用金标免疫层析法对恶性肿瘤患者弓形虫感染的调查

用金标免疫层析法检测临床多种恶性肿瘤1206例,弓形虫抗体阳性率为6.72%(81/1206),健康体检者852例,阳性率为2.82%(24/852),差异有显著性(P<0.01),表明恶性肿瘤患者有继发弓形虫病的高度危险。     

含弓形虫复合抗原基因的真核表达质粒在哺乳动物细胞中的表达

目的研究弓形虫复合抗原真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-P30-P22-CTXA2/B在哺乳动物细胞中的表达情况。方法利用脂质体介导的转染技术,将真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-P30-P22-CTXA2/B和空载体pcDNA3.1分别转染He-la细胞,400μg/mlG418加压筛选和200μg/mlG418维持筛选,获得稳定转染的Hela细胞。采用SDS-PAGE和West-ern-blot方法对复合基因P30-P22-CTXA2/B的表达产物进行鉴定。结果SDS-PAGE结果显示,重组质粒转染Hela细胞后的表达产物分子质量单位为64ku,Western-blot显示此蛋白条带能被抗P30抗体识别。结论构建的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1-P30-P22-CTXA2/B能在哺乳动物细胞中成功表达插入基因所编码的融合蛋白,为进一步动物实验提供了实验依据。     

弓形虫GRA8真核表达质粒的构建与体外表达

目的构建弓形虫致密颗粒蛋白GRA8的真核重组表达质粒。方法设计GRA8的特异引物,采用多聚酶链反应(PCR)技术从弓形虫RH株基因组DNA中扩增编码GRA8的基因片段,经克隆至pMD18-T载体后,亚克隆至真核表达载体pVAC而构建真核重组表达质粒pVAC-GRA8,转化大肠杆菌DH5α;将构建的真核重组表达质粒pVAC-GRA8转染vero细胞,分析转染vero细胞中GRA8的表达状况。结果PCR扩增出GRA8基因的特异片段,所获克隆的序列正确,并被亚克隆到真核表达载体pVAC,构建了真核重组表达质粒pVAC-GRA8;在vero细胞中获得表达。结论成功构建了GRA8的真核重组表达质粒pVAC-GRA8。     

不同途径感染弓形虫小鼠在脑内形成包囊的研究

目的用3种不同途径感染Fukaya株弓形虫速殖子,观察弓形虫感染小鼠慢性期病变特点及虫体在脑内的成囊过程,以期寻求一个稳定、易建的慢性感染动物模型,为弓形虫病的病理诊断提供依据,并对弓形虫的致病机理加深理解。方法弓形虫Fukaya株速殖子(5×104个)分别以腹腔、皮下和口服途径感染小鼠,给适量药物使之形成慢性感染,并与不给药组做对照,于感染后第3d、6d1、4d2、1d、28d、42d和90d,取脑进行间接免疫酶染色,统计脑内虫体数量及形成包囊情况。结果不给药组第3d、6d与给药组第6d,3种感染途径的腹腔含虫数比较:均为腹腔感染>皮下感染>经口感染。比较小鼠脑内虫体分布:腹腔感染组,第28d的脑内虫体达到高峰,此时脑内包囊最多。皮下感染组,第21d的脑内虫体最多,脑内包囊也多。经口感染组,第21d脑内虫体最多,但脑内偶见包囊。经口感染Fukaya株速殖子似不易成囊。经腹腔、皮下和口服感染虫体的小鼠存活率在第42d分别为100%、66%、80%。结论弓形虫感染慢性期小鼠脑多被累及。腹腔与皮下感染弓形虫Fukaya株速殖子比口服易成囊,经腹腔感染方式建立弓形虫慢性感染动物模型较稳定。     

重组抗原在弓形虫病诊断中的应用

刚地弓形虫感染危害严重,研究敏感性高和特异性好的弓形虫感染检测方法对于弓形虫病的诊断至关重要。弓形虫病的诊断一般依赖于检测患者血清中弓形虫特异性IgM和IgG。目前,商业试剂盒大多采用天然抗原,其检测精确性较差。重组抗原已经被发展用来诊断弓形虫病,且具有潜在的应用价值。本综述主要介绍重组抗原在弓形虫病诊断中的应用。     

表达期特异性双荧光蛋白的转基因弓形虫的构建

目的构建速殖子期特异表达绿色荧光和缓殖子期特异表达红色荧光的转基因弓形虫。方法利用速殖子期特异性表达的SAG1基因启动子启动绿色荧光蛋白（EGFP）基因,利用缓殖子期特异性表达的BAG1基因启动子启动红色荧光蛋白（RFP）基因,构建期特异性表达双荧光的质粒,通过电转化将质粒转化进弓形虫体内进行表达。结果经过息疟定抗性筛选得到阳性重组子,经荧光观察观察到了在速殖子时期表达的绿色荧光虫体和经缓殖子诱导后表达红色荧光的缓殖子虫体;通过PCR检测也检测到了EGFP和RFP基因。结论本试验成功构建表达期特异性双荧光蛋白的转基因弓形虫。     

无锡地区鸡弓形虫感染的血清流行病学调查

目的了解无锡地区散养鸡的弓形虫感染状况。方法应用ELISA方法调查无锡地区309例散养鸡的弓形虫抗原、抗体阳性率,并与150例集约化养殖鸡的弓形虫感染率进行比较,其中一项阳性即视为弓形虫感染阳性。结果 309例散养鸡中,抗原阳性29例,阳性率为9.39%;抗体阳性53例,阳性率为17.15%;双阳性13例,双阳性率为4.21%;散养鸡总体阳性率为22.33%。集约化养殖鸡总体弓形虫感染率为2.67%。散养鸡感染率显著高于集约化养殖鸡感染率(χ2=29.19,P<0.01)。结论无锡地区散养鸡群弓形虫感染率较高,应引起重视。     

Concurrent infections ofTrichinella spiralis andToxoplasma gondii in mice

Concurrent infections with two parasites: a nematode,Trichinella spiralis, and a protozoon,Toxoplasma gondii, were investigated. Antibody production (total immunoglobulin and IgM) was similar in double and single infections. However, the number ofToxoplasma cysts in the brains of mice infected withTrichinella and challenged 1–6 weeks later withToxoplasma was higher than in mice infected withToxoplasma alone, while mice infected withToxoplasma and challenged 4–14 days later withTrichinella had lower worm burdens in the intestine than animals infected withTrichinella alone. Greater loss in body weight was observed in mice infected with both parasites than in those infected with either parasite alone.     

The HLA-G Genetic Contribution to Bipolar Disorder: A Trans-Ethnic Replication

Bipolar disorder (BD) is frequently associated with immune dysfunctions. Studying the genetic diversity of the immuno-modulatory human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G locus in a French BD cohort, we previously reported an association between a functionally relevant 14 bp Ins/Del polymorphism and BD risk. The present study investigated the genetic and expression diversities of HLA-G in a geographically distinct South Indian population-group BD patients, as well as the influence of exposure to the neurotropic Toxoplasma gondii pathogen. Three functionally relevant HLA-G polymorphisms, i.e. HLA-G 14 bp Ins/Del (rs66554220), +3142G>C (rs1063320) and +3187A>G (rs9380142) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR. Sub-samples of BD patients and healthy controls (HC) were investigated for plasma levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) isoforms, as well as circulating stigma of T. gondii infection.

Findings indicate: (i) the frequency of the HLA-G 14 bp Del/Del genotype was higher in BD cases, as compared to HC; (ii) the HLA-G + 3142 C allele and CC genotype were more prevalent in BD patients than in HC; (iii) sHLA-G levels were significantly higher in BD cases, especially in females and in the early onset sub-group; and (iv) the InsGA haplotype was more prevalent in HC.

Our findings further support the genetic contribution of HLA-G to BD risk, as well as indicate relevant expression profiles. Such data may also indicate a potential developmental role in BD etiology, given that HLA-G is an important immune regulator from the intrauterine period and across development.