人B细胞活化因子基因启动子活性研究

为探索与自身免疫病发病密切相关的B细胞活化因子(BAFF)基因高水平转录的启动序列及IFN-γ等炎性细胞因子对其活性的影响,以人BAFF基因转录起始点上游-1 349 bp至-329 bp的片段为靶序列,取长度不等的片段作为启动子与含氯霉素乙酰基转移酶(CAT)报告基因的质粒组成5个重组体,脂质体转染法转染上述重组体至人骨髓白血病细胞株:HL-60,CAT-ELISA测定细胞CAT表达水平以比较各重组体的启动子活性;同时加入细胞因子IL-10、IFN-γ、IL-4、重组人BAFF蛋白(rBAFF),以测定其对BAFF启动序列的影响。结果表明,-1 349~-329 bp、-1 349~-743 bp序列具有强启动调控活性,而-1 349~-1 099 bp片段启动活性最低。细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-10和rBAFF均能在一定程度上调人BAFF基因的启动活性,IL-4则一定程度地抑制BAFF基因的启动活性。研究提示,人BAFF基因-1349~-743 bp片段是进一步研究BAFF基因转录相关DNA结合蛋白的重要调控靶序列。细胞因子IL-10、IFN-γ、IL-4、rBAFF可以一定程度的在转录水平影响BAFF合成和分泌。     

人α2(Ⅰ)型胶原基因启动子活性研究

目的探索器官纤维化形成中调控Ⅰ型胶原基因高水平转录的启动片段及TGF-β、PDGF-BB、IGF-1等细胞因子对其活性的影响. 方法从人α2(Ⅰ)胶原基因转录起始点上游-2.4kb至+58bp的片段中,取长度不等的片段作为启动子与含氯霉素乙酰基转移酶(CAT)报告基因的质粒组成5个重组体,转染上述重组体至正常人原代培养皮肤成纤维细胞,测定细胞CAT表达水平以比较各重组体的启动子活性,同时加入细胞因子,以测定其对Ⅰ型胶原启动序列的影响. 结果除 -129～+58bp序列外,其余4个重组体CAT表达水平均较高,其中-2292～+58bp、-1476～+58bp序列具较强启动CAT表达活性,-339～+58bp、-616～+58bp片段次之.TGF-β、IGF-1均能在一定程度上调人α2(Ⅰ)胶原基因启动活性. 结论人α2(Ⅰ)胶原基因片段-2292～+58bp、-1476～ +58bp、-339～+58bp有高启动活性,是进一步研究纤维化相关DNA结合蛋白的重要调控靶序列.TGF-β、IGF-1促进胶原表达,与其上调胶原基因启动活性有关.     

人α2（I）型胶原基因启动子活性研究

目的 探索器官纤维化形成中调控I型胶原基因高水平转录的启动片段及TGF-β、PDGF－BB、IGF－1等细胞因子对其活性的影响。方法 从人α2（I）胶原基因转录起始点上游－2.4kb至＋58bp的片段中，取长度不等的片段作为启动子与含氯霉素乙酰基转移酶（CAT）报告基因的质粒组成5个重组体，转染上述重组体至正常人原代培养皮肤成纤维细胞，测定细胞CAT表达水平以比较各重组体的启动子活性，同时加入细胞因子，以测定其对I型胶原启动序列的影响。结果 除－129～＋58bp序列外，其余4个重组体CAT表达水平均较高，其中－2292～＋58bp、－1476～ 58bp序列具较强启动CAT表达活性，－339～ 58bp、－616～ 58bp片段次之。TGF－β、IGF－1均能在一定程度上调人α2（I）胶原基因启动活性。结论 人α2（I）胶原基因片段－2292～ 58bp、－1476～ 58bp、－339～ 58bp有高启动活性，是进一步研究纤维化相关DNA结合蛋白的重要调控靶序列。TGF－β、IGF－1促进胶原表达，与其上调胶原基因启动活性有关。     

抗纤复方及TGF-β对胶原基因启动子活性的影响①

目的研究TGF-β及中药抗纤复方对小鼠前胶原α2(Ⅰ)基因上游启动子活性的影响。方法以含小鼠胶原α2(Ⅰ)基因上游0.4、0.8、2.0 kb启动片段为研究靶序列，以氯霉素乙酰基转移酶（CAT)作报告基因，应用基因转染技术研究小鼠胶原启动子活性。结果TGF-β可促进小鼠前胶原α2(Ⅰ)基因启动序列的启动活性，而中药抗纤复方可明显抑制其启动活性。结论TGF-β和中药抗纤复方都可作用于胶原α2(Ⅰ)基因调控片段，进而促进或抑制胶原合成。     

CK13基因5′旁侧的初步功能分析

目的　探讨细胞角蛋白 13(cytokeratin13,CK13)基因表达调控的机理 ,研究 CK13基因 5′旁侧不同基序对其转录活性的影响。　方法　采用分子克隆结合报告基因分析的方法 ,构建 CK 13基因 5′旁侧 5 13bp内不同基序与氯霉素乙酰转移酶 (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase,CAT)报告基因增强子载体p CAT的重组体 ,通过脂质体介导的转染技术导入 He L a细胞 ,检测各报告基因载体 CAT的相对活性。　结果　 CK13基因 5′旁侧起始密码子 ATG上游 - nt.32 5～ - nt.2 0 7间 119bp中具有某种抑制子元件 ,-nt.2 0 6～ - nt.94间 113bp中具有某种增强子元件。　结论　 CK13基因 5′旁侧 5 13bp内存在促进及抑制CK13基因表达的反应元件 ,进一步定位这些顺式反应元件并研究与之相互作用的反式作用因子 ,可望阐明 CK13基因表达调控及组织特异性表达的详细机理。     

CD226基因5''''上游调控序列研究

目的：研究CD226基因5’上游调控序列对CD226基因表达调控的影响。方法：通过基因克隆的方法将CD226基因5’上游调控序列，克隆到荧光素酶报告基因载体中（pGL3-basic），用脂质体转染Jurkat细胞，48小时后检测荧光素酶活性。结果：CD226基因存在两个启动子P1和P2，分别位于与-843--319bp和＋1-＋181bp，PMA可以上调P1的启动子活性，对P2有一定的抑制作用；A23187均可以上调两个启动子的活性，但对P2的作用更为明显。结论：CD226基因存在两个启动子，其活性受到PMA和A23187的调控，并呈与蛋白水平表达调控相类似的模式。     

抗纤维化细胞因子对TGF-β1基因启动转录活性的影响

转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1)是一类现已明确的致纤维化细胞因子,具有广泛的生物学效应,对细胞外基质(ECM)基因表达、降解、细胞增殖分化、凋亡及免疫功能都具有重要调节作用。前期我们研究发现,TGF-β1启动调控序列中单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点-509C>T与肝纤维化进展及血浆中TGF-β1浓度有明显的相关性。本研究旨在探讨抗纤维化细胞因子(IL-10、HGF、IFN-γ)对含TGF-β1基因-509C>T启动调控序列活性的影响。我们以特定-509C>T基因型患者DNA为模板,用PCR方法扩增得到一对长度为2.14kb(-1328~+812)含有-509C>T变异的TGF-β1上游基因片段,并将其与不含启动子的pCAT3-enhancer报告基因载体重组,构建重组体phT-GF2.14C和phTGF2.14T。用脂质体转染法将两种重组体分别转染至正常人肝脏细胞中,分别用IL-10(4ng/ml)、HGF(10ng/ml)、IFN-γ(20ng/ml)干预转染后细胞。ELISA法测定转染细胞的报告基因CAT活性。结果表明:肝细胞转染重组体phTGF2.14C细胞的CAT活性明显高于转染重组体phTGF2.14T(t=12.5882,P=0.0002)。IFN-γ对TGF-β1基因启动子phTGF2.14C、phTGF2.14T均具有显著抑制作用。细胞因子IL-10和HGF对其调控作用不显著。TGF-β1基因-509C>T中C等位基因可明显增强TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列的转录活性,IFN-γ作为一种抗纤维化细胞因子在基因转录水平对含有两种等位基因-509C>T的TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列均具有抑制作用。而作为抗纤维化细胞因子的IL-10与HGF在2.14Kb(-1328~+812)区域内对TGF-β1基因上游启动调控序列的作用不显著。     

5'上游序列对TNFα诱导内皮细胞血小板源生长因子-B链基因转录的调控作用

目的和方法:为探讨人血小板源生长因子(PDGF)-B链基因5'上游序列在TNFα诱导内皮细胞该基因转录中的调控作用,本研究将构建的一系列含人PDGF-B链基因不同上游序列荧光素酶报告基因质粒,与内参照质粒pSV-β-Gal共转染培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs),分别检测了不同浓度和不同持续时间TNFα作用下转染内皮细胞荧光素酶比活性,观察了5'上游序列的定向删切对TNFα诱导内皮细胞PDGF-B链基因转录的影响.结果和结论:不同浓度TNFα处理转染(重组报告基因质粒pSIS-1758/+43Luc)内皮细胞18h,荧光素酶的表达均有增加,在TNFα为200U/mL、400 U/mL和800 U/mL时,荧光素酶活性呈浓度依赖性增加(分别为P＜0.05,P＜0.05和P＜0.01);200U/mL TNFα分别处理9 h、18 h、36 h和72 h后,内皮细胞荧光素酶均有增加,自18 h开始其荧光素酶的表达量呈时间依赖性增加(分别为P＜0.05,P＜0.05和P＜0.01);在PDGF-B链基因上游序列-1758/+43 bp,-402/+43 bp或-189/+43 bp存在下,TNFα可使转染内皮细胞荧光素酶表达量明显增加,而在-84/+43 bp和-52/+43 bp存在时TNFα组与对照组荧光素酶表达量无明显差异,提示PDGF-B链基因上游序列-189/-85 bp范围内存在TNFα诱导反应的顺式调控元件.     

人血管细胞中hCREG1基因启动子对血清饥饿发生应答

目的： 为揭示E1A 激活基因阻遏子（CREG1）在人血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)和人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）中表达的调控机制，构建人CREG1（hCREG1）启动子报告基因载体，探讨CREG1在不同血管细胞中的表达。方法: 在对hCREG1进行生物信息学分析的基础上，以人基因组DNA为模板，PCR方法扩增含有hCREG1基因上游-3 677 bp序列，构建了hCREG1 5′上游-3 677 bp、-2 310 bp和-945 bp序列片段，分别将这3个序列克隆到pMD18-T载体上并定向亚克隆到pEGFP-1报告基因载体-pEGFP-hCREG1-P3677、pEGFP-hCREG1-P2310和pEGFP-hCREG1-P945。将重组质粒瞬时转染VSMCs株HITASY和HUVECs，检测绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）的表达。结果: 经测序鉴定证实，3个报告基因载体中插入的PCR扩增序列均与hCREG1基因上游DNA序列完全匹配。瞬时转染体外培养的人VSMCs和HUVECs后，经荧光观察和蛋白质印迹（Western blotting）证实，细胞内存在GFP的表达，并且0.5%FBS培养的HITASY细胞中GFP表达较10%FBS培养的细胞中明显增加。HUVECs中的GFP表达较人VSMCs明显增加。结论: hCREG1基因启动子报告基因载体构建成功，核心启动子存在于5′上游序列的-945 bp-0 bp区域，为进一步研究hCREG1基因表达提供了条件。     

FasL对CD28基因启动子活性的抑制作用

目的探讨FasL对CD28基因启动子活性的影响，为研究凋亡信号在免疫衰老中的作用提供资料。方法采用MTY法和annexin V—FITC染色测定细胞凋亡，Northern blot检测CD28 mRNA的表达水平，构建CD28基因上游非编码区序列的报告基因载体，并瞬时转染Jurkat E6-1细胞后，用Luciferase检测报告基因启动子的活性。结果FasL在Jurkat E6-1细胞介导的凋亡可使CD28 mRNA水平降低。CD28启动子的有效序列在上游-400 bp的范围内，并且FasL介导的凋亡信号可明显降低CD28启动子活性。结论FasL介导的凋亡信号是CD28基因启动子活性降低的重要原因。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers “Kura” and “Ebro” or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.     

'Very sore nights and days': the child's experience of illness in early modern England, c.1580-1720

Sick children were ubiquitous in early modern England, and yet they have received very little attention from historians. Taking the elusive perspective of the child, this article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of illness in England between approximately 1580 and 1720. What was it like being ill and suffering pain? How did the young respond emotionally to the anticipation of death? It is argued that children’s experiences were characterised by profound ambivalence: illness could be terrifying and distressing, but also a source of emotional and spiritual fulfilment and joy. This interpretation challenges the common assumption amongst medical historians that the experiences of early modern patients were utterly miserable. It also sheds light on children’s emotional feelings for their parents, a subject often overlooked in the historiography of childhood. The primary sources used in this article include diaries, autobiographies, letters, the biographies of pious children, printed possession cases, doctors’ casebooks, and theological treatises concerning the afterlife.     

Guidelines for the Validation and Use of Immunoassays for Determination of Introduced Proteins in Biotechnology Enhanced Crops and Derived Food Ingredients

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology have created a need for analytical techniques to determine introduced proteins in crops enhanced through modern biotechnology techniques. These proteins are expressed in plant tissues and may be present in food ingredients. Immunoassays are ideally suited for protein detection and may be used as both quantitative and threshold methods. Microplate ELISA and lateral flow devices are two of the most commonly used immunoassay formats for agricultural biotechnology applications. This paper provides general background information and a discussion of criteria for the validation and application of immunochemical methods to the analysis of proteins introduced into plants and food ingredients using biotechnology methods. It is the result of a collaborative effort of members of the Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium. This collaborative effort represents the combined expertise of several organizations to reach consensus on establishing guidelines for the validation and use of immunoassays. Further, the paper offers developers and users a consistent approach to adopting the technology as well as aid in producing accurate and meaningful results.     

Ultracryotomy: development and application (with examples from the yeast cytology) (author's transl)

The preparation steps usually necessary for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of biological material (chemical prefixation, enclosing, cryoprotective treatment, freezing, sectioning, and post-staining the sections for transmission electron microscopy) are submitted to a critical analysis. The application of cryo-ultramicrotomy, in particularly for cytochemical purposes, is reviewed. Fundamental considerations of chemical prefixation and poststaining are supported by examples from yeast cytology. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cryo-ultramicrotomy (electron optical resolution of ultrastructural details) is demonstrated on yeast cells and protoplasts.