Rational design of hypoallergens applied to the major cat allergen Fel d 1

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment for allergic disease providing long-lasting symptom relief. Currently, it is mainly based on the use of crude allergen extracts. The treatment may be improved by the use of genetically engineered allergens, hypoallergens, aiming at a more effective and safer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a rational design of hypoallergen candidates for immunotherapy by using structural information and knowledge of B and T cell epitopes of an allergen. METHODS: The three-dimensional structure of the major cat allergen Fel d 1 was systematically altered by duplication of selected T cell epitopes and disruption of disulphide bonds. Seven Fel d 1 derivatives were generated and screened for allergenic reactivity in comparison with recombinant Fel d 1 in competition-ELISA. The allergenicity was further evaluated in basophil activation experiments and T cell reactivity was assessed in a lymphoproliferation assay. RESULTS: Three out of seven Fel d 1 derivatives, with two duplicated T cell epitopes and one or two disulphide bonds disrupted, were carefully evaluated. The three derivatives displayed a strong reduction in allergenicity with 400-900 times lower IgE-binding capacity than recombinant Fel d 1. In addition, they induced a lower degree of basophil activation and similar or stronger T cell proliferation than recombinant Fel d 1. CONCLUSION: By a rational approach, we have constructed three Fel d 1 hypoallergens with reduced IgE-binding capacities and retained T cell reactivities. This strategy may be applied to any well-characterized allergen to improve immunotherapy for allergic patients.     

Multi-parameter prediction of HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen

Objective To predict the HLA class Ⅰ restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes for human proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods By using 3 epitope prediction databases which including MHC binder ( BIMAS and SYFPEITHI databases) and proteasome cutting site ( PAProC databases), the epitopes of PCNA were predicted by analyzing several parameters and methods. Results After comprehensive analysis,we have obtained two possible HLA-A0201 restricted CTL epitopes SMSAD-VPLV (228-236, score 447 633. 595 ) and LINEACWDI ( 22-28, score 127 966.779);two HLA-A24 re-stricted CTL epitopos DYEMKLMDL ( 113-121, score 563 994.9 ) and EFARICRDL ( 143-151, score 40 540.7);two HLA-A1101 restricted CTL epitopes LTSMSKILK (72-80, score 1334. 2680 ) and DVPLV-VEYK (232-240,score 736.9236). Conclusion The multi-parameter epitope prediction method is feasi-ble for cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope prediction.     

缬沙坦加参麦注射液治疗充血性心力衰竭的临床观察

目的观察缬沙坦（Valsartan）加参麦注射液（Shenmai Injection,SI）对充血性心力衰竭（CHF）心肌损害的疗效。方法采用随机分组的方法,分别用常规治疗（31例）和缬沙坦、SI加常规治疗（31例）,并对CHF的各项实验室指标[血浆肌钙蛋白T（cTnT）、心肌酶谱]进行观察。结果在CHF进程中,cTnT浓度随着心功能恶化呈进行性增高。应用缬沙坦加SI治疗2周后,患者左室收缩功能得到明显改善,未发现严重不良反应。结论血浆cTnT可作为CHF患者预后判断的一项重要生化指标。缬沙坦加SI是治疗CHF安全有效的药物。     

Membrane-seeded autologous chondrocytes: cell viability and characterization at surgery

The implantation of chondrocytes, seeded on matrices such as hyaluronic acid or collagen membranes, is a method that is being widely used for the treatment of chondral defects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the distribution, viability and phenotype expression of the cells seeded on a collagen membrane just at the time of the implantation. Twelve patients who were suffering from articular cartilage lesions were treated by the MACI^® procedure. The residual part of each membrane was tested by colorimetric assay (MTT) and histochemical and ultrastructural analyses were carried out. In all of the samples a large number of viable cells, quite homogenously distributed, was detected. The cells expressed the markers of the differentiated hyaline chondrocytes. These data reassure in that the MACI procedure provides a suitable engineered tissue for cartilage repair, in line with the clinical evidences emerging in the literature.     

95例SARS患者T细胞及其亚群动态变化的观察

对 95例SARS患者的T淋巴细胞亚群动态变化进行分析。其中 85例痊愈 ,1 0例死亡。 85例痊愈患者 ,病程第 7天平均CD4 + ( 3 2 5± 1 90 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 3 1 9± 3 1 5 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .2 5± 0 .71 ,与我国正常人相比〔平均CD4 + ( 72 7± 2 5 5 )个 /μL、CD8+ ( 5 3 9± 1 3 4)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .49〕 ,T淋巴细胞亚群明显下降 (P =0 .0 0 1 )。病程第1 4天左右免疫功能逐渐恢复 ,平均CD4 + ( 5 61± 5 2 2 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 3 70± 2 71 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .68± 1 .1 1。 2 1d后免疫功能基本恢复正常 ,平均CD4 + ( 675± 448)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 4 67± 2 41 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .48± 0 .68。 1 0例死亡患者的T细胞亚群在入院后逐渐出现下降趋势 ,病程第 7天CD4 + ( 2 48± 82 )个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 2 3 3± 1 1 5 )个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .2 1± 0 .40 ,第 1 4天T淋巴细胞继续下降 ,平均CD4 + ( 1 81± 1 2 8)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 1 73± 1 0 9)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .1 7± 0 .45 ,2 1d后CD4 + 细胞继续下降 ,平均CD4 + ( 1 2 5± 46)个 /μL ,CD8+ ( 94± 3 8)个 /μL ,CD4 + /CD8+ 1 .44±0 .5 9。结果提示 :SARS患者早期可能存在异常的免疫反应 ,这种异常免疫反应可能是导?     

多器官功能障碍小鼠高迁移率族蛋白1释放对单个核细胞免疫相关指标的影响

目的 分析多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)小鼠血清高迁移率族蛋白B1(HMGB1)含量的变化与外周血中单个核细胞免疫相关指标变化的关系,观察MODS发生、发展中HMGB1释放的规律及其对细胞免疫功能的影响.方法 腹腔注射酵母多糖复制小鼠MODS模型,用Westernblot法检测病程不同阶段血清HMGB1含量、流式细胞术测定外周血单核细胞表面组织相容性复合体-Ⅱ类分子(MHC-Ⅱ类分子,IAb)的表达量及T淋巴细胞亚群的比值(CD4+/CD8+).结果 在酵母多糖所致小鼠MODS模型中,当血清HMGB1含量升高时,外周血单核细胞IAb表达量及CD4+/CD8+比值下降;当血清HMGB1含量回复接近正常时,单核细胞IAb表达量及CIM4+/CD8+比值也趋于恢复正常.结论 在MODS的发生、发展过程中,HMGB1可能通过影响血中单个核细胞MHC-Ⅱ类分子(IAb)表达及T淋巴细胞的活性参与免疫调节过程,导致免疫失衡或免疫抑制.     

Recovery of Functional Memory T Cells in Lung Transplant Recipients Following Induction Therapy with Alemtuzumab

Profound T-cell depletion with the monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab facilitates reduced maintenance immunosuppression in abdominal and lung transplantation. While the phenotype of the post-depletional T cells has been characterized, little is known about their function. In the present study, global and CMV-specific T-cell function was assessed longitudinally in 23 lung transplant (LTx) recipients using T-cell assays (ImmuKnow and T Cell Memory, Cylex, Columbia, MD) during the first year posttransplant after induction therapy. Recovery of mitogen responses were seen at 2 weeks posttransplantation (65%PHA; 58% Con A), despite the low number of circulating T cells (<2%). These responses declined at 4-5 months (24%PHA; 54% Con A) and were partially reconstituted by 9 months (46% PHA; 73% Con A). CMV-specific responses recovered in 80% of R+ patients as early as 2 weeks posttransplant (n = 5) and 72% of patients had a memory response by 3 months (n = 11). In contrast, only 2 of 5 patients who did not exhibit memory responses pre-transplant (R-) developed transient CMV-specific T-cell responses. Our results show that profound depletion of T cells induced by alemtuzumab spares the functional subset of CMV-specific memory T cells. Conversely, CMV R- patients predepletion may require a prolonged period of prophylaxis.     

Mutant ryanodine receptors in catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia generate delayed afterdepolarizations due to increased propensity to Ca2+ waves.

AIMS: Mutations in cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2s) are linked to catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), characterized by risk of polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death during exercise. Arrhythmias are caused by gain-of-function defects in RyR2, but cellular arrhythmogenesis remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recorded endocardial monophasic action potentials (MAPs) at right ventricular septum in 15 CPVT patients with a RyR2 mutation (P2,328S, Q4,201R, and V4,653F) and in 12 control subjects both at baseline and during epinephrine infusion (0.05 microg/kg/min). At baseline 3 and during epinephrine infusion, four CPVT patients, but none of the control subjects, showed delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) occasionally coinciding with ventricular premature complexes. In order to study the underlying mechanisms, we expressed two types of mutant RyR2 (P2,328S and V4,653F) causing CPVT as well as wild-type RyR2 in HEK 293 cells. Confocal microscopy of Fluo-3 loaded cells transfected with any of the three RyR2s showed no spontaneous subcellular Ca(2+) release events at baseline. Membrane permeable cAMP analogue (Dioctanoyl-cAMP) triggered subcellular Ca(2+) release events as Ca(2+) sparks and waves. Cells expressing mutant RyR2s showed spontaneous Ca(2+) release events at lower concentrations of cAMP than cells transfected with wild-type RyR2. CONCLUSION: CPVT patients show DADs coinciding with premature action potentials in MAP recordings. Expression studies suggest that DADs are caused by increased propensity of abnormal RyR2s to generate spontaneous Ca(2+) waves in response to cAMP stimulation. Increased sensitivity of mutant RyR2s to cAMP may explain the occurrence of arrhythmias during exercise or emotional stress in CPVT.     

丙丁酚对载脂蛋白E~(-/-)小鼠主动脉粥样硬化病变及病变处凝集素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1表达的影响

目的观察丙丁酚对载脂蛋白E-/-小鼠主动脉粥样硬化斑块形成及主动脉凝集素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1表达的影响,以探讨丙丁酚调节血脂以外的可能的抗动脉粥样硬化作用机制。方法将21只4周龄的雄性载脂蛋白E-/-小鼠随机分成基础饮食对照组、高脂饮食对照组和高脂饮食加丙丁酚组