B7-H1, a recently described member of the B7 family of costimulatory molecules, is thought to be involved in tumor immune escape by inducing T-cell apoptosis. In order to investigate the relationship between B7-H1 and immune escape of bladder cancer, B7-H1 expression in 50 cases of bladder cancer was detected by using immunohistochemical method. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and independent prognostic factors were evaluated using the Cox regression model. Our results showed that the positive rate of B7-H1 immunostaining in normal bladder tissue and bladder cancer was 0 and 72% respectively. The expression of B7-H1 was strongly associated with the pathological grade, clinical stage and recurrence (P<0.05). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with B7-H1 positive group than in those with B7-H1 negative group and multi-variable analysis revealed that B7-H1 could be regarded as an independent factor in evaluating the prognosis of bladder cancer. It is concluded that the expression of B7-H1 is strongly associated with neoplastic progression and prognosis of bladder cancer. The manipulation of B7-H1 may become a beneficial target for immunotherapy in human bladder cancer.
Antigens, CD/genetics ; Antigens, CD/*metabolism ; Antigens, CD80/genetics ; Antigens, CD80/*metabolism ; Prognosis ; Tumor Escape/*genetics ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*immunology ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism

In this study we investigate the expression pattern of mucin genes in the human testis and evaluate the relationship between the expression of mucin genes and impaired spermatogenesis in the human testis. Thirty human testis tissues were collected from patients undergoing diagnostic testicular biopsy to investigate the cause of infertility. One part of the tissue underwent histological observation, and the other part of the tissue was subjected to semiquantitative RT-PCR of mucin genes, that is, mucin1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. The relative amount of mucin mRNAs was calculated by densitometry using glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal control. The samples were histologically diagnosed as either obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis (n = 13) or non-obstructive azoospermia with impaired spermatogenesis (n = 17). In the human testis with normal spermatogenesis, mRNA expression of mucin1, 9, 13 and GAPDH were found, but RT-PCR products of mucin 2, 3 and 4 were not detected. In the testis with impaired spermatogenesis, however, RT-PCR product of mucin1 was not found. There was no difference in the other mucin mRNA expression patterns between the testis with either normal or impaired spermatogenesis. To our knowledge, this study is the first that has detected the mRNA of mucin9 and 13 in human testis. This study also shows that mucin1 expression might be closely related to spermatogenesis. Our findings should be substantiated by more direct evidence, such as mucin protein expression and localization.
Testis/*metabolism ; *Spermatogenesis ; Mucins/*genetics ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Humans ; Glycoproteins/genetics ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Antigens/genetics ; Adult

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are members of the immunoglobulin superfamily expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of T cells. Given the receptor-ligand relationship between certain KIR and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) classⅠmolecules, the KIRs are involved in the regulation of NK cell activation through conveying activating or inhibitory signals, which plays an important role in immunities involved in transplantation, tumor, infection as well as autoimmune diseases. This paper has provided a review for the research on KIR gene polymorphisms and summarized the characteristics of the sequence-based typing method for KIR genes.
HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I ; genetics ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Receptors, KIR ; genetics

AIMTo construct recombinant retroviruses expressing anti-CD20 scFv/CD80/CD28/zeta gene and detect its expression in Jurkat cells.

METHODCD28-zetacDNA were amplified from plasmids pBULLET and inserted into pLNCX vector that contained anti-CD20 scFv/CD80 gene. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into PA 317 cells. Retroviruses were harvested from culture medium of PA 317 cells. Then NIH 3T3 were transfected with retroviruses. Objective gene expression was determined by PCR and FACS. Jurkat cells were transfected with high titer of retroviruses and resistant clones were obtained by G418 selection. Objective mRNA was determined by RT- PCR.

RESULTSThe recombinant eukaryotic vector was constructed successfully by PCR and enzyme digestion analysis and objective gene was amplified from NIH 3T3 cells transfected with retroviruses by PCR; FACS showed that objective protein could be expressed in NIH 3T3 cells. Objective gene was amplified from Jurkat cells transfected with retroviruses by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant retrovirus expressing anti-CD20 scFv/CD80/CD28/zeta gene was successfully constructed and objective protein could be expressed in Jurkat cells.

Antigens, CD20 ; genetics ; metabolism ; B7-1 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; CD28 Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region ; genetics ; metabolism ; Jurkat Cells ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo develop a coexpression plasmid which expressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus and know of its expressing efficiency.

METHODSThe plasmid coexpressing envelope protein and nucleoprotein of hepatitis B virus under the CMV promoter respectively was constructed by gene recombination. Cellular expression was assessed by ELISA.

RESULTSMultiple cloning site was inserted into expression vector contain hepatitis B virus PreS2-S gene. And expression unit containing hepatitis B virus PreC-C was cloned into it. HBsAg and HBeAg was detected both in the culture supernatant and in the cells.

CONCLUSIONThe coexpressing plasmid was constructed successfully and it can express effectively in vitro. This has provided a basis for further research of the therapeutic HBV DNA vaccine.

Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic stability of non-replicating recombinant adenovirus which used Ad41 as vector and could express VP6 gene of group A rotavirus during continous passage, in order to develop the vaccine of rotavirus.

METHODSThe recombinant adenovirus rvAd41-VP6 (o) was prepared by our laboratory early, it then was continuously propagated on 293TE7 cells for 14 passages. After that samples of the infected cells were collected at every 2 passages for the detection of the integration of the VP6 gene by PCR, and the expression of the target protein was detected by Western Blot analysis.

RESULTSAnalysis by PCR revealed that, there was stable integration of specific VP6 gene in the rvAd41-VP6 (o), Western Blot analysis confirmed that rvAd41-VP6 (o) could stably expressed the group-specific antigen structural protein VP6 (o), and it had preferable genetic stability.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant adenovirus rvAd41-VP6 (o) which could stably express the VP6 (o) gene had favorable biological property in vitro, and it has provided a basis for further research of animal immunization.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Rotavirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rotavirus Infections ; virology

To clone and express the gene encoding chicken aminopeptidase N (chAPN), and analysis the biological function of chAPN expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The chAPN gene was amplified by RT-PCR from the kidney cells of chicken embryo and then cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pCOLD-TF. Recombinant expression plasmid of pCOLD-TF-chAPN was constructed and then transformed into the competent E. coli BL21(DE3) cells for expression under different conditions such as induction time and inductor concentrations. Purified soluble recombinant chAPN was obtained by Ni-NTA His Bind Resin affinity chromatography and identified by SDS-PAGE gel and Western blotting assay. Its biological function was detected by its reaction with Leu-PNA and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed that the expression product of chAPN gene in E. coli was soluble. It was able to bind infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) dose-dependently. In conclusion, chAPN gene has been successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli, which will establish a basis for further research the enzymatic activity and antiviral function.
Animals ; CD13 Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chickens ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause the severe threat to the health of the people around the world. It depends upon the development of efficient diagnostic reagent and vaccine to prevent the prevalence of HB. In this study, we constructed the high expression recombinant Pichia pastoris and performed the screening tests in shake flasks to obtain the optimal values of several key fermentation parameters. Based on their effects on the growth and expression level of recombinant strains, FBS was the optimal industrial medium. The optimal values for the dissolve oxygen (DO), the final concentrations of methanol and the pH values were 50 mL, 1% (V/V) and 5.4-6.0, respectively. The optimal values of the parameters simulated in shake flasks were successfully scaled up to 10 L bioreactors to achieve high-throughput production: 310 OD600 in biomass and 27 mg/L in recombinant HBsAg. The expressed recombinant HBsAg in P. Pastoris was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Electron microscopy examination showed that the purified protein could be self-assembled to 22 nm virus-like particles. The results provided a basis for industrial scale-up production of diagnostic reagent and vaccine of next generation against HB.
Bioreactors ; Fermentation ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miR-122 on the expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) proteins.

METHODSAnti-sense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) of two different sequences against miR-122, anti-miR-122 and LNA-antimiR-122 (Locked nucleic acid), human miR -122 (hsa-miR-122), or the negative control anti-GFP were designed and synthesized, then transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells. After 24 h and 48 h, the levels of HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatant were determined with a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TRFIA). HBV DNA in supernatant and miR-122 in cells were measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTSAfter 48 h expressions of miR-122 in the LNA-antimiR-122 and anti-miR-122 groups were significantly suppressed and lower than those in the negative control (P<0.001), while the level of miR-122 in the hsa-miR-122 group was higher than that in the negative control (P<0.001). The expression of HBeAg and HBsAg in hsa-miR-122 group was lower than that in the negative control (P<0.01) 24 h and 48 h after transfection. The expression of HBeAg and HBsAg in the anti-miR-122 group and LNA-antimiR-122 group was significantly lower than that in negative control (P>0.001). The levels of viral DNA at both time-points in the various test groups were not significantly different from those of negative control group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONmiR-122 may regulate HBV antigens and potentially affect the progress of pathogenesis, which might be the new targets for treatment of HBV infection.

DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tetraspanin 24