Lymphotactin enhances the in-vitro immune efficacy of dendritoma formed by dendritic cells and mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective: To investigate the in-vitro antitumor immune responses of dendritoma formed by mouse hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and lymphotactin (Lptn) gene modified dendritic cells (DCs). Method: DCs prepared from mouse bone marrow were genetically modified by lymphotactin adenovirus, and fused with H22 cells by polyethylene glycol (PEG). RT-PCR and ELISA were employed to identify lymphotactin expression at mRNA and protein level. Cell phenotypes and fusion efficiency was detected by FACS. The stimulatory effect of DC on T cells was detected by mixed lymphocyte reaction. The cytotoxicity activity against H22 cells was assayed by LDH method. Results: Lymphotactin could be efficiently expressed by DCLptn/H22 hybridoma. DCLptn/H22 cells could induce potent T cell proliferation effect and generate strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) reaction against allogenic H22 cells. Conclusion: Lymphotactin genetic modification could enhance the in vitro immune activity of the dendritoma.     

破伤风类毒素单克隆抗体的制备及初步鉴定

目的：制备并鉴定破伤风类毒素单克隆抗体杂交瘤细胞株,为破伤风的快速检测及致病机制的研究提供实验材料。方法：用破伤风类毒素做抗原免疫BALB/C小鼠,取其脾细胞与小鼠骨髓瘤细胞融合,获得分泌高滴度针对破伤风类毒素的杂交瘤细胞株,测定单抗免疫球蛋白亚类及单抗效价,用间接ELISA和Western-blot检测单克隆细胞株的特异性。结果：通过细胞融合和克隆化,筛选出3株持续分泌抗破伤风类毒素单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株1E12、1E11、1G10。间接ELISA和Western-blot检测结果表明1E12、1E11、1G10可以和破伤风类毒素发生特异性反应。结论：成功制备了抗破伤风类毒素单克隆抗体,为制备免疫诊断试剂盒和抗体药物的开发奠定了基础。     

Thymus

The immune system protects our bodies against infections and cancers. This review introduce readers to the thymus – a primary lymphoid organ – which is the site of development and maturation of functional T lymphocytes. Progenitor stem cells arise from the bone marrow and undergo sequential development in the thymus where non-self-reactive T cells are selected. Subsequently, post selection and maturation, the mature T cells exit the thymus as naïve T cells into the peripheral lymph nodes. Studies on the thymus are likely to enhance our understanding of T cell development and reduce disease burdens by improving the cellular immune response.     

Cancer vaccines: The new fight against cancer

The inability of the body’s immune system to differentiate cancer cells from normal cells allows cancer cells to proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. Newer strategies are being researched to overcome this immunological tolerance to cancer. Provoking the body’s immune system to generate vaccines against cancer is emerging as an important type of immunotherapy to treat cancers. These cancer vaccines, which have fewer side effects, and offer great promise. Many such vaccines have been identified and several of them are under clinical trials currently.     

穴状型和Keggin型聚氧钨酸盐结构特征和抗HIV-1、抗癌活性

目的综述无机穴状化合物(NH4)18[NaSb9W21O86]18-,和Keggin型聚氧钨酸盐作为抗人类免疫缺陷病毒-1(HIV-1)和抗癌药物的研究进展。方法根据构效关系对HPA-23和Keggin型聚氧钨酸盐进行体内体外研究。结果标题化合物穿透细胞膜进入细胞中,对HIV-1反转录酶或人体肿瘤有抑制活性。结论:直接揭示其可做为抗癌抗病毒药物。     

自由基理论在运动训练中的应用研究

自由基是含有外层未配对电子的具有强氧化反应能力的中间物质 .它通过氧化作用攻击机体内生物大分子 ,从而引起细胞及细胞器特别是供能的线粒体结构和机能的破坏 .急性剧烈运动使运动员体内产生大量的自由基 ,引发机体疲劳和组织细胞的损伤 .因此 ,如何有效地提高自由基的清除能力和预防产生过量的自由基 ,对提高运动员的运动水平具有十分重要的意义 .     

瓜子金皂苷己对鱼藤酮损伤PC-12细胞的保护作用及其对CREB的影响

目的：观察瓜子金皂苷己（polygalasaponin F,PS-F）对鱼藤酮损伤的PC-12细胞的保护作用及其对cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（cAMP response element binding protein,CREB）表达的影响。方法：以鱼藤酮损伤的PC-12细胞为模型,通过倒置显微镜观察细胞形态,caspase 3活性检测试剂盒测定caspase 3活性,荧光素酶报告基因技术检测CREB表达的变化。结果：PC-12细胞在4μmol·L-1鱼藤酮损伤后,细胞出现萎缩变圆,折光率降低,caspase 3活性显著升高,呈现凋亡的现象。不同浓度（0.1,1.0,10.0μmol·L-1）瓜子金皂苷己能够剂量依赖性的减轻对细胞形态的影响,降低caspase 3活性。荧光素酶报告基因标记显示,瓜子金皂苷己能够增加报告基因CREB的表达。结论：瓜子金皂苷己能够抑制鱼藤酮诱导的PC-12细胞凋亡,其机制可能与增加CREB的表达有关。     

Seasonal coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2: effects of preexisting immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic is still ongoing, vaccination rates are rising slowly and related treatments and drugs are being developed. At the same time, there is increasing evidence of preexisting immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in humans, mainly consisting of preexisting antibodies and immune cells (including T cells and B cells). The presence of these antibodies is mainly due to the seasonal prevalence of four common coronavirus types, especially OC43 and HKU1. The accumulated relevant evidence has suggested that the target of antibodies is mainly the S2 subunit of S protein, followed by evolutionary conservative regions such as the nucleocapsid (N) protein. Additionally, preexisting memory T and B cells are also present in the population. Preexisting antibodies can help the body protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, reduce the severity of COVID-19, and rapidly increase the immune response post-infection. These multiple effects can directly affect disease progression and even the likelihood of death in certain individuals. Besides the positive effects, preexisting immunity may also have negative consequences, such as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) and original antigenic sin (OAS), the prevalence of which needs to be further established. In the future, more research should be focused on evaluating the role of preexisting immunity in COVID-19 outcomes, adopting appropriate policies and strategies for fighting the pandemic, and vaccine development that considers preexisting immunity.     

Improved antioxidative and cytotoxic activities of chamomile (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Matricaria chamomilla</Emphasis>) florets fermented by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> KCCM 11613P

Antioxidative and cytotoxic effects of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum were investigated to improve their biofunctional activities. Total polyphenol (TP) content was measured by the Folin-Denis method, and the antioxidant activities were assessed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method and β-carotene bleaching method. AGS, HeLa, LoVo, MCF-7, and MRC-5 (normal) cells were used to examine the cytotoxic effects by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. The TP content of fermented chamomile reduced from 21.75 to 18.76 mg gallic acid equivalent (mg GAE)/g, but the DPPH radical capturing activity of fermented chamomile was found to be 11.1% higher than that of nonfermented chamomile after 72 h of fermentation. Following the β-carotene bleaching, the antioxidative effect decreased because of a reduction in pH during fermentation. Additionally, chamomile fermented for 72 h showed a cytotoxic effect of about 95% against cancer cells at 12.7 mg solid/ml of broth, but MRC-5 cells were significantly less sensitive against fermented chamomile samples. These results suggest that the fermentation of chamomile could be applied to develop natural antioxidative and anticancer products.     

RNA interference against interleukin-5 attenuates airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in an asthma model

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) accompanies the development of airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness through the activation of eosinophils. Therefore, interference of IL-5 expression in lung tissue seems to be an accepted approach in asthma therapy. In this study, we designed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the expression of IL-5. The siRNAs against IL-5 were constructed in a lentivirus expressing system, and 1.5×106 IFU (inclusion-forming unit) lentiviruses were administered intratracheally to ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized murine asthmatic models. Our results show that lentivirus-delivered siRNA against IL-5 efficiently inhibited the IL-5 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression and significantly attenuated the inflammation in lung tissue. Significant decrease of eosinophils and inflammatory cells were found in peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissue. In addition, significant inhibition of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was found in the mice treated with siRNA against IL-5. These observations demonstrate that siRNA delivered by means of the lentivirus system is possibly an efficacious therapeutic approach for asthma.     

Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress induced by Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in prostate cells

Astaxanthin (AST), a carotenoid molecule extensively found in marine organisms and increasingly used as a dietary supplement, has been reported to have beneficial effects against oxidative stress. In the current paper, the effects of AST on viability of prostate cells were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; cell apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by flow cytometry; the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured by fluorospectrophotometer; and activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were evaluated by a detection kit. The results show that copper ion (Cu²⁺) induced apoptosis, along with the accumulation of intracellular ROS and MDA, in both prostate cell lines (RWPE-1 and PC-3). AST treatments could decrease the MDA levels, increase MMP, and keep ROS stable in RWPE-1 cell line. An addition of AST decreased the SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities in PC-3 cell line treated with Cu²⁺, but had a contrary reaction in RWPE-1 cell lines. In conclusion, AST could contribute to protecting RWPE-1 cells against Cu²⁺-induced injuries but could cause damage to the antioxidant enzyme system in PC-3 cells.     

In vitro study on ribozyme against hepatitis C virus

Objective: To determine the effective nucleotide sites of ribozymes against HCV, and obtain a highly effective, nontoxic and inexpensive antisense ribozyme specific for HCV. Methods: Two effective ribozymes, targeted to HCV 5’NC region and C region, were designed and synthesized. Eukaryotic expression vectors, pSV2-gpt. CD-SR (, containing either HCRZNC or HCRZC were constructued and transfected into MT-2 cells, which had been infected by HCV. Quantitative PCR and hydridization were used to determine the effect of inhibition of HCV by ribozymes. Results: HCRZNC and HCRZC suppressed the replication of HCV by 54.7% and 62.1%, respectively. Furthermore, when both ribozymes were cotransfected into cells, they suppressed replication by 78.8%. Conclusion: Two specific antisense ribozymes have strong inhibitory effects on the replication of HCV in cultured cells, and have better effect when used together.     

IN VITRO STUDY ON RIBOZYME AGAINST HEPATITIS C VIRUS

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Pathogenicity of bacterium, Xenorhabdus nematophila isolated from entomopathogenic nematode （Steinernema carpocapsae） and its secretion against Galleria mellonella larvae

INTRODUCTION Entomopathogenic nematodes of the generaSteinernema and Heterorhabditis have been used tocontrol a wide range of agriculturally important insectpests (Kaya and Gaugler, 1993). The mechanism bywhich these nematodes are able to infect and repro-duce in the insect host involves a mutual relationshipbetween the nematode and the symbiotic bacteria,Xenorhabdus spp. and Photorhabdus spp. (Akhurstand Dunphy, 1993; Forst and Nealson, 1996). Poinarand Thomas (1966) established tha…     

Green tea polyphenols induce cell death in breast cancer MCF-7 cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis

In order to study the molecular mechanisms of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) in treatment or prevention of breast cancer, the cytotoxic effects of GTPs on five human cell lines (MCF-7, A549, Hela, PC3, and HepG2 cells) were determined and the antitumor mechanisms of GTPs in MCF-7 cells were analyzed. The results showed that GTPs exhibited a broad spectrum of inhibition against the detected cancer cell lines, particularly the MCF-7 cells. Studies on the mechanisms revealed that the main modes of cell death induced by GTPs were cell cycle arrest and mitochondrialmediated apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis showed that GTPs mediated cell cycle arrest at both G1/M and G2/M transitions. GTP dose dependently led to apoptosis of MCF-7 cells via the mitochondrial pathways, as evidenced by induction of chromatin condensation, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), improvement in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), induction of DNA fragmentation, and activations of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the present paper.     

Studies on Pongamia pinnata （L.） Pierre leaves： understanding the mechanism（s） of action in infectious diarrhea

While data are available on the effect of medicinal plants on intestinal motility and their antibacterial action, there is a paucity of information on their mode of action on various aspects of diarrheal pathogenicity, namely colonization to intestinal epithelial cells and production/action of enterotoxins. Crude decoction of dried leaves of Pongamia pinnata was evaluated for its antimicrobial （antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral） effect; and its effect on production and action of enterotoxins （cholera toxin, CT; Escherichia coli labile toxin, LT; and E. coli stable toxin, ST）; and adherence of enteropathogenic E. coli and invasion of enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigellaflexneri to epithelial cells. The decoction had no antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral activity, but reduced production of CT and bacterial invasion to epithelial cells. The observed results indicated that the crude decoction ofP. pinnata has selective antidiarrheal action with efficacy against cholera and enteroinvasive bacterial strains causing bloody diarrheal episodes.     

端粒机制与衰老和癌关系的研究进展

组织干细胞再生能力的减退可导致衰老。具有自我更新能力的干细胞由于少数癌基因突变被赋予恶性化,而功能交叉的肿瘤抑制机制-p16 INK4 a-Rb,ARF-p53和端粒-则避免这种恶性化的发生。然而这些信号途径同时可能会抑制干细胞的生存,因此促成衰老。文章综述端粒机制及其在降低干细胞修复再生能力而促进衰老过程中的作用,以及衰老和癌两者相互间的关系。     

Protective effect of recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HUVEC cells

This study probed the protective effect of recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum against hydrogen peroxide(H_2O_2)-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs). We constructed a new functional L. plantarum(NC8-p SIP409-alr-angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory peptide(ACEIP)) with a double-gene-labeled non-resistant screen as an expression vector. A 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) colorimetric assay was carried out to determine the cell viability of HUVEC cells following pretreatment with NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP. Flow cytometry(FCM) was used to determine the apoptosis rate of HUVEC cells. Cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase(caspase)-3/8/9 activity was also assayed and western blotting was used to determine protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), inducible nitric oxide synthase(i NOS), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2(gp91 phox), angiotensin II(Ang II), and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2), as well as corresponding indicators of oxidative stress, such as reactive oxygen species(ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP), malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dismutase(SOD). NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP attenuated H_2O_2-induced cell death, as determined by the MTT assay. NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP reduced apoptosis of HUVEC cells by FCM. In addition, compared to the positive control, the oxidative stress index of the H_2O_2-induced HUVEC(Hy-HUVEC), which was pretreated by NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP, i NOS,gp91 phox, MDA, and ROS, was decreased obviously; SOD expression level was increased; caspase-3 or-9 was decreased, but caspase-8 did not change; Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased; permeability changes of mitochondria were inhibited; and loss of transmembrane potential was prevented. Expression of the hypertension-related protein(Ang II protein) in HUVEC cells protected by NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP decreased and expression of ACE2 protein increased. These plantarum results suggested that NC8-p SIP409-alr-ACEIP protects against H_2O_2-induced injury in HUVEC cells. The mechanism for this effect is related to enhancement of antioxidant capacity and apoptosis.     

The action‐motivation matrix: Positions people take regarding problems

This article presents the action‐motivation matrix and uses it to identify and examine four basic positions people take with respect to the problems they encounter in the workplace. The matrix arrays reactive‐proactive actions against approach‐avoidance motivation resulting in four cells labeled Firefighter, Early Bird, Phantom, and Artful Dodger. The matrix provides insight, guidance, and ideas to individuals, management, and performance improvement professionals in their efforts to better understand and manage problem‐solving behavior.