巨噬细胞炎性蛋白4的突变和原核表达

目的 探索如何抑制嗜酸细胞的趋化作用，选择β-趋化因子巨噬细胞炎性蛋白4（MIP4）的突变性（Met-MIP4)作为趋化因子受体3的拮抗剂，将Met-MIP4基因在原核细胞中进行表达。方法 设计MIP4基因的PCR引物并进行氨基酸突变，将MIP4N末端的丙氨酸突变为蛋氨酸，以正常人肺酸突变，将MIP4N末端的丙氨酸突变为蛋氨酸。以正常人肺cDNA文库为模板，PCR方法获取Met-MIP4基因，克隆入载体pUC19，测序验证序列已得到突变，将正确的基因插入到GST融合表达载体pGEX-4T中，以IPTG诱导表达。结果 PCR产物为220bp左右的片段，连接入pUC19质粒后测序验证获得正确突变，构建的pGEX-4T融合表达载体在大肠杆菌中表达，经SDS-PAGE凝胶电泳显示有大小约34kU的新生融合蛋白表达。结论 成功突变并克隆了β-趋化因子MIP4基因，SDS-PAGE表明，与GST融合的Met-MIP4突变体已得到表达，为进一步研究其生物学活性奠定了基础。     

Persistent platelet activation in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with low doses of aspirin

BACKGROUND: The percentage of diabetic patients who do not benefit from the protective effect of aspirin is larger than in other populations at cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: We compared the ability of aspirin to suppress TxA2 and platelet activation in vivo, in type-2 diabetics vs. high-risk non-diabetic patients. METHODS: Urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2, plasma sCD40 L, and sP-selectin were measured, together with indices of low-grade inflammation, glycemic control, and lipid profile, in 82 patients with type-2 diabetes and 39 without diabetes, treated with low doses of aspirin. RESULTS: Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2, plasma sCD40L and sP-selectin were significantly higher in diabetics than in controls: [38.9 (27.8-63.3) vs. 28.5 (22.5-43.9) ng mmol(-1) of creatinine, P = 0.02], [1.06 (0.42-3.06) vs. 0.35 (0.22-0.95) ng mL(-1); P = 0.0001], [37.0 (16.8-85.6) vs. 20.0 (11.2-35.6) ng mL(-1), P = 0.0001], respectively. The proportion of individuals with diabetes increased across quartiles of 11-dehydro-TxB2, sCD40L, and sP-selectin, with the highest quartiles of 11-dehydro-TxB2, sCD40L and sP-selectin, including 66%, 93.3%, and 93.3% of individuals with diabetes. Markers of platelet activation positively correlated with indices of glycemic control but not with markers of low-grade inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet dysfunction associated with insufficient glycemic control, may mediate persistent platelet activation under aspirin treatment.     

Relations between vasoactive hormones and diastolic function in hypertensive uraemic patients

Background. Arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for the high rate of cardiovascular disease in chronic uraemic (CU) patients. Any role that hypertension may play in CU patient outcomes assumes added significance. The elevation of some hormonal factors in early clinical stage could represent a valuable marker of cardiac disease in CU. Aim. This study first investigated the role of several hormones on cardiac diastolic properties in CU patients. Moreover, the study investigated the association of hypertension with both diastolic function and release of vasoactive hormones in CU patients. Results. We have reported that the early impairment of diastolic function is correlated with the elevation of both circulating plasma atrial natriuretic factor and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in hypertensive CU patients. Since the effect of ET-1 on diastolic function is still poorly understood, we have investigated also this issue. In eight additional patients with reduced E/A ratio, but without uraemia, hypertension or chronic heart failure, we have showed a high inverse correlation between the values of E/A ratio and ET-1 plasma concentrations. Conclusions. These results strongly suggest that the elevation in ET-1 levels was correlated with diastolic dysfunction in man. This phenomenon may have important pathophysiological implications suggesting the possibility of an early therapeutic approach in these patients.     

Synergistic effect of deoxyspergualin (DSP) and cyclosporin A (CsA) in the prevention of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in BB rats

Dose-dependent side effects are frequently observed with immunosuppressive drugs of potential relevance for the immunotherapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), such as CsA and DSP. If CsA and DSP acted synergistically in vivo, their combined use would allow using each compound at lower doses than those required when each drug is given in monotherapy. Consequently, dose-dependent side effects could be reduced and the therapeutic activity maintained or even enforced. Toward this end we studied the effects of combined treatment with CsA and DSP on the course of IDDM in the diabetes-prone (DP)-BB rat. The results show that two ‘low’ doses of CsA (2mg/kg) and DSP (1mg/kg) that are clinically ineffective in suppressing IDDM development in BB rats when administered alone under a prolonged prophylactic regimen (30–105 days old), may successfully prevent, but not cure, the disease when given contemporaneously under the same experimental conditions. The combined treatment was well tolerated, and no side effects were noticed. These data suggest that the combined use of CsA and DSP may deserve consideration for its possible application in the prevention/treatment of human IDDM and other autoimmune diseases.     

Airway eosinophilia and expression of interleukin-5 protein in asthma and in exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Background An increased nutnber of eosinophils in the bronchial mucosa has been demonstrated both in asthma and in exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Oiyective To investigate whether the airway eosinophilia present in asthma and in chronic bronchitis during exacerbations is associated with interleukin (IL)-5 protein expression in the bronchial mucosa. Methods We obtained bronchial biopsies in 18 subjects with asthma (four intrinsic, seven extrinsic and seven occupational) and in II subjects with chronic bronchitis examined during an exacerbation. The findings were compared wilh those of bronchial biopsies from 10 subjects with chronic bronchitis examined under baseline conditions and from seven normal subjects, taken as controls. By immunohistochemistry, we assessed the expression of IL-5 protein and the number of eosinophils (EG2), mast cells ftryptase), and T-lymphocytes (CD3) in the submucosa. Results As compared with controls, the number of eosinophils was increased to a similar degree in both asthma (P < 0.001) and in exacerbations of ehronic bronchitis (P < 0.001). whereas the number of I L-5 immunopositive cells was increased significantly only in asthma (P < 0.01). No diflerences were observed in the number of tnast cells and T-lymphocytes between the four groups of subjects examined. Conciusions This study shows that the degree of airway eosinophilia is similar in asthma and in exacerbations of ehronic bronchitis, but only in asthma is it associated with an increased expression of I L-5 protein in the bronchial tnucosa.     

肾上腺髓质素对豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙通道的作用及其信号转导机制

目的: 研究肾上腺髓质素( adrenomedullin, ADM)抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞L-型钙通道的信号转导机制。方法: 应用全细胞膜片钳技术,记录应用ADM(1-100 nmol·L^-1)前后L-型钙电流(I_Ca,L),以及分别记录应用ADM特异性受体拮抗剂ADM_22-52(100 nmol·L^-1)+ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、蛋白激酶A (PKA) 特异性拮抗剂H-89(10 μmol·L^-1) + ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、蛋白激酶C (PKC) 特异性拮抗剂PKC_19-36(10 μmol·L^-1)+ADM(100 nmol·L^-1)、PKC特异性激动剂PMA(1 μmol·L^-1)前后I_Ca,L。结果: ADM(1-100 nmol·L^-1)浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Ca,L,并可被ADM_22-52(100 nmol·L^-1)完全阻断;H-89(10 μmol·L^-1)对ADM抑制I_Ca,L的作用无影响。PKC_19-36(10 μmol·L^-1)可完全阻断ADM 对I_Ca,L的抑制效应,且PMA(1 μmol·L^-1)可模拟ADM 对I_Ca,L的抑制效应。结论: ADM作用于特异性ADM受体可浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Ca,L,此作用有可能与PKC激活相关。     

表皮生长因子影响肿瘤患者舌苔变化的分子机制研究

目的 研究表皮生长因子（EGF）对食管癌细胞Eca-109细胞周期及表皮生长因子受体（EGF－R）表达的影响，探讨EGF促进肿瘤患者舌苔增厚的分子机制。方法 应用流式细胞术，检测EGF－R的表达和细胞周期。结果 EGF能明显促进Eca-109细胞膜上EGF－R的表达，使细胞增殖活性大大增强。结论EGF有是通过促进EGF－R的表达影响舌苔形成。     

外伤性视神经损伤后视神经及视网膜形态的动态观察

目的:了解外伤性视神经损伤后的病理变化、溃变特点与时相间的关系。方法:参照Allen脊髓损伤法,造成视神经眶尖段间接600gcm力冲击、挤压伤。伤后对视神经和视网膜行形态学动态观察。结果:①伤后48h,视神经轻度肿胀和空泡反应;1周时损伤处视神经出现溃变,神经胶质细胞增生,视网膜神经节细胞(retinalganglioncells,RGCs)形态改变不明显;2周时神经纤维轴束间空泡样改变,局灶性坏死,RGCs核固缩和细胞数量减少。术后3月,视神经损伤部位直径缩小,形成胶质疤痕,RGCs数量明显减少,核固缩细胞增多。②RGCs数量于术后48h、1周、2周、1月和3月分别比正常对照组低3.35%、13.23%、19.74%、23.20%、29.28%。③视网膜细胞在48h内出现凋亡。结论:本实验模型可造成明确的视神经和视网膜损伤,神经元的损伤程度从节细胞、中间神经元、感光细胞的次序依次递减。视网膜和视神经损伤的严重程度与时间呈相关性。RGCs数量在48h至1周时下降速率最快。     

A synthetic 10-kD heat shock protein (hsp10) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis modulates adjuvant arthritis

The heat shock protein, hsp10, is an abundant protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), its nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of 99 amino acids with a molecular mass of 10±7kD. This sequence is phylogenetically conserved, being represented by the GroES homologue of Escherichia coli. Hsp 10 and GroES are members of the chaperonin 10 family of molecular chaperones, and GroES is necessary for the optimal activity of GroEL, a member of the chaperonin 60 family and the E coli homologue of mycobacterial hsp65. Since hsp65 has been implicated in both experimental and human rheumatoid arthritis, we aimed to assess the immunomodulatory effects of its co-chaperonin, hsp10, in experimental arthritis. Our results show that an aqueous solution of a mycobacterial hsp10 delayed the onset and severity of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rodents when administered after disease induction but before joint involvement occurred. This biological activity was specific for the hsp10 of Mtb, since neither GroES nor the rat homologue was effective. Using synthetic hsp10 fragments, the activity was localized to the N-terminal region of the molecule. Assessment of circulating antibody levels to mycobacterial hsp10 and hsp65 indicated that all arthritic rats had increased litres to both hsp10 and hsp65: hsp10-treated rats showed further elevation of this humoral response not only to hsp10 but also to hsp65 when compared with the untreated arthritic control. This is the first report of the immunomodulatory activity of mycobacterial hsp10 in experimental arthritis, and exhibits a potential role for this co-chaperonin in pathophysiological situations.     

The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a predictor of sperm numbers and concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and oestrogen

The differentiation of the urinogenital system and the appendicular skeleton in vertebrates is under the control of Hox genes. The common control of digit and gonad differentiation raises the possibility that patterns of digit formation may relate to spermatogenesis and hormonal concentrations. This work was concerned with the ratio between the length of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) in humans. We showed that (i) 2D:4D in right and left hands has a sexually dimorphic pattern; in males mean 2D:4D = 0.98, i.e. the 4th digit tended to be longer than the 2nd and in females mean 2D:4D = 1.00, i.e. the 2nd and 4th digits tended to be of equal length. The dimorphism is present from at least age 2 years and 2D:4D is probably established in utero; (ii) high 2D:4D ratio in right hands was associated with germ cell failure in men (P = 0.04); (iii) sperm number was negatively related to 2D:4D in the right hand (P = 0.004); (iv) in men testosterone concentrations were negatively related to right hand 2D:4D and in women and men LH (right hand), oestrogen (right and left hands) and prolactin (right hand) concentrations were positively correlated with 2D:4D ratio and (v) 2D:4D ratio in right hands remained positively related to luteinizing hormone and oestrogen after controlling for sex, age, height and weight.