Objective To provide experimental evidences for developing a safe and effective re- combinant fowlpox virus which can prevent the infection of HIV-2.Methods A fowlpox virus(FPV) transferring vector was constructed by inserting HIV-2 gag gene to the downstream of a synthetic complex promoter ATI-p7.5?20 of vector pUTA2.Transfection was then carried out,and recombi- nant FPV(rFPV)was screened by 5'-bromo-deoxyuridine(BrdU),genome PCR and western blot detection.Balb/c mice were immunized with rFPV by muscular injection.Anti-HIV-2 antibody, CD4~+ and CD8~+ T-cell count and specific target-killing activity of spleen CTL in immunized mice were analyzed by ELISA,FACS and LDH release assay,respectively.Results A transferring vector pA- gag was constructed and confirmed by amplifying a fragment of 766 bp from the rFPV genome.Mean- while,HIV-2 multi-antibody-specific protein blot(55 000)was detected from the recombinant virus and the HIV-2 specific antibody was detected from the immunized Balb/c mice.HIV-2 specific target- killing activity of spleen CTL was observed in immunized mice.Conclusion A recombinant fowlpox virus expressing HIV-2 structural protein Gag has been obtained,and it can stimulate HIV-2-specific eelluar and humoral immune reactions in mice.

Objective To build the cohort of drug resistance and analyze treatment efficiency of AIDS patients and situation of drug resistant mutations among HIV-1 infected individuals.Methods A cohort of 116 HIV-1 infected patients was built and their treatment progress were acquired once every 6 months.At the sanle time CD4+ T cell counts and HIV-1 viral load were measured and genotyping for drug resistance was determined by a home brew nested PCR.Results The CD4+ T cell count(470±251/ml)was higher than that before treatment in patients who were treated by AZT/DDI/NVP or D4T/DDL/NVP.The viral load was lower than that before treatmenL The drug resistant mutation frequency increased gradually along with treatment.The CD4+ T cell count was decreased and viral load was increased and the prevalence of drug resistant mutation was increased in the patients who changed regimens to AZT/3TC/NVP or D41/3TC/NVP.Only one primary mutation that was resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)was detected in the naive patients.The cross-resistant mutation was detected in two patients after 6 months treatment. The intermediate resistance to lopinavir(LPV) was detected after 12 months treatment.The prevalence of high-grade resistances to NNRTIs was increased obviously,and the prevalence of multi-resistance and cross-resistance was detected in 5 patients after 36 months treatment.Conclusions The prevalence of primary mutation was rare in naive HIV-1 infected patients.The prevalence of drug resistant mutation was inereased gradually along with treatment.Ahhough few regimens were available,the treatment effect could last relatively long period of time if patients keep taking medicine stably.The regimens could be changed according to the results of drug resistant test.

Objective: To investigate the role of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in supporting hematopoiesis and the expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro. Methods: According to the fact that HUVEC supernatant has colony stimulating activity shown by methylcellulose colony-forming assay and HUVEC can maintain the survival of mononuclear cells for at least four weeks in vitro, CD34+ cells from umbilical cord blood were seeded with (HUVEC group) or without (control group) HUVEC monolayer. Every week cells were collected and counted, the frequency of CFU-GM was measured by using methylcellulose colony-forming assay, and the percentage of CD34+ and CD41a+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Results: In control group，all the CD34+ cells died in two weeks. However, in HUVEC group,most nucleated cells and CD34+ cells were expanded by 68.1±14.8 fold and 6.6±1.4 fold，respectively at the third week while CFU-GM expansion reached its peak (5.7±2.1 fold) at the week 2. Moreover, the percentage of CD41a+ cells was enhanced significantly, reaching a maximum (15.6%) at the week 3. Conclusions:HUVEC can support hematopoiesis in vitro and expand the hematopoietic progenitor cells and CD41a+ cells in direct contact coculture.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of sinus heart rate turbulence(HRT)and the heart rate variability(HRV)in the patients with essential hypertension(EH).Methods HRV and HRT examination were carried out in sixty patients with EH.A subgroup of patients receive metoprolol+nifedipine(n=26)or nife- dipine alone(n=34)were investigated seperately to evaluate the effect of ?-blocker on the HRV and HRT.Fifty healthy persons were served as control.In the HRT determination,turbulence onset(TO)was defined as sinus heart rate acceleration,after ventrieular mature beat while turbulence slope(TS)as sinus heart rate deceleration slope after ventricular premsture beat.Normal value of TO was2.5 ms/RR period. SDNN,RMSSD,LF/HF in HRV were analysed from 24 hours ambulatory electrocardiography(before and after 1 month medication).Results ① In hypertensive group,52 patients showed positive TO(86.6%),48 patients pos- itive TS(80.0%)and 46 patients TO+TS(76.7%),compared with hypertension group only 2(4%)positive TO and 3(6%)positive TS in the healthy control.Forty-two cases SDNN(70.0%),41 cases RMSSD(68.3%)and 38 cases LF/HF(63.3 %)were positive in hypertensive group,while only 1(2 %)SDNN,1(2 %)RMSSD and 3(6 %) LF/HF in control. ② Metoprolol didn't change the positive percentage of parameters in HRT but parameters showing Heart rate variablity in HRV was decreased significantly found between TO,TS and TO+TS.Conclusion HRT and HRV is two indices for determination the dysfunction of autonomic nervous system in hypertension.?-re ceptor blocker inhibit sympathic activity,miligate the decreasing of HRV,but the bipbase accelerative and decelera- tive phenomena of HRT didn't change,HRT seems to be a more sensitive index for monitoring of autonomic sysfunc tion in hypertension.

AIM To investigate the ameliorative effects of Schisandrol A(Sol A)in Suhuang antitussive capsule on post-infectious cough(PIC).METHODS The in vivo mouse PIC model was established by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)combined with cigarette smoke exposure.The mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(14 g/kg),the montelukast sodium positive control group(3 mg/kg),and low and high dose Sol A groups(10,30 mg/kg).The in vitro PIC model was established by stimulating human bronchial epithelial cells(BEAS-2B)with LPS.The cells were divided into the control group,the model group,the Suhuang antitussive capsule group(10 μg/mL)and low and high dose Sol A groups(3,10 μmol/L).HE and Masson staining were used to detect the pathological changes of the lung and bronchial tissues.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA,SOD and GSH in the lung tissues.RT-qPCR was used to detect the IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expressions in BEAS-2B cells.And Western blot was applied to detect the protein expressions of p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4,SIRT1,p-ERK,Fibronectin,E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-SMA in mouse lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Sol A or Suhuang antitussive capsule displayed prolonged cough latency(P＜0.01);reduced cough frequency(P＜0.01);relieved pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in PIC mice;decreased pulmonary levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,ROS,MDA and protein expressions of Fibronectin,Vimentin,α-SMA,p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,and NOX4(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased pulmonary levels of SOD and GSH and protein expressions of E-cadherin and SIRT1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased ROS level,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α mRNA expressions and p-ERK,p-PI3K,p-Akt,NOX4 protein expressions in vitro(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and increased SIRT1 protein expression in vitro as well(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Being the main antitussive component of Suhuang antitussive capsule upon the PIC model,Sol A inhibits the inflammation via SIRT1/ERK signaling pathway and relieve the oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt/NOX4 signaling pathway.

AIM To explore the effects of praeruptorin A from Suhuang antitussive capsules on cough variant asthma(CVA).METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.5 mg/kg),the Suhuang antitussive capsules group(7 g/kg)and the low,medium and high dose praeruptorin A groups(15,30 and 60 mg/kg).The rat model of CVA was established by intraperitoneal injection of sensitizer(1 mg/mL ovalbumin and 10 mg/mL aluminum hydroxide)and aerosol inhalation of 1%ovalbumin followed by the corresponding dosing of drugs by gavage initiated on the 14th day.Another 14 days later,the rats had their pathological pulmonary changes observed by HE,Masson and PAS stainings;their number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)detected by hematology analyzer;and their levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF detected by ELISA.The RAW264.7 cell inflammatory model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)was treated with 4,8,16 μmol/L praeruptorin A or 0.25 mg/mL Suhuang antitussive capsules,respectively.And the cells had their NO level detected by Griess method,and their ROS expression observed using fluorescence microscopy.The detections of the pulmonary and cellular mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2,iNOS and PPAR-γ by RT-qPCR;and the protein expressions of p-P65,P65,p-IκBα,IκBα,NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β by Western blot were conducted in both the cells and the rats.RESULTS The in vivo result showed that praeruptorin A reduced the cough frequency(P＜0.01);prolonged the cough latency(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);reduced the number of eosinophils and neutrophils in BALF(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);decreased the levels of IL-4,IL-5,IL-13 and MUC5AC in BALF and the pulmonary mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and NLRP3,caspase-1(p20)and IL-1β protein expressions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)as well.The in vitro result showed that praeruptorin A inhibited the release of LPS-induced NO and reduce the ROS level(P＜0.01);decreased the mRNA expressions of IL-1β,COX-2 and iNOS(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);increased PPAR-γ mRNA expression(P＜0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation of P65 and IκBα protein and the expression of NLRP3 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Praeruptorin A,one of the main antitussive components of Suhuang antitussive capsules,may improve CVA because of its anti-inflammatory and antitussive role by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscles.

BACKGROUNDElevated levels of interleukin-7 (IL-7) have been correlated with CD4(+) T cell depletion and the emergence of syncytium-inducing (SI) variants in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, and suggested as an indicator of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) disease progression. Therefore, we investigated the effects of IL-7 on disease progression and virus phenotype in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study of 71 untreated HIV-1 seropositive individuals and 12 healthy donors, plasma IL-7 levels were determined by an ultra sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and its relations to CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, plasma viral loads and HIV phenotypes were analyzed.

RESULTSSignificant higher IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients [(3.33 +/- 3.60) pg/ml] than those of health controls [(1.2 +/- 0.81) pg/ml] (P < 0.05), and IL-7 levels were inversely associated with CD4(+) T cell counts (r = -0.497, P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-7 levels were significant higher in patients with SI variants [(9.12 +/- 4.55) pg/ml] than those with non-syncytium-inducing variants [(1.50 +/- 2.69) pg/ml] (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSIncreased IL-7 levels were found in Chinese HIV/AIDS patients and significantly associated with disease progression, thus increased IL-7 plasma levels may indicate disease progression.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Disease Progression ; HIV Seropositivity ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Interleukin-7 ; blood ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hypermethylation status of blu gene promoter in nasopharyngeal NK/T cell lymphoma and its role in the tumorigenesis and molecular diagnosis of this lymphoma.

METHODSTwenty cases of paraffin-embedded nasopharyngeal NK/T cell lymphomas tissues were studied by using methylation specific PCR (MSP).

RESULTSHypermethylation of blu gene promoter is detected in 6 of 20 (30%) nasopharyngeal NK/T cell lymphoma. The 6 positive cases were 4 in 15 nasopharyngeal NK cell lymphomas, 1 of 2 NK like T cell lymphoma and 1 in 3 peripheral T cell lymphomas (unspecified type).

CONCLUSIONHypermethylation of blu gene promoter in nasopharyngeal NK/T cell lymphoma indicated the inactivation of blu gene and its possible role in the tumorigenesis of this lymphoma. blu gene methylation could be detected in paraffin-embedded tissue and used as a new molecular marker for the diagnosis of this lymphoma.

DNA Methylation ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; genetics ; pathology ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins

Endothelial cells are the critical cell component of hematopoietic microenvironment. For the purpose of facilitating the study on modulating effect of endothelial cells in hematopoiesis, a human umbilical vein cell line, IEC, was established. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were transfected with the plasmid pSV(3neo) carried SV40 large T antigen by lipofection. The IEC cells expressed factor VIII and the UEA I-binding ratio was about 97%. The chromosome variation was existed in the cell line, with the karyotype 45, XX, -18, 18q(+). The cell line retained the proliferative capacity at least 25 passages. IEC cells stimulated the growth of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells in coculture of cord blood CD34(+) cells with IEC cells. It is concluded that IEC cell line possessed the biological features of endothelial cell and supported hematopoiesis in vitro.

To screening out Chinese vaccine candidate against HIV-1, Chinese vaccine strain 282E4 of fowlpox virus was used as the vector to construct the recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) coexpressing gp120 of Chinese HIV-1 strain and IL-18, and the recombinant virus was indentified by PCR and Western blot. The specific DNA fragment could be amplified by PCR from the genome of rFPV. Western blot analysis showed that gp120 and IL-18 could be expressed not only in chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells infected by rFPV, but also in mammalian cells infected by rFPV. After the recombinant fowlpox virus was inoculated into BALB/c mice, the spleen specific CTL activities and serum antibodies in the immunized mice were detected, which demonstrated that the rFPV had good immunogenicity and could induce BALB/c mice to produce specific humoral and cellular immunity. IL-18 palyed the role of immunoadjuvant. The study lays the basis on the preparation of genetic engineering live vector vaccine against HIV-1.
AIDS Vaccines ; immunology ; Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Fowlpox virus ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Interleukin-18 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; immunology