. An eight-amino acid peptide was defined as the minimum epitope recognized by HLA-B8-restricted CTL derived from one subject, and in a second subject, an overlapping nine-amino acid peptide was identified as the minimal epitope for HLA-B14-restricted CTL clones. Selected single amino acid substitutions representing those found in naturally occurring HIV-1 isolates resulted in partial to complete loss of recognition of these epitopes. These data indicate the presence of a highly conserved region in the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein that is immunogenic for CTL responses. In addition, they suggest that natural sequence variation may lead to escape from immune detection by HIV-1-specific CTL. Since the region containing these epitopes has been previously shown to contain an immunodominant B cell epitope and also overlaps with a major histocompatibility complex class II T cell epitope recognized by CD4+ CTL from HIV-1 rgp160 vaccine recipients, it may be particularly important for HIV-1 vaccine development. Finally, the identification of minimal CTL epitopes presented by class I HLA molecules should facilitate the definition of allele-specific motifs.     

Identification of a polymorphic gene,BCL2A1, encoding two novel hematopoietic lineage-specific minor histocompatibility antigens

We report the identification of two novel minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAgs), encoded by two separate single nucleotide polymorphisms on a single gene, BCL2A1, and restricted by human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*2402 (the most common HLA-A allele in Japanese) and B*4403, respectively. Two cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones specific for these mHAgs were first isolated from two distinct recipients after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Both clones lyse only normal and malignant cells within the hematopoietic lineage. To localize the gene encoding the mHAgs, two-point linkage analysis was performed on the CTL lytic patterns of restricting HLA-transfected B lymphoblastoid cell lines obtained from Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain. Both CTL clones showed a completely identical lytic pattern for 4 pedigrees and the gene was localized within a 3.6-cM interval of 15q24.3-25.1 region that encodes at least 46 genes. Of those, only BCL2A1 has been reported to be expressed in hematopoietic cells and possess three nonsynonymous nucleotide changes. Minigene transfection and epitope reconstitution assays with synthetic peptides identified both HLA-A*2402- and B*4403-restricted mHAg epitopes to be encoded by distinct polymorphisms within BCL2A1.     

Maintenance of viral suppression in HIV-1-infected HLA-B*57+ elite suppressors despite CTL escape mutations

Rare human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected individuals, termed elite suppressors (ES), maintain plasma virus levels of <50 copies/ml and normal CD4 counts without therapy. The major histocompatibility complex class I allele group human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*57 is overrepresented in this population. Mutations in HLA-B*57-restricted epitopes have been observed in ES, but their significance has remained unclear. Here we investigate the extent and impact of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) escape mutations in HLA-B*57+ ES. We provide the first direct evidence that most ES experience chronic low level viremia. Sequencing revealed a striking discordance between the genotypes of plasma virus and archived provirus in resting CD4+ T cells. Mutations in HLA-B*57-restricted Gag epitopes were present in all viruses from plasma but were rare in proviruses, suggesting powerful selective pressure acting at these epitopes. Surprisingly, strong CD8+ T cell interferon-gamma responses were detected against some mutant epitopes found in plasma virus, suggesting the development of de novo responses to viral variants. In some individuals, relative CD8+ T cell interleukin-2 responses showed better correlation with the selection observed in vivo. Thus, analysis of low level viremia reveals an unexpectedly high level of CTL escape mutations reflecting selective pressure acting at HLA-B*57-restricted epitopes in ES. Continued viral suppression probably reflects CTL responses against unmutated epitopes and residual or de novo responses against epitopes with escape mutations.     

MAGE-12的HLA-A2限制性CTL表位肽预测及其三维结构构建

目的从理论上分析、预测黑色素瘤抗原(MAGE)-12的人类白细胞抗原(HLA)-A2限制性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)表位肽,并构建其三维结构。方法以肿瘤特异性抗原MAGE-12为研究目标,采用超基序法、量化基序法、多项式法、延展基序法与三维结构构建相结合的CTL表位预测方法。结果预测出的MAGE-12的表位中有4个符合HLA-A2限制性CTL表位要求。结论预测出的4个HLA-A2限制性CTL表位为MAGE-12的表位的可能性较大,经后续实验筛选、鉴定后,可用于基于MAGE-12的肿瘤治疗性多肽疫苗的设计研究。     

Immune selection for altered antigen processing leads to cytotoxic T lymphocyte escape in chronic HIV-1 infection

Mutations within cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes impair T cell recognition, but escape mutations arising in flanking regions that alter antigen processing have not been defined in natural human infections. In human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B57+ HIV-infected persons, immune selection pressure leads to a mutation from alanine to proline at Gag residue 146 immediately preceding the NH2 terminus of a dominant HLA-B57-restricted epitope, ISPRTLNAW. Although N-extended wild-type or mutant peptides remained well-recognized, mutant virus-infected CD4 T cells failed to be recognized by the same CTL clones. The A146P mutation prevented NH2-terminal trimming of the optimal epitope by the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase I. These results demonstrate that allele-associated sequence variation within the flanking region of CTL epitopes can alter antigen processing. Identifying such mutations is of major relevance in the construction of vaccine sequences.     

Identification and characterization of a WT1 (Wilms Tumor Gene) protein-derived HLA-DRB1*0405-restricted 16-mer helper peptide that promotes the induction and activation of WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Effective tumor vaccine may be required to induce both cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and CD4+ helper T-cell responses against tumor-associated antigens. CD4+ helper T cells that recognize HLA class II-restricted epitopes play a central role in the initiation and maintenance of antitumor immune responses. The Wilms tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in both leukemias and solid tumors, and the WT1 protein was demonstrated to be an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we identified a WT1 protein-derived 16-mer peptide, WT1(332)(KRYFKLSHLQMHSRKH), which was restricted with HLA-DRB1*0405, one of the most common HLA class II types in Japanese, as a helper epitope that could elicit WT1-specific CD4+ T-cell responses. We established a WT1(332)-specific CD4+ helper T-cell clone (E04.1), which could respond to both HLA-DRB1*0405-positive, WT1-expressing transformed hematopoietic cells and autologous dendritic cells pulsed with apoptosis-induced WT1-expressing cells, indicating that the WT1(332) was a naturally processed helper epitope. Stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with both the CTL epitope (WT1(235)) and the helper epitope (WT1(332)) in the presence of WT1(332)-specific TH1-type CD4+ T cell clone strikingly enhanced the induction and the functional activity of WT1(235)-specific CTLs compared with that of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the WT1(235) alone. These results indicated that a helper epitope, WT1(332) should be useful for improvement of the efficacy of CTL epitope-based cancer vaccine targeting WT1 in the clinical setting.     

Substantial differences in specificity of HIV-specific cytotoxic T cells in acute and chronic HIV infection

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a vital part in controlling viral replication during human viral infections. Most studies in human infections have focused on CTL specificities in chronic infection and few data exist regarding the specificity of the initial CTL response induced in acute infection. In this study, HIV-1 infection in persons expressing human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 was used as a means of addressing this issue. In chronic infection, the dominant HLA-A*0201-restricted CTL response is directed towards the epitope SLYNTVATL ("SL9") in p17 Gag (residues 77-85). This epitope is targeted by 75% of HLA-A*0201-positive adults, and the magnitude of this A*0201-SL9 response shows a strong negative association with viral load in progressive infection. Despite using the highly sensitive peptide-major histocompatibility complex tetramer and intracellular cytokine assays, responses to the SL9 epitope were not detectable in any of 11 HLA-A*0201-positive subjects with acute HIV-1 infection (P = 2 x 10(-6)), even when assays were repeated using the SL9 peptide variant that was encoded by their autologous virus. In contrast, multiple responses (median 3) to other epitopes were evident in 7 of the 11 A*0201-positive subjects. Longitudinal study of two subjects confirmed that the A*0201-SL9 response emerged later than other CTL responses, and after viral set point had been reached. Together, these data show that the CTL responses that are present and that even may dominate in chronic infection may differ substantially from those that constitute the initial antiviral CTL response. This finding is an important consideration in vaccine design and in the evaluation of vaccine candidates.     

Irradiated sporozoite vaccine induces HLA-B8-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses against two overlapping epitopes of the Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite surface protein 2

Vaccines designed to protect against malaria by inducing CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in individuals of diverse HLA backgrounds must contain multiple conserved epitopes from various preerythrocytic-stage antigens. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite surface protein 2 (PfSSP2) is considered an important antigen for inclusion in such vaccines, because CD8+ CTL against the P. yoelii SSP2 protect mice against malaria by eliminating infected hepatocytes. To develop PfSSP2 as a component of malaria vaccines, we investigated the presence of anti- PfSSP2 CTL in two HLA-B8+ volunteers immunized with irradiated P. falciparum sporozoites and characterized their CTL responses using PfSSP2-derived 15-amino acid peptides bearing the HLA-B8-binding motif. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from both volunteers stimulated with recombinant vaccinia expressing PfSSP2 displayed antigen-specific, genetically restricted, CD8+ T cell-dependent CTL activity against autologous target cells expressing PfSSP2. Of the five HLA-B8 motif- bearing 15-mers identified in the PfSSP2 sequence, two peptides sharing a 10-amino acid overlap sensitized HLA-B8-matched target cells from both volunteers for lysis by peptide-stimulated effectors. The CTL activity was HLA-B8 restricted and dependent on CD8+ T cells. Analysis of the three shorter peptides representing HLA-B8 motif-bearing sequences within the two positive peptides for their ability to bind to HLA-B8 in vitro, and to sensitize target cells for lysis by effectors stimulated with the 15-mers, identified two overlapping HLA-B8- restricted CTL epitopes. Available data indicate that the sequence of one CTL epitope is conserved and the other is variant among P. falciparum isolates. Circulating activated CTL against the conserved epitope could be directly identified in one of the two volunteers. The identification of two HLA-B8-restricted CTL epitopes on PfSSP2 provides data critical to developing an epitope-based anti-liver stage malaria vaccine.     

Design of multi-epitope,analogue-based cancer vaccines

The current objective of our cancer programme is to develop an effective vaccine based on rationally designed T cell epitope analogues, for use in the adjuvant setting for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colon cancer. Analogue epitopes, enhanced for either human leukocyte antigen (HLA) binding or T cell receptor (TCR) signalling, have been shown to be more effective at breaking immunological tolerance than cognate wild-type epitopes. Although encouraging early-phase clinical data has been obtained by others using a limited number of HLA-A2-restricted epitope analogues, the clinical benefits and immune correlates for vaccines comprised of multiple epitope analogues restricted by multiple HLA supertypes remains to be investigated. Clinical studies are currently being conducted on EP-2101, a prototype vaccine that delivers multiple HLA-A2-restricted analogue epitopes. In parallel, fixed anchor and heteroclitic analogues restricted by three other commonly expressed HLA supertypes are being identified. These analogues will be incorporated into future vaccines including optimised minigenes (epigenes) and tested in preclinical and clinical studies addressing various different cancer indications.