Synthetic conjugate peptide Fba-Met6 (MP12) induces complement-mediated resistance against disseminated Candida albicans

The fungal genus Candida includes common commensals of the human mucosal membranes, and the most prevalently isolated species, C. albicans, poses a threat of candidemia and disseminated infection associated with an unacceptably high mortality rate and an immense $4 billion burden (US) yearly. Nevertheless, the demand for a vaccine remains wholly unfulfilled and increasingly pressing. We developed a double-peptide construct that is feasible for use in humans with the intention of preventing morbid infection by targeting epitopes derived from fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and methionine synthase (Met6) which are expressed on the C. albicans cell surface. To test the applicability of the design, we vaccinated mice via the intramuscular (IM) route with the conjugate denoted Fba-Met6 MP12 and showed that the vaccine enhanced survival against a lethal challenge. Because overall endpoint IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers were robust and these mouse subclasses are associated with protective functionality, we investigated the potential of Fba and Met6 specific antibodies to facilitate the well-defined anti-Candida response by complement, which opsonizes fungi for degradation by primary effectors. Notably, reductions in the fungal burdens and enhanced survival were both abrogated in MP12-vaccinated mice that were pre-challenge dosed with cobra venom factor (CVF), a complement depleting factor. Altogether, we demonstrated that complement is relevant to MP12-based protection against disseminated C. albicans, delineating that a novel, multivalent targeted vaccine against proteins on the surface of C. albicans can enhance the natural response to infection.     

Differential Regulation of RGS-2 by Constant and Oscillating PTH Concentrations

PTH has diverse effects on bone metabolism: anabolic when given intermittently, catabolic when given continuously. The cellular mechanisms underlying the varying target cell response are not clear yet. PTH induces RGS-2, a member of the Regulator of G-protein Signaling protein family, via cAMP/PKA, and inactivates PKC-mediated signaling. To investigate intracellular signaling pathways with different PTH concentration-time patterns, we treated UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells in a perfusion system. PTH was administered intermittently (4 min/h, 10⁻⁷ M) or continuously at an equivalent cumulative dose (6.6 × 10⁻⁹ M). cAMP was measured using radioimmunoassay, mRNA levels using real-time rtPCR and ribonuclease protection assay, and protein levels using Western immunoblotting. A single PTH pulse transiently increased cAMP levels by 2000% ± 1200%. In contrast to continuous PTH exposure, cAMP induction remained unchanged with intermittent PTH, ruling out desensitization of the PTH receptor. In continuously perfused cells, RGS-2 abundance was three to five times higher than in cells intermittently exposed to PTH for up to 12 h. MKP-1 and -3 were significantly less induced with pulsatile PTH; exposure-mode-dependent differences in MMP-13 and IGFBP-5 were small. Pulsatile but not continuous PTH administration prevents PTHrP receptor desensitization and accumulation of RGS-2 in osteoblasts, which should preserve PKC-dependent signaling.     

数字图书馆的个性化信息服务

分析了国内外数字图书馆个性化信息服务的现状及相关技术,提出了建立个性化信息服务系统的方法及个性化信息服务中需要注意的问题.     

Pharmacological properties of Ca2+-activated K+ currents of ramified murine brain macrophages

Using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique, calcium-activated potassium currents (I_K,Ca) were investigated in ramified murine brain macrophages. In order to induce I_K,Ca the intracellular concentration of nominal free Ca²⁺ was adjusted to 1μM. The Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current of brain macrophages did not show any voltage dependence at test potentials between –120 and +30mV. A tenfold change in extracellular K⁺ concentration shifted the reversal potential of I_K,Ca by 51mV. The bee venom toxin apamin applied at concentrations of up to 1μM did not affect I_K,Ca. Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ currents of ramified brain macrophages were highly sensitive to extracellularly applied charybdotoxin (CTX). The half-maximal effective concentration of CTX was calculated to be 4.3nM. In contrast to CTX, the scorpion toxin kaliotoxin did not inhibit I_K,Ca at concentrations between 1 and 50nM. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) blocked 8.0% of I_K,Ca at a concentration of 1mM, whereas 31.4% of current was blocked by 10mM TEA. Several inorganic polyvalent cations were tested at a concentration of 2mM for their ability to block I_K,Ca. La³⁺ reduced I_K,Ca by 72.8%, whereas Cd²⁺ decreased I_K,Ca by 17.4%; in contrast, Ni²⁺ did not have any effect on I_K,Ca. Ba²⁺ applied at a concentration of 1mM reduced I_K,Ca voltage-dependently at hyperpolarizing potentials. Received: 17 January / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

In vivo anti-melanoma activities of the Melan-A/MART-1101–115 T CD4+ cell peptide

Malignant melanoma causes significant health problems. The identification of tumour-associated antigens has led to novel approaches to increase T cell mediated anti-tumour immune response. Melan-A/MART-1 has been use as target antigen for several T cell based immunotherapeutic treatments. More recently, the critical role of CD4+ T cells in inducing and maintaining anti-tumour immunity has been increasingly recognized. In order to optimize tumour immunotherapy, greater efforts have been concentrated on the identification of tumour antigens presented by MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells. In a publication, Tiwari et al. (2004) [1] have identified by a computational approach the 15-mer amino-acid sequence 101–115 (PPAYEKLSAEQSPPP) of the Melan-A/MART-1 as a good target for a vigorous and safe immunotherapy. Therefore, we have investigated the in vivo anti-tumour activity of this peptide in a murine melanoma model. For the prophylactic treatment, 20 μg or 50 μg peptide was subcutaneously injected in mice once a week during 3 weeks before tumour induction. Treatment with 50 μg peptide significantly affected tumour development. Thus, our preliminary data demonstrate potential in vivo prophylactic activity of the 101–115 peptide-based vaccine to control melanoma growth.     

抗地高辛人源小分子抗体的获取

目的 从大容量噬菌体抗体库中筛选人源性抗地高辛抗体,并构建双体抗体.方法 以固相化的地高辛对构建的大容量噬菌体抗体库进行筛选,3～4轮后挑取克隆用酶联免疫吸附测定方法鉴定其特异性,对抗地高辛阳性抗体克隆进行DNA指纹分析及测序分析.选取活性好的克隆进行改造,构建双体抗体.结果 在抗体库的筛选过程中可见到明显的富集现象,获得了4株可与地高辛特异性结合的人源抗体,经DNA指纹分析及测序分析证明为不同克隆基因,阳性克隆的可变区基因轻链均属于λ第一亚群,重链分别属于第三和第四亚群.选取4号克隆进行基因改造,构建双体抗体表达载体,获得了活性较好的双体抗体.结论 利用噬菌体抗体技术获得了人源性抗地高辛抗体,并改造成应用前景较好的双体抗体,可能为临床诊断及治疗洋地黄类药物中毒提供具有实用价值的人源抗体.     

信息时代高校图书馆信息服务的拓展

论述了信息时代高校图书馆信息服务的优势、模式、特点，探讨了高校图书馆拓展信息服务的策略。     

具有骨诱导活性的仿生骨基质材料的制备

目的将一种具有与骨形态发生蛋白2相似骨诱导活性的多肽p24共价结合于改性聚（丙交酯-co-乙交酯）基质材料上，以制备出具有骨诱导活性的仿生骨基质材料。方法将活性多肽p24通过交联剂共价结合于改性PLGA材料上作为实验组；以未加交联剂多肽溶液和材料简单混合反应为对照组，通过X射线光电子光谱法和扫描电镜检测交联情况；同时对两组材料进行钙离子吸附实验，初步评价其仿生矿化能力。结果XPS检测结果表明，实验组及对照组材料表面均已结合硫元素，两者含有硫元素含量分别为1.50％及0.09％；钙离子吸附实验结果表明，12h及24h时实验组材料的钙离子吸附量分别为0，126mg及0．231mg；12h及24h时对照组材料的钙离子吸附量分别为0．053、0．102mg。多肽交联之材料较混合之材料的钙离子吸附能力显著增强。结论在改性PLGA三嵌段材料上固定了BMP2活性多肽，为以后发挥其骨诱导活性修复骨缺损奠定了良好基础。     

医院图书馆过刊剔旧工作的思考

分析了医院图书馆过刊剔旧的必要性与可行性,提出了剔旧原则与建立全国性文献剔除网络中心的设想.