结核杆菌Mtb8.4/hIL12嵌合基因真核表达质粒的构建与表达

目的　克隆结核分枝杆菌Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因 ,导入真核表达载体pCI neo ,并在真核细胞中进行表达。方法　采用基因工程技术 ,首先以 pcDNA3.1(+) -Mtb8.4为模板 ,经聚合酶链反应 (PCR)扩增出Mtb8.4 linker基因 ,与 pCI neo载体进行连接重组 ,构建成pCI neo Mtb8.4 linker(pML)重组质粒 ,然后以 pORF hIL12质粒为模板 ,经PCR扩增出hIL 12基因 ,将hIL 12基因与 pML质粒进行连接重组 ,构建成Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因真核表达质粒 ,用限制性内切酶消化、PCR及DNA序列测定等多种分子生物学方法进行鉴定 ;重组嵌合质粒转染COS - 7细胞后 ,用RT PCR方法鉴定Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因在转录水平的表达情况。结果　Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因重组真核表达质粒经证实构建成功 ;转染COS - 7细胞后 ,Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因在转录水平成功表达。结论　Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因重组真核表达质粒的成功构建及在COS- 7细胞中的成功表达 ,为进一步研究其免疫保护效果及制备结核病Mtb8.4 /hIL12嵌合基因疫苗奠定了基础     

IL-12及HBV基因疫苗共同免疫小鼠的效果

目的观察编码鼠IL-12的真核表达载体对HBV DNA疫苗诱导Balb/c小鼠免疫应答的影响.方法肌肉注射DNA疫苗,ELISA法检测小鼠血清抗HBs,4h51Cr释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL杀伤活性.结果免疫8wk后,注射pCR3.1组、注射pCR.1-S组及共注射IL-12真核表达载体的血清A(OD值)分别为0.04±0.01,0.87±0.1及1.67±0.15.CTL细胞杀伤活性分别为10.1%±6.4%,50.5%±6.4%及73.3%±8.8%,后两组与pCR3.1组比较均有显著差异(P＜0.01),后两组比较均有显著差异(P＜0.01).脾细胞悬液经抗CD4+单克隆抗体处理后分别为48.3%±5.9%,75.6%±9.1%,抗CD8+单克隆抗体处理后分别为10.6%±1.4%,16.9%±2.3%.结论 IL-12的真核表达载体能够提高小鼠对DNA疫苗的免疫应答,CTL细胞杀伤活性主要由CD8+执行.基因疫苗可能用于预防及治疗HBV感染.     

表达Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白的基因疫苗的免疫学特性

目的测定表达Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白的两种重组质粒AZ-pcDNA3-EF和EZ-pcDNA3-AF在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答及保护力。方法50只BALB/c小鼠随机分为5组(每组10只),将表达Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白的两种重组质粒AZ-pcDNA3-EF和EZ-pcDNA3-AF分别免疫小鼠3次,每次间隔2周,同时设卡介苗(BCG)免疫组、空载体质粒免疫组和生理盐水对照组。最后一次免疫结束后,每组取5只小鼠血清,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测特异性抗体的滴度,并分离小鼠的脾淋巴细胞,并在体外用结核分枝杆菌(MTB)培养滤液蛋白(cu lture filtrate prote in,CFP)刺激,测定脾淋巴细胞增殖指数和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)水平。用1 m l含1×105克隆形成单位(CFU)的MTB毒株H37Rv经尾静脉感染其余每组5只BALB/c小鼠,4周后计数脾脏细菌负荷数。结果质粒AZ-pcDNA3-EF和EZ-pcDNA3-AF免疫小鼠血清的特异性抗体滴度分别为1∶1 000和1∶1 500。其脾淋巴细胞刺激指数分别为2.2和2.4,而生理盐水对照组和空载体质粒免疫组的刺激指数只有0.9和1.1;脾淋巴细胞悬液中诱发的IFN-γ分别为(5.48±0.38)ng/m l和(5.76±0.51)ng/m l,显著高于生理盐水对照组和空载体质粒免疫组(P<0.05),但与BCG免疫组的(5.55±0.31)ng/m l比较差异无统计学意义。结核毒株攻击后,与空载体质粒免疫组相比,质粒AZ-pcDNA3-EF和EZ-pcDNA3-AF免疫的BALB/c小鼠其抗MTB在脾脏中增殖有显著作用,3组脾脏细菌负荷对数值(lg,CFU/g)分别为6.08±0.25、4.63±0.11、4.50±0.32,但不及BCG免疫组的4.09±0.27。结论表达Ag85B与ESAT6融合蛋白的基因疫苗在小鼠体内诱导的IFN-γ水平与BCG相当,其保护力有待进一步提高。     

C反应蛋白直接刺激人单核细胞肿瘤坏死因子α与白细胞介素6的表达

目的　比较急性冠状动脉综合征患者与健康人外周血单核细胞对一定浓度的C反应蛋白或细菌脂多糖刺激的炎症反应,并观察普伐他汀的干预效应。方法　采集并培养急性冠状动脉综合征患者(急性冠状动脉综合征组,n =15 )和健康志愿者(健康组,n =15 )的外周血单核细胞,分别用C反应蛋白(终浓度为2 0mg/L)或细菌脂多糖(终浓度10 μg/L)直接刺激2 4h。或用不同浓度(1、5和10 μmol/L)的普伐他汀预先孵育细胞2h ,再用C反应蛋白刺激。采用酶联免疫吸附试验法检测培养上清液中的肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素6水平。结果　健康组受C反应蛋白刺激后肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素6表达增加,分别为5 5 8±15 2ng/L和987±10 2ng/L ;受细菌脂多糖刺激后肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素6增加显著,分别为10 5 4±371ng/L和185 4±4 6 7ng/L。急性冠状动脉综合征组受C反应蛋白刺激后肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素6表达水平分别为15 5 4±784ng/L和312 9±333ng/L ;受细菌脂多糖刺激后分别为186 5±75 3ng/L和32 16±70 3ng/L。急性冠状动脉综合征组在1、5和10 μmol/L普伐他汀干预后,肿瘤坏死因子α表达分别下降14 %、36 %和4 9% ;白细胞介素6表达分别下降18%、2 6 %和36 % ,各亚组与C反应蛋白单独刺激组比较均有显著差异。健康组在普伐     

半边莲生物碱抑制肾性高血压大鼠内皮素1 mRNA和蛋白表达

目的观察半边莲生物碱对肾性高血压大鼠内皮素1 mRNA表达、蛋白合成和释放的影响。方法采用两肾一夹高血压大鼠模型,随机分为高血压组、半边莲组、卡托普利组和假手术组。用原位杂交技术观察大鼠外周血白细胞内皮素1 mRNA的表达,应用免疫组织化学染色计数大鼠主动脉内皮细胞铺片内皮素阳性细胞率(反映内皮素1蛋白的合成),用放射免疫技术测定大鼠血浆内皮素的含量。结果与假手术组比较,高血压组外周血白细胞内皮素1mRNA表达增强(34.64%±8.39%比9.34%±4.47%,P<0.05),动脉内皮细胞合成内皮素增多(7.42%±0.24%比1.58%±0.24%,P<0.05),血浆内皮素水平显著升高(221±24ng/L比138±19ng/L,P<0.05)。应用半边莲生物碱8周后,与高血压组比较,内皮素1 mRNA表达(20.38%±11.31%比34.64%±8.39%,P<0.05)、内皮素合成(3.53%±0.21%比7.42%±0.24%,P<0.05)和血浆内皮素水平(191±21ng/L比221±24ng/L,P<0.05)均受到显著抑制。结论肾性高血压大鼠伴有内皮素表达增强,半边莲生物碱能抑制内皮素基因的转录、蛋白合成及翻译,对防治肾性高血压所致的血管病变具有一定作用。     

白细胞介素12重组腺病毒气道内应用对哮喘豚鼠治疗作用的研究

目的　探讨激发前气道内应用白细胞介素 12 (IL 12 )重组腺病毒对过敏性气道高反应的调节作用。方法　以C5 7BL/ 6小鼠经鸡卵蛋白 (OVA)免疫建立哮喘模型 ,实验分 6组 ,每组 6只。激发前气管内单次使用IL 12重组腺病毒 (10 8pfu/mouse) ,观察抗原激发后反应的变化。结果　 (1)小鼠气道内应用IL 12重组腺病毒在肺内可有效表达 ,48h血浆及肺泡灌洗液IL 12分别为 (5 40± 6 0 )U/ml和 (470 0± 80 0 )U/ml,对照病毒和PBS组未检出 ,两组比较差异有显著性 (P <0 0 1)。 (2 )在抗原激发阶段使用IL 12重组腺病毒 ,可明显抑制肺内IL 4[(3 5± 2 0 )ng/ml∶85 0± 2 5 0 )ng/ml]和IL 5[(6 5± 4 5 )ng/ml∶(5 4 0± 14 0 )ng/ml];γ干扰素 (IFN γ)的产生增加 [(6 90 0± 32 0 )ng/ml∶(12 5±3 2 )ng/ml];并明显抑制气道高反应性 [(36 0± 30 )cmH2 O∶(810± 5 0 )cmH2 O];抑制外周血 [(0 7±0 1) %∶(9 2± 0 5 ) % ]及肺泡灌洗液 [(3 5± 0 7)∶(2 1 6± 4 7)× 10 4 /ml]中的嗜酸细胞的水平 ;与对照组比较 (t分别 =7 97、7 92、5 1 6、18 9、9 33、47 1,P均 <0 0 1) ;但与总IgE[(6 5± 9) μg/ml∶(6 7± 10 )μg/ml]及抗原特异性IgE[(32± 8)∶(33± 8)U/ml]比较无明显影响 (P均 >0 0 5 )。     

氧气驱动雾化吸入联合无创呼吸机治疗急性左心衰竭对于脑钠肽表达的影响

目的：探讨氧气驱动雾化吸入联合无创呼吸机治疗急性左心衰竭对于脑钠肽(BNP)表达的影响。方法：2013年8月到2016年1月选择在我院诊治的急性左心衰竭患者130例,通过随机数字表法分为观察组与对照组各65例,所有患者均接受常规的抗心力衰竭治疗,对照组给予无创呼吸机治疗,观察组在对照组治疗的基础上给予雾化吸入肝素治疗,两组都治疗观察7d。结果：观察组与对照组的有效率分别为98.5%和89.2%,观察组明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组与对照组治疗后的血清BNP值分别为33.62±9.92 ng/L和56.78±10.95 ng/L,都明显低于治疗前的129.40±12.25 ng/L和130.48±11.54 ng/L(P<0.05),同时观察组治疗后的血清BNP值明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组与对照组治疗后的LVEF值分别为47.33±5.33%和40.65±6.72%,都明显高于治疗前的30.35±6.24%和30.45±5.98%(P<0.05),同时观察组治疗后的LVEF值明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组治疗期间的低血压、眩晕、心动过缓、肺部感染、房室传导阻滞等不良反应发生情况对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论：氧气驱动雾化吸入联合无创呼吸机治疗急性左心衰竭安全性良好,能有效改善心功能,促进临床疗效的提高,其作用机制可能与有效抑制BNP表达有关。     

不同性别心绞痛患者肌钙蛋白I和脑利钠肽检测的临床意义

目的探讨不同性别心绞痛患者血浆心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)和脑利钠肽(BNP)水平检测的临床意义。方法入选心绞痛患者283例,对照组64例。入院时测定血浆cTnI、BNP,并根据性别、冠状动脉造影结果、心绞痛类型及不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)Braunwald危险分级进行分组分析。结果男性UAP组、BraunwaldⅡ级组、BraunwaldⅢ级组cTnI[分别为(0.113±0.102)ng/L、(0.131±0.111)ng/L、(0.133±0.118)ng/L]明显高于女性对应各组[分别为(0.065±0.047)ng/L、(0.063±0.037)ng/L(、0.076±0.070)ng/L],而且在男性中,UAP组cTnI明显高于稳定型心绞痛(SAP)[(0.056±0.014)ng/L]组和对照组[(0.050±0.002)ng/L],BraunwaldⅢ级组和BraunwaldⅡ级组cTnI明显高于BraunwaldⅠ级组[(0.072±0.055)ng/L];女性各组BNP均明显高于男性对应各组,而且在女性中,UAP组BNP[(92.00±32.72)ng/L]明显高于SAP组[(43.21±14.20)ng/L]和对照组[(37.86±9.27)ng/L],BraunwaldⅢ级组和BraunwaldⅡ级组BNP[(115.20±44.73)ng/L、(89.04±13.92)ng/L]明显高于BraunwaldⅠ级组[(73.98±17.65)ng/L],BraunwaldⅢ级组BNP明显高于BraunwaldⅡ级组。结论心绞痛患者BNP和cTnI的表达存在性别差异;男性患者cTnI水平与心绞痛的类型及其危险层次明显相关;女性患者BNP水平与心绞痛的类型及其危险层次明显相关。     

妊娠对乙型肝炎肝郁脾虚型患者血清细胞因子浓度的影响及临床意义

目的 :探讨妊娠对慢性乙型肝炎 (乙肝 )肝郁脾虚型患者血清白细胞介素 - 10、12 (IL - 10、IL - 12 )、γ-干扰素 (IFN-γ)浓度的影响及临床意义。方法 :用酶联免疫法 (EL ISA)检测孕期和非孕期患者 IL - 10、IL - 12及 IFN -γ血清浓度 ,并作同期肝功能指标检查。患者分为早孕期 (2 6例 )、晚孕期 (32例 )、非孕期 (31例 ) 3组。 2 0例非孕期健康者为对照组。结果 :早孕期组 IL - 10水平 [(2 6 .0± 9.8) ng/ L ]较非孕期组 [(18.0± 1.3) ng/ L ]升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而与对照组 [(2 9.4± 5 .1) ng/ L ]相近 (P >0 .0 5 )。IL - 12、IFN -γ分别为 (5 4 .1± 2 6 .0 ) ng/ L和 (45 .5± 17.3) ng/ L ,较对照组 [(8.2± 2 .1) ng/ L、(2 4 .5± 6 .1) ng/ L ]和非孕期组 [(8.0± 2 .7) ng/ L、(16 .7± 3.7) ng/ L ]均明显升高 (均P <0 .0 1)。晚孕期组与其他各组比较 ,IL - 10 [(9.4± 1.9) ng/ L ]明显下降 (P <0 .0 1) ,但 IL - 12 [(16 6 8.0± 318.2 )ng/ L ]、IFN -γ[(46 1.0± 10 3.3) ng/ L ]显著升高。结论 :妊娠可使慢性乙肝肝郁脾虚型患者血清 IL - 12、IFN-γ浓度升高 ,在晚孕期表现更为明显。     

脑钠素在慢性心力衰竭诊断、预后评估中的价值

目的 :探讨血清脑钠素水平变化在慢性心力衰竭患者的临床诊断、预后评估中的意义。方法 :用酶联免疫吸附法检测 72例慢性心力衰竭患者 (心力衰竭组 )和 2 0例无症状性心力衰竭患者 (无症状性心力衰竭组 )的血清脑钠素 3 2水平 ,并以 3 0例健康成人作为正常对照组。结果 :①心力衰竭组、无症状性心力衰竭组和正常对照组的血清脑钠素 3 2水平分别为 (85 8 7± 3 2 6 9)ng/L、(4 3 9 0± 14 2 8)ng/L和 (10 9 3± 3 7 6)ng/L ,3组间两两比较差异均有显著性 (P均 <0 0 1) ;心力衰竭组、无症状性心力衰竭组和正常对照组的血清脑钠素 3 2水平的 95 %可信区间分别为 781 9～ 93 5 5ng/L、3 72 2～ 5 0 5 8ng/L和 95 3～ 12 3 3ng/L ,相互之间无交叉。②血清脑钠素 3 2水平对心力衰竭的诊断界值为 12 0ng/L时 ,敏感性和特异性分别为10 0 %和 86 67%。③心功能 (NYHA )Ⅰ级、Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级的血清脑钠素 3 2水平分别为 (4 3 9 0± 14 2 8)ng/L、(63 8 5± 2 2 4 5 )ng/L、(878 0± 3 3 4 0 )ng/L和 (10 45 8± 5 85 1)ng/L ,各级间差异有显著性 (P均 <0 0 1) ;血清脑钠素 3 2水平与NYHA分级呈正相关 (r =0 818,P <0 0 1) ,与原发病无相关 (P >0 0 5 )。④心力衰竭组 2 4例血清脑钠素 3 2     

携带hIL-4逆转录病毒重组体的构建及在类风湿关节炎中体外表达的研究

目的 构建携带人白介素4（hIL-4）表达序列的重组逆转录病毒pLXSN—hIL-4并检测目的基因的表达。方法 2004年6月至12月在中国医科大学基础医学院设计带有酶切位点的引物，含有目的基因的DNA进行聚合酶链反应扩增并纯化目的基因片段。pLXSN与目的基因片段hIL-4进行定向克隆连接，筛出阳性克隆并进行鉴定。扩增重组逆转录病毒载体pLXSN—hIL-4，并转染体外培养的人滑膜成纤维样细胞。Western blotting法测定目的基因蛋白表达水平。结果 成功构建了携带治疗基因的逆转录病毒重组体：rRV—hIL-4。Western blotting法检测到了hIL-4的表达。结论 成功构建了携带治疗基因的逆转录病毒重组体：rRv—hIL-4。以逆转录病毒为载体可以将hIL-4基因导入体外培养的人滑膜成纤维样细胞，转染后的细胞可以表达hIL-4蛋白。     

卡介苗预防哮喘大鼠模型形成及其与γδ T细胞关系的研究

目的探讨卡介苗(BCG)对哮喘的预防作用及其与γδT细胞的关系.方法 Wistar大鼠40只,随机分为4组,每组10只,用"冻干皮内注射用卡介苗"给大鼠皮内注射,8周后应用鸡卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏并雾化吸入刺激,制作致敏大鼠模型;测定气道反应性变化,并收集外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)和支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF);采用流式细胞仪检测γδ T细胞抗原受体(γδ TCR)和αβ TCR阳性T细胞百分率及CD28/γδTCR平均荧光密度比,并用免疫荧光法结合HE染色以及免疫组化法检测γδ T细胞占淋巴细胞的百分率.结果常规哮喘模型组(D组)BALF中可见大量嗜酸细胞[EOS,(2.5±1.1)×108/L],与正常对照组(A组)[(0.0)×108/L]比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01);D组50%时乙酰甲胆碱[PC50,(0.28±0.10)g/L]与A组[(1.36±0.76)g/L]比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01);而BCG免疫后哮喘模型组(C组)BALF中很难见到EOS[(0.0)×108/L],与A组[(0.0)×108/L]比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05),而C组PC50[(1.28±0.77)g/L]与A组[(1.36±0.76) g/L]比较,差异无显著性(P>0.05).BALF中BCG免疫组(B组)γδ T细胞/T细胞为(41.3±6.0)%,γδ T细胞/淋巴细胞为(35.2±3.3)%,而C组γδ T细胞 /T细胞为(47.3±8.5)%,γδT细胞/淋巴细胞为(39.0±6.8)%,D组γδ T细胞/T细胞为(32.4±2.6)%,γδT细胞/淋巴细胞为(28.6±2.4)%,A组γδ T细胞/T 细胞为(27.3±0.8)%,γδT细胞/淋巴细胞为(21.8±1.9)%,四组间比较差异有显著性(P均<0.01);CD28/γδTCR平均荧光密度比B组(0.66±0.08)、C组(0.88±0.26)、D组(0.71±0.15)与A组(0.53±0.06)比较,差异也有显著性(P均<0.01).结论 BCG能预防Wistar大鼠过敏性哮喘模型的形成;γδ T细胞可能存在Th1/Th2模式,并可能是BCG调节免疫和哮喘发病过程中的重要细胞.     

Novel vaccines against M. tuberculosis

CDC and ACET in U.S.A. reported that novel vaccines instead of BCG are required for the protection against infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis worldwide. However, no novel vaccine for clinical use has not yet been developed in the world including U.S.A. and Europe. We have developed two novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines; a DNA vaccine combination expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP 65) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) by using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome (HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ). A mouse IL-12 expression vector (mIL-12 DNA) encoding single-chain IL-12 proteins comorised of p40 and p35 subunits were constructed. In a mouse model, a single gene gun vaccination with the combination of HSP 65 DNA and mIL-12 DNA provided a remarkably high degree of protection against challenge with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis; bacterial numbers were 100 fold lower in the lungs compared to BCG-vaccinated mice. To explore the clinical use of the DNA vaccines, we evaluated HVJ-liposome encapsulated HAP 65 DNA and mIL-12 DNA (HSP 65 + mIL-12/ HVJ). The HVJ-liposome method improved the protective efficacy of the HSP 65 DNA vaccine compared to gene gun vaccination. This vaccine provide remarkable protective efficacy in mouse and guinea pig models, as compared to the current by available BCG vaccine. HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ vaccine induced CD8+cytoxic T lymphocyte activity against HSP 65 antigen. Protective efficacy of this vaccine was associated with the emergence of IFN-gamma-secreting T cells and activation of proliferative T cells as well as CTL induction upon stimulation with the HSP 65 and antigens from M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis, to evaluate the HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ vaccine. Vaccination with HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ provided better protective efficacy as assessed by the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, chest X-ray findings, and immune responses than BCG. Most importantly, HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ resulted in an increased survival for over a year. This is the first report of successful DNA vaccination against M. tuberculosis in the monkey model. Novel TB vaccines using the monkey model will be discussed in this issue. The development of novel vaccines against tuberculosis was also studied in murine and cynomolgus monkey systems. Four distinct methods; DNA vaccination (1. plasmid, 2. adenovirus vector, 3. adenoassouated virus), 4. recombinant BCG, and 5. subunit (recombinant protein) were used for the development of novel vaccines. Genes (HSP 65 gene, IL-12 gene as well as Ag 85A-, 85B-, MPB51-gene) and IL-6 related genes (IL-6 gene + IL-6R gene +gp130 gene) were administered into the Balb/c mice infected (i.v. or intra-tracheal injection) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Elimination of M. tuberculosis in lungs, liver, and spleen of these mice and survival were studied in these models. HSP 65 gene + IL-12 gene vaccination, or recombinant BCG (BA51 : Antigen 85B(-) + Antigen 85A(-) + MPB51-gene recombinant BCG) were more prophylactically efficient than parental BCG Tokyo vaccination. In contrast, IL-6 related genes vaccination using adenovirus vector showed therapeutic effect on M. tuberculosis infected mice. Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) activity against M. tuberculosis in the spleen cells from mice treated with IL-6 related genes vaccination were significantly augmented. Furthermore, NOD-SCID-PBL/hu mice treated with anti-IL-2 receptor beta-chain antibody provide an useful tool for analyzing in vivo human T cell immunity against tuberculosis. In conclusion, we demonstrate the development of a novel HVJ-liposome DNA vaccine encapsulating HSP 65 DNA plus IL-12 DNA. These results suggest that HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ could be a promising candidate for a new tuberculosis DNA vaccine, which is superior to the currently available BCG vaccine. The goal of our study is to develop a new tuberculosis vaccine superior to BCG. To this aim, we believe that the protective efficacy and protective immune responses for vaccine candidates should be addressed in larger animals, such as nonhuman primates, before proceeding to human clinical trials. Although other DNA vaccine candidates that appear to protect against virulent M. tuberculosis in mice better than BCG have failed to provide better protection than BCG in guinea pigs against aerosol challenge of a low dose of virulent M. tuberculosis, some of them are being prepared to enter early human clinical trials. More recently, we evaluated the HSP 65 + hIL-12/HVJ vaccine in the cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best non-human primate animal model of human tuberculosis. Monkeys were subsequently challenged with virulent M. tuberculosis by the intra-tracheal route after the third vaccination. This challenge dose normally causes death from acute respiratory infection within 4-6 months. In this particular experiment, monkeys vaccinated with HSP 65 + hIL-12/HVJ induced HSP 65-specific T-cell proliferation and improvement of chest X-P findings, resulting in an increased survival for over a year, superior to BCG group. Thus, we are taking advantage of the availability of multiple animal models (mouse, guinea pig, and monkey) to accumulate essential data of the HVJ-liposome DNA vaccine, including the vaccine efficacy and safety, for up-coming Phase I clinical trials.     

Soluble P-selectin and CD40L levels in subjects with prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome--the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study

The aim of the study was to determine whether the levels of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) and soluble CD40L (sCD40L) are elevated in Asian Indian subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MS). Study subjects were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), an ongoing population-based study on a representative population of Chennai city in southern India, and were grouped as follows: group 1, normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 60); group 2, IGT (n = 60); and group 3, type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 60). Normal glucose tolerance, IGT, and diabetes were defined using World Health Organization consulting group criteria. The inclusion criteria were nonsmokers; normal resting 12-lead electrocardiogram; absence of angina, myocardial infarction, or history of any known vascular, infectious, or inflammatory diseases; and subjects not on statins or aspirin. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis assessment model using the formula: fasting insulin (microIU/mL) x fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. Soluble P-selectin and sCD40L were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Metabolic syndrome was defined using Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. Subjects with diabetes and IGT were older (diabetes: 53 +/- 9 years, P < .01; IGT: 51 +/- 10 years, P < .05) compared with the NGT group (48 +/- 10 years). Subjects with diabetes and IGT had higher levels of sP-selectin (diabetes: 162 +/- 79 ng/mL, P < .001; IGT: 102 +/- 37 ng/mL, P < .001) compared with the NGT group (55 +/- 48 ng/mL). Soluble CD40L levels were also higher in those with diabetes and IGT (diabetes: 3.2 +/- 2.0 ng/mL, P < .001; IGT: 2.0 +/- 1.3 ng/mL, P < .001) compared with the NGT group (1.1 +/- 0.9 ng/mL). Subjects with MS had significantly higher levels of sP-selectin (with MS, 118 +/- 76 ng/mL; without MS, 95 +/- 66 ng/mL; P = .028) and sCD40L (with MS, 2.4 +/- 1.8 ng/mL; without MS, 1.9 +/- 1.5 ng/mL; P = .036) compared with subjects without MS. Among subjects with NGT and IGT, the mean levels of sP-selectin (tertile I, 65.0 ng/mL; tertile II, 80.0 ng/mL; tertile III, 91.0 ng/mL) and sCD40L levels (tertile I, 1.2 ng/mL; tertile II, 1.7 ng/mL; tertile III, 1.8 ng/mL) increased with increase in tertiles of homeostasis assessment model-insulin resistance, and the difference reached statistical significance in the last tertile compared with the first tertile (P < .05). This study demonstrates that increased levels of sP-selectin and sCD40L are seen in Asian Indian subjects with IGT, type 2 diabetes mellitus, MS, and insulin resistance.     

Abnormal immunity and gene mutation in patients with severe hepatitis-B

AIM: To evaluate the abnormal immunity and gene mutation at precore 1896 site in patients with severe hepatitis-B.METHODS: This study included 23 patients with severe hepatitis-B, 22 patients with acute hepatitis-B and 20 controls.Mutation at precore 1896 site of HBV gene was confirmed with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.Cytokines including TNF-α, IFN-y, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured with ELISA, and T subgroups were detected with alkaline phosphatase anti alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique.RESULTS: In patients with severe hepatitis-B, the infective rate of HBV mutant strain was 52.5% (12/23), and only one patient with acute hepatitis-B was infected with the mutant strain. The percentage of CD8+ T lymphocyte was obviously lower (0.16±0.02%) and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was obviously higher (2.35±0.89) in mutant group than in wildtype group (0.28±0.05% and 1.31±0.18%, respectively,P＜0.01 or P＜0.05). The levels of cytokines in patients with severe hepatitis-B were higher (TNF-α 359.0±17.2 ng/L, IFNγ 234.7±16.5 ng/L, IL-6 347.5±31.3 ng/L, IL-8 181.1±19.6ng/L) than those in acute hepatitis-B (TNF-α 220.6±8.9ng/L, IFN-γ 174.9±12.0 ng/L, IL-6 285.8±16.5 ng/L, IL-8118.4±5.1 ng/L, P＜0.01 or 0.05). In patients with severe hepatitis-B, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 were higher in mutant group (273.4±26.6 ng/L, 387.7±32.5 ng/L) than in wild-type group (207.8±12.8 ng/L, 300.9±16.3 ng/L). The mortality of patients infected with HBV mutant strain was higher (100%)than that with wild-type (0.9%).CONCLUSION: In severe hepatitis-B, the infective rate of HBV mutant strain was high. The mutant strain induces more severe immune disorders in host, resulting in the activation of lymphocyte and release of cytokines. HBV DNA mutates easily in response to the altered immunity. Ultimately liver damage is more prominent.