Objective:To prepare a virus-like particle (VLP),containing Hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) and N-terminal peptides of the L2 protein of human papilloma virus (HPV),and investigate the immunogenicity of the VLP in mice and the protection against different strains of HPV .Methods:A fusion gene was synthesized to insert a DNA fragment ,coding for the N-terminal epitopes of the L2 protein of HPV16,into the HBcAg coding sequence;HBc-L2 fusion protein was highly expressed in E.coli using the pET9a and BL21(DE3) expression system;the purified fusion protein was used to immunize BALB/c mice and antibody titers against the L2 epitopes in mouse sera were determined by indirect ELISA;the levels of neutralizing antibodies against both HPV 16 and 18 were also analyzed.Results:HBc-L2 fusion protein was expressed in E.coli and purified,with the purity >80%,by ammonium sulfate pre-cipitation and CL-4B gel filtration;analysis of the purified fusion protein ,using size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering detection ( SEC-MALS) and electron microscope ,revealed that HBc-L2 was assembled into a stable VLP structure auto-matically following its expression;immunization of BALB/c mice with the purified VLPs resulted in high antibody titers in mouse sera against the L2 epitopes;furthermore,it was demonstrated that the sera from the immunized mice had neutralization activities against both HPV16 and HPV18.Conclusion:The immunogenicity of the L2 epitopes was highly enhanced by the construction of HBc-L2 fusion protein and the formation of the VLP structure;the fusion protein was also capable of inducing protections against different serotypes of HPV,therefore,it could be a potential HPV vaccine with a broad coverage and low production cost .

Objective To study the expression of tumor stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1)in invasive bladder cancer tissue and to clarify its relationship with the biological behavior of bladder cancer. Methods The ALDH1 expression in 109 cases of primary invasive carcinomas specimens (case group)and 20 cases of normal bladder tissue surrounding cancer (control group)was detected by immunohistochemistry. At the same time,the ALDH1 expression in 6 cases of metastatic pelvic lymph node tissue and 20 cases of non-metastatic pelvic lymph node tissue was detected. The relationship between the ALDH1 expression and the chinicopathological charateristics of invasive bladder cancer and its influence in the survival rate and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results The positive rates of ALDH1 expression in bladder cancer tissue and normal bladder tissue were 33.94%(37/109)and 5.00% (1/20),respectively,there was significant different between them (P<0.01);they were 19.05% (8/42)and 43.28% (29/67)in the cases with non muscle invasive and nmuscle invasive bladder cancer, respectively,there was significant difference (P<0.01);they were 13.04% (3/23)and 39.53% (34/86)in the cases of bladder cancer with low grade and high grade,respectively,there was significant difference (P<0.05);they were 50.00% (3/6)and 12.90% (4/31)in the tissue of bladder cancer with metastatic lymph nodes and non metastatic ones,respectively,there was significant difference (P<0.05);they were 50.00% (3/6)and 0.00%(0/20)in the metastatic lymph nodes and non metastatic ones,respectively,there was significant difference (P<0.01).The overall survival rate in the patients with positive ALDH1 expression was 64.9% while it was 84.7% in negative ones,there was significant difference (P<0.05);the disease-free Survival was 51.4% and 75% in the patients with positive and negative ALDH1 groups,respectively,there was significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion The high expression of tumor stem cell marker ALDH1 is associated with staging, grading and prognosis of invasive bladder cancer.ALDH1 may play a role in the tumorigenesis,progression and metastasis of bladder cancer.

Objective To explore the the expression of Klotho mRNA and protein in placenta of macrosomia and its relationship with the birth weight of neonates. Methods The cases were from November 2014 to March 2015 in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, divided into 4 groups:the gestational diabetes with macrosomia group (GM), the gestational diabetes with normal birth weight group (GN), the normal pregnancy with macrosomia group (NM) and the normal pregnancy with normal birth weight group (NN). Klotho mRNA and protein expression in the placenta were detected by immunohistochemistry SP method, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively, and were compared among the 4 groups. Results (1) Immunohistochemical detection showed the positive rate of Klotho protein was significantly higher in the placenta of GM (93%,28/30) than in the GN (73%,22/30;P<0.05). The positive rate was significantly higher in the placenta of NM (97%,29/30) than in the NN (80%,24/30;P<0.05). (2) Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR showed the Klotho mRNA expression was significantly higher in the placenta of GM (4.3 ± 3.1) than in the GN (2.1 ± 2.4;P<0.05). The Klotho mRNA expression was also significantly higher in the placenta of NM (4.8 ± 3.4) than in the NN (2.6 ± 3.3;P<0.05). (3) Western blot showed the Klotho protein expression was significantly higher in the placenta of GM (1.27±0.90) than in the GN (0.64±0.24;P<0.05). It was also significantly higher in the placenta of NM (2.51±3.52) than in the NN (0.77±0.37;P<0.05). (4) There were no significant differences in the expression of Klotho mRNA and protein between GM and NM, GN and NN (P>0.05). Conclusions The up-regulation of Klotho gene may be associated with macrosomia. The relationship is not affected by the complication of gestational diabetes.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between placental expression of Gab1 and neonatal birth weight in mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods From the singleton and full-term cesarean delivered women in Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University between October 2014 and May 2015,30 macrosomia babies with maternal GDM were selected as GDM macrosomia group,30 cases of GDM with normal neonatal birth weight as GDM normal group,30 cases without GDM but with macrosomia as normal macrosomia group,and 30 cases without GDM and with normal neonatal birth weight as the normal control group.Gab1 protein and mRNA expression in placentas were detected using immunohistochemistry,Western blot and real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction.Analysis of variance,LSD,Dunnett's T3,Chi-square test and Pearson's correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results (1) Gab 1 protein location and positive expression rate:Gab 1 protein expression in human placenta tissue was located in the nucleus.The positive epression rate of Gab 1 protein in the GDM macrosomia group was higher than in the GDM normal group and normal macrosomia group [93％(28/30),73％(22/30) vs 73％(22/30)] and those in the normal macrosomia group and GDM normal group were higher than in the normal control group[47％(14/30)](x2=4.320,4.320,4.444 and 4.444,all P＜0.05).(2) The expression levels of Gabl protein and mRNA:The expression level of Gab1 protein in the GDM macrosomia group was higher than in the GDM normal group and normal macrosomia group (1.43 ± 0.58 vs 1.05 ± 0.67 and 0.95± 0.59),and that in the normal macrosomia group and GDM normal group were higher than in the normal control group (0.64±0.38) (LSD test,all P＜0.05).The expression levels of Gab1 mRNA showed the same trend as the expression levels of Gab1 protein in the four groups.(3) Gab 1 protein expression level was positively associated with neonatal birth weight (r=0.320,P=0.320).Conclusions The expression of Gab1 in placenta is involved in the regulation of birth weight in GDM mothers.

Objective To investigate the impact of HLA-A antigens carrying Bw4 epitopes on disease course of HIV-1 infection.Methods Three hundred and forty subjects chronically infected with HIV-I were recruited and their HLA-A and B alleles were genotyped with sequence-based high resolution typing assay.HLA-Bw genotypes of these HIV-1 infected subjects were determined and their association with CD+4 T cell counts and viral load were analysed.Results When compared with subjects canting no Bw4 epitopes in HLA-A and HLA-B loci (OBw4) (median of CD+4 T cell counts:294/μ1;plasma viral load median 6.29×104 copies/ml),CD+4 T cell counts in subjects with genotypes of 1Bw4-A and 2Bw4-AA were comparable (307 and 308/μ1,respectively),but higher viral load (1.53×105 and 2.68×105 copies/ml,respectively) was observed.In subjects with Bw4 epitopes in HLA-B alleles but no in HLA-A,significantly higher CD+4 T cell counts (417/μ1,P=0.013) and lower viral load (2.10×104 copies/ml,P=0.007) were observed compared with those without Bw4 in HLA-A and HLA-B.Conclusion HLA-B antigens carrying Bw4 epitope were protective in HIV-1 infection by maintaining higher CD+4 T cell counts and lower viral load,but such protective effect was not observed in HLA-A antigens earring Bw4 epitope.

Objective To explore the impact of broad antigen HLA-Bw4 on disease progression in HIV-1 infected subjects. Methods Three hundred and forty subjects chronically infected with HIV-1 and 69 HIV-1 negative subjects were recruited and HLA-B alleles were typed with sequence-based high resolution typing assay. HLA-Bw genotypes of these HIV-1 infected subjects were determined and their association with CD4+ T cell counts and viral loads were analyzed. Results Sixty-five HLA-B alleles were detected in HIV-1 positive subjects. Subjects with Bw4 (Bw4 homozygotes and Bw4Bw6 heterozygotes ) had higher CD4+ T cell counts ( P = 0. 004 ) and lower plasma viral load ( P = 0.003 ) than subjects without Bw4 ( Bw6 homozygotes). When compared with HIV-1 postive subjects with CD4+ T cell counts above 500 celis/μl, those with CD4+ T cell counts below 500 cells/μl were observed with decreased percentage of Bw4Bw6 heterozygote ( P =0.0002) and increased percentage of Bw6 homozygotes ( P < 0. 0001 ). There is no significant difference in CD4+ T cell counts between Bw4 homozygotes and Bw4Bw6 heterozygote, but lower viral loads were observed in Bw4Bw6 heterozygotes( P = 0. 037 ). Conclusion HLA-Bw4 can confer pretective effects on H1V-1 infected subjects by maintaining higher CD4+ T cell counts and lower viral load, the mechanism behind this effect need further exploration.

Objective To assess the impact of the virus on the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) length diversity of T cell receptor(TCR) Vβ repertoires of CD4+ T lymphocytes and to explore its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection. Methods The TCR repertoire was examined using spectratyping of CDR3 length diversity within CD4+ T cells in HIV infected and healthy adults. Separation of CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMCs) was carried out by using immunomagnetic beads coated with anti-CD4 antibody. Total RNAs from the purified CD4 + T lymphocytes were isolated and used to perform nested-PCR amplifications in CDR3 of 22 TCR gene families. CDR3 diversity and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection were analyzed. Results An average diversity for all CDR3 profiles in CD4+ T cells from 25 HIV-infected individuals was significantly different as compared to 10 age-matched healthy donors (P＜0.05) with the HIV-infected individuals losing diversity in the CDR3 profiles. There was positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and viral load (r = 0. 494, P ＜ 0. 05). The changes in CDR3 length diversity of Vβ families in HIV-infected individuals, particular in Vβ8, Vβ22, Vβ23 were statistically different from the healthy controls. Conclusion HIV-1 infection might induce the loss of TCR Vp repertoire diversity and disrupt the CDR3 Gaussian distributions within CD4 + T cells. There should be positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and the viral load in HIV-1 infected patients.

Objective To explore the polymorphism of HLA class I alleles of HIV-infected former plasma donors and to investigate its impact on HIV-1 viral load in central China.Methods 106 subjects chronically infected with HIV-1 were recruited and HLA class I alleles were genotyped with PCR-SSP assay.HLA class I genotypes and haplotypes were determined and their association with plasma viral loads were analyzed.Gag-specific CTL responses were detected by an IFN-λ EUSPOT assay by using overlapping peptides,and their association with plasma viral loads were also analyzed.Results Subjects homozygous at HLA class I locus had higher plasma viral loads(P=0.0098);HLA-A*30,-B*13,-Cw*06,-Cw*14 alleles and HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype were associated with lower plasma viral loads(P=0.0004,0.0103,0.0058,0.0371 and 0.0006);an inverse correlation between p2p7p1p6-specific CTL responses and viral loads in subjects with HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype as well as an inverse correlation between p17-specific CTL responses and viral loads in subjects with HLA-Cw*14 allele were observed.Conclusion HLA-A*30,-B*13,-Cw*06,-Cw*14 alleles and HLA-A*30/B*13/Cw*06 haplotype were associated with lower plasma viral loads and Gag-specific CTL responses restricted by these HLA alleles may contribute to the protection.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and the application of mNGS in PLA, thus to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The demographic and clinical data of 549 patients with liver abscess admitted to Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University from December 2015 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae in 246 patients with positive etiological test results, the patients were divided into two groups: KPLA group and nKPLA group, and clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. At the same time, the application value of mNGS in PLA was analyzed.Results:Among the 549 patients, the main clinical symptom of PLA was fever ( n= 503, 91.6%) and other clinical symptoms included chills and abdominal pain. Most patients had a single abscess ( n= 464, 84.5%) located in the right lobe ( n = 368, 67.0%), with a size between 5 and 10 cm ( n= 341, 62.1%). A total of 246 patients had positive etiological test results, including 202 KPLA patients which was the main pathogen of liver abscess. The prevalence of diabetes and fatty liver was higher in KPLA patients ( P < 0.05), but there were more culture of liver positive factors in nKPLA patients ( P < 0.001). Among the 109 patients with traditional microbiological results, 92 patients were suspected to KPLA (Klebsiella pneumoniae), of which 14 patients (15.2%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) infection; 17 patients were suspected to nKPLA, of which 10 patients (58.8%) were MDR infection; the incidence of MDR infection in patients with nKPLA was significantly higher than that in patients with KPLA ( P < 0.05). The positive rate of mNGS in plasma was 85.2%, the positive rate of traditional microbial culture in plasma was 14.8%, the positive rate of mNGS in pus was 96.2% and traditional microbial culture in pus was 65.4%. The positive rate of traditional culture was significantly lower than that of mNGS ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:PLA is usually manifested as fever, single and at the right lobe of the liver. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogenic bacteria of PLA, which is more common in patients with diabetes and fatty liver, while non-Klebsiella pneumoniae is relatively more common in patients with culture of liver positive factors. The positive detection rate of mNGS is high, which has a unique advantage in pathogen detection.

Objective:To investigate the effect of neutrophils on T lymphocyte function in septic mice and the role of CD80/cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) signaling pathway in this modulated effects.Methods:① In vivo experiment: 6-8 weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group (Sham group, n = 20), Sham+CTLA-4 antibody treatment group (Sham+aCTLA-4 group, n = 20), cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) induced sepsis model group (CLP group, n = 30) and CLP+CTLA-4 antibody treatment group (CLP+aCTLA-4 group, n = 30) according to the random number table. CLP was used to reproduce mouse sepsis model. The mice in the Sham group were treated identically but their cecums were neither punctured nor ligated. In CTLA-4 antibody treatment groups, 50 μg CTLA-4 antibody was injected intraperitoneally 6 hours and 24 hours after the operation. Forty-eight hours after operation, 6 mice in Sham group and Sham+aCTLA-4 group, 14 mice in CLP group and CLP+aCTLA-4 group were randomly selected to detect the expression of CD69 in spleen. At the same time, spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood were collected, and the expression of CD80 on neutrophils was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of CTLA-4 on the surface of T lymphocytes in spleen was detected by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The remaining mice in each group were used to observe the 96-hour survival after operation.② In vitro experiment 1: neutrophils were extracted from bone marrow of healthy mice and stimulated with LPS (1 mg/L) for 4, 8 and 12 hours respectively. The control group was added with the same amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at each time point, and the expression of CD80 was detected at each time point.③ In vitro experiment 2: splenic T lymphocytes of healthy mice were extracted and divided into PBS control group, LPS group (final concentration of LPS 1 mg/L), neutrophil group and neutrophil+LPS group. In the latter two groups, the co-culture model of neutrophils and T lymphocytes was established, and then the corresponding treatment was given to detect the expression of CTLA-4 on the surface of T lymphocytes. With the above four groups as controls, CTLA-4 antibody treatment groups (final concentration of CTLA-4 antibody 50 mg/L) were set up respectively. After 48 hours, the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the cell supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:① Results of in vivo experiment: compared with Sham group, the expression of CD80 on neutrophils in spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood was significantly up-regulated, while the expression of CTLA-4 on the surface of T lymphocytes was significantly increased [(9.98±0.84)% vs. (3.48±0.64)%, P < 0.05]. It suggested that neutrophils may affect T lymphocytes function through CD80/CTLA-4 pathway in sepsis. Compared with CLP group, CTLA-4 antibody could significantly improve the 96-hour cumulative survival rate of CLP mice (56.25% vs. 18.75%, P < 0.05), and increase the expression of CD69 on the surface of T lymphocytes. It suggested that CTLA-4 antibodies might increase T lymphocytes activation in sepsis and improve survival. ② Results of in vitro experiment: with the prolongation of LPS stimulation, the expression of CD80 on neutrophils gradually increased in time-dependent manner as compared with PBS control group [4 hours: (6.35±0.40)% vs. (3.41±0.40)%, 8 hours: (8.57±0.64)% vs. (3.09±0.27)%, 12 hours: (19.83±1.06)% vs. (5.16±0.36)%, all P < 0.05]. Compared with PBS control group, the expression of CTLA-4 on CD4 +/CD8 + T lymphocytes was not significantly affected by LPS stimulation alone, but CTLA-4 was increased after co-culture with neutrophils [CD4 +: (4.92±0.30)% vs. (3.33±0.25)%, CD8 +: (4.26±0.21)% vs. (2.53±0.66)%, both P < 0.05], and the increased trend of CTLA-4 was more obvious after co-culture with LPS-stimulated neutrophils [CD4 +: (6.34±0.50)% vs. (3.33±0.25)%, CD8 +: (6.21±0.41)% vs. (2.53±0.66)%, both P < 0.05]. In the PBS control group and LPS group, CTLA-4 antibody had no significant effect on IL-2 secretion of T lymphocytes. Compared with PBS control group, co-culture with neutrophils could inhibit the secretion of IL-2 by T lymphocytes (ng/L: 1 938.00±68.45 vs. 2 547.00±218.00, P < 0.05), and the inhibitory effect of neutrophils stimulated by LPS was more obvious (ng/L: 1 073.00±34.39 vs. 2 547.00±218.00, P < 0.05). CTLA-4 antibodies could partially restore IL-2 secretion. In conclusion, after promoting the expression of CTLA-4 on the surface of T lymphocytes, neutrophils might mediate the inhibition of T lymphocytes function by reducing the production of IL-2. Conclusions:Neutrophils mediate T lymphocytes dysfunction in sepsis, and the CD80/CTLA-4 pathway plays an important role. The CTLA-4 antibody improves survival and T lymphocytes function in sepsis mice, which may be a new method of immunotherapy for sepsis.