肺炎嗜衣原体CPAF诱导THP-1细胞产生前炎症细胞因子和凋亡

目的 研究肺炎嗜衣原体(Chlamydophila pneumoniae,Cpn)衣原体蛋白酶样活性因子(Chlamydial protease-like activity factor,CPAF)能否在体外诱导人单核细胞THP-1产生前炎症细胞因子和凋亡,为进一步探索Cpn感染宿主致病的分子机制提供实验依据.方法 将Cpn CPAF全基因克隆于pGEX6p-2载体上,在大肠杆菌(E coli)中诱导表达重组蛋白,经去内毒素纯化柱和琼脂糖凝胶FF获得纯化且无脂多糖(LPS)污染的重组蛋白GST-CPAF.以不同浓度的该蛋白作用于THP-1,ELISA检测TNF-α吨和IL-6水平.MTT法检测经该蛋白处理后THP-1的增生或抑制作用,用Hoechst33258荧光染色、DNA片段化分析、Armexin V-FITC-PI染色法检测细胞凋亡情况.结果 制备的莺组蛋白GST-CPAF以时间和剂量依赖方式刺激THP-1分泌TNF-α和IL-6,并以剂量依赖方式抑制THP-1增殖;当GST-CPAF刺激THP-1细胞24 h后,能诱导细胞调亡.结论 制备的Cpn重组蛋白GST-CPAF能诱导THP-1产生前炎症细胞因子和凋亡,可能是Cpn致病机制中的一个因素.     

肺炎衣原体热休克蛋白10的表达及对炎症因子的诱生作用

目的在大肠杆菌中表达肺炎衣原体(Cpn)热休克蛋白10(Hsp10),并观察该蛋白诱生巨噬细胞(MΦ)分泌TNF-α和IL-6等促炎因子的作用。方法将Hsp10基因克隆于pQE30载体,在大肠杆菌(E.coli)M15中表达重组蛋白rHsp10,经亲和层析获得纯化rHsp10。以不同浓度的rHsp10作用于小鼠MΦRAW264.7,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测细胞因子TNF-α和IL-6。结果成功构建了pQF30/Hsp10基因,并在大肠杆菌M15中得到高效表达,该蛋白能诱导小鼠MΦ以时间、剂量依赖方式分泌TNF-α和IL-6。结论表达并纯化的rHsp10蛋白能诱导MΦ分泌TNF-α和IL-6等促炎因子。     

肺炎嗜衣原体热休克蛋白10经TLR2及TLR4调控THP-1分泌TNF-α

目的 探讨肺炎嗜衣原体(Cpn)热休克蛋白10(HSP10)诱导人单核细胞分泌炎症因子的作用及Toll样受体(TLR)2、TLR4与此作用的相关性.方法 制备Cpn HSP10(CHSP10)纯化蛋白,去内毒素活性后用不同浓度(0.5、1、5、10、20、30μ/ml)刺激THP-1细胞0、6、12、24、36、48、60 h,并比较蛋白不同处理组别中TNF-α的水平差异;以间接免疫荧光及RT-PCR鉴定THP-1细胞上的TLR4及TLR2;分离C3H系野生型和TLR4缺陷型小鼠巨噬细胞,以CHSP10刺激后检测TNF-α水平;用抗TLR2/TLR4单克隆抗体预孵育细胞,ELISA检测CHSP10刺激细胞前后TNF-α的变化.结果 CHSP10刺激THP-1细胞引起上清液炎症因子TNF-α水平显著增加,经加热等处理后蛋白诱生TNF-α的作用明显降低.THP-1细胞可检测到TLR2及TLR4的mRNA及蛋白表达,CHSP10诱生C3H系野生型小鼠细胞分泌的TNF-α明显高于TLR4缺陷型小鼠细胞,TLR2/4经单克隆抗体作用后均可显著降低CHSP10诱导THP-1分泌TNF-α的水平.结论 CHSP10可能作为炎症相关蛋白参与了Cpn对宿主细胞的致炎作用;并且TLR2及TLR4在该炎症刺激信号的传递过程中发挥一定的作用.     

LDL诱导THP-1细胞炎性因子FOS、TNF-α、IL-1β的顺序表达

目的探讨LDL诱导THP-1细胞内炎性因子FOS、TNF-α、IL-1β表达及3种炎性因子的关系,为早期诊断动脉粥样硬化提供依据。方法采用实时荧光定量PCR检测LDL刺激的THP-1细胞中FOS、TNF-α、IL-1βm RNA的表达,TNF-α抑制剂刺激THP-1细胞中FOS、TNF-α、IL-1βm RNA的表达及TNF-α抑制剂对LDL诱导的THP-1细胞中FOS、TNF-α、IL-1βm RNA表达影响;采用流式细胞仪检测TNF-α抑制剂刺激的THP-1细胞凋亡情况。结果 LDL刺激THP-1细胞FOS m RNA的表达0.5 h达到高峰(P0.05),TNF-αm RNA的表达1 h开始上升并达到最高(P0.05),IL-1βm RNA的表达1 h开始上升(P0.05);TNF-α抑制剂不促进细胞凋亡,100μg/ml时凋亡率最低。TNF-α抑制剂刺激细胞FOS m RNA 2 h表达下降(P0.05),TNF-αm RNA 1 h表达上升(P0.05),2 h表达下降(P0.05),IL-1βm RNA 1 h表达下降(P0.05);LDL诱导细胞1 h后加入TNF-α抑制剂刺激细胞FOS m RNA 1 h表达下降(P0.05),TNF-αm RNA 0.5 h表达下降(P0.05),IL-1βm RNA 0.5 h表达下降(P0.05)。结论 LDL能够促进THP-1细胞内FOS、TNF-α、IL-1β的表达,且它们之间有一定的表达顺序,TNF-α能促进IL-1β的表达。     

幽门螺杆菌VacA通过激活NF-kB诱导巨噬细胞分泌及凋亡

目的 研究幽门螺杆菌(Helicobacterpylori)空泡毒素(VacA)单一毒力决定簇对THP-1巨噬细胞分泌和凋亡的影响,以及核因子KB(nuclear factor KB,NF-KB)在调节VacA诱导的THP-1巨噬细胞功能中的作用.方法 将pDsRed-Monomer-Cl/vacA转染THP-1巨噬细胞,ELISA法检测巨噬细胞培养上清IL-1β、TNF-α含量;Griess试剂分析培养上清的一氧化氮(NO)水平;荧光探针DCFH-DA检测培养上清的活性氧(ROS);流式细胞仪检测细胞的凋亡率;凝胶阻滞试验(electro-phoretic mobility gel shift assay,EMSA)检测NF-kB的核转位.结果 重组质粒转染后6 h,重组质粒组培养上清中TNF-α、IL-1β含量明显高于阴性对照组(P<0.05);且分别于转染后6 h或24 h到达峰值;转染后6 h或12 h,重组质粒组培养上清中NO、ROS含量明显高于阴性对照组(P<0.05),且于转染后24 h达到高峰.转染后16 h,重组质粒组的凋亡率明显升高,与阴性对照组相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).重组质粒组加NF-kB的特异性抑制剂吡咯烷二硫代氨基甲酸盐(PDTC)后,IL-1β、TNF-α、NO、ROS的分泌量和细胞的凋亡率明显降低,与重组质粒组相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).EMSA试验显示,转染后3h细胞核内有活化的NF-kB,且于转染后12h活性最强.结论 VacA蛋白瞬时高表达上调THP-1巨噬细胞分泌IL-1β、TNF-α、NO和ROS;VacA蛋白瞬时高表达诱导THP-1巨噬细胞凋亡;NF-kB可能参与调节VacA诱导的THP-1巨噬细胞的分泌和凋亡.     

具核梭杆菌诱导的肠上皮细胞Caco-2炎症反应及凋亡

目的研究具核梭杆菌诱导人肠上皮细胞(Caco-2)的炎症反应与凋亡,并初步探讨其机制。方法具核梭杆菌感染Caco-2细胞后,采用RT-PCR及ELISA检测促炎细胞因子IL-1β、IL-8和TNF-α的转录水平和蛋白水平的表达,利用透射电镜、流式细胞术、Western blot和RT-PCR等技术检测具核梭杆菌诱导的肠上皮细胞凋亡情况及促凋亡相关蛋白PARP剪切、BECN1、Caspase3剪切和AKT磷酸化的情况。结果具核梭杆菌感染人肠上皮细胞系Caco-2后,无论在转录水平还是蛋白水平,促炎细胞因子IL-1β、IL-8和TNF-α的表达均比对照组显著升高,其中感染6 h后促炎细胞因子表达最高。其次,具核梭杆菌能够诱导Caco-2细胞凋亡,其中感染6 h凋亡率最高;具核梭杆菌感染6 h后,凋亡通路相关蛋白PARP剪切、Caspase3剪切显著增加,BECN1显著上调,而抗凋亡蛋白AKT磷酸化则显著下调。结论具核梭杆菌能够诱导人肠上皮细胞的炎性反应和凋亡。     

细胞因子信号传导抑制蛋白-1减轻细胞因子诱导胰岛β细胞促凋亡基因的表达

目的 构建稳定表达细胞因子信号传导抑制蛋白－1（SOCS-1）蛋白的细胞,探讨其在胰岛β细胞凋亡中的保护作用。方法 克隆大鼠SOCS-1基因,构建表达载体pEGFP-C1-SOCS1并转染入大鼠胰岛细胞系RINm5F中,构建稳定表达SOCS-1蛋白的细胞。分别用细胞因子IL-1β 、TNF-α、IFN-γ 、IL-1β联合IFN-r、IL-1β联合TNF-α及IFN-γ刺激24h,RT-PCR与Western blot检测凋亡相关指标。结果 成功构建了稳定表达SOCS-1蛋白的细胞。用IFN-γ、IL-1β联合IFN-r、IL-1β联合TNF-α及IFN-γ刺激后,未转染SOCS-1质粒的细胞iNOS转录水平显著升高。在用所有细胞因子刺激后,未转染SOCS-1质粒的细胞caspase-3表达及活性均显著升高。 结论 SOCS-1蛋白能减轻多种细胞因子诱导的胰岛β细胞促凋亡基因的表达。     

青蒿琥酯对结核分枝杆菌诱导的TNF-α、IL-6表达的影响

目的探讨青蒿琥酯(artesunate, ASN)对结核分枝杆菌(mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mtb)诱导THP-1细胞分泌TNF-α和IL-6的影响及机制研究。方法体外培养THP-1细胞。MTT法检测ASN对细胞的活性影响;RT-qPCR检测细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6和TLR2mRNA表达;ELISA检测TNF-α、IL-6分泌,Western blot检测TLR2受体表达。结果 MTT法检测ASN浓度在0～20μg/mL范围内培养48h均对细胞无毒性;与对照组相比,Mtb显著增加TNF-α、IL-6mRNA及蛋白表达,而20μg/mL ASN能显著抑制TNF-α、IL-6 mRNA及蛋白表达(P<0.05)。此外,20μg/mLASN能显著抑制TLR2mRNA及蛋白表达。结论 ASN可能通过抑制TLR2受体表达缓解Mtb诱导的炎症反应。     

STAT3抑制剂Stattic激活ERK通路诱导THP-1细胞IL-8的产生及细胞凋亡

目的观察信号转导子与转录激活子3(STAT3)抑制剂Stattic对THP-1细胞产生白细胞介素8(IL-8)和细胞凋亡的影响,并探讨其机制。方法采用(0、 1、 5、 10、 15、 20)μmol/L Stattic处理THP-1细胞0、 1、 3、 6、 12、 24h,实时荧光定量PCR检测细胞IL-8、 IL-6、 IL-1β、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的mRNA水平, ELISA检测细胞培养上清液IL-8蛋白水平,流式细胞术检测THP-1细胞的凋亡, Western blot法检测细胞STAT3、细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)的蛋白磷酸化水平;采用(0、 1、 5、 10)μmol/L的ERK通路选择性抑制剂U0126预处理THP-1细胞,反转录PCR检测U0126对Stattic诱导THP-1细胞表达IL-8 mRNA水平的影响。结果 (10～20)μmol/LStattic显著上调IL-8在THP-1细胞中的mRNA和蛋白表达,仅(15、 20)μmol/LStattic能诱导THP-1细胞凋亡; Stattic处理THP-1细胞1、 3、 6、 12、 24 h,均显著上调IL-8的mRNA水平,以3 h时最为明显,在6 h以后呈时间依赖性上调IL-8的蛋白水平并诱导THP-1细胞凋亡;Stattic呈浓度和时间依赖性抑制STAT3磷酸化,时间依赖性地诱导ERK磷酸化,在(1、 5、 10、 15、 20)μmol/L时均显著诱导ERK磷酸化。另外, U0126显著抑制Stattic诱导的IL-8 mRNA表达。结论 STAT3抑制剂Stattic通过激活ERK信号通路诱导THP-1细胞凋亡和IL-8产生。     

Annexin 1抑制BCG诱导的巨噬细胞RAW246.7细胞炎性应答及凋亡

目的建立体外结核分枝杆菌感染巨噬细胞模型,探讨膜联蛋白A1(ANXA1)对卡介苗(BCG)菌株诱导的RAW246.7细胞炎性反应及凋亡的调控作用。方法用BCG感染RAW246.7细胞。用RT-q PCR检测ANXA1、IL-6和TNF-αmRNA表达。Western blot检测ANXA1及凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax及caspase-3的表达;用MTT检测细胞存活率;用ELISA检测细胞的凋亡率;ELISA试剂盒检测细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α的含量。结果 ANXA1在BCG感染的巨噬细胞RAW246.7中明显下调(P0.05),并呈时间依赖性。ANXA1高表达显著降低BCG刺激诱导的炎性细胞因子IL-6和TNF-α的表达水平(P0.05)。此外,过表达ANXA1明显提高BCG感染的巨噬细胞的存活率(P0.05),并抑制细胞凋亡,通过上调抑凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达同时下调促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达水平(P0.05),并降低caspase-3的蛋白表达量(P0.05)。结论 ANXA1能够抑制BCG刺激诱导巨噬细胞的炎性应答进程及凋亡,为结核病的临床研究和治疗提供了理论基础。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

'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.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

The case for allele‐specific recognition by the TCR

There is a sharp difference in how one views TCR structure–function–behaviour dependent on whether its recognition of major histocompatibility complex‐encoded restriction elements (R) is germline selected or somatically generated. The generally accepted or Standard model is built on the assumption that recognition of R is by the V regions of the αβ TCR, which is not driven by allele specificity, whereas the competing model posits that recognition of R is allele‐specific. The establishing of allele‐specific recognition of R by the TCR would rule out the Standard model and clear the road to a consideration of a competing construct, the Tritope model. Here, the case for allele‐specific recognition (germline selected) is detailed making it obvious that the Standard model is untenable.